If you are looking for a Texas truck accident lawyer then no need to worry. Here is complete details about semi truck accident attorney.
Nearly 20% of all semi-truck accidents result in injuries to car
occupants. Being hit by a trailer is often a serious accident that results
in debilitating and permanent injuries. These accidents can even lead to
the death of your loved ones.
If you or a family member has been hit by a trailer, it is
important to seek legal help immediately. At Hernandez Law Group,
our experienced accident attorneys are
here to help you get the compensation you need after one of these terrible
events. We will help you through the entire process, from filing a lawsuit
to litigation, to make sure you receive a fair and equitable settlement. Contact us today to schedule a free
consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.
Causes of
Semi-Trailer Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tracks information
related to truck drivers and truck accidents within the United
States. According to their studies, the most common causes of semi-trailer accidents include:
- Moving too fast in bad weather. During rains, snow storms, or other
inclement weather conditions, all drivers should slow down and drive
carefully. Semi-trailer drivers who fail to do so account for about
23% of all truck accidents. - Improper maintenance. Trailers must be properly maintained to
ensure they do not suffer mechanical failure on the road. When
drivers or trucking companies don't perform this maintenance, trailers
often cause accidents. Brake and tire problems are the most common
causes of semi-truck accidents, accounting for 35% of all truck accidents. - Fatigue. If a truck driver goes too long without
sleep, it reduces their reaction time and can even cause them to fall
asleep at the wheel. Truck driver fatigue is often caused by pressure
from their employers; In these cases, the company may be considered
partially or totally at fault for the accident. - Driving under the influence of alcohol or
drugs. 3% of all truck
accidents are caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or
illegal drugs. Another 17% of semi-trailer accidents are caused by
drivers who took legal over-the-counter medications that negatively
affected their ability to drive properly. - Don't keep your distance. Semi-trailers take longer than other
vehicles to stop when braking. For this reason, it is imperative that
truck drivers maintain a very safe following distance. Not keeping
your distance is the cause of about 5% of all trailer accidents.
Statistics of
Accidents Caused by Trailers
According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association ,
in 2014 there were 438,000 semis involved in accidents. Of these
accidents, about 88,000 resulted in injuries, with a total of 111,000 injuries. Trailer
occupants accounted for 23% of those injured, while drivers and passengers of
other vehicles accounted for 74% of those injured. Pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other nonoccupants of motor vehicles made up 3% of those
injured.
3,744 truck drivers were involved in fatal accidents, with a
total of 3,903 victims. Of those who died, 17% were in the semi-trailers,
73% in other vehicles and 10% were not in any of them.
Texas Semi Truck
Accident Statistics
With a total of 553, Texas had the highest number of fatal truck
accidents of any state in the United States. Texas accounted for 14.2% of
all trailer crash deaths, which is more than 10% higher than most other states.
If your loved one was one of the many killed by a trailer in
Texas, our wrongful death attorneys will help
you file a lawsuit against the offending party. No amount of money will
compensate for your terrible loss, but a successful civil lawsuit can help
alleviate some of your mental and financial burdens.
After a Trailer
Accident, Do I Sue the Driver or the Company?
Deciding whether to sue the truck driver or the trucking company
after a semi-truck accident can be complicated. The first and most
important step in the process is determining the cause of the accident.
When the
Transportation Company is Guilty
In an attempt to increase profits, trucking companies often push
drivers to drive when it is not safe for them to do so. Employers can
force truck drivers to drive longer than allowed by federal hours-of-service regulations . In
these cases, drivers may be too tired to drive safely. Trucking companies
may also force drivers to drive in unsafe conditions, such as when roads are
icy or visibility is poor. Another common cause of trucking accidents is
when trucking companies force drivers to drive with overloaded
trailers. In these cases, it is likely that the company will be held
liable for the trucking accident.
When the Driver is
Guilty
There are also many circumstances in which the driver may be at
fault for the trucking accident. Distracted driving, driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs, not keeping your distance, and speeding can
cause truck drivers to be involved in a crash. Also, if the semi-truck
driver is self-employed, then accidents caused by fatigue, rough driving, or
overloaded trailers will be the driver's fault and not the company's.
Mechanical failures
Sometimes trucking accidents can be caused by a mechanical problem,
such as brake failure or a radiator fluid leak. In these cases, there are
three parties that can be at fault for the accident: the company, the driver,
or the manufacturer of the parts. Sometimes the blame can be shared
between two of the parties or even all three. If either the company or the
driver fails to maintain the vehicle, mechanical problems may occur, and one or
both may be held responsible for the accident. On the other hand, if a
trailer part had a fault, the manufacturer of the part may be the party at
fault.
Contact Hernandez
Law Group, PC
If you've been in an accident, contact the attorneys at
Hernandez Law Group, PC right away. Juan Hernandez is one of the few
attorneys in Texas who is certified in personal injury law, and he is the
expert you need by your side in a trailer accident case. He has
successfully litigated many cases against truck drivers and trucking companies
and can help you win compensation for damages sustained after an
accident. Contact us today to schedule a
no-obligation consultation with our team.