Q: I was injured in a trucking accident on I-29 where the other driver was at fault. Can I receive money for the time I missed at work?
A: Yes. Your recovery in a personal injury case may include payment for income lost through missed work, plus compensation for any loss of earning capacity resulting from the accident.
Q: Why is a truck accident more likely to cause injury than one involving passenger cars?
A: A typical fully-loaded, large truck can weigh over 80,000 pounds, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Due to this size difference and the laws of physics, any collision between a big rig or other commercial truck and a smaller passenger vehicle is likely to result in serious injuries.
Q: What laws apply to truck drivers that may play a role in an accident?
A: Federal, state, and local laws that apply to commercial trucks and their drivers may play an important role in an accident. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the commercial trucking industry. These laws include:
- The number of hours a driver can work in a certain period of time
- The training a driver must have completed
- Drug and alcohol use by a driver
- The weight limit of the truck