Truck Accidents

Truck Accidents

Were you or a loved one injured in a semi-truck crash in Texas?

Semi trucks and 18 wheelers seem like a ubiquitous presence on U.S. roads and highways. When traveling at highway speeds, these massive vehicles can be dangerous. A semi truck accident can lead to serious injuries, and in some cases, they can be fatal.

As the population of Texas grows, so does the traffic. Higher levels of traffic increase the likelihood that you or someone you love will be injured in a Texas 18 wheeler accident.

Truck crashes tend to affect multiple vehicles, and unfortunately, many of these accidents occur at highway speeds. Truck crashes also involve complicated investigations into the factors that led to the truck accident, such as speed, driver fatigue, truck company policies, and other factors.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a tractor trailer accident, you have legal options. A truck accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses you experienced from the accident.

Truck accident lawyers are knowledgeable about commercial trucking regulations. They are experienced at investigating and resolving cases involving big truck accidents and will represent victims of truck crashes.

Truck Crashes in Texas

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are approximately 415,000 big truck accidents involving semi trucks, 18 wheelers, tractor trailers and similar vehicles each year. In 2015, 83,000 of these truck crashes resulted in serious injuries, and more than 4,000 people were killed in a large truck crash.

Texas leads the nation in fatal large truck crashes. In 2015, 561 fatal large truck crashes occurred in the Lone Star State. The fatal large truck fatalities in Texas account for 14 percent of all large truck fatalities in the country. The next closest state is California at 296 fatal crashes.

Over 3,000 individuals were injured in large truck crashes in 2015 in Texas, according to data released by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Causes of Truck Crashes

There are many factors that may contribute to an 18 wheeler accident or semi truck accident. These factors include (but are not limited to):

• Driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Inadequate driver training
• Highway conditions
• Adverse weather conditions
• Inadequate vehicle maintenance
• Vehicle defects
• Trucking company negligence

Semi Truck Accident Injuries

Given the size and weight of commercial semi trucks and 18 wheelers, big truck crashes can have devastating effects. They can lead victims to suffer serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, amputations, and even death.

Recovering from these devastating injuries can take a toll physically, mentally, and financially. A person who has suffered catastrophic injuries in a semi truck accident will typically be faced with hefty medical expenses (and may require lifelong care), time and money spent undergoing physical therapy, lost wages, lost future earning potential, and pain and suffering.

Their family members, even if uninjured, also suffer due to their loved one’s changed circumstances and limitations, who may no longer be able to provide emotional and/or financial support due to the extent of their injuries.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Truck Crashes?

There are several levels of liability for semi truck accidents. Obviously, the truck driver may be held liable for the truck accident. There are several factors that may contribute to the driver’s negligence in a big truck accident. Speed, distracted driving, driving while fatigued, failing to inspect the vehicle prior to driving or driving too many consecutive hours may all contribute to a truck accident.

The driver’s trucking company may also be liable for a semi truck accident. For example, the company’s policies may put drivers at risk and encourage them to pursue negligent or reckless behaviors while driving. Trucking companies may be found liable for negligent hiring practices, poor truck maintenance, inadequate training, and driver negligence.

Trucking companies are required to carry high levels of insurance coverage to protect them in the case of a semi truck accident. However, unlike other types of car accidents, a trucking company’s insurer may be sued directly by victims of a serious or fatal semi truck accident.

Contact a Texas Truck Accident Law Firm

If you’ve been injured in a semi truck accident in Texas, contact The Emma Law Firm in the Dallas area for a FREE consultation. A truck accident lawyer will discuss the facts of your case with you and help you identify the next steps to take, including whether legal action is appropriate.

If you decide to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas, attorney Michael Anthony Emma will represent you every step of the way, helping you collect the necessary information, gather witness statements, conduct depositions and advocate on your behalf.

Mr. Emma is committed to securing the best possible outcome for his clients, including fair compensation for the physical, mental, and financial injuries they have suffered as a result of the semi truck accident.

The Emma Law Firm offers a FREE consultation in this type of legal matter. Fill out the form below for more information.