We at Walton Law Firm, P.C. have successfully handled countless numbers of 18 Wheeler Wrecks, recovering million dollar and multi-million dollar settlements for our injured clients and their loved ones. Furthermore, Attorney Trip Walton is considered one of the premier 18 wheeler wreck Lawyers in the country, speaking at dozens of legal and personal injury conferences across the United States.
How 18 Wheeler Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents
An 18 Wheeler, otherwise known as a Tractor Trailer or Semi-Truck, on average, weighs about 30,000 pounds empty, or up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded. Fully loaded, that’s the equivalent to 1,600 bags of Redi-Mix concrete, 80 grand pianos, or about 19 normal sized cars. Imagine 1,600 bags of concrete, 80 grand pianos or 19 cars barreling towards you at 65 mph.
The impact from an 18 wheeler wreck has 22 times more the force than your average car accident between two average weight passenger vehicles. That’s one scary collision.
While 18 wheelers don’t account for a larger percentage of accidents compared to automobiles, they do tend to create more severe and catastrophic accidents than regular vehicles. Cases involving 18 wheelers may include claims for wrongful death, serious personal injury, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, paralysis and catastrophic property damage.
18 Wheeler, Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts
As our roads continue to expand and traffic increases, the number of large trucks and buses on the roads increase as well. According to the National Safety Council’s latest report, in 2020, 4,842 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash in the United States. That is an alarming 33% increase since 2011. The number of injuries caused by large trucks in 2020 was 147,000. The majority of large truck accidents causing fatalities occurred during daylight hours (63%), in rural areas (54%) and on non interstate roads (73%).
Ready to discuss your case? Contact our experienced team of top personal injury lawyers for a free initial case consultation*
Common Causes of 18 Wheeler Accidents
Even though 18 wheeler accidents are statistically less likely than a standard auto accident, the causes and consequences tend to be drastically different from an accident with a normal sized car. Here are a few common causes of accidents with 18 wheelers:
- Improper training/inexperienced driver
- Reckless Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Improper cargo loading
- Overworked, Fatigued Drivers
Experienced 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys
At Walton Law Firm, we understand the trucking industry and the law, as well as the unique issues associated with these types of cases. We have in-depth knowledge of the trucking laws, including the requirements for logging hours, rest periods, maintenance requirements, training and other requirements. Attorney Trip Walton has spoken at numerous seminars across the country regarding tractor-trailer collisions and related Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler, large truck, or bus, get the professional help you need to achieve justice for your case. Contact one of our experienced personal injury lawyers today.
