The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) provides an overview of the Port of Houston, a 25-mile-long conduit of commerce. This shipping complex hosts several terminals and is just one reason why trucking remains a vital puzzle piece in Houston’s industrial landscape. Truckers are held to the high standards that come with obtaining and maintaining a commercial driver license (CDL), which are defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Still, truckers and their bosses are not impervious to making significant errors.
If you or your loved one suffered an injury or died and you believe that a trucker and possibly other parties were negligent in causing the accident, then a Houston truck accident lawyer may advise you on your legal options. Call our team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins today at 800-777-7777 to learn more.
Houston’s Trucking Landscape Presents Unique Dangers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) trucker employment map shows that Texas is home to one of the greatest trucker populations in the nation. As one of the largest cities in the state, Houston has its fair share of trucks on the road. This is generally not a problem, except when truckers and trucking companies do not live up to safety standards.
Trucks might be more dangerous than passenger vehicles when involved in an accident because:
- The largest freight trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, according to Popular Mechanics
- Truckers may be on the road for long periods of time or at night and may be prone to drowsiness, which may cause high-impact or head-on collisions, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
- The IIHS also states that trucks require a greater distance to come to a full stop, meaning that they might collide with other vehicles if the truck driver is suddenly cut off while driving at a higher speed and cannot brake in time
- Tractor trailers and tankers may be carrying loads that are combustible or otherwise dangerous, which may result in secondary dangers beyond the force of impact
Truck drivers should be aware of these dangers, both through their company training and the process to obtain a CDL. Some of the ways that truckers may avoid being in an accident include:
- Adjusting their driving based on road conditions, which includes reducing speed in wet, snowy, or icy conditions
- Reducing speed when turning, as large trucks may be top-heavy and prone to rolling over
- Abstaining from drugs and alcohol before and during their driving shifts, as Reuters states that drug use is disproportionately high among truck drivers
- Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles so that they have enough room to brake when necessary
- Abstaining from dangerous cellphone use and other types of distracted driving
So long as truckers do this, they may avoid causing an accident. When they do not take these precautions, truckers run the risk of causing a potentially fatal accident.
If you have questions about whether you are the victim of negligence or would like to know your legal options, speak with our team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins to learn how a Houston truck accident lawyer may be able to help your case. Call us today at 800-777-7777 for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Houston, call 800-777-7777
Your Case May Include Multiple Defendants
If a driver of a passenger vehicle causes an accident, they might be the only party responsible, with some exceptions. When a trucker causes an accident, they might not be the only party named as a defendant in a resulting lawsuit.
Defendants who may be named as part of a lawsuit may include:
- The truck driver who caused your accident
- Direct supervisors of the driver
- The owner of the company that employs the driver
- Any person or business that served the driver alcohol if they were found to be intoxicated at the time of the accident
You may ultimately bring legal action against multiple parties, and your lawyer may advise you on who may be at fault for your losses.
Outlining Additional Roles of Your Lawyer
In addition to advising you on defendants to name in your lawsuit, your lawyer may advise you on other legal matters and carry out the actual process of filing your lawsuit. This process might include:
- Creating and filing a significant amount of paperwork
- Collecting medical bills, property loss documents, your firsthand accounts, and other materials that will allow your lawyer to calculate appropriate compensation
- Collecting evidence to build a case argument that shows you are the victim of negligence
- Interviewing relevant witnesses and documenting their accounts
- Negotiating a settlement agreement
- If they do not reach a settlement agreement, representing you at trial
- Protecting your rights or the rights of your loved one
Your lawyer may keep you informed of the approach they intend to take towards your lawsuit, as well as any material updates in legal proceedings. You may be able to be as involved or uninvolved in the lawsuit as you like, which could be important if you are recovering from an injury, assisting a loved one’s recovery, or coping with the loss of a loved one.
Your lawyer may be able to win compensation on your behalf, which might include financial awards for:
- Your pain and suffering
- Direct expenses of your truck accident, which may include medical bills
- Property that was damaged in the accident, which may not have been adequately covered by insurance
- Lost income and any harm to your earning power caused by injuries
You may be eligible to collect additional awards, especially if you intend to bring a wrongful death claim.
Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-777-7777
Call the Team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins Today
We are the Strong Arm, and you can call us today at 800-777-7777 for a free consultation and to learn why you might want to team up with a Houston truck accident lawyer. Do not wait to call, as personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are subject to statutes of limitation that could impact your ability to bring forth litigation against a truck driver or other at-fault parties.
Call or text 800-777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
