Carlsbad 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer
An 18 wheeler gets its name from the number of rims the truck has. Each rim will have a tire, so the name “18 wheeler” arose quite naturally. Other terms include “semi” truck and “tractor-trailer.” Regardless of the name, these are big vehicles which demand attention on the highway. They deliver goods around California and in and out of the state, and you can see them zipping along the highway and making turns downtown as they pull up to offload freight.
As you can imagine, any collision with an 18 wheeler is disastrous for a motorist or pedestrian. Some 18 wheelers way up to 80,000 pounds, which means they can flatten any car that gets in their way. At Pursley Law Firm, we help accident victims receive compensation following motor vehicle collisions, including those involving commercial trucks. Call us to speak with our Carlsbad 18 wheeler accident lawyer about your odds of receiving money.
Drive Safely around an 18 Wheeler
Collisions can happen anywhere, but the freeway is a common place. Some of the most common accidents include:
- Underride accidents, where a smaller vehicle that sits lower to the ground wedges itself under the trailer.
- Override accidents, where the truck rides up onto a car in front of it, usually because the trucker can’t stop in time.
- Rollovers, where the trailer slides onto its side due to instability or poor traction.
- Jackknife accidents, where the trailer swings out in an uncontrolled fashion, hitting cars nearby.
- Blown tire accidents, where the truck becomes uncontrollable after one or more tires blow out.
If you are hit in a collision, we strongly recommend calling the police and then getting to the hospital. Many people are badly hurt and benefit from prompt medical attention. A truck accident causes some of the deadliest injuries, including spinal column and brain injuries. Other victims suffer fractures, facial injuries, and severe whiplash.
To avoid a collision, we highly recommend that you follow common sense safety tips whenever you see a big rig on the highway:
- Avoid a truck’s blind spots. There are blind spots on all four sides, with the one in the front about 20 feet and the one in the back around 30 feet. When you are in a blind spot, the trucker can’t see you, so the risk of an accident goes way up.
- Give trucks their space. Don’t tailgate or take a long time passing them.
- Call the police if you notice a trucker is erratic. Many long-haul drivers use alcohol or drugs which increases the risk of an accident due to driver error. Others are so exhausted they nod off briefly.
- Exercise caution during inclement weather. Ice and snow are rare in Carlsbad, but any condensation on the road can make the truck hard to control.
Real Compensation for Real Injuries
Pursley Law Firm can review the facts of your accident and analyze whether you can make an insurance claim. When a dangerous or careless trucker hits you, then you have a right to seek compensation for your out-of-pocket expenses, as well as your pain and suffering. Let us explain more in a free consultation with our Carlsbad 18 wheeler accident lawyer.
