Family Member Killed in an 18-Wheeler Accident – FAQs

It’s always devastating to lose a family member, but the feelings of grief, confusion and anger are perhaps most intense when that death shouldn’t have happened, it could have been prevented. If you’re suffering because a family member was killed in an 18-wheeler accident, it’s hard to come to grips with what you’ve so suddenly lost.

As you try to make sense of the fatal semi-truck accident and understand what comes next, it’s normal to have questions. We answer the most commonly asked ones here.

Who should seek justice after a family member is killed in an 18-wheeler accident?

If your child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, or someone for whom you were legally responsible died in an 18-wheeler accident, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas and Louisiana. Family members have up to two years from the date your loved one passed away to file a wrongful death accident. Keep in mind, the clock doesn’t run out two years from when the accident occurred, unless that is the day your loved one actually died.

When should families seek legal representation after a deadly truck accident?

The trucking industry makes billions of dollars every year. Truck companies are invested in protecting their bottom line, and so are the agencies that provide their insurance. When people die in 18-wheeler wrecks, it seems self-evident their family members should receive compensation, but most of the time, trucking companies and insurance agencies don’t just volunteer to give them a fair settlement.

An 18-wheeler wrongful death lawsuit can be a complicated, drawn-out affair that requires the services of an experienced legal representative. Monsour Law Firm attorneys can advise you on what actions to take to protect your family’s best interests and fight for justice in your time of grief.

How do you prove fault in a fatal semi wreck?

One of the reasons it’s so vital to quickly hire a truck accident lawyer is that most 18-wheelers have black boxes that record data on their operation and maintenance. Often we can obtain the data that black box contains, gaining evidence to support your claim. We can access data on how fast the driver was going, when they applied the brakes and other factors that might have been deciding factors in your loved one’s death.

We’ll also obtain copies of the truck driver’s logs, his or her employment file, maintenance records on their tractor-trailer and background information on the trucking company. We’ll talk to witnesses and reconstruct the accident at the place where it occurred.

If it’s not crystal clear what happened to cause your loved one’s death, we won’t stop until we get to the bottom of it. Whether the driver, the trucking company, the shop responsible for maintenance, the manufacturer or the loading company was responsible, we’ll discover whether negligence was involved and fight on your behalf.

What types of damages or compensation are available?

No amount of money could make up for what you’ve lost. But you’re entitled to receive damages because you’re paying an incalculable cost for something that shouldn’t have happened. Loved ones may receive compensation for the following:

• A lifetime of lost wages
• Loss of benefits like pensions or healthcare coverage
• Medical expenses
• Compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of care, guidance, advice or nurturing

If you lost a family member, we’re here to answer your questions in person and help seek justice on their behalf. Schedule your free consultation today.