What Is A Commercial Vehicle?
Commercial vehicles are used for business purposes and may be fleet vehicles, company cars, etc. In addition, vehicles that are designed to carry more than 15 passengers are considered a commercial vehicle. And any vehicle with a weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more is considered a commercial vehicle.
Vehicles that are commonly insured as "commercial" include:
- Company-owned automobile or fleet car
- Passenger vans
- Passenger bus
- Agricultural trucks & tractors
- Box trucks
- Cargo vans
- Dump trucks
- Taxis, Ubers, etc.
- Shuttle buses
- Concrete mixers
- Car carriers
- Flatbed trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Semi trucks
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Crashes
Over the years, federal and state authorities have put in place measures to reduce the number of collisions and truck accident fatalities. These regulations have not resulted in a large reduction in the accidents.
Here some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents.
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Unsecured load
- Blind spots
- Traveling Too Fast For Conditions
- Maintenance issues
- Improper turns
- Parking illegally
Types of Commercial Truck Collisions
Understanding the different types of collisions involving commercial trucks is important for accident victims. Commercial truck accidents of all types lead to some of the most severe wrecks seen on American roadways. Due to the sheer size alone, commercial trucks can cause considerable property damage and cause catastrophic injury on a number of innocent victims.
These are some of the most common types of commercial truck collisions:
- T-bone collision. When a truck driver runs a red light or blows through a stop sign, there is a good chance it will result in a T-bone collision.
- Head-on collision. If a truck driver goes over the center line and collides with another vehicle, the crash will almost always result in serious injury or death.
- Underride/override. If a passenger vehicle crashes underneath a truck, or a truck rear ends another car, the wreckage is usually severe.
- Rollover accident. Trucks that tip over on highways may crash down and hit other vehicles.
- Left-turn accidents. Trucks must make sure they have enough room to safely make a left turn, otherwise vehicles may crash into the trailer.
- Jackknife accident. When a truck driver brakes hard and fast, it causes the trailer to shift outward at a 90-degree angle in front of the cab.
- Backing accidents. Truck drivers that don’t take the proper precautions while backing may cause injuries.
Injuries in a Commercial Truck Collision
At Davis Law Group, our commercial truck accident attorneys seek the most compensation for Washington state motorists who suffer injuries. We have a national reputation for successful truck accident litigation.
Many commercial truck crash victims that contact us have survived wrecks only to find themselves with a decreased quality of life. Our goal is to get them the financial compensation to move on with their lives.
Common truck accident injuries include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Amputations
- Respiratory injuries
- Wrongful Death
You’re not alone if you’ve suffered a commercial truck crash injury. If you have a commercial truck accident injury case, or think you may have one, call (206) 727-4000 today or contact us through our website.
Damages Recoverable After a Commercial Truck Accident
Your personal injury attorney should be aware of all the potential damages recoverable in a commercial truck accident case. While some may be obvious — medical bills, rehab, etc. — others aren’t. Only an experienced attorney can maximize your claim and put the most money back in your pocket.
Damages in a truck accident case may include:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages/Earning Capacity
- Loss of Essential Services
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Affection/Consortium/Quality of Life
- Property Damage
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses
The Need for Experts in a Truck Accident Case
At Davis Law Group, attorney Chris Davis works with the top trucking experts in commercial truck accident cases. Many accident lawyers make the mistake of retaining experts later in the case, only to realize too late that experts should’ve been brought in right after the crash.
Experts may be used on your case for a variety of reasons, including to determine fault and make a valuation of your damages. Commercial trucks and their insurance companies are sure to contest parts of your case, and it’s important that you have experts on your side fighting for you.
Potential experts include:
- Accident Reconstructionist
- Economist
- Medical Expert
- Mental Health
- Vocational expert
- Roadway Design Expert
- Truck Maintenance expert
- Forensic Toxicologist (drugs)
- Safety Expert
- Transportation Investigator
- Metallurgist
- Engineer
- Pathologist
Contact a Commercial Trucking Crash Attorney
After you’ve been involved in a crash with a commercially-owned vehicle, the odds are immediately stacked against you. But hiring an attorney with experience going up against commercial and the big corporate insurance companies can make all the difference.
Contact Davis Law Group today to begin your road to financial recovery. Call (206) 727-4000, use the chat feature below or fill out the form on this page to get started.