Justice After a Commercial Vehicle Collision

Collisions between cars and commercial vehicles can result in some of the most devastating accidents on the road. Considering the differences between passenger and commercial vehicle alone, such as size, weight and the resulting force, it is clear which of the two typically ends up absorbing more of the damage. Unfortunately, the victims in these types of accidents often end up with severe injuries, and in the worst cases, can even suffer death.  If you were injured in a commercial vehicle crash caused by the negligence or unsafe actions of a commercial truck driver or a trucking company, you could be entitled to compensation and OCLA Injury Lawyer Ryan L. Maughan, Esq. is here to help.

Commercial vehicles can be any vehicle that is used for commercial or business purposes. Although you may think of only big rig trucks as commercial vehicle, any vehicle can be considered a “commercial vehicle” if it is licensed as, and used for, commercial purposes.  This can include SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, limousines, semi-trailer trucks or semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, flatbed trucks, passenger buses, box trucks like rent-a-trucks, garbage trucks, tanker trucks, tow-trucks, chemical transportation trucks, and delivery vans.

Main Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents: Understanding the Factors at Play

Unfortunately, commercial vehicle accidents often happen because someone did not follow the law or failed to take necessary safety precautions.  Some of the most common causes include driving under the influence, driver fatigue, and distracted driving. Sadly, driver fatigue is all too common with long-haul truck drivers trying to keep up with industry demands. Due to the amount of time spent on the road, commercial truck drivers are highly susceptible to many types of distractions, such as texting, eating, and drinking while driving. They may also be more likely to be involved in an accident if their truck is not well-maintained or if they failed to conduct routine inspections of the vehicle. This puts themselves and others on the road at risk.

Commercial vehicle accidents often result in serious injuries to those involved.  These injuries can include broken bones, torn ligaments, sprained muscles, herniated discs, lacerations, amputations, spinal cord injuries including varying degrees of paralysis, burns, internal injuries, and head trauma. Injuries can also be life threatening and tragically result in death. If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligent behavior, you can seek compensation. You deserve to be compensated for costs like medical expenses, property damage, lost income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and emotional distress.

Seeking Legal Representation

Before hiring a lawyer to represent you, make sure to find out about their practice areas and experience first. There are many different kinds of lawyers, and not every lawyer will be experienced in the area of law you require. It is important to find a lawyer who has knowledge and expertise in your type of case.

Although settling your case without going to court can make the process easier, it might not always be in your best interest or result in the compensation you deserve. Based on the facts and circumstances of your case, your lawyer might need to take your case to court and should be prepared to do so.  Personal injury trials for commercial vehicle accidents are often complex and not easy to win, so when hiring a lawyer, make sure they are equipped to do what is best for your case. Contact OCLA Injury Lawyer Ryan L. Maughan to help you navigate your options. The team at RLM Law is here to help.