When a large commercial truck collides with a car, truck, motorcycle or pedestrian, it usually results in serious permanent injuries or death. Due to their size, trucks are often deadly. Today there are approximately 2 million 18-wheelers in the United States. About 500,000 accidents involving big rigs happen each year. Many deadly accidents involving large trucks are due to a driver’s negligence. Federal and state laws regulate how commercial trucks are operated; however, the rules are often ignored. Truck companies are under pressure to deliver loads on time, frequently sacrificing the wellbeing of truck drivers. Collisions with a large truck differ significantly from accidents between two passenger vehicles. U.S. commercial trucks and full trailer trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A crash between a passenger car and a loaded truck often results in severe injuries or death. Most truck accidents occur on state highways and turnpikes. Even though there are regulations designed for the trucking industry to make it safer, that only works if the industry commits to the rules. Many trucking companies do not. Moving goods across the country under tight deadlines causes trucking companies to cut corners. To cut corners, truck companies require drivers to drive longer and overlook truck maintenance. The majority of truck accidents are the result of equipment malfunction and driver error. Driver error or equipment malfunction is not the only reason why truck accidents happen. Accidents can involve an improperly secured load, speeding, fatigue, DUI, reckless driving, poor or no vehicle maintenance, improperly trained drivers and defective parts. Truck accident cases that settle or go to court often receive higher settlements of jury awards for victims. In determining settlements of jury awards, many factors are considered, like economic damages, property damages, and the nature and degree of the negligence in causing the accident. The many state and federal laws that are involved cause truck accident cases to be complex and convoluted. Often, truck accidents can involve multiple jurisdictions, truck companies, truck owners, vehicle manufacturers, part makers, government regulations and insurance companies. All professional truck drivers are held to a high standard of care to drive safely and cautiously. In the event of an accident, the court carefully scrutinizes the driver’s actions to determine negligence. In 2017 of all road deaths involving 18-wheelers, only 2.4 percent were occupants of a truck, and 97.6 percent were passengers in other vehicles or pedestrians. If you have been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, reach out and connect with the well-known and respected truck accident attorneys at MP2 Placidi & Parini. You may have a right to recover funds for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. In case of a fatality, the family can possibly file a wrongful death lawsuit. MP2 Placidi & Parini know how to navigate the complicated legal process to obtain the compensation you deserve.