18-Wheeler Accident FAQs
Are 18-Wheeler and Other Big Rig Accidents a Big Risk?
Sadly, yes. Catastrophic injuries and death caused by 18-wheelers and other large trucks are all too common, upending and destroying lives. In 2015 alone, 4,050 Americans were killed in incidents involving large trucks and over 88,000 were injured, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). With 197 fatal truck accidents that year, Florida saw more deaths involving 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers than all states other than Texas and California.
What Makes 18-Wheelers So Dangerous?
There is a reason large trucks need more than four times as many wheels as passenger cars. They are large. They are heavy. They are tall. When an 18-wheeler hits a car, the force and impact are catastrophic. If a car rear-ends a big rig, the height of the trailer can lead to gruesome “underride” accidents in which the car slides under the back of the truck. Big rigs are also more vulnerable to jackknifing, rolling over (especially if cargo is improperly loaded) and exploding given the large amounts of fuel they carry along with flammable or combustible cargo.
How Are 18-Wheeler Lawsuits Different From Car Accident Lawsuits?
The issues involved in trucking accidents –attributing fault between multiple parties, complex federal laws and regulations, and efforts by trucking companies to hide their negligence and avoid responsibility, just to name a few – require extensive knowledge of unique legal, mechanical, and technical matters. Most 18-wheeler lawsuits involve many defendants, such as the driver, their employer, mechanics, manufacturers, and others, each of which will mount a determined effort to place blame elsewhere. You need a lawyer who has the experience and determination to aggressively fight back against these efforts and has the know-how to hold negligent parties responsible.
What Should I Do After I’ve Been Involved in an 18-Wheeler Accident?
As is the case in any accident, your highest priority is to get medical attention for yourself and anyone else who may be injured. While protecting your health is crucial, protecting your rights and your ability to recover compensation for the damage caused by the driver or trucking company’s negligence requires an affirmative effort on your part.
Lawyers for the truck owner or their insurer will be on the case almost immediately after an accident, doing what they can to insulate their clients from your eventual claim. They also may try to get you to agree to a low-ball settlement in an amount significantly less than you deserve or could recover in a successful 18-wheeler lawsuit. That is why it is so important to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer after your accident. Even if lawyers or lawsuits are the last thing on your mind, picking up the phone to arrange for a free initial consultation is a no-risk proposition that could ultimately prove to be the key to getting the compensation and resources which can help you recover from your injuries.
Call the Tampa Truck Accident Lawyers at Alley Clark Greiwe Today to Discuss Your Case
If you have lost a loved one or been injured in a truck accident, please call one of our Tampa truck accident attorneys today at 813-222-0977 or contact us online to arrange for your free initial consultation and case evaluation. You don’t need to face these difficult times alone, and you shouldn’t. Let us help you get the help, compensation, and justice you need and deserve.
