Turn to Angel Reyes & Associates and discover the difference our Texas truck accident lawyers make in fighting for your money and quick resolution to help you move forward from your traumatic trucking accident. Our truck accident attorneys take a compassionate and client-focused approach as we lead you through the legal process. If you are in Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, or anywhere else in Texas, contact us today to set up a free consultation with our Texas truck accident lawyers.
We represent trucking accident victims in the following types of Texas truck accident cases:
- 18-wheeler accidents
- Big rig accidents
- Semi-truck accidents
- Large truck accidents
- Fatal truck accidents
- Accidents with dump trucks
- Rollovers
- Jackknifes
- And more
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The most common reason for a truck accident to occur is human error. Truck drivers, like drivers of passenger vehicles, may make serious mistakes behind the wheel, leading to a commercial vehicle accident.
Distracted Driving
One thing that trucking accidents have in common with car accidents is that distracted driving remains a major issue. A truck driver only needs to take their eyes off the road for a few seconds for disaster to occur. When a truck driver texts, eats, changes the music on the radio, or even tries to grab an object out of reach, these actions take their attention away from the task of driving. If your truck accident was caused by a distracted truck driver, our Texas truck accident lawyers will launch an investigation to build a solid case and fight for a fair settlement.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers must spend lengthy hours on the road as they deliver their shipments. While federal safety regulations dictate their hours of service, many truckers exceed them to gain bonuses or incentives from the commercial trucking companies that employ them. The result can be devastating when there is an 18-wheeler accident.
Impaired Driving
A semi-truck accident is also much more likely to occur when truck drivers are intoxicated behind the wheel. Some consume alcohol while others take drugs to keep them alert. This dangerous behavior can have fatal consequences in a semi-truck accident.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Driving a big rig is a tough job as these large vehicles have massive blind spots. When operating big rigs, truck drivers must pay attention to their surroundings and make sure the way is clear to avoid truck accidents.
Inexperienced Drivers
It takes training to learn how to drive commercial trucks. The commercial trucking industry is growing at such a rapid pace that many trucking companies are dealing with driver shortages. To keep goods moving, a trucking company may hire anyone willing to be a truck driver, even if that person lacks the proper training, credentials, and experience for the job.
Poor Maintenance
Every trucking company is required to maintain its fleet of vehicles. This involves conducting routine maintenance and inspections to ensure all systems are in proper working order. When a trucking company skips this essential step, it could lead to tire blowouts, brake failure, and other malfunctions that cause catastrophic results.
Cargo Shifts
There is a specific method for loading cargo in every semi-truck and commercial vehicle. Balance must be maintained for a steady drive to the delivery destination. When cargo is improperly loaded or not fastened securely, it can come loose and cause a truck driver to lose control.
Weather and Road Hazards
Weather elements are sometimes factors in trucking accident claims. While truck drivers have no control over the weather, they need to be able to keep control of the semi-truck. This requires adjusting driving habits to fit the conditions of the road. Additionally, they must proceed with caution in certain areas, such as within a construction zone where cones, barricades, and other markers may be present.
Texas truck accidents are a big deal because they can cause extensive damage. If you or a loved one were hurt in a trucking accident, contact our Houston truck accident lawyers to find out what steps to take next.
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Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Catastrophic injuries are unfortunately very common in large truck crashes. Our Texas truck accident attorneys have represented clients with many severe injuries that include the following:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Truck accident victims often suffer head or brain injuries, which can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. A person who endures a semi-truck accident is likely to take a major blow to their head. There could be a penetrating wound that punctures the skull, though an accident involving a truck can also cause damage to brain tissue via a concussion.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can affect truck accident victims in different ways depending on the severity and location of the injury on the spine. For some, loss of sensation may occur on a temporary basis while for other accident victims, they could become permanently paralyzed and no longer be able to do the things they could before.
Soft Tissue Injuries
In an 18-wheeler accident, injuries involving soft tissue can lead to sprains, strains, and tears. These painful injuries can take a long time to recover from and even after healing, may leave the victim with chronic issues for years to come.
Broken Bones
While many bone fractures will heal in time, some serious injuries may cause the bones to become misaligned. It is common in an 18-wheeler accident for bones to get crushed by the weight of these massive vehicles and those injuries can leave lasting damage for a lifetime.
Back Injuries
Back injuries are also common in a trucking accident. Herniated discs may require multiple surgeries and still result in enduring back pain.
No matter what type of injury you have sustained in an 18-wheeler accident or other truck accident, it is critical to speak with a truck accident attorney. The truck accident lawyers at Angel Reyes & Associates have helped many Texas residents with their truck accident claims. Get the 5-star service you need and the compensation you deserve by contacting our experienced truck accident lawyers today.
The Angel Reyes & Associates Difference
We’re not just car & truck accident specialists, our 5-star rating is a mark of quality that influences everything we do. We guarantee to: Maximise your settlement, charge you nothing unless you win, and provide 5-star service from the first contact.
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Understanding How Federal Trucking Regulations Can Impact a Truck Accident Claim
Those involved in trucking accidents should never attempt to navigate an injury claim without representation from an experienced truck accident lawyer. The differences between car accidents and truck accidents are huge, and without knowledge of federal regulations, you could miss out on a substantial settlement.
These regulations, which are set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), apply to truck drivers, trucking companies, and all types of large trucks. The FMCSA regulates the following:
- Training for commercial truck drivers
- Cargo, particularly hazardous materials
- Hours of service for commercial drivers
- The weight of trucks
- Frequency of inspections and maintenance
This is just a small slice of what is governed by the FMCSA and every trucking company and truck driver must abide by these rules. Failure to do so can lead to a truck accident that leaves other drivers severely injured. If you or a loved one have been in a trucking accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney who is competent in trucking accident litigation.
Determining Liability in a Trucking Accident
After trucking accidents occur, truck accident lawsuits are an eventual step. However, before you can file your truck accident case, you’ll need to determine who is liable for your 18-wheeler accident. While it’s easy to assume that the driver of a large commercial truck should be held responsible, there are often multiple liable parties in truck accident cases.
Truck Drivers
Since truckers are the ones driving commercial vehicles, their actions or inactions could have led to the crash, causing your personal injury. In a truck wreck, truckers are investigated to determine if they are the negligent drivers who cause truck collisions. A truck’s black box and expert testimony from accident reconstructionists can tell the story of how an accident occurred. Cell phone records are often examined as well.
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are responsible for properly vetting drivers of 18-wheeler semi-trucks. They must also abide by the federal rules. When a trucking company is negligent in maintaining the commercial vehicle in its fleet or breaking other requirements, they can be held liable.
Third Parties
Other third parties may be liable for your truck crash, depending on the circumstances. When semi-trucks or 18-wheeler vehicles are loaded improperly, the company tasked with loading the truck may be part of your personal injury lawsuit. The truck manufacturer, parts manufacturers, or even drivers of other vehicles could be to blame.
In short, your personal injury lawsuit may involve many of these parties, so the situation can get complicated quickly, especially if gross negligence is a factor. Our truck accident lawyers can take over your case, leading the investigation to seek all damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and more. In fatal crashes, a wrongful death claim can be made on behalf of your deceased loved one.
Contact Angel Reyes & Associates to speak with our compassionate semi-truck accident lawyers about your legal matter.
Common Insurance Issues After a Truck Accident
There are many issues that can arise when you try to get your money from the insurance company that covers the trucking company. Remember, the insurance company and the trucking company will be working to protect their best interests, which is why you should do the same with the help of a trucking accident lawyer.
When you deal with the trucking company’s insurer, many issues can arise with the insurance adjusters that could result in a lower settlement or denial of your claim.
Protecting Their Assets
Both the insurance company and the trucking company will be protecting their assets. They look for ways to limit their payout or reject personal injury claims to safeguard their profits.
Victim Blaming
Insurers of trucking companies tend to blame the victims, which is why it’s important to contact a trucking accident attorney as soon as possible. Truck accident attorneys are familiar with this tactic and can negotiate on your behalf to avoid this hassle.
Lowball Settlements
The insurers that represent trucking companies hope that you represent yourself rather than hire a trucking accident attorney. They will try to convince you that the amount they offer is the highest they can go. If you look at all of your medical bills and medical expenses, you may soon realize that what you are being offered will not be enough to cover these damages. It likely won’t include lost wages, property damage, or your other losses either.
You need the negotiation skills of truck accident attorneys who are committed to getting you the most money. Contact our truck accident law firm today to learn more about how we can help you through this traumatic situation.
Truck Accident FAQs
By now, you may realize that you need a personal injury lawyer to help you wade through the complexities that come after an accident with an 18-wheeler. These questions are the most common ones asked of our semi-truck accident attorneys:
How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
It is hard to determine the worth of your truck accident without examining the unique factors in your case. You will need to look at economic damages such as your medical bills and lost wages while analyzing future medical costs along with your non-economic damages like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Our semi-truck accident attorneys will take a look at all the expenses you’ve incurred since the crash. We will also analyze the type and severity of your injuries, which can greatly impact the amount you’ll receive. For example, if you have broken bones that the doctors expect to heal properly in a few months, your claim would be worth less than someone who has been permanently paralyzed.
Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Accidents involving trucks are not like accidents involving other vehicles and in many car accident scenarios, you’ll need an attorney. Most people who collide with an 18-wheeler tend to have injuries that are debilitating, often leaving them with permanent consequences.
As mentioned previously, the insurers will be focused on protecting their bottom line while the companies managing the truck fleets will be trying to keep their name out of the news. They often offer the lowest possible amount and sadly, many victims take it, not realizing that it isn’t enough to cover all of their losses from this incident.
The best way to prevent that from happening to you is to hire an attorney with experience in these types of cases. This helps you by allowing someone with the knowledge of applicable trucking laws to step in, investigate, build a strong case, and negotiate on your behalf. You will then be free to focus on healing from your injuries or learning to adapt to the permanent changes these injuries have caused.
What Steps Should I Take on the Accident Scene?
While you are still at the crash scene, it is vital that you contact law enforcement immediately. Officers will respond and later file a police report that details the accident. They will also have paramedics come to treat your injuries on the scene or transport you to the hospital.
You may think you’ve gotten lucky if you can still move your limbs and don’t see any visible wounds but you should still see a medical professional. Trucks weigh much more than passenger vehicles and this added force can easily cause serious internal injuries. You may have trauma to the head, internal bleeding, or other issues that can’t be seen from the outside. Make sure you get treated, which will also create documentation you can use in your case.
If you can, take photos and videos while exchanging information with witnesses and the drivers of the vehicles involved in this tragic crash. For many victims, this step isn’t possible due to the injuries they’ve sustained, which makes hiring an attorney all the more essential to have them gather this evidence.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer?
It is understandable that you’re worried about the costs of obtaining legal representation for your truck accident. However, at Angel Reyes & Associates, you don’t need to worry about attorney fees. We do not charge any upfront fees and you will only need to pay if we win your case through a settlement or jury verdict.
Our goal is to get the most compensation we can get for your injuries while providing compassionate support throughout the legal process. This contingency fee model allows you to let our capable hands take care of the legalities while you rest and recover. In our free initial consultation, we can discuss the fees that will be required upon winning your lawsuit to ensure that there are no surprises down the road.
When Should I File My Texas Truck Accident Lawsuit?
One of the most common questions asked is when a lawsuit for a truck accident needs to be filed. It can be confusing since reporting to your insurance needs to be done quickly while filing for a lawsuit allows for some time. In Texas, you have two years from the date of your truck accident to file this legal claim.
While two years seems like a lot of time, it can fly by. You’ll likely be in the hospital for a week or longer. After you get out, you may try to deal with the insurance aspects and find that you’re overwhelmed. The insurers will need to investigate to determine if the trucking company they cover is liable and analyze other aspects.
During this time, the clock is ticking on the statute of limitations, and they will slow-walk the process because they know it leaves you with less time to take legal action. If they offer a low settlement or deny your claim, the time left to file your case will be even more limited. Hiring an attorney immediately ensures that you have someone who negotiates your case from the start.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we prepare for a trial from the beginning of your case even though it will most likely settle before it ever gets to a courtroom. By taking these steps, we can be ready to go all the way to court if need be and fight for the highest settlement possible.
Need Legal Help After a Truck Accident? Contact Angel Reyes & Associates
Get the 5-star service and compassionate representation you deserve after enduring this horrific ordeal. With Angel Reyes & Associates, you will be working with a team that is recognized by industry awards that include the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. We are also members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor that less than 1% of lawyers in the U.S. receive.
We review your case for free and provide an honest opinion without any obligations. If you choose our firm to represent you, we will help you get the medical care you need even if you don’t have health insurance. We will handle all of the hassles that come with these legal matters while maximizing your overall recovery. Discover our supportive methods by scheduling a free initial consultation to discuss your truck accident today.
