Austin 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer

18-wheeler trucks are gigantic. They can weigh 80,000 pounds or more and the damage they can do is similarly immense. Accidents involving trucks can result in millions of dollars in property damage, soaring personal injury medical costs, and loss of life. There are few road accidents that can be as catastrophic as those involving an 18-wheeler truck. Individuals or families who have been involved in an Austin truck accident with an 18-wheeler need the truck accident lawyers at the Loewy Law Firm, a firm with experience going up against trucking companies.

Causes of Trucking and 18-Wheeler Accidents

  • Fatigued truck drivers due to working long hours and-or violation of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations which govern the maximum number of hours a truck driver may operate an 18-wheeler truck
  • Truckers driving under the influence
  • Overloaded trucks
  • Unsecured loads that result in a lost load or spillage
  • Failure to maintain the vehicle including the tires, brakes, or other mechanical parts
  • Failure to abide by the strict regulations for the maintenance of trailers
  • Improperly trained drivers and-or truck company loaders
  • Speeding, recklessness or general truck driver negligence
  • Negligent hiring or negligent retention of a reckless or unqualified driver
  • Distracted driving

Austin Truck Accident Liability

Trucking companies and their insurance companies typically employ damage control professionals who are there to immediately respond to collisions. Their job is to try to minimize the company’s potential liability for injuries caused by negligent conduct.

Knowing what to look for and how to quickly obtain and document any evidence is very important in truck accident claims. A number of actions may be required immediately after a truck accident. These include:

  • Reviewing the “black box” that captures data regarding the operation of the truck including speed, braking, and time driven
  • Examining the truck driver’s activities recorded on GPS systems
  • Investigating required documentation, including the driver’s log books and records of pre-trip and post-trip inspections
  • Obtaining documentation of the load
  • Reviewing the driving history of the trucker, in addition to drug and alcohol tests
  • Requesting vehicle maintenance records
  • Securing photos, witness statements, and police reports
  • Looking into whether the trucking company knowingly hired a driver with a record of reckless driving
  • Examining the accident scene
  • Measuring skid marks and checking vehicle damage

Hire an Austin 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Any number of individuals or entities can be responsible for a trucking accident, including the vehicle’s driver, the trucking company that employs the driver, the shipping company, or the manufacturers of truck parts that are found to be defective. The Loewy Law Firm knows what to look for in determining liability. We have the skills and resources necessary to hold liable parties accountable for accident-related losses, damages or injuries.