What Should I Do If I’m the Victim of an 18 Wheeler Crash?
Tragedy struck our state earlier today when a man was killed and a woman injured in an 18 wheeler crash on Interstate 40. Per WRAL-TV, the tractor-trailer wreck happened in the eastbound lanes of I-40 in Johnston County.
Prior to the deadly collision, which happened in the early morning hours, the car was stopped on in the roadway on I-40 with its lights off. After the 18 wheeler crashed into the car, it was sent off the highway and into a wooded area next to the interstate. The force of the collision ejected the driver from the vehicle.
The driver died at the accident scene. The woman escaped the wreck with non-life-threatening injuries, and the truck driver was not injured in the crash. As of this writing, the primary cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Who Can Be at Fault for an 18 Wheeler Crash?
Until an investigation has been completed, it can be tough to determine who is to blame for a truck wreck. In many cases, truckers, trucking companies and truck manufacturers are at fault for 18 wheeler accidents for reasons including but not limited to the following:
- Truck Driver Error – A trucker who has violated hours of service rules and is driving drowsy, for example, could fall asleep at the wheel. Also, truck drivers do not always receive proper training before they’re allowed to drive an 18 wheeler, which can result in truck wrecks due to inexperience. Other mistakes truckers can make behind the wheel include drinking and driving, speeding, drugged driving and distracted driving.
- Improper Maintenance – Truckers and trucking companies have a responsibility to make sure that 18 wheelers are properly inspected and maintained before they are allowed on the road. If they don’t, it can result in truck crashes due to issues like brake failure, tire blowouts or electrical system problems. It’s also important that trucks are loaded correctly, because an imbalanced load can lead to rollover accidents.
The trucking company and its insurance provider will likely have investigators on the scene right away.
If you’re injured, they may even approach you in the hospital. They deal with wrecks such as this every day and will be gathering evidence to make a case against you. Do not talk to anyone from the trucking company or their insurance provider until after you have spoken to an experienced truck accident attorney.