Truck Accident Attorneys — 18-Wheeler Crashes Can Be Very Complex

Truck accident lawsuits can be as complex and complicated as the accidents themselves are devastating and destructive. The trucking industry is heavily regulated, and your truck accident attorney must have a thorough understanding of these laws, as well as personal injury law. Compensation for your accident may be the only way you can pay your medical bills, and even keep food on the table, if you have been seriously injured. Our truck accident attorneys are here to help.

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Why Truck Accident Cases Are So Complex

A collision with a fully loaded 18-wheeler is not the same as an ordinary car accident, and neither is the legal case that follows. Commercial trucking is governed by an extensive set of federal and state rules—the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations—that control everything from how many hours a driver may operate to how cargo must be secured and how often a rig must be inspected. A successful claim requires someone who understands both those regulations and Texas personal injury law, and who can show how a violation of the rules contributed to the crash. On top of that, the sheer size and weight of these vehicles means the injuries are frequently severe, which raises the stakes for everyone involved and makes the insurer fight that much harder.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Crashes

Understanding what caused a crash is the first step toward proving who is responsible for it. Some of the most common causes we see include:

  • Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
  • Speeding and driving too fast for conditions
  • Distracted driving, including texting behind the wheel
  • Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
  • Poor maintenance and brake or tire failures
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or stimulants
  • Inadequate driver training, hiring, or supervision by the carrier

Who May Be Held Liable

One of the things that sets truck cases apart is the number of parties who may share responsibility. Liability may rest with the truck driver, but it can also extend to the trucking company that employed the driver, the business that loaded or secured the cargo, the owner of the truck or trailer, a maintenance contractor, or the manufacturer of a defective part. Identifying every responsible party matters, because each one may carry a separate insurance policy—and reaching all available coverage is often the difference between a settlement that falls short of your needs and one that truly covers them.

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You Can Afford a Truck Accident Attorney

We understand that truck accident victims and their families are already facing financial difficulty, along with personal loss. If you have been putting off talking to a lawyer because you are concerned about the cost, please do not hesitate any longer. Your initial consultation with our truck accident attorneys is free of charge. Then, if we represent you, we do so on a contingency basis. That means we do not ask for a retainer or bill you by the hour, and we only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.

Compensation for Your Trucking Accident Injuries

Trucking accident injuries are often catastrophic, and it is not uncommon for survivors to be permanently disabled. If you have been injured in a truck accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a crash with a big rig, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including:

  • Past, current, and future medical expenses
  • Long-term care
  • Past, current, and future lost income
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Disability and related expenses such as special equipment
  • Disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Wrongful death

Preserving the Evidence That Wins Your Case

Much of the proof that decides a truck accident case is controlled by the trucking company, and it can disappear quickly. Electronic logging device data, the truck’s event data recorder, in-cab and dashcam video, driver logs, maintenance and inspection records, and cargo loading documents are all critical—and all vulnerable to being overwritten or lost. An experienced attorney acts immediately to send preservation letters and subpoenas that legally require the company to keep this evidence, then works with accident reconstructionists and other experts to show exactly how the crash happened and why. The sooner that process begins, the stronger your case will be.

Don’t Wait — The Statute of Limitations Applies

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, please call our truck accident attorneys today. The initial consultation is free, and if we agree to represent you, we will work for a contingent fee, which means we won’t get paid for our services unless you receive a settlement or an award. A truck accident lawsuit must be filed before the expiration of the statute of limitations—generally two years in Texas—and evidence degrades long before that deadline arrives. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation and so that we can begin protecting your claim without delay.