18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer

18 wheeler trucks are a crucial element in the national economy. They carry imports and exports throughout the country. Without 18 wheelers, our economy would likely be limited to items manufactured in local regions.

But without 18 wheelers, our roads would also be safer. In 2017 alone, a total of 4,761 people were killed in accidents involving 18 wheeler trucks throughout the United States. In addition, there were about 116,000 people injured in these types of accidents in 2015.

Why are 18 wheeler truck accidents so dangerous? It comes down to simple physics. The average sedan weighs just over 3,000 pounds. Pickup trucks come in at about twice that, while the average SUV falls in the middle at 4,800 pounds. Yes, these vehicles are heavy. But they’re nothing compared to a fully loaded 18 wheeler, which max out at 80,000 pounds — which is about 13 to 26 times the weight of average consumer vehicles.

That means when an 18 wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. In addition, the bottom of trailers is often at the same height as the windshield of a sedan or other small car, meaning the car’s crumple zones often don’t help in the event of an 18 wheeler accident.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an 18 wheeler accident, Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers can help. Our lawyers have decades of combined experience helping truck accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Give us a call at 800-559-5741 or contact us online today to speak to an 18 wheeler accident lawyer.

How Much Is My 18 Wheeler Accident Case Worth?

It’s difficult to give even a general dollar amount for how much your case may be worth without first knowing the details of the accident. Some cases we’ve taken on have been worth tens of thousands of dollars, while others were worth considerably more. In every case, however, we consider the economic and noneconomic damages you may have suffered.

Economic damages deal with the real monetary losses you may have suffered due to the 18 wheeler accident. These damages are typically easy to prove since you will probably have invoices, receipts, bills, and other evidence. Economic damages include medical bills, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, and more.

Noneconomic damages are more unclear. That’s because they have nothing to do with the money you lost. Instead, they have to do with the physical and emotional pain you suffered. Noneconomic damages include physical disfigurement, pain and suffering, permanent or temporary disability, mental anguish, and more.

In some instances, you may also be able to sue for punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish the person responsible for the wreck. Typically, you have to prove that that person acted with wanton recklessness or intentional misconduct. These criteria can be difficult to prove since most cases happen because of negligence, so punitive damages aren’t assessed too often.

A Look at Negligence

Because most 18 wheeler truck accidents happen because of negligence (either by the driver, the trucking company or some other party), it’s important to know what negligence is. Legally, negligence occurs when a person acts in a way that a reasonable person wouldn’t, and therefore causes injury.

In order to prove negligence, four elements are required:

Duty of care: Truck drivers have a duty to follow all traffic laws and trucking regulations to avoid causing an accident
Breach of duty of care: If a truck driver does not follow the rules and laws surrounding their profession, such as if they drive too much without rest, and they cause an accident, they are said to have breached their duty of care.
Causation: You must be able to show that any injuries or losses you suffered were the direct result of the 18 wheeler accident.
Real damages: Finally, you must prove that you suffered real damages because of the accident. This is typically easy to prove, as you may have property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and other real losses.

What Is an 18 Wheeler, Exactly?

Technically, an 18 wheeler is another name for a tractor-trailer. This means it’s the combination of the cab or the truck itself, as well as the trailer it’s hauling. However, 18 wheelers are also commonly referred to as semi-trucks (which technically only refers to the truck, not the trailer) and semi-trailers (which refer to the trailer itself, not the truck).

When a semi-truck carries a semi-trailer, it becomes a tractor-trailer or 18 wheeler truck. As the name suggests, when a semi-truck and trailer come together, it presents a total of 18 wheels and tires on four axles. The very front of the truck has an axle with one tire on each side for steering. There are two additional axles on the back of the semi-truck with two tires on each side. In total, the truck itself has 10 wheels and tires.

A typical semi-trailer has two axles at the rear, with two tires on each side of each axle. This adds up to eight wheels and tires on the trailer, and 18 total tires and wheels on the combined truck and trailer. In some cases, there may be more the 18 wheels on a combined truck and trailer. This is usually only the case if the truck is carrying something especially heavy. However, 18 wheels are the most common configuration.

Call Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers Today to Speak with an 18 Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney!

18 wheeler truck accidents are often devastating. They cause severe (and sometimes fatal) injuries, leading to weeks of lost wages, mounting medical bills, and other expenses. In addition, you may become permanently disfigured, you might suffer a disability, and your life could be changed forever.

Trucking companies know how serious these accidents can be. That’s why they have teams of lawyers on hand representing their interests. As such, it’s crucial you have an 18 wheeler accident lawyer on your side who has the skills and experience to successfully represent yours.

Give the attorneys at Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers a call at 800-559-5741 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation.