SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENTS ATTORNEY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

In 2017, 180,000 people suffered injuries in crashes with large trucks or buses across the country. If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a semi-truck, you may have suffered from serious injuries that can prove damaging to your wallet. As a Houston 18-wheeler accident attorney that has practiced personal injury law since 2008, I will work diligently to fight for compensation so you don’t have to worry about your financial state. 

WHO DO YOU SUE IN A SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENT CASE?

Texas is a “fault state,” meaning the party that is found responsible for the accident is obliged to pay damages to those that are injured. Because the driver of a truck is on the clock working for someone else, there are a few more parties that could be held responsible for your injury.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the top five causes for truck accidents are fatigue, alcohol & drug use, poor training & maintenance, speeding & overcorrecting, and distracted driving. Each of these causes can be attributed to any of the following parties:

THE TRUCK DRIVER

The cause of the car accident may result from a lack of care or attention from the person driving the semi-truck. The driver may have been drowsy, speeding, under the influence, or driving recklessly.

If it was found that the driver was not paying attention at the time of your accident, they may be responsible for paying your compensation. In other cases, it may be discovered that the driver’s employer is at fault.

THE TRUCKING COMPANY

Some companies avoid the responsibility of the driver by saying they are an independent contractor. There are also rules that can determine who would be at fault in an accident like yours. For example, if the company placard is displayed inside the vehicle, the company may be found at fault. These lines can often be blurry, so hiring an experienced 18 wheeler accident attorney to investigate the driver-employer relationship can be the difference between a win and a loss for your Houston, Texas case.

THE SHIPPING COMPANY

The people who loaded up the truck may be found responsible. There are regulations as to how a semi-truck should be loaded to reduce the risk of flipping or rolling in the event of inclement weather or road conditions. If the truck was over its allowed weight or the cargo wasn’t distributed evenly on the bed, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS OR MECHANICS

Because of the thousands of miles that 18 wheelers can clock per week, the trucks can be subject to many different types of mechanical issues. Some accidents may be caused by faulty brake systems, tire blowouts, or steering system failures. Those responsible for the defective product or device in the truck can be sued by those injured.

WORK WITH A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY FOR YOUR BEST CHANCE AT OBTAINING COMPENSATION

If you’re unsure of the cause of your car accident involving a semi-truck, contact my office, Jose Orihuela, Attorney at Law, today to get started on pursuing compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and more. My two offices are located off the NASA bypass near the Johnson Space Center and near Interstate 610 in the Northside Village. I have clients reach out to me from all over the Houston area, including the communities of Pasadena, Seabrook, Alvin, Dickinson, League City, and Clearlake, Texas.