Houston Truck Accident Lawyers

Our Houston Personal Injury Law Firm Is Here to Help

Although the commercial transportation industry is highly regulated, serious accidents can still occur. There are state and federal regulations that determine the number of hours a driver can work per day. Other regulations include the speed of the trucks, the size and distribution of loads and the required vehicle safety checks. These regulations are designed to protect motorists like you, who share the road with commercial trucks. When these regulations are routinely violated, it is almost inevitable that an innocent person will be injured or killed. Our attorneys understand how a truck accident can negatively impact your life. Commercial trucks are much larger than the average vehicle. After a truck accident, your injuries could cause you to experience severe physical pain. Medical treatment costs could place you and your family under significant financial strain. Our attorneys will help you cope with your truck accident injuries by pursuing a fair resolution of your case.

At Stevenson & Murray, we will step in quickly to protect your legal rights after an accident. Often times, the trucking company and their insurer will act immediately to limit their legal exposure. Insurance adjusters will attempt to obtain statements from accident victims that are later used to challenge a personal injury claim. You should avoid making any statements after an accident without first consulting with an experienced attorney. At our firm, we know the tactics that truck companies and insurance providers will employ when trying to avoid accident liability. Our attorneys will keep you from making errors which could negatively impact your settlement offer. We have a long history of handling complex settlement negotiations and litigation arising from truck accidents. By contacting our Houston truck accident lawyers, you will receive legal advice designed to help your personal injury claim succeed.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas

Truck accidents can occur for a number of reasons. In Texas, the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Improper load. Trucking companies must properly load cargo. If cargo was not loaded properly, it might shift in transit or even fall from the truck and hit other vehicles.
• Poor maintenance. Like any vehicle, large semi-trucks can break down. Regular maintenance can prevent issues that affect the safe operation of the truck. Poor maintenance can cause issues such as tire blowouts. Trucks drive much longer distances than normal vehicles and require more maintenance.
• Inadequate training. It takes a lot of training to operate a large commercial truck. Drivers must receive specific certifications and proper training, otherwise they are not fit to operate a semi-truck.
• Negligent hiring and retention. Trucking companies may sometimes hire drivers with a history of safety or criminal violations. Companies may also retain drivers with a history of crashes or other violations. Both business practices put other motorists in harm’s way.
• Reckless or negligent driving. Truck drivers may be directly responsible for a crash due to reckless driving, such as speeding or driving under the influence of drugs. Additionally, drivers may also cause crashes when they violate hours of services rules, which stipulate how long drivers can operate.
• Defective auto parts. The various parts in commercial trucks can suffer from manufacturing or design flaws. Like with regular passenger vehicles, some defects may increase the risk of an accident.

How Much Do Houston Truck Accident Lawyers Cost?

Truck accident lawyers, including us, take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not owe fees unless we successfully recover compensation. By using contingency fees, truck accident lawyers can represent people from all walks of life. We believe justice should be available to everyone.

Our Houston personal injury law firm also offers free consultations. If you have any questions about Texas truck accident laws or your situation, then you can contact us at no cost.

Who Is Potentially Liable for My Texas Truck Accident Injury?

The key to recovering compensation after a truck accident is proving negligence. You must be able to determine who is responsible for causing your injuries. The different parties who may be liable include:

• The truck driver. In most truck accidents, the truck driver is at fault. Large trucks often carry thousands of pounds of cargo, making them extremely heavy and difficult to maneuver. Due to the weight of the truck, drivers must be properly trained and supervised. They must also remain alert and free of any alcohol and drug consumption. In most cases, the trucking company can be held liable for any damages caused by a driver. It is common for a truck company to carry a substantial liability insurance policy.
• The truck company. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that over four thousand trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2016. Truck drivers were at fault for many of those accidents. However, the truck company is the entity that owns the truck. They are tasked with hiring, training and supervising their employees. Truck companies also have a responsibility to maintain and inspect each individual truck. If the truck company fails to perform any of these tasks, then they could be held liable for your injuries.
• The truck manufacturer. After hiring an attorney, he or she will likely conduct an accident investigation. An automotive expert may determine that a malfunctioning truck part helped cause the accident. Examples of vehicle defects include a defective tire and faulty brakes. If a negligent truck manufacturer was at fault for the accident, then you have a right to pursue compensation. Our attorneys will help you file a product liability claim against the truck manufacturer.

Why Should I Hire a Texas Truck Accident Attorney?

Since truck accidents are often more complex than motor vehicle accidents, hiring an experienced attorney becomes especially important. Factors like driver impairment and speed should be investigated in order to determine liability. In addition, there are other reasons for hiring an attorney after a truck accident. They include:

• Investigating the driver’s work history. An attorney can investigate the driver’s work history and determine if he or she received the required training. If the driver did not receive the proper training, then the truck company can be held liable.
• Determining how cargo was loaded onto the truck. If the truck was carrying cargo, then an attorney will figure out how it was loaded. He or she will also determine who was responsible for loading the truck. If the cargo was improperly loaded, then you may be able to determine negligence.
• Knowing the state and federal regulations of commercial trucking. There are federal regulations that help shape the commercial trucking industry. There are also state regulations that influence truck company procedures. A truck accident attorney will know the specific regulations that apply to your case.
• Understanding the relationships between various entities. In many cases, personal and professional relationships exist between owners, maintenance technicians, shippers and drivers. Many times, people will cover for one another and not reveal the full truth. By understanding these personal relationships, your attorney will have a better shot at determining liability in your truck accident case.

Truck Accident Injury? Contact Our Houston Truck Accident Lawyers Today

Even though truck drivers undergo rigorous training, they do not always follow the rules perfectly. When this happens, the likelihood of an accident occurring dramatically increases. Our Houston truck accident lawyers will help protect you from any negligent party that tries to skirt responsibility. We will seek to hold them accountable and secure you a reasonable financial settlement.

If you suffered an injury due to a truck accident, then call Stevenson & Murray today at (713) 622-3223 and schedule a consultation. You can also contact us online and tell us about your case. We promise to take your claim seriously and look forward to meeting with you soon.