Big Truck Accident Questions
Boise, Idaho
What should I do if I am involved in a truck accident?
If you are involved in a truck accident, seek medical attention first and foremost. As with all accidents, you should never flee the scene or admit fault to anyone. Never agree to sign a statement or any other paperwork and never make a statement to the other party or their insurance company without an attorney present. Be sure to collect and preserve all evidence through documentation, collection and photographs when possible. Also write down the contact information of the other party involved and any witnesses to the accident.
How long do I have to file a claim?
In Idaho, if you have been involved in a truck accident, you have two years to file a claim against the party responsible for your accident. If you do not file a truck accident injury claim within this time period, you may forever lose your right to collect damages.You should begin your claim as soon as possible after the accident when the incident and evidence is fresh in your mind. Also, time can hurt your claim if evidence such as skid marks fade or damaged parts are cleared from the road.
What are the common causes of truck accident?
There are dozens of reasons for truck accidents. Some common ones include:
- Oversized trucks or overloaded trucks
- Inclement weather
- Tight driving deadlines
- Poorly maintained brakes
- Failure to yield
- Inexperienced drivers
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
How common are truck accidents?
Semi-trucks and tractor trailers are a common sight on America’s roadways. This means that accidents that involve these massive vehicles are more common than many people believe. Every year in the United States, roughly 500,000 large trucks are involved in accidents involving passenger cars or other trucks. Of those, about 5,000 end in fatatlities. In Idaho alone, there were 795 large truck accidents in 2006, 24 of which were fatal.
What makes large trucks so dangerous?
The enormous size and weight of semi-trucks and tractor trailers makes them notably more dangerous than other vehicles on the road. A large truck can weigh as much as 30 times more than passenger vehicles so their ability to stop and maneuver takes longer. Blind spots also make semi-trucks dangerous on the road. A large truck’s wide dimensions, make it difficult for the driver to see cars that do not remain visible in the side mirrors. Due to their size, the risk of serious injury is much higher in a truck-passenger vehicle collision than with a non-truck passenger collision.
Large truck accidents often have devastating outcomes. Serving the Boise area, the lawyers at Craig Swapp & Associates have what it takes to win your case. If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident and you live in the Boise area, please call our Boise truck accident attorneys to schedule your complimentary, confidential consultation today.
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