Semi-Truck Accidents
An experienced semi-truck accident lawyer will handle your claim
Also known as 18-wheelers, semi-trucks should not be confused with semi-trailers. Semi-trucks are the part of a tractor-trailer often known as the truck cab. Semi-trailers are the trailer part of the truck attached to semi-trucks.
Semi-trucks are sometimes seen driving independently. But even without a massive cargo trailer, their size and weight can cause a catastrophic accident if driven negligently, especially when semi-trucks crash into smaller passenger vehicles. A jackknife accident, rollover crash or underride accident can leave people with devastating injuries. A fatal semi-truck accident leaves families grieving a loved one.
With so much liability at stake, truck companies will stop at nothing to deny any wrongdoing on their part, or on their driver’s part. That’s why you need an experienced semi-truck accident attorney who knows how to handle accidents involving semi-trucks to help you with your lawsuit. If the negligence of a semi-truck driver caused your injury, Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law will get to the bottom of it and work to maximize your compensation. His law firm handles cases in Fort Worth, Dallas and other surrounding areas.
What caused your semi-truck accident?
There are a number of reasons why semi-truck accidents happen, and they are almost always attributed to negligence on the part of the driver or his or her company. They include but are not limited to:
- Drowsy driving: It is common for truck drivers, who spend hours on the road, to became fatigued. When they do, they are expected to take breaks and get rest. However, truck drivers who continue driving while dozing off are one of the leading causes of semi-truck accidents. These accidents often happen at full speed since the driver is unable to slow down or react. Pursuant to federal guidelines, truck drivers are required to keep exact driver’s logs of how long, when, and where they have been driving. These logs can easily be compromised, altered, changed or lost. This is usually done by the driver so that the actual driving time, which can be much longer that the law allows, is covered up with fake or altered log books. The result is often a fatigued and/or drowsy driver. It is important that this type of evidence is preserved as soon as possible after the collision occurred.
- Impaired driving: Truckers who drive while under the influence of drugs and alcohol often lack the judgement, skill and reaction time it takes to safely operate a semi-truck. The maximum blood alcohol content (BAC) for Texas truck drivers is 0.04, which is half the limit of passenger vehicle drivers.
- Distracted driving: Handheld devices, GPS systems, radios and other distractions can cause a trucker to take his or her eyes off the road long enough to cause a devastating crash. Like drowsy driving, these crashes tend to happen at full speed since the driver is unaware of what’s happening on the road ahead.
- Aggressive driving and speeding: When driving such a massive vehicle, you would think a truck driver would take precautions to prevent an accident. However, not all truckers operate semi-trucks with regard for other nearby vehicles. Speeding, tailgating, and cutting in and out of lanes are examples of aggressive driving that put others at risk.
- Vehicle defects: Trucking companies are required by law to keep their vehicles running safely. Failure to do so puts their drivers and other motorists at risk of sustaining a serious injury in a crash. Worn-out tires, poorly maintained brakes, lack of reflective tape and broken lights can all contribute to a semi-truck accident.
- Inexperienced drivers: With such a high turnover rate, the trucking industry is desperate for drivers. Some companies will even hire drivers with very little experience. However, it takes an adequate level of skill and training to safely operate a semi-truck.
What is a semi-truck's black box?
The “black box” is a colloquial term for several recording devices found in tractor-trailers, including the electronic control module (ECM), electronic logging device (ELD) and event data recorder (EDR). These systems record information including speed, direction of travel, whether cruise control was engaged, and whether the brakes were deployed. When a semi-truck is involved in a crash, the black box records data that can be used to determine fault. For example, if the trucker was speeding or failed to hit the brakes prior to impact, the black box would record that information. Your attorney can help secure this important information before it’s lost or destroyed.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
There is no single average semi-truck accident settlement because the value varies from case to case. Factors including negligence, injury severity, pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and wrongful death will all affect your case settlement. If you have questions on the value of your case, contact a semi-truck accident lawyer. We have the knowledge and experience to investigate your semi-truck accident and determine an estimated settlement.
Take your claim seriously from the start
Following an accident with a semi-truck, you should always call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. If you’re able to do so, taking pictures and speaking to witnesses are great ways to build a strong claim.
It’s best to take your claim seriously from the start, especially when dealing with a truck driver and his or her company. Don’t count on trucking companies and their insurance providers to compensate you for your medical bills, loss of wages and suffering. They’re only interested in keeping their costs down, and they’ll go to great lengths to do that. They may even try to pin the blame on you or downplay the extent of your injuries.
But with Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law on your side, trucking companies and their insurance providers won’t even think about jerking you around. The last thing they want is to go to trial. And if they refuse to pay, we will have no problem taking them to trial.
We don’t use case managers here. A lawyer will personally handle your case every step of the way. Put more then 30 years of legal experience to work for you. If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact Wooten for a free case evaluation, or simply call our Fort Worth office at 817-632-8400.