Each year millions of tractor trailers travel across the United States delivering goods from one location to another, sometimes getting into accidents. When one of these trucks crashes, the accidents can be particularly serious given the size of the vehicles.

Tractor trailer accidents occur for many reasons. However, if a tractor trailer accident was caused by a negligent truck driver, then you have the legal right to pursue a tractor trailer accident lawsuit against the driver and company.

This kind of tractor trailer litigation will allow a plaintiff to recoup compensation for property damage, injuries, and other expenses related to the tractor trailer accident.

Causes of 18 Wheeler Accidents

Some known primary causes of semi truck accidents include drunk driving, driving while tired, reckless driving, distracted driving, truck malfunctions, and weather conditions. Additionally, while there are federal laws that limit the number of hours a semi truck driver may spend driving. Drivers sometimes break these laws on their own or are forced by the companies they work for to break these laws in order to earn more money.

According to the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), 3 percent of semi-truck drivers who were involved in fatal trucking accidents allegedly had a blood alcohol content level of .01 or higher during the time of the truck accident.

Here are some other statistics:

• Over 30 percent of 18 wheeler crashes involved some type of driver negligence or error, including speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield the right of way to other drivers.
• 14 percent of truck wrecks during 2010 were reported to have occurred during poor weather.
• 87 percent of fatal head-on semi truck collisions that took place in 2010 were caused by the 18 wheeler crossing the center traffic line, while only 13 percent were caused by the passenger vehicle.

18 Wheeler Accident Lawsuits

If you are injured in an 18 wheeler (semi truck) or tractor trailer accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for economic and non-economic damages incurred because of the truck crash.

Some economic damages that you may be able to claim in a tractor trailer or semi truck accident lawsuit include: past and future medical expenses, property damage, time off from work, and funeral expenses. Some non-economic damages you can claim in a lawsuit can include pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of consortium, among other claims.

When a tractor trailer or semi truck crash occurs, a trucking company may attempt to use its own accident investigators and/or insurance adjusters to build a defense against you and other semi-truck victims or attempt to limit injury compensation.

A truck accident attorney may be able to help you determine who is at fault in a semi-truck collision and also aid you in receiving the compensation you deserve. Sometimes, this can occur by pursuing an 18 wheeler accident lawsuit.