TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS IN HAWAII

HOLDING ALL LIABLE PARTIES RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR INJURIES IN HONOLULU & BEYOND

Due to the immense size and weight of semi-trucks, accidents with these vehicles are frequently fatal. Even if you are fortunate enough to survive the accident, you will likely face severe injuries and overwhelming financial consequences.

If someone else caused your collision, you should not have to struggle through these hardships alone. Personal injury attorneys exist to make sure the negligent parties in your accident understand and compensate you for the realities of their wrongdoings.

At Davis Levin Livingston, our legal team advocates on your behalf to help you secure the resources you need to recover. 

Common Types of Truck Accidents

A truck accident involves any collision or incident involving a truck, which can include various types of large commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and delivery trucks. These accidents can be particularly severe due to the size and weight of the trucks compared to other vehicles on the road.

The following are the common types of truck accidents:

• Rear-End Collisions: Occur when a truck crashes into the back of another vehicle. These can be caused by tailgating, sudden stops by the vehicle in front, or the truck's failure to maintain a safe distance.
• Jackknife Accidents: Happen when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side and forms a V-shape with the cab. This usually occurs when the driver brakes suddenly or loses control, causing the trailer to slide.
• Rollover Accidents: Involve the truck overturning onto its side or roof. These accidents can be caused by high speeds, sharp turns, or uneven weight distribution.
• Side-Impact Collisions: Also known as T-bone accidents, these occur when a truck strikes the side of another vehicle. This can happen at intersections or when a truck fails to yield.
• Underride Accidents: Occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a truck. This often happens when a truck stops suddenly or if the truck's safety features are not properly in place.
• Blind Spot Accidents: These accidents happen when a truck driver cannot see other vehicles in their blind spots, leading to collisions during lane changes or turns.
• Wide-Turn Accidents: Result from a truck making a turn that is too wide, often hitting other vehicles or objects on the road.
• Lost Load Accidents: Occur when cargo or debris falls off the truck and causes accidents for other drivers. This can be due to improper loading or securing of the cargo.
• Rear-End Collisions with Truck Trailers: Involve other vehicles colliding with the rear of a truck trailer. These accidents can be severe, especially if the truck’s rear is not equipped with proper safety features like underride guards.
• Tractor-Trailer Accidents: Involve both the truck's cab and trailer. They can result in complex accident scenarios, such as the trailer swinging out or the truck becoming unstable.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can be caused by a wide range of factors, often involving a combination of driver behavior, vehicle conditions, and environmental factors. Here are some common causes:

• Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers may experience fatigue due to long hours on the road, leading to impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and decreased concentration.
• Distracted Driving: Distracted driving includes activities such as texting, using a phone, or adjusting the radio. This can divert the driver's attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Speeding: Driving over the speed limit reduces a truck driver's ability to react quickly to sudden changes in the driving environment and increases stopping distances.
• Improper Loading: Cargo that is not properly secured or evenly distributed can shift during transit, leading to loss of control or uneven weight distribution that can cause rollovers or other accidents.
• Mechanical Failures: Truck accidents can result from mechanical issues such as brake failure, tire blowouts, or engine problems. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to prevent these issues.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, ice, or fog can reduce visibility and road traction, making it more difficult for truck drivers to control their vehicles.
• Substance Abuse: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver’s ability to operate a truck safely. This includes prescription medications that can affect alertness and coordination.
• Inadequate Training: Drivers who lack proper training may not be equipped to handle the complexities of operating a large truck, such as maneuvering in tight spaces or handling adverse road conditions.
• Reckless Driving: Aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, rapid lane changes, or ignoring traffic signals can lead to accidents. This behavior is particularly dangerous in large trucks.
• Blind Spots: Trucks have large blind spots on all sides, and if drivers do not check these areas carefully, they can cause accidents with vehicles that are in those blind spots.
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signals and Signs: Disregarding traffic signals, stop signs, or other road regulations can lead to collisions, especially at intersections or when making turns.
• Vehicle Overloading: Exceeding the truck’s weight limits can affect handling and braking, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
• Inadequate Road Maintenance: Poorly maintained roads with potholes, loose gravel, or other hazards can contribute to accidents, especially if the truck driver is unable to avoid them.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol, banned substances and even certain medications can impair a driver's ability to operate a truck safely, affecting their reaction times and judgment.

Truck Accidents: The Stats

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), commercial trucks weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger vehicles. When accidents happen, occupants of passenger vehicles are especially vulnerable. To make matters worse, large trucks do not have the same braking capabilities as other vehicles and take 20-40% longer to stop or avoid hazards.

These factors, and others, contribute to large truck crashes. In 2017, a total of 4,102 people died in this type of accident. About 68% of these people were passenger vehicle occupants, but another 14% were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed by a large truck while driving, walking, or biking, call us at (808) 740-0633 today.

Who Is Responsible For My Accident?

This is an excellent question, and it will be the touchstone of your personal injury lawsuit. If your accident was caused by a truck driver, there are several factors to examine and multiple parties that could be responsible. The driver’s schedule, the condition of their truck, the way their vehicle was loaded, and the materials they were carrying can all play into truck accidents.

If a driver was drowsy behind the wheel, for example, their behavior is negligent, but it may have also been influenced by illegal company policies. When this is the case, the driver’s employer may also carry liability. Other parties may share accountability, as well. These include, but are not limited to:

• The people who loaded the truck – If the load was imbalanced or the truck was overfilled, the party that filled the truck could be partially at fault for your accident.
• Those in charge of the truck’s maintenance – Because of their size and weight, large trucks already have a hard time stopping. If this factor was exacerbated by a mechanical error, or if a maintenance issue contributed to the accident, whoever was responsible for maintaining the vehicle may have to accept partial liability.
• Shipping companies – Even if the driver was totally in the wrong, shipping companies are responsible for the negligence of their employees. Unless the driver who harmed you was an independent contractor at the time of the accident, you should make a claim against the company’s insurance policy in addition to your claim against the driver.

When multiple parties assume liability, the amount of damages you can receive will increase. Maximize your claim with our firm. 

What Can I Use Damages For?

Damages refer to the money you may be awarded as a result of your lawsuit. They are designed to compensate you for your injuries and alleviate suffering caused by the accident. In cases of severe wrongdoings, they can also serve to punish the negligent party and prevent people from exhibiting the same behavior in the future.

If you’ve been injured, you can use damages for:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitative treatments
• Making up for lost wages
• Offsetting diminished earning potential
• Restoring your quality of life
• Recovering from pain and suffering

If you’ve lost a loved one, damages can help address:

• Premortem medical expenses
• Funeral costs
• Burial fees
• Permanent loss of income
• Loss of domestic services
• Missing parental guidance
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional and psychological distress

While money will never change what happened, a financial award can contribute to your peace of mind and make your life easier as you move forward from a devastating injury or loss.

Why Choose Davis Levin Livingston?

Collectively, our lawyers have been pursuing justice for over 160 years. For the last 40 years, our firm has been fighting for victims in Hawaii, specifically. We have set personal injury records in the state, and we have an advanced in-house team to handle every aspect of your case.

Call (808) 740-0633 for a free consultation at our Honolulu office.