In the United States, there are approximately 2 million big rig trucks. Nationally, about 500,000 accidents involving 18-wheeler trucks occur yearly. Of those accidents, an estimated 5,000 result in death. Of these fatalities, 98 percent are the death of the driver or a passenger of the vehicle other than the 18-wheeler involved.
Large, heavy truck accidents cause approximately 130,000 injuries every year in the U.S.
18-wheeler accident injury rates in the Greater Houston area are particularly high. Texas has a high number of annual injuries and fatalities resulting from 18-wheeler accidents. In most years, the number of fatal 18-wheeler accidents approaches 300, and there are over 2,000 related injuries.
- For every 15,000 trucking accidents, there are over 2,000 injuries and nearly 300 deaths.
- Put another way, this is about one injury for every seven accidentsand one death for every 50 accidents.
When 18-wheeler are involved in accidents with passenger vehicles, they frequently result in serious of injuries or death. If you or someone you love has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you need an experienced Texas truck accident attorney on your side to fight for you every step of the way.
At McKay Law, we have been representing victims and families throughout Texas, Sulphur Springs, and the Greater Dallas & Houston area since 1985. Based in Sulphur Springs, we can get to the scene of your accident quickly, independently investigate and maximize the value of your case for past, present and future damages and losses.
We’re on your side. Contact us at (214)-440-3930 or email our team to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
More 18-Wheeler Accident Information
- Federal & Texas Trucking Regulations
- Facts & Statistics About 18-Wheeler Crashes in Texas
- Causes of Trucking Accidents
- Serious 18-Wheeler Crash Injuries
- Get a Fair Settlement for Your Truck Accident Injuries
Tractor Trailer Accident Facts
There are more than 10 million large trucks on America’s roads, and many of them are trailed by tractors carrying massive cargos. These trucks and their trailers can weigh 20-to-30 times as much as your average car. That means that accidents involving tractor-trailers can do 20-to-30 times as much damage: a scary thought.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2017, tractor-trailers were involved in 61.3% of fatal large-truck crashes. Even more disturbing, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses increased by 40% between 2009 and 2017.
If you or a loved one were injured in a collision involving a tractor-trailer, you may be able to recover significant financial compensation. Keep reading to learn how a McKay Law personal injury lawyer can help.
Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents
The risk factors for tractor-trailer accidents are similar, but not identical, to those of car crashes. Some common causes of these accidents include:
- Truck driver inattention
- Truck driver fatigue (truckers can make more money by driving longer hours/more miles)
- Truck driver under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Excessive speed
- Equipment failure or poorly maintained equipment
- Improperly loaded cargo
Tractor-Trailer Accident Injuries
The injuries sustained in tractor-trailer accidents can turn a person’s life upside-down — or end it. In 2017, 4,761 people were killed in large-truck crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: a 9% increase over 2016 (4,369). In 72% of these fatal crashes, the person who died was not the truck driver but an operator or occupant of the other vehicle.
Some of the most common tractor-trailer accident injuries include the following:
- Neck and back injuries (whiplash, herniated disc, etc.)
- Head injury/concussion
- Broken bones
- Cuts
- Burns
- Internal bleeding
- Death
Proving Negligence
If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident and believe the truck’s operator, owner, manufacturer, or another party was at fault, you might be wondering how to go about proving it. “Negligence” is the legal term for liability or responsibility in an accident. Proving liability generally involves satisfying the following criteria:
- The tractor-trailer operator owed you a duty of care. They were responsible for operating the tractor in a safe manner, and they failed to do so.
- They breached their duty. The tractor-trailer operator (or another party) breached their legal obligation to avoid harming you.
- Their breach caused the accident. The other party’s actions were responsible for the accident, making them legally liable.
- There were losses suffered as a result. The other party’s actions caused you injury (physical or emotional) and/or property damage.
Potential Damages
If you or a loved one were injured in a tractor-trailer crash, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy
- Loss of life’s enjoyment
- Funeral expenses
Speak to a Tractor Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at McKay Law. Our highly skilled attorneys can review the facts of your case to determine liability for your injury and help you collect financial compensation during this difficult time. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no cost to get started, and we get paid only if you win.
Call us today at (903) 999-2653 or submit your case online to schedule a free consultation.
