6 Frequently Asked Questions About 18-Wheeler Accidents
Friday, December 13th, 2019
If you have been in a wreck with an 18-wheeler, you may be wondering how to proceed. These crashes often result in serious injuries and even death. The following are some frequently asked questions that may be able to help you sort through the aftermath of your commercial vehicle accident.
1. How are commercial truck accidents different from car wrecks?
Except for multi-vehicle accidents, most passenger vehicle accidents involve only two parties. In an 18-wheeler accident, there is often a third party involved: the trucking company. This means that your claim will be affected by a party that has access to well-paid legal help.
2. What are the most common causes of truck accidents?
In many cases, 18-wheeler accidents are caused by the truck driver or the company they work for. Here are some common causes of truck accidents.
- Inexperience: Some trucking companies will hire inexperienced drivers as a way of saving money. Sometimes the drivers are not trained for safety, so they do not know how to handle dangerous situations on the road.
- Driver error: Any driver can cause an accident by being negligent. For truck drivers, this often includes distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, and fatigued driving.
- Trucking companies can actually be held responsible for some of these factors, like fatigued driving.
- Defective parts: If a part is defective, the driver and trucking company may not actually be at fault. The manufacturer may be the cause of your truck accident in this case.
- Weather: Rain, snow, ice, fog, and other weather conditions can result in 18-wheeler accidents. Drivers cannot control the weather, but they can take precautions when conditions get dangerous.
- Road conditions: Drivers cannot control road conditions either. In situations where bad road conditions caused a truck accident, the driver and company may not be held fully liable.
Lack of maintenance: For truck drivers who work for companies, maintenance does not fall just on them to complete. The company itself must be sure to keep up with repairs and regular maintenance.
3. Who can be held responsible for 18-wheeler accidents?
In 18 wheeler accident settlements, many parties can be held liable for the accident. Drivers, trucking companies, maintenance staff, vehicle manufacturers, and safety inspectors are some of the most common parties in claims. In some cases, the accident victim is also partially at fault.
4. What damages can be recovered in a commercial truck accident?
Because 18-wheeler accidents result in serious injuries, recoverable damages are often more than what they would be in a small car wreck. There are medical bills that include doctor visits, physical rehab, medications, and therapy. Other recoverable damages include pain and suffering and lost wages.
5. What evidence is needed for a truck accident claim?
There are many forms of evidence your personal injury attorney will need for the claim. This includes police reports from the scene, your medical records, lost wages information from your work, and witness statements. Repair and drive time records from trucking companies and drivers are also important to obtain.
6. When should I settle my claim?
This question may be something you ask soon after your 18-wheeler accident. You may think that settling quickly is the best option, but this often isn’t the case. You should also be careful not to settle your 18-wheeler accident claim too late. A personal injury attorney can help you decide when to settle.
Get help with your 18 wheeler accident settlement
If you have been in a commercial truck accident and would like help sorting through the claims process, Attorney Dean Boyd and his Team are here for you. You can call us at (806) 242-3333 or Send Us an Email to learn more about our Truck Accident services. You can also speak with us in person by visiting 4423 SW 45th Ave in Amarillo, Texas or 10623 Quaker Ave #102 in Lubbock, Texas.