Individuals involved in truck accidents tend to suffer serious bodily injury. In some cases, a truck crash can even result in death. These types of accidents are very serious in nature and can have a devastating impact on all involved.
Since driving a truck is inherently dangerous, truck drivers are held to different standards than ordinary motorists. People who drive trucks are required to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL), for example. This is a specialized license that holds these drivers to a higher standard on the road.
In Hillsborough, Pennsylvania, a woman and a man were killed in a truck driving accident on Route 287 recently, in a case that shows just how tragic a semi truck accident can be. The accident occurred when the woman’s car clipped two tractor trailers that were parked on the side of the road. The woman’s vehicle was then hit by another truck. A man driving one of the stopped tractor trailers was also killed when he exited his vehicle to try and assist the woman. He was hit by an oncoming tractor trailer.
Determining who is at fault in a truck accident will also determine liability, especially in instances where there are multiple trucks involved. The severity of the crash will dictate how the affected parties respond to an accident. When death or serious bodily injury occurs, the victim or the family of the victim may seek punitive damages as well as compensatory damages for medical expenses. The court will review all of the pertinent evidence and information to make rulings in these types of cases.
It is imperative that victims of truck accidents know their rights when they are involved in an incident. Making sure that the matter is handled appropriately by the police and through the courts is an important part of the process.
Source: Hillsborough Patch, “Accident claims Hillsborough mother’s life-and man who tried to help,” John Patten, April 17, 2013