Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

Being injured in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience, but when a crash involves large trucks like tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers the aftermath can be absolutely catastrophic.

At Pepper & Odom, P.C., our attorneys have successfully recovered maximum compensation for personal injury victims and their families following many types of accidents including truck accidents.

We help you understand your rights and take on big trucking companies so you can focus on your healing and recovery.

Commercial vehicle accidents can be deadly

Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other large trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger vehicles, because of their mass; it often causes serious damage when involved in an accident. Their higher ground clearance can result in smaller vehicles under-riding from behind, which often leads to fatalities in car versus truck accidents.

According to the NHTSA, otherwise known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,136 people died in large truck accidents in 2018 alone. The rate of these fatalities has only increased over the years.

Compared to 2020, fatalities in collisions involving large trucks increased by 13% in 2021. The number of fatalities of truck accidents in 2020 was a reported 4,965, which increased to 5,601 the following year of 2021.

In 2021, the overall amount of traffic fatalities for the year showed an increase of 10.5% in reported traffic fatalities of 2020. Between the months from April to July and November to December, the accidents involving commercial and non-commercial trucks carrying more than 10,000 pounds of gross vehicle weight increased, as stated by the NHTSA.

Who is responsible for damages after a commercial vehicle accident?

Cases involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks are usually much more complex than auto accident claims. They require extensive investigation and multiple parties may be liable for damages.

Several parties may be liable for your injuries and losses, including:

Truck driver: Distracted driving, speeding, driver fatigue, and operating a truck while under the influence are often the cause of tractor-trailer accidents. Drivers are required to keep a logbook and document the number of hours driven and breaks. If they fail to do this or are dishonest about how long they have been on the road, they may be liable for any damages caused by an accident.
Trucking company: Commercial trucking companies often put pressure on drivers to make deadlines or skimp on required maintenance and repairs. Improper training and screening can also be factors that leave trucking companies open to liability. If repairs and maintenance are outsourced to a separate company, they may be liable as well.
Cargo handlers: Weight distribution of cargo in a commercial truck that is not loaded correctly may put cargo handlers as part of the negligent party involving a truck accident. Although some trucking companies load trucks themselves, many outsource cargo handling to third parties. If a truck is improperly loaded, cargo can shift and cause a serious crash.
Parts manufacturers: Defective parts can cause engine malfunction, brake failure, and other problems that lead to accidents. If a faulty truck component is to blame for causing an accident, the designer, manufacturer, and distributor may be responsible for damages.