CDL, Semi Truck & Tractor Trailer Truck Accident Lawyers
Semi trucks and tractor trailers cause a large percentage of all accidents in the U.S. each year. Because of the size and weight of these trucks, drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles are at an enormous disadvantage in the case of a collision. At over 10,000 pounds, an 18 wheeler is 4-5 times the weight of a typical sedan. Cars and their passengers can easily be crushed by tractor trailers, causing serious injuries and death. Even worse, lax trucking regulations, aggressive driving, drug and alcohol abuse sometimes contribute to this already-dangerous environment. Using our online resources, take a moment to learn more about trucking accidents with the Truck Accident Lawyers of Davis, Bethune & Jones, LLC. The firm is experienced in all aspects of personal injury & wrongful death litigation, particularly those involving tractor trailers and large commercial trucks.
Tractor Trailers, Danger from...
The circumstances of an accident involving a semi-truck or tractor trailer are different than those of cars and trucks alone. The Truck Accident Lawyers of Davis, Bethune & Jones are experienced in litigating accidents and injury caused by:
- Aggressive truck driving
- Excessive speed
- Aggressive or unsafe lane changing
- Driver fatigue due to long driving segments
- Unsafe truck or failure to inspect
- Truck driver drug or alcohol abuse
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents caused by lack of sufficient bumpers
Trucking Accident Settlements & Verdicts
These verdicts represent just a few of the cases we've successfully litigated against commercial trucking companies for negligence and unsafe conduct.
- Head on Collision with a Commercial Truck - $9.5 million settlement awarded in 2001 to the family of a 15-year-old girl killed when a truck hit the pickup she was riding in.
- Truck Accident Resulting in Amputation - $6.7 million settlement awarded to 38-year-old woman whose right leg and arm were amputated after truck in which she was a passenger lost control and drove off an entrance ramp.
- Compensation for Injury & Wrongful Death - $5.2 million settlement awarded to couple who sustained injuries and suffered the loss of a family member when a tractor trailer slammed into their RV and passenger car on the highway.
Truck Accidents in the News
Unfortunately, crashes and injury reports in the news are all too common:
For those who haven't suffered an injury on the highway, stay safe. Browse pertinent trucking safety regulations we've compiled for review. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact the firm today for a free legal consultation.
Truck Safety & Trucking Regulations
Overview: In April 2003, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) passed new Hours of Service regulations for truck drivers. These rules restrict the number of continuous hours a truck driver may drive without rest and how many consecutive days they may drive. However, many drivers and carriers continue to violate these new regulations, and trucking and shipping companies may be held liable. In addition to driver fatigue, lack of maneuverability of large trucks is another cause of trucks overturning or crashing into other vehicles on the road. "Underride accidents" occur when a car goes under a truck due to uneven bumper heights. While newer regulations require trucks to have bumper height modifications and reflectors, many older unsafe trucks remain in use. Other causes of accidents include driver drug or alcohol abuse and negligent truck maintenance.
Practicing nationwide, the firm understands the unique nature of truck accidents and is proud to help tractor trailer accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers of Davis, Bethune & Jones for qualified, experienced legal representation.
