Rear End and Head On Collisions

Some of the most horrific truck accidents between a commercial 18 wheeler truck and a passenger car are rear end and head on truck driver crash. These crashes range from mild to severe, but the most serious will result with death, brain injuries and paralysis to the passenger car's occupants. For those people who actually survive a head on accident with a massive big rig truck, they may spend the rest of their

The truck accident attorneys of Gordon & Elias, L.L.P have aggressively pursue head on accident victims' cases making sure that their clients receive the necessary compensation that they deserve. Call toll free: 1-800 - 773 - 6770 and speak with a highly experienced truck accident lawyer OR fill out the "Request More Information." form. You pay no attorney fees unless we win your rear-end, head-on collision truck accident case.

The sooner you contact a truck accident lawyer, the better it is for your case. It is important to gather as much physical evidence at the rear end / head on collision site as quickly as possible before it disappears due to weather or other traffic riding over the road. Gordon & Elias, L.L.P truck accident lawyers contact specialists that can gather evidence and reconstruct the truck accident to help determine its cause. In addition we utilize legal assistants and investigators who work with accident reconstruction experts, engineering experts and even health care providers (medical doctors / rehab specialists) to build your case.

The NHTSA released statistics detailing how there are 5,000 people killed in fatal semi accident crashes each year and some 130,000 people are injured in big truck accidents on a yearly basis as well. While according to The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), amore than 400,000 large trucks are involved in accidents across the US. What is extraordinary approximately 70,000 of these crashes are considered rear-end truck accidents. Truck rear-end collisions can occurs two ways: either the commercial truck hits the rear of another vehicle, or a passenger car hits the rear of a truck. Injuries tend to be much more catastrophic when a passenger car hits the rear of a big rig truck. More than half of rear-end collisions occurred in the dark and resulted in fatalities. After a FMCSA study on truck rear-end accidents it was determined that the following were the most common contributing factors:

• Trucks with improperly functioning headlights, turn signals, no reflectors along the sides and back
• Poor lighting conditions on the road which could include bad weather, no highway lighting, or broken highway lighting
• DUI by the truck driver or the other motorist
• Malfunctioning brakes on the commercial truck

Although most semitrailers are required to have underride guards which are steel bars that hang from the backs of trailers to prevent the front of a passenger vehicle from moving underneath during a crash, evidence shows that the minimum strength and dimensions required for underride guards are inadequate. When a passenger car "under rides" the back of a truck in a rear end collision, the top of the passenger's compartment can get crushed if the structures designed to absorb the energy of a crash are inadequate. The airbags and safety belts in the passenger's car can't do their jobs, and people inside can experience life-threatening head and neck injuries, and even death. Some trucking companies are already taking steps to install stronger underride guards than are mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the potential for serious injury still remains.

Both truck drivers and passenger motorists need to be aware of the multitude of causes that could result in rear end and head on collisions since both types of vehicles will continue to share US roads.

Common Truck Accident Causes

Big rigs and semis are common sights on the roads of the country, accounting for almost 3 percent of traffic accidents on a yearly basis. Some of the most common causes of these bad truck accidents are listed below:

• The driver of a motor vehicle drives in the blind spot of the truck
• Merging inappropriately in front of a truck
• Unsafe passing
• Inclement weather
• Unsecured Loads
• Bad Brakes
• Poor Maintenance
• Inadequate training on the part of the commercial truck driver
• Abrupt lane changes in front of a truck by a passenger car driver
• Driver drowsiness
• Driver fatigue
• Animals on the roadway
• Leaving a disabled vehicle on the highway without the proper flares or reflectors

Truck Accident Laws

Before operating a big rig or semi truck, the driver must pass a truck license training course and obtain a special driver’s license to operate the vehicle. If he or she does not have these qualifications then they should not be behind the wheel of a large commercial truck. If stopped with the proper credentials, the driver is subject to tickets, fines, and license suspensions. Big rigs and semi trucks must folow the guidelines of trucking laws that govern the size, weight, route designations, length, width, and weight limitations of the truck. All trucks must pass inspections prior to being allowed on the roadway and must continue to be inspected randomly throughout their use to make sure safety standards are being followed..

Liability

When you talk of liability in a big rig or big truck crash, it typically refers to who is responsible for the accident. Liability often rests with the negligence of the truck driver, but there may be others also sighted for negligence. Truck accidents are often complex cases with a lot at risk for not only the victim, but also for the truck company. You can be sure they will have a large contingency of lawyers and specialists protecting their interests. Make sure you a an experienced truck attorney to protect your rights and win you the compensation you deserve.

Compensation for Injuries

Victims of rear end or head on big rig and semi truck accidents can suffer various injuries including broken bones, concussions, respiratory problems, fractured bones, cuts, abrasions, burns, severed limbs, paralysis, and even death. The truck accident attorneys at Gordon & Elias, L.L.P will fight for compensation for:

• Loss of wages
• Medical bills
• Hospital bills
• Repair costs
• Legal fees
• Court fees
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering

Legal Help

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a head on collision semi accident or semi rear end truck accident, contact a commercial truck accident attorney from Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. The attorney will be able to answer all questions the victim might have regarding their situation and discuss legal options. You pay no attorney fees unless we win your rear-end, head-on collision truck accident case.