As one of the nation’s transportation and logistics centers, Texas is no stranger to large commercial trucks on its roads. Unfortunately, this means that Texas is one of the worst states in the US for injuries and death caused by large truck accidents.
If you have been in a recent accident with a commercial vehicle, you need to speak to a Texas personal injury lawyer from Poolson | Oden. Injuries from a truck accident can leave you tens of thousands of dollars in medical debt and unable to work. We can help you recover financial compensation for your injury-related losses from the party responsible for the accident.
Contact our offices today to speak to one of our knowledgeable Texas truck accident lawyers. We’ve recovered more than $30 million in the last five years alone.
Types of Truck Accidents in Texas
Truck accidents have the capacity to be extremely destructive thanks to commercial vehicles’ mass and momentum.
Trucks’ large size and profile lend themselves to unique types of traffic accidents, such as:
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents occur when a passenger vehicle becomes wedged underneath the tractor-trailer of a semi-truck. Cars are much shorter than trucks, so forces from collisions can be directed at the windshield.
Underride accidents are more likely to happen with rear-end collisions on crowded roadways.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents happen when the tractor-trailer behind a semi truck loses traction with the road and starts sliding. As the trailer snaps forward like a jackknife, it can strike and drag vehicles behind the truck and in adjacent lanes or traffic.
Fishtail Accidents
Similar to jackknife accidents, fishtail accidents occur when the trailer swerves back and forth due to poor road conditions or the driver losing control.
Fishtail accidents can cause the entire tractor-trailer to flip over if the force of the swerve is too great.
Right-Turn Accidents
Trucks are more likely to be involved in accidents when making right turns. When trucks turn right, they may have to pull wide to the left first to make the tight maneuver.
Pulling across lanes risks colliding head-on with oncoming traffic.
Unsecured Cargo Accidents
Unsecured cargo can also cause accidents. Unbalanced cargo can shift during transportation, causing the driver to lose control. If unsecured cargo falls out of the back of a moving vehicle, it can collide with nearby motorists or cause them to swerve to avoid a collision.
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Liability for Truck Accidents in Texas
Several parties can be liable for truck accidents in Texas, depending on the specifics of the collision:
Truck Drivers
Primarily, truck drivers can be liable for accidents due to negligent or careless driving.
For example, if a trucker exceeds federal hours-of-service limits and causes an accident, they can be found negligent. Drivers can also be liable if they fail to perform pre- and post-trip inspections.
Trucking Companies
The trucking company may also bear liability if its negligence directly contributed to the accident.
For example, a trucking company could be liable if it hired a driver with a history of DUIs who then went on to cause an accident.
Truck Manufacturers
Truck manufacturers may be responsible when accidents occur as a result of mechanical defects in auto parts. Tires, brakes, and engines are all truck components that can cause an accident if they malfunction during operation.
Loading Crews
Trucking companies often contract with third-party crews to load their vehicles. These companies can bear liability if they load trucks improperly or fail to secure cargo when loading trailers.
Compensation You Can Recover in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Depending on your circumstances, a Texas truck accident lawyer from Poolson | Oden can pursue compensation for all of your injury-related losses, including:
- Emergency medical treatment and continuing medical expenses
- Lost work income and other forms of employment compensation
- Differences in pre- and post-injury expected lifetime earnings
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress
- Property repair/replacement costs
We aim to be as comprehensive as possible when it comes to compensation and won’t rest until we have unturned every stone and utilized every strategy at hand.
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You Have a Limited Time to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas
Tex. Civ. Prac. and Rem. Cod. 16.003 generally gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for a truck accident in Texas. The two-year timer starts counting on the date you sustained your injuries or discovered your condition. If the victim was under 18, the timer starts on their 18th birthday.
This time limit is extremely strict, and waiting too long can harm your case. Evidence fades over time, and it becomes harder to connect your injuries to your losses the longer you wait. The best option is to find an attorney to start building your case as soon as possible.
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Contact a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer From Poolson | Oden
A single bad truck accident can change your life forever, but there are options for assistance and relief.
The team at Poolson | Oden has recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for deserving clients and wants to help you next. Contact our offices online or call us today to speak with a Texas truck accident lawyer.