Many things can cause a head-on accident with a truck and the victims frequently suffer severe injuries. Those victims who are injured can pursue a claim against the truck driver or other party if they are able to prove liability.
Causes of Head-on Truck Accidents
Head-on truck accidents can be the fault of either the truck driver or the driver of a passenger car involved. Below are some common causes of head-on truck accidents.
- Taking a turn too quickly
- Drunk driving
- Falling asleep behind the wheel
- Driving while distracted
- Inclement weather (icy roads)
- Making a left turn across traffic
While weather is an unpredictable element that can lead to a head-on truck accident, most of these collisions are avoidable and caused by the error of one of the drivers involved.
Injuries Sustained from Head-on Truck Accidents
Injuries may cause permanent impairment and disability for the victim(s). Examples of injuries that can have a long-lasting effect include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, burn injuries and injuries to bones or joints.
Seeking Damages for Serious Injuries in a Head-on Truck Accident
Head-on truck accidents often result in injuries considered to be severe under Pennsylvania’s severe injury threshold. This threshold must be met for a victim to file a lawsuit for pain and suffering if the injured driver has limited tort insurance; those with full tort can file a suit for pain and suffering even if they don’t meet the threshold.
As part of recovering damages, the victim will have to prove the liability of the at-fault driver. If the truck driver did anything dangerous or negligent that caused the accident, they may be liable for damages. Keep in mind as well that a truck company may be liable for its drivers’ actions. So injured parties can file a claim against the trucking company if hurt in an accident that the truck driver caused.
Under Pennsylvania Code Section 7102, if the claimant is partially at fault for the accident, he is able to recover damages minus his percentage of fault. So if the injured claimant is 10 percent at fault and suffered $10,000 in damages, he can only recover $9,000.
Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney Today
Comparative negligence can be complex and confusing, and can proving the liability of the at-fault party and filing a claim for damages. To help clarify things, contact the attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC today. Contact us to schedule an appointment or reach us at (215) 642-2335.
