Effective Tools in 18 Wheeler Cases

18 wheeler accidents that occur in San Antonio are of a more intricate nature than regular car accidents. These cases often involve catastrophic and fatal injuries. The average person may be unaware of the strict guidelines and regulations a commercial truck driver must follow and therefore if you have been involved in a large truck collision, you should hire a seasoned San Antonio 18 wheeler accident lawyer to help with the investigation of your case. There are effective tools in 18 wheeler cases that must be utilized, and the expert attorneys at Carabin Shaw are here to help.

The most obvious reason an 18 wheeler causes so much more damage than an normal vehicle is their sheer size. Averaging a weight of about 23,000 pounds alone and with the ability to have a hauling weight of 80,0000 pounds, 18 wheelers can wreak havoc out on the roadways. Just imagine something of that size colliding with an average vehicle, which weighs maybe 3,000 pounds – of course the outcome would be catastrophic.

Naturally, with these added risks there comes added regulations to be sure truck drivers adhere to a higher standard of expectations when operating their rigs. Some of them include the amount of time they are able to drive and what they’re allowed to consume when they drive. For instance to combat sleep deprivation amongst drivers, by law a commercial truck driver must follow the 11/14 rule. This is a major regulation put in place to keep all motorists safe. A truck driver may only operate his vehicle for 11 hours out of a 14-hour on duty period. After that threshold is reached, the truck driver must be off duty for 10 full hours before returning to the roadway.

Another no brainer is commercial truck drivers may not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. To protect the safety of the public, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration put in place strict substance screening to be sure commercial truck drivers are staying drug and alcohol free out on the road. Some of the screenings include: pre-employment drug tests, suspicion testing, post-accident testing, random testing, return to duty testing, and follow up testing. Each of these individual tests has a purpose in holding 18 wheeler truck drivers accountable for being sober and level headed on the road.

In addition to knowledge on driver regulations, it is important that your attorney has the effective tools in 18 wheeler cases that are instrumental in successfully fighting these cases. The average citizen might wonder what could be of help in a San Antonio commercial vehicle accident past what meets the eye? A few key things can help fight an 18 wheeler case:

Electronic Control Models: An ECM contains downloadable data regarding the vehicle’s speed. Trucking companies use these to cut costs and monitor the driver’s use of fuel. However, this device can be a powerful tool to demonstrate the companies disregard of prior dangerous behavior.

Motor Vehicle Records: A Motor Vehicle Record provides information regarding the driver of the commercial vehicle and aids in establishing the negligence of the driver. Such records can be used to show a demonstrable past of reckless and dangerous conduct.

Investigators: The research and time in these cases go well beyond the police report. It is imperative to have a team of investigators at your attorney’s disposal to fully prosecute an 18 wheeler accident.

These are just some of the effective tools in 18 wheeler cases that our San Antonio team uses to get you the and your loved ones the compensation you deserve.

As illustrated above, 18 Wheeler cases have so many more aspects to take into consideration than normal car accidents. That is why it is imperative a knowledgeable lawyer is sought out to get you the best results. We here at Carabin Shaw know just how valuable the lives of you and your loved ones are. So in the event you are in an 18-wheeler accident in San Antonio we are here to help you receive the best outcome. Our attorneys here at Carabin Shaw have many years experience in dealing with these types of accidents and we are waiting for your phone call so we may assist you with your case today! Call us anytime at 800-862-1260.