Blocked Intersection Accident Lawyers
Request Free ConsultationLarge trucks and tractor-trailer vehicles are an integral part of the U.S. economy. They transport the goods we need and use from one part of the country to the other. While their service is invaluable, and they are often stuck working long and arduous hours, that doesn’t give them a free license to park or block the roads that everyone must use. Blocking accidents are dangerous collisions that can significantly impact cars whose drivers are caught by surprise by the presence of a big-rig.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a blocking accident with a large truck, you need to consult with the experienced truck accident lawyers at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. Crashes between large trucks and smaller passenger vehicles can cause devastating injuries, and working with a trucking company’s insurer can be difficult and complicated. If you want to get the compensation you deserve and avoid being taken advantage of by a major profit-driven company and their team of insurers, contact Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers. We will review your situation and help you pursue the compensation that you deserve. Call us today at (206) 312-0954 for a free evaluation of your legal situation.
What is a Blocking Accident?
A blocking accident is typically the result of a large truck or semi-trailer inappropriately stopping or parking in an area not suited for those maneuvers or actions. Smaller passenger cars trying to make their way through an intersection or roadway can then collide with the truck causing serious damage and injuries. Some of the most common scenarios that can result in a serious blocking accident include:
- A large truck blocking an intersection while they are trying to negotiate a turn
- A large truck blocking a lane or multiple lanes of traffic as it attempts to back-up or enters a driveway
- A large truck that has stopped or parked in a roadway or area inappropriate for parking
- A large truck that has stopped or broken down on the shoulder without proper caution markers in place
- A large truck that stops or parks near an exit or entrance ramp, thus blocking traffic
Causes of Blocking-Type Accidents
Due to their sheer size and shape, trucks occasionally must make stops at places that do not have the adequate space to accommodate a truck entering a driveway or parking lot. This can cause the driver to make an unsafe decision to park in an area that may cause an accident by blocking a roadway or entrance. Also, due to the enormous size of their trucks, drivers may use multiple lanes of traffic or block lanes of traffic as they try to negotiate turns. Inexperienced or improperly trained drivers may be more susceptible to these types of accident-causing behaviors. The size of these trucks can make the resulting damage of a blocking accident significantly more serious than a typical car accident.
Blocking accidents can also be the result of poor visibility or inclement weather conditions. When it is dark, or weather conditions limit visibility, a car can easily collide with a truck that is improperly parked or blocking a driveway. These types of accidents are also more common in poor conditions when a truck also fails to adequately use reflective safety gear to alert other motorists that they are taking up the shoulder or have broken down on the side of a road. Some of the most common causes of blocking-type accidents tend to involve:
- Distracted driver
- Fatigued driver
- Intoxicated driver
- Poorly marked truck
- Defective mechanical parts
- Poorly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Unsafe parking area
- Failure to signal
- Failure to yield
- Failure to use safety gear such as reflective triangles or strips when broken down
- Poor weather conditions
Common Injuries in Blocking Accidents
Any type of collision with an 18-wheel vehicle can cause serious and even fatal injuries. A blocked motorway can catch other drivers by surprise, and they may be unable to slow down in time to avoid a crash. Accidents at high rates of speed can cause devastating injuries.
Blocking accidents can also result in smaller passenger cars becoming trapped in the undercarriage of a large truck. These types of accidents can result in serious head, neck, and facial injuries for those in the passenger vehicle. Some of the most common types of injuries associated with blocking accidents may include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Facial and dental injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Paralysis
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Wrongful death
What Type of Compensation Could I Recover from a Blocking Accident Claim?
Trucking companies are for-profit businesses. Their team of lawyers and insurance adjusters are paid to protect them from major financial losses. That means if you have been involved in an accident with a large truck, you need someone looking out for your interests and protecting you from major financial losses. What do we mean by that? The aftermath of a crash can be extremely expensive. There are major medical bills, property damage, and lost income from work if your injuries prevent you from returning right away. This money could end up coming out of your pocket if a trucking company and their insurers aren’t willing to provide you with the compensation you are entitled to after an accident. Retaining legal counsel means you have someone willing to negotiate on your behalf for the money you deserve. If a company is not willing to negotiate in good faith, then an experienced attorney can prepare a case and take them to court.
What type of compensation could you be entitled to following a significant blocking accident? You may be able to recover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future loss of earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Before you sign anything or agree to a settlement, contact an experienced Kent truck accident lawyer with Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers. We can review your situation, investigate the accident, and give you a fair assessment of what your claim may be worth. You don’t have to deal with the trucking company or their insurance team on your own. The legal team at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers will be there for you and fight for the compensation you deserve.
For more information on how we can help you seek the maximum compensation for your truck accident claim, call us at (206) 312-0954 today. We can schedule a free legal consultation to review your situation and lay out all your legal options.