Tractor-Trailer Crash Statistics: FMCSA and NHTSA Figures National crash data shows how often large trucks are involved in serious crashes. The figures below come from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and each one is tied to its data year. A truck accident attorney might use figures like these for context, but statistics describe patterns across many crashes, not what happened in a single
Read more about Truck Accident Statistics From FMCSA and NHTSA DataHow Hours of Service Violations Can Shape a Truck Accident Claim After a tractor-trailer crash on a long-haul route, an early question is whether the driver was within the federal hours-of-service limits. Fatigue leaves little physical trace at a crash scene, so the answer usually comes from records rather than the roadway. A tractor-trailer crash lawyer looking at one of these claims usually starts by comparing the driver's logs against every other record of the trip. H
Read more about How Hours of Service Violations Can Shape a Truck Accident ClaimECM Black Box Data and ELD Records in Tractor-Trailer Crash Claims After a serious semi-truck crash, the most precise record of the last seconds before impact often sits inside the truck itself. People call it the black box, yet the term covers several separate systems. For an 18-wheeler accident lawyer, knowing which device holds which record shapes the first evidence requests in a claim. What the black box means on a commercial truck Most heavy trucks carry an engin
Read more about Black Box (ECM) and ELD Evidence in Tractor-Trailer Crash ClaimsTruck Accident Statistics From FMCSA and NHTSA Data National crash data shows how often large trucks are involved in serious crashes. The figures below come from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and each one is tied to its data year. A truck accident attorney might use figures like these for context, but statistics describe patterns across many crashes, not what happened in a single one.
Read more about What FMCSA and NHTSA Data Show About Truck AccidentsUnderride and Jackknife Crashes in 18-Wheeler Crash Claims Underride and jackknife crashes are two tractor-trailer crash types that often cause severe injuries. In an underride crash, a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully under a trailer or truck body. A jackknife occurs when the tractor and trailer fold toward each other, often blocking several lanes. Each type raises its own evidence questions for a truck accident lawyer. What makes underride crashes deadly Accor
Read more about Jackknife and Underride Crashes in Truck Accident ClaimsWhat to Expect From the Insurance Adjuster After a Truck Accident After a tractor-trailer crash, the injured person usually deals with an insurance company long before any courtroom. Trucking companies and their insurers often move quickly, and their early steps can shape the claim. Understanding these practices is one reason people talk with a truck accident attorney before giving statements or signing documents. Federal insurance minimums for trucking companies Mini
Read more about Insurance Tactics After a Tractor-Trailer CrashHow to Choose a Truck Accident Attorney Picking a truck accident lawyer differs from picking a lawyer for a minor car crash. Tractor-trailer claims tend to involve federal safety regulations, electronic evidence and multiple insurance policies, and the trucking company often has its own lawyers and investigators involved from the start. These questions can make a first consultation more productive. Confirm the license and disciplinary record Before meeting a truck cra
Read more about Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Truck Accident LawyerHow Hours of Service Violations Can Shape an 18-Wheeler Crash Claim When a tractor-trailer crash happens late in a long run, one of the first questions is whether the driver had stayed inside the federal hours-of-service limits. Fatigue leaves little physical trace at a crash scene, so the answer usually comes from records rather than the roadway. A truck accident lawyer looking at one of these claims will usually compare the driver's logs with every other record of the tri
Read more about What a Truck Accident Attorney Checks in a Driver's Logs