Blog

According to an article on 18-wheeler accident statistics by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), large trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than a typical passenger vehicle. In addition, semis take up to 20-40 percent longer to come to a complete stop than the average car. When you combine the mass and braking distance difference with the amount of clearance under the trailers, you have a recipe for underride accidents. 

Underride accidents happen when a smaller car collides with a tractor-trailer, sliding underneath the big rig. These types of crashes may contribute to the high number of fatalities and grievous injuries that happen to the occupants of passenger vehicles. According to the IIHS, 96 percent of vehicle occupants killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler were people inside the smaller vehicles. Another startling statistic is that 2018 18-wheeler accidents comprised 11 percent of all fatal crashes. 

Abilene 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

In a city like Abilene, you have significant thoroughfares like I-20 and U.S. Highways 277 & 84. Busy highways like these will have heavier traffic, and many residents of Abilene use these roads to get back and forth to work or run errands. If the infrastructure of these roads can’t handle the added traffic, accidents are inevitable. When these busy roads go under construction to handle the increased traffic, or for routine repairs, the chance of deadly accidents may arise. While many factors contribute to 18-wheeler accidents, like road conditions, driver error will likely be the leading cause.

Truck drivers spend hours behind the wheel, and road hypnosis and fatigue can lead to deadly collisions. No matter what causes the wreck, these crashes have the potential to change a victim’s life drastically. In the blink of an eye, you can lose a loved one or suffer a catastrophic injury that leaves your family reeling. Lost wages and mounting hospital bills can leave you wondering what steps to take on the path to recovery. That’s where The Galbreath Law Firm can help. 

People injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Abilene, TX, could have an uphill battle ahead of them. The company insuring the truck driver involved in the accident may fight to keep from paying a fair settlement or deny that the driver is liable for the damages. Insurance companies strive to make a profit, and they can employ tactics that help them to save money.

For instance, they may offer a low settlement or beat around the bush in hopes that you will accept an unfavorable deal for you but save them money. If you have an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney to help you through the process, you can increase your chances of getting fair compensation. The Galbreath Law Firm has a proven track record of taking the fight to these big companies and winning. Contacting us is the first step on the path to recovery. 

Odessa 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Odessa has been a staging point for the oil industry for several decades. Anytime there is an oil boom, the population is bound to increase. As with any growth, the demand for supplies and consumables increases with the size of the city. It stands to reason that more and more 18-wheelers will travel to and through the area. If more and more large trucks are bringing in more and more supplies, the chances for an 18-wheeler accident in Odessa will rise, as well. Since I-20 runs through the city, the trucks will tote loads into the city and cities close to Odessa. Another consideration to discuss when talking about oil booms is that since more and more trucks are needed to carry supplies, more truck drivers are needed to operate the big rigs. 

Any company that employs commercial truck drivers may be held responsible for the actions of their employees. One of the most prevalent causes of 18-wheeler accidents is driver error. Many factors can contribute to this number, with inexperience and fatigue being two. If you need to talk to an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney in Odessa, contact us and let us help you. As members of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we have proven on many occasions that we can get the compensation you deserve for your losses. 

Pecos 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Pecos is another place that has a lot of traffic for a relatively more minor town. With Interstate Highway 20 running through it, you have the same problems as the towns mentioned above. One difference in the 18-wheeler accidents in Pecos, TX, is that you also have U.S. Highway 285 running through the area and I-20. Regarding wrecks involving large trucks, 285 has a reputation for being a deadly highway. This road stretches from Pecos to Denver, Colorado, primarily through rural areas. While you are driving on U.S. 285, there’s not much to see regarding scenery. When a road is flat and goes on for miles and miles, you can get road hypnosis quickly. This condition has other names like ‘White Line Fever” or “Highway Hypnosis,” but no matter what you call it, you enter into a state where you unknowingly operate your vehicle. If you have ever driven home, typically in the evening, and passed through towns that you don’t remember, you have possibly experienced this phenomenon. Experts believe that when you have mastered a task, your body can perform it while your mind is preoccupied with something else, called automaticity. For instance, you may drive home and begin thinking about a project for your home or work and devise a list of things you must prepare.

Automaticity can occur to workers on an assembly line or people doing repetitive tasks like knitting. No matter what the cause or name that you want to give it, the fact is that drivers doing this action are not entirely concentrated on the task at hand. Distracted driving is a problem that is on the rise since cell phones have become so commonplace. Truck drivers are no exception to this, either. We all know that accidents happen, and they are unplanned. However, even if a person doesn’t mean for something to happen, it doesn’t mean they can’t be held liable for their neglectful or careless actions. The biggest problem with 18-wheeler accidents is that their mistakes have long-lasting repercussions for their victims. 

The Galbreath Law Firm can help you fight back if you’ve been in an 18-wheeler accident in Pecos, Texas. We can take the fight to the insurance company and push back against any unfair tactics they may employ. The catastrophic injuries that happen after a semi-truck wreck can last a lifetime, and you need to make sure that you fight for proper compensation. Contact us if you need an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney.