Side-impact collisions, also known as T-bone or sideswipe accidents, usually occur at intersections when one vehicle cuts in front of another driver with the right of way. These accidents are often severe but can be especially catastrophic if one of the involved vehicles is a large semi-truck.
If you have suffered injuries in a side-impact truck accident in State College, or a loved one has been killed, you could seek damages from the negligent parties. A State College 18-wheeler accident attorney could review your case and help you put together a strong claim to compensation.
The side panels of a car offer flimsy protection to the occupants. Even side-impact collisions between vehicles of near-equal weight can cause severe injuries to the occupant seated nearest the point of impact. Commercial trucks can outweigh cars by a factor of 20 to1. The weight disparity could cause catastrophic, permanent injuries.
Side-impact crashes involving 18-wheelers in State College create traumatic stress on an occupant’s head, neck, and back. They also exert considerable force on the side of an occupant’s body nearest the impact. These collisions often cause the following injuries:
In many side-impact crashes that involve trucks, the tractor-trailer collides with the side of another vehicle. However, if a car collides with the side of a truck, the smaller vehicle could slip underneath the vehicle, often resulting in decapitation and other fatal head injuries.
Trucks take longer than cars to accelerate, and also require much greater distances to slow and come to a stop. They also have large blind spots on all four sides. All of these factors could contribute to a side-impact accident.
If an inexperienced, unskilled, distracted, or impaired truck driver attempts a left turn and miscalculates the speed of oncoming traffic, a T-bone collision could result. These crashes might also happen if a truck rolls through an intersection rather than coming to a complete stop.
If a commercial vehicle driver pulls out of a driveway or parking lot, he or she may not be able to see oncoming traffic in his or her blind spots. Additionally, slippery roads could hinder a truck’s ability to stop and might lead to a T-bone accident.
Negligence is almost always a factor in side-impact truck wrecks in the area. A seasoned lawyer could look into the particular circumstances of a wreck and identify evidence of negligence.
Trucking companies often have a team of lawyers and insurance adjusters working for them to ensure that they settle claims as cheaply as possible. People sideswiped by a commercial vehicle need an advocate who could help them reach a fair settlement.
Our team at Marcus & Mack are well-versed in handling side-impact truck accidents in State College and could use this experience to help you. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with our reliable attorneys.
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