Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers in Texas

What Is a Commercial Truck Accident?

A commercial truck accident refers to a collision involving a large truck and another vehicle or object. These large truck accidents can occur on highways, city streets, or even in parking lots. The impact of a commercial truck accident can be devastating, as the force generated by these vehicles can cause significant damage and injuries.

Commercial truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Driver fatigue, for example, is a common cause of these accidents. Truck drivers often work long hours and may push themselves to meet tight deadlines, leading to exhaustion and impaired driving. Other factors, such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, can also contribute to commercial truck accidents.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

A truck accident involves a collision or incident where a large commercial vehicle, such as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or delivery truck, is involved. These accidents can occur due to various factors including driver error, vehicle malfunction, or external conditions. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, truck accidents often result in severe damage and injuries.

Common types of truck accidents:

• Jackknife Accidents
• Rear-End Collisions
• Underride Accidents
• Head-On Collisions
• T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions
• Rollover Accidents
• Wide Turn Accidents
• Blind Spot Accidents
• Lost Load Accidents
• Brake Failure Accidents

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can result from a variety of factors, many of which involve human error, mechanical failures, environmental conditions, and regulatory non-compliance. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Driver Fatigue
• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Impaired Driving
• Inadequate Training
• Mechanical Failures
• Improper Loading
• Environmental Factors
• Violation of Traffic Laws
• Other Vehicles
• Poor Maintenance Practices
• Regulatory Non-Compliance

Interstate Trucking Regulations

Interstate trucking involves the transportation of goods across state lines. Due to the nature of these operations, the interstate commercial trucking industry is regulated by both federal and state laws. Federal claims typically involve violations of federal regulations, such as those set forth by the FMCSA. These claims may be appropriate if a violation of federal trucking regulations caused the accident.

Here are several key federal trucking regulations:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations: Truck drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 hours off duty and can’t drive beyond 14 hours after starting their shift. These rules help prevent fatigue-related accidents by ensuring drivers get adequate rest.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Drivers must use electronic logging devices to automatically record driving time and duty status. This helps enforce hours-of-service rules and prevents falsified logbooks.
• Driver Qualification Standards: Truck drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and pass regular medical exams. Employers are required to maintain detailed qualification files for each driver, including driving history and drug testing records.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Requirements: Commercial trucks must be inspected daily by drivers and undergo annual inspections by certified professionals. Any issues found must be reported and repaired before the truck can be operated.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements: Drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing before employment, randomly while employed, and after certain accidents. These tests aim to keep impaired drivers off the road.
• Cargo Securement Rules: Truck cargo must be properly secured with approved equipment to prevent it from shifting or falling during transit. Special rules apply to certain types of cargo, such as logs or vehicles.
• Weight and Size Limits: Most trucks cannot exceed 80,000 pounds without special permits and must meet federal size restrictions. Overloaded or improperly balanced trucks are harder to control and more likely to cause accidents.
• Employer Responsibility and Safety Ratings: Trucking companies must ensure their drivers follow safety regulations and maintain proper oversight. The FMCSA tracks company performance through safety ratings, and poor ratings can result in audits or penalties.

How Black Box and Electronic Logging Data Strengthen Truck Accident Claims

Most commercial trucks are equipped with electronic logging devices (ELDs) and event data recorders, often referred to as “black boxes.” These systems record vital information before and after a crash, such as:

• Vehicle speed
• Brake usage
• Sudden acceleration or deceleration
• Driver hours and rest periods
• Engine performance

This data can provide powerful evidence of speeding, fatigue, or reckless driving. However, trucking companies may only retain this data for a limited time. A Texas truck accident lawyer can act quickly to preserve and analyze this information before it is lost.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Texas

The steps you take after a truck accident can significantly affect your health and your legal claim. If you are able, consider the following:

1. Call 911 and request medical assistance
2. Seek immediate medical treatment, even if injuries seem minor
3. Document the scene with photos or videos
4. Collect contact information from witnesses
5. Avoid giving recorded statements to trucking company insurers
6. Contact a Texas truck accident lawyer as soon as possible
7. Prompt legal guidance can help protect your rights and prevent costly mistakes.

What Types of Compensation Can I Pursue After a Commercial Truck Accident?

After a truck accident, you may incur numerous losses from your injuries or from any property damage. If you can successfully establish that someone else’s negligence led to your accident, you may pursue compensation for all your accident-related losses.

Truck accident victims often recover damages for the following expenses and damages:

• Emergency department care
• Hospital bills
• Medical procedures
• Physical and cognitive rehabilitation
• Prosthetics and mobility aids
• Medical equipment and medications
• In-home and long-term health care services
• Medical travel expenses
• Medically necessary home renovations (ramps, railings, stairlifts, etc.)
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Physical pain, emotional suffering, and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Lost wages
• Vehicle damages

Your personal injury claim should seek compensation equal to all losses you have incurred due to the accident. Without the assistance of our personal injury attorneys, you may miscalculate the impact of a crash and the incoming future costs they will need to cover. We can assess your claim and establish how much compensation would reasonably account for your losses.

Call us at (866) 927-3420 or use our contact form to schedule an initial consultation.