Two Types of Side-Impact Trucking Collisions

Side airbags have only been a requirement for a few years, leaving older vehicles without much protection from side crashes. Tractor-trailers are larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road, so the damage is often much worse when they are involved in a wreck. The two most common types of side-impact truck crashes in Denton are:

  • Side swipes – when the side of one car swipes the side of another, usually when switching lanes.
  • T-bone accidents – when the front of one car crashes into another at a perpendicular angle, typically smashing the doors.

Side swipes are the more survivable of the two types of collisions. These accidents can often be attributed to a truck driver’s failure to check their blind spots before changing lanes. Unfortunately, when a commercial truck is involved, even side swipe accidents can be fatal. T-bone collisions, the most frequent and dangerous of the side crashes involving semi-trucks, often occur at intersections when a commercial vehicle runs a red light after the other traffic begins crossing. This is sometimes caused by faulty brakes or driver fatigue, in which case, the vehicle or part manufacturer or the trucking company that employs the driver would be liable, respectively. McCraw Law Group attorneys have years of experience dealing with side-impact commercial vehicle crashes in Denton and could help injured individuals protect the evidence of the wreck and document the damages stemming from it.

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Preserving Vital Evidence for a T-Bone Truck Crash

It is crucial to preserve evidence immediately following a side-impact wreck involving a commercial truck. Without hard proof of the events leading up to the side crash, even the best Denton attorney may be unable to help. The legal team at McCraw Law Group recommends taking the following actions after a T-bone trucking collision:

Call 911

In the immediate aftermath of a side-impact truck crash, it is imperative to call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so. Police investigations are imperative to preserving evidence of negligence. Officers can obtain information quickly. When they arrive on the scene, they will take pictures, talk to everyone who is able and willing, and take as many witness accounts as possible in case they have disagreements about what happened.

Take Pictures

While the police take pictures, it is recommended that injured individuals take pictures and videos as well. Get shots of the accident scene, license plates, the state of the road, injuries, and anything else that may be pertinent.

Get Medical Attention

Anyone involved in a T-bone truck accident must be seen by a doctor immediately. The reason for this is two-fold. The first and most important is for the people involved to get the medical care they need to recover from their injuries. Even if they do not believe it necessary, adrenaline can mask the severity of injuries. It is, therefore, critical for injured people to go straight to the hospital after experiencing a side crash involving a commercial vehicle in Denton.

The second reason it is imperative to see a doctor after an accident is to document specific injuries. Lawyers might be able to use medical records to help recover an injured claimant’s damages in a subsequent lawsuit. Documenting the necessary treatment helps determine the compensation the individual can pursue.

How a Lawyer Could Help Compile Evidence

It is advisable to call a lawyer in conjunction with receiving medical treatment, especially when a side-impact trucking collision results in catastrophic injuries that will take time to resolve. Attorneys may go to the hospital to talk to the injured party and/or their legal proxies. Once retained, lawyers would likely head to the scene of the accident to take measurements, as well as hire experts to reconstruct the wreck to know exactly what happened, while it is still fresh. Experienced lawyers might also ensure the truck’s black box is preserved, so it can be analyzed for things like speeding and braking distances. In addition, many trucks have cameras that record what happened before, during, and after an accident. If the shipping company refuses to hand that information over, a lawyer could help obtain a subpoena for it. As traumatizing as side-impact truck collisions can be, having a Denton attorney could make all the difference in a claim.

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Ask a Denton Lawyer about Side-Impact Truck Accidents Today

If you or a loved one has been involved in a side-impact truck accident in Denton, the most important thing you need to do is heal – listen to the medical staff, follow treatment plans, and take the time you need to rebuild your strength. The second most important thing is calling a lawyer. The attorneys at McCraw Law Group have the experience to help you gather evidence so you may recover damages and begin to heal.

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Get The Help You Need Contact McCraw Law Group

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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