Trucks can pose a serious threat on local roads. Every day, trucks travel on community roads and even through cul-de-sacs to bring packages, deliver furniture, and pick up garbage. Thus, it is important to be aware of the risk of truck accidents on local roads and to know what to do if you’ve been injured. Our Fairfax truck accident attorneys may be able to help you if you have been involved in a truck accident.
How Truck Accidents Happen on Local Roads
There are many ways that delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and other trucks can cause accidents on local roads. For example:
- These trucks stop frequently and often suddenly. The stops may be unexpected and lead to rear-end accidents. Additionally, a truck that is stopped on a local road can make visibility difficult.
- Unsecured cargo can cause rollover accidents. Cargo may be constantly added to or taken off a truck during the trucker’s route, and drivers may fail to secure their cargo. This can result in a dangerous imbalance, causing the truck to overturn or lose cargo on the road.
- Distracted truckers may cause serious accidents. Drivers who are looking for a specific address may be distracted by GPS. Additionally, calls from headquarters or personal calls may distract truckers from seeing pedestrians, other motorists, or children playing in the neighborhood.
- Large trucks make wide turns. This can be difficult to do on local roads without putting other motorists at risk.
- Trucks have blind spots. Even box trucks have blind spots. Thus, when you are trying to pass a truck on a narrow road, it can be difficult and dangerous.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Truck Crash on a Local Road
It is important to take prompt action after a truck accident in your neighborhood or on a local road. If you are physically able to do so, you should:
- Call the police. If the accident was on a town or city road, you should call the local police if you know the emergency number. If not, call 911. Make sure the police know if anyone was injured, so medical first responders can be dispatched quickly.
- Gather evidence at the scene of the crash. Take photos of what happened, and record the names and contact information for all witnesses to the accident.
- Accept medical attention. Sometimes injuries aren’t readily apparent. But it’s important to make sure you get prompt medical attention even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt.
- Seek legal assistance. There are several potential defendants in truck accident cases, and liability can be a complicated issue. However, an experienced truck accident lawyer can make sure that all of your rights are protected.
By taking these steps quickly, you can put yourself in a strong position for pursuing a fair truck accident recovery.
What You May Recover After a Truck Crash
The damages you may recover after a truck crash include compensation for past, current, and future:
- Medical expenses. This includes hospitalizations, surgeries, doctor appointments, medications, assistive medical devices, rehabilitation therapy, and any other healthcare expense directly related to your accident injuries.
- Lost income. All of the income that you can no longer earn is compensable. This may include part of your income if you are not able to work the same number of hours or the same job that you did before the accident. It may also include benefits from your employer or income from being self-employed.
- Out of pocket costs. Any expense that you incur as a direct result of your crash should be included in your recovery.
- Pain and suffering. Your physical pain and emotional suffering may be your most significant damages and should be included in your recovery.
As small communities house more people, trucks will inevitably deliver packages on local roads. If you’ve been hurt by any kind of truck on a local road, we encourage you to contact our experienced lawyers today for more information about protecting your right to receive fair compensation. Call our office today at 877.652.1553.
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