Head-On Truck Collisions
If you or a loved one has been in a head-on truck crash, you know how scary and life-changing it can be. These accidents often cause very bad injuries and even death.
Calling a Phoenix truck accident lawyer right away is one of the most important things you can do to protect your rights after a crash. A good lawyer will fight hard to get you the money you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
What is a Head-On Truck Collision?
A head-on truck collision occurs when the front of a large commercial truck crashes into the front of a smaller vehicle, such as a car or motorcycle. These are some of the most dangerous types of truck accidents. The extreme force of a heavy, fast-moving semi-truck slamming head-first into another vehicle often leads to catastrophic damage and injuries.
Common Causes of Head-On Truck Crashes
There are many reasons why a large truck might drift into oncoming traffic and cause a deadly head-on wreck:
Truck Driver Fatigue
One of the leading causes of head-on truck collisions is driver fatigue. Truckers often spend long hours behind the wheel, sometimes pushing beyond the legal limits set by federal regulations. When drivers are drowsy, their reaction time slows, their judgment becomes impaired, and they may even fall asleep at the wheel.
This can easily lead to a truck drifting into oncoming traffic, causing a devastating crash. Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are well-rested and not pushed beyond their limits, but the pressure to meet tight deadlines means this doesn’t always happen.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another major risk factor for head-on truck accidents. Truckers can get distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, food and drink, or even paperwork like any other driver.
But the consequences of taking your eyes off the road can be much worse in a massive semi-truck. A loaded tractor-trailer takes 20-40 percent farther to stop than a passenger vehicle, so even a few seconds of distraction can make it impossible to avoid a collision. Truckers must always stay focused to keep themselves and others safe on the road.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is always dangerous, but it’s especially reckless in a huge commercial truck. Alcohol and many drugs impair a driver’s coordination, reaction time, and decision-making skills – all of which are essential for safely operating a big rig.
Some truck drivers turn to substances to cope with the stress and boredom of long hauls, but this puts everyone on the road at risk. Trucking companies drug test drivers as required, but substance abuse remains a problem in the industry and a leading cause of head-on wrecks.
Speeding
Excess speed is a factor in many head-on truck crashes. Truckers are under constant pressure to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, which can push them to drive too fast for conditions. But the faster a tractor-trailer moves, the harder to control, especially on winding roads or in bad weather.
A speeding truck can easily lose control and veer into oncoming traffic, with catastrophic results. Even if the truck driver survives, the people in the smaller vehicle often pay the price.
Improper Passing and Lane Changes
Another major cause of head-on truck accidents is unsafe passing or lane changes. When a truck driver tries to pass on a two-lane road without enough clearance, they can easily end up in the path of oncoming traffic.
Impatient truckers may also try to squeeze into tight spaces between vehicles, misjudging their room and sideswiping a car into another lane. Even something as simple as drifting a few inches over the center line can put a truck into the path of disaster. Truckers must be patient and cautious when attempting to pass or change lanes.
Mechanical Issues
While driver error causes many head-on truck crashes, others result from mechanical failures such as brake issues or tire blowouts. Tractor-trailers are complex machines that require regular inspection and maintenance to operate safely. When trucking companies cut corners on upkeep to save money, it risks lives.
Imagine a truck barreling down the highway at 70 mph when a tire explodes or the brakes fail – it can easily veer out of control into other lanes. Victims of head-on crashes caused by negligent maintenance may have a case against the trucking company and/or the mechanics responsible.
Overloaded or Unsecured Cargo
An often-overlooked cause of head-on truck collisions is cargo that’s too heavy or not properly tied down. An overloaded trailer is harder to control and takes longer to stop, increasing the risk of crossing the center line. Unsecured cargo can also shift during transport, throwing the truck off balance and causing the driver to lose control.
There are strict federal regulations regarding truck loading for good reason—to prevent deadly wrecks caused by unstable or overweight loads. When trucking companies break these rules to increase profits, innocent people pay the price.
No matter what led to the crash, those who are hurt deserve justice and fair compensation for what they’ve been through. That’s why it’s so important to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney who knows how to investigate the cause of the wreck and hold the right parties responsible.
Catastrophic Injuries in Head-On Truck Accidents
The overwhelming size and weight difference between a big rig and a passenger vehicle means the people in the smaller vehicle almost always suffer the worst injuries in a head-on crash. Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, crushed or amputated limbs, severe burns, and internal organ damage are all too common. Many victims face a lifetime of pain, disability, and astronomical medical expenses.
Families who lose loved ones in fatal truck accidents face unimaginable grief, along with funeral costs and the loss of income their loved ones provided. Compensation from the trucking company’s insurance is essential for both injury and wrongful death cases, but don’t expect them to pay out without a fight. You need a skilled truck wreck lawyer on your side.
Determining Fault in a Head-On Semi Crash
Proving fault in any truck accident case can be tricky. Multiple parties may share the blame, from the truck driver to the trucking company to the parts manufacturers.
In a head-on collision, some important questions include:
- Did the truck driver cross the center line? Why?
- Was the driver impaired, tired, or distracted?
- Did the trucking company encourage unsafe practices?
- Was the truck properly inspected and maintained?
- Did something like an unsecured load contribute to the wreck?
Your attorney may need to subpoena logbooks, black box data, maintenance records, and more to get these answers. Interviewing witnesses and accident reconstructionists is also key.
Building a strong case takes time and resources trucking companies don’t want you to have. That’s why you need a truck accident law firm with experience going up against these big corporations and coming out on top.
The Claims Process After a Head-On Truck Wreck
The idea of taking on a trucking company in court may seem overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with devastating injuries or grief. But you don’t have to go through this alone. The right truck accident lawyer will guide you through every step of the process:
Free Initial Consultation
The first step in pursuing a truck accident case is scheduling a free consultation with an experienced attorney. During this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss the details of your head-on collision and learn about your legal options. The lawyer will ask questions about the crash, your injuries, and the impact on your life. They’ll also explain how the claims process works and what you can expect moving forward.
This consultation is completely free and confidential, and there is no obligation to hire the firm. It’s a chance to get advice and decide if taking legal action is right for you.
Independent Investigation
If you proceed with your case, your truck accident lawyer will launch a thorough, independent investigation into the crash. This is important because trucking companies and insurers often send teams to the scene immediately to look for evidence to minimize their liability.
Your attorney will level the playing field by gathering and preserving evidence to support your claim. This may include photos and videos from the scene, police reports, witness statements, black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and more. Building a strong case takes time and resources, so you need a law firm with the experience and dedication to do it right.
Determining Your Damages
A key part of your truck accident claim is determining the full extent of your injuries and damages. This includes your current medical bills and the cost of future treatment you’ll need to reach maximum recovery. It also factors in lost income from missing work, reduced earning capacity if you’re left disabled, pain and suffering, and other non-economic damages.
In a wrongful death case, it may include funeral expenses, loss of the deceased’s income and benefits, and loss of their love and companionship. Your lawyer will work with professionals to calculate the total value of your claim and demand full compensation from the trucking company.
Filing Your Claim
Once your attorney has gathered strong evidence and determined what your case is worth, they’ll file a formal claim against the trucking company’s insurance. This claim outlines the details of your head-on collision, the severity of your injuries, and the compensation you’re demanding.
The insurance company then has a chance to investigate and respond. In some cases, they may offer a fair settlement right away. They’ll often try to deny the claim or offer far less than you deserve. This is when having a battle-tested truck accident lawyer pays off.
Aggressive Negotiation
Insurance companies focus on protecting their profits rather than paying out fair settlements to truck accident victims. But an experienced attorney knows how to play hardball and force them to take your claim seriously. Your lawyer will negotiate aggressively for a settlement that covers all your damages – medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. They won’t hesitate to argue your case before a judge if needed.
Trucking companies and insurers have teams of lawyers fighting to pay you as little as possible. You need your legal bulldog to even the odds and demand justice.
Taking Your Case to Trial
Most truck accident cases settle out of court. But if the insurance company refuses a fair offer, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit and trialing your case.
This is where choosing a law firm with courtroom experience matters. Your lawyer will present the judge and jury with powerful evidence of the trucking company’s negligence and the extent of your damages. They’ll fight vigorously to secure the full compensation you deserve.
While there are no guarantees in a trial, you can be confident you’ll have a strong advocate in your corner, giving you the best possible chance at a favorable verdict and maximum financial recovery.
You pay nothing upfront to get started and no legal fees unless your attorney wins money for you. Calling a truck accident law firm soon after the crash is the best way to protect your rights and improve your chances of getting every dollar you owe.
Call an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Today
No one should face the devastation of a head-on truck collision alone. The physical, emotional, and financial tolls are more than most families can bear. But with the help of a dedicated personal injury attorney in Phoenix, you can take on the trucking company and demand the compensation you deserve.
While money can’t undo what happened, it can ease your burdens and provide a sense of justice. By calling an experienced truck accident attorney today for your free case review, you have nothing to lose and potentially millions to gain in compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. The road to recovery starts here, where legal support can guide you through seeking the justice and financial relief you deserve after such a traumatic experience.