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1. 18-Wheeler Accidents Each year approximately 43,000 lives are lost on our Nation's roads and highways. Many of these deaths are the result of commercial truck accidents. Large commercial vehicles and semi-trailer trucks can pose a significant threat to motorists due to their massive size and weight. The fatal crash rate for large trucks is 2.4 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This statistic is more than 50 percent greater than for all other vehicles on the road. Unfortunately in heavy truck accidents, 98 percent of the fatalities occur to individuals in passenger vehicles. The costs associated with commercial truck accidents are catastrophic in terms of physical, emotional, and economic loss. There are several reasons why heavy truck accidents are so dangerous. Although the commercial trucking industry is heavily regulated, the industry emphasizes speed and efficiency. Many drivers ignore regulations in order to deliver their loads as quickly as possible. The sheer size of a large truck also increases the likelihood for a massive impact and hinders the ability of the driver to make a sudden stop or take preventative measures to avoid a collision. Some of the common causes of large truck accidents include: - Brake failure
- Debris in the road
- Failure to adequately check blind spots
- Driver fatigue
- Poor maintenance of commercial vehicle
- Excessive speed for road conditions
- Tire failure or separation
- Improperly secured cargo
- Failure to follow rules of the road
2. Loss of the Ability to Speak The loss of the ability to speak is called aphasia and most often occurs when there has been damage to the left side of the brain. Aphasia impairs a person's ability to process language, but does not affect intelligence. Aphasia impairs the ability to speak and understand others, and most people with aphasia experience difficulty reading and writing. The most common cause of aphasia is stroke, but it can also result from a head or brain injury. Aphasia affects about one million Americans, and according to the National Aphasia Association, more than 100,000 Americans acquire the disorder each year. Unfortunately, the inability to speak caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of someone else or by the use of a defective product, can be devastating and life-altering. When the symptoms of aphasia last longer than two or three months, a complete recovery is unlikely, although some individuals continue to improve over a period of years. 3. Loss of Balance A traumatic brain injury can be a devastating and life-altering event. One of the many symptoms of a brain injury is the loss of balance. Loss of balance or disequilibrium is a feeling of unsteadiness when you walk. A traumatic brain injury can be accompanied by swelling in the brain resulting in extra blood and fluid in the skull. This buildup of fluid can impact the inner ear, which controls balance. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1.4 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. Of those, 50,000 will suffer fatal injuries and 235,000 will suffer injuries serious enough to require hospitalization. The leading causes of traumatic brain injuries are falls, motor vehicle crashes, colliding with a moving or stationary object, and assaults. The symptoms of a brain injury can be subtle and may not appear for days or even weeks after the injury occurred. According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are causes of loss of balance or disequilibrium: - Inner ear problems: Abnormalities with your inner ear can cause you to feel like you are floating, have a heavy head, or are unsteady in the dark.
- Sensory disorders: Failing visions and nerve damage in your legs are common in older adults and may result in difficulty maintaining your balance.
- Joint and muscle problems: Muscle weakness and osteoarthritis can contribute to loss of balance when it involves your weight-bearing joints.
- Medications: Loss of balance can be a side effect of certain medications, such as anti-seizure drugs, sedatives, and tranquillizers.
If you or a loved one has suffered from any of these unfortunate situations, contact a personal injury attorney today.
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