Tractor-Trailer Accidents: Find Out if You Need a Lawyer

Tractor-trailer accidents can be catastrophic, often resulting in severe injuries and significant property damage. Due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles, collisions with smaller cars can be devastating, leading to long-term consequences for victims. 

If you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor-trailer accident, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options. Why? The aftermath of a tractor-trailer accident can leave you with mounting medical bills, serious injuries, damaged property, and a waking nightmare of other consequences. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, however, you may be entitled to compensation to cover those expenses—as well as your pain and suffering.

Find out more about these accidents below, and when you’re ready to take your first step toward justice, contact Morgan & Morgan. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.

Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Understanding what leads to tractor-trailer accidents can help prevent them and determine liability when they occur. Some of the most common causes include:

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers often work long hours to meet delivery deadlines, leading to fatigue. Even though federal regulations limit driving hours, some drivers may violate these rules, increasing the risk of accidents due to drowsiness or delayed reaction times.

Distracted Driving

Using mobile devices, eating, adjusting in-cab electronics, or other distractions can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road, leading to deadly accidents.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Due to tight schedules, truck drivers may speed or drive aggressively to reach their destinations on time. However, excessive speed increases stopping distances and reduces reaction time, making accidents more likely.

Improper Loading

When cargo is not properly loaded or secured, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unbalanced or jackknife. Overloaded trucks can also have longer stopping distances and increased risks of rollovers.

Mechanical Failures

Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial, but some companies cut corners to save costs, endangering everyone on the road.

Poor Weather Conditions

Rain, snow, fog, and ice can make driving dangerous. Trucks require longer stopping distances, and poor weather can exacerbate this issue. Drivers must adjust their speed and handling accordingly.

Driving Under the Influence

Some truck drivers may use drugs or alcohol to stay awake for long hours, impairing their judgment and reaction times. Impaired driving is a leading cause of fatal accidents.

Failure to Follow Traffic Laws

Running red lights, failing to yield, improper lane changes, and ignoring road signs are common violations that contribute to tractor-trailer accidents.

Common Injuries in Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Due to the size disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, injuries from these accidents tend to be severe. Some of the most common injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

TBIs can result from the violent impact of a truck accident, leading to cognitive impairments, memory loss, and long-term disabilities.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, significantly altering a victim’s quality of life.

Broken Bones

The force of a tractor-trailer collision can break bones, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Internal Injuries

Organ damage and internal bleeding are common in truck accidents and can be life-threatening without immediate medical intervention.

Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries

Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward, causing neck strain. Soft tissue injuries can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues.

Burns

Fuel leaks or fires following a crash can cause severe burns, often requiring skin grafts and extensive treatment.

Amputations

In some cases, injuries may be so severe that a limb must be amputated, significantly impacting a victim’s ability to work and live independently.

When to Pursue a Lawsuit

If you’ve been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you may be entitled to compensation. 

Consider pursuing a lawsuit if:

• You have sustained significant injuries requiring medical treatment.
• The accident resulted in permanent disability or loss of income.
• The trucking company, driver, or another party was negligent.
• You are facing overwhelming medical expenses and other damages.

Who Is at Fault in a Tractor-Trailer Accident?

Determining fault in a truck accident can be complex, as multiple parties may be liable. Potentially responsible parties include:

The Truck Driver

If the driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or under the influence, they could be held accountable.

The Trucking Company

Employers may be liable if they fail to enforce safety regulations, improperly train drivers, or encourage unsafe practices.

The Cargo Loading Company

If improper loading contributed to the accident, the company responsible for securing the cargo could share liability.

The Truck Manufacturer

Defective brakes, tires, or other mechanical failures could make the truck manufacturer responsible for the crash.

Other Drivers

If another driver’s reckless actions caused the truck to lose control, they could be partially or fully liable.

Proving Negligence in a Truck Accident Case

To succeed in a lawsuit, you must prove negligence. This requires demonstrating:

• Duty of Care: The defendant owed you a legal duty to drive safely.
• Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to uphold their duty, such as by violating traffic laws.
• Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries.
• Damages: You suffered measurable losses, such as medical bills and lost wages.

Evidence that can support your claim includes:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Truck driver logs
• Black box data from the truck
• Maintenance records
• Surveillance footage

Potential Damages in a Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawsuit

Victims of tractor-trailer accidents may be eligible for various types of compensation, including:

Medical Expenses

This covers hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and future medical treatments.

Lost Wages

If your injuries prevent you from working, you can claim compensation for lost income and diminished earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

This includes compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Property Damage

You may be reimbursed for vehicle repairs or replacement if your car was totaled in the accident.

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one was killed in a truck accident, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support.

Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Tractor-trailer accidents are among the most dangerous and complex types of crashes. If you have been involved in such an accident, seeking legal counsel from experienced attorneys like those at Morgan & Morgan can make a significant difference for your claim. 

At Morgan & Morgan, our team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims and securing the compensation they need and deserve to move forward with their lives. 

For over 35 years, we have fought For the People and recovered over $25 billion for personal injury claims. As the largest personal injury law firm in the nation with offices in every state across the country, we may have a tractor-trailer accident lawyer near you who can help.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation to explore your legal options and take the first step toward justice.