Trucking Accident Attorney in Dallas
Around 20% of all semi-truck crashes lead to the occupants of cars getting injured. Getting struck by an 18-wheeler is often a serious accident that leads to lifelong and debilitating injuries. These accidents may even lead to the death of your loved ones.
If an 18-wheeler has hit you or your relative, it’s important to seek legal help immediately. At Hernandez Law Group, our experienced accident attorneys are here to help you get the compensation you need after one of these terrible accidents.
We’ll help you through the whole process – from filing a litigation claim – to making sure that you receive a fair and just settlement. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.
18 Wheeler Trucking Accident Causes
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tracks data relating to truck drivers and truck accidents within the United States. According to their studies, the most common causes of semi-truck accidents include:
- Traveling too fast in bad weather. During rainstorms, snowstorms, or other poor weather conditions, all drivers should reduce their speed and drive carefully. Semi-truck drivers who fail to do so account for around 23% of all truck accidents.
- Improper maintenance. 18-wheelers should be properly maintained to ensure they don’t experience a mechanical failure on the roadway. When drivers or trucking companies don’t perform this maintenance, the trucks will often cause accidents. Brake and tire problems are the most common causes of semi-truck accidents, accounting for 35% of all trucking accidents.
- Fatigue. If a truck driver goes too long without sleep, it slows their reaction time and may even cause them to fall asleep at the wheel. Truck driver fatigue is usually caused by pressure from their employers; in these cases, the company may be held partially or completely at fault for the accident.
- Driving under the influence. 3% of all 18-wheeler accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Another 17% of semi-truck accidents are caused by drivers who took legal, over-the-counter medicines that negatively impacted their ability to drive correctly.
- Following too closely. Semi-trucks take longer to stop when braking than other vehicles do. For this reason, truckers must maintain a very safe following distance. Following too closely accounts for around 5% of all truck accidents.
Semi Truck Accident Statistics
According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 438,000 semi-trucks were involved in accidents in 2014. Of these accidents, around 88,000 led to injuries – resulting in 111,000 injured people overall.
The occupants of the trucks made up 23% of those injured, whereas the drivers and passengers of other vehicles accounted for 74% of those injured. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other nonoccupants of motor vehicles made up 3% of those injured.
3,744 18-wheelers were involved in fatal crashes, resulting in 3,903 fatalities overall. Of those killed, 17% were in the semi-trucks, 73% were in other vehicles, and 10% weren’t in a vehicle.
Texas 18 Wheeler Accident Statistics
At 553, Texas saw the highest number of semi-truck accident fatalities out of all US states. Texas accounted for 14.2% of all 18-wheeler crash fatalities, over 10% more than most other states.
If your loved one were one of the many killed by a tractor-trailer in Texas, our wrongful death attorneys would help you file a lawsuit against the offending party. No amount of money will make up for your terrible loss, but a successful civil lawsuit can help to relieve some of your mental and financial burdens.
After a Truck Accident, do I Sue the Driver or the Trucking Company?
Determining whether to sue the truck driver or the trucking company after an 18-wheeler accident can be tricky. The first and most important step in the process is determining the cause of the accident.
When the Trucking Company is at Fault
To increase profits, trucking companies often push drivers to drive when it is unsafe for them to do so. Employers may force truckers to drive for longer than permissible by the federal Hours of Service Regulations. In these cases, drivers may become too fatigued to drive safely.
Trucking companies may also force truck drivers to drive in unsafe conditions, such as when roads are icy, or visibility is poor. Another common cause of 18-wheeler accidents is trucking companies forcing truckers to drive with overloaded trailers. In these cases, it’s likely the company will be held liable for the truck accident.
When the Truck Driver is at Fault
There are also many circumstances in which the driver may be at fault for an 18-wheeler accident. Distracted driving, driving under the influence, following too closely, and speeding can cause truck drivers to get into a wreck. In addition, if the truck driver is self-employed, then accidents caused by fatigue, driving in poor conditions, or overloaded trailers will be the fault of the driver rather than the company.
Truck Mechanical Failures
Sometimes, 18-wheeler accidents may be caused by a mechanical issue, such as a brake failure or leaking radiator fluid. In these cases, three potential parties may be at fault for the accident: the company, the driver, or the manufacturer of the parts.
Sometimes, the fault may be shared between two parties or all three. If the company or driver fails to maintain the vehicle, it can lead to mechanical problems, and one or both may be held responsible for an accident. On the other hand, if a part in the truck was faulty, the manufacturer may be the party at fault.
Contact Hernandez Law Group, P.C.
If you’ve been in an accident, contact the attorneys at Hernandez Law Group, P.C. immediately. As one of the few attorneys in Texas board-certified in personal injury law, Juan Hernandez is the expert you need during your 18-wheeler accident case.
He has successfully litigated many cases against truck drivers and trucking companies, and he can help you win compensation for the damages you incur after an accident. Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our team.
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