Truck Accident Attorney
Nationwide Representation for Trucking Accident Victims
If you were injured in a truck accident, take the necessary steps to protect your right to compensation!
Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles, a collision between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck can prove disastrous. Although commercial trucks are regulated by the federal government, drivers and trucking companies across the nation present a huge safety risk to other drivers on the road. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in this type of accident, Arnold & Itkin LLP is here to assist. We are truck accident attorneys, and we are here to fight for your right to financial compensation.
Our firm strongly believes in the victim's right to hold the negligent party responsible for the accident. Those involved in accidents with large trucks typically suffer great financial loss due to medical bills, repair costs and lost wages during recovery time. Victims of these accidents also suffer from severe emotional and psychological trauma, and our firm believes in the victims' right to compensation for emotional damage as well. Arnold & Itkin has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. In fact, in the last three years alone, were able to recover more than $500 million on behalf of our injured clients. You can trust our firm to get the job done. Call us at (888) 436-7449 for a free, confidential consultation. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for the injured and are standing by to see how we can help with your claim.
Alarming Statistics
Trucking companies are in business to make money, and that means getting shipments delivered on time. In an effort to increase profit, these same companies can place a greater emphasis on speed over safety – which can cause motorists to become unnecessarily vulnerable. For example, recent statistics show that an alarming 12 percent of all traffic fatalities and 4 percent of traffic accident injuries involve a commercial truck of some kind. These same statistics go on to show that 77 of those who are injured and 86 of those who are killed are those in the smaller passenger vehicles – not those in the big rigs.
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act was signed into law in October 1986. Prior to this date, the trucking industry was not federally regulated. Since that time, trucking companies have been required to adhere to industry standards in order to improve safety. Unfortunately, even with the implementation of these regulations, commercial motor vehicles continue to cause thousands of accidents each year. While accidents have significantly decreased, many still become victims each year. A single, loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. It is no wonder that the government imposed safety regulations on the industry. These trucks present a much higher risk of injury and death in the event of a collision. What exactly causes these accidents, and what can be done about it?
These statistics paint a fairly grim picture for victims of collisions with large commercial trucks. Matters may be made all the more difficult when faced with deceptive or outright illegal practices by trucking companies and the insurance companies that handle their claims. With a truck accident lawyer from our firm on your side, you can rest assured that we will fight tirelessly to protect your right to financial compensation.
The Trouble with Trucking
There can be many causes for truck accidents. Sometimes, trucking companies hire drivers without first conducting a drug test or checking driving and police records, which leads to these drivers getting behind the wheels of big rigs despite having a history of drug and alcohol problems or past DUI arrests. Other times, the drivers are hired without the trucking company providing them with adequate training on proper driving technique or
safety concerns.
One of the major causative factors for accidents in the trucking industry is fatigue Truck drivers operate on strict deadlines in order to get their cargo from point A to point B on time. Although there are strict hours of operation regulations limiting the amount of consecutive hours truckers can drive, many drivers choose to ignore this because of deadlines. Hundreds of accidents each year are caused when truckers fall asleep at the wheel. Another shocking phenomenon in the industry is
licensing fraud.
Since the inception of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act, truckers have been required to obtain specialized licenses and training. Unfortunately, there have recently been arrests for licensing fraud schemes in 24 states with investigations currently pending in 13 others. Inexperienced and under-qualified truckers put innocent drivers at an increased risk of accident and injury. Other truck accidents are typically caused by mechanical failures,
driver distraction,
drug/alcohol abuse and other causes listed below:
Unfortunately, the trucking companies will most always side with their truck drivers and blame the victims of these accidents even when it's clear that the cause was truck driver negligence. However, an experienced and dedicated commercial truck accident lawyer can filter through the facts and make sure the responsibility falls where it should.
Dangers of Tired Drivers on the Road
Any time a driver gets behind the wheel when tired, they are putting not only themselves, but every other driver on the road in danger. Fatigued driving has proven to be a serious hazard. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 100,000 motor vehicle accidents every single year can be attributed to drowsy driving. This results in over 1,500 fatalities and over 70,000 injuries.
This danger, however, is especially pronounced with those who drive for a living. When commercial truck drivers are pushed beyond their natural limits to meet deadlines it can result in them being fatigued behind the wheel. Although they are legally bound by hours-of-service laws to only drive for certain amounts of time, many drivers will fudge their logbooks and drive for longer in an effort to make more money. This can be extremely dangerous – even as hazardous as drunk or distracted driving.
Why You Can Trust the Truck Accident Lawyers at Arnold & Itkin
These statistics paint a bleak portrait, but there is hope for accident victims. Our firm has concentrated a large portion of its practice to taking a stand for truck accident victims. We are committed to pointing out the gross negligence that often runs rampant in the industry so that our clients can get the financial compensation that they deserve. We truly stop at nothing for our clients, and always fight to see that they make the maximum recovery possible. For the millions of dollars we have won on behalf of our clients, our firm has gained admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Attorneys at our firm have also been distinguished as SuperLawyers®, which is a title that less than five percent of attorneys receive. Our firm has great presence in the industry, and has been mentioned in major media news outlets such as the Houston Chronicle, Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal and CNN. These are accolades and recognitions that you can trust. If you were injured in a trucking accident, Arnold & Itkin has the experience and skill that you need to take a stand for your rights.
Great legal representation does not have to come at a great cost. Arnold & Itkin is pleased to offer clients both a free case evaluation as well as contingency fees. What this means is that choosing our firm to represent you costs you nothing unless we make a recovery for you. We don't win? You don't have to pay. It's that simple. Arnold & Itkin is so confident that we can get our clients the financial compensation they deserve, that we are willing to pay all the upfront costs so that you can gain access to medical treatment, doctor's bills and the like. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, we encourage you to call our firm as soon as possible. With no recovery, no fee arrangements and a track record of success, can you afford to hire anyone else?
Contact a truck accident attorney today – we are prepared to fight for you.