When it comes to finding the best Houston truck accident lawyer, you don’t want to leave any stone un-turned. And you definitely don’t want to take your risks with an unproven personal injury lawyer.
This is where truck accident lawyer Jerome O. Fjeld has come in to offer his injury clients the results that they would expect to see from any law firm that’s the home of the best Texas truck accident attorney. Some of the things that set him apart from the rest include, but is not to be limited to:
· A Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
· Knowledge That Only Comes with Direct Experience Practicing Personal Injury Law
· Millions of dollars won for his clients who have been the victim of truck accidents.
· Personalized service for each and every one of his clients which ensures the best results.
· You won’t pay unless you see results from this top Texas truck accident attorney.
When trucking companies hear that Jerome O. Fjeld is on the case, they tend to look at things a little bit differently. His proven track records show that settlements are usually reached a lot sooner for his clients while ensuring that they get the most out of their case.
Even if a trucking company fails to offer a settlement, his extensive courtroom experiences make him one of the best truck accident lawyers practicing today. Without further ado, let’s dive into the ultimate guide on trucking accident law, shall we?
What are the laws for truck accidents in Houston, Texas?
With truck accidents, things tend to get a lot more technical than accidents that are involved with regular vehicles. The amount of damage that can be caused, increased risk, and much more are factors that have all been taken into consideration on a federal and local level when it comes to truck accidents.
While it may seem straightforward, it’s critical that you keep in mind that the process is different because the claims tend to be the most valuable when an 18-wheeler is concerned. Not to mention, insurance companies can easily take advantage of those who have not taken the time to embrace proper legal representation since they do have a legal team that they can call upon if needed, especially if they think they have the upper hand in your truck accident claim.
Below you’ll see the various regulations that are put into place to protect the public from truck accidents.
· Commercial Driver’s License
`For every type of commercial vehicle, there’s a specific level of training that drivers must complete, and trucking companies must ensure that they provide. The varying factors of how each one functions and what can be done to minimize risks are the main reasons for this vehicle-specific level of training.
Aside from training requirements, a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) must be held by the driver when getting behind the vehicle of any commercial truck. There are also endorsements that may be required depending on the truck itself as well as the nature of the load. If you are wondering if a truck driver can lose their CDL after multiple accidents click here.
· Distracted Driving
While cell phones are the primary source of distraction for drivers, there are also other distractions known to contribute to 18-wheeler accidents in Houston. Truck drivers must use a hands-free communication device while operating their trucks. However, this isn’t always upheld, and a phone call or text is enough to cause an accident due to distracted driving.
The rules for distracted driving are more extreme with truck drivers, and there are certain areas where they can’t use their cell phones even if they’re stopped at a red light. This is one of the main reasons that a veteran personal injury attorney will dig deep to find out if the accident you were in was a result of the truck driver being distracted from the road they’re traveling upon.
· Driving Under the Influence
With regular drivers, 0.08 is the BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) limit that is set forth in the Great State of Texas. However, commercial drivers do hold a much higher responsibility on the road than other drivers, which is why their limit is set to 0.04.
As far as drugs are concerned, they’re strictly prohibited when operating any kind of Commercial Motor Vehicle. Failure to comply with the laws set forth to prevent driving under the influence could lead the truck driver to lose their license, incurring fines, and possibly require them to serve time in jail for their actions.
Anyone that holds a CDL is subject to random alcohol and drug testing, which has been known to occur while they’re driving if the officer or official from the Department of Transportation suspects that alcohol or drug use is occurring while they’re driving.
· Hours of Service
When it comes to how many hours a truck driver can stay on the road, this isn’t something that is taken lightly regardless of what state you may find yourself in. Drivers are required to have logbooks tracking their time (which has been replaced by computerized logs by leading trucking companies to ensure a higher level of accountability).
In Texas, truck drivers are required to follow a separate set of laws than the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Requires. Federally, drivers can drive up to 11 hours and they can’t be on-duty for more than 14 hours. Texas state laws have set forth a requirement of no more than 15 hours of being on-duty and driving time can’t exceed 15 hours consecutively.
If a truck driver is pulled over while they’re on-duty, law enforcement or transportation authorities can check their logbooks to ensure their full compliance. If a driver is found to be non-compliant, further action can be taken to ensure that there are consequences for their actions as this could endanger those with whom they share the road with.
· Load Size & Weight
In Texas, a CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) can’t exceed more than 80,000 pounds. This weight limit is for both the tractor itself as well as the trailer and cargo that it’s hauling. Since overloaded semis can have a higher chance of causing accidents, weigh stations are placed to ensure that weight is something that is kept on top of.
Also, there is a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service that’s operated by the Texas Department of Transportation. This is used to pull trucks over and check their weights as well as other safety requirements to ensure that there is no getting around doing things properly.
· Medical Exams
Every truck driver is required to have a medical card, which is proof that they have received permission to drive a commercial motor vehicle from a physician. This is done to prevent those with uncontrollable medical conditions (such as epilepsy and seizures) from forcing other drivers on the road to be exposed to unnecessary risks.
During the medical exam, it’s quite common for the driver to pass drug testing as well since this is a federal requirement for anyone that carries a Commercial Driver’s License. Trucking companies can also put into place stricter requirements than the law asks to be upheld.
· Regular Inspections
Since a lot of truck accidents could have been prevented by properly maintaining the commercial vehicle, daily inspections are required by law as well as pre-trip inspections that cover areas of concern such as airlines, axles, brakes, compressors, coupling devices, fuel lines, lights, tires, steering, and wheels.
Any defects or flaws must be reported to the trucking company immediately, and certain ones will force the semi to be out of service until the issue is corrected in a proper manner. Maintenance reports and inspection summaries are critical pieces of evidence that can reveal the facts if you find yourself in a collision with an 18-wheeler.
Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents
Below you’ll see the most common types of 18-wheeler accidents and what causes them. If you’ve been the victim of a truck accident, make sure that you reach out to a qualified attorney. This will help ensure that no stone gets left unturned when it comes to seeking fair compensation.
· Aggressive Driving
A leading cause of truck accidents today, aggressive driving is considered to be excessive speeding, following too closely and not allowing an adequate braking distance, erratic lane changes, failing to yield the right of way, ignoring traffic signs, making obscene gestures, reckless driving, running stop signs, and tailgating other vehicles.
While we would hope that truck drivers always remain courteous and professional, but this isn’t always the case. There are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to drivers being stressed out, and it can become quite easy (and at times unnoticeable) to take this stress out while they’re driving.
The size and weight of semi-trucks can make things extremely dangerous, especially when an aggressive driver is behind the wheel. This makes it critical to keep your eyes open for aggressive drivers and avoid them if you can. If a truck is driving in a way that’s dangerous, there is usually a phone number on the back that can be called to report it to their company directly.
See Also: Speeding and Truck Accidents
· Alcohol/Drug Use
Even though it’s a small number of 18-wheeler accidents that are caused by the use of alcohol and/or drugs, it’s still an issue that has to be addressed. This is why it’s important that this issue not be ignored, and if a driver is under the influence of drugs/alcohol, it gets exposed.
There are two situations where you may be entitled to liability when the accident is a cause of negligence or negligence per se. With negligence, a driver may have had a drink of alcohol or used drugs before they got behind the wheel of their big rig. In this case, they will not only be subject to legal consequences, but they’ll be responsible for all damages that were a result of his/her own actions.
Negligence per se is a little bit different than negligence itself. This is where a violation of a safety rule occurs, which in this case would be the usage of alcohol or drugs while they were driving their semi. In this case, it doesn’t have to be proven that the truck driver was driving in an unsafe manner as the use of drugs/alcohol shows their non-compliance with safety rules as it ultimately means that they were being irresponsible and unsafe.
· Defective Truck Equipment
When it comes to the vehicle the size of a semi, having defective truck equipment could lead to some rather serious situations. Some of the most common types of defective truck equipment that lead to truck accidents can include bad brakes, bad tires, defective underride bars, inadequate tie-downs for cargo, and non-functioning lights.
· Distracted Driving
This is one of the most common causes of fatalities that occur due to truck accidents, especially with the increased usage of cell phones. While there are laws that have been put in place to help minimize the damage caused by distracted driving, this doesn’t completely stop it.
Using a cell phone or focusing one’s attention on anything besides the road and vehicles ahead of them is all too common. When you take this already high risk and combine it with a heavy truck that outweighs most vehicles that are on the road, the results can become destructive, to say the least.
This is why it’s critical that if you’re in an 18-wheeler accident where distracted driving may have been the cause, you seek out the best legal help possible. A seasoned attorney will be able to get eyewitness statements, review logs, and take other factors into consideration to prove that distracted driving was the actual cause and reason that the damage/injuries occurred.
· Driver Fatigue
Schedules are tight, and the life of a truck driver is one that’s non-stop. Drowsy driving has contributed to a majority of 18-wheeler accidents, and at times they have become some of the worst types of truck accidents.
Despite the strict regulations that limit how many hours a truck driver can be on the road, this still continues to be an ongoing problem. If you find yourself in an accident that is due to driver fatigue of the other party, it’s critical that you let an attorney know so that they can hold the other party responsible for their actions and get you the compensation that you deserve.
· Improperly Loaded Cargo
Not loading cargo properly or having it secured in the right manner could very easily cause an accident, and this is something that must be looked at in an 18-wheeler accident. Whether the cargo slid, fell off, or leaked out, there are several factors that could come into play.
It’s important to keep in mind that a lot of trucking companies use a third-party cargo loading company which essentially takes all of the liability off of them and puts it on the company who loaded the cargo in the first place. While there are many possibilities as to why this approach is taken, it’s most likely due to the high number of truck accidents that are a result of a truck driver having poorly loaded cargo.
See Also: Cargo Spills and Truck Accidents
· Inexperienced/Poorly Trained Drivers
Being a professional truck driver takes more than just a few hours in a truck driving school or a brief amount of time behind the wheel. In order to make things safer, drivers need extensive experience and training when it comes to the situations that they must confront on the road, the workings of their semi-truck, and take into account a variety of other factors.
Since trucking companies are liable for those that they employ to move their loads, it rests upon them to ensure that their drivers can avoid wrecks or at least minimize the amount of damage that’s caused during an accident. Due to the high demand for transportation, there are times when we share the road with inexperienced and/or poorly trained drivers.
This not only increases the intensity of the risk that is posed upon us, but it also means that truck accidents need to look closer than they ever have before. Uncovering whether they have the necessary qualifications or training is key to ensuring that they have ignored the need for proper training are held liable when their actions have resulted in damages and/or injuries.
· Jackknife Accidents
Jackknifing a truck happens when a truck is moving at a high rate of speed and an abrupt maneuver was performed due to not anticipating the road or road hazards that were ahead of the driver at the time of the accident. When a truck jackknifes, the trailer goes sideways and a lot of the time this leads to a rollover accident.
Since jackknifed truck accidents aren’t uncommon, many drivers are trained or have gained the experience they need to correct the jackknife before it gets completely out of hand. A lot of the time when we see people in a truck accident where a jackknife happened, it could have been prevented before the damage had a chance to take its toll.
· Rear-End Accidents
With the trucking industry, rear-end accidents take precedence and it’s for this reason that drivers are required to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicles that are in front of them so that there is adequate braking distance. If a commercial truck rear-ends someone, most of the time the truck driver will be found liable for the accident.
This is due to the fact that not only does truck driver training make drivers aware of this required following distance, but when they take the test for their Commercial Driver’s License, they have to demonstrate knowledge of this as well.
Rear-end accidents with big trucks can be the most catastrophic of all. When you take into account the size of the truck, weight of the cargo, and the impact that it can have, it’s a very dangerous combination especially when someone gets hit by it from behind.
What the 18-Wheeler Accident Claims Process Entails
Getting into an accident can be a trying time for anyone, but you can make the situation a lot less stressful by knowing what is going to be in store during the legal process. While every claim is different, the overall process remains the same. Click here for the important steps you must take after a truck accident.
Below you will see every step of the legal process that can be expected when filing a personal injury lawsuit for an 18-wheeler accident.
· Retain your lawyer and take care of the necessary paperwork.
This is the very beginning of the truck accident claims process, and one of the most important parts of all. Once you’ve decided which truck accident attorney that you want to go with, it’s time to get them on the same page and make things official.
This is done by putting together a letter of engagement (also referred to as a retainer agreement) that basically states that the lawyer-client relationship has started and that all information shared is considered to be confidential.
This agreement will also outline the legal process (the various steps and a timeline), payment terms, how your attorney can handle the case in terms of the settlement, and gathering needed documentation, as well as how either party can cancel this agreement.
Just make sure before you “sign on the dotted line” that you fully understand the contract and what it entails. If there is anything that needs to be cleared up, get your lawyer to provide the needed clarification. This ensures you don’t have any surprises and you know exactly what you have agreed upon when it comes to your truck wreck claim.
· Communication will be funneled directly through your attorney.
The truth of the matter is that both insurance companies, as well as trucking companies, may try to reach you directly regarding your accident with a big rig. This probably isn’t the first time that they’ve had to deal with this kind of situation, and they want a successful outcome.
If the trucking company or their insurance company reaches out, give them the name and phone number of the personal injury attorney that you retained. Avoid further discussion of the accident as well as ensure that no paperwork is signed unless you’re advised to do so by your legal counsel. This will ensure that you’re protected without putting your lawsuit at risk.
As far as the Department of Motor Vehicles and police are concerned, don’t avoid giving them a notification about the accident and filing a report. However, it’s critical that you don’t apologize or admit fault in any way. Provide the necessary information but try to keep things minimal to ensure that your attorney has what they need for a successful case. Anyone that is outside of these parties doesn’t need to know the details of the accident or extent of your injuries.
Your attorney will also be in touch with all the relevant parties (such as doctors, insurance companies, and the trucking company itself). This ensures that everyone knows you have obtained legal representation and that all forms of communication should be made through them directly instead of subjecting yourself to unnecessary risks.
· After evidence is gathered, a personal injury demand letter will be sent out.
Once your lawyer has everything that they need to prove what kind of impact the truck accident has had on your life, it’s time to get down to the details. A personal injury demand letter outlines the conditions that must be met and the amount that will be accepted to ensure that justice prevails.
This letter is sent directly to the insurance company that covers the trucking company or truck driver that was responsible for the accident. If the terms are not met or the amount isn’t what was offered, the personal injury demand letter could be pulled off of the table.
In most cases, this is where truck accident claims come to their end as insurance companies want to get past the accident as quickly as they can. If they can do so with a settlement, they’re going to take that opportunity. However, there are cases where this doesn’t happen as well.
· At this point, a settlement could be entertained, or the claim could be escalated.
If a settlement wasn’t reached by now, it’s time to start preparing for trial. However, they could also proceed with a counteroffer if they haven’t accepted your demands. If they think they can fight the case in court and win, they may not even provide you with either of these options.
Your demands will be evaluated by your attorney, and as long as they’re justifiable a lawsuit can be filed for the amount that was deemed to be fair. Keep in mind that this is usually the last resort as trials do take a lot of time and work before they can see their completion.
· If all avenues have been exhausted, the case will be taken to trial.
This is where the process of discovery (where all parties exchange legal questionnaires, details about the case and depositions are conducted) begins and the lawsuit gets filed with the court that has jurisdiction over the case.
You will either have a trial by judge (which is where the judge determines the outcome) or a trial by jury (where a jury is responsible for the outcome of the case). At trial, you will be provided with the settlement amount and any other conditions that may be applicable.
Should I have a police report filed for an 18-wheeler accident?
Yes, because it’s critical that law enforcement has a chance to investigate the accident, whether it’s with a regular car or commercial truck. Establishing the fact that there was an accident is crucial to ensure that the legal system can help you come to a fair result.
Another reason that you should file a police report when you’re involved in a truck accident is that insurance companies can hold it against you if you don’t. Many insurance companies have refused to pay out on accidents where the police weren’t notified.
Instead of risking it, just make sure that you do notify the police and if required by law, the Department of Motor Vehicles as well. Just make sure that you don’t admit any fault or apologize for the situation that you find yourself facing. Just give them the facts that they need for the investigation, and let your personal injury attorney handle all the rest as they will know the best way to go about handling things.
Why choose a Houston truck accident attorney at Bayou City Law?
For over 19 years, Jerome O. Fjeld has developed quite a reputation as he has been responsible for winning millions of dollars in truck accident lawsuits. A lot of which are quickly and successfully settled before having a chance to go to trial.
While we may be a smaller law firm than some of the bigger conglomerates, this is simply because we choose to be as it provides the opportunity to deliver every client with a higher level of service than bigger law firms are known to provide.
Rest assured, that even if things do get stepped up to trial, Jerome O. Fjeld is able to ensure that a compelling case is presented to ensure that proper compensation is awarded. Keep in mind that trial isn’t as common as you might think since acceptable settlements are usually made prior to this point.
Here are my ingredients for success when it comes to personal injury law in Texas.
Every case may be different, but I have always found that over the years I have been able to refine my craft by keeping a few things top of mind. For the sake of clarity, these have been explained below so that you can see how it could work to your advantage just as it has for many of my clients.
· It all boils down to what can be proven when the case is presented.
There is simply no way around it, whether the case is presented inside of the courtroom or outside of it, we understand that results only come from well-proven case. The 3 steps involved in building a proven case have been explained for you below.
1. The needed evidence is gathered to build a solid foundation for your case.
Everything starts from the moment of the accident, which is why there is no room for time to be wasted when getting the truck’s black box/ECM record as well as the truck driver’s logbook. This is the starting point when it comes to revealing the facts of the accident.
Aside from the records and other information that is obtained, it’s essential that accident reconstruction experts get to work reconstructing the event that occurred. Combined with what was received up until this point, a solid basis for your truck accident case is formed.
I’ll be able to take everything into account, as well as find out whether compliance was upheld when it comes to federal regulations as well as the regulations set forth specifically for truck drivers in Texas. At this point, the options will start to become clearer.
2. I’ll get in touch with your treating doctors and consult with medical experts.
Knowing the severity of your injuries is critical to the truck accident claim process, and it’s why the time is taken to speak with every treating physician. We’ll also bring in the help of medical experts to ensure that everything is being done to help you recover.
If we feel that there are other providers that are more suitable to your needs, we will also send you their way. On top of ensuring you get the best medical care possible; we’ll account for every expense that is incurred so that we can take that weight off your shoulders.
3. From there, it’s time to seek adequate and fair compensation for your 18-wheeler accident.
Once your injuries are known as well as the impact that the truck accident has had on your life is understood, it’s time to decide how much compensation is acceptable. This ensures our clients can pay their medical bills, make up for lost income, and provide for their families during these difficult times.
The trucking company may offer a settlement, but if it’s not adequate, the case is taken to trial where Jerome O. Fjeld has proven to excel. By keeping your needs at top of mind, this can ensure that you get adequate and fair compensation from the trucking company.
· It can’t be forgotten that a client’s best interest is to be upheld at all times.
This is why Attorney Jerome Fjeld prefers the small law firm touch, as it provides him with the opportunity to get to know each and every client that he serves. Not only does it allow for a more personable touch, but it also makes sure that their needs are the primary focus.
Many big law firms might back out of a case if it seems to be too much work, and they definitely don’t have the friendliest approach. However, here at Bayou City Law, it’s exactly how we take care of business day in and day out.
· Whatever it takes. I’ll work hard to hold the trucking company responsible.
We have the resources to ensure that we get our clients the most money from their truck accident trial while ensuring that nobody will outspend us at any time. The success rate of Jerome Fjeld proves that it’s not uncommon for clients to be fully compensated for the damages and expenses that occurred as a result of their 18-wheeler truck accident. Reckless truck companies need to be held accountable for poor management and hiring practices.
Are you ready for your free truck accident consultation?
We’re waiting to hear from you here at Bayou City Law, so that we can get you on the road to a successful recovery when it comes to your truck accident lawsuit. We know how difficult it can be to deal with things after the wreck and want to make it as easy to deal with as we can. Either give my office a call or use the contact form on this website to get your initial consultation scheduled.
Remember you won’t be charged a dime until I win the case for you, so there’s no risk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Truck Accident Lawsuits
With over 19 years of experience, and membership in the most exclusive attorney organizations in the United States, it’s safe to say that I know what it’s like when it comes to filing a lawsuit due to an 18-wheeler accident or any other type of commercial vehicle accident.
Over the years, I have come to realize that a lot of the questions asked by my clients seem to pop up repeatedly. This is why I decided to feature the most popular questions asked in regard to truck accident lawsuits below. Feel free to reach out to me with any further concerns or questions you have.
Are truck accident lawsuits different than other accident lawsuits?
Yes, because not only are there laws that truck drivers must follow, but trucking companies are more experienced when it comes to handling cases that involve 18-wheeler accidents. Not to mention, insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid being held liable during times like these.
When it comes to lawsuits arising from other types of accidents, the process is a lot more straightforward since there aren’t as many technicalities. This is why it’s highly important for you to bring on a seasoned personal injury attorney to help you with your truck accident lawsuit.
Do I really need a lawyer for an 18-wheeler collision in Houston?
If you have had to receive medical attention and have sustained damages from a commercial truck collision in Houston, it’s critical that you have someone in your corner. An attorney will be able to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve, stay protected throughout the whole process, and compile all of the data that’s needed to have a strong case to present in court. If you currently have an attorney, but you feel like he or she is not looking out for your best interest, contact Jerome today. He will make sure you get the best presentation possible.
See Also: Can You Fire Your Truck Accident Attorney?
How common are 18-wheeler collisions?
To be exact, there are well over 300 deaths per year that stem from a result of an 18-wheeler collision, and more than 2,000 injuries annually caused by accidents with a commercial truck. This makes up a large part of the number of accidents on the road each and every year.
How long can a truck driver stay on the road without breaks?
After 8 hours, a 30-minute break must be taken according to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and a driver can’t be on the road for more than 11 hours. Truck drivers are also not allowed to drive more than 7 days at a time without taking a total of 34 hours off.
How long does it take to settle a truck accident lawsuit?
This depends on the situation itself, and the insurance company that’s being held liable for damages and/or injuries that have resulted from a truck accident. I have seen clients able to settle their truck accident lawsuits within just a few months but have also seen these cases span over a few years.
The case is at the mercy of the insurance company until you take it to trial. Once taken to trial, a conclusion is in sight and you can expect to see the most progress during this stage as it’s the only way that a remedy comes to the surface if the insurance company was unwilling to settle beforehand.
How much does a truck accident attorney cost?
Most personal injury attorneys and law firms will charge on what is known as a contingency basis. This means that unless results are produced, they don’t get paid. In the world of truck accidents, insurance companies and trucking companies are known to hire seasoned legal counsel to try and take the liability off themselves.
You can expect the rate to be around a third of what the settlement amount is. Of course, this depends upon the law firm you choose and the rates that they have set for themselves.
See Also: How Much Does Hiring A Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
How much money can I get from an 18-wheeler collision claim?
The amount of money that you can receive from a truck accident settlement will depend on the injuries that occurred as well as the extent of the damage that was caused. I have seen clients get $30,000 while I have had multi-million-dollar truck accident cases that I have won in court.
The best way to understand how much you might get is to reach out directly to a truck accident lawyer to discuss the event as well as what can be expected if you decide to file a lawsuit. This will ensure that all of the contributing factors are taken into consideration while providing you with a solid outlook on how things might go.
How will a Houston truck accident lawyer help me?
Truck accidents are one of the most complex types of personal injury lawsuits because insurance companies and trucking companies will work hard to ensure that they’re not held liable for the accident. So, you’re going against legal teams that have a lot more experience in cases like this.
A Houston truck accident attorney can ensure that all of the evidence is gathered, claims are proven to be true, and that the judicial process is fair to you throughout the claims process. Not to mention, there is more of a chance that you’ll have a settlement offered when you have legal representation.
See Also: Truck Driving Accident Procedures – 10 Steps That Must Be Taken
Is there a certain amount of time I have to file an 18-wheeler collision claim?
Here in Houston, there is a time limit of 2 years following the date of the accident that one has in order to file their truck accident claim. This can be lengthened or shortened if both parties are in complete agreement. However, if this is not the case, you may be denied to have your case heard in court and have the opportunity to cover any of the expenses that were a result of the accident.
What are common truck accident injuries?
While injuries vary depending upon the circumstances of the truck accident, there are injuries that seem to happen more often than others. These include:
· Back and Neck Injuries
· Burns
· Head Injuries
· Internal Injuries
· Spinal Cord Injuries (Paralysis)
Keep in mind that even if it might not seem that you have suffered any injuries during an 18-wheeler accident, you still want to seek medical attention. Some conditions may tend to hide at first and ignoring them could affect whether or not you can embrace successful treatment while minimizing the long-term results.
When is a commercial driver considered negligent?
Truck drivers are expected to drive responsibly and safely, which is their duty of care. If an accident is caused where it could have been prevented, the commercial driver is considered to be negligent. Keep in mind that with commercial truck accidents, there are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to making the final determination of negligence.
Who pays for the medical bills when I’m involved in an 18-wheeler collision?
If the accident was not your fault, the driver or the trucking company may be held responsible for your medical bills, in which case their insurance company may have to pay for them when a truck accident settlement is reached.
Keep in mind that it may take time to reach a settlement, and this means that your medical expenses aren’t usually covered immediately. You may have to pay out of your pocket or use your insurance to cover the costs at the time that they’re incurred. If your medical insurance is used to cover it, your insurance company may require reimbursement upon settling your 18-wheeler accident case.
Why are injuries more serious with 18-wheeler collisions than an accident with smaller cars?
Mainly because of the size of semi-trucks and their loads. Regular vehicles don’t weigh as much and they’re not always designed to withstand the impact of an 18-wheeler. Trucks driving at higher rates of speed also cause the most damage seen in truck accidents today.
