Categories | News & Politics
Article
When Can You Sue a Trucking Company for an 18-Wheeler Accident?
December 8th, 2022
•
News & Politics
•
4 minute read
When Can You Sue a Trucking Company for an 18-Wheeler Accident?
Tyler, TX - Large commercial vehicles account for no more than 10% of all the accidents in the Lone Star State. However, they cause a disproportionately high number of catastrophic injuries and deaths, due to the huge difference in size and weight between an 18-wheeler and a regular passenger car. If you were recently injured or you lost someone in an 18-wheeler accident, you must look up the best Tyler truck accident lawyers as soon as possible. You’ll need someone with lots of experience in such cases to tell you how much your claim is worth and, more importantly, who’s going to pay you all that money.Unlike run-of-the-mill collisions, this is not between you and the trucker. Or not only between you and him. In a crash involving a commercial vehicle, you may have more than one party liable for damages. Even if the accident appears to be the trucker’s fault, the trucking company may also be to blame, in which case they must pay for your losses.Here are a few situations when you may hold both trucker and employer accountable for damages.Driver fatigueTruckers work hard, but in many cases, they break the law to make an extra buck. Under federal regulations, truckers cannot work for more than 14 hours per day. This includes checking the truck, getting the paperwork done, preparing for the trip, and, of course, driving. Under the FMCSA Hours of Service regulations, a trucker can drive for only 11 hours in one shift, and then they must rest for 10 hours. Your Tyler truck accident lawyers will check the data on the driver’s log. If the trucker had been at the wheel for more than 11 hours, your attorneys will want to know why. If it turns out the employer set him an impossible deadline or directly encouraged him to break the law, the trucking company will be liable for your damages.Mechanical failure
Trucks in mechanics bays for service; image by Carlos Daniel, via Unsplash.com.
About Peter Charles
Having graduated from Saint John’s University in 1993, Peter Charles, Chief Operating Officer, brings a dynamic 28-year sales career reflecting pioneering experience and record-breaking performance in the computer and internet industries. He remains on the industry’s cutting-edge, driving new business through key accounts and establishing strategic partnerships and dealer relationships to increase channel revenue. He is currently focused on providing multiple revenue streams for USAttorneys.com. He can be reached at 800-672-3103.