Rollover Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston TX

truck rolled over accident

Rollover truck accidents are a particularly devastating type of traffic collision, often leaving victims with life-changing injuries that require time away from work and costly medical care. If you’re worried about how you’ll pay your medical bills and other costs of living while recovering from injuries, you should know that you may be entitled to substantial compensation through a truck accident injury claim.

At The Callahan Law Firm, we represent people who have been injured in truck accidents. Our considerable experience and tireless work ethic have helped our Houston truck accident lawyers recover millions of dollars for injured people like you.

We are ready to put our experience and resources to work for you. Contact us now for a free consultation with our Houston rollover truck accident lawyers.

What Are the Common Causes of Rollover Truck Accidents in Houston?

Any destabilizing force along a truck’s longitudinal axis can lead to a rollover accident. In other words, anything that makes a truck wobble or sways from side to side can be a contributing factor in a rollover truck accident. That can include driver-related factors, vehicle-related factors, road conditions, and the actions of other drivers. However, historical reporting from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) suggests that truck driver error is the primary factor in truck rollovers.

Some examples of common underlying causes of rollover truck accidents in Houston include:

  • Driver inexperience – According to the FMCSA, more than 60 percent of all rollover truck accidents involve truck drivers with less than 10 years of commercial experience.
  • Drowsy or distracted driving – Roughly 1 in 5 truck rollover accidents is caused by truckers who are fatigued or distracted behind the wheel.
  • Driving under the influence – When truck drivers are drunk or high, they are both physically and mentally impaired and are more likely to cause rollovers.
  • Driving too fast for conditions – Approximately 28 percent of rollovers involving cargo tank trucks are the result of speeding or driving too fast for conditions.
  • Defective truck components – Defective brakes or other components can cause a truck to be unstable or handle unpredictably, increasing the chances of a rollover.
  • Poor road conditions – Roadways that are dark, wet, icy, banked, or curved can contribute to rollovers when drivers fail to adjust accordingly.
  • Cargo loading issues – Cargo that is poorly balanced, unsecured, or overloaded can reduce the effectiveness of brakes and increase instability.
  • Other road users – Another driver or road user who behaves aggressively or unpredictably can contribute to a rollover if a nearby truck driver is prompted to take evasive action to avoid hitting them.

Common Injuries from Rollover Truck Accidents

Any truck accident can result in severe injuries, but rollover truck accidents tend to be especially catastrophic because of:

  • The relative size of a truck – The height and weight of a truck makes it more prone to rollovers and make any rollover considerably more dangerous. These vehicles are so large that, when they overturn, they often cross multiple lanes of traffic and strike several cars.
  • The relative weight of a truck – A fully-loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, which gives it enough force to crush passenger vehicle frames, shatter glass, and severely injure occupants of smaller vehicles.
  • The risks of solid cargo spills – If a truck carrying goods, equipment, or other solid cargo rolls over, the materials can burst out of the trailer and spill onto the road, obstructing traffic and potentially causing secondary collisions.
  • The risks of fluid cargo spills – If a truck carrying liquid such as oil or some type of chemical cargo rolls over, spillage can leave hazardous slicks on road surfaces. And if the cargo is flammable or toxic, it could cause fires, burns, and inhalation injuries.

Depending on the circumstances, a rollover truck accident can leave victims with serious injuries like:

  • Head and neck injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Back and shoulder injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
  • Partial or total paralysis
  • Seatbelt and airbag injuries
  • Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
  • Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
  • Dislocated or broken bones
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Amputation and loss of limb
  • Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
  • Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
  • Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Toxic exposure and inhalation injuries
  • Emotional and psychological injuries
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Determining Liability for Rollover Truck Wrecks in Houston

Any person or company who caused or contributed to the accident that injured you could be liable for compensating you accordingly. Establishing liability requires evidence linking what happened to the cause of the accident. To that end, an experienced truck accident attorney can identify, gather, and preserve the following types of evidence to support your claim:

  • Photos of the rollover accident scene and vehicles involved
  • Statements from witnesses who saw what happened before, during, and after the collision
  • Accident reconstruction data including scene measurements, gouge marks, skid marks, debris field, drone video
  • Download of electronic data from the truck’s “black box” and in-cab dash cams
  • The truck driver’s cell phone, GPS, and hours of service records
  • The truck driver’s medical history and driving safety records
  • Trucking company hiring, screening, and compliance histories
  • Commercial truck inspection, maintenance, and repair records
  • Manifests, bills of lading, and cargo records
  • Pictures of any visible injuries you sustained in the wreck
  • Medical records detailing your crash-related injuries

Compensation Available After a Rollover Truck Accident in Houston

At the Callahan Law Firm, we understand just how personally and financially devastating a rollover truck accident can be. Our attorneys are ready to help you pursue the financial recovery you should receive under the law for a truck rollover accident. Compensation for your injuries and damages include the following:

  • Medical care expenses including hospital bills and other healthcare expenses
  • Lost wages from missed time at work
  • Lost future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Physical impairment
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium
  • Repairing or replacing damaged property

Contact Our Experienced Houston Rollover Truck Accident Lawyers

If you have been hurt in a rollover semi-truck accident in Houston, The Callahan Law Firm wants to help. We offer initial consultations at zero cost or obligation to you. Contact us now to discuss your case with our experienced Houston rollover truck accident lawyers.