Are semi tractor-trailer accidents viewed differently than other auto accidents?

Absolutely. Semi-trucks are required to carry greater amounts of insurance coverage, i.e., commercial policies. The drivers of these trucks must also meet higher safety standards than other vehicle drivers. Trucks travel in interstate commerce and therefore, are subject to many federal regulations that do not apply to other vehicles. Trucking companies also have responsibility to perform background checks prior to hiring drivers and must periodically evaluate existing employees. Drivers are subject to limits on the number of hours they can drive in a given day, and when drivers exceed this limit they increase the probability of representing a danger to other vehicles. Drivers are also subject to testing for drugs and alcohol, both randomly and in the event of an accident. Violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Act can provide the basis for establishing liability on the part of the trucking company and its driver. Top

What is a "commercial truck"?

A commercial truck is a vehicle used in the course of business and/or for the transport of commercial goods. Examples of a commercial truck include eighteen-wheeler tractor trailers, tanker trucks, delivery vehicles, and other large freight trucks. Top

Who can sue in a truck accident injury or death case?

The injured victim, and in certain instances their spouse. In a wrongful death action the trustee for the family on behalf of all family members can bring a claim or suit against the truck driver and trucking company. Top

Why is a traffic accident involving a commercial truck more likely to cause injury than one involving passenger cars?

A typical fully-loaded large commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Due to this size disparity, and the basic laws of physics, any collision between a commercial truck and another vehicle is likely to result in serious, even fatal injuries. Top

Who can be sued in a truck accident case?

There are many possible defendants in a trucking accident. For instance, the driver; owner of the tractor; owner of the trailer; the company identified on the trailer, even if other than the owner; and driver may all have some liability in your accident. In certain instances, the point of location where the contents were placed in the trailer and possibly the owner of the contents of the trailer may also be held liable. Top

What are the most common factors in collisions between commercial trucks and automobiles?

In general, semi-truck accidents are caused by a combination of a truck's characteristics, performance capabilities(including limits associated with acceleration, braking, and visibility), and the victim's limited understanding of those characteristics. Top

Is investigation important in a truck accident case?

A thorough investigation by an experienced law firm is extremely important in all cases, but even more so in truck cases. Drivers must keep a log and by law may only drive a certain number of hours per day. Therefore, it is important to establish whether the log was properly kept and whether the driver was within the allotted hours of driving time when an accident occurred. Violation of these standards may impose additional liability on the truck. Seeking immediate counsel with the law firm of Keller and Keller will help to ensure that evidence such as this does not disappear. Top

If a semi-truck is carrying a hazardous liquid, and the victim of the accident is now suffering from respitory problems, can the driver as well as the shipper of the chemicals be held liable?

In certain instances, the shipper of such hazardous materials can be held legally responsible if injuries resulted from the type of cargo on the truck. This is especially true if the shipper failed to advise the driver or the trucking company of the hazardous nature of material contained in the freight. Top

Why are expert witnesses important to prove fault in a truck accident case?

Every trucking case should have experts to assist an investigation and to analyze the information for potential testimony on liability. It is also important to employ experts in order to establish that safety inspections and driving logs were properly kept. The law offices of Keller and Keller will work closely with the proper resources to ensure that your accident is investigated fully and in a thorough manner. Top

What damages can I recover, or the survivors of a loved one recover, in a truck accident injury or death case?

In the instance that there is a death associated with this accident, the family would be entitled to damages by way of their loss of care, comfort, guidance, and support provided to the family members by the deceased. In addition, they would be allowed to recover any medical bills and any documented loss wages.

If your truck accident claim only involves personal injury, the injured victim can recover for pain, disability, emotional distress, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, and any uncompensated medical bills.

The law offices of Keller and Keller will be able to help determine the various forms of recovery that you and your loved ones are rightfully entitled to.Top

Why should I hire an attorney if I've been involved in an accident involving a semi-truck?

Traditionally, semi-truck accidents have been deemed the most complicated and aggressively defended cases because of the parties involved, as well as the commercial policy aspect related to these accidents. Most trucking companies are highly skilled at truck accident investigation and claims. Therefore, having knowledgeable and experienced legal representation is extremely important to ensure the proper parties are involved and sufficient negligence is established. By retaining an attorney early in your semi-truck accident case, you will increase the ability to retain valuable evidence that will prove highly beneficial to your case. Top

How quickly should I contact an attorney?

An experienced and knowledgeable attorney should be contacted as soon as possible. Victims that choose not to contact an attorney often find that evidence attributing to the negligence is often lost or destroyed. The longer you wait to retain an attorney, the harder it is for an attorney and their investigators to piece together the facts. The law offices of Keller and Keller are available to you and your loved ones at anytime for a free consultation and legal advice. Top

What should I look for in hiring an attorney in a trucking case?

Experience, knowledge, and understanding are important to every case. Since 1936, the law offices of Keller and Keller have successfully defended its clients and their claims. Because trucking accidents can present unique variables and instances of complicated liability, it is highly suggested that you seek legal counsel that will be able to properly guide you through the legal process. As an AV rated firm, Keller and Keller possess the experience and skill to help determine the best strategy in pursuing your claim. Top

What is the danger associated with driving in a truck's "No-Zone" area?

The "No-Zone" refers to the areas behind and beside a commercial truck, where the truck driver has limited or zero visibility: the left rear quarter, the right rear quarter, and directly behind the truck at a short distance. When a driver is operating a vehicle in any of these areas, they are highly susceptible to an accident. Top

What are some specific examples of the variables found in a semi truck accident?

There are usually at least two insurance policies covering the accident.

An accident with one tractor-trailer could bring in multiple defendants and therefore    multiple liability insurance policies.

A truck driver has a higher standard of care than most.

There is automatic liability for some accidents under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety    Regulations.

Negligent hiring may impose punitive damages on an employer.

Deliberate use of unsafe equipment may substantially increase your award.

A trucking company may not blame someone else for the accident if it operates   
   under a “public franchise.”

There are specific rules on how to load a truck so its contents will not fall off.

A truck has only 10 minutes to set out emergency signals after it becomes disabled.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as the result of a semi truck's negligence, the law offices of Keller and Keller are available to you for a free, confidential consultation with an attorney from our firm who is experienced in handling personal injury claims. You can either contact us by phone at 1-800-2KELLER or through the use of our Free Case Evaluation submission form below. Top

Should you decide to retain our services after the initial consultation, we will work on a contingent fee basis. This means that our offices will only be paid for our services once we make a recovery on your behalf from the insurance company.