Pascoe Law Firm
18 WHEELER ACCIDENT LAWYER
Principal office located in Friendswood, Texas.
Available to service League City, Webster, Pearland, Galveston, and the surrounding areas within Texas.
Alvin 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer
Proudly Servicing Alvin, TX
There are many potential causes of 18-wheeler accidents on the Alvin roadways. Most 18-wheeler accidents are caused by negligent or reckless driving, but sometimes the accidents are caused by poor maintenance, improper loading, road conditions, safety violations and other factors. Across the country, over 3 million 18-wheelers drive more than 94 billion miles a year. 18-wheelers pose a significant risk to other drivers on the road. Accidents with these large commercial vehicles and cause serious injuries, fatalities, and even death. 18-wheelers are about 3% of all motor vehicles on the road and cause about 12% of most traffic fatalities. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a Alvin 18-wheeler accident, an injury lawyer can help you with representation and explore your legal options and seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
18-Wheeler Accidents in Alvin, Texas
Common Causes of 18 Wheeler Accidents
In some cases, fault may involve one or more parties which can make your claim for compensation more complex. An experienced 18-wheeler accident injury attorney will work on your behalf to investigate the accident, determine who was at fault, and build your case for compensation. Common causes of a commercial truck accident include:
- Poor vehicle service, maintenance, including the tires and brakes. 18 wheeler require a great deal of space to brake, and worn brakes can easily lead to an accident. A single blown tire can also cause the 18-wheeler driver to lose control and rollover.
- Driver negligence, such as improper lane change, speeding, or tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Under ride collisions, which occur when a vehicle slides underneath the trailer on impact
- Driver fatigue, is when the driver falls asleep. This is more common cause of accidents were the 18 wheeler is driving across the country or on long hauls. Truck drivers are required to take a short break within the first eight hours of their shift and log those hours, but the average maximum week a driver can work is 70 hours. Drivers who are fatigued have reduced reaction time and difficulty assessing situations quickly. Many do not notice when they are drifting between lanes and that is when the crash occurs and when a big rig is involved the damages are greater.
What does an insurance claim entail after Collision with An 18 Wheeler?
Protecting Your Legal Rights After an 18-Wheeler Accident In Alvin, TX
Pascoe Law Firm
Friendswood, TX 77546
Phone: 713-829-4317
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Anybody who has ever been involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler knows that the other vehicles do not stand much of a chance when hit by these massive vehicles. The sheer weight and size of the big 18-wheelers make them difficult to maneuver and stop under emergency conditions. Whether you are traveling in a motor vehicle or driving an 18-wheeler, being involved in an 18 wheeler accident carries with it larger consequences for everyone involved.
The size of 18-wheelers can cause multiple vehicle accidents and increased property damage after the initial collision. The responsible parties for these accidents need to be held accountable, and that starts with getting an 18-wheeler accident lawyer who will protect your legal rights.
Common 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries
18-wheeler accident injuries don’t differ greatly from injuries that one might sustain in any other type of motor vehicle accident, except for their severity. The heavy weight and massive size of the 18-wheeler often result in catastrophic and severe injuries that are usually worse than normal accident injuries. The most common types of 18-wheeler accident injuries include:
- Fractured, broken, and crushed bones
- Deep lacerations and cuts that might leave permanent scars
- Road rash if drivers or passengers are thrown from a motor vehicle
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries that might lead to temporary or permanent paralysis
- Head injuries which might include blunt force trauma or sudden jarring that leads to traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Organ damage and severe internal bleeding, often caused by broken ribs or vehicle parts that puncture an organ
- Amputations
- Severe burns if a fire or explosion occurs
- Death
Different types of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Our 18-wheeler accident lawyer represents people in Alvin, Texas, of all types of 18-wheeler accident, injuries, and wrongful death claims, including:
- Drunk 18-wheeler driver and DUI 18-wheeler accidents
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) violations
- Untrained, unlicensed 18-wheeler drivers
- Improper 18-wheeler maintenance
- Unsafe loads
- Jackknife accidents
Different types of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Parts to Be Inspected On An 18 Wheeler
Companies have an obligation to provide their drivers with a commercial 18 wheeler that is in a proper working order, and drivers are expected to routinely inspect the vehicle and their loads to ensure safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations require 18-wheeler drivers to inspect their vehicles prior to driving for the following issues:
- Lighting devices and reflectors
- Steering mechanism
- Rear-vision mirrors
- Windshield wipers
- Parking brake
- Tires
- Horn
- Coupling devices
- Service brakes
At the end of a trip, drivers must re-examine these items, as well as the wheels, tires and emergency equipment. Any defects must be noted in the post-trip inspection report and promptly corrected by the 18-wheeler company owner. When unsafe equipment was a factor that caused your injuries, our lawyer will work to discover the lapse in protocol that allowed the defect to go unnoticed or unaddressed.
18 Wheeler Driver Fatigue
Federal law establishes Hours-of-Service regulations for drivers of large 18 wheelers.
Companies often pay by the mile or the load, so drivers of 18 wheelers may drive to cover their routes quickly and unsafely. This aspect of trucking industry policy encourages dangerously excessive hours behind the wheel. Work hours are defined as on-duty time, which includes driving, loading and conducting maintenance—working with the semi-truck in any way.
14-hour duty limit (10 hours of rest after 14 consecutive hours of on-duty time)
11-hour driving limit (10 hours of rest after 11 total driving hours)
60/70-hour duty limit (maximum of 60 on-duty hours in seven days or 70 on-duty hours in eight days)
Drivers who feel pressured to fulfill their company’s shipping goals may choose to disregard these federal limits. When our 18-wheeler injury attorney at the Pascoe Law Firm suspect that driver fatigue contributed to a 18 wheeler accident, we look for evidence of:
- Missing logbooks
- Falsified logbook entries
- Tampering with automated log systems
Our attorney works swiftly to examine the driver log books, as they are only required to be kept for six months. When we find that an 18 wheeler driver has exceeded the Hours-of-Service limits or misrepresented work hours in any way, we aggressively pursue compensation for injuries caused by the 18 wheeler accident.
18 Wheeler Accident Checklist
Attend to medical needs – Health is always of primary importance, and if needed, assures that immediate health needs are met. Contact 911 if needed, and assure maximum safety by moving away from a dangerous situation. If possible, record the time and the location of the accident, the 911 contact and any other details for your immediate care.Record driver information – Record as much information as you can from the 18 wheeler driver, including name, license, insurance, 18 wheeler registration, company worked for, and any other relevant data.
Record witness information – if there were any witnesses to the event, record their names and contact information.|
Take pictures and other records – If you can, write a summary of the events that happened. Take pictures of your damaged vehicle, the 18 wheeler, points of impact, damaged surrounding material and more.
Be careful with 18 wheeler claim adjusters – 18 wheeler companies frequently dispatch an adjuster following 18 wheeler accidents. They take pictures, records, statements etc. to help in the 18 wheeler company’s defense. Do not talk with the adjuster regarding the accident or the events leading up to it – explain that you will seek legal counsel and the adjuster can talk to them.
Obtain records of medical attention – when you get medical attention, make sure you do so from a qualified physician. Make sure the physician records all symptoms and provides you with a full report of injuries, related as clearly as possible to the effects of the 18 wheeler accident.
Engage the services of a Alvin Texas 18 wheeler accident attorney – the process of receiving fair compensation for the personal injury you suffered due to the 18 wheeler accident can be complex and difficult. Utilize the services of an Texas 18 wheeler accident attorney to assure that the right steps are taken and followed to enable the receipt of the maximum possible compensation for your personal injury.