Truck accidents

Sharing the road with large trucks, 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers can put your life at risk. If a truck driver or trucking company is negligent, meaning they fall short of the required amount of care that should be used, a devastating truck accident can occur. Keeping up with truck accident crash data in Nebraska can track whether these incidents are increasing or decreasing in frequency, as well as determine what can be done to prevent common crash risks. Nebraska Truck Accident Statistics Motor vehicle accidents are one of the top causes of unintentional injury death…

Motor vehicle collisions involving commercial trucks are often devastating. Small passenger cars are no match for large and heavy big rigs, which can weigh approximately 20 times more than standard vehicles. Every year, thousands of victims sustain catastrophic injuries and lose their lives in truck accidents throughout the country. In recent years, the death toll in Nebraska has even exceeded the national average. Why Are Truck Accidents in Nebraska Often Fatal? Commercial trucking is a dangerous industry. Large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and carry hazardous substances. If an 18-wheeler gets into…

Every motor vehicle has at least one blind spot. This is an area of the road that is invisible to a driver when he or she checks the rearview and side mirrors. If a driver fails to check his or her blind spots carefully before changing lanes or making a turn, the driver could collide with another vehicle. These accidents are not automatically the fault of the driver with the blind spot, however; determining fault can be challenging and require an in-depth investigation. What Are a Driver’s Responsibilities With a Blind Spot? A blind…

Semi-trucks are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. They are much larger and heavier than the average car, giving them the upper hand in motor vehicle accidents. A collision involving a large truck can be catastrophic for those in the smaller car. You can reduce the risk of getting into a serious Omaha truck accident with these safety tips. Practice Defensive Driving Defensive driving is the practice of constantly anticipating dangerous roadway situations. Rather than assuming that all drivers will obey the law and drive prudently, defensive drivers do the opposite….

Winter driving conditions can be treacherous for all drivers, but especially for those operating large commercial trucks. With icy roads, reduced visibility and other winter hazards, truck drivers must exercise extreme caution to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, even with careful driving, truck accidents can still occur due to factors outside of their control, such as bad weather. Be on the lookout for these common causes of truck accidents in an average Omaha winter. Icy Roads Nebraska’s winters are particularly hazardous for truck drivers. Nebraska sees an average snowfall of ­20 to 40 inches, with the…

Going out on the road by yourself after getting your driver’s license can be intimidating. No matter how confident you feel, accident and injury risks can lurk right around the corner. One of the best things to do as a new driver is to learn about some of the most common accident risks. This includes the risk of collisions with semi-trucks and 18-wheelers. The more you know about being safe around large trucks, the lower your odds of getting into an Omaha truck accident. Keep Your Distance You should never crowd any driver on…

Texting and driving is a major cause of injury and fatal car accidents in the U.S. It is a common source of driver distraction in Nebraska and around the country. In 2017, distracted drivers caused car accidents that took a total of 3,166 lives. The known risks of distracted driving, and especially texting and driving, has led many states to pass laws related to banning cellphone use behind the wheel. Nebraska is one of them. The Risks of Texting and Driving Texting and driving checks off all three forms of driver distraction: manual, visual and…

Chain-reaction or multivehicle accidents in Nebraska can injure several people at once. In a chain-reaction accident, the driver that struck you may not necessarily be the person at-fault or responsible for the collision. Understanding the complex matter of liability in a crash involving multiple vehicles may take assistance from a car accident attorney. Someone will need to investigate your accident to trace your injuries back to the liable, or at-fault, party. What Is a Chain-Reaction Car Accident? A chain-reaction accident involves more than two vehicles striking each other. Three or more cars may end…

The commercial trucking industry is not always safe for its drivers or others on the road. Every year, trucking accidents take thousands of lives. More than 2,500 traffic crashes in 2016 involved heavy trucks in Nebraska, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Truck accidents caused 46 deaths and 771 injuries. Liability for a trucking accident could come down to the truck driver, trucking company, the product manufacturer or another party. Employer Liability for Truck Driver Misconduct After an accident with a commercial truck, the discovery that the driver is an independent contractor…

The structure of an 18-wheeler truck makes accidents happen differently than standard vehicle collisions. What might have been a regular rear-end collision with two passenger vehicles, for example, could take the form of an underride or override truck accident. These are two of the deadliest types of truck accidents for passenger vehicle occupants. Understanding the dynamics of an underride accident could allow you to prevent these fatal collisions in the future. What Is an Underride Accident? When a small passenger vehicle slams into the back of a semi and slides beneath the trailer, it…