Houston Truck Accident Lawyer | Injury Help

Auto accidents involving 18 wheelers and other big trucks are not uncommon in Texas.

Texas Truck-Related Crash Attorney

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) estimates there were 5,620 semi-truck accidents in Texas in 2022, and Texas truck-related crashes killed 1,228 people in 928 fatal crashes. Those figures nearly double the national average. Unfortunately, Texas usually tops the national list for truck-related traffic deaths by state each year.

A fully-loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while an average passenger car weighs just 3,000 pounds. The sheer size and weight of a commercial truck can badly damage or completely destroy a smaller passenger vehicle.

More than half a million trucking accidents occur in the U.S. every year. Roughly one in eight traffic deaths in the country involves an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, or semi-truck.

Trucker Blind Spots & Other Problems

Trucker blind spots are a common reason for serious truck accidents. Drivers of 18-wheelers cannot see cars or other trucks at certain angles adjacent to the rear of their large vehicles. Many drivers of passenger vehicles are sadly unaware of those blind spots. Consequently, accidents in large cities such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Beaumont, and others, are all too common.

Other causes for truck accidents may include vehicle failure or driver failure. Some trucking companies fail to properly service their trucks, or they may fail to properly vet the drivers they entrust with their cargo, and with the lives of fellow motorists. Some truckers fail to follow posted speed limits and standard rules of the road. Pressed by hard deadlines, long hauls, and perhaps too-little pay, they may also drive while badly fatigued. Truck drivers may fall asleep at the wheel, or their lack of sleep may hurt their attention and reaction time for avoiding an accident. A split second can often mean the difference between life and death. This is especially true in traffic-congested Texas cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Beaumont, and others.

Some truck drivers may operate under the influence of alcohol or other dangerous drugs. Some truckers may tailgate or drive recklessly, leading to tragic results. Others may not be trained or even licensed to handle heavy commercial vehicles.

Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can victimize anyone who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you or a loved one has been victimized in a truck accident, contact a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer to discuss how you or loved ones may receive full and fair compensation for truck accident injuries.

Accident Insurance Problems – Legal Help

Insurance companies are often notoriously slow to pay claims fairly and fully. Sometimes they do not act in the best interests of injured people, until those people secure legal representation. A good truck accident attorney can help determine whether an injured party is covered for injuries by insurance. A semi-truck accident lawyer may need to act so that an insurance company lives up to the policy agreed upon is paid for by an injured party.

If and when an insurance carrier fails to provide proper coverage, a tractor-trailer accident attorney in your corner can help. A lawyer can help ensure that an injured party or parties are properly served by an insurance company or companies.

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

In addition to insurance companies, an 18-wheeler accident lawyer may also hold accountable the trucking company, truck maker, and/or the driver responsible for the commercial vehicle and its operation. Negligence from any or all of these is often a factor in commercial vehicle accidents. Our Houston truck accident lawyers / tractor-trailer accident lawyers stand ready to help.

Determining fault in a truck accident

What to expect from a truck accident lawsuit

A truck accident lawsuit is a legal proceeding that seeks to recover damages resulting from a truck accident. The specific details of what to expect in a truck accident lawsuit may vary depending on the circumstances of the accident and the specific laws of the jurisdiction in which the lawsuit is filed. However, there are some general steps you can expect in a truck accident lawsuit:

Investigation: Before a lawsuit is filed, the parties involved will investigate the accident to gather evidence to support their claims. This may involve gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records, and other documentation.
Filing the Lawsuit: Once the investigation is complete, the injured party may file a lawsuit against the truck driver, trucking company, and/or other parties who may be liable for the accident. The lawsuit will outline the claims and damages sought by the injured party.
Discovery: After the lawsuit is filed, the parties will engage in the discovery process. This involves exchanging information and evidence related to the accident. The parties may request documents, take depositions, and conduct other forms of discovery to build their case.
Settlement Negotiations: During the discovery process, the parties may engage in settlement negotiations to try to reach a resolution without going to trial. Settlement negotiations can happen at any point in the process, and many truck accident lawsuits are resolved through settlement.
Trial: If a settlement cannot be reached, the case may go to trial. At trial, the parties will present their evidence and arguments to a judge and/or jury. The judge and/or jury will then decide who is liable for the accident and what damages should be awarded to the injured party.
Appeals: If either party is unhappy with the outcome of the trial, they may choose to appeal the decision. This can prolong the legal process even further.

Overall, a truck accident lawsuit can be a complex and lengthy process. It is important to work with an experienced attorney who can guide you through each step of the process and advocate for your best interests.

Free Legal Consultation

Matthews & Associates’ Houston truck accident lawyers handle all types of truck accident claims. These include a wide variety of large vehicles such as 18-wheelers, big rigs, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, commercial trucks and tankers. If you or someone you love was injured in a truck or car accident, contact a Houston truck accident lawyer for a free legal consultation.

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