18-wheelers, also known as semi-trailers or tractor trucks, are the largest vehicles on America’s roads. Weighing in at approximately 35,000 pounds when empty and up to 80,000 when fully loaded, semi-trucks are significantly larger than regular passenger vehicles.
Unsurprisingly, any accident involving a semi-trailer truck can cause serious injuries and even fatalities. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles mean they have a longer stopping distance than other vehicles on the road, which can make it difficult for them to evade hazards.
Although truck drivers are highly trained, they aren’t infallible, and they inadvertently cause an accident on the roads. If you’ve been affected by an 18-wheeler accident, you’ll want to know if you can take legal action and, if so, who to make your claim against.
How Common Are 18-Wheeler Accidents in Texas?
According to recent statistics, tractor trucks and semi-trailers were involved in 25,925 crashes in Texas in a 12-month period, which highlights just how frequently these types of incidents occur. Furthermore, these vehicles were involved in 946 accidents in which people sustained serious injuries and 536 collisions that resulted in fatalities.
Who Is Responsible for an 18-Wheeler Accident?
To determine who is responsible for a crash or collision, it’s necessary to examine the facts leading up to the incident. In some cases, professional crash investigators may take steps to assess the evidence to establish exactly how an accident occurred and who was at fault.
If a semi-trailer driver was speeding or distracted, for example, they may be responsible if they subsequently collided with another vehicle. Alternatively, an 18-wheeler may be involved in an accident but not be responsible if another road user is at fault.
If you’re not sure who was responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, don’t assume that you won’t be able to make a claim. With help from a truck accident lawyer in Texas, you can establish who is liable for the harm you sustained and take action against them.
Can You Make a Claim Against a Trucking Company?
Yes. Trucking companies are often held liable for accidents caused by their drivers, so it’s certainly possible to obtain compensation from a trucking company following an 18-wheeler accident.
However, it’s important to be aware that trucking companies and their insurers will defend claims vigorously and try to avoid paying out. Due to this, it’s vital that your claim is detailed, comprehensive, and robust.
Are You Owed Compensation After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Texas?
If you’ve been injured due to a collision with a semi-trailer, truck accident attorneys in Texas can help you to establish liability, calculate the financial impact of the incident, and pursue a claim for compensation. Whether you suffered relatively minor injuries or more severe harm, taking legal action against the company responsible may even help to make the roads safer in the future.
18-wheeler accidents may only account for a relatively small percentage of traffic accidents in Texas, but the severity of these collisions means that they’re often amongst the highest-paying compensation claims.