Truck Pedestrian Accident Settlements
Any type of accident involving a vehicle striking a pedestrian will be serious. However, the dangers and severity of injuries increase exponentially when the accident involves a pedestrian and a commercial truck. Truck pedestrian accidents can cause permanent, life-changing injuries for the pedestrian that can limit their ability to work and perform day-to-day activities.
According to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), there were 6,590 pedestrian fatalities in 2019, the highest since 1988. Now, more than ever, the need for safety and awareness is important to all pedestrians and drivers.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck pedestrian accident, you may be facing financial hardships in addition to physical injuries. A truck pedestrian accident settlement can help offset the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other losses.
At Pierce Skrabanek, we have successfully litigated serious personal injury cases since 1986. We have the experience and the resources to handle your claim, no matter how complex it may be. Contact us at 832-690-7000 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation on your case. Our goal is to put your interests first so we can achieve the best possible outcome.
Causes of Truck Pedestrian Accidents
All commercial truck drivers must follow specific traffic laws that are designed to protect pedestrians. For instance, the driver must stop before a sidewalk when exiting a driveway or alleyway.
Unfortunately, truck drivers may not always obey such road rules and may engage in negligent actions that endanger the safety and lives of pedestrians. Causes of truck pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving can include any action ranging from texting and cell phone use to other behavior such as eating while driving or changing the radio station. Anything that takes the driver’s attention off the road can create a dangerous distracted driving situation.
- Drowsy Driving: Commercial truck driving is a demanding job, often involving long stretches of driving over several days. If a truck driver continues to drive while in a drowsy state, it could affect their reaction time and decision-making ability.
- Driving Under the Influence: Another factor that can affect reaction time and overall driving performance is driving under the influence. Note that this can include other substances such as drugs and even prescription medications, not just alcohol.
- Inspection Failure: Commercial drivers are required to perform meticulous inspections of their vehicles before driving. For example, if they fail to check their brakes properly, it could lead to a pedestrian accident. Another common example is if they do a poor inspection of their headlights, which reduces their ability to see people walking nearby.
- Blind Spot: Due to their large size, trucks have massive blind spots. Many truck pedestrian accidents happen because a truck driver failed to check their blind spot correctly.
- Speeding: Speeding is dangerous in any vehicle, but even more so with a truck — the time to slow down and stop fully is significantly longer than with a smaller passenger vehicle. A speeding semi-truck may not have enough time to avoid striking a passenger, even if they see them beforehand.
- Disobeying Traffic Signs and Rules: Failing to yield, stop at an intersection, or signal when turning can cause a devastating accident with a pedestrian.
These accident causes are traceable to driver negligence. A skilled attorney will be able to identify what caused a truck accident and how the driver can be held liable for their actions.
Truck Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Injuries in a pedestrian truck accident can be catastrophic and life-altering. They can result in permanent injuries that require an entire change of lifestyle for the victim and their family. In many instances, this type of accident can lead to a fatality.
There are several reasons why truck pedestrian accidents can lead to such catastrophic injuries. First, the size and weight of trucks (often more than 80,000 pounds) create greater impact forces than those generated in a car accident. Secondly, trucks take longer to decelerate and stop fully, which increases the chances that the pedestrian will be hit at a faster speed. Lastly, pedestrians have no protection between their body and the vehicle, leading to more grave and sometimes deadly injuries.
Even accidents at a lower speed can be disastrous for a pedestrian. Injuries from a truck pedestrian accident may include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal and external bleeding
- Damage to internal organs
- Spinal cord damage, often leading to paralysis
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Leg injuries
- Chest and torso injuries
It is not uncommon for a truck pedestrian accident to result in a fatality. In such cases, the family of the victim may need to file a wrongful death lawsuit, which can help cover additional costs such as funeral expenses. Hiring a truck accident wrongful death attorneys can help ensure that the family is fully compensated for their losses.