18-Wheeler Accidents

With more than two million 18-wheelers sharing U.S. roads and highways today, these enormous vehicles are involved in more than 500,000 preventable truck wreck accidents every year. In addition, more than 5,000 people die every year as a result of truck crash accidents, and many, many more suffer severe, life-changing injuries.

The lawyers at Farrar & Ball in Houston have the experience and resources to hold reckless and negligent transportation companies accountable for the injuries and property damage they’ve caused.

Because of the sheer size and complexity of today’s semi trucks and tractor-trailers, trucking and transportation companies have a responsibility to ensure that trucks are properly maintained, drivers are properly trained and all rules are followed in order to prevent 18 wheeler accidents. When a large 18-wheeler truck is involved in a fatal crash, the motorist in the other vehicle suffers fatal injuries in 98 percent of the cases.

Truck crash injuries are caused by a number of preventable factors, including driver error, distraction, substance abuse, and fatigue. Transportation companies are bound by law to properly screen truck drivers and provide necessary safety training before drivers get behind the wheel. Federal law requires that truck drivers limit the amount of time spent behind the wheel each day. However, unscrupulous transportation companies place unrealistic demands on drivers, who are pressured to cut corners and falsify driver logs in order to make a living. Studies have confirmed that driver fatigue is the number one cause of 18-wheeler truck accidents. In short, fatigued, sleep-deprived commercial truck drivers are a danger on our roads.

Semi truck drivers are increasingly distracted by cockpit technology, including digital driver logs, smart phones, communication systems and mobile computers. Transportation companies are duty bound to properly train drivers about the dangers of these cockpit distractions. Inadequately maintained and overloaded 18-wheelers create another risk factor that plays a role in truck crash injuries. Studies show that faulty maintenance – including bad brakes, suspension systems and tandem axles – play a role in nearly 40 percent of truck crash accidents today. Overloaded trailers add even more dangers by making 18-wheelers unstable and reducing stopping power.

The truck accident injury lawyers at Houston’s Farrar & Ball have expertise to take on transportation companies and prevail. This requires an aggressive approach that involves swift independent investigation, reconstruction, and graphics. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.

Video & Visuals

Tire Demo without Nylon Wedge

This video animation demonstrates how steel belts inside a tire without a nylon wedge can generate dangerous amounts of friction. Learn More

Michelin Tire Recommendations

Corporate tire industry video documents safety concerns when two new tires are mounted on back of vehicle. Learn More

Tire Demo with Belt Wedge

This demonstrative evidence video animation is used to show jurors the components of a tire and illustrates how tires without “belt wedges” can generate dangerous friction between the steel belts. Learn More

Modern Tire Diagram

This demonstrative evidence image shows a cross section of a modern tire with liners, belts, nylon overlay and undertread. Learn More

Replacing Tires Guidelines

Corporate tire industry video explains safety and performance issues when only two tires are replaced on a vehicle, and how vehicle handling is affected by placement of tires. Learn More

Tread Separation Test

Video created by Carr Engineering Inc. to document a tread separation test with a Ford Explorer. Test shows that even an expert driver with knowledge that a tread separation event is imminent still cannot maintain control of the vehicle. Learn More

Tire Demo with Nylon Over Wrap

A video animation used as demonstrative evidence to illustrate for jurors the components of a tire, including belts, liners and tread base. This animation demonstrates how two belt liners rubbing together can create friction that leads to tire failure. Learn More

Ford Explorer Crash Testing

Short video documenting an SUV on a test track flipping and rolling, then crashing into a guard rail. Learn More

Nylon Safety Strips

Demonstrative evidence illustration used to explain to jurors the components of a tire designed with nylon safety strips in addition to steel belts. Learn More

Nylon Safety Belt

Side-by-side demonstrative evidence used to explain to jurors the differences between a cap ply tire with a nylon safety belt compared to a traditional steel-belted tire. Learn More

Mercury Mountaineer Tire Testing

Demonstrative evidence showing three different camera angles of a 2001 Mercury Moutaineer performing a controlled maneuver with a defective tire. Learn More

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