Iowa roadways can be dangerous places, particularly when the number of large trucks weighing thousands of pounds continues to increase. Fredd J. Haas, an Iowa semi truck accident attorney serving Iowa and surrounding states is an experienced litigator who has seen firsthand the tragic consequences of collisions with large semi trucks.
Legally, large trucks are defined as vehicles weighing at least 10,000 pounds that are used for transporting commercial products. Also referred to as heavy trucks and semi trucks, these motor vehicles can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and be up to 75 feet long. These types of vehicles travel our roadways by the thousands and often have to navigate curvy roads and steep inclines, sometimes in very hazardous conditions. The center of gravity in large trucks is different than the average car, making them more challenging to maneuver. Their massive size makes it necessary to exercise caution when navigating around them.
The information and links below will take you to areas of our website with details on a variety of issues concerning large truck accidents and what you may need to know if you or a loved one has been involved in one. Please contact Fredd J. Haas, truck accident attorney for Iowa and surrounding states, if you would like to schedule a case review.
Types of Trucks
There are many different types of large trucks that utilize our roadways, including 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, semi-tractor trailers, and more. They are used for various purposes, typically for the transport of goods or materials from one state to another.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can be caused by a number of factors, and they are frequently the result of negligence on the part of the driver or the company in charge of the vehicle. Throughout this website, you will find various pages describing a number of common causes of devastating truck accidents. The links below outline some of those instances.
Contact our truck accident attorney, serving Iowa and surrounding areas, for a consultation.
Driver Negligence
Truck driver negligence can come in the form of alcohol/substance abuse while driving, operating the vehicle in hazardous weather conditions, driver error, overloaded or improperly loaded trucks, speeding, driver fatigue, and others. Our truck accident attorney, serving Iowa and surrounding areas, will vigorously pursue compensation on behalf of victims and their loved ones if a truck driver’s negligence is found to have played a part in an accident, or tragic death.
Company Liability
Trucking companies are ultimately responsible for every vehicle in their fleet. They may be held liable if poor hiring or training practices, poor maintenance of a vehicle, or unlawfully high work hours are found to have contributed to an accident. In these instances, trucking company liability may indicate a problem not exclusive to a single accident, but one that affects the entire fleet.
Wrongful Death
Since trucking accidents are catastrophic in nature, they often result in fatalities. If a person has been tragically killed in a trucking accident, and the accident was the result of another person or group’s negligence, the victim’s loved ones may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death actions can help in the pursuit of compensation for funeral expenses, loss of benefits, pre-death pain and suffering, pre-death medical expenses, and other financial damages.
Insurance
Insurance agencies for trucking companies are looking out for the best interests of the companies they represent. They may offer trucking accident victims or their loved ones a settlement far lower than what it would take to recover the financial losses that result from the crash. Our truck accident attorney in Iowa can help you deal with the insurance aspects of a truck crash, and seek a fair and reasonable settlement.
Semi Truck Accident Statistics
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), hundreds of thousands of large truck crashes are reported each year, and over 3,900 had fatal results in 2014 (National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2016, May) Large trucks: 2014 data. (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 812 279), and an even greater number resulted in serious injury. The alarming truck accident statistics emphasize the need to exercise extreme caution around these vehicles, as well as the need for companies to strictly enforce all state and federal trucking laws.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
There are a number of precautionary measures a driver can take to minimize the risk of being involved in an accident with a large truck. Fredd J. Haas, attorney at law, offers some helpful advice for avoiding trucking accidents, as well as important tips on what to do if you have been the victim of a crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trucking accident cases can be very complex. When an accident may have been caused by someone else’s negligence, victims and their loved ones have many questions about pursuing compensation for the losses incurred. Find answers to some of these frequently asked questions, and contact our truck accident attorney, serving Iowa and surrounding areas, for more information.
Verdicts and Settlements
Fredd J. Haas is an experienced and reputable truck accident attorney with a proven track record of success. Our verdicts and settlements page outlines some of his past cases and the damages awarded to victims and families in the wake of a trucking accident.
Contact an Iowa Semi Truck Accident Attorney
Haas Law Offices, P.C. is the private practice of Fredd J. Haas, an Iowa truck accident attorney serving Iowa and surrounding states. Mr. Haas prides himself on providing the most compassionate and diligent representation for victims and loved ones who have been affected by trucking accidents. Fredd J. Haas will pursue compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Contact us todayfor a consultation to review your case.