Southwest Kansas 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney
Roughly 500,000 18-wheeler accidents occur annually in the U.S. One percent (5,000) of all truck accidents are fatal, and a vast majority of those deaths are to the drivers and passengers of passenger vehicles. This is primarily due to the sheer size difference between 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles. While the average passenger vehicle weighs about 5,000 lbs, an 18-wheeler can legally weigh up to 80,000 lbs, making any collision a potentially life-threatening one.
As a truck accident victim, you face an uphill battle of recovering just compensation. Trucking companies have massive legal teams whose sole responsibility is to settle legal claims for as little as possible. Gain leverage in settlement negotiation by acquiring the legal services of a seasoned Southwest Kansas 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer with Joseph T. Welsh, Attorney at Law. Also serving the Garden City, KS area.
What are Truck Driver Restrictions in Kansas?
All truckers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This license permits the operation of 18-wheelers and other big rigs; however, all truck drivers must operate their vehicles with the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and those of their respective trucking companies. One of the most vital of those regulations is the Hours of Service (HOS).
Per federal law, truckers are limited to working only 14 consecutive hours, of which they can only drive 11 hours after being off duty for at least 10 hours. Drivers regularly violate the HOS and doctor their driving logs to swindle governing entities into believing they are operating within the set time constraints. While they see this as a harmless way to squeeze in a few extra hours on the road, it puts all fellow commuters in the path of danger.
What are Common Types of 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents?
Drowsy driving, distracted driving, speeding, and reckless driving are all risky behaviors that cause accidents. As a result, numerous types of damaging accidents can occur. Some of the most common 18-wheeler accidents include:
- Head-on collisions
- Jackknife accidents
- Overturned trailers
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Underride accidents
Contact a Southwest Kansas 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer
Attorney Joseph T. Welsh is an experienced 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer who can help you get the funds you're owed. With thousands of cases defended on behalf of insurance companies and large corporations, Joe brings to the table key insight on how trucking insurance companies approach personal injury claims. Allow Joe to use that knowledge to your advantage when negotiating a fair settlement amount for all accident-related damages. Contact Joe today at (620) 510-5030 for a free case evaluation.