A semi-truck accident can result in serious injuries, especially when the trailer collides with a much smaller passenger vehicle. As the victim of such an accident, you may be able to seek a fair amount of compensation. Call us today to discuss your claim with our Houston articulated truck accident lawyers. Here at Calhoun Meredith, our attorneys' goal is to get you the maximum amount of money for your losses sustained in the crash.
When filing a lawsuit for a truck accident in Houston Texas, it is important to understand how these claims work so that you can get the right compensation. Here is a look at the key aspects of articulated truck accidents and the claims that result from them .. Usually, a law firm can help with these problems.
Truck Accident Lawyer Will Advise You On Common Causes Of Articulated Truck Accidents
Articulated truck accidents are caused by a number of factors. Here's a look at some of the more common contributing causes of 18-wheeler accident cases:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse : The negligence or improper conduct of the truck driver can cause serious accidents . It is quite common for truck drivers to consume alcohol or abuse drugs while on the job. A study by the American Addition Centers (for its name in English) reveals that almost 50% of truckers consume alcohol and 30% take amphetamines. Abuse of these substances can cause truck drivers to experience lapses in their judgment. As a result, they can end up creating hazards for other people on the road and causing serious accidents.
Speeding : Most Texas truck drivers work under tight deadlines when shipping a load from one location to another. This puts them under a lot of stress and they may try to speed things up to get there on time. In cases where the driver is at fault, it will be a good line of defense. This is why speeding is often a contributing factor in articulated truck accidents. Commercial truck accidents are in most cases caused by speeding. These vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making them exceptionally dangerous when driven at high speeds. Many fatal truck accidents were caused by speeding factors.
Distracted Driving : Taking a call, sending text messages on the phone, checking the radio, eating, and doing just about anything else while driving creates a distraction. For the driver, this distraction can result in a momentary failure to concentrate on the road, resulting in collisions, injuries, property loss, and other types of accidents. Even fatal truck accidents are the result of distracted driving.
Driver Fatigue : Legally, truckers are not required to work more than a specified number of hours per week per day. When drivers work beyond this in order to earn more money or when forced by their employer, they can experience fatigue. This can induce drowsiness and cause a driver to sleep at the wheel, resulting in collision, sometimes fatal accidents . Serious injuries such as a blow to the spinal cord can result from this.
Loading Issues : Loading on articulated trucks or semi-trucks must comply with stringent federal regulations. Said load must not be beyond a certain limit in terms of its weight, and must also be properly secured. When the cargo is poorly secured or the truck is overweight, the driver can lose control at any time and cause incidents.
What to do after an accident with an articulated truck?
If you have been in an accident with a articulated truck, it is important to take the correct steps after the accident. Making the right decisions in the aftermath of the accident will help keep you safe while ensuring your rights are protected. These are the recommended steps you should take after a truck accident:
Get medical help
After a truck accident in Houston, it is essential to undergo medical treatment. You may feel like you have no injuries, but they may come out after the accident and result in serious internal injuries that are not immediately known. The trucking companies or insurance company may also later deny your claim if you do not agree to immediate medical treatment. So the first thing to do right after an accident is to get examined medically and undergo treatment if necessary.
give a statement
As any truck accident lawyer will tell you, in the case of most car accidents, law enforcement officers arrive at the scene of the accident. These officers conduct on-site investigations, take statements from all parties involved, and form their own conclusions. You will be asked for a statement if you are involved. When giving one, be sure to stick to the facts and simply tell how you think the accident happened. It is best not to blame anyone or admit guilt at this stage.
Gather evidence and useful information to prove your injury
In the case of an 18-wheeler accident, if you were not physically injured too much to move, it is recommended that you take photos and video of the accident scene. Focus on the trucks involved. Record the passenger vehicles involved in the accident and any visible damage to these vehicles, skid marks on the road, your final position, the environment, as well as injuries caused to you. Such evidence is very helpful in substantiating your claim for damages later.
At the same time, be sure to ask the truck driver about the registration number, trucking and insurance company details, and other vital information. If any person or the truck driver witnessed the accident, you should also write down their contact details so that they can later be contacted to give witness testimony.
Contact a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
A good Houston articulated truck accident lawyer can be immensely helpful when you are considering filing a claim for damages . Reputable, qualified attorneys have the ability to help accident victims identify the responsible party, gather relevant evidence, and then file the claim without wasting time. They will also be able to assess the correct compensation amount. So it's a good idea to get legal help as soon as possible after a truck accident.
Who is responsible for an accident with an 18-wheeler?
According to Houston regulations, multiple parties may be responsible for accidents involving semi trucks or semi trucks. In most cases, the trucking company is the responsible party. An attorney with experience working with the trucking industry in Houston is always a good ally for you, they can bring in accident reconstruction experts or other specialists who can help.
This is because when it comes to any negligence on the part of the driver, trucking companies can be held liable for failing to ensure that they hired trustworthy personnel. A trucking company can also be considered negligent if it fails to repair vehicle defects that proper maintenance would have prevented.
Truck accident claims can also be filed against the shipping company, the vehicle manufacturer, as well as third parties involved in the operation of the vehicle and the maintenance of the trucks.
How Can A Houston Articulated Truck Accident Lawyer Help You?)
When filing a claim for damages in a truck accident in Houston Texas, our clients are faced with the legal teams and resources of leading companies. On your own, your chances of success are very slim. This is why it is best to get the help of good truck accident lawyers.
Here at Calhoun, Meredith , PLLC, we believe that truck accident victims are entitled to fair compensation. Everyone involved in a commercial trucking incident has the right to be represented by a well-established personal injury lawyer .
This is why our truck accident lawyers provide full support and assistance when we are retained to help you with your claim. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your claim with our attorneys.
