A fully-loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so if this massive vehicle collides with a 3,000-pound passenger vehicle, the outcome is often tragic. Injuries sustained by drivers and passengers of cars and SUVs can range from broken bones to spinal cord injuries, if victims survive at all.
The competitive trucking industry is regulated by both federal and state laws, making these types of accident claims more complicated than automobile accident cases. Based on the details for your incident, you may be able to file suit against the trucking company, truck driver, or both parties if both were at fault. An experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer can discuss your potential claim with you, and help you fight for the money you deserve for your injuries.
Reasons for Truck Accidents
There are a number of factors that can cause an 18-wheeler to lose control and crash. The most common include:
- Truck driver error: If a truck driver is too fatigued to be behind the wheel, or if he or she is driving too fast for the weather conditions, or making careless turns or lane changes, this can lead to a serious accident.
- Violating federal rules: Federal law specifies Hours of Service (HOS) that a truck driver may travel in one stretch. If a trucker is negligent and disobeys these rules, driving too many continuous hours, he or she can jeopardize the safety of all others on the road. HOS violations can cause drivers to become extremely fatigued, make it more difficult for them to focus on the road, encourage the use of stimulants (both legal and illegal), and reduce reaction time. Because truckers are required to keep driver’s logs, your 18-wheeler accident lawyer will be able to review these documents and look for signs of negligent behavior.
- Maintenance issues and cargo: Faulty brakes, tire blowouts and cargo that is overweight or shifts while en route can be very dangerous. All of these factors, whether they are due to defective truck parts or a lack of trucker maintenance, can cause the driver to lose control. Jack-knife accidents, rear-end accidents and even rollover accidents can result from imbalanced cargo or poor 18-wheeler maintenance.
Finding Proof of Negligence
When reviewing your case, your 18-wheeler accident lawyer will analyze the truck driver’s log book and any other documents regarding their driving history. Any discrepancies between the black box data and the driver’s log can indicate forged hours and prove that the driver was acting negligently, such as driving while too fatigued. Other violations that can prove negligence in your case are those involving:
- Use of illegal substances
- Hours of Service (HOS)
- Driver training and licensing
- Safety equipment and defective truck parts
- Weight and fastening of cargo
- Inspection, repair and maintenance
- Transportation of hazardous material
If you were injured in an 18-wheeler accident, please call our 18-wheeler accident lawyers at 1-877-LOSS RECOVER (567-7732). We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, so please call our law firm today so our qualified 18-wheeler accident lawyers can help you get the money to which you are entitled.