Hays Truck Accident Lawyer

Being involved in any vehicle collision can be traumatizing, but especially so when the vehicle that caused your wreck is a large truck like an 18-wheeler. These large trucks are often transporting heavy goods, sometimes chemicals or toxic materials. Truck drivers work long hours, even when they follow proper Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, and with their big rigs often being overloaded or improperly loaded, it’s no wonder that accidents with semi-trucks are usually devastating and often fatal.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed due to the negligence of a tractor-trailer operator, you have grounds to pursue legal action against those responsible, and a qualified Hays truck accident lawyer from Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC can help. Our office has the experience necessary to handle your case and fight for the compensation you deserve for your losses.

Common Types of Semi-Truck Wrecks

There are many different ways 18-wheelers can cause a wreck that injures you or your loved one. Some of the most common accidents involving trucks our office sees in Hays are:

• Jackknife accidents: Usually the result of a truck driver driving well over the posted speed limit or braking too fast; this type of wreck occurs when the cab and the trailer fold into each other at a 90-degree angle.
• Rear-end crashes: One of the most common accidents involving tractor-trailers, this occurs when a smaller vehicle is hit at the back by a large 18-wheeler usually when truckers are distracted, driving too fast, have overloaded trailers (making it more difficult for them to slow down quickly), or possibly mechanical issues like defects in tires or brakes.
• Head-on collisions: Often considered the deadliest type of crash between a large semi-truck and a smaller vehicle, this occurs when a truck driver moves out of their lane of traffic and into the oncoming lanes, hitting the front of these smaller cars and almost always resulting in fatal consequences.
• Underride accidents: These collisions usually occur when a tractor-trailer operator pulls into the path of another smaller vehicle, doesn’t change lanes correctly, or makes an improper turn. Because of how high off the ground the large trucks are, smaller cars are easily pulled under the tractor-trailer’s wheels or under the trailer itself, often resulting in fatalities of the smaller vehicle’s occupants.
• Rollover accidents: This type of crash is very common among 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles due to their having a higher center of gravity than most other vehicles. Even the smallest impact from another vehicle, a guardrail, or another stationary object can cause these 18-wheelers to tip over, causing crush injuries and road hazards. Improperly loaded or overloaded trailers and truckers applying their brakes too quickly or driving too fast on winding roads or during adverse weather are the most common causes of rollover accidents.

As you can see, there are many different types of accidents that a truck driver can cause, and if none of these listed are the right category for your crash, our office would still love to discuss your case and how we can help you.

Compensation You Can Claim

While we’ve mentioned that collisions between large trucks and smaller vehicles are often fatal for the drivers of those smaller cars, there are a variety of injuries commonly sustained in these accidents. Those are:

• Broken or fractured bones
• Crush injuries
• Internal injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Back and spine injuries
• Lacerations
• Amputations
• Death

No matter the severity of your accident or injuries and damages, a Hays truck accident lawyer from our office will assist you in fighting for compensation such as the following:

• Medical bills (anything relating to your accident)
• Lost wages
• Loss of quality of life
• Rehabilitation or therapy
• Pain and suffering (including emotional distress such as post-traumatic stress)
• Funeral and burial costs

In 2021 alone, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KSDOT) reported 3,316 traffic crashes involving large or heavy trucks on our state’s roadways. These wrecks injured 965 people and caused the deaths of 81 others. Our office works hard to protect the rights of those who have been affected by accidents caused by big rigs and fights for compensation for injuries and damage that the victims incur.

How an Attorney Can Help

You may wonder if you are required to hire an attorney to help with your case, and while there is no such requirement, we strongly recommend you seek legal advice. In the aftermath of an accident, whether you personally were involved or you’re filing on behalf of an injured or deceased loved one, at Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC, we want you to focus on healing while we handle the legal details.

Don’t wait too long. Contact our office today and see how our expert Hays truck accident lawyers can help you during this difficult time. We want you to understand that you don’t have to fight this alone. Your initial consultation is always free, and we want to assist you in holding accountable those responsible for the damage and losses you have suffered.