Longview Truck Accident Attorneys

Billions Won by 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Longview, TX

18-wheeler accidents are the most devastating events on U.S. highways. Trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded and travel at speeds upwards of 55 mph, creating devastating momentum that no pedestrian, cyclist, or passenger motorist could possibly match. That’s perhaps why large trucks make up only 5% of the nation’s vehicles, but make up 11% of the nation’s traffic fatalities. Most of those collisions occur in Texas.

Truck accidents cause catastrophic injuries like:

• Burn injuries
• Neurological injuries
• Blunt force trauma injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Orthopedic injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Our Longview 18-wheeler accident lawyers have a solution: hold trucking companies accountable for the damage they cause. Virtually all trucking accidents are caused by trucking companies cutting corners, either by overworking their drivers, neglecting truck maintenance, or not vetting their drivers thoroughly. By holding them accountable for every accident, we can force them to change their behavior while ensuring truck crash survivors and victims get the money they need to move forward.

The Underlying Cause of Truck Accidents in Longview, TX

According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1 in 7 large truck crashes are caused by fatigue. However, some experts think that data is incomplete. Because truckers don’t self-report how much sleep they’ve gotten just before an accident, there may be even more accidents caused by fatigue. As many as 1 in 4 crashes occurred when a driver had been operating for longer than 17 hours—more than 3 hours above maximum working day and 6 hours above the maximum driving time.

Sleep researchers believe that moderate tiredness impairs driving ability as much as having a drink.

Part of the problem here is the pay-by-mile arrangement most truckers make their living with. Because truckers are paid by the mile, they’re incentivized to drive for as long and as fast as possible. Drivers are told that pay-by-mile is a chance to “make as much as they want.” Instead, pay-by-mile is code for “unpaid for everything else.” Many drivers can work for 12-hour days and end up losing money.

Without pay for duties like driving to pick up new loads, planning routes, waiting for loading and unloading, submitting to rig inspections, abiding by federally-mandated rest breaks, drivers are forced to drive for longer and longer hours. The result is an entire industry made of tired, drowsy, and impaired drivers.

How Is a Trucking Company Responsible for an 18-Wheeler Accident?

Trucking companies are responsible, legally and ethically, for the behavior of their drivers. If a driver is overworked, not vetted, or unfit for driving an 80,000-pound 18-wheeler, the responsibility falls on the trucking company for their hiring or training practices. Holding trucking companies accountable for hiring unsafe drivers ensures that only good drivers get hired.

Trucking companies can be responsible for an accident caused by drivers:

• With poor driving records
• With criminal backgrounds
• With a history of relevant health issues
• Who lack adequate training
• Who break federal trucking rules

Call our Longview Truck Accident Attorneys at (888) 493-1629

Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Longview, TX understand what you’re facing: you’ve been seriously injured, you’ve got a mountain of medical bills, and you’re most likely unable to work. The only way to make sure you have enough to recover your health and rebuild your life is to hold the trucking company accountable for the damage you’ve suffered. It’s also the only way to ensure that what happened to you won’t happen to anyone else.

At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we’ve won billions of dollars for our clients taking irresponsible businesses to court for the harm they cause. We’ve won hundreds of results worth more than $1 million and dozens worth more than $10 million, changing our clients’ lives in the process. For an advocate who’ll fight for what you need no matter what, speak with our firm today.

We take no fees unless we win. Call (888) 493-1629 for free consultation.