Who Is Responsible for My 18 Wheeler Accident?

In Dallas, 18 wheeler accidents happen every day. Accidents that involve big rigs are more dangerous than standard car accidents because of the size and weight of 18 wheelers. They’re especially harmful to drivers of passenger vehicles, who can be catastrophically injured and even killed in 18 wheeler accidents. Dallas ranks fifth in traffic fatalities out of the 25 largest cities in the United States.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18 wheeler accident, you should consult a Dallas truck accident attorney. The Texas 18 wheeler accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw believe in helping victims and their families through tragic times. We always do everything in our power to help our clients receive just compensation, which is why we’ve won over $1 billion for those we’ve served in the past.

18 wheeler wrecks are different from car wrecks because multiple parties can be held liable for the accident, not just the driver. If you’re an 18 wheeler accident victim, it’s important to ask, “Who is responsible for my 18 wheeler accident?”

The following parties can be potentially liable for your damages in a Dallas 18 wheeler accident:

One of the most commonly liable parties in a trucking accident is the truck driver. When a truck driver breaches their duty of care on the road through reckless actions such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or driving fatigued, they can be held liable for damages in your case. Talk to Dallas personal injury lawyers if you believe the truck driver caused your accident.

In addition to the truck driver, the trucking company can be found at fault for an 18 wheeler accident under certain conditions. If the driver was acting within the scope of their employment, the trucking company can be held liable under the legal theory of “respondeat superior.”

Also, if the trucking company acted negligently by requiring their driver, for example, to drive over the hours of service limit set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), they can be sued for the damages you suffered.

Sometimes, neither the truck driver nor the trucking company is responsible because a defective product causes the accident. If a tire blows out well before its warranty and forces the driver to lose control of their vehicle, for instance, the manufacturer can be held liable. Faulty product cases can be complicated, which is why you should work with a seasoned attorney.

18 wheelers require routine maintenance to remain safe and fully operational on the roads. When a mechanic cuts corners or does a negligent job repairing an 18 wheeler, it can have disastrous consequences.

When you’re filing a lawsuit, you and your lawyer need to hold the correct party accountable to win damages. Let a Dallas truck accident attorney review your case and help you determine the at-fault party.

Because of their construction, 18 wheelers can cause accidents in a variety of ways. The following are different types of 18 wheeler accidents that can cause serious injury to victims in Dallas:

• Jackknifes
• Rear-ends
• Head-on collisions
• Rollovers
• Spilled cargo
• Blindspot accidents
• Tire blowouts

Talk to our team at Carabin Shaw about the type of injury you experienced due to your accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in an 18 wheeler accident, our Dallas personal injury lawyers can be there for you. The Texas 18 wheeler accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw have nearly three decades of experience fighting for victims of 18 wheeler accidents to get them the compensation they rightfully deserve. We care about our clients, which is why we’ve been named a top 10 law firm in client satisfaction.

For a free consultation, call 800-862-1260 or fill out our online contact form.