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Semi-Truck & 18 Wheeler Accidents

Located in Louisiana, Irpino Law handles 18 wheeler accident injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you are not required to pay for any fees or services if you do not receive money in a settlement or jury verdict.

To schedule an appointment for your free consultation, call the semi-truck accident attorney experts at Irpino Law today. Located in Louisiana, you can contact Irpino Law toll-free at 1-800-750-0529 and leave a message at any time.

What Information You Need

If you have been involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler, which is also known as a semi-truck, we recommend compiling the following:

  • Driver, passenger and witness information (Names, addresses, and telephone numbers)

  • Photographs of vehicles and property damage (if applicable)
  • Additional paperwork pertaining to the accident

We strongly encourage anyone who has been involved in an 18 wheeler accident to locate an attorney that will suit your needs and ensure that you receive help for your injuries.

Why You Need an Attorney

18 wheeler accidents that are caused by blowouts, truck driver violations, and unsafe loads are common and result in a significant number of personal injury and wrongful death claims every year. Even though there are cases where truck drivers are negligent, most trucking companies are aware that collisions involving an eighteen wheeler can result in a lawsuit, so they often train truck drivers in what they should do and say after an accident to avoid being held responsible.

The reason why accidents with 18 wheelers can be fatal points to the difference in weight between an 18 wheeler and a car. Typically, an eighteen wheeler weighs more than sixteen times the weight of a passenger car. Even though federal trucking regulations state that truck drivers cannot be on the road if they are fatigued or sick, many drivers are on tight schedules. It is not uncommon to find a sleep-deprived truck driver behind the wheel of an 18 wheel semi. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation can lead to a loss of attentiveness, which may result in an accident. As a result, semi-truck accidents that involve an 18 wheeler often result in life-changing injuries or death.

Federal trucking regulations also provide penalties for truck drivers that do not adhere to traffic laws. A truck driver can be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle, like an 18 wheeler, if they are convicted of a serious traffic violation. Because a semi truck driver’s career is often on the line, we have seen too many cases in which a driver simply lied to the police about the cause of an accident. Trucking regulations define a serious traffic violation as: reckless driving, driving fifteen miles per hour over the posted speed limit, following another vehicle too closely, or changing traffic lanes when it’s unsafe to do so. The possibility of losing their license is sometimes sufficient motivation for truckers to give police a false account of the accident involving their semi.

The height and heavy duty construction of semi trucks make it difficult for insurance adjusters and police officers to investigate the scene of an accident. In a major collision with a car or pick up truck, an 18 wheeler may sustain little to no damage while the car could be totaled. However, insurance adjusters are required to assess damage to each vehicle — including the 18 wheeler — in order to evaluate an accident claim before making a decision. Photographs of the vehicles involved in the accident not only help show the force of the collision, they also provide a clear picture as to what happened.

These are just a few of the reasons why it’s essential for accident victims to work with an attorney who understands how to investigate 18 wheeler accidents and hold negligent semi-trailer truck drivers responsible for the injuries and fatalities they have caused.

Wrongful Death and Injuries From 18 Wheeler Accidents

Irpino Law represents clients whose loved ones have passed away due to an accident with an eighteen wheeler. As we mentioned earlier, the differences in weight and height between an 18 wheeler and a car can lead to wrongful deaths, most commonly through decapitation. Additionally, our firm represents clients that are suffering from severe injuries caused by 18 wheeler accidents. These injuries may include:

  • Brain damage
  • Head trauma
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Paraplegia / quadriplegia
  • Amputations
  • Burns
  • Severe disfigurement

If you are looking for an attorney to represent you or your family for your 18 wheeler accident claim, please contact Irpino Law at 1-800-750-0529 to schedule your free consultation with an 18 wheeler accident attorney. Our experienced team has both the knowledge and the resources to help you and your family receive a fair financial settlement for your injuries.