Accidents involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and other large commercial vehicles can have devastating consequences for the people involved, often due to the relative size of the vehicles involved. Large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a truck of this size collides with a passenger vehicle, serious injuries or death are likely to occur to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
According to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 11 million commercial trucks registered in the U.S. in 2015. The report also indicated that over 400,000 crashes involving large trucks were reported to police, and over 4,000 fatalities were reported. In Texas alone, there were 561 fatal collisions involving commercial and passenger vehicles. While accidents involving large trucks comprise only a small percentage of the total number of accidents on U.S. roadways, the likelihood of injury or death in a crash with a large truck is significantly higher because the truck is so much larger and heavier.
Families in East Texas who have experienced severe truck accidents often need the assistance of an experienced truck accident injury lawyer to ensure that their rights are represented. With over 150 years of combined experience protecting people in Longview and surrounding areas, the Sloan Firm is prepared to help those who have been hurt in an accident involving a large truck. Find out why so many people have trusted us to handle their claims. Contact us by phone or online today for a free consultation.
Types of Truck Accident Injuries
The consequences of a collision with a large truck can be devastating. The injuries that result from the accident may be severe and life-altering. Commonly reported truck accident injuries include:
- Neck and back injuries – Spinal cord injuries and spine injuries are often reported after a collision with a large truck. Injuries can range from back and neck pain to paralysis. Because these injuries are so serious, it is imperative that you seek medical attention and treatment as soon as possible if you have been involved in a wreck with a large truck.
- Head injuries and TBI – Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are often reported after 18-wheeler accidents. Much like spinal cord injuries, this trauma may not be readily apparent in the immediate aftermath of an accident and symptoms may develop much later.
- Broken bones and lacerations – Collisions with large vehicles (and often at high speeds) usually mean that occupants of the vehicles involved may suffer broken bones and severe cuts and lacerations as a result of the accident.
- Internal injuries – Sensitive internal organs may experience blunt-force trauma after a crash, including the liver, spleen, bladder, and kidneys. Treating these injuries can be very difficult, and, if left untreated, they may be fatal.
It is an unfortunate fact that in addition to severe and life-altering injuries, truck accidents often prove to be fatal for those involved. If your loved one has been killed in a tragic accident, an experienced and compassionate truck accident attorney can help you pursue the justice that you deserve.
Trucking Company Negligence
Companies employ drivers to transport goods across the U.S. on a daily basis. Under the law, trucking companies may be held liable for the negligent actions of the drivers they employ. Trucking companies may also be liable for accidents caused by the company’s own negligence.
It is the responsibility of the trucking company to properly hire and train the employees who operate these large and potentially dangerous vehicles. If the company fails in its duty to do so responsibly, or if it is found to be negligent in the maintenance and loading of the truck and an accident occurs, the injured parties may be eligible to pursue an injury claim against the driver and the company. Negligence that may lead to crashes include:
- Negligent hiring – If a company fails to perform adequate background checks or evaluate employees for their ability to safely perform their duties and the driver causes a truck accident, the company may be liable for injuries that result.
- Improper training – If a truck driver does not know how to responsibly and safely operate the vehicle, a devastating collision may result. The trucking company may be held liable for failing to train its driver to safely operate the truck.
- Intoxicated driving – Truck drivers, like all drivers on the road, should never operate their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Any driver who is found to be under the influence is, by definition, negligent.
- Cargo shifting – Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo can cause a large truck to jackknife or overturn on the road.
- Maintenance failure – The trucking company needs to ensure that all vehicles are inspected and undergo routine maintenance before they are allowed out on the road to ensure the safety of others.
Where to Turn for Help After a Truck Accident in East Texas
Have you been hurt in a truck accident? Did you lose a loved one in a tragic collision? You should not have to suffer the consequences of such a terrible accident if the accident was someone else’s fault.
The legal team at The Sloan Firm is committed to helping injured people in East Texas, Houston, and Santa Fe. We will not let the reckless or negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company stand. What matters to you, matters to us. We know that your recovery, your long-term health, and your family are important to you, so we will seek the compensation that you need to preserve your livelihood. You shouldn’t have to pay out of your pocket for the accident, and we will fight on your behalf for the compensation you need. Call or contact our truck accident injury attorney online now to schedule your initial consultation.