Compared to car accidents involving regular sized cars, a commercial truck accident can be exponentially catastrophic.

Because a fully loaded commercial truck, like a semi-truck, or 18 wheeler truck, can weigh at the very least 25 times more than a regular passenger car, the majority of commercial truck accidents result in serious injuries and even passenger death.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a commercial truck accident, you may be eligible to pursue a commercial truck accident lawsuit against the parties responsible, which can include the commercial truck driver, the trucking company, employers, contractors, and even insurance companies.

A truck accident attorney can be a helpful resource in determining your rights and possible compensation due to you after a commercial truck accident.

Dangers and Risks of Commercial Truck Accidents

According to recent statistical reports, commercial truck drivers are generally more careful while driving on the road than automobile drivers in regular passenger vehicles. However, similar statistical reports published by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that in 2006, large commercial truck accidents accounted for 4,995 fatalities and about 106,000 injuries.

In some cases, the commercial truck driver is not at fault in these trucking accidents, as the 18 wheeler accident could have been caused by unforeseen road hazards, bad weather, or even the negligence of other drivers on the road.

Other dangers and risks associated with commercial truck accidents stem from the load the semi truck is carrying. For example, if a truck is carrying hazardous and flammable material, it could cause a secondary injury to all drivers and passengers involved in the commercial truck accident.

Commercial Truck Accident Litigation

Pursuing a commercial truck accident lawsuit involves providing sufficient proof that the trucking accident occurred due to negligence by the truck driver, trucking company, employer, contractor, or other entities.

The commercial truck accident victim must be able to show the following in order to establish liability:

• The defendant (such as the driver, trucking company, or others) owed the injured plaintiff a “duty to exercise a reasonable degree of care,” in order to avoid injuring fellow drivers and passengers.
• The defendant “failed to exercise such reasonable care,” and therefore breached this duty.
• The defendant’s failure to perform reasonable care was the root cause of the plaintiff’s injury.

If you are injured in a commercial truck or tractor trailer accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for both economic and non-economic damages incurred because of the trucking accident. Some damages that you may be legally entitled to claim in a commercial truck accident lawsuit include: past and future medical expenses, property damage, time off work, and funeral expenses.

Additionally, some non-economic damages you can claim in 18 wheeler accident lawsuits include compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of consortium, among others.