In the bustling city of Houston, where commercial trucks and 18-wheelers are a constant presence on the roads, accidents involving these vehicles can have devastating consequences. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious truck accident, navigating the complex legal process can be daunting, especially when it comes to the nature of truck accidents.
The legal and insurance complications following such incidents require the guidance of skilled legal professionals. Hiring an experienced Houston truck accident attorney will ensure that your rights are protected and that necessary steps are taken so that you receive the compensation you deserve under the law. Contact us today for a no-fee consultation, and let us see how we can help you.
Why You Need a Houston Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident cases are far more complex than standard car accidents. Having a Houston commercial truck accident attorney by your side is essential for the following reasons:
- Multiple parties involved: Truck accidents often involve more than one party and can include the truck driver, trucking company, shipping broker, vehicle manufacturer and potentially more. Navigating these relationships requires a legal team experienced in successfully representing individuals and families in truck accident cases.
- Complex regulations: Commercial trucking is governed by specific federal and state laws and regulations, including those from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A skilled Houston semi-truck accident law firm understands these regulations and how they apply to your case.
- Severe injuries and damages: Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries or even death. Experienced legal representation is critical for anyone seeking compensation under the law for medical care expenses, lost wages, physical impairment, pain, mental anguish, and potentially more.
With The Callahan Law Firm, you’ll have experienced Houston commercial truck accident attorneys who understand the intricacies of these cases and can fight for your rights.
Key Factors in Truck Accidents
As a major trucking hub, Houston sees a high volume of commercial vehicle accidents. Truck accidents can take many forms, each with devastating consequences. Knowing what types and causes can make a difference in your case when determining liability.
Types of Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks are much larger than smaller passenger vehicles, with a higher center of gravity and much greater weight, putting them at a higher risk of accidents. Some of the most common accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents: Occur when the truck’s trailer swings out, forming a sharp angle.
- Blind spot: When the truck attempts to make a turn or merge lanes without seeing another vehicle, causing a collision.
- Rollover accidents: Large trucks can tip over, especially during sharp turns or when improperly loaded.
- Rear-end collisions: Due to the truck’s size and braking distance, large commercial trucks all too often are involved in rear-end crashes causing injuries to people in passenger vehicles.
- Fatigued driving: Truck drivers are limited in the number of hours they are permitted to drive during a certain time period. When they violate these rules or are otherwise overtired, overworked or fatigued, the result can all too often be catastrophic for others on the roadway.
- Side-impact collisions (T-bones): Common at intersections, these accidents often lead to life-threatening injuries.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: When truck tractors, trailers, box trucks and other commercial motor vehicles are not properly inspected and maintained,tThis can result in defective braking systems, “wheel off” incidents, tire blowouts, and more.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident caused by one of the above scenarios, contact our truck accident law firm in Houston right away so that our legal team can discuss your rights with you, and begin work to investigate the crash, gather and preserve critical evidence, interview witnesses, and more.
Causes of Truck Accidents
According to a 2021 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, large trucks account for 11% of accidents on the road. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Improper maintenance
- Overloaded cargo
- Mechanical defects
- Distracted driving
Truck drivers have a duty to drive responsibly and with caution. If you or someone you know has been injured due to the negligence of a truck driver, our truck accident attorneys and legal team are here to help.
Common Types of Injuries
Truck accidents often result in serious, life-changing injuries due to the size and weights of commercial vehicles. Here are some of the most common injuries seen in truck accident cases:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Internal Injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries
- Burns
- Fatalities
These injuries all too often come with high medical costs and long-term rehabilitation. If you or a loved one has suffered any of these injuries in a truck accident, our experienced Houston truck accident attorneys can help you recover the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, lost wages, physical impairment, pain, and potentially more.
Types of Commercial Trucks
Commercial trucks come in various sizes and are used for different purposes. Knowing the type of truck involved in your accident is important to understand how and why a crash happened, and ultimately determining liability.
- 18-Wheelers (Semi-Trucks with Trailers): Large tractor trucks with an attached trailer used for short-haul and long-haul transportation of goods, equipment, and more.
- Box Trucks: Typically used for deliveries and moving services, smaller than 18-wheelers but still dangerous in collisions.
- Tankers: Trucks that transport liquids or gasses, posing additional risks if hazardous materials are involved.
- Flatbed Trucks: Trucks with a flat rear portion or trailer used for transporting items such as construction material, oil field equipment, industrial equipment, and more.
- Dump Trucks: Commonly seen on and near construction sites, their weight, load and frequent stops can lead to dangerous conditions on the road.
- Garbage Trucks: Operate in residential areas, often resulting in rear-end collisions as well as backing and turning accidents.
Each of these commercial vehicles carries unique risks, and understanding the type of truck in your accident can affect the approach taken in your case.
What to do after a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, immediate action is crucial to protect your health and legal rights. Here are recommended steps to take:
- Prioritize safety: If possible, move your car to a safe part of the road and turn on your hazard lights.
- Call 911: Ensure that medical help is on the way and the police are called so the accident is investigated and a crash report is made.
- Check for injuries: Even if you feel fine, it is best to get checked by a doctor. Some injuries, like spinal injuries, internal trauma and brain injuries, may not show symptoms immediately.
- Gather evidence: If it is safe, take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange information: Collect contact and insurance information from the truck driver and witnesses from the scene.
Once you have taken the necessary steps to ensure you are safe, call an experienced truck accident attorney to determine the next steps. Truck accident cases are complex in terms of liability and often involve multiple parties. Our Houston truck accident attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm will handle the legal aspects of your case so that you can focus on your health and recovery. The sooner we get involved, the better we can represent you by investigating the crash, gathering and retaining critical evidence, and much more.
Who are the Liable Parties in a Truck Accident?
Another reason 18-wheeler truck accidents and other commercial truck accidents can be so complex is that there are often multiple parties that can be held liable for your charges. If you or a loved one have been injured due to a truck accident, the following are some of the potential parties who may be liable for your damages:
- Truck driver
- Third-party driver
- Trucking company
- Truck owner
- Truck and trailer manufacturer
- Shipping company
- Shipping broker
- Vehicle maintenance company
- Tire manufacturer
Our Houston truck accident attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm are experienced in these complex cases, and will work to ensure that all liable parties are held accountable.
How a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Truck accidents often result in catastrophic and life-altering injuries that leave individuals and their families facing long-term recovery and a mountain of financial burdens. Here’s how a Houston truck accident attorney can help during this challenging time:
- Investigating the accident: Following a truck accident, the investigation can include a crash site inspection, vehicle inspections, hiring experts such as accident reconstructionists and truck safety experts as needed, obtaining and preserving critical evidence such as driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and black box data. Our Houston commercial vehicle accident lawyers know how to uncover the evidence necessary to prove liability.
- Negotiating with insurers: Insurance companies have a goal of minimizing liability and any payouts they may have to make. An experienced truck accident lawyer will work to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to under the law including payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and potentially more.
- Filing lawsuit as needed: In a serious truck accident case, a lawsuit will be filed very soon after the crash. This helps to ensure critical evidence is preserved and can be timely inspected, and that responsible parties and their attorneys are involved. The case will be developed, eventually negotiated, and when necessary taken to trial if the responsible parties refuse to be reasonable. Our Houston 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers are fully prepared to fight for the rights of the people we represent.
At The Callahan Law Firm, we understand the complexities of commercial truck injury claims and are dedicated to securing justice for those impacted by catastrophic accidents. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on your health.
Legal Damages and Compensation Available in Truck Accident Lawsuits
Truck accidents can lead to extensive physical, emotional, and financial losses. If you or a loved one have sustained serious injuries from a truck accident, you may have the right to compensation under the law, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Physical impairment
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages
An experienced Houston commercial truck accident attorney is essential to ensuring that your rights are protected and that insurance companies don’t undervalue your claim. At The Callahan Law Firm, our goal is to protect the rights of the people we represent and work to secure full compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Justice After A Truck Accident
Truck accidents often leave individuals facing powerful trucking companies and their insurers who will do everything they can to minimize their responsibility. Hiring a seasoned Houston truck accident lawyer will level the playing field.
At The Callahan Law Firm, our truck accidents lawyers have been successfully representing people in their fight for justice for over 25 years.
If you or a loved one have been harmed in a truck accident or other commercial vehicle accident, don’t face this battle alone. Contact us today for a no-fee consultation, and let us begin working for you today. Your path to justice starts with a call.
FAQ:
Can you sue a trucking company in Texas?
Yes, if the trucking company’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident, you can file a lawsuit against the trucking company, truck driver and potential others for your injuries and damages. Contact our legal team at The Callahan Law Firm for more information.
How much are most truck accident settlements?
Settlement amounts vary based on many factors including the liability facts, how the crash happened, the severity of injuries and more. Settlements and trial verdicts can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
How long do most accident settlements take?
The timeframe can vary. This depends on the complexity of the crash, the responsible parties, liability facts, the injuries, required medical treatment, the willingness of the at-fault parties to accept responsibility and compensate fairly, and more. Some truck accident settlements can take a few months, while most take longer – up to a year or more. It is important to remember that an injured person and their family has one chance to get justice, and while there is an interest in “speedy justice”, all too often it takes time for a case to be properly developed so that the person receives “full justice” for their injuries and damages.
Who regulates trucking companies in Texas?
If the trucking company conducts business intrastate – meaning only within the state of Texas, regulations from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) apply. If the trucking company conducts business interstate – meaning in more than one state, then regulations from both the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) apply. Whether intrastate or interstate, a trucking company must first obtain operating authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) number.
