Kentucky trucking accidents are more complex than typical fender benders. These serious and complicated crashes require an attorney who has the experience and resources to handle their complexities. The attorneys at Gray and White Law are highly respected in the field of truck accidents and use their resources, experience, and knowledge in analyzing DOT regulations, interpreting log books and maintenance records and reviewing accident scenes. In addition their team uses some of the most advanced forms of accident reconstruction. While it is true that many law firms handle truck accidents, most do not have the skills and resources to properly represent an accident victim. Gray and White Law use cutting edge technology to carefully recreate the scene of your accident. The attorneys at Gray and White Law are dedicated to ensuring that a jury can see the accident, and therefore clearly see who was at fault. Few firms have the resources needed to provide professional accident reconstructions. By drawing on the expertise of seasoned accident reconstructionists and computer animators Gray and White Law can provide a professional reconstruction of your accident. Their experts have been forerunners in accident reconstruction and have reconstructed some of the largest traffic disasters in the United States. These experts are well versed not only in Kentucky’s highway safety regulations but have extensive experience dealing with serious accidents nationwide. Cases in point: Significant seven-figure award for the familes of victims of the tragic Carrolton Bus Crash. Most importantly, caused important safety modifications to be made to school buses nationwide. Multiple seven-figure settlement for victims of a fatal semi-truck accident on Kentucky highway. The case involved an 18-wheeler traveling at a dangerous high-rate of speed running over-top of a passender vehicle.
We’ve all seen them: big rigs involved in accidents with passenger cars. In 2006 over 81,000 people were injured during a collision with a truck. Kentucky alone has had its fair share of catastrophic truck accidents. Last year 120 people were killed during accidents involving trucks and over 1,600 were injured. In most cases the injured party is the driver of the car, not the big rig. In 2005 large tucks, those weighing over 10,000 pounds (i.e. 18 wheelers, tractor-trailers, semis, dump trucks, and garbage trucks, etc.), were involved in 442,000 accidents nationwide. 4,932 of these accidents were fatal. Organizations such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have come up with ad campaigns and programs to help drivers deal with tractor trailers. The No-Zone program aims to help educate the public on the best way to avoid accidents with commercial trucks. However, no matter how careful motorists are, the sheer number and size of trucks on the road can be a recipe for disaster. In 2004 there were over eight million commercial trucks registered in the United States. These trucks covered billions of miles and though most drivers do their best to keep the roadways safe, there are many factors which can lead to serious traffic accidents and tragic results.
Excessive Speed
Speeding is a problem on every roadway in America. When drivers speed they put the lives of everyone on the road at risk. When the speeding driver is operating an 18-wheeler the risks multiply. The size and weight of a large truck makes it more likely to cause greater damage in an accident. When the driver is speeding they may fail to stop in enough time, causing a major collision and possibly a multiple vehicle pile-up.
Driving Too Fast for Conditions
According to a study done by the FMCSA 33,000 accidents were reported to have had driving too fast for conditions as a factor in the accident. Dangerous driving conditions can include poor visibility due to rain, fog, snow, or blowing sand or dust. In addition, ice or rain on roadways can make driving hazardous. If the driver does not adjust their driving to accommodate for inclement conditions they are more likely cause an accident. Roadways themselves may require drivers to adjust their speed. In construction zones, congested traffic areas or if the roadway is pitted, contains sharp curves, hills, or is restricted due to maintenance a driver should slow their truck. If he does not there is a greater risk of an accident. While excessive speed is a serious issue, it is not the only cause of accidents involving commercial vehicles.
Drowsy Driving
The work load a trucker takes on can lead him or her to drive while not well rested. A driver may rely on caffeine and other stimulants in order to stay awake. The temporary nature of the stimulants cannot make up for restful sleep. Drowsiness-related crashes are 4.5 times more likely to involve a large truck than a passenger car. The National Sleep Foundation just finished a week long campaign against drowsy driving. Despite these statistics, some of the major trucking companies continue to overwork their drivers. This lack of sleep can cause a slowing of reaction time and can cause the driver to make preventable mistakes such as drifting into another lane, impaired judgment and vision, increased aggressive behaviors, decreased vigilance and decreased driving performance.
Aggressive Driving
A large truck outweighs passenger cars by many tons. When a driver drives aggressively their truck becomes a deadly weapon. Long hours on the road, drowsy driving, and the frustration of sharing the road can leave a driver agitated and angry. When a driver uses his truck to play out his anger and frustration there is every chance that the driver will cause an accident. Such an accident has the real possibility of leading to loss of life and serious injury.
Improperly Secured Load/Spilled Loads
A truck driver must ensure that each load they take is properly secured. Any flying debris, from paper and other waste materials to large steel coils can pose a threat to other vehicles and their occupants. If the load is liquid or contains hazardous materials, the consequences of a spilled load can be disastrous. It is the responsibility of the truck driver to make sure that their load is secured each and every time they take to Kentucky’s roadways.
Improper Maintenance/Mechanical Failure
While only 4% of accidents involving large trucks were found to be caused by mechanical failure these failures do lead to serious accidents. The failures may be due to a mistake by either the driver himself or the maintenance company that works on either the truck or the trailer. With such large loads it is imperative that every truck and trailer is properly maintained and repaired. Failure to do so may trigger a catastrophic accident.
Inherent Risks of Driving Large Trucks
The wide turning radius of a truck can cause the truck to jump a curb, a dangerous situation for pedestrians waiting to cross the street. There are a multitude of dangerous driving situations that cause accidents involving big rigs. Often, the injuries and deaths they cause could have been prevented by the truck involved. The limited view big rig drivers have can cause them to overlook the vehicles that surround them.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident, please do not hesitate to call Gray and White Law at 1-502-210-8942 or 1-800-634-8767 (toll free) for your FREE CONSULTATION.
Gray and White Law Serious Cases Demand Serious Lawyers 1-502-210-8942 or 1-800-634-8767 (toll free) mwhite@grayandwhitelaw.com
Description: Driving safely with tractor trailers on the road is crucial to avoiding serious truck accident injuries. For Kentucky truck accident lawyers call– 800-634-8767.
Description: The driver of a semi truck tractor trailer faces criminal charges following a truck wreck he allegedly caused after the driver fell asleep and overturned the 18 wheeler tractor trailer semi truck he was operating while driving in Oldham County, near the City of Louisville, in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Description: Fatal crash on I-65 in Hardin County, Kentucky, near Louisville, between FedEx delivery truck with two attached trailers and a SUV transporting a family of seven from a wedding in Florida back home to Illinois results in the deaths of 3 family members, two children and the recently married groom, and hospitalization of 4 injured members airlifted to Louisville hospitals.
Description: According to Kentucky State Police, at least three people died and four suffered serious injuries and airlifted by emergency helicopter to different hospitals in Louisville, Kentucky, as the result of a fatal truck and SUV crash on Interstate 65 (I-65) in Hardin County, Kentucky.
Description: The truck crash in Hardin County near Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and involving a FedEx delivery truck and a SUV that resulted in the deaths of three people is still being investigated as to the cause of the fatal accident.
Description: A jury awarded more than $49 million in a lawsuit that involved a police officer who pulled the driver of a vehicle over on the highway when a truck slammed into them, which resulted in the killing of the other driver and severely injured the police man who is now a quadriplegic. The truck driver pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Description: A truck driver was sentenced to five years probation after he entered a guilty plea to charges of reckless homicide relating to a crash that occurred in March 2010 and resulted in his killing two men who were working and putting signs up along a Kentucky road intersection by US 460 and KY 1499 in Pike County, Kentucky.
Description: New Federal program enforces rules to make roads safer and to prevent truck crashes by holding truck drivers responsible, in addition to carrier companies, and requires each truck driver to comply with new safety guidelines known as "BASICs" that include keeping track of driver's history of truck crashes, unsafe driving, truck maintenance, alcohol or substance impairment, and improper cargo loading; otherwise, driver's license is suspended.
Description: Man charged with operating his vehicle on a suspended license and under the influence of alcohol or drug (third offense) caused a traffic vehicle accident involving a collision between a car and a propane gas truck, which resulted in an overturned truck and an injured driver.
Description: Jury awards more than $10 million to the family of a woman who died when a truck fell on her car while she was traveling on the highway in 2007.
Description: A federal court judge awarded $15 million to the family of a man who was killed in a multiple car wreck caused by a drunk driver operating a truck. The crash killed four people in all, however, the reckless truck driver responsible for the fatalities was uninjured.
Description: Commercial truck insurance minimums are much higher than passenger vehicles because of the often-catastrophic accidents they are involved in. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Kentucky truck accident, the attorneys at Gray and White Law can assist you in investigating your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation – 1-800-634-8767.
Description: Violations of commercial vehicle regulations can have a significant impact on your Kentucky truck accident claim. If you or a loved one has been inured in a Kentucky truck accident, the attorneys at Gray and White Law can assist you in investigating your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation – 1-800-634-8767
Library for Truck Accidents:
Commercial Truck Insurance Coverage Requirements Description: Commercial trucks must carry insurance for legal operation in the U.S. If you have been seriously injured in a Kentucky truck accident the attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Regulations for Driving Commercial Trucks and Vehicles Description: Because commercial vehicles have so many more hazards and equipment involved in their operation, the commercial vehicle regulations are also more complex. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, the attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Determining the Value of a Kentucky Truck Accident Settlement Description: While there is no way to give an exact estimate for the final settlement value of your Kentucky truck accident settlement, your Kentucky truck accident attorney can help you investigate your case to fight for a fair amount. The attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help with all your personal injury needs. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Federal Requirements for Truck Drivers Description: Just as regular drivers have requirements set forth by the state and federal government, commercial truck driver regulations have their own federal requirements that govern the safe and legal operation of their vehicles. If you have been seriously injured in a Kentucky truck accident the attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Truck Accident Claims Process Overview Description: When you or a loved one has been involved in a Kentucky truck accident resulting in serious injury, you will need to file a Kentucky truck accident claim to obtain a settlement for your damages. The Louisville truck accident lawyers at Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit after a Louisville Truck Accident Description: The loss of a loved one in a fatal Kentucky truck accident can be a devastating event for your family. A wrongful death lawsuit is necessary to ensure the future financial security of your family and pay for the unexpected medical expenses. A Kentucky wrongful death lawyer from the Law Offices of Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Parties Commonly At Fault for a Truck Accident Description: If you have been injured in a truck accident in Kentucky and are thinking about filing a Kentucky truck accident claim, contact the Louisville truck accident lawyers at Gray and White Law for a free consultation on your case –
1-800-634-8767
Obtaining Truck Accident Evidence Against The Truck Driver/Company Description: Having the right evidence can help you build a solid personal injury or wrongful death claim after a serious Kentucky truck accident. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident as a result of the truck driver’s or truck company’s negligence, contact the Louisville truck accident lawyers at Gray and White Law for a free consultation – 800-634-8767
Dealing with Insurance Adjusters After a Truck Accident Description: During the days and weeks following a serious Kentucky truck accident, insurance adjusters may try to contact you about a settlement. It’s important to know how to deal with these adjusters to avoid damaging your ability to seek compensation. If you have been involved in a Kentucky truck accident, the attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Truck Driver Negligence in Kentucky Trucking Accidents Description: Truck accidents are all too common on Kentucky roads, but did you know that while all accidents will involve unique factors, some trucking accidents are much more common than others? If you have been involved in a Kentucky truck accident, the attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Types of Compensation Available After a Fatal Kentucky Truck Accident Description: If your loved one was killed in a fatal Kentucky truck accident, it’s important to know what types of compensation may be available through a wrongful death claim. For help with your Kentucky wrongful death claim, contact the Louisville truck accident attorneys at Gray and White Law for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
An Overview of the Kentucky Truck Accident Claims Process Description: If you have been involved in a Kentucky truck accident, it’s important for you to understand the Kentucky truck accident claims process. For help with your Kentucky truck injury claim, contact the Louisville truck accident attorneys at Gray and White Law for a free consultation – (800) 634-8767
Types of Trucking Company Negligence Description: Commercial trucks are large, heavy, obstructive to other drivers, and they can cause significant damage in an accident. This is why states like Kentucky have specific legislation regarding commercial trucking regulations. For help with your Kentucky truck injury claim, contact the Louisville truck accident attorneys at Gray and White Law for a free consultation – (800) 634-8767
Steps to Take After a Kentucky Truck Accident (Part A) Description: If you have been involved in a Kentucky truck accident, there are important steps you need to take to protect your legal rights and potential accident settlement. For help with your Kentucky truck injury claim, contact the Louisville truck accident attorneys at Gray and White Law for a free consultation – (800) 634-8767
Steps to Take After a Kentucky Truck Accident (Part B) Description: If you have been involved in a Kentucky truck accident, there are important steps you need to take to protect your legal rights and potential accident settlement. For help with your Kentucky truck injury claim contact the Louisville truck accident attorneys at Gray and White Law for a free consultation – (800) 634-8767
Kentucky Truck Accidents: Financial Responsibility and Truck Insurance Description: All truck drivers and trucking companies have a financial responsibility to carry the required amount of truck insurance in Kentucky. If you have been involved in a Kentucky truck accident you need to know these requirements. The attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Common Types of Fatal Truck Accidents Description: Knowing what kind of fatal truck accident your loved one was involved in is critical to your Kentucky truck accident claim. The attorneys at Gray and White Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation – 800-634-8767.
Truckers Sending Text Messages – The Impact on Kentucky Truck Accidents Description: Truckers who send and receive text messages while behind the wheel of a massive commercial truck, put themselves and other people at risk. Read this article to learn about a ban on texting and commercial drivers. If you or a family member has been hurt in a Kentucky truck accident, contact a Louisville truck accident attorney at the law firm of Gray and White Law at (502) 637-6000 or (800) 637-6033.
A Truck Accident Can Cause a Child Brain Injury Description: When a child sustains a brain injury, it is very different than when an adult suffers the same trauma. Read this article to learn more about head injury among children. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury from a Kentucky truck accident, contact an experienced Louisville truck accident attorney at Gray and White Law today at (502) 637-6000 or (800) 637-6033 for legal advice.
Leg Fractures and Truck Accidents Description: A Louisville truck accident can lead to a painful, debilitating leg fracture. If you have broken your leg in a Kentucky trucking accident, you may be entitled to compensation. For more information, read this article about leg fractures and contact an experienced Louisville truck accident lawyer at Gray and White Law today at (502) 637-6000 or (800) 637-6033.