Houston Based Truck Accident Lawyers
Why Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?
In most circumstances, a typical car accident can be resolved by filing a claim with your insurance company. However, accidents involving semi-trucks or 18-wheelers are a different animal entirely. Injuries from these types of collisions are severe and, in a lot of cases, can be fatal. When dealing with these stressful situations, you need a legal team that is experienced in truck accidents and who understand the challenges you face. Our law firm has the resources to fight back against powerful insurance and truck companies.
We can thoroughly investigate the truck crash, document your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and even file a lawsuit in court if they don’t want to be fair and cooperate. With over 180 years of combined experience, our Houston based truck accident lawyers has been fighting for the rights of injured victims in big truck crashes for decades.
Get the Help You Need
The law office of Fleming, Nolen & Jez L.L.P. has a powerhouse legal team based in Houston to help those who were hurt in a severe truck accident. While all accidents on the road are dangerous, accidents involving 18-Wheelers or Semi-Trucks come with considerably more risks than with smaller vehicles. These trucks take far longer than passenger vehicles to come to a complete stop, have larger blind spots on both sides, and carry larger and heavier cargo that affects their ability to change direction and stop. The cargo can also scatter across the road if they flip onto their side, creating a massive hazard for all oncoming vehicles.
What Makes a Qualified Truck Accident Attorney?
An attorney with real world experience knows the Texas laws for liability, understands federal laws for faults in maintenance and inspections, understands different mechanical issues that may have influenced an accident, and searches if inclusions need to be made for multiple liable parties within a given lawsuit.
Most truck accident lawsuits will never go to trial. They are typically settled through negotiation or arbitration. Having one of our Houston personal injury attorneys who has experience dealing with insurance companies and obtaining fair compensation for injuries is a most to secure the compensation you deserve.
If the insurance or truck companies don’t want to come to terms on a fair deal and your lawsuit goes to trial, you need a truck accident lawyer who knows their way around the court room. If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident and you may be unsure of how you will continue after a serious and life-changing collision, contact our knowledgeable legal team today.
If you were seriously injured in a truck accident, give our firm a call at (713) 621-7944 to tell us about your situation.
For more than 35 years, our truck accident lawyers at Fleming, Nolen & Jez have worked with injured victims in order to fight for the compensation they deserve. Since we first opened our doors, our attorneys have successfully recovered verdict awards and monetary compensation for our clients, and we are committed to providing the same level of assistance to each new client we take on. When you contact us today, give us as much details of your situation as you can.
How Do Truck Accidents Happen?
According to statistics released by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT):
- Over 3,800 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks in 2015
- 84% of the people killed were either an occupant of a passenger vehicle, on a motorcycle, on a bicycle, or a pedestrian
- 87% of people killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a truck were the occupants of the passenger vehicle
- 83% of fatal truck crashes occurred on a major road, interstate or freeway
- 58% of fatal truck crashes occurred between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Types of Trucks
The different types of trucks that get into the most accidents in Texas are:
- Tractor-trailers: These are the largest and most common type of truck on the road in Texas. They are used to transport a wide variety of goods, including food, furniture, and building materials. Tractor-trailers have large blind spots, which can make it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles on the road. They also are often involved in rear-end collisions, lane changes, and rollovers.
- Tanker trucks: These trucks are used to transport hazardous materials, such as gasoline, oil, and chemicals. Tanker trucks are often involved in fires, explosions, and spills. If a tanker truck is involved in an accident, it can release hazardous materials that can cause serious injuries or death.
- Box trucks: These trucks are used to transport a variety of goods, including furniture, appliances, and construction materials. Box trucks are often involved in sideswipe collisions and rear-end collisions. They are smaller than tractor-trailers, but they can still be dangerous in accidents.
- Pickup trucks and Vans: These trucks are used for a variety of purposes, including work, recreation, and transportation. Pickup trucks are often involved in rollovers, sideswipe collisions, and rear-end collisions. Pickup trucks are often driven by young and inexperienced drivers, who may not be aware of the dangers of driving a large vehicle.
- Dump trucks: These trucks are used to transport heavy loads, and they can be dangerous if they are not properly loaded. Dump trucks are often involved in accidents when the load shifts or falls off the truck.
Main Reasons Why?
There are a number of factors that contribute to truck accidents, including:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers are often required to work long hours, which can lead to fatigue. Fatigued drivers are more likely to make mistakes, such as falling asleep at the wheel.
- Speeding: Truck drivers are also more likely to speed than other drivers. Speeding increases the risk of a crash, regardless of the type of vehicle involved.
- Distracted driving: Truck drivers are also more likely to be distracted while driving, such as by using their cell phones or eating. Distracted driving can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- Poor weather conditions: Truck accidents are more likely to occur in poor weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or fog. These conditions can make it difficult for drivers to see and control their vehicles.
- Mechanical problems: Truck accidents can also be caused by mechanical problems, such as brakes that fail or tires that blow out. Mechanical problems can make it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles, which can increase the risk of a crash.
What Should I Do After A Truck Accident?
Accidents involving trucks often result in life-changing injuries or even death to the passengers and drivers involved. Due in large part to the Port of Houston, the Houston metropolitan area has one of the highest volumes of commercial transportation traffic anywhere in the country. 18-Wheeler and Semi-Truck accidents and collisions involving blowouts, unsafe loads, and driver violations are all too common in this area, often resulting in a significant number of personal injury and wrongful death claims annually. Sadly, many trucking companies train their drivers on what they should say and do after an accident in order to avoid being held responsible.
The Texas statute of limitations states that you must file a lawsuit not later than two years after the date of your trucking accident. For instances of wrongful death, the statute of limitations is also 2 years, but the date and the time for this begins after the death occurred, not after the initial accident. Subtle nuances like these are why it is essential to hire an experienced attorney to represent you and help you hold the negligent truck driver or trucking company accountable for their action.
At Fleming, Nolen & Jez, our personal injury and mass tort lawyers have dedicated their careers to fighting for the rights of injured victims throughout the United States. If you were seriously injured through the negligence or wrongdoing of a company or another person, you may be able to file a lawsuit to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to speak with one of our legal team to review your case information.
