Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney In Des Moines, IA
Commercial vehicles are larger than most vehicles on the road, and they often carry heavy freight. Despite the additional training that drivers must complete to obtain a commercial driver’s license, they sometimes fail to adhere to the heightened safety standards that are required of them.
Motor vehicle accidents involving commercial vehicles are often catastrophic or even fatal. If you have been injured, or someone you love has been killed, in an accident caused by a commercial vehicle, you are probably experiencing a range of emotions–anger, grief and confusion–combined with the physical and financial stress of a serious injury, can create a situation that is overwhelming for many.
Professional, Compassionate Representation
At this difficult time, it is important to understand your legal rights and options, so you can make informed decisions for yourself and your family. Jeff Carter Law Offices, P.C., can help. We have 30 combined years of experience representing individuals and families who have suffered the devastating effects of motor vehicle accidents caused by the negligence of others.
Our attorneys are highly skilled trial lawyers and counselors who have helped injured clients achieve multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements to pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation, property damages, and pain and suffering. We provide compassionate, personalized attention to each of our clients, with a focus on helping them obtain justice and full compensation, so they can move forward with their lives from the best possible position.
Our firm represents clients injured by a wide variety of commercial vehicles, including:
- Trucks
- Delivery vans
- Semitrucks and tractor-trailers
- Freight vehicles
- Buses
- Taxis
- Coaches
- Government vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Here are some of the questions our firm hears most often:
What types of commercial vehicles can cause accidents?
Federal motor carrier safety regulations define a commercial vehicle as any that weighs 10,001 pounds or more, is meant to transport more than 15 people (including its driver) or requires a placard notifying others that it is transporting a large quantity of hazardous materials. That includes:
- Tractor-trailer (semis)
- Certain delivery trucks
- Medium or large box trucks
- Buses (including school buses)
- Tanker trucks and refrigerated vehicles
- Flatbed trucks
- Construction vehicles
Even garbage trucks and some farm equipment can qualify as commercial vehicles.
What qualifies a DOT-recordable accident?
The Department of Transportation keeps track of collisions involving commercial vehicles. To that end, truck accidents that meet the criteria outlined in Section 390.5 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations must be reported. These involve any accident where:
- A vehicle had to be towed away from the scene of the crash
- Someone suffers a bodily injury and needs transport for immediate medical care
- There were fatalities (whether they occurred at the scene or in a hospital afterward)
Investigating the DOT-recordable accidents involving a specific trucker or their employer can help provide insight into problematic behavior or a history of negligence.
How often do commercial vehicle accidents happen in the Des Moines area and what are the consequences?
Due to its central location, Des Moines, Iowa, is a very busy place for the U.S. transportation industry. Unfortunately for other drivers on the road, that means there is a higher risk of accidents involving commercial vehicles. Despite being built to accommodate commercial vehicle traffic, major roadways such as Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 are the sites of many commercial vehicle crashes.
The Iowa Department of Transportation does not provide any data on truck crashes in the Des Moines area. Their records show, however, that there are upwards of 3,800 crashes in the state each year that involve semis and other large, heavy commercial trucks colliding with passenger vehicles.
These types of accidents are often severe or fatal for the people in the smaller vehicles. Typical injuries include traumatic brain injuries, burns, spinal cord injuries, broken or crushed bones, amputations and internal organ damage. Wrongful death is also a possibility. We can help you seek compensation in these complex Iowa commercial vehicle accident cases.
Contact Jeff Carter Law Offices, P.C.
If you have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, call our Des Moines commercial vehicle accident attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your options. We can be reached at 515-644-4871. You can also contact us via email.
Our firm serves clients throughout Des Moines and all of Iowa. In-home, weekend and evening appointments are available upon request. Personal injury cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win compensation for you.