I Have a Question About an Accident Involving an 18 Wheeler.©

Written by: Mark C. Wolfe and Knox Boteler, Attorneys at Law. The following information is provided as general advice and without charge. Questions about specific issues or situations should be directed to an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney. NOTE: The following material is protected by all applicable State and Federal Copyright laws. Published May, 2005. ©2010.

FACT: According to statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board, every 16 minutes a person will die or be injured in an 18 wheeler involved accident. The underlying cause in almost half of all 18 wheeler accidents is driver fatigue. Because most 18 wheelers are involved in interstate commerce their operation is governed and controlled by Federal law. Most states have also adopted certain rules and regulations for the operation of 18 wheelers on public roadways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for regulating safety rules for large trucks. The primary mission of the FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. There are numerous rules and regulations related to the safe operation of 18 wheelers. Commercial drivers and companies engaged in interstate commerce must comply with these rules and regulations.

Important Information: If you (or a family member) have been involved in an accident involving an 18 wheeler or a commercial vehicle you may want to consider consulting with an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney as soon as possible. Besides the other various issues and concerns of a motor vehicle accident, 18 wheeler and commercial vehicle accidents involve complex legal issues related to compliance with hundreds of safety rules and regulations. Many commercial vehicles also contain Electronic Data Recorders (EDRs). An experienced motor vehicle accident attorney knows what rules and regulations may be applicable. This data and information may not be preserved without a Preservation of Evidence letter to the trucking company and its insurance company. Without an immediate issuance of a preservation of evidence letter critical data and information may not be available if needed in the future. Knox Boteler is a member of the AAJ- Trucking Litigation Group and he has available a wide variety of Preservation of Evidence letters that can be quickly and easily modified for immediate issuance to the trucking company and its insurance carrier so that critical evidence is not lost or destroyed. If you or a loved one has suffered injury because of the careless actions of a commercial driver, please call of e-mail Knox at knox@bfw-lawyers.com as soon as possible.

For additional information about 18-wheeler or commercial vehicle collision, please see the resource links below: