Truck accidents cause a lot of harm to other vehicles and catastrophic injuries to the victims. These accidents are most severe due to the size and weight of these trucks, including trailers and delivery trucks. According to studies, many Charlotte truck accidents occur because the drivers don’t pay attention to the road conditions.
Other times, truck accidents may happen when a small car follows a large truck too closely; it may not react to the changing lanes in time. Other times, the accidents occur due to the negligence of the company, such as poor maintenance of the trucks and overloading.
This article outlines everything you need to know about truck accidents in Charlotte, NC, and the medical treatments after injury.
Charlotte Truck Accident Statistics
Truck drivers are supposed to follow strict traffic rules, including loading capacity and speed limits, among other safety procedures. However, despite all the safety protocols, truck drivers still behave negligently, causing accidents.
Every year, several North Carolinians die in road accidents or suffer injuries caused by truck drivers. Here are the exact numbers related to truck accidents in Charlotte:
- North Carolina reported over 16,300 truck crashes in 2021. The accidents resulted in over 3800 injuries and 150 fatalities.
- Fatalities involving truck accidents have increased by 13% since 2021.
- Nearly 50% of fatalities and life-threatening injuries involved large trucks.
- Every 16 minutes, a person in the United States is killed in a truck accident, with over 90,000 people injured each year.
- Accidents causing tractor-trailers are three times deadlier than car accidents.
There’s no denying that trucking accidents are common in Charlotte and are claiming lives and causing injuries. This only means North Carolina still has a long way to go to solve this menace.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Many factors are attributed to truck accidents in Charlotte. While many of them are blamed on the drivers, others are blamed on the negligence of the company. Common causes of semi-truck accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Factors such as using mobile phones, eating, or navigating routes can distract the driver. A distracted driver has little time to respond in an emergency.
Bad Weather
Heavy rainfall, snow, high wind, or fog can cause truck accidents. The conditions may impair the vision of the driver or make the roads too slippery.
Slippery roads also make it hard for the driver to control the truck due to instability. High winds can also cause the truck to be blown over.
Improper Truck Maintenance
When the trucking company doesn’t maintain its trucks, it puts everyone on the road at high risk. Unmaintained trucks may suffer mechanical hitches, such as failed brakes, tire blowouts, and steering issues. Regular maintenance and inspection of the trucks is essential to keep them in good condition.
Jackknife Accidents
Trucks with attached trailer skids may swing out to the side. When this happens, they form a jackknife with the trailer, which is a 90-degree angle or “V” shape.
When this happens, the truck will occupy multiple lanes and obstruct other vehicles. Jackknifing occurs due to overspeeding, poor road conditions, and improper braking.
Driving Under the Influence
DUI driving is also common among truck drivers, which can impair their road judgment, causing accidents. When a driver of a commercial truck drives while intoxicated, they pose a significant risk to other road users.
Driver Fatigue
Some drivers drive for long distances without proper rest. This happens because of the strict delivery deadlines put in place by their employers. Fatigue drivers can sleep on the steering wheel and cause accidents.
Overloading and Improper Loading
Overloading involves putting too much load than the truck’s recommended capacity. Improper loading happens when the load is not secured properly, causing the vehicle to sway side by side or lean on one side.
Speeding
Drivers want to beat their delivery deadlines or cross the borders on time. They are sometimes forced to drive beyond the speed limit. Speeding reduces reaction time, causing accidents.
What Should I Do If I Am in a Truck Accident
The aftermath of a trucking accident can be overwhelming. It’s common for the victims not to know what to do after the accident, especially if they’re seriously injured. We’ve outlined some steps you can follow if you get into an accident with a truck.
Get a Police Report
If you can, call the police to come to the scene of the accident. The police will write a detailed report about the events of the accident and help establish liability. The accident report will strengthen your claim and bring clarity to your case when you seek compensation.
Get Medical Treatment
Whether you’re injured or not, getting an immediate medical checkup after an accident is a crucial step. Remember, some injuries have delayed onset, and just because you feel fine doesn’t mean you should ignore medical treatment.
A medical report will also help you uncover and document various injuries and symptoms you experience after the accident. The insurance company may deny your claim if you don’t give them a medical report signed by a medical professional.
Gather Evidence
To establish liability, you’ll need the evidence of the accident and the liable parties. The evidence should include notes of things that inspired before, during, and after the accident. You should also get eyewitness accounts, photographs, and videos of the damaged vehicles and your injuries.
You should ensure that you write down the witness information and insurance information of the other driver. You can share this information with your truck accident lawyer when filing a claim.
Be Careful Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance providers of the trucking companies will quickly reach out to you and ask some questions or offer a settlement. Don’t tell them any crucial details or sign anything. You can only discuss fault or liability with your lawyer, who will advise you on the next cause of action.
Avoid posting anything on social media or talking about the accident publicly. You might reveal some things that may jeopardize your personal injury claim.
Contact a Charlotte Truck Accident Lawyer
Contact a personal injury lawyer to help you talk to the insurance provider and file a claim. They can also protect your rights and represent you in court if things go that far.
Types of Injuries Caused by Tractor Trailer Accidents
Truck accidents cause serious injuries even at low speeds due to their weight and size. The accidents involving these trucks are more dangerous than those of smaller vehicles. Some common injuries from such accidents include:
Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when a strong force from the impact of the accident causes the neck to move at an abnormal speed. The back-and-forth movement causes damage to the muscles and ligaments as well as the brain. Whiplash injuries can cause lifelong suffering.
Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries occur when victims of trucking accidents hit their heads on hard objects. Victims can experience the injuries immediately, or they can have delayed onset. Common symptoms include headache, fatigue, concussions, confusion, dizziness, and sleep problems, among others.
Broken Bones
Broken bones involve fractures in various parts of the body, including the arms, limbs, legs, ribs, and shoulders. Injuries can range from minor, such as simple bone fractures, to serious ones, such as amputation. Depending on the severity, victims may require surgery or rehabilitation.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries include damage to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They can affect the neck, back, and joints, causing severe mobility issues. These injuries can also cause pain and suffering if not treated on time.
Psychological Injuries
Injuries from truck accidents are not only physical. Victims also suffer emotional injuries as a result of the trauma. Stress, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are part of the victim’s everyday life. Victims may require therapy and counseling to get their emotions back in check.
Compassionate Care After a Charlotte Truck Accident
Treatment after a truck accident can be extensive, requiring several months of care and rehabilitation. For instance, if you suffer broken bones or amputation, you may need to relearn how to walk and adjust your lifestyle.
Other people may suffer from anxiety, stress, and other emotional traumas from the accident. The road to recovery is a long and agonizing journey that requires compassionate care.
Getting the proper compassionate care from experienced specialists such as Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology can help you walk the road to recovery with ease. We offer various treatment methods, including physical therapy, rehabilitation, pain management, and orthopedic surgeries.
Get the Right Treatment for Truck Accident Injuries
Don’t let injuries from a truck accident interfere with your life when the right treatment is readily available. If you get into a trucking accident, seek medical help immediately.
Apex Orthopaedics Spine & Neurology is here to ensure you get the care you deserve and recover from your injuries regardless of their severity. Our experienced practitioners handle all types of injuries from Charlotte truck accidents. Contact us today at 704-412-3045, and let’s start your treatment journey.