Weighing upwards of 80,000 pounds, commercial trucks pose a considerable safety threat to other motorists if trucking companies do not properly maintain them or truck drivers do not safely operate them. If you were injured in a serious truck accident, an Austin personal injury attorney from De La Garza Law can help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
How an Austin Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help with Your Claim
Truck accident victims may suffer serious injuries. These can quickly consume your life as you schedule various medical appointments, navigate a new reality with an injury, and coordinate your return to work. An experienced truck accident attorney can protect your rights while you focus on your recovery.
De La Garza Law has recovered over $5 million for our personal injury clients in the last 18 months. We have the skills and resources to fight for a favorable outcome in your case. When you hire De La Garza Law, you will work directly with our founding attorney, Rafael De La Garza, not handed off to a less experienced associate or paralegal.
When you hire our law firm to handle your truck accident case, we can:
- Investigate the cause of the accident and identify all at-fault parties
- Gather evidence to establish liability and the full extent of your damages
- Handle communication with the insurance companies and other parties
- Manage claim paperwork and case deadlines
- Negotiate for maximum compensation on your behalf
Our law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your potential case and explain your legal rights. Call us today to get started with yours.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
There are various types of truck accidents, including:
- Jackknife accidents – This type of collision occurs when a truck’s trailer skids away from the truck’s cab, often into adjoining lanes and nearby traffic. These accidents frequently occur because a truck driver slams on the brakes or loses control of the truck.
- Rollover accidents – A rollover accident occurs when the truck rolls onto its side or roof. These crashes often occur when a truck driver takes a sharp turn at a high speed or cargo shifts during transit.
- Underride crashes – An underride crash is one of the most dangerous types of accidents. It involves a smaller vehicle crashing into the back of the trailer and sliding underneath it. During this terrifying incident, the truck may shear off the top of the smaller vehicle’s roof, often resulting in fatalities or catastrophic injuries.
- Tire blowout collisions – These crashes occur when a tire blows out, causing the truck driver to lose control of the truck. They are often due to poor maintenance.
An experienced truck accident attorney in Austin can investigate any type of truck accident you were involved in. Many car accidents occur in relation to a truck accident. In this situation, make sure to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Austin for legal guidance.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
To establish your right to financial compensation, you must be able to prove how the truck accident happened and who is responsible. Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Inexperienced drivers
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Cargo shifts
- Maintenance issues
- Mechanical defects
Let our investigative team get to the bottom of your accident and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Makes Truck Accidents Different Than Car Accidents?
Truck accident cases are often much more complex than typical car accident cases, namely for the following reasons:
Multiple Liable Parties
In a typical car accident case, one driver may be at fault. However, truck accidents can happen because of the actions of several parties, such as:
- The truck driver – The truck driver may operate the truck in a careless manner, such as driving beyond hours of service rules or while impaired.
- The trucking company – Trucking companies are responsible for the negligence of their drivers, as well as their own acts of negligence, such as encouraging drivers to violate hours of service rules, hiring unqualified drivers, failing to maintain the truck, or failing to conduct mandatory drug and alcohol checks.
- The vehicle manufacturer – Vehicle manufacturers can be held liable for accidents caused by defects in the vehicle.
- The cargo loader – A third party who negligently loads the cargo can be legally responsible for accidents caused by cargo that is not properly secured or shifts during transit.
Establishing who is responsible for the accident is critical to recovering the compensation you need after a truck accident.
Federal and State Trucking Regulations
Truck accidents may involve complex federal and state trucking regulations. If the trucking company or driver violated these rules, this can establish they were negligent and legally responsible for the accident. Some of the laws that companies may violate include:
- Hiring drivers who do not meet the necessary requirements
- Allowing drivers to work beyond hours of service limitations
- Not completing annual FMCSA inspections
- Not completing routine inspections or proper repairs
- Exceeding weight limits
- Not securing cargo properly
Determining the factors that contributed to an accident may involve an extensive investigation and working with accident reconstruction experts. You will need to hire a lawyer with the resources to establish all elements of your claim.
Extensive Damages
Because of the extreme disparity between the size and weight of commercial trucks vs. that of a passenger vehicle, damages in truck accidents tend to be extensive. Truck accident victims may suffer serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns and disfiguring injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Amputations
While trucking companies must maintain more insurance, they will also fight to minimize liability because they want to avoid paying the large payouts justified by these cases.
It is vital you work with a truck accident lawyer in Austinwith experience dealing with all these issues.
Contact an Experienced Austin Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a truck accident, you have limited time to assert your legal rights and file a claim against the party or parties responsible for your injuries. You can learn more about your legal rights and options when you contact an experienced truck accident attorney in Austin from De La Garza Law for a free case review. Call (956) 382-6717 to schedule a free consultation with our legal team today.
