18 Wheeler / Tractor Trailer Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the year 2002 around 434,000 large trucks were involved in collisions throughout the United States. These trucks had a gross vehicle weight rating over ten thousand pounds, with 4542 of these accidents involving big-rigs resulting in 4,897 deaths. Large truck accidents were responsible for about one out of every nine highway deaths in 2002.
These 18 wheeler accidents often result when motor vehicle operators speed, make improper left turns, fail to stop at red lights or stop signs, drive on the wrong side of the street, or travel into the rear-end of another vehicle. Two percent of 18-wheeler accidents were the result of drinking and driving. Twenty-eight percent of the truck drivers involved in fatal accidents had at least one prior speeding conviction (compared to 20 percent of drivers of passenger vehicles).
Representing victims of tractor-trailer wrecks presents a challenge not experienced in other types of wrecks. Because the trucking industry is heavily regulated, an accident involving a truck is significantly more complex than an automobile accident case. Frequently, an action can be brought against both the driver and the insurance company. Consequently, you need a lawyer who has the experience and specialized knowledge to lead the investigation into the cause of the accident and to help you collect the maximum amount allowed under the law. We have extensive experience representing the victims of accidents involving trucks. Our years of practice have resulted in access to innumerable experts in a variety of specialty areas related to trucking and transportation litigation. This access and expertise enhances our ability to achieve a fair and just result for our clients.
