Delaware Truck Accident Attorneys

Delaware Truck Accident Attorneys

Accidents involving 18-wheelers can be some of the most serious accidents on the road. The size and the speed at which semi-trucks travel are two of the reasons why semi-trucks present an increased danger to drivers.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?

Hiring an attorney as soon as you can after a trucking accident means that you can be sure you will get the compensation you are entitled to under Delaware law. It is important to keep in mind that the trucking company and its insurer will have attorneys who handle truck accident cases everyday. You should also have an experienced Delaware truck accident attorney defending your claim. Call one of the lawyers on this site to discover what options you have.

Trucking Laws in Delaware

This increased danger is why trucks are subjected to increased federal and state regulation. For example, these trucking regulations provide the licensing requirements for drivers. They also set forth standards limiting the number of hours a trucker can drive per day and per week. Truckers must also log the miles they drive.

For truck drivers who only drive within Delaware, a slightly different set of regulations applies to them. For example, most truck drivers in Delaware can be 18 years old, so long as they have one year of experience operating motor vehicles.

Types of Tractor-Trailer Accidents

• Rollover Accidents. Roll-over accidents are the most common accidents involving 18-wheelers. Oftentimes this accident is caused by a truck turning at a curve in the road while going too fast. Other times, this accident happens when a driver attempts to overcorrect. Cars driving near a rollover accident are in serious danger of getting hit or of running into the semi-truck.
• Rear-end Accidents. Rear-end accidents happen when a truck hits the rear-end of the car in front of it. As with an car accident, this type of accident could be caused by driver error. For example, a driver could be sleepy or distracted by an electronic device. A driver could also be speeding and not have enough time to slow down. Issues with brakes, possibly from poor maintenance, could also be the reason for this type of accident.
  Trucks can be very difficult to stop. A loaded 18-wheeler takes 20-40% farther to stop than cars. It takes even farther when a truck is on a wet road. That is why trucks are prone to rear-end accidents.
• Tire Blowouts. If the truck has a tire blowout, it can be very difficult to control it and an accident may result. Tire blowouts can be caused by poor maintenance, overloading, and defects in the tire.

There are many other types of accidents that you could have with a truck. Jackknife collisions, accidents where the truck’s load falls off, and T-bone accidents can all cause substantial damage to you and your property.

Truck Accident Checklist

If you get into a collision with an 18-wheeler:

• Determine if you are injured. Do not try to move from your car if you are injured.
• Call the police.
• Exchange information with the driver and any witnesses. Do not discuss the accident or admit fault.
• If possible take photos and videos of the cars and the roadway.
• Report the accident to your insurance carrier.
• Seek medical attention. Keep in mind it can take days or weeks to feel the full extent of injuries.
• Call a truck accident lawyer.