Top-Rated Des Moines Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck accidents can happen in a variety of ways. The causes and circumstances that contribute to a truck collision will be investigated under personal injury law in a lawsuit. However, this does not explain the specific type of accident that occurred, which is important and affects the amount of compensation that can be claimed for a truck accident claim.

The following are the six most common types of truck accidents in Iowa:

• Head-On Accidents: A crash between two vehicles that are heading toward each other from opposite directions.
• Jack-Knife Accidents: An accident that occurs when a trailer of a truck swings around and forces the cab/cabin to one side.
• Rollover Accidents: A type of incident that involves one or multiple vehicles turning over on their side or back.
• Spilled Cargo Accidents: This occurs when cargo may not be properly secured or the truck jostles too much and causes a spill.
• T-Bone Accidents: A collision that happens when a front vehicle comes into impact with another vehicle from the side, creating a “T” shape.
• Underride Accidents: This is more common than most people think, and it occurs when a smaller vehicle crashes into the side or back of a truck and gets pinned underneath the trailer.

After a truck collision, it is critical to check the entire scene and collect as much evidence as possible. The safety of all drivers and passengers is always a top priority. Photographs should be taken for proof after securing the situation and assuring everyone’s safety. Taking photos at the scene will help determine the type of accident it was and can help determine fault.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 1,660 total accidents involving a FedEx truck in the United States during the most recent reporting period. There were 34 fatalities and 571 injuries reported from those collisions.

Data from the FMCSA indicates that there were 2,472 total accidents involving a United Parcel Service (UPS) vehicle in the United States during the most recent 24-month reporting period. There were 72 fatalities and 830 injuries in these accidents.
Delivery companies like UPS and FedEx are hesitant to accept or admit wrongdoing. They try to avoid paying large sums of money on claims; thus, it is the victim’s responsibility to establish fault. Furthermore, an accident may include several parties, which means that there may be multiple options for receiving reimbursement for losses.

Employers are liable for their employees’ negligent behavior under Iowa law. UPS and FedEx employ their drivers directly (they are not independent contractors), so an accident is covered by the company’s insurance rather than the driver’s insurance.

The number one factor in selecting who to bring an injury claim against in a delivery truck accident is evaluating the cause and culpability (or even if there is a claim at all). This is why, as soon as possible after an accident, you should call an experienced truck accident lawyer to obtain legal advice. A lawyer can assist in gathering evidence and determining fault.

Truck accidents are sometimes caused by other vehicles on the road rather than by the truck driver. The most common error made by car drivers involved in collisions with large trucks is a lack of knowledge of the truck’s speed, size, and limited stopping power.

The following are some instances of prevalent unsafe behaviors performed by drivers in the presence of large trucks that commonly result in truck accidents:

• Driving in “No-Zones,” which are areas behind and beside a commercial truck where the driver’s visibility is limited or non-existent, commonly referred to as a “blind-spot”
• Inadequately entering traffic, which necessitates a truck’s quick maneuvering or braking
• Making a lane change in front of a truck without signaling and ensuring enough space
• Misjudging the speed of an approaching truck and turning left in front of it at an intersection
• Passing a truck on the right as it tries to make a right turn
• Passing a truck without considering the risk of being blown out of place by turbulence or crosswind
• Passing in a risky manner, especially when there is insufficient headway and the road is in poor condition
• When a truck begins to change lanes or combine lanes, failing to slow down and instead accelerating

Sometimes truck accidents are solely the truck driver’s fault. When a company is trying to employ drivers quickly, they can often forgo critical training, which leads to poor driving skills on the road and can cause motor vehicle accidents.

Other companies will offer a higher reward or compensation for meeting specific deadlines and staying out on the road longer, which causes driver fatigue and excessive speeds, and can lead to a higher rate of trucking accidents.

Accidents involving larger vehicles like commercial trucks often involve serious injuries and complex scenarios that require a comprehensive legal approach. At Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, our attorneys handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on healing.

Here’s how we support our clients from beginning to the completion of their case:

• Investigate the Crash: We gather critical evidence, including police reports, witness statements, black box data, surveillance footage, and accident reconstruction analysis.
• Establish Liability: Our team works to prove fault by identifying negligent actions such as distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, or failure to yield.
• Handle Insurer Negotiations: We deal directly with insurance companies to protect you from lowball offers and pressure tactics.
• Advocate in Court: If insurers refuse to settle fairly, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial and advocate aggressively on your behalf.
• Consult with Experts: We work with medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and economic experts to build a compelling case for maximum compensation.

Contact our experienced truck accident lawyers at Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling for a free consultation. Our goal is to relieve the legal burden from your shoulders while aggressively pursuing the maximum compensation you need to move forward after a devastating crash. Let us fight for you.