Committed to Obtaining the Best Results for Victims of 18-Wheeler Collisions in Raleigh

The most popular personal-use vehicles in Raleigh are pickup trucks and SUVs, which weigh significantly more than the average car. Yet even the heaviest of these personal vehicles is still at least 10 times lighter than a loaded 18-wheeler. A tractor-trailer with cargo can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while a car might weigh as little as 2,500 pounds.

So, what do you think happens when a truck that is 20-30 times heavier smashes into a passenger vehicle that is engineered to be lightweight to maximize fuel economy? It’s not hard to understand why accidents involving 18-wheelers in Raleigh often result in severe injuries or death.

The situation becomes particularly tragic when a devastating truck accident could have been avoided if someone had only lived up to their obligations. A Raleigh 18-wheeler accident attorney at Martin & Jones sees this all too often. In our extensive investigations, we uncover evidence that a trucking company or another entity associated with the truck failed to take even the most basic steps to protect the safety of its own drivers and others on the road. When that is the case, we fight effectively to secure full compensation for those whose lives have been forever damaged.

Why 18-Wheelers are So Dangerous on the Roads Around Raleigh

Raleigh has grown in population and as a transportation center, and our roads are not designed to carry the volume of traffic that has resulted. The problems caused by this are particularly evident with 18-wheelers, as these vehicles are so large. Consisting of a tractor unit that is about 20 feet long connected to a trailer that is often more than 50 feet in length, 18-wheelers are about 4-5 times longer than passenger vehicles. It takes these long, heavy vehicles much more space to stop and to change lanes. So merging traffic patterns around I-40 and I-440 can be difficult for trucks to manage if the driver is not attentive or the equipment is not performing properly.

Another reason 18-wheelers pose such a hazard is that their configuration creates significant blind spots. To begin with, the 70+ foot-long truck has a blind spot of approximately 30 feet in the lane behind the trailer. Then there is a blind spot extending in a triangular shape for two lanes to the right of the truck cab and back beyond the end of the trailer. To the left, the driver has a blind spot of at least a car’s width and length. There is even a blind spot directly in front of the truck, where you would expect a driver to have a clear line of sight. The elevation that gives the driver a good view of distant objects prevents the driver from seeing vehicles, debris, or anything else in a 20-foot range directly ahead.

The distance required to stop a tractor-trailer is another factor contributing to the danger these vehicles pose on roads around Raleigh. If the driver of a semi-truck needs to stop while the vehicle is traveling at highway speeds in our area, it can take well over 500 feet for the brakes to engage and bring the truck to a full stop. Even when drivers of other vehicles are practicing safe, defensive driving, they can still be hit by a truck that is not properly controlled. The force of the collision can cause almost unimaginable damage and injuries.

Why It Is Often So Difficult to Recover Full Compensation After a Tractor-Trailer Accident

Even though these types of accidents tend to cause horrific injuries, a Raleigh 18-wheeler accident attorney knows that it can be extremely difficult to recover full compensation from those responsible for causing the collision. That is because tractor-trailers are commercial vehicles, and there are usually many corporate interests involved in their operation.

Defense teams take action almost immediately after a collision involving a commercial truck. They often try to pressure the victim into accepting a settlement that is worth far less than the claimant should receive. Or they trick the victim into saying or doing something that shifts liability away from their company. Corporate legal teams may engage in a complex battle over liability that can extend the case. It is extremely important for accident victims to understand how to protect their rights and pursue an effective claim for full compensation, and the best way to succeed with these objectives is to work with a dedicated attorney as soon as possible.

FAQs About 18-Wheeler Accidents in Raleigh

Who can be held at fault for an accident involving an 18-wheeler?

Many parties could be fully or partially to blame for a semi-truck accident, as many entities are involved in the operation of a commercial truck, and each could have contributed to the collision. If the owner failed to keep up a regular maintenance schedule or failed to ensure the driver was properly trained and supervised, the owner would be at fault.

If the company contracted to perform maintenance and did a poor job or used inappropriate parts that failed, the maintenance company could be held responsible for an accident caused by mechanical failure. If the truck was not loaded properly and an imbalanced load made it unstable, the company that loaded the cargo could be liable. A Raleigh 18-wheeler accident attorney could review all the circumstances and determine the parties with potential liability.

What types of financial compensation can I pursue after a serious 18-wheeler accident injury?

You should be able to seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses include factors with a monetary value, such as medical costs and lost wages. Non-economic losses are factors that affect your life in tremendous ways but do not have a monetary equivalent. These factors include pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Amounts recovered for these losses are often significantly higher than amounts provided for economic losses.

What is the first step your firm will take to investigate my 18-wheeler accident?

Every case requires a fresh approach, but generally the first step is to visit the accident scene to document it and preserve evidence. This often involves taking many photographs and measurements and collecting information from witnesses.

What evidence is critical in an 18-wheeler semi-truck accident case?

It is important to gather as much evidence as possible. In addition to photos of the scene and vehicles and statements from witnesses, this includes the police report, maintenance records on the truck, logs of driver actions, footage from traffic cameras, and data from the tractor’s black box.

Get the Help You Need from a Raleigh 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

It is important to act quickly after a tractor-trailer accident to start collecting evidence and to preserve your right to compensation. But it can be difficult to focus on legal recovery while you’re dealing with extensive injuries.
Instead, let a Raleigh 18-wheeler accident attorney at Martin & Jones handle the insurance companies and corporate legal teams so that you can focus on rebuilding your life. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a semi-truck accident, contact our team today for a free case evaluation to learn what your case may be worth and how we can help you secure maximum compensation. To get started, call us at 800-662-1234 or contact us online now.