18 Wheeler Collision

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If you were involved in a crash with an 18-Wheeler, we are glad you are

reading this! A lot of people don’t survive crashes with 18-Wheelers. 

18-Wheelers are the bullies of the roads. They far outweigh your vehicle.

You would not believe the lengths that many insurance companies and 

their adjusters will go to just to prevent you from seeking legal action on

your behalf when an 18-Wheeler is involved. That’s because 18-Wheelers

are required to carry a lot of insurance, since most of their crashes result in 

severe damage.

SEMI TRUCK ACCIDENT CAUSES

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tracks data relating to truck drivers and truck accidents within the United States. Their studies suggest that the most common causes of Semi Truck crashes include:

• 35% Caused by Improper Maintenance. 18-wheelers should be properly maintained to make sure that they don’t experience a mechanical failure on the roadway. When drivers or trucking companies don’t perform this maintenance, the trucks will often cause accidents. Brake and tire problems are the most common causes of semi truck accidents, accounting for 35% of all trucking accidents.
• 23% Caused by Driving Too Fast in Bad Weather. During rainstorms, snowstorms, or other poor weather conditions, all drivers should reduce their speed and drive carefully. Semi truck drivers who fail to do so account for around 23% of all truck accidents.
• 20% Caused by Driving While Intoxicated. 3% of all 18-wheeler accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Another 17% of semi truck accidents are caused by drivers who took legal, over-the-counter medicines that negatively impacted their ability to drive correctly.
• 5% Caused by Following Too Closely. Semi trucks take longer to stop when braking than other vehicles do. For this reason, it’s imperative for truckers to maintain a very safe following distance. Following too closely accounts for around 5% of all truck accidents.
• Fatigue. If a truck driver goes too long without sleep, it slows their reaction time and may even cause them to fall asleep at the wheel. Truck driver fatigue is usually caused by pressure from their employers; in these cases, the company may be held partially or completely at fault for the accident.

18-WHEELER ACCIDENT STATISTICS

· According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 438,000 semi trucks were involved in accidents in 2014. Of these accidents, around 88,000 led to injuries – resulting in 111,000 injured people overall. The occupants of the trucks made up 23% of those injured, whereas the drivers and passengers of other vehicles accounted for 74% of those injured. Pedestrians, cyclists, and other nonoccupants of motor vehicles made up 3% of those injured.

· 3,744 18-wheelers were involved in fatal crashes, resulting in 3,903 fatalities overall. Of those killed, 17% were in the semi trucks, 73% were in other vehicles, and 10% weren’t in a vehicle at all.

18-WHEELER STATISTICS

• Trucks are often 20 to 30 times heavier than passenger vehicles.
• The huge mass of a truck or bus increases the risk of more severe crash damage, injuries and fatalities.
• Large size and weight increases driving challenges, including acceleration, braking and handling (maneuverability).
• Trucks and buses accelerate more slowly uphill and may gain speed quickly downhill.

While safety is always a shared responsibility for all drivers, riders and pedestrians who share our streets and roads; driving, cycling or walking around large trucks and buses requires extra care. Many road users don’t realize the significance of mass and size when it comes to traffic safety. A tailgating crash between two passenger vehicles may result in a fender bender. However, a similar crash between a passenger vehicle and a large truck or bus may have greater consequences. Size differences greatly affect how truck and bus drivers operate – and all road users should be aware of their unique safety challenges to help keep everyone on our roads safe. 

Safety Tips

• A commercial motor vehicle has large blind spots around all four sides.
• Take extra care in passing and being passed by large trucks and buses.
• Stay out of blind spots when a truck or bus is turning, backing up or changing      lanes.
• Large vehicles need longer following distance to see vehicles behind them. If you can’t see the driver in his or her side mirror, the driver can’t see you. 
• The stopping time and distance for a truck or bus is much greater than that of smaller vehicles.
• Stopping distance increases with a heavy load or in road conditions such as      snow, ice or rain.
• A fully loaded truck traveling in good road conditions at highway speeds needs a distance of nearly two football fields to stop.
• Never suddenly cut in front of a truck as it reduces the truck's allowable safe      stopping distance.
• Trucks and buses can't make sharp turns or maneuver as easily as cars.
• Be extra careful where trucks or buses are dealing with tight spaces such as in work zones, truck stops, parking lots and service stations.
• Pay close attention when trucks are turning right so you don’t get caught in the      “right turn squeeze.” A large truck cannot easily turn right from the right lane and may initially move left to create enough turning space.

The insurance industry has been successful in turning the minds of people against the legal process that will allow you to receive a fair financial recovery for your injuries. They know that verdicts have been affected by this and will offer low-ball, unfair settlements until a plaintiff like you proves that you are willing to go to trial.

Lawyers like us, who have real experience settling these cases and going to trial know how to deal with the hardball tactics of the insurance company.

If you have suffered any major injury in an 18-Wheeler crash, you need to seek out an experienced Texas injury attorney who will guide you through the process while taking care of the tough, dirty work for you. Contact David Frisby, PC in Fort Worth.