Truck Accident Attorneys in Texas
No matter where you are in the United States, driving on the same highway with a truck can always be a risky proposition. All you can do is to be as careful as possible, and to give them as much space as you can. After all, if something happens, you don’t want to be anywhere near because the consequences can be so horrible. Unfortunately, even when drivers of passenger cars are incredibly safe, a truck accident can still take place. If you’ve been involved in this type of accident, you were seriously injured, and you weren’t to blame, have a talk with a Penn Kestner & McEwen attorney as soon as you can. Our Texas truck accident attorneys deliver positive results for our clients on a regular basis, and we will do all we can to help you receive maximum compensation.
We’ll be more than happy to tell you more about how we may be of assistance. You can use our form to get in touch with us online, or you can call (800) 732-3070. We’ll listen to the details of your case, and then let you know what we may be able to do for you.
Texas Truck Accident Statistics
It’s probably not too much of a surprise that nearly 13% of all fatal truck accidents occur in Texas, since it’s such a large state. But what might be surprising is just how many more happen in Texas than anywhere else in the US.
There were 643 truck accident deaths in Texas in 2020. California ranked second on this terrible list, with 398 deaths. That’s a huge gap.
Of the fatalities in Texas, 527 were drivers and passengers of other vehicles, while 116 were truck drivers.
Top Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas
Truck accidents occur for a lot of different reasons. Some of the more common culprits are listed below.
Fatigued Drivers
Being a truck driver isn’t easy by any means. The stress is incredible, since deadlines are so tight. Drivers will try to push themselves beyond their limits far too often – with tragic results. Think about a time you might have been a little too tired when driving your car. You probably found you couldn’t react as quickly to suddenly changing conditions. Many truck drivers do this on a regular basis.
Drunk Driving
Operating a huge commercial truck – one that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds – is complicated enough when sober. When a truck driver makes the choice to try and get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that obviously poses a risk for a tragedy.
Lack of Maintenance
Drivers, as well as the companies that own trucks, must check their vehicles before taking them on a trip. They have to check fluid levels, tires, make sure the brakes are working properly, and more. If they don’t do this, and an accident occurs because of that failure, they could be held responsible.
Negligently Loaded Cargo
Trucking companies will often outsource the loading of a trailer to a third-party company. But that doesn’t necessarily ensure safety. Loaders can be negligent just like anyone else. When they fail to do a proper job, that cargo can suddenly shift while the truck is in transit, causing a loss of control.
Common Injuries Associated with Truck Accidents
Because a truck is so much larger than a passenger car, a collision subjects those in the car to incredibly powerful forces. These forces are much more destructive than the ones created by the average automobile wreck. The injuries are typically more severe as a result. These are just a few examples.
- Traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a victim’s brain moves inside the skull with such force that nerves and tissues are destroyed. This can often happen as the result of a truck accident, and can leave a victim unable to perform even the simplest everyday tasks.
- Spinal cord injuries. These can also make it impossible for victims to enjoy any sort of quality of life. When the damage is severe, it could rob a person of their ability to move any part of their body.
- Internal injuries. A severe impact to the abdomen or torso can do serious damage to the kidneys, lungs, heart and other organs. It can also result in substantial internal bleeding that could be life-threatening if not immediately addressed.
Understanding Negligence and Liability
If you’ve suffered a severe injury in a truck accident, and you weren’t to blame for that accident, then another person or entity was. That other party committed some sort of error – in legal terms this is known as a negligent act.
When you file a lawsuit, you’ll be taking action against that negligent party or parties. Once an investigation determines who was negligent, they will face liability. This simply means they’ll be liable for the accident-related expenses (known as “damages”) that you’ve incurred. They’ll be liable for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and any other financial losses you’ve experienced.
Who’s Liable for My Truck Accident?
There are a lot of complexities involved in determining who should be held liable for causing the accident that led to your injury. As noted earlier, the driver could have fallen asleep behind the wheel because they were so fatigued. But the cargo could have shifted due to negligent loading, resulting in the truck rolling over. In this case, you may be able to sue both the driver and the company that loaded the trailer.
Types of Evidence Used to Prove Negligence
In order to determine liability, an experienced attorney will need to launch a thorough investigation into the accident. This investigation will uncover the proof needed to not only show you weren’t to blame in any way, but to also identify those who you will be part of your lawsuit.
Do I Need to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?
If you want to have the best chance of getting all the money you deserve, you’ll definitely need legal help. You should seriously consider contacting Penn Kestner & McEwen. One of our attorneys will put their knowledge and experience to work for you. Call (800) 732-3070 or use our online contact form for a free case review.