What Are the Next Steps Following

An 18-Wheeler Accident?

Getting into an accident with an 18-wheeler is one of the scariest–and potentially most dangerous–situations that any Texas driver can find themselves in. Over 400,000 accidents occur nationwide every year involving large trucks, and recent year averages have shown that about 10 people die daily in an accident with an 18-wheeler or other big truck. These numbers are frightening enough; when you consider the size of the trucks involved, however, you can get an even greater sense of the real risk of severe injury or death that drivers face when involved in trucking accidents.

Dealing with the complexities of a trucking accident lawsuit as you and your family are dealing with the potentially life-changing injuries resulting from your accident can seem overwhelming, but moving quickly and engaging an experienced and professional trucking accident attorney is key to preserving your rights and getting the legal help you need and deserve.

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The Most Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

Professional truck drivers undergo specialized training aimed at ensuring they know and can follow proper safety protocols and regulations to protect both themselves and other drivers on the road. However, too often truck drivers and the companies that employ them cut corners and place profits ahead of road safety. When this happens, an 18-wheeler accident is often not far behind.

One common cause of trucking accidents is fatigued drivers. While truck drivers do have strict guidelines limiting the maximum number of hours they can drive in any period, many drivers violate these hours of service regulations, leading to tired and distracted driving. The shortage of truck drivers in Texas and across the country has lead to many companies hiring truck drivers who are not fully qualified to operate an 18-wheeler, increasing the chances that they’ll lose control and cause a crash.

Problems with the truck itself can also lead to accidents. A failure by the trucking company to keep their fleet of 18-wheelers in proper working order by performing basic maintenance such as brake inspections, tire changes and more can put everyone on the road at risk.

Understanding the Truck Accident Lawsuit Process

Unfortunately, getting into an accident with an 18-wheeler can truly be devastating–particularly since many such accidents occur at high speeds on the highway. A fully-loaded 18-wheeler can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, causing a catastrophic impact with your 4,000 pound car.

Victims of trucking accidents frequently face:

Broken bones

Internal organ injuries

Spinal cord injuries including paralysis

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other significant neurological damage

Loss of a limb

Severe burn

Disfigurement

…and even death

These injures can be life-long and require extensive and expensive medical care, rehabilitation and ongoing support.

trucking accident attorney cesar ornelas

Trucking Accident Lawyer

However, succeeding in a lawsuit against a truck driver and his or her company following a trucking accident can be challenging. In some cases, you may have played some part in the accident; even though you are entitled to compensation if you were less than 50 percent at fault, this can complicate the lawsuit process. Likewise, it’s often the truck driver’s company insurance that pays for your medical bills and other expenses, and insurance companies are prone to try to avoid providing full compensation to trucking accident victims.

All of this is why it’s so critical that you choose the right trucking accident attorney to represent you. At the Cesar Ornelas Law Firm, our team of lawyers has years of experience representing trucking accident victims and is well-positioned to get you the results you deserve.

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