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Injured in an 18-Wheeler Crash? Find Out If You Have a Case.
Answer a few quick questions and get connected with an experienced truck accident lawyer at no cost.
- 100% Free Case Review
- Confidential & Secure
- Takes About 2 Minutes
- No Fee Unless You Win*
*Participating attorneys typically work on contingency — terms are set by the attorney you hire, not by this website.
Why an 18-Wheeler Accident Is Not Just a “Big Car Accident”
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds — about 20 times more than a passenger car. The injuries are worse, the regulations are federal, and the defendants are corporations with insurers and defense lawyers on call.
80,000 lbs
Max legal weight of a loaded semi-truck
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
~5,000+
People killed in large-truck crashes each year in the U.S.
NHTSA / FMCSA crash statistics
$750,000+
Minimum liability insurance required for most interstate carriers
49 CFR § 387.9
Commercial trucking is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), rules covering driver hours of service, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. When a trucking company or its driver violates these rules and causes a wreck, those violations become powerful evidence of negligence. But that evidence, electronic logging device (ELD) records, black box (ECM) data, dispatch records, driver qualification files, inspection reports, is controlled by the trucking company, and much of it can be legally destroyed on a schedule if no one demands its preservation.
That is why the single most important step after a serious semi-truck collision is getting a lawyer involved early. An experienced truck accident attorney sends a spoliation letter immediately, forcing the carrier to preserve the evidence that proves your case.
How Our Free Case Review Works
Answer a Few Questions
Tell us when the crash happened, who was hurt, and how serious the injuries are. It takes about 2 minutes.
We Match Your Case
We connect you with an independent attorney in our network who handles 18-wheeler and commercial truck accident cases in your area.
Free Consultation
The attorney reviews your case at no charge. If you hire them, they typically work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
What Compensation Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Recover?
Depending on your state and the facts of your crash, a truck accident claim may include:
- Economic damages — medical bills (past and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, vehicle and property damage.
- Non-economic damages — pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement.
- Punitive damages — in cases of egregious conduct such as drunk driving, falsified logbooks, or knowingly unsafe equipment.
- Wrongful death damages — funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship for surviving family members.
Learn more in our guide to 18-wheeler accident settlements and compensation, or read about who can be held liable in a truck accident.
What to Do Right Now If You Were Just in a Truck Crash
- Get medical care — some serious injuries (TBI, internal bleeding) aren't obvious right away.
- Make sure a police crash report was filed, and get the report number.
- Photograph everything: vehicles, skid marks, the truck's DOT number, road conditions, your injuries.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer.
- Do not accept a quick settlement offer before you know the full extent of your injuries.
- Talk to a truck accident lawyer before evidence disappears.
Full checklist: what to do after an 18-wheeler accident. Curious what causes these wrecks? See the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents.
18 Wheeler Crash Lawyer — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an 18 wheeler crash lawyer cost?
Truck accident attorneys almost always work on a contingency fee, typically 33%–40% of your recovery. You pay nothing up front and no fee unless your lawyer recovers compensation for you. The exact terms are set in the fee agreement you sign with the attorney you hire.
How long do I have to file an 18 wheeler accident claim?
The statute of limitations for truck accident injury claims is commonly 2 years from the date of the crash, but it ranges from 1 to 6 years depending on your state. Critical evidence like the truck's black box (ECM) data and driver logs can be overwritten within weeks, so acting quickly matters even more than the legal deadline.
What is the average settlement for an 18 wheeler accident?
There is no true average because outcomes depend on injury severity, liability, and available insurance. Federal law requires most interstate carriers to hold at least $750,000 in liability coverage, and many carry $1 million or more, so serious-injury truck cases often settle for substantially more than typical car accident claims.
Who can be held liable in an 18 wheeler crash?
Potentially liable parties include the truck driver, the trucking company (motor carrier), the cargo loader or shipper, the truck's maintenance contractor, a parts manufacturer, and in some cases a freight broker. An experienced truck accident lawyer investigates all of them to maximize available insurance coverage.
Is this service really free?
Yes. Our case review is 100% free and there is no obligation to hire anyone. We are not a law firm — we connect you with independent attorneys who handle 18-wheeler accident cases. Participating attorneys pay to be part of the network, which is how the service stays free for you.
Evidence Disappears Fast. Deadlines Are Real.
Black box data gets overwritten. Driver logs get purged. Witnesses move. The sooner a truck accident attorney starts working, the stronger your case.
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