Kansas Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck accidents can be serious and deadly. A small car or SUV is no match for any big-rig truck and if an accident occurs, serious injuries will result. Compared to passenger cars, which usually weigh less than 10,000 pounds, big rig trucks are intimidating. Some large trucks weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. That weight difference means when a truck crashes head-on into a passenger car, SUV or pickup, it's much larger weight increases the force of the crash significantly over the force of a crash between two cars.

Semi-truck accidents were responsible for 12% of the fatal auto accidents in 2005. 76% of those fatalities were sustained by the victims of the smaller vehicle.

Because big rig trucks are so heavy, they are more difficult to drive safely. They have a higher center of gravity and are usually carrying a heavy load in the trailer, making them difficult to maneuver through traffic.

Every state has laws pertaining to large trucks with trailers, most of which stress the factor of driver fatigue. A truck driver is only allowed to drive a certain amount of miles or hours before being required to take a break. Unfortunately, trucking companies have only one thing in mind - deliver or pick-up the cargo they need to make their sale. They disregard trucking laws with their profit in mind. The National Transportation Safety Board says as many as 40 percent of all truck accidents can be traced to driver fatigue.

Another reason for many truck accidents is the large number of unqualified truck drivers that are on the road. A recent report found that 24 states found thousands of fraudulently licensed truck drivers on their roads. Driving a big rig truck requires a specialized license through specialized training.

If you have been injured by a big-rig or semi-truck, you have the right to hold the trucking company and the truck driver accountable for your injuries. An investigation should be done immediately after your accident to determine who was at fault and which laws were violated. Call one of our experienced Kansas big rig accident lawyers at Prochaska, Giroux & Howell for your free consultation.