Semi-Truck Injury Lawyers

Over 30,000 kilometers of highway stretch out across the Canadian province of Alberta. 

As the backbone of Alberta’s transportation infrastructure, these highways host vehicles of all description, from casual commuters to heavy industrial traffic.

But chief amongst the heavy rigs of the road is the semi-truck, the all important workhorse responsible for carrying countless tons of goods across Alberta, Canada, and the whole of North America.

As exceptionally large vehicles laden with huge loads of goods, operating a semi-truck on the highways can be a dangerous task, even in ideal conditions.

To keep everyone on the roadways, Alberta has a number of laws which pertain to semi-trucks, imposing stricter regulations, lower speed limits, and special licensing necessary to operate semi-trucks.

Despite these extra precautions, semi-truck accidents still occur. If such an accident results in an injury, you’ll want to seek the assistance of a qualified personal injury lawyer with experience in handling semi-truck related cases.

Precautions To Take While Driving Near Alberta’s Semi-Trucks

When driving in traffic near semi-trucks, it’s important for regular motorists to understand that a semi-truck is not like a normal automobile.

By understanding some of the challenges and limitations a semi-truck has on the roadway, you can adjust your driving strategy to make everyone safer.

Here are a few things to remember the next time you see a semi-truck in traffic:

• Semi-trucks are extremely large and wide, which can make passing them extremely dangerous. You may not be able to see around the truck for other cars or obstacles in the roadway, and you may underestimate the length of the truck when attempting to overtake them for a pass.
• The extreme weight of a semi-truck, especially one carrying a full load, prevents the truck from stopping quickly. A semi-truck will need a longer distance to bring itself to a stop than a normal vehicle. 
• Semi-truck drivers are working with a limited visibility. Even with large mirrors, it can be very difficult for them to see behind or to the sides of their vehicle. Keep their limited visibility in mind and always keep the semi-truck side mirrors visible when driving behind them to ensure the semi-truck driver is aware of you behind them.
• Driving up or downhill can be a challenge for semi-trucks, especially if they’re under load. They will lack maneuverability and are likely to have fluctuations in their speed.

Causes Of Semi-Truck Accidents In Alberta

Like any vehicular accident, there is an endless variety of circumstances which can result in a semi-truck accident.

Some of the most common reasons for semi-truck accidents in Alberta include:

• The driver of the semi is tired or fatigued from driving
• The driver of the semi is intoxicated on drugs or alcohol
• The semi-truck is in poor mechanical condition
• Insufficient following distance between truck and other vehicles on roadway
• Speeding (driving the semi faster than is safe or above the legally posted speed limit)
• Unsafe passing, either by the semi itself or by surrounding traffic
• Changing lanes too quickly, erratically, or without signaling
• Improperly secured cargo
• Exceeding cargo weight limits
• Poor road and/or weather conditions
• Improper parking (such as on the shoulder or in a no parking zone.
• Malfunctioning lights or lack of reflective equipment and signals

Were you injured in an accident involving a semi-truck in Alberta? You may be entitled to compensation! Learn your rights by scheduling a free consultation with Diamond & Diamond.

Accountability In Semi Truck Accidents

If a semi-truck driver can be shown to have behaved negligently or maliciously in a manner which resulted in an accident, that driver or trucking company may be held liable for damages caused by the accident.

As with any traffic accident, determining fault and accountability are important questions. This can be further complicated by the additional laws and regulations which apply to truckers and trucking companies.

Not all semi-truck accidents are the fault of the driver or the trucking company. A driver or trucking company may be liable if it can be demonstrated in court that:

• The driver was negligent in performing his duties (i.e. failed to secure his load, driving unsafely, falling asleep, driving intoxicated, etc.)
• The driver or trucking company was operating an unsafe vehicle
• The driver or trucking company was in violation of traffic laws or other statutes relating to operating a semi-truck
• The driver was operating the vehicle in an unsafe or malicious manner

If the driver or trucking company is found to be liable for the accident, they may be required to compensate other parties for a variety of expenses. These may include:

• Medical expenses resulting from a personal injury
• Property damages resulting from the accident
• Legal and administrative fees

How Diamond & Diamond Will Handle Your Semi-Truck Injury Claim

If you or someone you know suffered a personal injury as the result of a traffic accident involving a semi-truck in Alberta, Diamond & Diamond’s expert personal injury lawyers are standing by with all of the expertise and resources necessary to ensure you are represented by the best.

With an extensive team of personal injury lawyers who have amassed cumulative decades of law experience, we are qualified to handle any automobile related personal injury claims, including those relating to semi-truck accidents.

Diamond & Diamond will assist you with every step of the process as you investigate and file your claim. We can help you collect the necessary details and documents, advise you of your best legal options, and support you as you file your claims.

Ready to get your claim started? Call our 1-800 number right now! We are available 24/7 to schedule your completely free consultation.

Or use our web form to drop us a line and start the process right away.

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Semi Truck Personal Injury FAQs

Can a parked semi-truck still cause an accident?

Yes. If a semi-truck is parked illegally, such as on a shoulder lane or in a no-parking zone, it can still cause an accident which may result in liability for the truck driver or trucking company.

2. Do semi-trucks follow special driving rules under Alberta law?

Yes. Semi-trucks are required to follow additional regulations and safety measures while driving in Alberta, including reduced speed limits.

3. Are semi-trucks allowed to park in residential areas in Alberta?

Semi-trucks are restricted in where they can park and what types of roads they can operate on. Generally, semi-trucks and other large vehicles cannot park on residential streets in Alberta. Contact local highway authorities for specific details on your area.

4. How long does a truck accident lawsuit take?

A truck accident lawsuit usually takes weeks or months to settle depending on some factors like liability investigations, insurance policies, your injuries and medical treatment, and negotiations among various parties.

5. Can I sue the truck driver’s company for my injuries?

Yes, you can sue the truck driver’s company for your injuries, and to increase your chances of winning your case, it would definitely help if you have proof that they were negligent.

6. What do I do after a trucking accident?

After a trucking accident, you should immediately report the incident to the authorities and seek medical attention for the injured parties. It would also be best to document everything to help you prove who was at fault during the accident. Contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.