Learn What Caused Your 18-Wheeler Accident
Victims of 18-wheeler accidents often want to know the reason for the incident. Semi trucks have computer technology revealing the crash causes, and a lawyer can access this data to uncover the truth.
What Black Boxes Will Tell You About a Crash
Black boxes are computer devices that store data about an 18-wheeler. They’re also one of the most important sources of evidence in a legal claim.
The formal terminology for a black box is an event data recorder (ECR), which saves information about an 18-wheeler at the time of an accident.
The loved ones (spouse, parents, siblings, children and more) of those killed have the right to know why the crash occurred. Additionally, there are thousands more 18-wheeler accidents that don’t involve fatalities — yet do result in significant injuries. The survivors deserve to know what caused the incident.
Who Is Responsible for Your 18-Wheeler Accident?
There are many possible parties responsible for your or your loved one’s accident. The most obvious is the driver, but other potential liable parties include:
- The commercial trucking company
- Manufacturers or distributors of trucking products
- Shippers and loaders of cargo into the 18-wheeler
The most profitable trucking companies often face the most lawsuits, in part due to a higher usage equaling a higher likelihood of an accident occurring. The top 10 truckload carriers based on 2018 revenue were:
- Swift Transportation
- Schneider National Carriers
- J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Landstar Systems
- Prime, Inc.
- Werner Enterprises
- CRST International
- U.S. Xpress Enterprises
- Daseke
- Crete Carrier Corp.
Some companies — such as Amazon Prime, UPS, and FedEx — are considered “less-than-truckload carriers.” These companies use smaller trucks than 18-wheelers but are still dangerous on roads and highways.
Reasons for an 18-Wheeler Accident
The black box should reveal the cause of the accident, which then uncovers the negligible party. The reasons for an 18-wheeler accident include:
Fatigue or intoxication while driving the truck
The driver not following driving laws (speed limit, red lights, stop signs, etc.)
An inexperienced
semi truck driver
The driver texting or talking on the phone
Malfunctioning
18-wheeler parts
Unsafe/unstable
cargo loads
Dangerous weather conditions not fit for
driving an 18-wheeler
Fatigue or intoxication while driving the truck
Malfunctioning
18-wheeler parts
The driver not following driving laws (speed limit, red lights, stop signs, etc.)
Dangerous weather conditions not fit for
driving an 18-wheeler
An inexperienced
semi truck driver
Unsafe/unstable
cargo loads
The driver texting or talking on the phone
Contact a Legal Expert
The easiest way to learn what caused your or your loved one’s crash — and who is responsible — is by speaking with an 18-wheeler accident lawyer.
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