MARCH 6, 2023
Large Trucks, Big Rigs and Trucking Accidents
There are many names for these large trucks on our Kansas highways. Our roadways and highways are packed with operators that are traveling at fast speeds, driven by deadlines, with massive weights with frequent neglect of maintenance. Regulations are here to protect and hold large truck operators and businesses accountable. The Bull Attorneys are trucking trial lawyers, experienced and concentrated in regulations and trucking law.
Big trucks exceeding 10,000 lbs. have many different names.
Three of the most common names for big trucks are Big Rigs, Tractor-Trailers, and 18-wheelers. A "Big Rig" generally refers to a large commercial truck with a cab for the driver. This is commonly found with a trailer that is transporting goods and freight. Typically, these long hauls are across state lines, at maximum loads, covering many miles. Often this includes fatigued drivers and maintenance concerns that contribute to accidents.
Big Rigs that have trailers are called Semi, or Semi-Trucks as they are modular and can hook up to different types of trailers. These trailers vary by purpose, length, and weight. All of these introduce risk and danger to our Kansas highways. For our purposes, we focus on Big Rigs as our term of choice for these ultra-hazardous monsters traveling across the U.S. and state highways.
A tractor-trailer consists of a tractor unit which is the cab and tractor for the driver, and may or may not have a sleeper unit. The cab and other equipment will have a trailer that is attached to the back of the tractor unit.
Big Rig, Tractor-Trailer, 18-Wheeler, we've heard Semi Truck, but what does it all mean?
An 18-wheeler may be a Big Rig or a tractor-trailer and is defined by having a specific number of wheels. The tractor usually has two or three axles while the trailer will have similar counts. This is simply put as an 18-wheeled vehicle by adding up the wheels from the trailer and the truck. So Semi's, Tractor Trailers, and Big Rigs, may or may not be an 18-Wheeler based on the trailer size and role.
Monetary Compensation from Big Rig Accidents
When searching for a Big Rig personal injury lawyer remember that the most important things to look for are experience with Big Rig cases, experience with State and Federal trucking regulations, and most importantly, their case results. See the Results of the Bull Attorneys, P.A. by clicking this link here.
Why Big Rig Accidents So Much More Dangerous?
The single most important reason that Big Rigs are dangerous is that they are much heavier than cars and pickup trucks. A loaded Big Rig weighing in at 80,000 pounds brings far greater risk in impact than a traditional passenger car. They are highly dangerous for the following reasons:
- Heavyweight up to 80,000 pounds.
- The force of impact is much greater than with smaller vehicles.
- Damages to the vehicles and people in cars are much more dramatic due to the weight and force.
- Big Rigs require a longer distance to stop because of their size and weight.
- Big Rigs have blind spots and abruptly make lane changes without warning into cars beside them.
- Big Rig drivers are forced to drive long hours and become fatigued where attention to driving is reduced.
- Poorly maintained Big Rigs become more dangerous than well-maintained Big Rigs
- Big Rig accidents happen because of tire blowouts and brake failures.
Due to these factors, accidents involving big rigs can be particularly dangerous and often result in severe injuries or fatalities. It is important for all drivers to be aware of these risks and to exercise caution when driving near large commercial trucks.
Recovering Damages, monetary compensation for truck accidents.
While the types of damages vary by State, in Kansas, monetary compensation can be collected for the following:
- Wage loss.
- Future wage loss and other economic losses.
- Past medical expenses.
- Compensation for future medical expenses.
- Pain and suffering losses.
- Losses from disability and disfigurement.
- Where death occurs, loss of consortium, other losses arising from lost services, guidance, and care.
- In death, funeral expenses, and other wrongful death type damages.
- Where the person lived with conscious pain and suffering in most states the remaining heirs can obtain compensation for the conscious pain and suffering of their loved one that they had prior to death.
Bull Attorneys, P.A. has a long history of filing a significant number of Big Rig lawsuits that injure our clients.
Our firm studies Kansas law intensively related to Big Rigs causing injury. We concentrate our practice and our focus is dedicated to Big Truck cases. We handle all types of commercial motor vehicle accidents.
Our firm is developing a new site called Big Rig Law.
We will inform Kansans about the specific differences between a normal car accident case, and a commercial accident. The Bull Attorneys will continue to write content regarding trucking accidents here in the interim. Our goal is to educate the public roadways on the types of truck accidents, and how to protect themselves. As trucking trial lawyers, we hold companies and operators accountable in support of our clients.
The must-haves in selecting a trucking lawyer
When a Big Rig injures or kills a driver, you need an experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer. As a victim, or family, you must hire a firm that understands the importance of maintenance, training, and supervision. There are safety protocols that affect the trucking industry, and expertise in safety is essential. If your trucking lawyer does not understand the Federal regulations it is doubtful they can do a competent job for you. You should ask for results, trial verdicts, and settlements specific to truck accidents.
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