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The weight and size of 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks put drivers and passengers of other vehicles at risk of suffering very severe, potentially even fatal, injuries deserving of compensation.
Truck accidents occur frequently, with jackknife, rollover, rear-end, underride, T-bone, and sideswipe accidents among the most common types. Most truck accidents happen on highways, such as State Highway Loop 281 in Longview. For your truck accident injuries, you may recover all the economic damages you incurred, including lost wages, medical bills, and more. You may also seek non-economic damages for the very real intangible harms you experience, such as pain and suffering.
For a free case assessment from our truck and 18-wheeler accident lawyers, call The Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797 today.
What Are the Most Common Types of Truck + 18-Wheeler Accidents in Longview, TX?
Most of the most common types of truck accidents are incredibly dangerous and are sometimes even deadly for victims.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents happen when the trailer of an 18-wheeler swings to the side so that it forms an L or V shape with the cab of the truck. These accidents can happen when truckers slam on the brakes unexpectedly, drive in bad weather and lose steering control, make sharp turns, or drive too fast.
Trailers might swing into other lanes to cause jackknife accidents, often meaning that multiple other cars and victims are involved.
Rollover Accidents
Semi trucks and 18-wheelers are massive, top-heavy vehicles, making them prone to very serious rollover accidents due to speeding, driver error, cargo balance issues, and even mechanical failure. Rollover accidents also typically involve multiple other vehicles because of the size of trucks and their long trailers.
Rear-End Accidents
18-wheelers and other large trucks need far more space to slow down and come to a complete stop than smaller vehicles. Truckers who follow passenger car drivers too closely or exceed speed limits might be unable to make a sudden or necessary stop, leading to rear-end collisions.
Rear-end accidents are rarely minor when they involve semi trucks and 18-wheelers, especially when collisions occur at fast speeds. Victims might sustain serious traumatic brain injuries, neck and soft tissue injuries, and displaced fractures. The force of a rear-end collision with a semi truck might push your vehicle forward into another car, causing a multi-vehicle chain reaction.
Underride Accidents
Large commercial trucks should have effective underride bars that prevent a passenger car from riding underneath the truck’s trailer. A lack of underride bars puts passenger car drivers in danger, especially if a trucker makes a sudden stop and the visibility is poor.
Underride accidents are among the most serious and are often fatal for drivers and front seat passengers.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents occur when an 18-wheeler collides with the side of a passenger car. The force of such an impact can cause passenger cars to flip or rollover, increasing the risk of serious or fatal injuries. T-bone accidents are especially common at intersections when truck drivers fail to yield the right of way or ignore red lights.
Sideswipe Accidents
When only passenger cars are involved, sideswipe accidents may be relatively minor. If a large truck sideswipes your vehicle when attempting to merge into your lane, the damage could be extreme. Getting sideswiped by a truck might cause your vehicle to flip or roll over, putting you in danger from oncoming traffic. Sideswipe accidents are particularly dangerous for those sitting on the side of the vehicle that is struck by a truck, who might suffer crushing injuries and serious trauma.
Where Are the Most Common Locations of Truck + 18-Wheeler Accidents in Longview, TX?
Although truck accidents can happen anywhere there is a semi truck or 18-wheeler, there are specific roads and areas that are more likely to see accidents.
Highways and busy roads are typically the most common locations for truck accidents. Smaller roads can be dangerous for large trucks too, especially if they are unpaved, poorly maintained, or poorly lit at night.
U.S. Highway 259, U.S. Highway 80, State Highway Loop 281, and other highways and busy roads in Longview may see the most truck accidents, as truckers typically take highway routes on their deliveries.
What Economic Damages Can Victims Get After Truck + 18-Wheeler Accidents?
Victims should learn about all the economic damages they can get for truck accident injuries so they do not leave any compensation on the table.
Medical Bills
You may be most concerned about getting compensation for all of the medical bills you incurred from a truck accident. Even for minor injuries, medical treatment can cost thousands of dollars. For serious truck accident injuries, the right care can be incredibly expensive, and recovering compensation for medical damages is often a primary reason why victims file lawsuits.
Lost Wages
The severity of most truck accidents often prevents victims from returning to work immediately. If you sustained a permanent injury, you may never be able to work at the same income level and earning capacity again. Compensation for lost wages can cover income you have already missed out on because of an injury, as well as income we anticipate you missing out on in the future.
Miscellaneous Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Report any other out-of-pocket expenses to our truck and 18-wheeler accident lawyers, such as property damage costs, and we can also seek compensation for those economic damages.
What Non-Economic Damages Can Victims Get After Truck + 18-Wheeler Accidents?
Truck accidents are not only financially draining for victims, but they can also be physically and emotionally traumatizing, entitling victims to non-economic damages.
Most truck accident victims pursue non-economic damages for the mental suffering, physical pain, emotional anguish, and other intangible harms they experience. Non-economic damages may be just as sizable as economic damages, sometimes more.
Reach Out to Our Lawyers About a Recent 18-Wheeler Accident in Longview, TX
Cal our truck and 18-wheeler accident lawyers today at (817) 476-1797 today for your free case discussion with The Queenan Law Firm.