Truck accidents tend to happen with alarming frequency on Houston’s busy highways and roads. These crashes often lead to causing severe injuries or even death due to the massive size difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Knowing what causes these accidents can help you stay safe and understand your legal options if you’re involved in one.
Finding a reputable truck accident lawyer in Houston should be your first step after seeking medical attention. They can help you navigate the complex legal issues that arise after these devastating collisions. The right attorney knows how to investigate these crashes and identify all potential sources of compensation.
1. Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often face pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines, which can lead them to drive beyond the hours legally allowed. Federal regulations limit how long truckers can operate without rest, but these rules aren’t always followed.
Signs of driver fatigue in accident cases include logbook discrepancies, GPS data showing continuous driving, and surveillance footage from rest stops. Fatigue impairs reaction time and decision-making abilities similar to alcohol intoxication.
When handling fatigue-related cases, lawyers review electronic logging devices, which record driving hours. They also examine delivery schedules and interview witnesses who may have observed the driver’s condition before the crash.
2. Improper Cargo Loading
Trucks carrying improperly loaded cargo present serious dangers on highways. When freight isn’t correctly secured or balanced, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to jackknife, roll over, or lose control, especially when making turns or stopping suddenly.
Weight distribution problems often cause these accidents. Overloaded trucks require more stopping distance and are harder to maneuver. Side-heavy loads can make trucks tip over when turning, while top-heavy arrangements raise the center of gravity and increase rollover risk.
Lawyers investigating these cases examine loading records, interview dockworkers, and consult with physics experts. They identify all responsible parties, which might include the trucking company, loading crew, shipping company, or cargo owner.
3. Mechanical Failures and Poor Maintenance
Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles monthly and require regular maintenance to operate safely. Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering malfunctions, and transmission problems frequently cause accidents when maintenance is neglected.
Trucking companies must follow strict inspection and maintenance schedules set by federal regulations. They must keep detailed records of all repairs and routine maintenance. When these obligations are ignored, catastrophic failures can happen on the road.
A good lawyer knows how to obtain maintenance records, identify inspection failures, and determine whether a mechanical issue existed before the crash. They often work with mechanical engineers who can pinpoint exactly what went wrong and why.
4. Distracted Driving
Truck drivers spend long hours on the road and sometimes turn to distractions to combat boredom. Cell phone use, adjusting navigation systems, eating, drinking, or reaching for items in the cab can all take attention away from the road ahead.
Just five seconds of distraction at highway speeds means a truck travels the length of a football field without the driver watching the road. This delay in reaction time can be the difference between avoiding a crash and causing one.
Lawyers can subpoena phone records to check if the driver was calling or texting at the time of the accident. They also review dashboard cameras, which many trucks now have installed, and talk to witnesses who may have seen the driver’s behavior.
5. Driving Under the Influence
Despite strict regulations and testing requirements, some truck drivers still operate their vehicles while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription medications. The effects of these substances severely impact judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
Trucking companies must conduct random drug and alcohol tests on drivers and perform mandatory testing after accidents. However, some companies fail to follow these protocols or overlook warning signs of substance abuse problems.
When investigating a potential DUI truck crash, lawyers request toxicology reports, examine the driver’s history of substance abuse violations, and review the company’s compliance with testing requirements. This evidence can be crucial in establishing liability.
How Lawyers Investigate Truck Accidents
After a truck accident, evidence disappears quickly. Skid marks fade, vehicles get repaired, and witnesses’ memories become less reliable. That’s why lawyers often send “spoliation letters” demanding that trucking companies preserve evidence related to the crash.
These investigations typically involve multiple experts, including accident reconstructionists who can determine how the crash happened, medical professionals who document injuries, and economic analysts who calculate the full financial impact of the accident.
Lawyers also know which regulations apply to different types of commercial vehicles. They check whether the truck driver had the proper license and training for the particular truck involved and if the company followed all hiring and supervision requirements.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Trucking companies usually carry large insurance policies because of the damage their vehicles can cause. After an accident, their insurers often send investigators to the scene immediately to build a defense against claims.
These insurance companies typically try to settle cases quickly and for as little money as possible. They might contact you directly, hoping you’ll accept a lowball offer before you understand the full extent of your injuries and losses.
Working with a lawyer levels the playing field. They know the tactics insurance companies use and can counter them effectively. A skilled attorney will calculate the true value of your claim, including future medical costs and long-term impacts of your injuries.
Compensation in Truck Accident Cases
Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to various types of compensation. These include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. In cases involving serious injuries, you might also receive compensation for future medical care and diminished earning capacity.
When multiple parties share responsibility for the accident, your lawyer will pursue claims against all of them. This might include the driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, or even the manufacturer if a defective part contributed to the crash.
The value of truck accident cases is typically higher than regular car accidents due to the severity of injuries and the commercial insurance policies involved. Your lawyer will gather documentation of all your losses to maximize your potential recovery.
Taking Legal Action After a Truck Accident
There are strict deadlines for filing truck accident claims in Texas. The statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering any compensation.
Preserving evidence is crucial to the success of your case. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage if possible. Get contact information from witnesses, and keep all medical records and bills related to your treatment.
The strongest truck accident cases combine solid evidence with knowledge of federal and state regulations. By working with a lawyer who specializes in these complex cases, you give yourself the best chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Why Specialized Legal Help Matters
Truck accident cases differ significantly from typical car accident claims. They involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and corporate defense teams dedicated to minimizing payouts.
Standard personal injury lawyers might not have the specific knowledge needed to handle these complicated cases effectively. You need someone who regularly deals with the trucking industry and understands its unique legal challenges.
The right lawyer makes all the difference in the outcome of your case. They’ll handle the legal complexities while you focus on recovery, ensuring that trucking companies and their insurers take responsibility for the harm their negligence has caused.
Also Read: The Top 5 Most Common Personal Injury Claims in Alaska (And How a Lawyer Can Help)
