Information Resources for 18-wheeler Truck Accident Victims

One of the most important actions an 18-wheeler truck accident victim can take is to be informed.

Access to information about truck accidents can help truck accident victims understand how often others experience similar tragedies and what can be done in response to them. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP can help truck accident victims use this information to protect their rights and pursue justice.

If you or family members have been injured in a truck accident, it should be your immediate priority to contact a truck accident lawyer.

Explore these helpful information resources:

Truck Accidents - An Overview

A traffic accident involving a commercial truck, such as an eighteen-wheeler or other large freight carrier, can be much more catastrophic than an ordinary car accident. A typical fully-loaded large commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3000 pounds. Because of this size disparity, and due to the basic laws of physics, any collision between a commercial truck and another vehicle is likely to result in serious, even fatal, injuries. While statistics show that truck drivers are generally much more careful on the road than automobile drivers, and thankfully the incidence of fatal crashes involving trucks and other large vehicles has declined in recent years, large truck crashes still accounted for 5350 fatalities and 133,000 injuries in 2001.

If You Are Injured in an Accident

A motor vehicle accident is a serious matter, particularly when it involves an 18-wheeler. You or someone else may have been seriously injured and even if you have not been injured, you may be wondering what you should do next.

If you or a family member has been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you need to take action as soon as possible to protect your right to claim compensation. An attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP can evaluate your situation, explain the legal process, and how we may be able to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve.

For a free consultation with Arnold & Itkin LLP, call our offices toll free at (866) 222-2606, or contact a truck accident attorney online.

Lawsuit Chronology

If you are injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you may be unsure of what to expect when your lawsuit is filed. An experienced lawyer will be able to answer any specific questions you might have about your case, but the following chronology will provide an overview as to how a civil suit normally proceeds:

Of course, no two lawsuits are the same, so nobody can say exactly how your lawsuit will unfold, but the general process is similar for most cases. If you have been injured and want to make a claim for damages, you should contact our law firm right away. Investigation of the scene of the accident, eye witnesses, and law enforcement is essential to nail down your case before the defendant does. Then, a lawsuit must be filed to start the process. After the lawsuit is filed, the fact finding or discovery process begins. Intensive investigation of accident details, company, driver, and government records can help to determine causation and prove fault due to negligence or other causes. Once discovery is substantially complete, most cases will be referred to an alternative dispute resolution forum such as mediation. Your case may settle in mediation. If your case does not settle in mediation, then your case may go to trial. Of course, some cases must be tried that's why it is important to have a firm that consistently tries cases.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Commercial trucking presents dangers that the drivers of passenger cars may never face. Although most truckers make every effort to be safe in their operations, there are a number of things that make commercial trucking hazardous. Some of the more common causes of trucking accidents are set out below. If you are injured in a commercial trucking accident, you need to consult an attorney with experience in handling truck accident cases.

Commercial vehicles such as eighteen-wheelers and other large freight carriers are a unique presence on roads that are occupied mostly by small passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles present dangers that are also unique. Not only do commercial truck drivers need to be aware of the special circumstances presented by the large vehicles they are driving, but other drivers on the road also need to use caution in their presence. Especially on major highways and at higher speeds, seemingly insignificant driving errors that may occur without consequence where small vehicles are concerned can result in catastrophe when an eighteen-wheeler is involved. [Read More]

Truck Accident Resource Links:

Share the Road Safely - From the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the US Department of Transportation (DOT), dedicated to reducing motor vehicle accidents involving large trucks.

Insurance Information Institute - Includes information on vehicle safety, insurance, and more.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) - Division of the US Department of Transportation (DOT). Safety programs, regulations, and facts related to the prevention of commercial truck and bus accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Large Truck Insurance Requirements - From the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations 49 CFR §§ 355 et seq.

 

For a free consultation, contact a truck accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP by calling toll free (866)222-2606 or by submitting the form at the top of this page.