Whitby Truck Accident Lawyer
The 401, the 407, and Highway 412 are just a few of the highways that wind through Whitby and make traffic such a concern in this area. While congestion is always an issue, so is the number of large trucks that are now in and around the Whitby area.
Those large trucks can create problems at times, because when they are involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle, injuries are much worse and according to the OPP, victims are much more likely to suffer fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident, it is important that you contact a Whitby truck accident lawyer that can help during your time of recovery. A personal injury attorney can help you pursue deserved compensation.
Laws Regulating Whitby Trucks
When most people think about truck accidents, they largely think about the tractor-trailer trucks, also known as 18 wheelers, semi-trucks, and transport trucks. But while these might be the trucks that are first thought of when other drivers head out onto the roads, they only make up about half of the truck accidents that occur.
Tractor-trailers will definitely do the most amount of damage if they are in an accident with another vehicle while on the road. It is because of this that the Ontario government has placed several regulations on them. Those include only being allowed to drive for 13 hours or fewer at a time, and being required to stop for an eight-hour rest period between driving shifts. Speed limiters have also been placed on most tractor-trailers to prevent them from speeding, which can make bad accidents potentially deadly.
Other trucks that are involved in accidents and can cause just as many injuries and damage include courier trucks, garbage trucks, cement trucks, cranes, snow plows and dump trucks. While these trucks are much larger than other vehicles, they do not have the restrictions placed on them that larger trucks do and because of this, can cause just as much injury. When individuals are involved in a truck accident, no matter the type or size of the truck, they need to speak to a truck accident lawyer in Whitby as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
There can be many different causes of truck accidents including speeding, loads that were not securely fasted or improperly loaded, mechanical failures, and tire blowouts.
One of the main causes of truck accidents, however, is driver fatigue. This is especially true for tractor-trailers, which is why the law is so strict about limiting the number of consecutive hours they are on the road.
Another main cause of truck accidents is when the driver of the truck is following another car too closely. When this occurs, not only does the truck usually hit another vehicle in front of them, but because of the sheer size and weight of the truck, that usually forces that car into another and then another, causing a domino effect.
Injuries Usually Associated with Truck Accidents
Due to the sheer size of trucks, the injuries resulting from an accident with one can be some of the most severe. The most common include:
- Back and neck injuries, ranging from minor whiplash to severe fractures
- Broken and/or dislocated bones
- Lacerations, ranging from minor to severe
- Internal bleeding and other internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Rib and torso injuries
- Head injuring, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Consulting a Whitby Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been in a truck accident and have suffered injuries as a result, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries. If you have lost a loved one due to a truck accident, there may still be compensation available.
Contact a Whitby truck accident lawyer today to learn about options for financial recovery that might be available to you.