Truck accidents can be devastating, leading to serious injuries, extensive property damage, and emotional trauma. Navigating the aftermath of such an accident requires legal expertise to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. This article provides comprehensive information on truck accident attorneys in Houston, covering the common causes of truck accidents, types of accidents, liability issues, and the steps to take after an accident.

By understanding these aspects, you can make informed decisions and secure the help you need.

Truck Accidents in Houston

Truck accident victims often face devastating consequences due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. A fatal truck accident can result in severe injuries or death, making these cases far more complex than standard car accidents. Houston, with its dense highway system and heavy commerce traffic, sees a high number of trucking accidents.

A brief analysis of accident statistics in Texas confirms this trend. In 2023 alone, over 34,000 crashes involved 5,078 fatalities and 86,842 injuries from large trucks as part of CMVs. Tragically, more than 650 people lost their lives, and nearly 1,300 suffered severe injuries. The rising number of commercial vehicles on Texas highways has contributed to the increasing trucking accident rate.

An injury lawyer can help truck accident victims navigate the legal complexities involved. These cases often require holding both the truck driver and trucking company accountable for negligence. An experienced Houston attorney will fight for the compensation you deserve, ensuring coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can occur for various reasons, often involving various factors. Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Driver-Related Causes

Driver Fatigue: A driver is likely to be fatigued due to extended driving time, among the main reasons for accidents. Even though there are legislations prohibiting the number of hours of driving that a truck driver is allowed to undertake in one period before the driver has to rest, some drivers ignore the requirement, resulting in fatigue.

Distracted Driving: Since truck drivers are behind the wheel, they may focus on other things, such as texting, eating, or adjusting the GPS systems. Personal distraction is hazardous because even a moment of diversion may cause a serious accident.

Reckless Driving: Commercial truck drivers feel pressure to meet deadlines and hence drive at high speeds, which is very dangerous and can lead to emission of disastrous outcomes.

2. Vehicle-Related Causes

Brakes and Tires: Due to the mechanical condition of the trucks, brake failures, and tire blowouts may occur, eventually leading to accidents.

Overloaded or Unbalanced Cargo: If the cargo is improperly loaded, then the weight may not be distributed evenly across the truck, making the vehicle lean, which increases the chances of rolls and accidents.

Deterioration of trucks: Lack of proper care and maintenance leads to mechanical breakdowns, such as explosions, which cause accidents.

3. External Factors

Adverse Technological Factors: Weather conditions such as storms make roads slippery and driving risky, thus causing many accidents.

Bad Road Surface: Worn-out or poorly maintained roads can cause staccato accelerations or sudden decelerations, which could lead to an accident, especially when driving on long stretches of highway.

Blind Spots and Large Truck Maneuverability Defects: Large trucks have blind zones, poor visibility of other vehicles, and poor maneuverability.

Types of Truck Accidents and Their Impact

Jackknife Accidents

A Jackknife is an accident where the trailer of the involved truck extends to the left or right, forming an almost U-shaped formation with the cab. This can mean the loss of control and potentially deadly accidents in which a truck may swerve into other lanes or off the road completely. Jackknife often results from sudden deceleration, wet or icy surfaces or improper conduct by the driver. These accidents may result in fatal incidences, particularly for smaller vehicles that become vulnerable to being hit by swinging trailers.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are one of the most deadly truck accidents on our roads today. They are common when a truck collapses onto its side or roof, typically caused by high speed, tight cornering or unsteady load. Originally, trucks were large and massive vehicles, especially for transporting goods, and in the case of an accident, they rolled over and crushed other vehicles, leading to many deaths. Rollover accidents can also cause the cargo to shift, posing additional road dangers or making the retrieval challenging.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions occur when a truck does not have enough time to avoid colliding with the vehicle ahead of it. This is because trucks are bigger and heavier than most other vehicles and, therefore, need a longer distance to reach a complete standstill. For instance, excessive speeding, distracted driving or mechanical problems may lead to rear-end collisions. They can often lead to extensive damage on smaller vehicles and even result in the death of many people on board. Rear-end collisions can also cause chain reactions that involve multiple vehicles on the same lane or adjacent lanes on the highway.

T-Bone Crashes

T-bone crashes happen when one vehicle hits the side of another, and the angle created is that of the letter T. These accidents most often occur at intersections, with reckless turning, running a red light, or failing to give way, which are the usual causes. T-bone crashes specifically pose a high risk to the occupants of the impacted vehicle because the side of a car provides less safety compared to the frontal or rear. The consequences may range from fractures to internal injuries and deep-seated head injuries.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

These are large crashes involving many vehicles, primarily due to one truck. They are common on busy highways, particularly during unfavourable weather like foggy, rainy or snowy conditions. This causes several other vehicles to pile up since a truck can crash into many different vehicles when it is out of control. A multiple-car accident represents a severe road incident that can potentially cause many casualties, deaths, and property damages. Sometimes, the chances of rescuing people are slim because rescuers must crawl through the wreckage to find the victims.

Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers frequently experience responsibility because accidents stem from noncriminal behaviour, dangerous operations, sleepiness, or inattention while behind the wheel. The driver becomes responsible for causing an accident when they violate federal trucking regulations by exceeding the restrictions on driving hours. Driving while intoxicated, together with excessive speed and failure to maintain proper blind spot view, can both cause major collisions.

Trucking Companies

Trucking accidents commonly occur due to alterations in company practices that involve the non-enforcement of safety standards and inadequate driver instruction or excessive pressure to reach unattainable delivery milestones, leading to dangerous speeds and driver exhaustion. A trucking company becomes legally responsible for accident damages when they select unapproved drivers or ignore necessary maintenance of their trucks.

Vehicle Manufacturers

Accidents involving trucks become catastrophic because of poor-quality truck components, including faulty brakes, steering systems, and tires. A mechanical failure detected as the cause of an accident makes the manufacturer responsible for both defective parts and the entire truck for legal liability. Daily inspections, in combination with product recall research, assist in establishing whether production issues caused the accident. If an underride accident occurs due to faulty safety features, a truck accident lawyer in Houston can help determine if the manufacturer is liable.

Cargo Loaders and Maintenance Teams

Unsecured or imbalanced cargoes create risks of truck rollovers and compromised steering handling. Failure to properly secure cargo by loaders results in personal liability when shifting loads and participating in a transportation accident. Routine inspections and repairs become the responsibility of maintenance teams because their negligence in performing these duties creates conditions for mechanical failures that lead to crashes. If you need to hire a Houston truck accident attorney, an experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate whether improper cargo loading contributed to the crash.

Government Agencies

Drivers face trucking accidents because road conditions remain poor and essential traffic signs disappear while construction areas remain dangerous. Government road maintenance agencies that neglect to address dangerous road conditions potentially become responsible for sharing faults in accidents. Government entities require specialized legal expertise to handle court claims because the legal procedures involved in these cases are complicated. If you were involved in a Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer case, legal representation can help determine if government negligence played a role. A truck driver’s legal team can assess whether road conditions contributed to the accident and pursue rightful compensation.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

After a truck accident, taking the right steps is crucial for your safety and to protect your legal rights.

Step 1 – Go to the doctor: The safety of the patient or the subject involved in the incident is the most important thing. Another factor is that even if you do not feel uncomfortable, you may have sustained an injury somehow. A check-up helps diagnose any potential injuries and offers official documentation of one’s health, which may be helpful in a case.

Step 2 – Inform the police and gain a police report: It is always advisable to report the accident to the police. Contact the police, as they will draw up an official report indicating the parties involved, any witnesses, and any law that was violated. This particular report can be considered strong evidence to support your argument.

Step 3 – Gather evidence: Proving your case in court involves capturing evidence at the scene, which will greatly enhance the chances of success. The pictures taken should include those of the scene of the accident, the car or cars involved, and physical injuries that are evident from the outside. When others have witnessed the accident or the incident, ensure you obtain their details and take the statements. This can assist in proving the truth of the matter and assess responsibility.

Step 4 – Don’t speak to the insurance companies without an attorney: An insurance company may contact you shortly after the accident. Though it may appear they are assisting you somehow, most of their aim is to reduce the amount you can claim. The client should not give any statements or accept any settlements without seeking the services of an experienced truck accident attorney. With the help of an attorney, you will be provided with legal assistance and support to compensate you fairly.

Follow these measures, and you will considerably guarantee your health and legal claims while having a sound foundation for a compensation case. This is why if you or your relative has been in an accident with a truck, it is advisable to seek the help of a lawyer to help you through the legal process and to help you secure the amount of compensation you are entitled to.

How a Truck Accident Attorney in Houston Can Help

A personal injury lawyer in Houston can provide invaluable assistance in several critical ways:

Examining the Accident: An experienced personal injury attorney will analyze the accident to determine which party is legally responsible for the crash. This includes collecting police reports, witness statements, and expert opinions. They may also review trucking industry records, such as vehicle maintenance logs or truck driver logbooks, to identify negligence or violations of traffic laws.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies can be tricky. Adjusters are skilled negotiators trained to minimize payouts. A Houston 18-wheeler accident attorney will handle all communications and legal representation to ensure you receive proper compensation. This includes covering medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other damages resulting from a commercial vehicle accident.

Going to Court: If negotiations fail, an attorney can file a truck accident lawsuit and represent your interests in court. They will present a strong case proving negligence and fight for the compensation you deserve. This allows you to focus on recovery while the lawyer manages legal procedures, paperwork, and trial proceedings.

Maximizing Compensation: A truck wreck attorney understands the full scope of compensation victims may be entitled to. They will fight for damages covering medical bills, lost wages, and emotional suffering. If you have sustained serious injuries, your lawyer will also estimate future medical costs and lost earning capacity to ensure a fair settlement for your personal injury claim.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If you have been injured in a truck accident while on the job, you may be eligible for several types of compensation depending on your situation. A claim is meant to cover all the damages and losses you incurred due to the accident. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process to ensure you receive what you deserve.

Medical Expenses: Compensation can cover past, present, and future medical costs. This includes hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physiotherapy, and any treatment necessary due to the accident. If you were in an accident with an 18-wheeler, your injuries might require extensive and costly treatment.

Loss of Wages and Earning Capacity: If you cannot work due to the accident, you may recover lost wages. If the injuries result in a long-term or permanent disability that reduces your ability to earn in the future, compensation can also account for those losses. A strong team of lawyers will fight for your financial recovery.

Property Loss: If your semi or personal vehicle was damaged in the crash, or if any other property was affected, you may receive compensation for repairs or replacement. This applies to personal vehicles as well as third-party property damaged during the accident.

Pain and Suffering: Accident victims can receive compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. This includes not only visible injuries but also the lasting psychological effects that impact your quality of life. Whether it was an accident with a big rig or another type of accident, emotional suffering can be significant.

Wrongful Death
If a loved one was lost in a truck accident, surviving family members can seek compensation under wrongful death laws. This can cover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial support the deceased would have provided. If the truck driver was at fault, an accident lawyer can help you hold them accountable and fight for justice under personal injury law.

Why Choose a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer?

There is no better way of approaching the case than seeking the services of a Houston truck accident attorney since they are fully aware of the complications arising from truck accident injuries and truck collision cases. They also possess an excellent insight into the laws that govern personal injury cases, injury law, and the regulations surrounding the aftermath of a truck accident in Texas. This ensures that every aspect of your case is explored and presented for resolution.

Another reason to hire a Houston accident attorney is the assurance of working with an expert who has a proven track record of securing high compensation settlements. This includes damages for medical expenses, lost wages, property loss, and ongoing pain. An experienced Houston truck accident lawyer understands how to handle insurance companies and aggressively advocate for their clients in court.

Feel free to engage a truck accident attorney from the Lopez Law Group if you need legal assistance. Their law firm can help minimize the time it takes to resolve your case by representing you in court. With their experience and dedication, you can expect fair compensation. If you have been involved in an accident, don’t hesitate to seek help. Accident lawyers know the best strategies to secure your rightful compensation. Visit the next page to learn more about the services provided by Lopez Law Group.

FAQs – Get More Answers About Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer for Your Truck Accident Case Today! 

At Lopez Law Group, we specialize in handling wheeler and truck accident cases, offering expert legal representation. We provide a free consultation to discuss your case and understand your needs.

To get started, simply contact us, and our dedicated team will guide you through the process, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Reach out to us at Lopez Law Group today and let us help you on the path to recovery.