Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

While all motor vehicle accidents can result in serious injury or wrongful death, when one of the vehicles is an 18-wheeler the results are almost guaranteed to be catastrophic. When you have been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler (sometimes called a “big rig”), you have enough on your plate trying to heal and bring some semblance of order back to your life. You do not need the additional stress of trying to recover the compensation you are due from the accident. Instead, let an experienced Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyer from the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm handle this process for you. We can help you recover what you are owed so you can focus on healing. Call us today (713) 535-7051.

Reasons Why 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous

There are several reasons why truck accidents involving 18-wheelers are so much more dangerous than accidents involving most other types of motor vehicles.

• Size: An average car weighs a little over 4,000 pounds. An 18-wheeler can weigh anywhere from 35,000 pounds with no cargo to 80,000 pounds with cargo, which means that an 18-wheeler is 9 to 20 times heavier than the average car. The extra weight makes a huge difference in the amount of destruction it can cause. It also means that it takes an 18-wheeler much more time to come to a complete stop in case of an emergency.
• Blind Spots: While many vehicles have blind spots, 18-wheelers have a greater amount than most other vehicles. There are blind spots on all four sides on an 18-wheeler, with those on each side of the truck being significant in size.
• Cargo: An 18-wheeler consists of two parts, the tractor and a trailer unit. The trailer unit is often used to haul cargo. When this cargo has not been properly secured or too much cargo has been loaded on the trailer unit, it can make the vehicle hard to maneuver. It can also shift, causing the entire truck to flip on its axis.
• Dangerous Materials: Many 18-wheelers are used to haul hazardous materials. These materials must be properly handled according to specific rules and regulations. When an accident occurs with a vehicle hauling these types of materials, serious injuries, such as a fire or explosion, can occur.

Who is Liable for a Texas or Texas 18-Wheeler Accident?

A Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyer at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm will help you determine who is at fault in your accident, but some of the more common sources of recovery include truck drivers, mechanics who worked on the trucks, truck manufacturers, and trucking companies.

Lawsuits Against Truck Drivers in Texas

The driver of an 18-wheeler is required to undergo extensive testing to ensure they are ready and able to operate such a powerful motor vehicle. Even so, they are sometimes the cause of accidents. Drivers have been known to drive while fatigued as well as intoxicated. Drivers are also on the road for long stretches of time, and have been known to be distracted by texting or even watching videos on their phone. This behavior easily leads to accidents.

Suing The Manufacturer For Your Texas 18-Wheeler Accident

Sometimes 18-wheeler accidents are caused by the manufacturer of the truck or any of its parts. When a part has not been properly designed or created it can break or otherwise not serve its intended purpose. At other times, each individual part may have been designed and created correctly, but all the parts are not put together the proper way.

Holding Mechanics Liable for Catastrophic Texas Truck Accidents

These large trucks also require constant maintenance. When this is not properly completed, trucks cease operating properly, often leading to accidents. From tire maintenance to replacement parts, if the proper measures are not taken, parts can fail and have deadly consequences.

Receiving Compensation from Negligent Trucking Companies After an Accident

Most 18-wheelers are owned by a trucking company that then hires the drivers for their trucks. These companies are heavily regulated and must comply with state and federal directives. When they fail to follow through with these responsibilities, they may be held liable for any resulting accidents. Some reasons why the trucking company may be responsible include:

• Failing to hire and/or supervise qualified drivers
• Failing to have the 18-wheeler properly maintained
• Creating and enforcing unrealistic driver deadlines
• Ignoring prevailing safety standards

Compensation You Can Recover In An 18-Wheeler Accident

If you’ve been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you may wonder what compensation you are able to recover. While it varies case to case, some of the more common types of compensation recovered by a Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyer at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm includes economic damages, non economic damages and punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are easily established. They consist of monetary losses and include:

• Any medical costs you have incurred as a result of the accident.
• The costs associated with any time spent in the hospital due to the accident.
• The costs of any future medical care you will require. This includes therapies, surgeries, medications, and doctor visits.
• Any wages you have lost, or will lose, as a result of your inability to work due to the accident.
• The costs of repairing your car or any other property damaged in the accident.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are not as easily quantified as economic damages. You are not able to show a receipt to prove them, and calculating non-economic damages often requires the assistance of a Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyer. Non-economic damages include:

• Pain & Suffering
• Loss of Consortium
• Mental Anguish
• Disfigurement

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages, while available, are not often awarded in the state of Texas. They are a special type of damages that exist to punish the person or entity that caused the accident, and are typically awarded in cases of extreme behavior, such as a wilful intent to cause harm.

Speak With a Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free

When you have been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler in Texas? If so, you need experienced representation you can rely on. At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our attorneys are legal professionals who are here to help. You may reach us to schedule a consultation with a Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyer by calling (713) 535-7051 or via our contact page.