Cement Truck Accident Lawyer

Cement trucks are massive, lumbering vehicles that can be dangerous on the roadway. Their unique design and payload can pose a safety hazard for other drivers, which can lead to major accidents that result in injuries or death.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a negligent cement truck driver, call Mike Morse Law Firm today. Our team of personal injury attorneys stands ready to assist you when you need us, either by phone, text, or live chat. We are Michigan’s largest law firm for a reason, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you!

Call us today at (855) MIKE-WINS for a free consultation. There is no fee unless you win.

Causes of Cement Truck Crashes

Cement trucks are unlike any other type of vehicle on the road today. They are prone to rollovers due to their high center of gravity and bulky structure. Drivers also have a limited line of sight as well as plenty of blind spots. Even if an obstacle is noticed, the cement truck may be too large and bulky to maneuver around it with grace, so a rollover could easily occur.

Another reason for cement truck accidents is that drivers are often in a hurry to deliver their cement to worksites. In order for the cement to be used, it must arrive wet. There is always a chance that the material can dry out and harden if it is not used quickly. Large, unsteady trucks full of heavy concrete moving at a quick pace is a recipe for disaster, putting lives at risk.

Other causes of cement truck accidents include the following.

Driver error

Cement truck drivers are trained CDL Class A drivers but can still make the same mistakes as every other driver. Negligent drivers may be distracted, talk on the phone, eat while they drive, or feel tired. The difference is that when truckers err, there is much more on the line since the vehicles they drive are larger and far less stable. 

Weight

Cement trucks are extremely heavy. Fully loaded with wet cement, these bulky vehicles can weigh as much as 50,000 pounds. This impacts a truck’s stopping distance and maneuvering, making driver error much more dangerous as trucks of this size and weight cannot stop on a dime.

Stress

Another component of a cement truck’s weight is the amount of stress put on its mechanical components. The tires, brakes, axles, and more are weighed down significantly, causing great wear and tear. Drivers are obligated to perform full pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure their trucks are safe to be on the road.

If drivers or a cement company fails to inspect their trucks regularly, they may be considered at fault in the event of an accident. If you have been injured by a cement truck, Mike Morse Law Firm can help you sue the negligent party for compensation.

How to Approach Cement Trucks Safely

Although cement trucks have the potential to be dangerous, they are a necessary part of our country’s infrastructure. Since they are going nowhere anytime soon, just do your utmost to remain safe around cement trucks. The best way is to drive defensively; you can’t rely on other drivers’ actions. 

When driving near a cement truck, remember the following safety considerations:

• Do not make any assumptions about whether or not any driver of a big truck can see you. There are plenty of blind spots around these massive vehicles the general public does not know about. This is why most trucks have signs on them that warn of potential blind spots so you can proceed with care.

• Be extra careful in bad weather. There is no reason why you should drive aggressively around any type of commercial or construction vehicle. Cutting a cement truck off in poor weather is asking for trouble. Slick roads can make it even harder to stop or slow a heavy truck. This same rule applies when in construction zones.

• Give extra space and use your turn signal when maneuvering around or passing cement trucks. Professional drivers can make better decisions if they know what you are intending to do. It is also important to keep from tailgating any large vehicle. Always allow plenty of space and stay at least two car lengths away at all times.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Cement Truck Accident

Getting into an accident with a large cement truck can be traumatizing. This is only the beginning of your troubles. You are going to want to seek compensation for your pain, suffering, medical bills, and damage to your car. 

One problem is that the trucking company is going to be quick to defend the actions of its driver. They will do whatever they can to prevent responsibility from falling on them as a company.

Therefore, we advise you to take several steps that will help secure and strengthen your truck accident claim. Each should be taken as soon as possible after your collision.

Call 911 for medical attention

You should always call 911 after an accident, even if your injuries seem to be minor. The shock and adrenaline can mask pain symptoms that you may not feel until days later. Other major conditions, like brain injuries, can be difficult or take time to diagnose. Seeking medical treatment can help your case later on in proving you were injured by the accident.

Speak to witnesses and first responders

If you are not too seriously hurt, be sure to talk to any witnesses to the accident, police officers, and first responders on the scene. Their testimony will be a huge help later on. Get contact information, including names, phone numbers, addresses, and police badge numbers.

Take pictures of the scene

Again – as long as you are able – take as many photos of the scene as you can. Get all the vehicles involved in the accident. This includes the surrounding area, any injuries you sustained, and road and weather conditions at the time.

Contact your insurance company

You must contact your insurance company right after the accident. They will need to know what happened. 

It is equally important to remember to avoid giving a statement to the negligent party’s insurance company. They may call you looking for your side of the story. No matter how nice the insurance adjuster seems to be, decline to comment. The company usually intends to find a way to use your statement against you.

Hire an experienced attorney

It may seem you have an open-and-shut case, but truck accidents are rarely ever that simple. Negotiating a settlement with the other party’s insurance company may not go the way you want. You might even find yourself feeling trapped into accepting the first offer they make. 

The experienced lawyers of Mike Morse Law Firm have plenty of experience in negotiating better settlements that far exceed the first offers. The options are worth exploring because – remember – insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. You deserve better compensation and we will fight on your behalf to make sure you get it. 

Mike Morse Law Firm has been helping the people of Michigan for over 25 years, during which our clients have won over $1.5 billion total in damages. When you choose our law firm, you can be sure that we will go the distance on your behalf.

We are available 24/7 for a free consultation, so call us today at (855) MIKE-WINS! There is no risk in making the call and no fee unless you win.