Truck Accident Lawyer Blog : Houston Truck Accident Lawyer & Attorney : Arnold & Itkin Law Firm : 18-wheeler injuries, semi accidents : Texas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso

An 18-wheeler driver in Gray, Georgia recently became the 88th employee in his company's 25-year-old history to complete two million miles of driving without a single accident.

Ken Truman works for Con-Way Freight Company, which currently employs 1,200 drivers. According to management, completing two million miles without being involved in a single accident is a key milestone in the industry. Truman's two million miles is equivalent to traveling to the moon and back 9 times.

Truman, who has been driving since 1998, mentioned several factors that contributed to his impeccable record. As remarkable as his achievement is, it is simply the result of following safe driving practices that 18-wheeler accident lawyers and safety advocates have recommended for years. Truman follows a strict routine before he gets behind the wheel of his big rig to begin work for the day.

• He checks the weather report of his destination.
• He inspects his truck thoroughly. This includes checking the tires, lights, wheels, steering wheel mechanism, and brakes.
• He makes sure that all parts of the 18-wheeler are functioning well and are in perfect condition.
• Once he sets off for the day, Truman drives carefully, regularly checking the movement of other vehicles around him in his mirrors.
• He pays close attention to the speed and actions of vehicles around him. Getting an 18-wheeler to stop or brake takes longer than a passenger vehicle, and so, he is alert to any changes in vehicles nearby.
• He always drives at a speed suitable for traffic and weather conditions.
• He makes it a point to drive a few miles slower than the speed limit because he knows the danger of being in a hurry. Driving under the limit does not slow him down that much, he says, and the end result is a safer road for him and other vehicles sharing the road.
• Truman knows and believes in the value of taking frequent rest and meal breaks to avoid driver fatigue. As he admits, staying alert and awake behind the wheel after driving long hours is the biggest challenge facing a truck driver. He takes a break for meals and rest once he reaches his destination and before be begins the long journey back home.

Trucking Safety

18-wheeler drivers face numerous challenges as they navigate, often, busy traffic on a daily basis. Big rigs are large, bulky and cumbersome, and a driver's job involves seemingly endless hours of driving alone. Even so, as Truman proves, driving in an 18-wheeler can be a safe and smooth experience if drivers make the effort to drive slowly, steadily, and with caution. Ken Truman deserves kudos and we hope more 18-wheeler drivers follow his example. 

If you've been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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Last week, an 18-wheeler accident on a Houston freeway killed a man and his 2-year-old child.

The accident occurred just before 12:30 pm on Interstate 45 and involved a passenger car and an 18-wheeler. Emergency crews that responded to the scene of the tragedy had to use extrication equipment to remove a man and his child from their severely damaged car. Both were taken to the hospital where they were pronounced dead. The man’s wife, who was in the passenger seat, survived and has been admitted to Memorial Hermann Hospital. She is in serious condition.

More accident investigations are needed before officials can find the cause of the accident. Investigators will look into the speed of the 18-wheeler at the time of the crash. Tractor trailers routinely haul heavy loads and are required to keep within speed limits that are lower than those for passenger cars and other smaller vehicles. Also, the driver will likely have to undergo drug and alcohol testing to determine if he was driving under the influence. The truck will also be subject to investigation to determine if malfunctioning parts or components of the truck could have contributed to the accident. Malfunctioning brakes, weak tires, faulty steering wheel mechanisms, and defective head lights are some examples of damaged 18-wheeler components that can contribute to vehicle instability and loss of control.

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

To file claims in an 18-wheeler accident, your 18-wheeler accident lawyer will first have to determine where the liability for the crash lies. There could be a single factor contributing to the crash or a combination of several factors, each of which could have had a role in the accident. Independent investigations have to be conducted; this could take months of probing the trucking company's records, the driver's records, and hiring expert witnesses. All this requires access to substantial resources and the kind of expertise that only a truck accident lawyer who handles these kinds of cases has. 

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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Earlier this month, a New York truck driver was arraigned for his involvement in a fatal truck accident. The man was driving while under the influence of marijuana and, ultimately, crashed killing three people.

Sheraz Khan was held on a $350,000 bail. In January, Khan was arrested in New York and extradited to New Jersey. Last September, Khan, who was driving an 18-wheeler, hauling heavy machinery, drove across a median and into oncoming traffic on Interstate-295 in Cherry Hill. The tractor trailer mowed down a Volkswagen and a box truck. The driver of the Volkswagen, Keller resident, Lawrence Wright, and the occupants of the box truck, Juma Rajab and Renee Lesenko, were killed in the accident. Khan suffered no injuries.

Investigators found smoking paraphernalia and at least 39 pills of methandrostenolone, a controlled substance. According to witnesses at the scene, Khan was traveling at more than 60 mph just before the crash. It seemed, he made no attempt to brake before crashing into the two vehicles. Blood tests taken eight hours after the accident confirmed the presence of marijuana, and a forensic toxicologist verified that Khan had been severely impaired at the time of the accident.

Khan has no known history of driving violations. He was arrested at his West Babylon home and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide.

Truck Accident Lawsuits

A trucker operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a great danger to other motorists. Driving under the influence impacts a person's judgment and slows down their ability to make quick decisions. Trucking companies are required by law to conduct regular alcohol and drug checks on its employees. A big rig who is found to be driving under the influence during an accident can face criminal charges for reckless actions. These actions can also be factors in a truck accident claim filed against the company by your 18-wheeler accident lawyer.

If you have been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, contact the truck accident attorneys at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free evaluation of your case. 

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A New Hampshire man traveling around the country in a horse drawn wagon sustained serious injuries in a Mississippi 18-wheeler accident.

According to reports, 49-year-old Bob Skelding was riding a home-built recreational wagon atop a hill on Highway 45 in Mississippi. Two 18-wheelers were traveling side by side crested on the same hill when one of the big rigs hit Skelding's wagon. The 7,700 lb wagon was built from scratch and was designed much like an RV, complete with a fully outfitted kitchen, a full sized bed, hot and cold water, and other modern conveniences. The wagon was completely destroyed in the accident, Skelding was admitted to the hospital and is, reportedly, in serious condition.

Skelding set off on his custom built wagon on July 28th from Dearfield. He traveled through several states in his wagon drawn by 4 Percheron horses, two of which were killed in the accident. Now, Skelding is focusing on getting back on his feet. Local communities in Macon, Mississippi are setting up fundraising drives for Skelding's expenses as well as the treatment costs for the two surviving horses.

The exact cause of the accident will be revealed only after an investigation is complete, which could take months. Investigators will probably look into the driving behavior of the two truck drivers in the moments before the crash. They will likely probe whether the tractor trailers were speeding or racing at the time of the accident and whether this caused one of them to lose control and smash into Skelding's wagon. Police have already concluded Skelding was ejected from the front seat during the accident. According to officials, it is legal to drive horse drawn vehicles on a highway in Mississippi.

Truck Accident Lawsuits

Speeding, reckless overtaking and tail gating are dangerous in a passenger car; such driver negligence in an 18-wheeler, however, is only amplified and can cause serious and even fatal injuries to those around. In order to determine liability for the accident, a truck accident lawyer will likely conduct his own investigations into the drivers' conduct as well as the trucking companies' safety records.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a big rig accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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Two different pairs of 18-wheelers were involved in a multi-vehicle accident on a snow covered highway in Utah last week, near the border of Beaver County and Iron County. At least 7 people were hospitalized with injuries and one infant was reportedly killed in the crash.

According to reports, the pile-up was initiated after an 18-wheeler and a car collided. Moments later, another 18-wheeler headed in the same direction crashed into the rear of the first big rig. The accident led to a traffic block and several other accidents were reported. Soon after the initial pile-up, two other 18-wheelers jackknifed behind the vehicles that were already clogging Interstate 15. Utah Highway Patrol has confirmed that one infant was killed in the accident and 7 people were hospitalized with minor injuries.

A major disaster was averted by rescue crews after one of the 18-wheelers involved in the accident began leaking fuel. That truck contained 1,000 gallons of fuel, all of which had to be emptied from the truck before the highway could be reopened. According to Utah Highway Patrol officers, the roads were slick and slippery due to a snow storm earlier that day. Officers are pointing to this as the most likely cause for the accident.

18-wheeler drivers are required to drive, not only according to posted speed limits, but also taking into account the weather and traffic conditions on the road. Snow storms and heavy rains have lashed several parts of the country in recent weeks. These have left wet, slick roads in their wake and have made driving conditions more dangerous for motorists and for. For 18-wheelers, driving slowly and cautiously on slippery road surfaces is extremely important. These large vehicles are prone to jackknifing and, when they lose control on a slippery road, they create dangerous conditions for vehicles around them. During bad weather conditions normal speed limits for 18-wheelers should be ignored and drivers should slow down to ensure they retain control over their vehicles.

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Filing claims for damages in a Utah truck accident or any 18-wheeler accident requires the expertise of a truck accident lawyer who can determine the amount of your claim and get you the resources you need.

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free evaluation of your claim.

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A Delaware woman suffered injuries in an 18-wheeler accident on February 5th when her car was rear ended by a big rig.

The woman was stopped at a red light, in her Mazda, when an 18-wheeler rear ended her. The impact of the accident pushed the Mazda approximately 90 feet from the point of impact, causing minor injuries. The 18-wheeler, meanwhile, traveled more then 300 feet after the crash before it finally came to stop. The New Jersey driver was not injured in the accident and has been cited for following too closely. Investigations in the accident continue, the exact cause of the accident will be released later, however, it appears that the driver was being reckless in following the vehicle too closely and possibly, driving too fast for traffic conditions. Speed limits for 18-wheelers are often lower than speed limits for other vehicles because big rigs are more difficult to maneuver and stop in the event of an emergency. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries in this accident, but the scene would have been entirely different if there had been passengers in the back seat of the car. In a situation like this, most of the impact would have been absorbed by the back seat passengers, possibly leading to serious injuries and even death. 

Truck Driver Negligence

Driving above the speed limit, or at speeds inappropriate for traffic or weather conditions, is one type of driver negligence. A big rig driver is required, not only to maintain speed limits, but also slow down when he approaches a congested spot, a stop sign etc. Other forms of poor driving behavior that can contribute to an 18-wheeler accident are tailgating or following a vehicle too closely, drifting between lanes, and other forms of reckless driving.

Claims in an 18-wheeler accident can include not only the driver, but also the trucking company that employs the driver. An 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

If you have been injured in an accident with a big rig, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free evaluation of your case.

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The driver of an 18-wheeler in Chester County, South Carolina fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his big rig into a wooded area. All involved managed to escape with no injuries.

The driver, Robert Cummings, was on Interstate 77 when it seems he nodded off at the wheel. The18-wheeler veered off the highway and into the woods, slamming into a bridge and cutting through brush. The truck also hit a few trees before finally coming to a halt in a pasture. Cummings appeared to be in a state of shock after the accident and was taken to the hospital and later released. Firefighters who arrived at the scene of the accident say he is extremely fortunate to have escaped with no serious injuries. The truck was not carrying hazardous material and luckily there was no oil spillage. Cummings, meanwhile, has been charged with driving too fast for existing conditions.

It is extremely fortunate that there were no other vehicles involved in accident and that no serious injuries resulted. Chances of surviving with minor injuries in an accident where an 80,000 pound 18-wheeler is out of control are slim at best.  A new federal rule mandating the number of hours a truck driver can work consecutively came into action in January this year. It increases the number of work hours a trucker can drive consecutively from the previous 10 to 11 hours. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's rule mandates a 10 hour rest period before the start of a 14 day work period, with no more than 11 consecutive hours of driving. Truck safety proponents and truck accident lawyers have long argued for a return to the older 10-hour rule, because of the risk of fatigued drivers dozing off at the wheel and causing accidents. The rules also have implementation issues that need to be sorted out, for instance, it is a fact in the industry that drivers manipulate log books in order to work longer hours. The more hours a driver works, the more he earns; but this frequent illegal action has not been taken into consideration by the new rule. 

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Damages in an accident caused by driver fatigue can be claimed from the driver's trucking company. In order to place responsibility for the accident on the fatigue factor, an 18-wheeler accident lawyer will have to inspect the company's log books. The far-too-common practice of maintaining two separate log books – one official and the "real" one – must be ruled out before driver fatigue can be eliminated as a factor in the accident. 

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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Emergency medical crews that responded to the scene of an 18-wheeler accident in Dallas, Texas on January 30th were not expecting the sight that greeted them - a big rig was on top of a Toyota Corolla and one of its rear wheels was touching the chest of the car driver.

It took fourteen emergency vehicles hours to extricate the driver of the Toyota Corolla. The man suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the Harris Methodist Hospital in Dallas; he is said to be in critical condition. The other passenger of the car and the big rig driver managed to escape the accident with no injuries.  According to the female passenger, the two of them heard a crash and the next thing they knew, they were pinned under the 18-wheeler. Investigators say they will look into the possibility that the driver of the big rig failed to notice the car as he changed lanes. That can sometimes happen when an 18-wheeler is sharing the road with other, much smaller vehicles; because of the driver's elevated position, cars that are too close behind the big rig  may be in a blind zone, not visible to the driver. Of course, we do not yet know if this was the case. The Sheriff's Department has confirmed that they will conduct a full investigation of the 18-wheeler accident, including administering alcohol and drug tests to the driver and checking for any mechanical failures on the truck that may have been responsible for the crash.

Investigating a Truck Accident

A truck accident can result for a number of reasons, ranging from driver fatigue resulting from overwork, to failure of the trucking company to maintain the truck properly. It can also be the result of a combination of factors. That is why investigations of causes of an accident  should begin immediately, so vital evidence can be isolated.

When a victim of an 18-wheeler accident decides to pursue claims for damages, their truck accident lawyer will also initiate investigations to ascertain liability. There may be more than one party that holds accountability for the accident and all of these parties should be investigated. All of this requires financial and technical resources and only a large, experienced law firm will have access to these resources.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a big rig accident, contact an experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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On January 19th, a new federal trucking rule went into effect and has stirred up a longstanding debate on consecutive trucking hours and how they impact the 18-wheeler accident rate.

The Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued its final decision on trucking hours, extending truck driver work hours from the previous 10 hours to 11 consecutive hours within a 14 hour window from the beginning of the work day. Before the start of the work day the driver must have at least 10 hours of rest. The rule was issued in 2004, but legal challenges delayed its enforcement until now. The trucking industry has vigorously championed the new rules, claiming studies show that driving more than 10 hours consecutively does not pose a higher risk for accidents. These studies also include statistics that say the number of big rig accidents has fallen consecutively in the past three years; 2005 saw 5240 deaths from 18-wheeler crashes compared to 4808 in 2007.

Not surprisingly, the industry is against reverting trucker hours to the older, 10-consecutive-hour rule. However, truck safety proponents and truck accident lawyers will continue to protest the new rules, which place motorists at undue risk. Truck safety proponents have discounted the studies cited by the trucking industry and suggested that more litigation will be in the works if the Obama administration does not re-evaluate the new rule. Safety groups face strong lobbying from the trucking industry that stands to lose more than $2 billion a year if the work hours are reduced.

Profits for the trucking industry should not come in the way of endangering motorists. The trucking industry cites studies it has conducted itself, in controlled conditions; these are, simply, insufficient. The new rule does not take into consideration the fact that, often, truck drivers manipulate log books in order to work longer hours. More studies should be conducted and the rule should be evaluated by the new administration to ensure that profit motives of the industry do not compromise the safety of motorists. 

18-wheeler Accident Claims

Driver fatigue is one of the biggest causes of truck accidents and is often due to drivers' manipulation of log books, so he can work more than the stipulated hours. It takes solid expertise and years of experience litigating truck accidents to pursue a claim against a trucking company or other parties responsible for an 18-wheeler accident.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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The driver of an 18-wheeler has been sentenced to 364 days in jail for killing 3 children when his big rig crashed into a mini-van on a California freeway in 2007.

The driver, Jorge Miguel Romero was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter in August 2008 after the horrific big rig crash that killed Kyle, Emma and Katie Coble. The accident took place on the I-5 freeway as the children rode in the back seat of the vehicle. Traffic had slowed down and the mini-van stopped in line waiting for the line vehicles to move ahead. Romero, who was approaching the stalled traffic, was unable to stop in time and his big rig crashed into the Coble's mini-van. The 3 siblings, all under the age of 5 were killed; their mother and grandmother, the front seat passengers, sustained minor injuries. 

In the days and weeks after the 18-wheeler accident, the local Ladera Ranch community and the Cobles have pushed for changes in the trucking industry. Investigations of the accident revealed inaccuracies and inconsistencies in fleet inspection records maintained at the trucking company that employed Romero. During the trial, his defense lawyers claimed his accident was the result of Romero not being able to stop in time to avoid the mini-van. The judge was willing to buy that explanation, especially because Romero had been working more than the stipulated number of hours in the days before the accident. Romero admitted that he had fabricated his company log books in order to work more than the hour allowance. However, the judge also believed that particular stretch of freeway was one Romero used often, and that he should have been aware of any problem spots ahead.  Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, was also faulted by Romero’s lawyer for ignoring calls for an additional lane at the Oso parkway off-ramp. An extra lane could have helped unclog the freeway and prevented this accident.  The Cobles, have filed a lawsuit against the trucking company and Caltrans.

It definitely appears that there was negligence by more than one party here - the driver who was negligent by driving at an unsafe speed, considering he was driving at a known problem spot, the trucking company that turned a blind eye to manipulation of the log books, and Caltrans for failing to construct an additional lane, thereby contributing to an unsafe road design. Very often, truck accidents are the result of a number of factors, all coming together to contribute to a devastating accident. In such cases, each party can be held accountable for negligence that contributed to the accident.

Pursuing Truck Accident Claims

The truck accident lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP have expertise in litigating damages claims related to 18-wheeler accidents, and have the resources necessary to pursue claims against truck drivers, state and local agencies, trucking companies and other parties that may have been responsible for the accident.

If you have sustained injuries in a big rig accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP to discuss possible compensation.

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Proposed legislation in Florida, in memory of the victim of an 18-wheeler accident involving a driver who was text messaging, got a boost last week when a safety group called for a complete ban on cell phone use by drivers.

Last week, National Safety Council President Janet Froetscher compared talking on a cell phone while driving to driving under the influence of alcohol, saying the two are equally hazardous.  Cell phone use – including talking, text messaging or sending emails – has been a silent, but deadly killer, contributing to an increasing number of accidents every year. Studies have shown that the distraction caused by cell phone use behind the wheel impairs a person's driving ability to the same extent that driving while intoxicated does. In recent years, across the country, there have been several high profile auto and truck accidents linked to the motorists' use of cell phones while driving. Most of these accidents resulted in severe injuries and fatalities. Yet, only 6 states have passed legislation placing serious restrictions on the use of cell phones behind the wheel. Currently, California, New Jersey, Washington, Connecticut, New York and Utah ban the use of hand held cell phone devices while driving. However, no state enforces a complete ban on all cell phone use behind the wheel.

The call by Froetscher has not gone unnoticed by lawmakers and truck accident lawyers, who are also calling for greater restrictions on cell phone use by drivers. The proposed law is called “Heather’s Law” and is named after Heather Hurd who died in an 18-wheeler accident in 2008, when a big rig driver crashed his vehicle into 10 cars that were stopped at a traffic signal. The impact killed Heather instantly. Investigations later showed that the driver of the 18-wheeler was text messaging at the time of the accident. Since then, Hurd's parents have been campaigning to ban cell phone use by motorists, and to get the bill (Senate Bill 172) passed. The bill would impose restrictions on using cell phones for talking or text messaging, with some exceptions for hands free devices and emergencies.  Florida has no existing rules related to cell phone use by motorists, so it may be over optimistic to expect a complete ban on all cell phone use behind the wheel.

Cell phone use by any motorist is dangerous, but when the driver of an 18-wheeler is distracted by text messaging, the potential for serious accidents is great. Most auto safety rules were formulated before cell phones became such an integral part of American life. Now that they are here to stay, it's important to revise existing laws in order to eliminate one of the biggest sources of distraction for all motorists.

Driver Negligence

Using a cell phone while driving is only one way 18-wheeler drivers can be negligent, contributing to serious accidents.  Pursuing claims in a big rig accident where the truck driver was distracted by cell phone use can be difficult. It is left, then, to investigation officers and truck accident lawyers to examine drivers' safety records and other information to prove truck driver negligence.

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold and Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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In an early morning accident in Baton Rouge, Florida, an 18-wheeler attempted to make a turn onto the interstate and rolled off the onramp; fortunately there were no injuries. 

The driver attempted to turn onto I-110 from Florida Boulevard, miscalculated the turn, and fell off the ramp. Fortunately, because of the early morning hours, there were no vehicles in the area the big rig landed. No injuries have been reported. Fuel from the 18-wheeler, however, did spill onto the road; crews performed an emergency clean up of the area. There is no detailed information on the causes of the accident. 

As truck accident attorneys, we constantly come across cases in which driver negligence contributes to a collision. No matter what the conditions of the road; weather conditions, time of day or night, or the kind of traffic around, a truck driver must exercise great precaution while operating a vehicle. Due to its massive size and weight, an 18-wheeler is difficult to navigate and requires specialized techniques when backing up and turning. For instance, a big rig requires a large turning radius which must be accounted for, by the driver, when making the turn.  Even a minor miscalculation can result in catastrophe. In this particular accident, there seems to have been a miscalculation when defining the turning radius. In a case like this, it is also prudent to assess the driver's fatigue level at the time of the accident. Drivers who work long hours without adequate rest may be prone to making such mistakes.

It is fortunate that this accident did not result in any injuries or casualties. If there had been any vehicles in the area when the big rig rolled off the ramp, the resulting injuries could have been catastrophic.

Truck Accident Litigation

Pursuing damages claims in a truck accident can be an intensive process requiring the conduct of independent investigations to ascertain responsibility for the accident. At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our truck accident lawyers have years of expertise and experience litigating successful big rig accident lawsuits around the country. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a big rig accident, contact an 18-wheeler attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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11 people narrowly escaped what could have been a disastrous 18-wheeler accident in California when the driver of a big rig lost control of his vehicle and crashed into several other vehicles north of Los Angeles on December 31^st. All 11 people sustained injuries in the accident, some of them very serious injuries.

The accident occurred at about 1 in the afternoon, and according to reports, the weather conditions at the time were foggy. The driver of the 18-wheeler lost control of the truck, crashing into at least 11 vehicles on Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles. The big rig finally came to a stop at a center divider. At least four people injured suffered from serious injuries and were airlifted to nearby hospitals. Reports say that the driver told police that the brakes failed on a downhill stretch of road. Police are investigating the cause of the accident and will focus, primarily, on the condition of the brakes at the time of the crash. There is also speculation that the foggy conditions at the time of the accident could have affected the driver's visibility.

Causes of Big Rig Accidents

If the brakes are found to have failed, it wouldn't be the first time poor truck maintenance has contributed to a crash involving one of these massive machines. Due to the sheer volume of loads they carry, and their massive size, 18-wheeler trucks are more prone to wear and tear than your ordinary passenger car. That is why federal trucking regulations call for regular inspections of semis and require trucking companies to conduct regular maintenance to make sure that all components of the 18-wheeler are in good working condition. With a tractor trailer combination there are various malfunctions that can occur – brakes, lights, reflectors, tires, and the steering wheel – could have serious, possibly fatal repercussions for motorists on the road. Investigations in the Los Angeles accident will also reveal if the driver exercised proper care while driving in adverse, foggy weather conditions.

Whether an accident is caused by malfunctioning parts, driver negligence or driver fatigue, any person who is injured in a collision with one of these massive vehicles may be eligible for compensation for their injuries. The 18 wheeler accident attorneys at Arnold & Itkin LLP specialize in representing persons who have been injured in big rig accidents. 

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in an accident involving an 18 wheeler, contact an 18 wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation. 

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Driver inattention, coupled with slippery roads created prime conditions for an 18-wheeler accident in Iberville Parish, Louisiana. One person was injured in the accident that involved two trucks, besides an 18 wheeler.

According to one report, a tree-cutting truck was on its way from Texas to Florida through Interstate 10, after clearing up Hurricane Ike damage. It had been raining for a few days, and the roads were slippery. Following the truck was an 18-wheeler truck filled with 150 gallons of diesel.   The driver later confessed after the accident that he had let his attention wander while he was at the wheel of the big rig. The 18-wheeler slammed into the truck sending it spinning and toppling it over on its side.   The impact punctured the fuel tank of one truck, spilling diesel everywhere. Another 18-wheeler on the highway clipped the truck which was lying overturned. By the time the destructive sequence of events had ended, there was diesel and lumber debris scattered all across I-10.

Neither of the two 18-wheeler drivers was injured in the accident, although the driver of the tree-cutting truck had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. The highway was closed for hours, while crews cleared the debris and set the overturned truck upright.

Driver inattention can be a result of truck driver fatigue, multi-tasking at the wheel, or just plain negligence. In any case, it's lethal for a driver of an 18-wheeler to be less than 100 percent in control and focused while he is driving.  Fatigue is one of the most common reasons why a truck driver's attention may slip while at the wheel. Federal trucking regulations specify the consecutive number of hours that a truck driver can spend at the wheel of a truck, as well as the rest periods that he must have to recover between shifts. This is why truck driver logs are maintained, so a driver can have records of the number of hours he drives.

Driver Fatigue Can be a Factor in Truck Accidents

Given the number of hours that truck drivers work, and the amount of time they spend alone on the road and away from their families, it's no surprise that truck driver error caused by inattention, fatigue, or stress is an important factor that causes truck accidents.  This is precisely why there are laws that govern a truck driver's work and rest hours – to prevent the possibility of accidents due to driver fatigue. 

In the event of an accident, an 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer will review driver logs and other records to determine the number of hours the driver had been working just before the accident, and the rest periods that were afforded him. An experienced truck accident lawyer can undertake these investigations to make sure that responsibility for the accident can be placed where it is due.

If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident, contact an 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.

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The dangers posed by speeding 18-wheelers were brought home to a Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana family, when a 70-year-old man was killed in an accident involving a semi truck on December 8^th. Police are still investigating the causes of the accident.

According to this report, Dorris Morris was driving north on I-49, when his Toyota Camry was rear ended by the 18-wheeler. The impact drove both vehicles off the road and into a tree. The semi truck ended up on top of the Toyota. Morris was declared dead at the scene of the accident. The driver of the 18-wheeler, Lorenzo Hurst, was ticketed for careless operations, and toxicology tests were conducted.

Investigations will eventually point to the causes of the accident, and how much at fault Hurst was in this crash. Unfortunately, all too often, 18-wheeler drivers work long hours, and are under tremendous pressure to deliver loads. This leads to drivers navigating highways at unsafe speeds, and driving aggressively to fill their log books for the day.  Besides truck driver fatigue, there may be other reasons for truck accidents like alcohol and drug use or speeding, which become monumentally more dangerous behaviors when it’s the driver at the helm of an 18-wheeler you're talking about. Poor maintenance and faulty repairs of trucks, which typically run for thousands of miles a year, and use of poor quality or defective parts in the truck can also cause malfunctions that lead to serious accidents.

Anytime an 18-wheeler is involved in an accident with another vehicle the consequences can be catastrophic for the driver of the smaller car. When a tractor trailer of the size that was involved in this accident ends up on top of a car, there's precious little hope that the driver and passengers inside will survive the crushing impact. Passenger cars are built and tested to withstand the impact of other cars of their size. They have little protection when they are involved in an 18-wheeler collision. 

In 2007, close to 413,000 large trucks were involved in accidents in the country, and a total of 4,808 people were killed in these. A large majority of the fatalities–close to 80 percent – were driving or sitting in the other vehicle. It's just an example of how poor the odds of survival are for drivers or passengers involved in an accident with these massive trucks.

Truck Accident Litigation Can be a Long and Expensive Process

Proving liability when you've been involved in an 18-wheeler accident is a lengthy process. Unlike in a passenger car accident, there is more than just the truck driver who may be liable. A trucking company may provide inadequate driver training and poor record keeping, the company that manufactured the truck, any company that was involved in the maintenance and repairs of the truck etc. All these potential factors have to be investigated to isolate the cause and liability for the accident.

That’s why pursuing civil litigation in an 18-wheeler crash requires the expertise of specialized 18 wheeler accident lawyers who litigate these types of cases regularly. A general accident lawyer may not have access to the investigative resources that a truck accident lawsuit requires. If you've been injured or lost a loved one in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free evaluation of your case.

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