Houston 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer
CDL-Licensed Truck Accident Lawyer.
18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander is licensed to drive big trucks and understands the cause when you are injured in a commercial motor vehicle wreck.
Houston 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
In North America, the combination vehicles made up of a powered truck and one or more semitrailers are known as “semis”, “semitrailers”,[1]“tractor-trailers”, “big rigs”, “semi trucks”, “eighteen-wheelers”, or “semi-tractor trailers”.
The tractor unit typically has two or three axles; those built for hauling heavy-duty commercial-construction machinery may have as many as five, some often being lift axles.
The most common tractor-cab layout has a forward engine, one steering axle, and two drive axles. The fifth-wheel trailer coupling on most tractor trucks is movable fore and aft, to allow adjustment in the weight distribution over its rear axle(s).
Ubiquitous in Europe, but less common in North America since the 1990s, is the cabover engine configuration, where the driver sits next to, or over the engine. With changes in the US to the maximum length of the combined vehicle, the cabover was largely phased out of North American over-the-road (long-haul) service by 2007. Cabovers were difficult to service; for a long time the cab could not be lifted on its hinges to a full 90-degree forward tilt, severely limiting access to the front part of the engine.
As of 2016, a truck could cost US$100,000, while the diesel fuel cost could be $70,000 per year.[2] Trucks average from 4 to 8 miles per US gallon (59 to 29 L/100 km), with fuel economy standards requiring better than 7 miles per US gallon (34 L/100 km) efficiency by 2014.[3] Power requirements in standard conditions are 170 hp at 55 mph (89 km/h) or 280 hp at 70 mph (113 km/h), and somewhat different power usage in other conditions.[4]
The cargo trailer usually has tandem axles at the rear, each of which has dual wheels, or eight tires on the trailer, four per axle. In the US it is common to refer to the number of wheel hubs, rather than the number of tires; an axle can have either single or dual tires with no legal difference.[5][6] The combination of eight tires on the trailer and ten tires on the tractor is what led to the moniker eighteen wheeler, although this term is considered by some truckers to be a misnomer (the term “eighteen-wheeler” is a nickname for a five-axle over-the-road combination). Many trailers are equipped with movable tandem axles to allow adjusting the weight distribution.
To connect the second of a set of doubles to the first trailer, and to support the front half of the second trailer, a converter gear known as a “dolly” is used. This has one or two axles, a fifth-wheel coupling for the rear trailer, and a tongue with a ring-hitch coupling for the forward trailer. Individual states may further allow longer vehicles, known as “longer combination vehicles” (or LCVs), and may allow them to operate on roads other than Interstates.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
Long combination vehicle types include:
- Doubles (officially “STAA doubles“, known colloquially as “a set of joints”): Two 28.5Â ft (8.7Â m) trailers.
- Triples: Three 28.5Â ft (8.7Â m) trailers.
- Turnpike Doubles: Two 48Â ft (14.6Â m) trailers.
- Rocky Mountain Doubles: One 40 to 53Â ft (12.2 to 16.2Â m) trailer (though usually no more than 48Â ft (14.6Â m)) and one 28.5Â ft (8.7Â m) trailer (known as a “pup“).
- In Canada, a Turnpike Double is two 53Â ft (16.2Â m) trailers, and a Rocky Mountain Double is a 50Â ft (15.2Â m) trailer with a 24Â ft (7.3Â m) “pup”.
Future long combination vehicles under consideration and study for the U.S. MAP-21 transportation bill are container doubles. These combinations are understudy for the potential recommendation in November 2014:
- 40Â ft (12Â m) trailer Turnpike Doubles, 148,000Â lb (67,000Â kg)Â GVWR
- 40Â ft (12Â m) and 20Â ft (6.1Â m) trailer Rocky Mountain Doubles, 134,000Â lb (61,000Â kg) GVWR
- Double 20Â ft (6.1Â m) trailers.
The US federal government, which only regulates the Interstate Highway System, does not set maximum length requirements (except on auto and boat transporters), only minimums. Tractors can pull two or three trailers if the combination is legal in that state. Weight maximums are 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) on a single axle, 34,000 lb (15,000 kg) on a tandem, and 80,000 lb (36,000 kg) total for any vehicle or combination. There is a maximum width of 8.5 ft (2.6 m) and no maximum height.[7][8]
Roads other than the Interstates are regulated by the individual states, and laws vary widely. Maximum weight varies between 80,000 lb (36,000 kg) to 171,000 lb (78,000 kg), depending on the combination.[9] Most states restrict the operation of larger tandem trailer setups such as triple units, turnpike doubles, and Rocky-Mountain doubles. Reasons for limiting the legal trailer configurations include both safety concerns and the impracticality of designing and constructing roads that can accommodate the larger wheelbase of these vehicles and the larger minimum turning radii associated with them. In general, these configurations are restricted to the Interstates. Except for these units, double setups are not restricted to certain roads any more than a single setup. They are also not restricted by weather conditions or “difficulty of operation”. The Canadian province of Ontario, however, does have weather-related operating restrictions for larger tandem trailer setups.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander is dedicated to holding professional truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for their negligence.
There are an estimated 500,000 truck accidents in the U.S. each year. Nearly 5,000 of these result in fatalities. The remainder often results in injuries of varying degrees. With four major interstates running through Houston — I-45, I-10, US-290, and I-69 — Texans see more than their fair share of trucking accidents. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are caused by the negligence of truck drivers or trucking companies.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
In an attempt to increase their profits, truck drivers sometimes do things that endanger public safety. They speed. They don’t take the required rest breaks and drive while tired. Some even use stimulants or illegal drugs to stay awake. To save money, trucking companies sometimes hire unqualified drivers or fail to perform the required inspections or maintain equipment properly. They may overload trailers, increasing the danger of a mechanical failure with brakes, tires and other semi truck equipment. No matter the cause of a trucking accident, 18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander has the resources to help victims of truck accidents in Texas. I understand how insurance companies work to limit your recovery after a tractor-trailer accident. Insurance companies will immediately have people on the scene of an accident to gather evidence to limit their liability. The sooner you hire a lawyer to protect your interests, the sooner I can have my investigators working to build your case. With more than seven years of personal injury experience, attorney Reshard Alexander understands the causes of truck accidents and the many factors that make truck accident claims so complex. He personally handles every truck accident case, including those involving:
- Faulty brakes and defective parts
- Commercial truckscolliding with vans or shuttle buses
- Box truck wrecks
- Oilfield/Refinery truck wrecks
- 18 wheeler accidents
- Tanker truck crashes
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
Truck accidents are inherently complex since there are a number of lines of insurance policies. By way of instance, the truck and the trailer are usually owned by two individual corporations and are insured by various carriers. As a result of this, I could hold responsible and pursue both parties because of their role from the negligence that led to your injuries. This necessitates extensive investigation and the testimony of numerous expert witnesses, all of which Houston truck accident attorney Reshard Alexander is ready to take care of.
Trucking crash cases are specialist laden because it’s often essential to establish complicated subject issues. By way of instance, demonstrating that a particular component failed, or a particular hiring clinic resulted in an accident, will need the specialist knowledge of a hired note. Because of this, truck crash cases are extremely costly to manage for a law firm. I have a community of experts and researchers prepared to handle your case.
Different kinds of commercial trucks can result in significant injuries in Texas.
Large industrial trucks are typically found across the State of Texas since they’re utilized to transport materials and goods for companies. But regrettably, these colossal vehicles may also be quite dangerous. And due to the size and weight of the vehicles, accidents involving trucks tend to be extremely dangerous or deadly.
The same as any other sort of automobile, semi-truck motorists are sometimes the reason for mishaps and at times the victims. Along with the typical dangers found on the road, for example, distracted speeding and drivers, truck drivers also frequently have to handle the threat of exhaustion which could occur after long shifts in the wheel. That is because truck drivers tend to be paid by the load, therefore in order to earn more cash, they need to handle more deliveries. This can only be achieved by driving for longer intervals. This absence of rest is governed by different regulating agencies, but these principles remain the same and are not always followed.
Along with the threat of a truck driver’s negligence, the commercial motor vehicle itself may create a threat to other motorists. Occasionally trucks are filled improperly or aren’t adequately inspected before the driver starts their journey. Mechanical breakdowns during transport may result in a lack of control. From time to time, poorly packed cargo can collapse out of the truck and harm unsuspecting drivers. These are merely a few of the distinctive issues facing trucks.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
The size of a car and a semi tractor-trailer truck is just another factor in these kinds of cases.
A truck injury is an exceptional circumstance. Not only is the truck much bigger than other vehicles, but frequently leading to devastating injuries, but the amount of parties potentially liable for the injury is important also.
The most frequent action of negligence that a professional truck driver can perpetrate is driving while they’re tired. Driver fatigue, unfortunately, contributes to tens of thousands of unfortunate and senseless injuries on American streets every year. From the perspective of truck drivers, the possibility of disaster is so real when fatigue becomes a problem.
The total amount of time a driver could be on the road for one stretch; for how long daily; and the number of hours that they could log during a particular week vary. It is not in any way unusual for drivers to falsify their driving logs so as to have the ability to drive for a longer time. In reality, many trucking businesses imply or explicitly ask their drivers to falsify records. Regrettably, many motor carriers set unrealistic scheduling requirements for their drivers and sleep deprivation is a common outcome.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
Exposure of the agent or carrier
An agent is an entity that arranges for the transport of cargo by a motor carrier like a semi-truck. The agent brings together the truckers as well as the business that’s trying to ship products. Agents use computer monitoring applications and information to track the movement of products and the trucks they’ve brought in to take care of the job.
What are the duties of an agent?
I.e. if the agent has acted in accordance with their obligation to inspect the engine carrier/truck, scrutinized the security history of their truck and driver of whom they’ve contracted with.
How To Tell if an Agent is Liable:
I.e. just how much control the agent exercised within the truck and the driver. This may be researched by scrutinizing the shipment records, and if the agent assessed and reviewed logbooks or records. Does the agent accept the receipts and bill of lading alterations?
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
Negligent Retention and Hiring Claims
Trucking cases are usually very complicated according to a bevy of state and federal laws. I frequently consult experts to find out whether the trucking firm utilized faulty gear or have been negligent in keeping up the truck.
18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander assesses the following:
- Are the brakes, axles, hitches along with an assortment of different components working and assessed regularly?
- Were the logbooks (ELDs) intact, upgraded, and consistent with Texas and federal statutes?
18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander uses experts on your Texas truck accident case to find out whether the motor carrier or driver took any shortcuts which led to a breach of law.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
In reference to negligent retention and hiring claims, I will inspect the employment history of the truck driver and ascertain whether such person was properly trained and trained in driving a semi-truck or 18 wheeler. There are federal and Texas state laws regarding the due diligence that has to be implemented by the motor carrier in analyzing the truck driver’s traffic safety background and criminal record. Motor carriers may face huge liability for failing to adhere to these safety laws.
Truck Accident Settlement and Medical Care
Searching for the proper medical care following a truck accident is crucial to protecting your health, but may result in a mountain of medical bills. To be able to cover all these invoices, accident victims frequently accept exceptionally low compensation offers from insurers attempting to rapidly shut the case. It is important to keep in mind that the insurance providers are wanting to settle your truck injury for as little cash as possible, all for the sake of profit.
It is vital that you’re conscious of your rights if you’re the victim of an accident between a commercial motor vehicle. You won’t ever be forced to choose an unreasonable settlement deal, as 18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander is prepared to take the case to TRIAL if the insurance carrier fails to choose the proper course of action and make a reasonable settlement.
Contact 18 Wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander
If you have been involved in a serious truck accident in Texas, you can call my office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 713.766.3322 or 800.688.7551 You can also contact me online by filling out my contact form. I offer a free initial consultation in all personal injury cases and you never pay attorney fees unless I recover compensation for you.
Truck drivers face long hours and tight deadlines so as to satisfy the requirements of the job. And while many truckers are well-trained, competent drivers that get to and from their destinations without accident, occasionally catastrophic accidents happen due to a truck driver’s negligence. 18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander understands exactly how catastrophic things can be when big trucks cause injuries.
In 2013, 97 percent of truck deaths in crashes involving both a huge truck and a passenger automobile were people sitting in the passenger car. 18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander has observed many distinct causes of commercial vehicle wrecks. Much like other mishaps, driver negligence is often the principal source. There is not any doubt that safely driving a truck, especially in a congested area like Houston, is quite tough and complicated. Truck drivers should be highly educated and skilled operators (as it related to their profession), but sadly, that is sometimes not the situation.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
Even if the truck driver gets the appropriate training and expertise, there are lots of different causes of truck wrecks:
Insufficient training or negligent hiring — Trucking companies are constantly on the lookout for a way to maximize their profit margins, and yet another means to do it is to employ drivers that aren’t as experienced or correctly trained. Unfortunately, while they’re cutting their prices, they’re also placing the motoring public at risk. This frequently leads to dangerous incentives for truckers all required to transport freight at an unsafe speed.
Overloaded Truck — A vehicle that is overloaded is far much more prone to mishaps. Some trucking firms overload trucks to move more freight at the cost of road and cargo security.
Unsecured Cargo — Unsecured freight may come spill on the road, endangering other drivers and putting lives in danger. If a 20-pound item falls off a truck traveling 55 mph, that item will hit the second car with half a ton of force.
Faulty equipment — Modern tractor-trailers possess a number of security and stability gear but, even if this gear malfunctions, it can result in a crash. The trucking and equipment business may be held accountable if this equipment is not in safe working order.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
Inadequate maintenance — Trucking businesses may forgo adequate maintenance if this means transferring freight faster. Regrettably, one small oversight can place drivers who share the road with those trucks in good danger.
Rollover Truck — There are lots of causes of big truck rollover injuries, including speeding too fast around corners, the weight or equilibrium of the load being transported, highway and intersection conditions, inattention, fatigue or distraction.
Driving under the influence — The possibility of a truck driver driving a big rig under the influence of drugs or alcohol is really terrifying.
Reckless Driving — Just as with any other subset of drivers, a few truck drivers may be more likely to speed, improper change lanes, follow another vehicle too closely or neglect to comply with traffic signs. When someone drives a large truck, the impact can be particularly devastating for different vehicles on the road.
Driver Fatigue — Driver fatigue is among the top causes of automobile accidents in Houston and nationally. While there are strict rules which dictate the amount of time a motorist could be behind the wheel in any particular time period (called Hours-of-Service principles), these principles aren’t always followed. If one of these causes is applicable to your truck crash, you need to seriously consider calling Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander to explore a potential truck accident lawsuit.
Based on the circumstances of your injury, multiple parties, including the driver, freight broker, shipper, motor carrier, equipment supplier and loading representative, may be held accountable for damages. In case you have not ever been involved in a personal injury lawsuit, you might have questions regarding what to expect moving ahead.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
The following is a quick truck accident deadline of what you could anticipate:
The Truck Wreck — The beginning place for a 18 wheeler accident lawyer, there is the actual accident. If the crash isn’t your fault, then you are going to want to speak to me as soon as possible. Make no mistake, the trucking business is currently trying to find a method to give you as little as it can, therefore the sooner you call, the better.
Discovery — The discovery period is essential to a claim and may often take a few months. During discovery, I’ll gather all the pertinent information surrounding your situation, such as medical expenses, lost wages, police reports, witness statements, background information on the truck driver, motor carrier, and much more. Due to the scheduling and logistics involved, this may also take a while to finish.
Initial Offer — After discovery and depositions have been finished, either side will possess a more accurate appraisal of each side’s information. Now, all parties should have an accurate comprehension of the details and can make an educated decision. Normally, I will go over what I believe is a fair number together with you and present the defendants with a settlement demand. When an agreement can not be reached, your case will most likely enter mediation.
Mediation — Mediation is a process where the two sides meet with a third party that specializes in facilitating a conversation between disputing parties so as to come to a reasonable arrangement. While many cases are settled in mediation, you may rest assured knowing that, unless you’re 100% satisfied with the given amount, I am eager to go to trial with you.
Trial — The vast majority of cases do not go to trial. They’re time-consuming, unpredictable and costly. From time to time, however, going to trial is essential so as to secure you the very best settlement possible.
Post-Settlement — After your case has been settled, I will work with your medical providers to attempt to lower your health expenses. This may leave more cash in your pocket to aid with your attempt to restore life back to before the wreck occurred.. It’s now that I receive my compensation for a percentage of your award and my expenditures.
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler accident lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
A lot of professional truck drivers work for big motor carrier companies who have law firms ready to fight the moment a driver is involved in a truck wreck. It isn’t unusual for a representative (safety director) of their company to arrive on the scene of an accident to solicit signatures from the injured parties to decrease their liability. If you’re involved in an accident with a large truck, then it is important to keep in mind that you shouldn’t sign anything placed in front of you from the professional driver, the driver’s employer or the insurer of the driver. In the event that you or a loved one was hurt in a collision between a large truck, you want an experienced truck accident attorney that will fight for you.
18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander understands exactly what it takes to fight the legal teams of big trucking firms. I help families and their loved ones in a dire time of need. Time is of the essence in these kinds of cases, therefore it is important to call a lawyer versed in this area of law immediately. It is best to consult an experienced Houston truck accident attorney to get help in seeking the claim. Call 18 wheeler accident lawyer Reshard Alexander to request a free case evaluation.
18 Wheeler Accident Attorney Houston TX
Seeking a Free Consultation with one of Texas’ 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers? Call the Big Rig Bull Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Reshard Alexander today at 713.766.3322.
It is advisable to consult 18 wheeler accident attorney Reshard Alexander who will help determine liability and the right compensation amount that you should get for your injuries. The insurance company of the at-fault driver may not be willing to pay for damages and I can help you with the negotiation process. Call me today at (713) 766-3322 for a free consultation.
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Components of an 18 Wheeler
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