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The McAllen Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

18 Wheeler/Commercial Vehicle Accidents-The McAllen Personal Injury Lawyer

18 Wheeler/Commercial Vehicle Accidents-The McAllen Personal Injury Lawyer

Large Commercial Truck/18 Wheeler Accidents are a Different  Creature

As drivers, we share the roadways with commercial vehicles/18 wheelers. It is a fact of life.  You do not have to be an accident reconstructionist to intuitively know just how dangerous large trucks are. It does not require much imagination to visualize just how devastating a commercial vehicle/18 wheeler accident can be.

News reports remind us what happens when these massive trucks collide with smaller passenger vehicle.  When it is 18 wheeler vs. passenger car, the 18 wheeler wins, every single time.  And if you have ever had a big rig cross into your lane without noticing you are there, you have a sense of just how dangerous and difficult these rigs are.

Large truck accidents result in more serious injuries, more damages and more bills. Besides the injuries and damages, the cases themselves are just more complicated.

So why are big rig accident cases so complex?

First, it’s a matter of size .Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes. So they are a heck of a lot bigger. And the distance between the ground and the bottom of the truck (ground clearance) is a death trap when the small passenger  vehicles get trapped in an under-ride crash.

Large truck braking capability are a contributing factor in truck crashes. Loaded tractor-trailers need 20-40 % more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle. Add in some bad road conditions like discrepancy is wet and slippery roads or with poorly maintained brakes, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Truck driver fatigue is a well documented crash risk. Commercial divers of 18 wheelers are allowed to drive up to 11 hours at a time per federal regulations. Surveys, however, have concluded that many commercial drivers violate these safety regulations and drive for longer periods than they should.

Blind spots create gaps in vision for the driver. These blind spots mean the driver of the 18 wheeler cannot easily see you.  Being an 18 wheeler driver is not an easy job.

If the truck is poorly maintained, or the driver is committed to operating the truck safely and within the limits set by law, the road around becomes dangerous. It is dangerous for the driver of the truck, and for the other motorist.

Fatigue is the result of physical or mental exertion that impairs performance. Driver fatigue may be due to a lack of adequate sleep, extended work hours, strenuous work or non-work activities, or a combination of other factors. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) reported that 13 percent of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers were considered to have been fatigued at the time of their crash.

It is not just the trucks that are complex. It is the litigation as well.

18 wheeler/commercial truck litigation is complex because when you are involved in a collision with a commercial truck, it is not just the driver that it is involved. It is also the business that employees the driver. You come involved in litigation with the business. And businesses are all about the bottom line. Fairly compensating you for the substantial injury you have incurred because of their driver is not their interest. Paying you as little as possible and getting back to business is. 

I have extensive experience in personal injury litigation involving 18 wheelers and commercial vehicles. I will not be intimidated by the insurance company adjuster or the high priced lawyers the insurance companies hire. For years, I represented insurance companies and their insured in lawsuits. I am well aware of their tactics. 

Commercial Vehicle Law Also Introduces Complexity to an Accident Claim

We’re all subject to the rules of the road, but drivers of commercial vehicles have even more laws that apply to them. Not only are there federal laws like the Hours of Service Rules, which dictate how long a driver can stay on the road in a given period, there are also laws in each state that apply to the size requirements of commercial vehicles and to the requirements of drivers allowed to operate commercial vehicles.

So, there are many state and federal laws an attorney must be familiar with when handling a case involving a c#Tommercial vehicle. Here again we see the importance of having an attorney who has handled cases involving large truck accidents. The learning curve is steep in these cases, and you want to be sure your attorney is familiar with the process.

Don’t Be Taken Advantage of After a Commercial Vehicle Accident

18 wheeler crashes are frightening. They are costly, and they can be physically and emotionally painful. Remember, if you are the victim of a crash that caused by a careless or negligent large truck driver, you are entitled, frankly, owed money for what you will deal with. 

Call me right away. I will handle the attorneys and the insurance companies. I can help. Call The McAllen Personal Injury Lawyer John Ball at 956-501-6565.

Written by : John Ball

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I have extensive experience in personal injury litigation. For years, I represented insurance companies and their insured in lawsuits. I now use my skills and knowledge to help you. The insurance company is not your friend. They are there to pay you as little as possible, as quickly as possible. Do not settle for less than you are entitled to receive. Call me today; you always speak to me directly : 956-501-6565. Call  McAllen personal injury lawyer and car accident lawyer Johnathan Ball to protect you rights and get the maximum recovery possible.