Topeka Truck Accident Lawyer

As the capital city of Kansas, Topeka is a hub of activity. Besides the visitors of various museums and the Topeka Zoo, multiple major interstates, such as I-7acci0, I-470, and highways 75 and 24, converge around the city, bringing in large amounts of truckers daily. Kansas is a major hub of the trucking industry, with drivers hauling a wide variety of products, and while our state benefits from these jobs, there are dangers that come along with the benefits.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in the United States, 5,788 people were killed in traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2021. Of those, 79 involved large trucks in Kansas specifically. Additionally, this data shows that occupants of other vehicles are more likely to be killed than occupants of big rigs, 54 people and 18 people, respectively.

Any vehicle collision can be devastating and traumatic, and a crash involving a large truck often causes far greater injuries and damage than others. If you or someone you know has been involved in a collision involving a tractor-trailer, a qualified Topeka truck accident lawyer can assist with your case and ensure you receive compensation for damages.

Types of Trucks in Shawnee County

As mentioned previously, Topeka sees large amounts and varieties of trucks on our roadways, and unfortunately, these can frequently cause major crashes. According to 2021 data from the National Safety Council (NSC), at 14%, Kansas is one of the top four states with the highest percentage of large trucks involved in fatal crashes.

The Kansas legislature released “Trucking 101” in February 2019, intended to help inform non-truckers on the number and types of large trucks we may see on our roadways across the Sunflower State. At the time that document was put together, there were 10,880 trucking companies in Kansas who used the following types of trucks when transporting goods:

• Tandem axle straight trucks: Also called box trucks, these weigh a combined (cab and trailer) 54,000lbs gross vehicle weight (GVW) and are on average 24ft in length
• Tandem axle tractor-trailer: Often what we think of when we say “18-wheeler”, these weigh on average 80,000lbs GVW and are usually 51ft in length
• Spread axle tractor-trailer combination: These weigh in at 85,500lbs GVW and are 60ft or longer
• Triple axle tractor-trailer combination: These weigh the same as the spread axle trucks (85,500lbs GVW) but may be shorter overall, running an average of 53ft or more in length

As we drive near these large trucks, it’s clear that there is a considerable amount of weight between the cab and the load they’re pulling, and that weight can be deadly if something causes it to be jostled or tipped over. A lot of the goods and products may be flammable, toxic, or contain sharp or dangerous parts, making a wreck so much worse.

These tractor-trailers commonly haul such products as:

• Aircraft parts and engines
• Wheat
• Beef
• Corn
• Soya beans
• Grain sorghum
• Dog and cat food
• Rubber tires
• Radio navigational apparatuses

As you can see, with the combination of the actual vehicle and cargo weight, plus the cumbersomeness and danger of whatever they may be hauling, getting into a wreck with a semi can be quite damaging, which is why contacting a Topeka truck accident lawyer is in your best interest. Our legal team at Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC can help.

Common 18-Wheeler Injuries

Although truckers have regulations they must follow, sometimes accidents still happen, and when they do, serious injuries are highly likely. Some of the most common injuries our office has seen include:

• Fractured or broken bones
• Bruising or lacerations
• Back and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Burns
• Internal injuries
• Amputation
• Wrongful death

Compensation for Injuries

No matter the extent of your injuries, or even in the unfortunate instance that your loved one lost their life due to a large truck crash, our attorneys will be able to help you with your case. We have experience fighting for the following compensation after these types of accidents:

• Medical bills
• Loss of income
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional distress (such as post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Loss of limbs
• Property damage
• Funeral and burial costs

Your Best Next Steps

At Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC, we understand how traumatic and confusing a collision with a large truck can be. It upends your entire life, and you’re often left with mountains of medical costs, lifelong injuries, and sometimes even the loss of a loved one. If you believe your tractor-trailer crash was caused by negligence of any sort on the part of the trucker, our Topeka truck accident attorneys have your back.

Contact our office today, either online or by phone, for your free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Topeka. We have the legal experience to handle your case and fight for the compensation you deserve, no matter where in Kansas your crash occurred.