Truck Accident Lawyer in Binghamton NY

Heavy loads, tractor trailers, 18-wheelers and semi-trucks run the interstates with abandon. The preferred – and most affordable – method for shipping, deliveries and transport for many industries, it’s not uncommon to find that most interstates through the country are filled with these larger than life vehicles, which are far more dangerous to travel amongst than virtually any other type of vehicle.

Unfortunately, accidents happen and they sometimes involve tractor trailers and trucks. Since interstate trucks companies are ruled by a set of laws, rules and requirements that are so complex the average person is unable to decipher the information without the help of a professional, Schimmerling Injury Law Firm attorneys are educated and informed. Federal and state laws, company policies and client policies make it nearly impossible to understand what it is that the average driver is entitled to in the instance an accident occurs when caused by a truck driver.

Learn More About Truck Accident Liability with Tom Schimmerling

The trained personal injury attorneys at the Schimmerling Injury Law Firm make possible for you to find the information necessary to understand what it is you are entitled to should you become involved in an accident of this nature. Understanding the complexities of an accident of this nature is difficult, and that’s what our law firm is here to help you do.

The Seriousness of a Big Rig Accident

Car accidents, in general, are dangerous and devastating to those involved. Even the most minor accidents have the potential to cause a lifelong struggle with good health, excessive medical bills and even loss of income due to hospitalization or injury that results in missing work. However, when a big rig is involved in a collision, the damages are typically far worse. While this is not true in every case, it is in many. The seriousness of an accident of this nature is not to be taken lightly. Trucks this size cause considerable damage that can result in devastation to you, your family and everyone involved. Understanding what could happen in a situation like this is just the beginning.

• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Broken limbs
• Paralysis
• Head injuries
• Brain damage
• Death

These are just a few of the potential results of an accident associated with a big rig. It’s serious, and it’s not uncommon. According to the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, approximately 98 percent of all vehicle accidents involving a big rig result in death for at least one person involved. Additionally, the cost of these accidents exceeds $20 billion annual, more than half of that associated with the loss of life that occurs in any given accident.

Did You Know? 2.3 deaths and 60.5 injuries are suffered for every 100 million miles driven

That might seem like very few, but with the number of people on the road each and every day, that number is nowhere near as low as it might sound. With so many different factors to consider, there are always more questions than answers in a situation such as this, which is why the attorneys at Schimmerling Injury Law Firm are the best resources for your questions; we can provide you with the answers you need and assist you with figuring out the right questions to ask.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

• Tired drivers
• Reckless driving
• Blind spots
• Overloading the vehicle
• Speeding
• Careless driving in inclement conditions
• Dangerous or poor vehicle maintenance
• Driving under the influence
• Driving trances

Not every accident that involves a truck is caused by the truck driver. There are many instances in which an accident is caused by an outside source, such as the driving of another person on the road, weather or even something else entirely.

Another of the most common causes of accidents that involve big rigs on the highway is the jackknife issue. This happens when a driver is forced to slam on the brakes of a large vehicle suddenly. This could be because the person in front of them did the same, someone pulled out in front of them, lack of visibility or any other reason. What happens when the brakes are applied too sharply is that the front of the rig and the back go different directions, hence the term jackknife.

This also occurs when there is a curve in the road and a big rig takes the turn too quickly or too sharply. This can result in a roll over or other dangerous situation for anyone on the road with a truck should this occur. Jackknifing is also known to occur when the road conditions are less than stellar or when a truck driver down shifts on a hill. There are many factors associated with accidents of this nature, and each one is more dangerous than the next.

Other Common Factors

When an accident occurs on the road, it might not be the fault of the big rig. If you are forced to avoid a collision or you are driving on the same road as a truck and something happens to your car to cause the accident, it might become the fault of an entirely different entity. Your car might have faulty brakes, a manufacturer’s issue or even a flaw in the design that causes it to malfunction and not do what it was meant to do when the situation requires. This could mean that the responsible party in this particular accident is the vehicle manufacturer, a dealership that did faulty work on the car or even another party.

Furthermore, the design of a road might be at fault. When roads are not properly maintained or cared for, your driving becomes more important. If the roads on which you are traveling cause you to lose control or become involved in an accident of any sort, it might be the responsibility of the federal government or a state or local government to take the blame for the accident.

Many factors contribute to the onset of an accident, and it’s imperative that you speak to an attorney with Schimmerling Injury to ensure you are being given the most up-to-date, factual and educated information possible.

Call Schimmerling Injury Law Firm Today

Insurance carriers, police officers and anyone else that appears at the scene of an accident in which you were involved with a semi cannot be fully trusted. This is not to say anyone would deliberately mislead you, though it is entirely possible that these individuals are not aware of what it is they are advising you to do, not to do or to pursue. Trust that the attorneys at Schimmerling Injury Law Firm are equipped to best handle your case, provide you with the information you need to proceed, and to ensure that you receive all the compensation you are entitled to receive.

There is No Reason Not to get a FREE Case Review

It’s a common fact that major trucking companies are notoriously difficult to fight in regards to an accident thanks to the many clauses and fine print in the manuals and laws that govern companies like this. A professional attorney knows the ins and outs of this business and what it is that you are capable of doing, how to proceed and what to look for when it comes to a settlement. Don’t rely on the advice you think you are getting from your insurance policy advisor; call attoney Tom Schimmerling today at 607-779-1000 or fill out the FREE consultation form on this page.