Truck Accident Attorney in Winston-Salem

When commercial truck drivers or commercial truck companies are negligent, it can lead to serious or catastrophic injuries to innocent drivers and passengers. 

These injuries can have a profound effect on the victim's life, causing immense physical pain and limiting their ability to work and engage in activities they once enjoyed. 

These may include:

• Spinal cord injury: The sheer weight of commercial trucks can crush the spine irreversibly, leading to devastating injuries.
• Traumatic brain injury: A traumatic brain injury can have a profound effect on the individual’s ability to control their body, this can lead to a long and grueling medical journey and permanent disabilities.
• Broken bones: Bones are easily broken by a commercial truck that weighs over a ton. This can lead to many fractures and multiple surgeries.
• Burns: Among the most devastating injuries that can result from a truck accident are burns. Burns incurred in a truck accident may be the result of the impact itself or when the vehicle catches on fire, and these injuries often require extensive medical intervention, ongoing surgeries, and severe scarring. 
• Disfiguring injuries: This type of injury from a truck accident can leave another driver or passenger permanently disfigured and, even with the most advanced reconstructive surgeries, these injuries are often impossible to fully resolve. 
• Severe lacerations: This type of injury from a truck accident may occur when the driver or passenger is thrown out of the vehicle, and these lacerations can lead to serious blood loss and nerve damage. 
• Internal organ damage: This type of injury from a truck accident can occur when the force of the impact crushes the body, and this type of damage often requires immediate emergency medical attention. 

Hazardous Truck Driver Behaviors

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)  reported that dangerous truck driver behaviors tend to fall within one of the following four categories: decision-making, recognition, non-performance, and performance.

1. Decision-Making

The driver’s decision-making was the basis for 38% of driver-related accidents, with the top problems being:

• Over-the-counter drug use.
• Substance use.
• Traveling too fast for conditions.
• Following too close.
• Feeling under work pressure from the carrier.

2. Recognition

The driver’s inability to recognize potential hazards was the basis for 28% of driver-related accidents, with the top problems being:

• Inattention.
• Distractions, internal and external.
• Inadequate surveillance.
• Being unfamiliar with roadways.

3. Non-Performance

The driver was unconscious or unable to perform their duties for 12% of driver-related accidents, with the top problems being:

• Fatigue.
• A sudden medical event.

4. Performance

The driver’s performance was the basis for 9% of driver-related accidents, with the top problems being:

• Making an illegal maneuver.
• Panicking or overcompensating in response to a traffic event or hazard.

Hazardous Vehicle Problems

Common hazardous vehicle problems are as follows:

• Brake Problems.
• Tire problems.
• Cargo shift.
• Overpacked trucks.
• Underpacked trucks.

Hazardous Environments

Common hazardous environments are as follows:

• Inclement weather conditions.
• Roadway problems.

If you've been a victim of a truck driver's negligence, start your claim by contacting our firm today.