18-Wheeler Accident Settlements in Austin

The average settlement for 18-wheeler accidents is generally higher than that for other types of collisions, mainly because damages in these cases can be so extensive, but also because juries are not afraid to hold 18-wheeler companies accountable for their misconduct. It is not uncommon for an 18-wheeler accident to result in serious, catastrophic injuries or even death.

While 18-wheeler accident settlements can vary vastly depending on the circumstances of the case — particularly your role in and responsibility for the accident in question — there are several types of damages you may be able to recover.

• Medical costs. A serious accident often results in medical bills, and in the case of a permanent or catastrophic injury, those costs can be quite high and last a lifetime.
• Lost wages and future earnings. Victims can recover damages if an injury caused them to lose work or reduced their potential for earning. An injury that permanently affects an individual’s ability to do their job may serve as grounds for compensation for future earnings.
• Loss of quality of life. A serious accident can temporarily or permanently alter a victim’s quality of life. In some cases, plaintiffs may be able to sue for their pain, emotional trauma, and general inability to live their life to the fullest.
• Other expenses. Living with an injury may result in additional costs. For instance, injured parties may need to pay others to assist them with day-to-day tasks, such as a grocery delivery service, cleaning service, or transportation provider.

Every accident is unique; however, there are certain contributing factors personal injury attorneys regularly see in commercial trucking accidents. While many commercial truckers are safe, responsible drivers, the nature of the business often leads to excessive risk-taking and negligence, on the part of both drivers and the companies that employ them. These factors may include the following:

• Driver fatigue. It is not uncommon for commercial vehicle drivers to work long hours, with very little time off between drives. Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets guidelines to allow drivers time to rest, some carriers actively encourage drivers to ignore or abuse these rules, resulting in drowsy driving and increased accidents.
• Substance abuse. Driver alcohol and drug use is a contributing factor in a portion of commercial driving accidents. A meta-analysis of worldwide commercial driving studies found that alcohol and amphetamine use was rampant among drivers. These substances inhibit truckers’ abilities to follow safety guidelines, often causing accidents.
• Distracted driving. Distracted driving is a factor in a huge number of motor vehicle accidents, and commercial drivers are not immune. Phone calls, texting, and cell phone use — as well as eating and other distracting behaviors — can sometimes cause commercial vehicle accidents.
• Overweight or improperly loaded vehicles. Eighteen-wheeler accidents can occur when cargo is improperly loaded or secured. Overweight and poorly loaded vehicles can become top-heavy and difficult to maneuver. Inadequately secured cargo can fall, colliding with surrounding vehicles.
• Improper or insufficient training. In some cases, carriers may “train” drivers to abuse safety regulations, or they may fail to offer adequate training for new drivers.
• Reckless driving. Drivers rushing to drop off cargo may engage in risk-taking behaviors behind the wheel, such as speeding or unsafe lane changing. These actions lead to accidents in some cases.
• Negligent hiring. Carriers and other employers often ignore warning signals about past misconduct and put drivers with a history of dangerous behavior back on the roads.
• Poor maintenance. Whether the carrier cannot afford to maintain their vehicles, or would just rather expose the public to danger rather than lose income by taking a truck out of service for maintenance, poor maintenance can lead to disastrous crashes.