Many, many people choose truck driving as their profession, and why not? Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there were 1,871,700 of these jobs in 2016 alone. Additionally, between 2016 and 2026 the industry is expected to grow by 6-percent, which will create another 108,400 positions. The drivers are in high demand as the U.S. relies on them to transport food, goods, and plenty of other things from place to place across the nation.
They make sure that things are always on store shelves, production doesn’t stop, and cargo arrives on time. Why do so many people decide to drive for a living? There are lots of ways to answer this question. However, it usually has something to do with the pay. The same study revealed that the median annual salary for truck drivers was $42,480 per year as of May 2017. That averages out to about $20.42 an hour, which is nothing to shake a stick at. Plus, most companies only require a high school diploma and a short period of on-the-job training.
While these big-rigs are extremely beneficial, they can also lead to horrific heavy truck accidents. Research from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that there were 4,440 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes in 2016 alone, which was a 2-percent increase from 2015. Of course, not all incidents result in loss of life, but still, it is a possibility. Also, the collisions are often way worse than normal ones when it comes to injuries. Aside from death, common damages from such wrecks include…
• Broken And Fractured Bones
• Loss Of Limbs
• Burns, Lacerations, Bruises
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Damages, Which Can Result In Full Or Partial Paralysis
• Internal Bleeding
Why Do Truck Accidents Occur?
For one, tractor-trailers are much larger than everyday cars and trucks. They need more room to turn, extra distance to stop, and often carry wide-loads that take up additional lane space. Additionally, these drivers are just like any other driver on the roadway. They can become distracted by their cell phones or passengers. These operators spend countless hours behind the wheel too, so they can get drowsy from time to time as well. One wrong move is all it takes for an accident to happen.
Should You Hire A Lawyer?
Big transport companies tend to have legal teams on standby. They are waiting in the wings to discredit plaintiff claims. These attorneys do not have the victim’s best interest in mind. Rather, they are looking for anything and everything to turn the tide and prevent their client from having to pay out a hefty settlement. They use delay tactics, attempt to shift blame, and leave the victim feeling like they are in the wrong.
So, yes, it is a very good idea to put a reputable firm on your side. Our team will fight tooth and nail to recover the compensation that you deserve. The lawyers will collect witness testimonies, even from those individuals that were not so forthcoming in the beginning. They will get police reports and documents from the insurance companies. Also, the attorneys will obtain the data from the truck’s black box to tell the real story of what happened leading up to the event. Don’t get taken advantage of in your time of need. Instead, let us take care of the heavy legal lifting while you worry about the most important thing, recovering from your injuries.
The initial case review is free and personal injury cases are paid on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you only pay if compensation is recovered. There is nothing to lose but plenty to gain. So, make the call today.