Sharing the road with large semi-trucks is frightening and serious crashes occur more often than many realize. Fully loaded tractor-trailers can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds while an average car is around 4,000 pounds. That weight difference means that in a head-on collision the occupants of the smaller vehicle almost always face far greater risk.
Why Survival Is Difficult
The outcome of a head-on crash depends on speed, impact angle, whether the truck jackknifes and many other factors. Even at moderate speeds of 30-40 mph, the forces involved can be enough to break bones or cause internal organ damage. At highway speeds the risk of fatal or severely disabling injury is much higher.
Severe injuries commonly include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, crushed limbs or joints, and in some cases burns caused by fire or impact damage.
What Survivors Face
People who do survive often deal with:
- Immediate surgeries and long hospital stays
- Months or years of rehabilitation, physical therapy, and possibly permanent impairment
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life
- Huge medical expenses, lost wages, and sometimes needing modifications to home or long-term care
The Legal Challenges
After such a wreck seeking compensation is complicated. Many trucking companies and insurers use teams of expert attorneys to reduce their liability. They may dispute who is at fault, try to minimize the severity of injuries, or push for a settlement that does not account for all future needs.
A good truck accident lawyer can help by:
- Collecting evidence such as log-books, driver rest records, truck maintenance history and black box data
- Working with accident reconstruction experts and medical specialists to establish how and why the crash happened and what injuries resulted
- Holding the trucking company or any other responsible party accountable
How Hillstone Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been involved in a head-on collision with a big rig, Hillstone Law can assist you with investigating the crash, identifying all responsible parties, calculating both current and future losses, and pursuing fair compensation. While no award can undo the harm done, it can help you rebuild and move forward.
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Disclaimer: The material provided in these blogs is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading these posts does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship with Hillstone Law. Our intent is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide helpful resources to the public; however, Hillstone Law makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided, and expressly disclaims liability for any actions taken in reliance on it. The photos used in these posts are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients, individuals, or incidents unless expressly stated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
