Texas ranks number one, year after year, in the number of fatalities due to truck accidents. While every accident is unique, the lack of experienced drivers, poor truck maintenance, and driver fatigue contribute to many collisions.
Plano is no exception. Commercial trucks abound, sharing highways with smaller, more vulnerable vehicles. When a semi-truck hits a car, the results for the car’s occupants are usually devastating.
Accident victims are lucky if they escape with their lives. The severe injuries may take a lifelong toll physically, psychologically, and financially. Further, fighting a trucking company is not easy. They have attorneys working hard on their behalf. An experienced truck accident lawyer in Plano at Angel Reyes & Associates can help you receive the maximum amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Truck Accident Law
Laws governing truck accidents are more complicated. Truckers are subject to a wide range of federal and state regulations. Therefore, investigating the case requires researching whether the driver and the trucking company adhered to those regulations.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which oversees federal trucking regulations, limits the amount of time truckers can spend on the road. They may drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. In addition, they must take a 30-minute break after driving for eight hours.
Truck Accident Causes
In recent years, driver shortages have adversely affected the industry. Many of those drivers on the road also lack the requisite experience. As a result, they are more fatigued than ever.
Other common causes of truck accidents include:
- Aggressive driving
- Bad weather
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Improper freight loading
- Poor road conditions
- Speeding
Truck Accident Injuries
For survivors, truck accident injuries often result in permanent or long-term disability. Victims not only face substantial medical bills, but many are unable to work and care for their families.
Common truck accident injuries include:
- Amputation
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
Truck Accident Liability
Determining fault is the basis for succeeding in a truck accident lawsuit. The plaintiff, the person filing the lawsuit, must prove that the defendant was responsible for the crash. For example, the plaintiff’s lawyers must prove that the trucking company hired an unqualified driver.
Liability for truck accidents is also more complex. Perhaps the driver is at fault, but the company may also bear some responsibility. Moreover, liability may involve other parties. Your lawyer must identify all possible defendants.
For example, the manufacturer may prove liable if the accident occurred due to mechanical failure, such as a tire blowout. Likewise, if poorly maintained roads contributed to the crash, the jurisdiction in charge of the road may be found liable.
Statute of Limitations
If you lost a family member because of a truck accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The statute of limitations in Texas is two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Plaintiffs also have two years for wrongful death. However, any accident involving a government entity requires the filing of a claim within six months. Since crucial evidence may get lost, and an investigation takes time, it is vital to obtain legal representation as soon as possible.
Contact a Plano Truck Accident Attorney
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a truck accident, you need the services of a Plano injury attorney at Angel Reyes & Associates. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today by completing our online form or calling or texting 24/7. After reviewing your claim, we can determine whether you have grounds for filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, so there is no fee unless you receive compensation. Hablamos Espanol.