Around 1 in 8 fatalities in vehicle accidents in the United States involve a large commercial truck such as an 18-wheeler, a tractor-trailer, or a semi truck. A common cause of truck accidents is driver error, such as fatigue, or not being able to see vehicles in blind spots.

If you have been in an accident involving an 18-wheeler in East Texas, contact our truck accident attorneys serving the Houston and surrounding areas at the Sloan Firm today to help you!

Houston Commercial Truck Accident Attorney

We have Houston truck accident attorneys available to help you throughout East Texas. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today for a free and confidential evaluation of your 18-wheeler accident case.

Help for People Hurt in Houston Wrecks with Commercial Trucks

If you have been hurt in an accident caused by the driver of an 18-wheeler, we are here to help. After a collision, you may feel unsure of the future. How will you afford ongoing medical expenses? When can you go back to work – if ever? Is your case worth taking to court? These are serious issues, and our legal team is here to help you seek the best solution for the unique circumstances of your case.

We can gather information from you, police and witnesses about the accident. We can conduct a full investigation into what really happened. We can calculate the true extent of your losses. Then we can handle all dealings with insurance companies on your behalf to manage your claim, so you can focus on getting your life back.

18-Wheeler Accidents in Houston Are Different from Other Crashes

Cases involving 18-wheeler accidents are often more complex due to the number of parties involved and the likelihood of more severe injuries. The size and weight of a tractor-trailer often results in more extensive damage and personal injuries. This increases the amount of money on the line. These higher stakes mean insurance companies may put up an even stronger fight. The Sloan Firm is here to fight for you.

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, there may be multiple defendants. For instance, besides just the trucker and the trucking company, the insurance carriers for the driver and company may have an obligation to cover the costs of the accident. A truck or parts manufacturer may be responsible for a faulty part or a malfunction. Those responsible for truck maintenance and repair may not have adequately inspected the truck or may have made flawed repairs. The owner of the cargo may have improperly secured the load. Any of those individuals or companies – as well as many others – may potentially be added as defendants.

Federal laws and regulations that apply to the trucking industry mean that the legal issues are more complex than just finding fault for the accident among the drivers. If the truck driver or the trucking company was not observing regulations governing working conditions, load restrictions, rest times, etc., then the driver and/or the employer may be on the hook for more than just the actual damages from the accident.

Houston 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers: Causes of Accidents

One of the most common causes of a truck accident is a fatigued driver. Rules and regulations have been put in place in an effort to reduce the number of truck drivers who are driving tired. But drivers often break these rules – frequently under pressure from their employers to make quick deliveries on unreasonable schedules.

Other truck accident causes include maintenance issues, lack of skill, load issues, or unsafe driving. If a truck is poorly maintained, especially the tires or brakes, it can set the stage for a serious collision. If the truck has a load that is not properly secured or is too large for the truck, the truck may become unstable and the driver may lose control.

A truck driver who is speeding, violating traffic signals, driving aggressively or driving unsafely in violation of federal regulations is also more likely to cause a wreck. This could result in liability both on the driver and the trucking company.

Types of Compensation Available for Victims of Houston 18-Wheeler Wrecks

An 18-wheeler usually does a lot of damage when it crashes into a smaller vehicle. Your injuries from a crash involving a tractor-trailer may significantly affect your daily life and your future. It may be that you can no longer keep the same job that you had because of your injuries, or perhaps your injuries will affect your ability to do the tasks of everyday life. You may experience chronic pain or permanent disability.

The compensation available for your losses is intended to lighten the financial burden of the effects of the accident. Types of compensation available generally include:

  • Property damage
  • Medical expenses
  • Therapy
  • Lost income and earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical impairment
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Other physical, financial and emotional harm
  • Wrongful death benefits if the crash took the life of a close relative

Why You Should Choose our Houston 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers

At the Sloan Firm, what matters to you, matters to us. We know that when you have been in an accident, you need a commercial truck accident lawyer in your corner fighting for you and helping you through the aftermath. We will listen to you and help you address your concerns and fight you and your best interests.

If you have suffered an injury, speak with the Houston personal injury attorneys at our firm today. When you work with us, you can have confidence that a seasoned legal advocate is on your side. We are prepared to handle virtually any type of personal injury claim, including complex 18-wheeler accident lawsuits.

18-Wheeler Accident Settlements

We have experience working with insurance companies and know very well how they operate. Insurers are profit-driven, so they try to achieve any reduction in payouts so they can make more money. There are several strategies they use to get a case settled at the lowest amount possible. This can be a nightmare for the injured or their families when an insurer’s settlement offer does not come close to covering their costs. Don’t let them get away with it. Get help from the Sloan Firm.

With severe injuries like those so common in 18-wheeler crashes, many victims are no longer able to earn a living. They will require extensive medical care, treatment, and rehabilitation, all while unable to work and provide for themselves and their families. Lives are forever changed through negligent actions, and the parties involved must be held accountable.

Contact our Houston Commercial Truck Accident Attorneys

You can trust our Houston commercial truck accident lawyers to take effective action in severe injury claims, and all cases are taken on a contingency basis. This allows you to have quality legal representation without any initial outlay of money. We are not paid unless we win for you.

Learn more about your legal rights and options with our team. Get in touch with our lawyers today for free legal advice about your case. We serve clients in Longview, Houston, Santa Fe and all of East Texas.