With interstates like 71, 74, 75, and 275 and other major roadways like Cross County Highway and 129 running through the area, Cincinnati is a major hub in the trucking world. While this might be good from an economical standpoint, it can also add significant danger to the daily commutes of local residents from Hamilton, Fairfield, West Chester, Oxford, and Ross, just to name a few of our local municipalities. Semi trucks are massive vehicles that can cause serious damage when mishandled.
We don’t mean to talk badly about truck drivers. They’re a critical component to our economy, transporting the goods we enjoy on a daily basis. However, they are held to a higher standard when it comes to driving on the road.
When those standards aren’t followed, things can go wrong very quickly.
The Dangers of Semi-Trucks
In 2018, 122,000 large trucks were involved in accidents resulting in injury. Though this is a small portion of the total auto accidents across the US, trucking accidents tend to have more disastrous results. On average, a tractor trailer that’s fully loaded weights around 80,000 lbs. By comparison, the average weight of a car is 4000 lbs. In an accident involving a semi-truck, it’s much more likely that the other driver is going to be injured or worse.
Accidents involving semi-trucks cause nearly 5000 deaths per year.
Trucking accidents can be caused by a number of factors including mechanical failure, spilled loads, aggressive driving, tiredness, and more. Trucking companies and/or their drivers can unfortunately place profits over safety sometimes. When drivers are pushed beyond proper safety measures, accidents happen.
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Trucking Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, it’s important to take action immediately. Chances are, you and your vehicle will be left in rough shape. Though you may assume that the trucking company employing the driver will handle your needs, this isn’t always the case. Many trucking companies have teams of lawyers who are paid very well to defend them against such claims.
It’s important to have legal representation of your own.
At The Richards Injury Firm, it’s our mission to make the legal system accessible to those who have been injured or wronged. We work directly with you to learn about your needs while helping you understand your options. For a truck accident attorney in Hamilton, Ohio, Butler County, and the Greater Cincinnati area, contact The Richards Firm today!
