Houston Office – 713-224-7644 The Woodlands Office – 281-882-8488
Houston Office – 713-224-7644
The Woodlands Office – 281-882-8488
Houston Office – 713-224-7644 The Woodlands Office – 281-882-8488
Houston Office – 713-224-7644
The Woodlands Office – 281-882-8488
As experienced Houston truck accident lawyers, we know the dangers of truck accidents too well. While trucks and 18-wheelers are important to our economy, they can also be incredibly dangerous both to their drivers and those around them when mishandled. According to statistics gathered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, large trucks were involved in nearly 5,000 fatal accidents in 2017 alone, a figure that’s been steadily growing since 2009.
Statistically, other drivers are more than three times more likely to be injured than truck drivers when they are involved in accidents and are more than four times as likely to be killed. Yet the trucking industry prefers to use its vast resources to keep victims and their families from receiving the compensation they need after a truck accident.
A truck accident isn’t the kind of situation where you exchange information and hope for the best. It is crucial that you alert legal authorities and seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. Shock and panic often prevent people from realizing the extent of their injuries, and poor documentation can make it all-too-easy for insurance companies to rewrite history in their favor.
As best you can, try to take stock of the logos and operator names on the truck that struck you. Filing a suit against the right party requires knowing and investigating all the players involved, including the company that owns the truck and the manufacturer. If possible identify the driver and collect their information.
Staying one step ahead of the trucking industry lawyers and insurance teams means protecting your story. Do your best to take pictures and speak with any witnesses who may pull up to check on you or who are stopped by the accident. Images and testimony can go a long way in ensuring the truth prevails.
The effects of a truck accident can take time to emerge, time the insurance companies don’t want to give you. Before you agree to anything, have your injuries fully assessed by a medical professional, and have your situation analyzed by one of our experienced truck accident attorneys at Grimes and Fertitta.
Like any other licensed driver, truck drivers and operators are accountable for the safety of those around them. However, commercial trucks and 18-wheelers require a different category of driver’s license to operate, and their commercial use is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in addition to the state’s regulations.
People hurt in truck accidents find themselves facing a lot of questions: “How could this happen?” “What will it take for me to recover?” “How am I going to cover my expenses?”
Yes, victims can file a truck accident claim, potentially against multiple parties depending on the nature of the accident, including:
Texas has around 80,000 miles of roads and every driver has to share those roads with commercial trucks. Those vehicles are several times larger and heavier than most personal vehicles. It makes them very dangerous in the event of an accident.
If you or a family member was injured in an accident with a commercial truck, the attorneys at Grimes and Fertitta, P.C., in Houston and The Woodlands can answer your most urgent questions, starting with these.
The main difference is the size and power of commercial vehicles. In addition to that, the ownership and operating rules around commercial vehicles are complicated. Often, semi-trucks are owned by large companies that have vast resources to defend claims and pay claims.
Truck accident causes are largely the same factors as other motor vehicle accidents. Driver fatigue, driver negligence, poorly designed or maintained roads and equipment failures are common.
Corporate pressure that leads to overloaded trucks and drivers working longer shifts can compound the hazards.
In the case of truck accidents, since ownership can be so convoluted, determining responsibility can be challenging. For example, it could be:
At Grimes and Fertitta, P.C., our attorneys will work with you to decide how best to proceed with your claim.
Commercial trucking accidents are terrifying and the injuries that result from them can be catastrophic. Do not face this difficult time alone. Speak with one of our lawyers at either our Houston office at 713-224-7644 or The Woodlands office at 281-882-8488 . You can also reach us by email using our online form.
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