TRUCKING ACCIDENTS

Traffic accidents are a significant source of injuries to travelers in Nebraska.  Many occur on the interstate highway system.  Nebraska has 482 miles of interstate highways.  Interstate 80 runs from the Wyoming border on the west to the city of Omaha on the east, a distance of some 450 miles.  A day in central Nebraska sees between 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles passing through on I-80 per day.  Many of these vehicles are large trucks.

In the United States, there are about one half million accidents per year involving large trucks, 5,000 accidents of which involve fatalities.  Year 2001 statistics show Nebraska with the highest percentage in the nation of highway fatalities involving large trucks.  Sixty-eight of Nebraska's vehicular fatalities were attributed to large trucks in 2001, more than one out of every four vehicular fatalities.

The reasons for these accidents are varied.  It is estimated that fatigue is a factor in 30-40% of all accidents involving large trucks.  Speeding, failure to yield, running off the road, or simply driving into another lane of traffic also are causal factors in many cases.

Because of the discrepancy in size between these trucks and the average vehicle traveling the interstate highways, many of these accidents result in significant injuries to the occupant of the smaller vehicle.  The extent of these injuries vary, but they often involve head, back, and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, or even result in death.

In Nebraska, accidents with automobiles and other vehicular accidents which result in injuries or death are compensable if they are caused by the negligence of the truck driver.  Injured parties or family members of these killed may be entitled to compensation from those causing the injuries or death.  In many cases, not only is the driver of the truck responsible for those injuries or deaths, but often the company employing him is responsible as well.

Those involved in automobile accidents in Nebraska involving large trucks should contact an experienced trial law firm to determine what rights they might have and whether they are entitled to compensation for injuries and death caused by the negligent operation of these vehicles.

Parker, Grossart, Bahensky, Beucke & Odgaard is an experienced trial law firm which is ready to work to maximize recovery for trucking accident victims.