Were you injured in a crash involving a large commercial truck? Accidents with 18-wheelers can cause devastating injuries and serious property damage due to their size and weight. These collisions often leave victims overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next.
In the aftermath of a truck accident, understanding your rights and the factors that can affect your case might feel like too much to figure out on your own. The good news is that you don’t have to. Instead, reach out to an 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Huntersville for help.
At DeMayo Law Offices, our attorneys have more than 250 years of combined experience. We’ve recovered over $1 billion in compensation since 1992. We’ve helped 125,000 people, and you can trust us to represent you as your Huntersville truck accident lawyer, too.
The Scale and Scope of 18-Wheeler Crashes
Also known as a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, an 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. In contrast, the average passenger vehicle weighs just around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, so there’s quite a difference in size between the two.
This disparity means that any collision involving a semi-truck is likely to result in serious damage, especially on highways that run through and around the area. Your Huntersville personal injury lawyer will look into the extent of your injuries as a result of the collision.
These are common scenarios that result in 18-wheeler crashes in the area:
- Rear-end collisions due to long stopping distances
- Jackknife accidents on curves or slick roads
- Rollover crashes on entrance and exit ramps
- Underride accidents, where smaller vehicles slide beneath the trailer
- Wide-turn collisions at intersections
The aftermath of such accidents can include multiple vehicles, long road closures, and extensive investigations. Victims often suffer from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, burns, or fatalities.
For a free legal consultation with a 18-wheeler accident lawyer serving Huntersville, call (877) 333-1000
Why You Need a Lawyer to Help After Your 18-Wheeler Crash
Given the severity of these crashes, it’s not uncommon for those affected to seek the help of an 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer to support them throughout the legal process. An 18-wheeler lawyer can investigate liability, deal with trucking companies, and preserve evidence on your behalf.
This is especially important when it comes to driver logs or black box data. If the crash leads to a wrongful death or life-altering injury, an 18-wheeler accident attorney can also help you pursue compensation. You can recover money for long-term medical care, lost income, and emotional trauma.
Huntersville 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Near Me (877) 333-1000
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in North Carolina
Accidents involving large trucks can stem from a combination of human error, equipment malfunction, or poor road conditions. However, several causes recur frequently in crash reports and data compiled by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
Driver Fatigue
Despite federal hours-of-service regulations limiting driving time, some truck drivers still operate beyond legal limits to meet tight delivery schedules. Drowsy driving impairs reaction time and judgment, both of which increase the risk of catastrophic accidents.
Improper Loading
Unevenly distributed cargo can cause a truck to tip over or make it difficult for the driver to control. Either way, overloaded trucks can exceed braking capabilities, which increases the risk of a collision caused by mechanical failure.
Brake Failure
Commercial trucks rely on complicated air brake systems that require regular inspection and maintenance. In turn, brake failures are a common mechanical contributor to 18-wheeler collisions.
Distracted Driving
Long-haul drivers may be tempted to use phones and navigation systems or eat while driving. If they experience inattention for even a few seconds, a car crash is more likely.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding—particularly in poor weather or amid dense traffic conditions—reduces the time that truck drivers have to react to their surroundings because it increases stopping distance. Some crashes also involve making unsafe lane changes, choosing to tailgate, or failing to yield.
Impairment
Though commercial drivers are held to stricter standards regarding drug and alcohol use, impairment is still occasionally a factor in truck crashes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibits commercial drivers from operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or higher.
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Liability in North Carolina 18-Wheeler Accidents
Liability in 18-wheeler crashes is often more complicated than in a typical car accident. Multiple parties may share responsibility.
Local crashes—especially along major routes like I-77 or NC-73—may also involve regional companies and insurers. In these cases, a Huntersville 18-wheeler accident attorney may be especially familiar with the following:
- Roadway patterns
- Local courts
- Tactics often used by defense teams
Because of this and so much more, working with a North Carolina 18-wheeler accident lawyer is vital. Your attorney can help you through liability disputes while gathering strong evidence to protect your right to pursue compensation as you recover from your injuries.
Contributory Negligence in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of the few states that still follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. Under this rule, if an injured person is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they will likely be barred from recovering compensation from the other party altogether.
This means insurance companies and defense attorneys often work hard to pin even minimal blame on the victim to avoid paying out damages. Because of this, working with a North Carolina 18-wheeler accident lawyer is important when handling liability disputes and gathering strong evidence to protect your right to recovery.
Potentially Liable Parties
In an 18-wheeler accident, liability may fall on one or more of the following parties:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo loading company
- The vehicle manufacturer or parts supplier
- Maintenance contractors
- Other motorists on the road at the time of the crash
Determining liability often requires professionals to perform an investigation, accident reconstruction, and review of evidence, including maintenance records, driver logs, and vehicle black box data.
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Call Our Huntersville 18-Wheeler Accident Law Firm Today To Speak With Attorneys Who Can Help
If you or someone you love was injured in an 18-wheeler collision, you’re likely thinking about hiring legal counsel to help you make sense of things. When looking for representation, you want to find the best 18-wheeler accident lawyer you can find.
Look no further than DeMayo Law Offices. Our Huntersville 18-wheeler accident attorneys have the experience to thoroughly investigate your case and advocate for your rights. You deserve fair compensation, and we can help you work toward obtaining it. Call Your North Carolina Law Firm™ today.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
