Although representing only about five percent of vehicle traffic, 18-wheelers have the same accident and fatality rate as passenger vehicles. An 18-wheeler can be 50 feet long and weigh 80,000 pounds fully loaded. If you’ve been hurt in an incident, a Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer from Gibson Hill Personal Injury can help you get compensation.
Due to their sheer size, anyone struck by an 18-wheeler is likely to suffer serious injuries, with a lengthy recovery. We want to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We have the knowledge and experience in 18-wheeler truck accident lawsuits you need. Call us at for a free consultation and review of your case by an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Who Is Liable In an 18-Wheeler Accident?
An insurance claim can’t be paid or settled until a determination is made about who was at fault. In a car accident, only two parties may be at fault: the two drivers. In an 18-wheeler truck accident, however, multiple parties can be involved. This is because 18-wheelers are owned, operated, and used to transport goods.
- The driver may own their own 18-wheeler and provide their own insurance for the vehicle itself. In that case, they would be liable for any truck accident they cause or problems with the vehicle itself.
- The trucking company is responsible for all hours the driver they employ works for them and for any vehicles they own. If they own the 18-wheeler, they are liable for the vehicle’s maintenance and any truck accidents related to the entire 18-wheeler.
- Shipping companies may pack their own goods into their own trailers and hire companies to hook a truck to the trailer, creating a hybrid 18-wheeler. The shipping company would be liable for any truck accident stemming from issues with the trailer or the load.
- A maintenance company might be liable if they failed to perform the service on the vehicle properly or missed a faulty part or system during the last maintenance.
- The vehicle’s manufacturer may also be liable if it turns out that something on the 18-wheeler that came from the manufacturer had not been tampered with or malfunctioned.
Causes of Houston 18-Wheeler Accidents
18-wheelers can suffer the same kind of serious accident as any car. Truck accidents are often worse than car accidents because of the size and weight of the vehicle. Some of the same things that would cause your car to swerve off the road can cause an 18-wheeler to swerve or rollover.
- Jackknifing happens when a driver hits the brakes too hard in slippery or icy conditions. If the brakes lock, the trailer can continue forward after the tractor stops, pivoting around the hitch.
- Rollovers can happen for a number of reasons, including high winds, uneven pavement, or speeding, especially on sharply graded on- or off-ramps.
- Blowouts can be hazardous for everyone. We have all seen the semi-circles of rubber in the road left behind when a semi’s tire peels free of the rim. If the tire separates completely, it can travel the length of a football field before it stops.
- Blind spots on an 18-wheeler are much larger than you may realize. The side blind spots extend backward from the cab, with two lanes on the right and one lane on the left. The other blind spots are 30 feet directly behind the trailer and 20 feet in front. Any car sitting in these blind spots is at high risk of being struck if the driver doesn’t see them and moves into the smaller vehicle’s space.
The two biggest direct causes of accidents? Driver Error and Mechanical Failure
Driver Error
An 18-wheeler is only as safe as the person driving it. Distracted driving is as common among commercial drivers as it is among regular drivers.
Mechanical Failure
Because so many individuals may be responsible for inspecting and maintaining the vehicles and their various parts, mechanical failure can be a real problem for 18-wheelers. A company may keep its own vehicles in good repair but cannot always ensure that the trailers they pick up are in the same condition.
If you have been involved in a serious accident with an 18-wheeler, it is important to get identifying details on all parts of the 18-wheeler, the trailer, vehicle, driver, and company. This way, you and your Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer will know where to begin filing your claim.
When Do You Need an 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney?
If you have been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you should immediately contact an experienced Houston truck accident attorney. You will need certain information besides the driver’s insurance information from the company and the driver. Getting this information is not always as simple as asking.
Since 2018, the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) has required electronic logging devices (ELDs) on most large commercial vehicles. These devices record the vehicle’s performance activity. Much like the black box on an airplane. However, the company must only keep this information for six months after an accident.
This information can help show whether the driver was taking the required breaks, when the vehicle was last serviced, and other important information. With that information, your Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer can begin working on your insurance claim.
Your compensation could include:
- Medical expenses include current and future costs, such as additional surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
- Lost wages and income. If you become disabled and cannot return to work, you may be able to claim future lost wages or loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death, if a loved one has been killed in a Houston 18-wheeler accident. You may also be able to claim that person’s lost wages if you are a spouse or minor child.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
When you need a Houston personal injury lawyer because you were injured in a crash that wasn’t your fault, call Gibson Hill Personal Injury. Our team will work with you to assemble your case and present it to the insurance company and the court. You worry about getting your health back, and let us worry about your truck accident claim or truck accident case.
Contact Gibson Hill Personal Injury at (713) 659-4000 today. Your Houston 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer consultation is free, and we are here for you. Read our client testimonials and learn how we bring you in like family.
