Commercial truck accidents in Houston are a serious concern, contributing to an alarming number of injuries and fatalities every year. At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, our battle-tested truck accident lawyers in Houston understand the challenges that come with these cases, and we will fight to hold negligent trucking companies and truck drivers accountable for their actions.
Our lawyers will move quickly to investigate every detail of your accident, gather key evidence, and negotiate aggressively with the defendants to recover maximum compensation for you while remaining fully prepared to go to trial, if needed. Don’t let the powerful trucking industry and its insurers intimidate you. Contact us today and get strong legal help for truck accidents in Houston.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Houston, TX
Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. Understanding the different types of truck accidents can help identify liability and assess damages. Below are the most common types of truck accidents:
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when the truck’s trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab, resembling the shape of a folding knife. This generally happens when the driver brakes suddenly, causing the trailer to lose traction. Jackknife accidents can block multiple lanes of traffic and involve several vehicles.
Rollover Accidents
Truck rollover accidents happen when the vehicle tips over onto its side or roof. These crashes are usually caused by excessive speed, abrupt steering, uneven road surfaces, or shifting cargo. Rollover accidents are dangerous and often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities, especially for nearby vehicles.
Rear-End Collisions
Due to their longer stopping distances, trucks are prone to rear-end collisions, particularly in heavy traffic or adverse weather conditions. These crashes can cause severe injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles, especially when the truck strikes with high impact.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a truck’s trailer. These are among the deadliest types of truck accidents, sometimes resulting in decapitation or fatal crushing injuries. Lack of adequate underride guards can increase the severity of these crashes.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions with trucks are often fatal due to the immense force involved. These accidents typically happen when a truck crosses the centerline, enters the wrong lane, or when another vehicle veers into the truck’s path. Fatigue, distracted driving, or impairment can contribute to such collisions.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Accidents
T-bone accidents happen when the front of a truck crashes into the side of another vehicle or vice versa. These usually occur at intersections when a driver fails to yield or runs a red light. The sides of vehicles offer limited protection, making injuries in these crashes particularly severe.
Wide Turn Accidents
Trucks require extra space to make wide turns, especially right turns. In wide turn accidents, trucks may collide with vehicles in adjacent lanes or squeeze smaller vehicles between the truck and a curb. These accidents often occur due to blind spots or misjudged turning space.
Blind Spot (No-Zone) Accidents
Large trucks have large blind spots, known as “no-zones,” on all four sides. When a truck driver fails to see a smaller vehicle in these areas, it can result in sideswipe collisions, merging accidents, or crushing incidents.
Lost Load Accidents
Improperly secured cargo can fall off a truck, creating dangerous obstacles on the road. Lost load accidents may involve direct collisions with debris or secondary accidents caused by swerving to avoid the cargo.
Tire Blowout Accidents
Tire blowouts are a common cause of serious truck accidents. When a truck’s tire suddenly bursts, the driver can lose control, causing the vehicle to swerve or roll over. Tire blowouts may result from poor maintenance, overloaded cargo, or defective tires.
Brake Failure Accidents
Brake failure accidents occur when a truck’s braking system malfunctions, preventing the driver from stopping in time. Due to the massive weight of commercial trucks, a brake failure can lead to devastating high-speed collisions or runaway truck incidents.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Houston
Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences, generally stemming from negligence on the part of either the truck driver or the trucking company.
- Texting while driving or other forms of distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated due to alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue or drowsiness
- Aggressive driving
- Tailgating
- Failure to maintain a lookout
- Unsecured cargo, overloading, or unauthorized cargo
- Tire blowout or defective tires
- Braking malfunction or component failure due to poor maintenance
- Pressuring the driver to violate HOS rules
- Unrealistic delivery deadlines
- Improper training
- Violation of safety regulations
Negligence of the Cargo Loader in Houston Truck Crashes
Our skilled truck accident lawyers in Houston will investigate whether negligence on the part of the cargo loader contributed to your injuries. Common types of negligence may include:
- Overloading beyond the truck’s gross vehicle weight rating
- Loading the cargo haphazardly and unevenly
- Loading top-heavy cargo
- Failure to block the cargo from sliding
- Stacking cargo near the flatbed trailer’s outer edge
- Failure to use proper cargo restraints
- Failure to secure the cargo tarp
- Using old or worn-out ropes to secure the cargo
- Using irregular cargo nets that fail to cover the full load
- Loading dangerous goods or hazardous materials without a license
Poor Truck Maintenance Can Cause Truck Crashes in Houston
Our experienced truck accident lawyers are committed to investigating and proving the defendants’ negligence in maintenance-related issues if they contributed to your accident. Common issues may include:
- Failure to replace faulty or damaged brakes
- Ignoring overinflated or underinflated tires
- Lack of maintenance of the steering system
- Poor trailer maintenance
- Inadequate rear guard or underride protection
- Missing or defective mirrors and broken tail lights
Commercial Truck Accident Claims Are More Complicated than Car Accidents
Unlike passenger vehicle claims, truck accident injury claims are far more challenging, requiring representation from top-rated Houston commercial vehicle accident lawyers.
Proving Vicarious Liability of the Truck Company Is Complex
Truck accident claims are inherently complex due to the issue of vicarious liability. This legal doctrine holds trucking companies accountable for the actions of their drivers. In many cases, violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations are involved.
At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, our experienced Houston accident attorneys will find the evidence to prove violations of Hours of Service (HOS) rules and other potential violations by the trucking company.
Higher Financial Stakes in Truck Accident Cases
In catastrophic injury-related and fatal truck accidents, the financial stakes in truck accidents are usually much higher compared to passenger vehicle collisions. One of the reasons is the high FMCSA insurance minimums for commercial vehicles. As of now, the federal minimum required insurance coverage is $750,000 for general freight and can rise to $5 million for hazardous materials transport.
Strong Evidence Required to Prove Negligence
In 18-wheeler accident cases, securing critical evidence is essential. This includes black box data from the truck’s event data recorder, which must be obtained swiftly before it gets erased or distorted. Moreover, surveillance footage from nearby cameras can play a vital role in disputing the truck driver’s narrative of the accident.
The Defendants’ Denial of Liability
Trucking companies and their insurers will almost always deny liability or attempt to shift the blame onto the injured party. In Texas, the modified comparative negligence rule says that if you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages. These defendants will move quickly to twist the facts in their favor, which makes it vital to have a dedicated legal team prepared to counter their tactics.
Need for Trial Capabilities and Resources
When it comes to taking on big insurance companies and trucking corporations in Texas truck accident cases, having the resources and trial capabilities is essential. If your truck accident case goes to court, our trial record and extensive trial preparation will allow us to level the playing field against well-resourced trucking companies and insurers.
Steps Our Houston Truck Accident Attorneys Will Take to Prove Liability and Maximize Damages
When you choose Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers to represent you in a truck accident claim, our dedicated Houston commercial truck accident attorneys spring into action immediately to ensure that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of recovering maximum compensation.
Prioritize Your Medical Assistance
In Texas truck accidents, our first step is to ensure you receive appropriate medical care based on your injuries. We connect you with reputable healthcare providers who specialize in treating accident-related injuries, such as orthopedists, neurologists, and physical therapists.
Document the Crash Site
Our experienced truck accident attorney, equipped with a photo and video crew, visits the crash site immediately to capture critical evidence. We document:
- Position of the vehicles
- Road marks
- Surrounding property damage
- Placement of debris
- Road conditions and traffic patterns
Collect and Preserve Evidence
Our Texas truck crash law firm will quickly send a spoliation letter to the trucking company to preserve all potential evidence under their control. This includes:
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Driver logs
- GPS data
- Surveillance footage
Analyze Event Data Recorder Information
The Event Data Recorder (EDR), commonly known as the truck’s “black box,” provides key insights into the truck’s operation just before the accident. Our Texas truck accident claim attorneys may work with accident reconstructionists to:
- Download and preserve EDR data
- Analyze metrics such as speed changes, sudden braking, and gear shifts
Gather Driver and Company Records
To assess the trucking company’s liability, we obtain a variety of essential records, including:
- Driver’s logs and dispatch records
- Driver qualification and training files
- Company policies and procedures
- Drug and alcohol tests
Investigate Vehicle Maintenance Records
We obtain the truck’s maintenance and inspection records to evaluate whether the trucking company was negligent in maintaining its fleet. This involves:
- Reviewing inspection logs and maintenance schedules
- Assessing any previous issues reported with the truck
Assess Cargo Load Compliance
In your Houston trucking accident case, we will also investigate whether the commercial vehicle was carrying:
- Improperly secured cargo
- Hazardous materials
- Overweight loads
Interview Potential Eyewitnesses
Our attorneys gather information about potential eyewitnesses and reach out quickly to collect audio, video, or written statements to support your case. We understand that:
- Eyewitnesses may have critical details about the events
- Timely interviews increase the likelihood of obtaining accurate testimonies
Engage Expert Witnesses
In complex truck accident cases, we may hire expert witnesses, including:
- Accident reconstructionists
- Forensic experts
- Medical specialists
- Financial professionals
Shield You Against Insurance Company Tactics
Our experienced attorneys are prepared to counter insurer tactics and ensure your rights are upheld throughout the claims process. We:
- Educate you about your rights and the potential pitfalls
- Prepare you for recorded statements
- Prevent you from accepting lowball settlements
Negotiate Aggressively with the Insurers
We engage in aggressive negotiations on your behalf, leveraging the strength of the evidence we have gathered to pursue a fair settlement. We negotiate based on:
- Documentation of all medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages incurred due to the accident
- An assertion of your rights under the law, emphasizing the strength of your case
Proactively Prepare for Trial
While negotiations are ongoing, we begin trial preparations to show our resolve. Our preparation includes organizing evidence, preparing witness testimonies, and strategizing for courtroom proceedings. This trial readiness strengthens our legal position as well as serves as powerful leverage during settlement negotiations.
Get High-Powered Legal Representation from Our Houston, TX Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s time to get strong legal representation from the truck accident attorneys at Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers.
With our formidable record of recovering over half a billion dollars in compensation for our clients, we’re strongly positioned to negotiate the highest settlements with insurance companies or take your case to trial when necessary. Our founding attorney, Amanda Demanda, is a recognized leader in the field, known for her relentless pursuit of justice and her ability to achieve maximum compensation for injured victims in truck accident cases. To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at 1-844-DEMANDA or contact us online.
