Being in any car accident is scary, but collisions with 18-wheelers can be devastating. These massive trucks can cause serious injuries and damage. If you’ve been involved in an 18-wheeler accident in or around Sugar Land, you need an experienced car accident attorney on your side.
At Maida Law Firm, we understand the complexities of these cases. We’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free case consultation.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents Are So Dangerous
18-wheeler accidents are different from typical car crashes. These trucks are massive—they can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That’s 20-30 times heavier than the average car. This huge difference in size means these accidents often lead to more severe injuries and damage.
Stopping Distance: Big trucks need much longer distances to come to a complete stop. Imagine a fully loaded 18-wheeler traveling at highway speed. It can take the length of a football field or more for it to stop! This makes it harder for truck drivers to react in time to avoid a collision.
Blind Spots: Truck drivers have huge blind spots on all sides of their vehicle. These “no-zones” make it easy for smaller vehicles to disappear from their view, increasing the risk of an accident.
Force of Impact: Basic physics tells us that the force of impact is much greater when a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle. This often leads to catastrophic injuries like:
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or other life-altering complications.
- Traumatic brain injuries: These injuries can cause long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional problems.
- Broken bones, internal injuries, and severe lacerations: The force of the impact can cause a wide range of serious physical injuries.
Adding to the complexity, there are usually multiple parties involved in these accidents, including the truck driver, the trucking company, maintenance companies, and even the truck manufacturer. Determining who is liable for your injuries can be a complicated process.
When You Get in a Car Accident
The moments after an 18-wheeler accident are critical. Taking these steps immediately after an accident will help protect your rights and strengthen your potential claim. Here’s what you should do:
Safety First
If possible, get yourself and your passengers to a safe location away from traffic. Next, call 911. Report the accident immediately and request medical assistance, even if you think your injuries are minor. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries might not be immediately apparent. Accept medical attention from the paramedics and go to the hospital for a thorough evaluation.
Gather Information
Document everything. Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene from all angles. Capture damage to all vehicles involved, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Get the truck driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, insurance information, and the trucking company’s name and contact information. If there are witnesses, get their contact information as well. Don’t forget to get a copy of the police report when it becomes available so you can share it with your Sugar Land car accident attorney. This official document will be crucial for your claim.
Avoid These Mistakes
- Don’t Admit Fault: Even if you think you might be partially responsible, don’t apologize or admit fault.
- Don’t Sign Anything: The trucking company or their insurance adjuster might try to get you to sign documents. Don’t sign anything without first consulting with an attorney.
- Don’t Give a Recorded Statement: Politely decline to give a recorded statement to the insurance company until you’ve spoken to your lawyer.
- Don’t Post on Social Media: Avoid posting about the accident on social media. Anything you post can be used against you by the insurance company.
Legal Considerations and Complexities – Sugar Land Car Accident Attorney
18-wheeler accidents often involve complex legal issues. Understanding the basics can help you protect your rights.
Negligence
Most personal injury cases hinge on the concept of “negligence.” This means that someone acted carelessly or recklessly, and their actions caused your injuries. In a truck accident, negligence can fall on several parties:
- Truck Driver Negligence: This could include distracted driving (texting, eating), driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, drowsy driving, or violating traffic laws.
- Trucking Company Negligence: The trucking company can be held liable for negligent hiring practices (not properly screening drivers), failing to provide adequate training, pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations, or neglecting proper truck maintenance.
- Other Parties: Negligence could also extend to the truck’s manufacturer for defective parts, a maintenance company for improper repairs, or even cargo loaders if improperly loaded cargo contributes to the accident.
Building a Strong Case – Car Accident Attorney in Sugar Land
To prove negligence and build a strong case, your Sugar Land car accident attorney will need to gather and preserve key evidence, such as:
- Truck Driver’s Logs: Federal regulations require truck drivers to maintain detailed logs of their driving hours. These logs can reveal violations of hours-of-service rules, which can contribute to driver fatigue.
- Maintenance Records: A truck’s maintenance records can show whether the trucking company followed proper maintenance schedules and addressed any mechanical issues.
- Black Box Data: Many commercial trucks have “black boxes” that record information like speed, braking, and steering before and during an accident.
- Drug and Alcohol Testing: If there’s any suspicion of drug or alcohol use by the truck driver, testing results will be essential evidence.
Federal Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets safety regulations for the trucking industry. These regulations cover areas like driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations can be used as evidence of negligence in your case.
Because of the many complexities and the potential for serious injuries, it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney on your side to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong legal strategy.
Support and Experience – Your Sugar Land Car Accident Attorney
At Maida Law Firm, we have a proven track record of success in handling complex car accident cases in Sugar Land and throughout Fort Bend County. We’ll fight aggressively to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. Our team will handle all the legal details, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.