Over 500,000 trucking accidents occur every year in the United States, and the injuries sustained by survivors are usually catastrophic. Of these accidents, approximately 5,000 result in fatalities. In fact, 18-wheeler trucking accidents account for one of every eight traffic deaths in the country. Juan Hernandez Law P.C., a seasoned Dallas trucking accident attorney, can help you if you or a loved one has been injured or killed by a tractor trailer.

The sheer size of an 18-wheeler or other big truck generally means that damages will be much greater than in passenger car accidents. 80,000 pounds of steel, traveling at any highway speed can often injure or kill you when it hits your automobile.A typical, fully-loaded, large commercial truck can weigh over 80,000 pounds, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3,000 pounds.

There are many reasons for so many 18-wheeler accidents. The push for speed and efficiency by the trucking companies and the deregulation of the industry are both factors. Drivers are also typically required to work long hours with little, and perhaps no sleep.

Large trucks often break the speed limit in order to deliver goods quickly. The size of an 18-wheeler can also prevent its ability to make sudden stops.

Because they are so dangerous, many laws and safety regulations have been written to protect the public from 18- wheelers. Semi-trucks and trailers are supposed to pass rigorous inspections and the drivers are supposed to be well-trained and have limits on how long they can drive without rest.

However, often when a tractor-trailer is involved in a wreck, an inspection uncovers problems – like worn-out brakes or brakes out of adjustment. The truck drivers are often found to be tired and in violation of various safety regulations.

Trucking companies are sometimes pressed to find good drivers, so they end up putting dangerous drivers behind the wheel. Other times trucking companies put scheduling demands on drivers that cannot be met without violating federal law. And sometimes trucking companies have been known to do the unimaginable – put a dangerous driver in a truck that can’t pass inspection and demand that the driver drive for more hours than allowed. When this occurs, the Juan Hernandez Law Firm, serving clients in Dallas area trucking accidents, Texas truck wrecks, and clients across the county, can protect your rights and make sure the trucking company is held accountable.

When you or your family member is hurt or killed by one of these trucks, a thorough investigation can uncover the facts. The 18- wheeler will need to be inspected, some times through obtaining an immediate access to the scene. Photographs and documentation of physical evidence should occur. Hopefully, you have the opportunity to retain an experienced Dallas trucking accident attorney who has dispatched and accident re-constructionist to the scene within 48 hours. This is necessary because you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries by bringing a legal claim against the responsible parties.

Immediately after a Texas accident involving a truck such as a tanker, tractor trailer, semi or 18-wheeler you should first take care of any injuries you sustained. The next thing you should do, as soon as possible after the accident, is contact an attorney.

When talking to the police or other law enforcement, while it is important to be truthful, keep your comments to a minimum. Especially DO NOT apologize, admit anything, tell the other driver his employer will pay for everything or make any other comments about the accident or your injuries. You do not want to risk damaging your Texas truck accident case down the road.

Call 911 to report the accident. Many state laws require that you report an accident right away. Leaving the scene of an accident without waiting for the police to come is a crime in most states. Reporting the accident is also important if someone has been injured and needs immediate medical attention.

It is best to seek medical attention quickly, even if you are not sure that you need it. You may be dazed or confused from the accident and not be aware of your own injuries. It is important to make sure that you have not sustained any serious injuries, or if you have, that you are seen by a doctor or other health care professional immediately.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Dallas truck accident, or a Texas truck accident, it is important to contact a reputable truck accident trial attorney as soon as possible. If you would like to file a lawsuit, it is critical to have an attorney begin investigating the accident and preserving evidence so that it is not lost.