Truck Accidents

Can I file a lawsuit if am injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer?

Sharing the road with semi-trucks and tractor trailers in unavoidable, so it makes sense to proceed with caution if you are driving along aside or passing a large truck. Because of their weight and length, trucks can be hard to navigate. Moreover, a tractor-trailer, even traveling at a normal speed, can take a long time to stop. That being said, truckers are required to exercise reasonable care when operating a rig not to injure other drivers.

Truck Accidents at a Glance

There are state and federal laws in place that require trucks to be adequately maintained and inspected regularly. In addition, truckers must have special licenses and comply with hourly driving limits. Even with all these rules and regulations in place, semi-trucks are frequently involved in accidents for the following reasons.

Improper Maintenance

One of the main reasons for semi-truck accidents is that vehicle parts and components, including braking systems, engines, tires and trailers, are improperly maintained. A trucking company that fails to abide by federal laws regarding vehicle maintenance can be found legally responsible if an accident occurs.

Driver Fatigue

Because they are often paid based on miles and have strict delivery deadlines, truck drivers who work long hours and cover vast distances can easily become fatigued. Driver fatigue is serious problem in the trucking industry, even though federal regulations impose hourly driving limits on truckers and require drivers to take breaks.

Distracted Driving

While distracted driving is serious issue for all vehicle drivers, truckers are more prone to becoming distracted because of their long work schedules and the rigors of driving. While truckers are prohibited from using cell phones, the most common cause of distracted driving, truck drivers can also become distracted by tuning the radio, checking the GPS system, eating or drinking.

Inadequate Training

Trucking companies routinely pay drivers to complete trucking courses and are notorious for quickly putting them on the road. These drivers are typically paid less per mile than seasoned truckers, and  many new drivers lack the experience needed to safely maneuver these large vehicles.

Improper Loading
State and federal law regulate the weight of cargo on trucks, but may accidents are caused due to improper loading. If the weight is not properly distributed, a semi-truck can become difficult to maneuver or even jack-knife, leading to a deadly accident.

In spite of state and federal laws regulating the trucking industry, truck accidents frequently occur causing property damage, serious injuries and death. If you were involved in a truck accident that was due to the negligence of the trucker or trucking company, you should speak with a personal injury attorney who can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.

Q: Who is responsible for injuries caused in a train or truck accident?

One in eight traffic fatalities in the United States involves big rigs. In 2015, there were 34,000 truck accidents in Texas alone. Not surprisingly, the occupants of passenger vehicles that crash with these behemoths often end up dead or survive with catastrophic injuries.

Because of this reality, trucking companies and truck drivers are subject to special state and federal safety rules including but not limited to regulations involving training, vehicle inspections, and restrictions on the number of hours drivers can drive each day. While there are many reasons truck accidents may be caused by the truck driver, distracted driving and driver fatigue are common ones.

The size and weight of semi-trucks are unmatched by nearly all moving vehicles they encounter in their travels – – except perhaps a train.

Train accidents also leave devastation in their wake for similar reasons. And they occur every two hours in the United States.

Recently, Amtrak reportedly had two separate train accidents– just hours apart on the same day – – one in Washington and the other in Texas. In the Texas accident a semi-truck reportedly failed to clear a train crossing and was struck by the train. In the Washington accident, a train allegedly on its inaugural run derailed, sending some cars plummeting onto the interstate below, reportedly killing at least three and injuring several others as 77 people were reportedly taken to the hospital—including passengers as well as motorists driving on the interstate below when the derailment happened. An investigation continues into the speed and working conditions of the new train and the conditions of the recently upgraded tracks.

A personal injury lawsuit may be commenced when a victim suffers serious injuries as a result of the negligent, willful, or reckless actions of another person or entity. Compensatory damages might include current and future medical expenses, current and future lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.

If the victim dies as a result of their injuries, their closest surviving relatives may be entitled to damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. In addition to recovering the victim’s final medical and funeral expenses, compensatory damages may include loss of financial support, loss of consortium, loss of services, loss of prospective inheritance, and more depending on each case’s particular circumstances.

If you or a loved one has been injured, or a loved one has been killed, in any kind of accident as a result of the actions or inactions of someone else, the Law Firm of Chandler, Mathis & Zivley can help you obtain the maximum financial compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

From our offices in Lufkin and Houston, we’ve been serving Texans and those injured while visiting Texas for over 40 years.