Houston Truck Accident Lawyers Representing Victims in Need

Every motor vehicle accident can be vicious, violent, and life-altering in ways that few other accidents are. But a typical car accident rarely rivals the damage and danger inherent in a semi-truck collision. Big rigs are several times larger, heavier, and more powerful than almost all other vehicles on the road, so it stands to reason that they would be capable of dishing out such violence on everything in their path.

Many large truck accidents result in serious injuries or even death. And unfortunately, the state of Texas sees far more fatal traffic accidents than any other state in the country.

To make matters more difficult, a trucking accident is more complicated to settle legally than a typical car crash. This is because semi-trucks are often owned and operated by multi-million dollar trucking companies. These truck companies are heavily regulated, but they’re also powerful business entities with protective insurance policies and teams of Houston truck accident attorneys to protect their best interests.

It is not as simple as filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent driver. The truck driver’s negligence may have figured into the accident, but the owners of that truck and its cargo will also find ways to be involved, potentially influencing the outcome of the case.

As an accident victim, you should not be responsible for the financial burden of costly medical bills for a crash that was not your fault. And you certainly shouldn’t be asked to contend with insurance companies, combative lawyers, and the powerful truck industry on your own, least of all when you are still recovering from your injuries.

We are here to help. The Houston truck accident attorneys of The Shariff Law Firm, PLLC are well-versed in handling complex personal injury cases in the state of Texas, including taking on the powerful trucking industry. We pride ourselves on providing clients and their family members with compassionate legal representation in pursuing the client’s goals and wishes.

The Shariff Law Firm offers a free case evaluation to prospective new clients. If you would like to speak about your truck accident case in more detail, please contact our law offices to schedule your free initial consultation with a member of our helpful Houston truck accident lawyer by calling (713) 881-9739.

What Are the Statistics of Trucking Accidents in Texas?

It is true that Texas has more fatal traffic accidents than any other state. Texas makes up over 10% of the nation’s fatal truck accidents yearly. California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Georgia follow Texas but do not come close to challenging its top spot.

In the year 2020, the Lone Star State suffered 32,562 commercial trucking accidents, resulting in 581 deaths and 1,245 serious injuries. Across the country, over 90% of fatalities in truck accidents were riding in passenger vehicles – only the smallest minority of the fatalities were truck drivers.

Houston is commonly recognized as the most dangerous city in the state regarding traffic accidents, making it the most dangerous city in the country. Houston alone had nearly 3,000 trucking accidents resulting in injuries in the year 2020.

Houston’s most dangerous highways and intersections include Interstate 45, US 290, Interstate 10, US 69, and Beltway 8.

What Are Common Semi-Truck Accident Injuries?

Truck accidents see similar injuries to those suffered in other automobile accidents. However, with a semi-truck, those injuries can be far more severe, owing to the truck’s increased weight and size.

Serious injuries commonly seen in trucking accidents include:

Broken bones and fractures.
Bruises.
Burns.
Coma.
Complete or partial paralysis.
Concussions.
Deep cuts and lacerations.
Disability.
Disfigurement.
Internal bleeding.
Internal organ damage.
Loss of hearing.
Loss of limbs and amputation.
Loss of sight.
Neck and back injuries.
Nerve damage.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Spinal cord injuries.
Soft tissue injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries.
Whiplash.
Wrongful death.

Whether you suffered minor injuries or something far worse, it is vital that you seek medical attention without delay. Some injuries take days or weeks to manifest fully, and you do not want to miss an opportunity to get your pain and suffering properly treated.

What Causes Houston Truck Accidents?

Big rig truck accidents can occur for countless reasons, some of them obvious and some far less so. What’s especially sad is that many of these accidents are preventable and that strong federal laws have been implemented to ensure that these tragedies do not repeat themselves.

Unfortunately, despite strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, many trucking companies and their drivers still sidestep these safety measures, resulting in accidents and deaths.

Common causes of commercial truck accidents include:

Dangerous weather conditions.
Debris in the road.
Distracted driving.
Driver error.
Driver fatigue.
Driving under the influence of drugs.
Drunk driving.
Equipment failure.
Failure to yield.
Improper lane changes.
Inadequate training and inexperience.
Inadequate truck maintenance.
Poorly loaded cargo.
Overloaded cargo.
Road disrepair.
Safety violations.
Skipped inspections.
Speeding.
Truck defects.

These causes can result in dangerous crashes, like rollovers, jackknife accidents, and multi-car pile-ups.

Who May Be Held Liable for a Commercial Trucking Accident?

While filing truck accident claims can be more complicated than other motor vehicle claims because of the number of parties involved, there is a tradeoff here. Whereas before, you might only hope to file a suit against an at-fault driver, in a truck accident case, you may have multiple other parties that you can expect to hold liable. You may not find success seeking compensation from every party, but your Houston truck accident attorney can help examine the facts and determine which lines of legal inquiry may yield fruit.

Parties that may be held liable for your tractor-trailer accident claim include:

Drivers of other smaller vehicles if they were to blame for the wreck.
The cargo company.
The government or city entity responsible for road conditions.
The truck driver.
The truck’s maintenance crew.
The truck’s manufacturer.
The trucking company.

Is it Necessary to Hire a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer to Represent Your Case?

You are not legally required to hire a Houston truck accident attorney to represent your case. However, there are many reasons why this should be considered a smart move. Not only do plaintiffs who hire professional legal representation have a higher success rate in the courtroom, but you are still recovering from an injury or losing a loved one, and your health should be your primary concern.

We have outlined some of the concerns for taking on a commercial truck company, but even if the truck was privately owned it’s still wise to consider experienced legal counsel. Regardless of whether the truck collision involved an independent contractor or a big company’s union man, the trucking industry is one of the most significant and essential elements of the US economy. Do not assume that just because you’re ‘the little guy’ that the courts will take pity on your position.

Your Houston truck accident lawyer will help you take on the truck driver, their employer, the truck’s manufacturers, and any other liable parties involved in the 18-wheeler accident. The legal team will examine the facts of the case, review police reports, speak with eyewitnesses, record expert testimony, and review your medical records in an attempt to build the strongest case possible.

What Type of Compensation Could You Receive for Big Rig Accident Case?

We may want our insurance company, or the insurer of the driver, to provide the level of compensation suitable for the level of injuries that we have suffered. However, far too often, we find that insurance companies lowball truck accident victims and do not provide enough of a settlement for their insurance claim.

A capable legal team can help you recover damages that go beyond that offered by the insurance company. This settlement may take the form of both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages may include:

Loss of future earning potential.
Lost wages.
Medical expenses.
Physical therapy.
Property damage.
Rehabilitation.
Wrongful death claims.

Non-economic damages may include:

Disability.
Emotional distress.
Loss of quality of life.
Lost companionship.
Pain and suffering.

Your attorneys can help you pursue the maximum compensation for your case. There are no guarantees in any legal matter before the courts. However, our law firm believes that we can provide you with the level of legal care that you can feel confident in. Please contact our law offices in Houston to schedule your zero-obligation consultation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Houston Truck Accident Lawyers Today!

If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a commercial truck accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and mental anguish. This may not be a simple, open-and-shut personal injury case.

The trucking industry is one of the most wealthy and powerful elements of the US economy. They employ teams of experienced lawyers who’ve made it their careers to defend the financial interests of their employers. You may need a Houston truck accident lawyer of your own if you hope to recover compensation.

Likewise, if you lost a loved one or a family member in a wrongful death case following a large truck accident, you should consider hiring professional legal counsel. This is an incredibly difficult time in your life. You should be allowed time to grieve. You should not be forced to spend this time battling insurers and commercial trucking companies.

Please let us take the burden off your shoulders. We will file your wrongful death claim and seek the compensation that your family deserves. No financial recovery can ever hope to return your loved ones to you, but a fair settlement can help you live more comfortably in the days ahead.

The Shariff Law Firm, PLLC, offers a free case review to new clients looking to understand their legal options better. Please remember that this consultation is provided with no strings attached. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (713) 881-9739.