Most people think that injuries from accidents involving trucks in Virginia result from the sheer size and weight of a semi-tractor trailer or driver negligence. However, that isn’t always the case. Flying debris from these accidents can also injure victims. The following are common scenarios that can produce injuries.
Tires and wheels can fall off trucks
Tires and wheels that detach from any vehicle type can cause motor vehicle accidents, but when they come loose from trucks, there is a greater chance of causing more severe mishaps and injuries. Tires can easily weigh more than 100 pounds, and then they fly at high speeds, they can easily cause injuries and death. Wheels don’t weigh as much as tires, yet they can become projectiles, causing instant death to an unsuspecting person. In these instances, victims can include those on motorcycles, bicycles or others who may be struck by wheels or fragments.
Forensic investigations are necessary to determine the cause of wheels or tires falling off trucks. An inspection of the truck involved and its parts is also required. Professionals involved in the investigation can include reconstruction experts, mechanical engineers, and metallurgists, each determining what factors in their field contributed to the accident.
Common reasons why parts fly off trucks include:
- Old, worn parts that are rusted or in disrepair
- Hub separations
- Tire defects
- Improper installation of parts
Truck accidents can result in serious injuries
No matter what the cause, truck accidents can cause more serious personal injuries than other types of mishaps. These injuries often cause more extensive medical care and rehabilitation. No matter what the cause, you may need to seek compensation beyond what insurance companies may offer. When you suffer a catastrophic injury due to a truck accident, you need to focus on recuperation.
Truck accidents involving multiple severe injuries may necessitate additional compensation provided by legal claims, especially if injuries are catastrophic. A successful claim can compensate for medical expenses, living expenses, pain and suffering and more. Such compensation can remove worry from victims who wonder how they will live following a truck accident.