Large trucks – that is, those weighing more than 10,000 pounds, such as 18-wheelers and other freight carriers – can pose extreme hazards on the road. Because of their size, collisions between large trucks and smaller passenger vehicles often have dire consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 413,000 large trucks involved in traffic accidents nationwide during 2007. More than 4,800 people died in these crashes and another 101,000 were injured. This translates into one out of nine traffic fatalities in 2007 resulting from trucking accidents. Moreover, 75 percent of the people killed in large truck crashes nationwide were occupants of vehicles other than the large trucks, and another 8 percent were non-occupants such as pedestrians and bicyclists. Similarly, 75 percent of the people injured in car accidents involving large trucks were riding in vehicles other than the trucks, and 2 percent of those injured were non-occupants such as pedestrians and cyclists.

Fortunately, statistics have also shown that truck drivers tend to be far more careful on the road than other drivers. Nonetheless, we cannot avoid the unique dangers posed by tractor trailers. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while our cars typically weigh 3,000 pounds or less. In addition, large trucks often carry hazardous materials that can make accidents more dangerous than they otherwise would have been. Common types of truck accidents include jackknifing, rear-ending another vehicle, left turn collisions, head-on collisions, running stop signs or red lights, speeding, unsafe lane changes, tire blowouts and unsafe or unstable loads. Nearly 300 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey during 2007 alone. In February 2007, three of our attorneys secured a $4.25 million verdict for the family of an infant who was tragically killed in a tractor trailer accident in Harrisburg, Pa. (For further information click here.)

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident it is crucial that you contact an experienced accident lawyer immediately. Only a skilled attorney can help you achieve maximum compensation by identifying the many possible sources of recovery in these cases, which often involve multiple defendants. Our dedicated injury lawyers can help you obtain all of the compensation to which you may be entitled. This may include money for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical bills and lost wages or other financial damages. Only a trial lawyer who has handled numerous truck accident matters can decide the best strategy for handling your case.

At Feldman Shepherd, we are committed to obtaining the best possible recovery for our clients as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Related News and Media Coverage:

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	$6,750,000 Settlement in New Jersey Wrongful Death Case August 3, 2009
	Confidential Settlement for Injuries Caused by Lack of Headrest in Ford F150 February 2, 2009