Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are common sights on the roads and highways in and around Olive Branch. These commercial vehicles are a key part of Olive Branch’s vibrant and bustling economy and play an integral role in transporting goods and materials to the places where they are needed in the most efficient way possible.
Unfortunately, these vehicles can also be involved in collisions with other people on the road. Moreover, in many situations, common causes of truck accidents in Olive Branch stem from the truck driver or trucking company’s carelessness, recklessness, or negligence.
When you have been injured by a truck driver’s actions, you deserve compensation. David E. Gordon, an experienced tractor-trailer accident attorney, can help you protect and assert your right to compensation by holding the responsible driver or their employer legally and financially accountable for their actions.
Frequent Causes of Truck Crashes
Every truck crash is unique and can occur to any variety and combination of factors. Determining exactly what happened and who is responsible is a critical component in securing compensation for an injured person after a wreck. Common causes of semi-truck wrecks in Olive Branch frequently include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Overweight or improperly loaded cargo
- Trucking companies providing improper training or policies to their drivers
A proactive lawyer like David can help people injured in wrecks with commercial vehicles investigate the crash to determine the underlying cause by taking depositions, interviewing eyewitnesses, and working with expert accident reconstructionists.
What To Do After an Accident With a Commercial Truck
Regardless of the ultimate cause, a collision with an 18-wheeler on the roads of Olive Branch is a chaotic, traumatic, and stressful experience. However, the actions that a person hit by a commercial truck takes immediately after the wreck can affect the compensation they may recover.
Therefore, it is important to take the proper steps after a crash to the extent physically possible, including the following:
- Check whether anyone involved in the crash needs immediate medical attention
- Notify the appropriate authorities about the wreck; if possible, request that a police report be made
- Move all people and vehicles involved in the wreck out of the flow of traffic to the extent possible without risking further injuries
- Take pictures of the vehicles and surrounding area affected by the crash
- Ask the driver of the semi-truck for their name and contact information as well as the name and insurance information of their employer or the owner of the truck
- Be polite and courteous, but do not apologize for the wreck or make any statements that indicate acceptance of responsibility for the outcome
- Check whether anyone witnessed the wreck who was not immediately involved in it; if so, request their name and contact information as well
As soon as possible, after taking care of the above at the scene of the wreck, a person injured by a commercial vehicle should contact a seasoned attorney to seek advice regarding their legal rights and responsibilities. They should also seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if no symptoms are present yet or appear minimal—sometimes injuries may not be noticeable until later, but getting immediate medical care can be helpful.
Reach Out to an Olive Branch Attorney Familiar With the Common Causes of Truck Accidents
All auto accidents are difficult experiences. Because of the size and weight differences, wrecks involving 18-wheelers can be particularly sudden and violent. You may not be able to tell or remember exactly what happened leading up to the crash. An attorney who knows the common causes of truck accidents in Olive Branch can help you investigate to determine who was at fault and assert your right to hold them responsible for your injuries.
Contact the Law Office of David E. Gordon to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more.
