Accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks are among the most devastating incidents on the road. With their massive size and weight —often up to 80,000 pounds — collisions commonly result in serious injuries, extensive property damage, and sometimes fatalities. Personal injury lawyer Norm Steiner is no stranger to catastrophic accidents, and having recovered from his own, he uses his unique perspective to advocate for your fair compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an 18-wheeler accident, The Steiner Law Firm, PLLC, is prepared to help you build a pathway toward justice.
The Complex Nature of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Every year, there are nearly 5,000 fatal accidents involving large trucks on the nation’s roads, but a staggering 107,000 are involved in injury-causing crashes. Much like automobile accidents, there are common causes like distracted or impaired driving, poor vehicle maintenance, and traffic violations. But accidents involving 18-wheelers tend to be more complex than car accidents, and they aren’t handled the same way for a few key reasons, such as:
- Multiple Liable Parties: Determining liability can be complicated. Potentially responsible parties include the driver of the truck, the company that owns the truck, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and the manufacturers of faulty truck parts.
- Severity of Injuries: Impacts with an 18-wheeler tend to cause devastating injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord damage, and internal harm requiring long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
- Government Regulations: The trucking industry is governed by an intricate web of regulations from the agencies that cover driver qualifications, service logs, vehicle maintenance, and liability provisions.
- Insurance Companies: Commercial trucking companies often have powerful insurance providers who employ aggressive tactics in an effort to minimize payouts and protect their interests.
How Do Victims Get Compensation?
Although immediate medical expenses are normally extensive, they aren’t the only cost for 18-wheeler accident victims. Injuries are often chronic and life-altering, and victims incur costs for issues like:
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Assistive equipment or services
Getting the damages you deserve requires an airtight claim, which includes thoroughly investigating accident reports, witness statements, and the truck’s service log data and maintenance records. Your lawyer can also collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists to establish the exact cause of the incident and determine liability.
Navigating state and federal regulations governing the trucking and transportation industry is a daunting task. However, retaining an experienced personal injury lawyer will ensure identification all of the violations that contributed to the accident, strengthening your case and the likelihood your damages (present and future) are covered.
Team Up With a New York Personal Injury Lawyer
When you’re in the fight of your life, you need a dedicated ally who takes your pain and suffering personally, transforming it into a just payout. You can count on lawyer, veteran, and competitive boxer Norm Steiner. He used the recovery from his own significant injury to fuel his mission to bring victims like you justice and fair compensation. To begin your case, contact The Steiner Law Firm, PLLC.