An elderly man was killed in a crash involving three vehicles in Blount County, Alabama. He was killed when his vehicle crashed into a larger Chevrolet Tahoe and a Freightliner semi-truck. He was pronounced dead at the accident scene.

Neither of the drivers and passengers in the other two vehicles appeared injured.

This case, like so many others, involves a tragic intersection of passenger vehicles and semi-trucks. The result is often catastrophic injuries and/or death. The commercial Freightliner vehicle, because of its large mass, imparts tremendous force:

• With 350-800 HP and GVW of approximately 50,000-60,000 pounds, a passenger vehicle is no match for a Freightliner semi-truck.
• The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that some Freightliner trucks have potentially dangerous defects. Some models have defective cap screws. These can fail without advance warning to the driver. Some axles used on Freightliner trucks are also defective. For that reason, Freightliner recalled 11,000 trucks in 2016.

For that reason, a smaller passenger vehicle is typically crushed, mangled, or tossed to the side of the highway.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety data shows that truck accidents are quite common. In a recent annual report, more than 4,500 truck accidents occurred on the highways and roads of Alabama. Approximately 25 percent of people involved in truck accidents suffered serious bodily injuries, and about three percent lost their lives.

The data show that:

• An Alabama truck accident happens approximately every two hours
• At least two Alabama residents suffer injuries from a truck accident every day
• Approximately two residents are killed each week in the aftermath of a tractor-trailer collision

Because of the catastrophic nature of serious truck accidents, victims must have an experienced personal injury attorney to represent their interests in court. A truck accident case is often too complex for a small or less experienced law firm to handle.

That’s why Liddon Law Firm is here to help. Our seasoned motor vehicle accident attorneys have the skills and insight you need to pursue a high profile truck accident case. Contact us now to schedule a confidential case review.

 

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.