If you've been in a collision with a tractor-trailer (18-wheeler) What can you do and what should you do?
If you or a loved one has been wounded or died in an 18-wheeler accident, In this article, we will help you to know the most important legal measures that you should take and what you should do in this difficult case.
Every year, more than 90,000 people are injured in 18-wheeler collisions, and a person is killed or injured in a truck accident every 16 minutes. Fatal heavy truck accidents have been on the rise over the past ten years, while the trucking industry continues to demand for looser safety requirements.
Accidents involving 18-wheelers are caused by a variety of factors.
One of your truck accident lawyer's first responsibilities will be to figure out what factors and behaviours contributed to your accident. Accidents involving 18-wheelers occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Vehicles that are overloaded or improperly loaded.
- Driving while tired.
- Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol is a serious offence.
- Distracted driving is a serious offence.
- Speeding, Particularly When Approaching Sharp Curves.
- Snow, rain, hail, fog, wind, sleet, or ice are examples of inclement weather.
- Inspections and maintenance are not carried out as required.
- Defects in the manufacturing process
- Blowouts are when a tyre blows out.
- Brakes that have been worn out.
- Defects in the installation.
Why Are 18-Wheelers So Dangerous?
- They Carry Heavy Loads : An 18-wheel truck with a full load weighs 80,000 pounds, or 400 tonnes. To put that figure in context, the average car weighs roughly 2,700 pounds, or little more than 1 tonne. That means 18-wheelers are 400 times heavier than most of the automobiles on the road, and when they collide with other vehicles, their huge weight frequently results in significant injuries, extensive property damage, and, regrettably, tragic deaths.
- They Are the Largest Vehicles on the Road : 18-wheelers can carry up to four trailers and can be up to 176 feet long! That means the 18-wheeler next to you on the highway is more than half a football field long and more than ten times the length of a typical vehicle. Drivers will find it difficult to avoid colliding as they traverse severe bends, turns, merges, expressway exits, and tight streets due to the length of the route. The dangers of roadside irresponsibility, such as speeding, are amplified by their vast size. An 18-wheeler truck travelling at 70 mph expends twice as much energy as one operating at 50 mph.
- They Need Much More Time and Space to Stop : The time it takes an 18-wheeler to slow down or come to a complete stop is around 40% longer than it takes a car. Many drivers who follow 18-wheelers are unaware of how much distance they should leave between their vehicle and the large truck in front of them.
- They Have Huge Blind Spots : 18-wheelers, unlike sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks, do not have a rear window. As a result, 18-wheeler truckers must rely on their rearview mirrors to see what is behind them, yet due to the truck and trailer's large size, there are significant blind areas.
Why Should You Hire a Top Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you or someone you love was involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you may assume that you did nothing wrong, that your injuries and the costs incurred as a result of the accident are evident, and that you don't need a lawyer to represent you.
- Trucking companies often deny responsibility and vigorously defend themselves in almost every case : Trucking corporations are well-versed in the best tactics for rejecting responsibility and minimising the costs associated with crashes caused by its 18-wheel truck drivers since there are thousands of trucking accidents every year. Within hours or minutes, most trucking companies will have representatives on the scene of an accident, collecting evidence in an attempt to diminish any claim you may have against them.
- Collisions involving eight-wheeled trucks are difficult to resolve : Truck accident lawsuit is complicated by nature, as are 18-wheelers, car collisions, and medical injuries. Physics, chemistry, federal shipping rules, biology, medicine, driving standards, and economics are all involved in these incidents. Accident victims will have to establish their case to a jury by explaining what happened using all of these difficult scientific and industry-specific notions and principles when a claim based on an 18-wheeler crash goes to trial.
- Obtaining the Award to Which You Are Entitled necessitates a significant amount of time and effort : Trucking and insurance companies have a lot of money and manpower, which they utilise to force accident victims to walk away or accept settlements that are substantially less than they deserve. In order to fight for the award you are entitled to as a victim of an 18-wheeler accident, you will need to match the trucking and insurance companies' vast resources in order to hire experts to consult with and testify at trial, as well as to use cutting-edge technology to prove your case to a jury.
18-Wheeler Truck Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions?
Q: What can I do to protect myself following a truck accident involving an 18-wheeler?
A: The first and most crucial step is to retain the services of a successful and experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney. Fighting major shipping firms is a skill that requires prior experience. These businesses have a plethora of resources, including teams of lawyers and experts who are more than capable of fighting any case that comes their way. If you've been hit by an 18-wheeler, contact Munley Law to speak with an expert truck accident lawyer who will make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Q: What can I do to protect myself following a truck accident involving an 18-wheeler?
A: The first and most crucial step is to retain the services of a successful and experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney. Fighting major shipping firms is a skill that requires prior experience. These businesses have a plethora of resources, including teams of lawyers and experts who are more than capable of fighting any case that comes their way. If you've been hit by an 18-wheeler, contact Munley Law to speak with an expert truck accident lawyer who will make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Q: What should I do if I'm involved in an 18-wheeler truck collision right away?
A: If you're ever involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler, follow these actions at the scene:
- Maintain your composure and stay in your vehicle (unless you need to get out for safety reasons).
- Make a 911 call (even if you think your accident is minor).
- Anyone on the scene with injuries of any kind should seek medical assistance.
- Wait for the cops to come before moving the vehicles (unless absolutely necessary).
- Do not flee the area.
- Make a list of all people involved, including witnesses, with their names, addresses, and phone numbers.
- Make a list of any police officers who are investigating the accident, including their names and badge numbers.
- Take pictures of the scene, including the vehicles and any injuries.
- Do not accept responsibility for your actions.
- Notify your own insurance carrier right away.
- You are not obligated to give a statement to anyone other than the police and your insurance company; you are not required to discuss the accident with anybody other than the police and your insurance company.
Q: What should I do in the days following a semi-truck accident involving an 18-wheeler?
A: Here's what you should do if you're involved in an 18-wheeler semi-truck accident:
- Obtain a copy of the police accident report. A property damage valuation from your insurance carrier can be used in the same way.
- Keep track of all doctor and healthcare provider appointments. Make a list of all your symptoms and any pain you're experiencing. Obtain a copy of any test results, prescriptions, therapies, and other medical treatment.
- Make a list of any out-of-pocket expenses you incur while injured or as a result of your accident.
- Keep track of any work or other activities you were unable to participate in due to your injuries.
- Before accepting any settlement offers, speak with an attorney.
Q: In the event of an 18-wheeler accident, who can you sue?
A: Because there are more persons who could be at fault in a truck collision, it can be more complicated. This includes individuals and businesses such as the truck driver, the trucking firm, the vehicle/trailer owner, third-party manufacturers, the loading facility, and even the group in charge of the trailer's contents. Speaking with a lawyer is the best method to determine the best course of action for your specific semi-truck accident case.
Q: How long do I have after a truck accident to bring a lawsuit?
A: The statute of limitations for filing an 18-wheeler crash case in most jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania, is two years from the date of the accident. Do not put off filing for two years. The closer to the date of the accident, the easier it will be to investigate and get compensation because the details and evidence will be fresh. Important evidence may be lost or destroyed if you wait. It also provides the trucking firm and its own team of detectives and experts on the site more time to prepare their case.
What are the best law firms and the best lawyers that I should deal with?
- Munley Law can assist in putting things right.
why Munley Law - They've fought trucking firms for years and won lawsuits for truck accident victims just like you. They want to work for you and have the experience and resources to take on big companies.
- George Salinas injury lawyer
- Mokaram Law Firm
- The Callahan Law Firm
- Texaslegal Group
why Munley Law - They've fought trucking firms for years and won lawsuits for truck accident victims just like you. They want to work for you and have the experience and resources to take on big companies.
