What do I do After an Intersection Accident with a Semi-Truck?

An intersection accident with a semi-truck is often a serious situation that leads to severe injuries and damage. Truck drivers are less likely to be injured in an intersection accident due to the massive size difference between them. It is typically the driver and passengers of the smaller car that suffer the most. 

If an intersection accident with a semi-truck is caused by gross negligence on the part of the truck driver, it adds insult to injury when insurance companies give a victim the run-around. Darrigo & Diaz wants you to know your rights and help you get the entitled compensation. Give us a call at (813) 774-3341 or contact us online immediately to discuss your big rig accident.

How Dangerous are Intersection Accidents with Big Rigs?

In 2017, large trucks were involved in about 8.8% of all fatal vehicle crashes in 2017, according to the NHTSA. Four-way intersections are the most common for accidents involving semi-trucks. However, T-intersections and Y-intersections are the second and third most common for semi-truck accidents. Combined, intersection accidents account for nearly 25% of all truck accident fatalities. 

According to the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration, there were 759 four-way intersection accident fatalities and 359 involving other intersections in 2018. Additionally, there were about 43,000 injury accidents and about 140,000 intersection accidents that involved only property damage.

What are Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Intersection Accidents?

The national highway system was built to help facilitate large trucks moving goods across the United States and is a significant factor to the US’s success as an industrialized nation. However, our intercity road system wasn’t always built with large trucks in mind. This is especially true in older areas of the country where the roads still follow similar paths built during horse and buggy times.

As such, navigating intercity roads can be a challenge for even the most seasoned truck driver. Some of the most common causes of intersection accidents involving 18-wheelers include:

• The driver misjudges the space it needs to make a turn successfully.
• A big rig driver does not have enough time and space to stop for a light that just turned red.
• Traffic conditions cause the driver to become agitated or distracted.
• Truck defects and mechanical failures.
• Other drivers were acting recklessly.
• The truck backs into traffic without looking.
• Weather conditions cause slick roadways or limited visibility.
• Drowsy driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• They were speeding as they try to meet a deadline.

What are the Most Common Types of Injuries in a Big Rig Intersection Accident?

Some of the most common types of injuries to the drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles involved in a semi-truck accident include:

• Head, neck, and spinal injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal injuries from blunt force or penetrating trauma
• Burns, lacerations, and bruises
• Soft tissue injuries such as whiplash

How is Liability Determined in a Big Rig Intersection Accident?

As with any accident, it may not always be clear who is at fault. To determine who is at fault in a big rig accident, your attorney and the insurance investigators will look at many different factors and assign a percentage of responsibility to each party involved. In some cases, more than one party may be found to be liable for damages, such as:

• The company that the driver works for may have failed to train the driver properly.
• The repair shop that recently worked on the truck may have negligently completed the repairs.
• The manufacturer of a defective part on the truck or trailer.
• Truck drivers usually just pick up and leave trailers and do not own the trailers, nor are they responsible for repairs to the trailer. The owner of a trailer may be found liable for not properly maintaining the trailer.

Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

Proving liability in a truck accident requires an experienced truck accident attorney that will diligently piece together the details of what caused the accident. Insurance companies and trucking companies will work hard to get you to settle for pennies on the dollar. Don’t let them intimidate or trick you into settling for less than what you’re entitled to. 

We encourage you to gather all of the documentation you have collected and call us today at (813) 774-3341 for an immediate, free consultation on your case. Since 1999, we’ve been proudly serving the Tampa area and fighting for the rights of Floridians involved in accidents. Our long track record speaks for itself. So, don’t wait a moment longer worrying about whether you will be able to cover your medical and repair bills, and contact us with any questions you may have.