Let’s say you've been in an 18 wheeler accident and are ready to make a claim for your damages. You may be wondering, “How much compensation am I owed?” If the truck driver, trucking company, or truck manufacturer’s negligence contributed to the cause of the accident, it could be quite a lot depending on the severity of the incident.
18 wheelers are extremely heavy vehicles, and the weight makes them harder to control. The risks of wrecking an 18 wheeler increase because of factors that are inherent to the job. For example, long driving hours cause the driver to become bored, so they may use their cell phone even though it's against the law. Drivers may also use their cell phones to help them on their routes.
Exceeding the weight limit on the truck can cause the truck to overturn while making a sharp turn, and puts the truck at risk for the brakes to fail and the tires to blow out. Even though there are laws and regulations in place, not everyone follows the rules.
Lack of proper training also puts regular motorists at risk. It requires training and skill to control 18 wheelers; if the trucking company puts an unskilled driver behind the wheel, they may not have the experience to control the vehicle under unusual circumstances like rainy weather or high winds. An unskilled driver may also panic in emergency situations.
Other factors that can cause an 18 wheeler wreck are driver fatigue, the use of alcohol or drugs, speeding, or aggressive driving. Some big rig drivers may be overly confident in their skill since it's their profession and endanger other drivers by operating the vehicle negligently.