Automotive accidents can be serious, but when a large commercial truck is involved, they’re never minor. The sheer weight and size of these massive machines ensure that any crash involving a semi-truck, an 18-wheeler, or any other large truck has the potential to be devastating.
A truck accident can dramatically affect your life and that of your family for months, years, and sometimes even permanently. Your decision about the steps to take after a truck accident can make the difference between peace of mind and regret. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is essential following any truck accident in Texas, particularly when you or a loved one have suffered severe injuries.
If you have been hurt or have lost someone you care about in a truck crash, an experienced Texas truck accident lawyer with The Francis Firm is standing by to help. Our knowledgeable attorneys are familiar with all types of truck accident claims. They know how to go against truckers, trucking companies, and their powerful insurance companies.
How Much More Serious Are Truck Accidents?
Commercial trucking supports producers and consumers and is vital to the entire Texas economy. According to a report published by the Texas Department of Transportation, commercial trucking in Texas annually supports 1.1 million jobs and brings in $91.6 billion in Gross State Product, $62.7 billion in labor income, and $7 million in local and state tax revenues.
Unfortunately, there’s still a lot that can go wrong when operating a large tractor-trailer, especially if the trucker or trucking company is negligent. When a truck accident does happen, the outcome can be devastating, causing extensive property damage, severe injuries, or even death.
So, what makes truck crashes so deadly? Many factors contribute to why truck wrecks are more dangerous than other traffic accidents, including:
- A truck’s massive height, weight, and length
- Decreased maneuverability
- Increased stopping distance
- Considerable blind spots
- Loose cargo
- Hazardous cargo
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Texas
There are many different types of trucking crashes in Texas. What these accidents have in common is the added danger they pose to the occupants of other vehicles. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 643 people died in crashes involving large trucks in Texas in 2020. Out of the total fatalities in the large-truck crashes recorded in 2020, 71% (460) were occupants of other vehicles.
Regardless of the type of truck accident, injured victims need a truck accident attorney who can protect their rights. Here are some common types of truck accidents that pose dangers to road users in Texas:
Rear-End Collisions
Due to the sheer size and weight of large trucks, they require a lot of space and ample time to make a safe stop. This means that if a trucker is following another car too closely, is overly tired, is under the influence, is distracted, or is otherwise negligent, they put the driver in front of them at risk.
Other factors that can contribute to rear-end collisions include speeding, inclement weather, and faulty brakes.
Rollover Accidents
Large trucks are tall and have a much higher center of gravity compared to other vehicles, making them susceptible to rollover accidents. If cargo shifts within the trailer or is not correctly secured, the trailer and truck can flip to the side or turn over completely. Taking sharp turns, improper loading of cargo, and speeding are the leading causes of rollover accidents.
Jackknife Crashes
A jackknife accident occurs when a tractor-trailer or big rig folds in half at the hinge of the trailer and the cab, resembling the motion of a folding pocket knife. This can occur for various reasons, such as sudden braking, slippery road conditions, over-steering, or excessive speed.
Jackknife crashes can cause significant damage to property, injury or death to other motorists, and significant disruption to traffic.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes occur when a truck driver is distracted, intoxicated, fatigued, or if they lose control of their vehicle due to a mechanical failure, drifting into another traffic lane.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone crashes, also known as broadside accidents, are frequently caused by a truck driver’s failure to stop or yield at an intersection. This can happen if the trucker is impaired, distracted, or fatigued. Equipment defects, such as brake failure or other faulty parts, can also cause T-bone accidents.
Underride Accidents
18-wheelers and other large trucks are tall and sit higher off the ground than typical vehicles. As a result, under certain conditions, another vehicle can become trapped beneath the truck’s undercarriage.
Sideswipe Accidents
Large trucks have considerable blind spots in the left and right rear areas around them. Suppose a driver fails to check their blind spots or mirrors before merging, turning, or changing lanes. In that case, they can easily sideswipe a vehicle in their blind spot.
How a Texas Truck Accident Attorney Can Help After an Accident
At The Francis Firm, our Texas truck accident lawyers have been committed to advocating for the rights of injured victims for decades. With a reputation for providing aggressive and effective legal advocacy and individualized and compassionate service, our attorneys will work tirelessly and diligently to help you pursue all available legal remedies so you can recover fair compensation for your case.
Here’s how a Texas truck accident lawyer can help you after a crash:
- Investigate. We conduct intensive investigations to identify all potentially liable parties and the damages for which you may be eligible
- Document. We gather and preserve evidence and documents, such as medical records, eyewitness accounts, photos of the accident scene, and police reports, to strengthen your truck accident claim.
- Facilitate care. We help you get expert medical care from all the necessary doctors who specialize in treating truck accident injuries.
- Negotiate. We deal with insurance companies and handle tense settlement negotiations and heated courtroom battles to obtain the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing from your injuries.
Don’t wait too long to talk to the Texas truck accident lawyers at The Francis Firm. We’re standing by, ready to help you with your case.
Experienced Texas Truck Accident Lawyer for Catastrophic Injuries
All traffic accidents are devastating, but those involving large trucks are the most devastating of all. At The Francis Firm, we never forget how greatly catastrophic injuries or the death of a loved one can dramatically affect your life.
With offices in Southlake, Fort Worth, and Dallas, Michael Francis has a reputation for never backing down from a fight and will fight for you while you recover. Over the years, we’ve helped injury clients recover millions of dollars to help them regain their health and well-being to the fullest extent possible.Schedule a free consultation or call us now at 817-329-9001 for help from a Texas truck accident attorney who won’t accept less than you need to move forward.