Rear-End Collisions Involving Trucks

Newspapers and news outlets report on the horrific outcomes and post shocking pictures of rear-end collisions involving trucks – passenger cars crumbled beyond recognition, and serious injuries or fatal injuries sustained by the occupants of the car. Whether the truck is responsible for rear-ending the car or the car rear-ended the truck, the outcome is rarely good for the driver and passengers of the passenger car involved. When the “other vehicle” is a motorcycle or a small “smart car,” the results can be even more devastating and will almost certainly be fatal. Regardless of whether the injuries are fatal or not, however, rear-end collisions in which a truck is involved will cause the victims to experience significant monetary losses and expenses and result in considerable pain and suffering for the victim and/or his or her family members. These losses, expenses, and pain may be compensable.

A Motorist Hit from Behind – A Truck Driver Causes a Rear-End Collision Involving a Truck

Rear-end collisions in which a truck strikes another vehicle from behind may be the result of careless driving on the part of the truck driver.

For example, a truck driver may be following the vehicle in front of him or her too closely. When the vehicle in front of the truck slows down to turn, to stop, or to avoid colliding with other traffic, the truck driver may not have enough space and time to safely react and avoid hitting the car in front of him or her.

Because of the vast size difference between a passenger car and a truck, the bumper of the truck may not strike the car in the bumper but may instead hit the passenger car in the trunk or rear windshield. This can, in turn, pull the car under the front of the truck and cause catastrophic injuries or death to the occupants of the car.

If the truck’s brakes were defective or there was some other condition about the truck that made it difficult or impossible for the truck driver to safely stop his or her truck before striking the motorist in front of him or her, those individuals may be sued in a truck accident lawsuit if there is evidence a mechanic or other individual negligently maintained or failed to fix an obvious defect in the truck’s systems.

Additionally, if the truck driver was an employee of a trucking or distribution company and was carrying a load pursuant to his or her employment, that trucking company may also be responsible for the injured motorist’s injuries.

A Truck Hit from Behind – Truck Drivers May Cause Rear-End Collisions Involving Trucks

It does not automatically follow that car owners are responsible every time they strike a truck from behind. (To be sure, motorists who do not pay attention or who drive aggressively and in a careless manner may rear-end a truck. The truck driver and his or her employer, if applicable, will not usually be held responsible for the injuries to the motorist.  The motorist, however, may be liable for property damage to the truck and/or injuries to the truck driver.) A truck driver may drive negligently and induce a motorist following behind his or her truck to collide with the truck by:

• Suddenly stopping in traffic when there is no apparent reason for doing so;
• Making an improper turn (i.e., turning too wide or turning without signaling);
• Operating a truck that does not have operable stop lights and/or turn signals;

A thorough and complete investigation into the rear-end truck collision will need to be conducted by law enforcement and/or investigators working on behalf of insurance companies and injured parties in order to determine what parties were at fault and what role their own actions played in causing the collision. In many states, injured motorists who rear-end a truck may still be able to recover compensation even if an investigation reveals the motorist is partly to blame for causing the accident. In these states, if the truck driver is responsible (in some states, even as little as one percent responsible) for contributing to the crash or for the victim’s injuries, then the truck driver and/or his or her employer can be sued.

Contact Your Rear-End Collisions Involving Trucks Attorney Today

Through helping truck accident injury victims since its inception, Stern Law, PLLC is familiar with the devastating consequences visited upon motorists involved in a rear-end collision involving a truck. Victims who survive these violent encounters may be left with traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and physical and mental scarring resistant to healing. While attorney Ken Stern cannot undo the damage caused by these collisions, he is committed to holding those responsible for these crashes accountable in court. Call Stern Law, PLLC at (844) 808-7529 and enlist the firm’s experienced and knowledgeable team to assist you and your family in recovering the compensation you need.