18 Wheeler Accident: What to do After an Accident

18 Wheeler Accident: What do you do? Who is liable for your injuries and damage?

In November 2022 a woman suffered minor injuries in an accident involving an 18 wheel semi-truck on Interstate 5.

Her car was trapped under the trailer and she was only able to be pulled to safety after a tow truck lifted the semi off of her car.  Her car was totaled and she was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for her injuries.

But what happens next?

What do you do if you’ve been in an Accident with an 18 Wheeler?

• Assess any injuries and call 911 immediately.
• Get the semi-truck driver’s license, insurance and trucking company information.
• Talk to any witnesses. Record their statements with your phone. Write down their phone numbers, addresses, and any other contact information in case your insurance company, attorney or law enforcement need to talk to them.
• Do Not talk to the driver’s or the company’s insurance company before talking to the attorneys at Evergreen Personal Injury Council.

Who is Responsible for your Injuries and Damages from an Accident with an 18 Wheeler?

The short answer is, it depends. 

The leading cause of accidents involving 18 wheelers is driver error on the part of the truck driver. 

Semi-truck drivers are 10 times more likely to be the cause of any accident as compared to other factors like weather, road conditions or truck defect.  Due to the long hours behind the wheel sleep deprivation or distractions are the main issues facing 18 wheeler drivers.  In these cases the driver would be held liable.

The trucking company may be help liable if they fail to properly train drivers, fail to keep the truck in good working order, or encourage drivers to ignore safety regulations.

The trucking company’s maintenance company might be at fault if it is proved that they failed to properly inspect the semi or didn’t perform routine repairs or other services.  If the truck was loaded improperly and a shifting load is determined to be a cause for the accident then they could be held responsible.

In the unlikely event that a road hazard is the cause for the accident, the fault would lie with the government entity responsible for maintaining the road, highway or interstate.  

The bottom line is you are going to need help resolving who’s at fault and recovering damages. 

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an 18 wheeler, contact an attorney at Evergreen Personal Injury Council today. Our team will work on your behalf to win you the financial compensation you deserve. Give us a call at 800-992-9529.