Tractor trailers that weigh 80,000 pounds or more (20-30 times more than a car) driving at highway speeds can take nearly two football fields to come to a complete stop. Commercial Trucks and 18-Wheelers are powerful and potentially dangerous vehicles that commonly share the Texas roads with automobiles, bicycles, and pedestrians. When a truck is in a crash, no matter who is to blame, the results can be devastating.

The process of seeking recovery for injuries suffered in a commercial and 18-wheeler accident is usually much more complicated than in the case of a car crash. 18-wheeler trucks are generally part of commercial enterprises, so the list of potentially liable parties is complex and can be difficult to ascertain. In addition, federal transportation laws usually apply because trucks are often involved in interstate commerce.

If you are suffering from an injury as a result of a Commercial or 18-wheeler truck accident, speaking with an experienced Texas truck accident lawyer who understands all the aspects of these cases could help you obtain the full amount of compensation you deserve.

Proving Negligence in Texas Commercial & 18-Wheeler Crashes

In Texas, a person must prove that another person’s or company’s negligent actions contributed to the cause of an accident to recover a monetary award for injuries suffered in that accident.

All drivers using the public roads in Texas owe a duty of care to ensure that their actions do not cause undue risk of harm to others. Failing to fulfill that duty may leave them legally liable.

Some examples of the many theories under which a driver, trucking company, manufacturer or other party may be liable for the consequences of a truck accident include:

• Improper maintenance
• Negligent hiring and retention
• Insufficient training and supervision,
• Violating traffic regulations or trucking laws
• Driving while distracted or impaired
• Reckless behavior

To ascertain what factors contributed to a Commercial and 18-Wheeler crash, an attorney may investigate the driver’s credentials and driving history, an examination of the trucking company’s logs and policies, an analysis of police reports and photographs, interviews with accident witnesses, and consultations with accident reconstruction experts.

Monetary Recovery

After proving a person’s or company’s negligence caused an accident involving a commercial or 18-wheeler truck, anyone who suffered injuries from that crash may recover compensation to cover their losses from the crash such as the following:

• medical bills past and future;
• Lost income due to time off work both in the past and the future;
• Future earning capacity;
• pain and suffering;
• mental anguish.

If the accident results in death, compensation may be available to the family for economic and emotional loss.

Ask an Experienced Texas Truck Accident Attorney Any Questions

The priority of those involved in commercial and 18-wheeler accidents that suffer serious injuries should be on working towards recovery. Added expenses and an inability to work as well as worrying about the future can impede recovery efforts.

A Texas commercial and 18-wheeler accident lawyer can provide advice right away to help you avoid making mistakes that could compromise your claim. A lawyer can work to preserve and collect evidence and will serve as your representative during questioning and negotiations, working on your behalf to help you obtain the full value for your claim. Call now for a free consultation to learn how an attorney’s experience could work for you in commercial and 18-wheeler accidents.