18-wheeler wreck? You need an experienced Dallas truck accident lawyer on your side.
Commercial truck wrecks, especially those caused by 18-wheelers, occur each and every day resulting in hundreds of fatal crashes and thousands of serious personal injuries. Companies who implement the use of 18-wheelers and drivers of other large commercial trucks carry substantial insurance policies to ensure damages can be paid when company drivers are involved in an accident. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of a 18-wheeler operator, you need an experienced Dallas truck wreck attorney on your side. You need the Law Office of Brian Brunson.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents
18-wheeler wrecks occur on a regular basis. Due to the sheer number of big rigs on the roads, in addition to their size, speed, and load weights, when an accident occurs involving a semi-truck, the results are usually catastrophic. Many types of commercial truck accidents can occur, some of which include:
- Rollovers: A rollover occurs when a large truck turns too sharply, especially when driving too fast, or in bad weather, or when their load is secured improperly.
- Jackknifes: A jackknife occurs when a truck loses control and the cab and trailer end up in a 90 degree angle to one-another.
- Head-on collisions: A head-on collision may occur for many reasons, but commonly when a driver swerves into oncoming traffic or is traveling down the wrong side of the road.
- Rear-end collisions: Rear-end collisions occur when a big-rig is “tailgating” the driver in front of them. If that driver hits the breaks, the large semi-truck cannot stop in time.
- Underrides: An underride occurs when an 18-wheeler stops suddenly and the driver behind them cannot stop, thus driving their vehicle up and under the rear end of the semi-truck.
What Contributes to 18-Wheeler Wrecks
Commercial truck drivers often operate their vehicles for many hours on end. This can lead to driver fatigue, which is the most common cause of 18 wheeler accidents. Texas law permits truckers to operate their vehicles for 12-15 hours straight, before taking a mandatory 8 hour break. If you’ve ever driven your car for 12 hours straight, then you understand how physically and mentally exhausting that can become.
In addition to driver fatigue, there are other factors that can lead to an 18-wheeler wreck. Some of these include:
- Insufficient training
- Reckless driving
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Defective mechanical parts
- Overweight or poorly loaded cargo
Who Can Be Held Liable When An Accident Occurs
Drivers of commercial vehicles, although often highly trained, can drive recklessly, follow unsafe regulations, or be unreasonably drowsy. If you were not at fault in an accident with a semi-truck, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, there may be one or more parties liable.
- Negligent truck operators
- Negligent employees of the trucking company who may have loaded cargo improperly
- Negligent trucking company employers for hiring inadequately trained drivers or participating in other negligent employer practices
- Negligent part manufacturers and suppliers who distribute faulty equipment
Obtaining Compensation for an 18-Wheeler Accident
If you or a loved one was injured because of a negligent truck driver, you may be owed significant compensation. At the Law Office of Brian Brunson we aggressively attack personal injury, auto, truck and motorcycle accident cases throughout Dallas. With our experience and tenacity, we know how to obtain favorable results for even the most difficult cases. Contact us today so we can discuss your case and determine how much money you may be owed.
Contact Us Today To Speak With a Truck Accident Lawyer
Proudly serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas, our office supports the legal needs of a wide variety of clients. Let the Law Office of Brian Brunson be your advocate in your time of need and help you put your life back together. If we can’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay a dime! We know it can be daunting to take that first step after you’ve been hurt. Contact Brian Brunson today. We can help, when no one else will.
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