While any number of commercial vehicles can be involved in a serious accident, the most common of all are 18-wheelers, also known as tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and big rigs. These commercial vehicles have a trailer, also often known as a cab, for the driver to sit and a long trailer that carries the truck’s cargo.
Under the law, these trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making them much larger and much heavier than passenger vehicles. When they are involved in a crash with these vehicles, the occupants inside the smaller vehicles are at the greatest risk of suffering a serious injury. You can file a claim to recover compensation for your losses after a crash with an 18-wheeler, but do not file on your own. A Fort Lauderdale 18-wheeler accident lawyer can ensure you receive the full damages you deserve.
Our Fort Lauderdale 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Explains Different Types of Accidents
Crashes involving 18-wheelers occur for many different reasons, but they can also happen in a variety of ways. Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers note that the most common types of accidents involving 18-wheelers are as follows:
- Underride and override accidents: These collisions occur when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped underneath an 18-wheeler. A truck driver may stop suddenly, sending a car behind them underneath their trailer. This is known as an underride crash. Or, a truck driver may not stop in time, smashing into a car in front of them and causing them to become lodged under the truck. This type of crash is known as an override accident.
- Jackknife accidents: Tractors are attached to trailers by a device known as a coupling. The coupling keeps the trailer connected to the tractor while the vehicle is in motion and helps the truck to turn more easily. Some situations result in a trailer swinging out very widely and into adjacent lanes of traffic. When this happens, it is known as a jackknife accident.
- Rollover accidents: Tractor-trailers have a very high center of gravity. If the trucker cannot control the truck, a rollover accident may occur, in which the truck falls on its side, placing everyone in the nearby vicinity at risk.
Our Fort Lauderdale 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Can Help with Your Injuries
An accident involving an 18-wheeler will result in very serious injuries. The most common of these include:
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Rib and torso injuries
- Lacerations
- Seat belt injuries
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
Regardless of the type of injury you have sustained or if you have lost someone, a Fort Lauderdale injury lawyer can help you claim full damages.
Why Truck Accidents Happen in Fort Lauderdale
There is no doubt that driving on Fort Lauderdale highways with six or more lanes can be a risky situation for anyone. Yet, with trucks like this, the risk of injuries and significant losses is much higher. Truck drivers and their companies are responsible for keeping everyone on those roadways safe. Some of the most common reasons these accidents happen include:
- Poorly maintained vehicles
- Driver fatigue from too many hours behind the wheel
- Impairment from alcohol or medications
- Speeding or other forms of reckless driving
- Illegal lane changes
- Overloaded or poorly secured cargo
- Manufacturer defects
- Poor repair or maintenance
To learn the cause of any accident, our legal team will pursue records from the truck company and documentation of the vehicle’s history. We fight to find out all of the details so that you know who is to blame in your case.
Why Hire an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer
Victims of an 18-wheeler truck accident often face serious injuries and losses. As a result, they often have complicated claims that typically involve numerous parties. Our attorney will provide you with guidance at every step of the process, getting to the bottom of what happened and why so that you can seek fair compensation.
The following are some of the most important reasons to hire an 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer before you file your claim:
- Determining fault. The truck driver may be one of several parties at fault for your injuries. Others may include the truck owner, the company that loaded it, the manufacturer, and technicians. You need to know who all the parties are.
- Get an accurate claim in place. Keep in mind that the losses you have are your responsibility to document and prove. Yet, most people do not know what all of those implications are. We make sure that you submit a maximum claim.
- Negotiate with the insurance company. Expect our lawyers to fight for you. We speak to them about all of your losses and build a strong claim so that negotiations are fair.
In each situation, our legal team alleviates the risk that you will be taken advantage of in any way. We also bring experience. Our attorneys know the laws related to truck driver training, hours of service, and maintenance that companies must maintain. We will pursue fair compensation for you by seeking out evidence that may not be otherwise available to you. Let us fight for you.
Determine What Your 18-Wheeler Accident Claim Is Worth
With the guidance of our 18-wheeler accident lawyer, you will know what your claim is worth in total based on all the losses you suffered and are likely to suffer in the coming months and years. We look at all ways this incident is hurting you to build a strong claim for you. Some of the most common losses victims have include:
- Medical bills you have and are likely to have in the future
- Loss of wages and benefits from being unable to work
- Financial compensation for loss of earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle and other belongings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of quality of life
With the guidance of an 18-wheeler accident lawyer, we will build an evidence-based claim that documents these losses for you. This way, we can pursue fair compensation for you so you can start rebuilding your life.
Call Our 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Today
18-wheeler accidents are very serious, and before you file a claim, call our Fort Lauderdale 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Rosen Injury Law, P.A. today. Our seasoned attorney will determine what caused your crash and who to hold liable for damages so you collect the full amount you deserve. Call us today at 954-787-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.