Trucking is one of the biggest industries in the United States today. Every day, thousands of 18-wheel tractor-trailers share Texas’s roads with passenger cars, smaller work trucks, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. These large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and stand over 14 feet high. When an 18-wheeler collides with a 3,000-pound passenger vehicle, the results can be devastating or even deadly.
As a result, cases involving large truck wrecks differ from ordinary car accident cases. Texas attorneys with experience handling 18-wheeler truck accident claims understand these differences and use them to the advantage of their clients.
Here are just a few of the special considerations and risks that injured motorists and their attorneys must account for when tackling a truck crash case:
- Truck drivers are subject to special rules. Federal regulations govern how long a commercial truck driver can drive before taking a break, what drivers can consume, and what they are allowed to haul. It’s important to know whether a driver was following the rules when an accident occurred.
- Trucks are also subject to special rules. Commercial 18-wheelers are inspected regularly and must meet certain minimum safety requirements. Companies are also examined regularly for compliance.
- The truck’s “black box” may capture key information about a crash. Large trucks are often equipped with a “black box” recording device that keeps track of key data, like changes in velocity, engine functions, or whether the driver slammed on the brakes at a crucial moment. Gaining access to the data recorded by the “black box” can reveal crucial information about how an accident occurred.
Overcoming the traumatic aftermath of a truck wreck can seem overwhelming or even impossible, but with a strong legal team on your side, you can obtain the money you need to begin rebuilding your life. Call Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP at (214) 231-0555 for a comprehensive case evaluation today.
