The difference in size and weight is one factor that makes large truck accidents in Washington DC more dangerous for non-occupants of the truck.
Large trucks are a vital part of the supply chain in the United States. Semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers transport almost any type of product available for purchase. Large trucks provide an efficient means of getting goods to the people who want them. However, truck accidents in Washington DC can change a victim’s and their family’s lives forever.
Semi-Trucks Weigh 16 Times More than Passenger Vehicles
One factor that makes truck accidents in Washington DC dangerous is the difference in the size of the vehicles involved in the crash. The engine into a semi-truck is about six times larger than an engine in a passenger vehicle. A fully-loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A passenger vehicle weighs about 4,000 to 5,000 pounds.
The difference in size and weight is one factor that makes large truck accidents in Washington DC more dangerous for non-occupants of the truck. The large truck accident statistics help illustrate this danger.
The NHTSA reported 531,000 large trucks involved in accidents during 2018. Out of those large truck accidents, there were more than 151,000 injuries and 4,951 traffic fatalities. More than three-fourths of the injuries and deaths in large truck accidents were non-occupants of the truck. Truck drivers were much less likely to sustain injuries or die in a large truck accident.
What Should You Do After Truck Accidents in Washington DC?
Many people involved in an accident involving a commercial vehicle cannot document the accident scene. Their injuries prevent them from taking photographs of the crash or asking eyewitnesses for their names and contact numbers. However, if you can make a video of the accident scene without placing yourself or others in danger, it could be helpful during a truck accident lawsuit.
The priority is your health. You need to seek immediate medical attention regardless of how you “feel” or whether you believe you sustained severe injuries. You could have sustained a traumatic brain injury or damage to internal organs. It is always best to see a doctor for a complete examination.
Also, it is crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible after a truck accident. Contact a Washington DC truck accident lawyer to discuss your case.
Commercial truck accidents in Washington DC are complicated personal injury cases. Large truck accidents may involve federal rules and regulations and numerous liable parties. An immediate truck accident investigation is required to preserve evidence and identify the parties responsible for the truck crash. For that, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer in Washington, DC.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Washington DC Truck Accident Lawyer
At Roeser Law Firm, our legal team has the experience, resources, and skills to handle commercial truck accident cases. Call for your free consultation to discuss how we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve for injuries and damages caused by a truck accident.
