A Truck Collision With A Low Bridge Can Lead To Pedestrian Injuries
Some truck drivers fail to pay attention to the bridges they drive under and forget that the cargo they are transporting or the enclosed trailer is too high to clear a low bridge. Some bridges are designed for pedestrians to walk on, and a collision with the bridge can cause pedestrians to become injured. In extreme cases, the bridge might even collapse. If you are injured as a pedestrian after this type of accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the truck driver's commercial insurance provider.
Truck Accidents Involving Bridges
In some cases, the truck driver might have lost control of the vehicle. However, in most cases, a truck collision with a bridge is due to negligence on the part of the driver. Some drivers even know that the bridge is too low but believe they can somehow still drive underneath it.
Truck drivers must travel long distances, and they will sometimes drive on roads they are not familiar with. However, a driver is responsible for not driving on roads that prohibit large trucks and should use a GPS that steers the truck away from these roads. Therefore, the mere act of colliding with the bridge will sometimes automatically make the truck driver negligent.
While most bridges do not collapse when a truck collides with them, some bridges do. You may suffer from broken bones, a head injury, and injuries to your internal organs.
Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries
If you were injured while on a bridge after an accident involving a truck, a truck accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your injuries. If successful, you'll receive compensation for your medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, rental expenses, and other things.
The truck driver's company will likely have vicarious liability for the accident. Therefore, you will need to seek compensation from the truck driver's commercial insurance provider. The good news is that commercial insurance providers usually have higher limits than typical auto insurance providers. Therefore, if you have very expensive medical bills, you will be more likely to receive full compensation for your injuries.
If there were other pedestrians on the bridge when the accident occurred, you may even choose to file a class-action lawsuit along with everyone else who was injured on the bridge. This will increase your odds of receiving a settlement and is also less expensive. Regardless of the decision you make, speak with a truck accident lawyer for help understanding your options.