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Powerful 18-wheeler trucks can cause catastrophic damage in collisions with smaller vehicles. Injuries are typically severe, warranting considerable compensation for injured parties.
Many 18-wheeler accidents and injuries happen because a driver is fatigued, fails to check the large blind spots of a semi truck when merging or changing lanes, or improperly loads cargo. From the liable party, whether that is the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, or another party altogether, you may recover full economic and non-economic damages. Compensation typically comes from a settlement, but trials are not necessarily out of the question for contentious claims.
Call The Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797 to schedule your free case review with our truck accident lawyers.
Why Do Most 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries Happen in Allen, TX?
Fatigue, vehicle failure, and driver error are some of the top causes of 18-wheeler accidents and injuries.
Fatigued Driver
Drivers operating 18-wheelers throughout Texas might fall asleep at the wheel if they work too many consecutive hours without getting enough sleep. Being tired worsens a person’s reaction time, reflexes, and judgment while driving. Drowsy driving in any vehicle is dangerous, but especially in a large 18-wheeler truck, which can cause significant damage even at slow speeds.
Large Blind Spots
Semi trucks are extremely large vehicles, so their blind spots are much larger than those of sedans, pickup trucks, SUVs, and other smaller vehicles. Truckers who fail to check their blind spots when changing lanes or merging might veer into several passenger cars at once, causing a massive, multi-vehicle accident.
Speeding
Truck drivers might speed to make delivery deadlines, causing accidents in the process. Big trucks like 18-wheelers require much more space between other cars to slow down and stop, even when driving the speed limit. Exceeding the speed limit increases the risk of rear-end, rollover, and jackknife accidents, any of which can be fatal.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
The cargo in an 18-wheeler must be properly stored and secured at all times. If cargo shifts in transit and the weight is no longer evenly distributed, accidents could happen. Improperly loaded cargo could cause tipping accidents, which are already more common among 18-wheelers than passenger cars when making sharp turns or taking curved ramps at higher speeds.
Missed Inspections
The owner of the 18-wheeler is responsible for staying up to date with annual inspection requirements for commercial vehicles. In addition to annual inspections, truckers should perform daily checks to ensure their vehicles are safe to drive. Missing inspections, failing to perform daily checks, and ignoring performance issues are among the top causes of collisions, but they are entirely avoidable with proper maintenance.
Defective Parts
Defective brakes, steering controls, and other essential components to an 18-wheeler’s operation make the vehicle manufacturer liable for your damages. Our truck accident lawyers can find evidence proving that a design or manufacturing defect, not the truck driver’s negligent operation, caused the accident.
What Compensation Can You Get for 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries?
Seek compensation for all damages from an 18-wheeler accident so that you do not have to cover any accident-related bills or expenses yourself.
Hospital Bills
Passenger cars often suffer severe damage in collisions with 18-wheelers, putting drivers and passengers at a very high risk of injury. You may need attention from paramedics at the scene, treatment from emergency room doctors, and ongoing care from specialists and other physicians. All bills resulting from accident-related medical care should be covered.
Lost Income
Sustaining a displaced fracture, head or brain injury, bad back injury, or other serious injury in a truck accident may prevent you from working, whether temporarily or permanently. Lost wages are compensable if you cannot work. We can compare your pre- and post-injury earning capacities, prove your annual wages with pay stubs and tax returns, and present testimony from vocational or medical experts that support our claim.
Property Damage
Most passenger cars are totaled in accidents with 18-wheelers, including any personal property inside. We can add up your total losses from property damage and seek full compensation for those damages as well.
Pain and Suffering
If an accident with an 18-wheeler has affected your quality of life or caused you any pain or suffering, you may also sue for non-economic damages in Texas. The more we know about your daily life, physical pain levels, and the extent of your mental suffering, the better we can advocate for non-economic damages on your behalf.
18-Wheeler Accident and Injury FAQs
What Should You Do to Document an 18-Wheeler Accident?
To thoroughly document an 18-wheeler accident, call 911 immediately, even if the trucker requests that you do not. Use your phone to take as many pictures as you can, and, unless you are severely injured and need immediate medical attention, do not leave the scene until after you have spoken with the police.
What Should You Do to Document 18-Wheeler Injuries?
To document the injuries you sustained in an 18-wheeler accident, take photos of what they looked like at the scene and how they have progressed during your recovery, accept medical attention immediately, and follow your treatment plan closely so you have updated and accurate records for your case.
Will You Get a Settlement for 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries?
Settlements for 18-wheeler injuries are very common, but not a guaranteed outcome of your case. A settlement agreement should only be signed if the offer is fair. Otherwise, our attorneys can keep negotiating on your behalf.
Will You Go to Court for 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries?
It is unlikely that you will have to go to court to get compensation for 18-wheeler injuries. Trials are rare; they generally occur only when settlement negotiations stall and the plaintiff needs more compensation than the defendant is willing to offer.
Get Compensation for 18-Wheeler Injuries with Our Help
Call us today at (817) 476-1797 for help with your case from The Queenan Law Firm’s truck accident lawyers.