Why You Need a Lawyer After an 18-Wheeler Accident

Posted on Sun Jul 11, 2021

Getting into a motor vehicle crash with a tractor-trailer can be an overwhelming experience. Unfortunately, for many people, this type of wreck is a reality that families must live with every day. If you or a family member are involved in a trucking accident, you should not rely on the insurance company to act in your best interests. In this difficult time, only an experienced big truck lawyer can do that for you.

Truck Accident Statistics

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Data Loss Institute (IIHAHDLS), 4,102 people lost their lives in truck accidents in the U.S. in 2017. Of those, 68% were occupants of the smaller vehicle in the truck crash. Trucking accidents account for the deaths of 11% of all people killed in motor vehicle accidents, and the numbers are trending upward, not down.

As for injuries, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in 2016, an estimated 119,000 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks or buses, and many of these injuries were serious.

Truck Accident Injuries

When an 80,000-pound rig collides with a smaller vehicle, the odds are not good that the occupants of the other vehicle will walk away unscathed. Survivors of these collisions have a long road ahead of them, and many will never completely recover. That means trucking accident survivors may require long-term care with special equipment or accommodations. The following catastrophic injuries are common in truck accidents:

  • Amputations

  • Loss of eyesight or hearing

  • Internal injuries

  • Multiple fractures

  • Paralysis

  • Severe burns

  • Traumatic brain injury

In some cases, truck wreck victims do not survive from their injuries, which may mean family members can file a wrongful death suit. Other victims may require years of rehabilitation and may never work or live independently again.  

Trucking Accidents and Insurance

After a truck accident, the trucking company’s insurance adjuster will probably contact you to discuss a settlement. Never agree to any settlement without contacting a truck accident lawyer. It is in the interest of insurance companies to settle for as little as possible. What sounds like a generous settlement may not prove sufficient to care for a truck wreck victim’s long-term needs.

Contact an Attorney

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you need the services of an experienced truck accident lawyer. Our experienced personal injury attorneys know how to conduct truck accident investigations, which include police reports, witness interviews, an inspection of truck maintenance records, and the hiring of experts to determine how the accident occurred. We fight hard for our clients, so they may receive the compensation they deserve. While some cases are settled, we are always prepared to go to court. Call us at 256-539-7575 to arrange a free consultation.