Your Truck Accident Lawyer Kentucky & Indiana
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and serving the entire State of Kentucky and Southern, Indiana, our truck accident lawyers are here to help you in the event that you or someone you love is the victim of a truck accident. Injury attorneys at the Cooper and Friedman law firm have over 45 combined years of experience successfully handling personal injury cases including truck accidents. And we’ve successfully recovered millions of dollars for seriously injured people like you. For more information, including a free case consult, give us a call now at 502-459-7555 to speak with a truck accident lawyer.
Truck Accidents – An Overview from a Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck drivers are expected to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Safety inspections are performed on a regular basis. This is essential in part because the weight of many trucks significantly changes depending on the load. Balancing the load in a truck is essential to limit the risk of tipping. Truck drivers need to keep a safe distance from other vehicles to have enough time to stop and to take precautions when passing other vehicles.
Sometimes standard safety precautions are not enough to avoid a truck accident. In fact, being a truck driver is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. According to federal laws, truck drivers are not permitted to drive more than 11 hours for a single stretch of time or 77 hours in a seven-day period. These regulations are intended to prevent driver fatigue. Yet the fact is that truck drivers are often compensated for the miles that they drive. This payment model encourages some to keep driving even when exhausted. This can increase the risk of drowsy driving which may lead to an accident.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports 1 in 10 highway deaths occur in a crash involving a large truck. Unfortunately, these deaths tend to most seriously affect the passenger vehicle occupants because of the force and size truck drivers contribute in an accident.
The actual build of a truck compared to a regular passenger vehicle is significantly larger, heavier and more difficult to maneuver. Trucks weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars and vans. Additionally, the height of a truck allows for greater ground clearance which makes smaller cars more susceptible to crashes.
Add these features to different road conditions and driver capabilities and there is an increased risk for truck accidents every day. Additionally, it generally takes trucks 20 to 40 percent longer to brake than standard vehicles. Combine that with slick roads and/or old brakes and this contributes to the high number of accidents involving trucks.
Consult a Truck Accident Attorney for Help Now
At the Cooper and Friedman law firm, experienced truck accident injury attorneys are ready to help you or a loved one who has been in a truck accident. Our truck accident attorneys have the experience and resources to make sure your rights are protected to the full extent of the law. This includes helping you get the legal support and compensation you deserve as the victim of a truck accident.
There are many complicated variables involved in truck accidents. If you or someone you love is the victim of a truck accident, the injury attorneys at Cooper and Friedman are ready to help. Contact a Louisville truck accident lawyer now at 502-459-7555 for a free case consultation. Check out our blog for more information about truck accidents, including important terminology.
