Houston Truck Accident Attorneys

If you were in an accident involving a commercial truck, you might be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault party. The Houston personal injury attorneys of Design 9 can review your case and determine whether we can represent you in your insurance claim or lawsuit.

Large trucks can cause more destruction than passenger vehicles in a motor vehicle accident. Tractor-trailers are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, but they may also contain the added weight of cargo. You could suffer severe injuries during the initial impact of a collision and subsequent injuries from loose freight or toxic substances. A crash like this is a dangerous situation for anyone to find themselves in, and there could be fatal consequences.

The Houston truck accident attorneys of Design 9 understand the burden you’re facing. It’s bad enough that you must undergo expensive medical treatment to heal, but on top of that, you also have to handle a personal injury claim or lawsuit. It can become stressful and overwhelming. You don’t have to go through this alone. Our legal team will remain in your corner to advocate for your rights and fight for the justice you deserve.

Call Design 9 at (555) 555-5555 for your free consultation and learn more about the legal services we offer.

Types of Commercial Trucks

Large trucks can cause massive damage, severe injuries, and fatalities. There are various kinds, and their use depends on the type of cargo being transported. Some companies use tractor-trailers to transport a large amount of cargo or heavy materials. Others need dump trucks to haul gravel and dirt to construction sites.

The most common types of commercial trucks you’ll see in South Texas are:

• Flatbed trucks
• Tanker trucks
• Tractor-trailers
• Garbage and dump trucks
• Cement mixers
• Heavy haulers
• Tow trucks
• Construction vehicles
• Delivery trucks and vans
• Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles
• Box trucks
• Refrigerated trucks

Operating these vehicles requires special licensing, training, and experience. If an unqualified driver is at the wheel, the occupants of smaller cars are at risk of injury.

Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents

Houston is a major city with various highways running through it. Thousands of people take I-45, I-10, and other freeways during their daily commute. Traffic congestion can be a problem in a large metropolis, especially when drivers share the road with commercial trucks.

Commercial truck drivers must remain especially cautious behind the wheel. Becoming distracted could result in a serious collision with a passenger car. Trucker drivers should always keep their hands, eyes, and attention on the task at hand to avoid an accident. Unfortunately, many truckers behave carelessly or make errors that put other people at risk of harm.

The most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue – Truck drivers can spend up to eleven hours on the road during a single shift. If their employer pays them by the mile, they might try to drive longer to make more money. Fatigue can impair a person’s driving abilities and can lead to slower reaction time and poor decision-making skills.
• Inexperience – Driving a tractor-trailer requires special training and a knowledge of how these vehicles function. A lack of sufficient training could result in a crash if the driver doesn’t know how to respond to an emergency.
• Speeding – In 2019, 26% of traffic fatalities were associated with speeding. It’s a serious problem, especially when the speeding vehicle is an 80,000-pound truck. The occupants of compact cars typically can’t withstand the force of a large vehicle barreling into them at top speeds.
• Aggressive driving – Truck drivers should stay alert and calm when operating a tractor-trailer. If they’re rushing to stay on schedule or become frustrated with heavy traffic, they could speed, tailgate, or engage in acts of road rage, all of which are dangerous.
• Improperly loaded cargo – Federal regulations require trucking companies to use adequate securement systems and devices. The cargo should be kept within weight and size limits for all vehicles. Violating these regulations could result in a lost load or throw the truck off-balance, causing the trucker to lose control.
• Driving under the influence – Due to long hours spent on the road, truck drivers might turn to illegal substances to keep them awake. Some will drink alcohol to cope with the significant time spent away from their family. Drunk driving is so dangerous that federal law governing commercial truck drivers established a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.04% as being under the influence for someone driving a commercial vehicle.
• Failing to check blind spots – Commercial trucks have larger blind spots than passenger vehicles. Their blind spots, one in front of the cab, one to the rear, and one on each side, can extend up to 30 feet behind the trailer and up to two lanes to the right of the truck. Truckers must always check all four blind spots before changing lanes or merging to avoid sideswiping another vehicle.

If any of these or some other factor contributed to a truck accident, you should contact an experienced Houston truck accident attorney from Design 9 immediately. Don’t wait to seek the legal advice and services you need to pursue the compensation necessary to heal your injuries.

Common Injuries Suffered in Truck Accidents

Large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. They’re also much longer and higher off the ground than passenger cars. When these two vehicles are on a collision course, the small car occupants often suffer worse injuries than the truck driver.

The most common injuries associated with truck accidents are:

• Crush injuries
• Loss of limb
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Internal bleeding
• Whiplash
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Head and neck injuries
• Psychological damage

Debilitating injuries, such as loss of limb and paralysis, require ongoing medical care. If you can’t return to your job, you can’t earn an income. That means you might not be able to afford your medical bills. It can become a significant financial burden and lead to massive debt.

You shouldn’t be responsible for these expenses when someone else was at fault for the crash. Design 9 knows how to investigate truck accidents, obtain crucial evidence to prove what happened, and hold the negligent party accountable.

Take Immediate Action After a Truck Accident

Many people experience shock following an accident with a commercial truck. You can’t believe what just happened and might not know what to do next. Unfortunately, if you take the wrong action after a truck accident, it could negatively impact the outcome of a personal injury case if you choose to pursue one.

It’s critical that you seek medical treatment after leaving the crash site. Don’t wait days or weeks before visiting your doctor. You might think your injury is minor, but there could be an underlying issue that isn’t apparent in the immediate aftermath of an accident.

The emergency room doctor can evaluate your physical and mental condition to determine a diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Follow their orders and treat with every medical provider they recommend. Skipping appointments could hurt you in the long run. Not only could it impede your recovery, but it could also reduce the amount of compensation you receive.

Insurance companies typically look at gaps in treatment as evidence that the victim didn’t get hurt in the accident or that the injury isn’t as serious as the victim claimed. Medical records show a timeline of treatment. If you regularly show up for your appointments, it will likely be difficult for the insurance company to deny your claim.

Other than seeking medical treatment, you should also hire a Houston truck accident attorney. Handling your case alone could prove to be challenging. Most people don’t understand their rights following a car crash and how to deal with insurance companies. They are not on your side. Their goal is to save money whenever possible and avoid large settlement payouts.

Design 9 can handle your claim and communicate with the insurance representative on your behalf. Our legal team can take on the responsibility for your case so you can focus on healing your injuries. You can depend on us to aggressively fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Pursuing Compensation After a Houston Truck Accident

You probably suffered multiple losses after the truck accident. You have a right to pursue compensation to cover those losses, so you’re not forced to pay for anything out of pocket.

Federal regulations require all trucking companies to purchase and maintain liability insurance for their drivers. You can file a claim to seek a settlement for your past and future losses, such as:

• Medical bills
• Physical impairment or disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of household services

You might also have the option to file a lawsuit. There is a strict timeframe called a statute of limitations that you must follow if you want to sue the truck driver or trucking company. Texas requires compliance with a two-year statute of limitations. That means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the truck accident date if you want to seek compensation for your losses.

Contact Us

The Houston truck accident attorneys of Design 9 have the experience, knowledge, and resources to represent you in your case successfully. We know what it takes to stand up against insurance companies and defense attorneys in personal injury cases. We’re not afraid to go to battle for you to reach your desired outcome.

If you sustained injuries in an accident involving a commercial truck, call us at (555) 555-5555 immediately for a free consultation.