Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers

Semi-truck accidents are different. Not only do semi-truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, but the trucking companies have deep pockets and a legal team behind them. Their insurance company will aggressively defend these cases and do whatever they can to limit their liability.

Semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles make up a large percentage of traffic throughout the United States. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were approximately 510,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks in 2019, and almost 30% of those resulted in injury.

There are many important factors to investigate in truck accidents, including scene investigation and insurance investigation. At Keller & Keller, our team has been fighting insurance companies and large corporations since 1936, and we will not stand down. In addition to our zero-fee guarantee and executive treatment at Keller & Keller, our truck accident experience will be critical to your case. Our knowledge of the special laws regulating semi-trucks and their drivers, as well as our ability to locate the potential of “multiple policies,” is what sets us apart.

Most Common Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can be caused by driver negligence, truck malfunction, negligent maintenance of the truck, or a combination of these issues. Again, because of their sheer size, there are many different types of accidents that can result, including:

Rear-end collisions
T-Bone or side-impact collisions
Head-on collisions
Rollover accidents
No-Zone accidents

For more information about what to do after a truck accident, download our free book, Free Truck Accident Guide Book.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Established in January 2000, the FMCSA was created by the Department of Transportation with the goal of reducing the number of injuries and deaths resulting from semi-truck accidents.

Semi-truck drivers and the companies that own the trucks are held to an entirely different standard than other vehicles on the roadway. A quick look at the FMCSA's rules and regulations is evidence enough that your accident will need to be given special consideration, especially with regard to legal implications.

Unique Differences Between Car & Truck Accidents

Size and weight: Trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, which can make them more dangerous in the event of an accident. The size and weight of a truck can also make it more difficult to stop or maneuver, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Damage and injuries: Because of their size and weight, truck accidents often result in more severe damage to vehicles and more serious injuries to drivers and passengers.
Cause of accidents: There are many factors that can contribute to truck accidents, including driver fatigue, improper training, equipment failure, and poor vehicle maintenance.
Legal considerations: Truck accidents often involve complex legal issues, such as determining fault and liability, that may not be present in car accidents. In addition, federal regulations apply to trucking companies and their drivers, which can further complicate legal proceedings.
Insurance: Trucking companies typically carry much higher levels of insurance coverage than individual drivers, which can affect the settlement process in the event of an accident.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Jackknife accidents. Jackknifing is a term used to describe what happens when the back end or trailer portion of a truck swings around and creates a fold or an angle between the trailer and the cab. This happens when truck drivers are speeding or following too closely to be able to stop suddenly.

Underride accidents. Because truck trailers are higher off the ground than most other vehicles on the roadway, cars traveling next to or behind the truck can end up pinned underneath the trailer when the truck stops suddenly. These kinds of crashes are often fatal for the occupants of the car.

Unsecured cargo accidents. A fully loaded semi-truck can carry tens of thousands of pounds of cargo. If the cargo is not loaded and secured properly, it can fall into the roadway. This can be very dangerous if the truck is carrying hazardous material. Another common accident caused by improperly loaded cargo is overturning. When a truck is attempting to make a turn, it may be thrown off balance by improperly loaded cargo in its trailer.

Truck driver negligence. Some of the most common examples of truck driver negligence include aggressive driving, drug or alcohol abuse, inexperience, criminal behavior, speeding, texting while driving, unsafe lane movements, and driver drowsiness.

Failure to maintain the truck. Trucks are driven thousands of miles a week and because of this, it is critical that they are regularly examined and maintained by a trained mechanic. Common problems that can result in serious accidents include brake failure, work tires, defective equipment, improper reflectors and worn out locks and load straps.

Employer negligence. Employers of truck drivers have a legal obligation to ensure that their drivers are qualified. This means that they have a duty to perform random drug testing, conduct background checks, and take measures to ensure that their drivers are properly trained and licensed. Federal and state regulations require that companies annually review each trucker’s driving record, which includes checking for any traffic violations.

Semi-Truck Accident Statistics

Drowsy Truck Driver Statistics

Studies have shown that being awake for a long period of time (18 hours) will leave a driver with the motor reflexes of someone who has a BAC level of 0.08%, putting them at equal risk of crashing.

Commercial trucks account for a small percentage of registered vehicles on our roadways, yet account for an alarming number of passenger vehicle accidents that involve death. (According to a 1999 report by the NHTSA, large trucks accounted for 3% of the registered vehicles on our highways, however, they were responsible for 13% of passenger vehicle deaths.)

Fatigue and drowsy driving are said to be contributing factors in as many as 30-40% of all commercial truck accidents.

A 1995 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) study found that of 107 heavy truck crashes, fatigue was a prominent factor in 75% of the run-off-the-road crashes, with 68% of long-haul drivers and 49% of short-haul drivers suffering fatigue-related crashes.

A commercial truck driver who skips mandated rest breaks and sleeps greatly increases the likelihood of their being involved in an accident due to drowsiness. Additionally, a truck driver's ability to gain proper restorative sleep is affected even if they try to "catch up" on sleep when they have a day off.

Australian research and on-site investigations over the last several years have determined that, overall, one crash in every five truck drivers is due to falling asleep at the wheel and that up to 30% of truck crash fatalities on rural roads are due to sleep deprivation.

The risk of a crash effectively doubles from the eighth to the tenth hour of driving and doubles again from the tenth to the eleventh hour of driving alone. (FMCSA, 2000).