Car and Truck Crashes
Collisions between autos and trucks is the most frequent cause of injuries on our roadways. Despite significant safety improvements over the last several decades, the size, speed, and velocity of motor vehicles often causes the occupants serious injuries upon impact. Frequently soft tissues of the body are injured, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries can take a long time to heal. The attorneys at Barden & Barden have worked with many auto drivers who were struck and injured.
Trucks on our roadways are a constant presence moving freight from place to place. It is estimated that over ten millions trucks are on our roadways at any one time. The large carrying capacity of these vehicles is beneficial for the businesses involved, but if an accident occurs, the effect on other roadways users is significant. The size and bulk of trucks can cause serious, life-altering injuries in a collision. Barden & Barden represents victims of trucking accidents who are seriously injured by these vehicles.
Drivers responsible for collisions are liable for any damages, whether that's personal bodily injury or property damage. Insurance payouts that are fair and adequate can cover the costs of some damage, usually just property damage, but oftentimes it's not enough. When it's not enough, you may need a personal injury lawyer who has specific experience with auto accidents.
We can help you submit a solid, well-supported personal injury claim to ensure you receive just and fair compensation. Contact us online or at 509-315-8089 to schedule a consultation about your case today.
Common Injuries from Car and Truck Crashes
Injuries sustained from auto crashes can range anywhere from minor to fatal. The types of immediate bodily injuries often involved in personal injury claims include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and cuts
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chronic pain
Any and all of the above injuries can be serious and life-threatening. All bodily injuries – regardless of their severity – are compensable if you are the victim of the collision. In most cases, psychological, mental, and emotional injuries are also compensable.
Types of Auto Collisions
The type of injuries you sustain depends on the type and manner of the crash. Common types of crashes include:
- Head-on collisions, which are among the most devastating types of collisions that result in serious and life-threatening bodily injuries
- Rear-end collisions, which are among the most common and frequently result in whiplash
- Side-impact collisions, which are common, usually occur at intersections and result in a range of injuries depending on where the vehicle was struck
- Roll-over collisions, which are less common but result in head and neck injuries
- Sideswipe collisions, which are less common and occur when one of two or more vehicles traveling parallel with each other swipes the side of the other vehicle
- Blind spot collisions, which are less common and occur when one vehicle fails to spot another vehicle while changing or merging into another lane
The type of car crash can indicate liability for property and bodily damages. It's important to remember, though, that accidents can be complex events, and so though the type may initially and seemingly indicate fault, a thorough investigation must be conducted for a clear understanding of where liability falls.
Common Causes of Crashes
Crashes happen due to many reasons. Typically, causes can be grouped into three categories: drivers, vehicles, and environment.
Drivers
- Intoxicated driving (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, illicit drugs)
- Distracted driving (e.g., eating, texting, disciplining children)
- Drowsy driving or falling asleep while driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Decision error (e.g., driving too fast for the conditions, misjudging another driver's actions)
- Recognition error (e.g., inattention)
- Performance error (e.g., overcompensation, poor directional control)
Vehicles
- Tires/wheels-related
- Brakes-related
- Steering/suspension/transmission/engine-related
- Manufacture defects
Environment
- Slick roads (e.g., ice, loose debris)
- Glare
- View obstructions
- Signs/signals
Most crashes are the direct result of one driver. Aside from crashes caused by drivers, vehicles, or environmental conditions, there are other reasons that don't fall within these categories. For instance, pedestrians can sometimes be the cause of a crash. In other circumstances, the cause cannot be determined.
When the cause of a crash is easily identified, liability will also tend to be easily identifiable. More complex auto accident cases, however, require the insight of an experienced car crash attorney and the knowledge and expertise of expert witnesses.
Benefits of Making a Personal Injury Claim
After a car crash, insurance companies will investigate the cause of the wreck to see who was at fault. They will then offer to cover the victim's expenses. Insurance companies, however, are for-profit entities. They make money by bringing in premium payments and increase profit margins by minimizing the amount of money they pay out in settlements.
When an insurance company offers a settlement, that offer may not represent the true value of fair compensation a victim deserves. Victims should be compensated for their:
- Medical bills, past, and future
- Property damage
- Lost wages, past, and future
- Reduced earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Other damages resulting from the crash
Frequently, an insurance settlement offers only cover property damage and medical bills, and only those expenses incurred to date. Sometimes the settlement will also include lost wages, but again, it may only include the wages lost to date and not future wages or loss of earned income.
By hiring a lawyer and pursuing these other forms of compensation, car crash victims can obtain reimbursement for all of their losses.
Importance of Working With an Experienced Car Crash Lawyer
Most people will only be involved in one or two, if any, serious auto collisions in their lifetime. Crashes that result in serious injuries, and the insurance issues that follow, can quickly become overwhelming for those involved in these situations. If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a crash, it is in your best interests to speak with an attorney experienced in working with car crash victims. At Barden & Barden, we work hard for our clients to obtain fair and just compensation. Contact us using our online form or by calling us directly at 509-315-8089 to schedule a consultation today.
