Have you been injured in a tractor-trailer accident that was caused by a negligent or reckless driver? Contact Low Law Firm today to protect your legal rights and get the justice you deserve.
Every year, more than 4,000 people lose their lives in truck accidents throughout the United States. Thousands more are left with debilitating injuries and forced to endure overwhelming pain and suffering. These accidents are often preventable, yet many continue to experience the life-altering effects of negligent and reckless drivers on a frequent basis.
Living in West Texas anywhere near Interstate-20 means you deal with 18-wheelers regularly. These massive commercial trucks present tremendous risks to the occupants of other vehicles also traveling the highways of West Texas. Low Law Firm aggressively pursues trucking companies and truck drivers for negligent actions that cause tractor-trailer accidents. As the daughter of a trucker, Tara Gilmore-Low was raised around big rigs and the regulations surrounding these big trucks. She understands the inner workings of the trucking companies and the rules they have to follow.
Trucking accidents are some of the deadliest motor vehicle collisions due to the size and weight disparities between a huge commercial truck and typical passenger vehicles. A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh more than 20 times that of a normal car.
If you sustained injuries in a truck accident due to the negligence of another driver, it is crucial that you act quickly to protect your legal rights. The truck accident attorneys at Low Law Firm in Abilene strive to help victims protect their legal rights so they are in the best position to move forward. We are dedicated to helping our clients reach their goals and receive the medical attention they need for their injuries. Contact our law firm in Abilene today to explore legal options available for you.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas
Semi-truck accidents in and around Texas can take place for a variety of reasons. Human errors, mistakes, and negligence are some of the leading causes of these life-altering accidents. In fact, more than 50% of all truck accidents in our state are a result of drivers’ actions. Some of the most common factors in semi-truck accidents reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration include:
Brake Failures: There are numerous accidents involving commercial vehicles caused by brake failures and other mechanical defects. In fact, over 29% of all semi-truck accidents annually occur as a result of faulty and defective parts.
Speeding: Roughly 23% of all semi-truck accidents in the United States are caused by speeding drivers. Driving fast in any vehicle can result in a serious accident. Doing so in vehicles weighing in excess of 40,000 pounds can cause fatal injuries.
Unfamiliar Roadways: Not knowing an area can make it difficult to maneuver a vehicle properly. Nearly 22% of all truck accidents involve drivers who are unfamiliar with the road and street conditions. Commercial vehicles, in particular, drive across several states every day. It is highly likely that drivers are not going to know every road they travel on.
Over the Counter Medications: Many truck accidents involve drivers who are influenced by over the counter medications in some way. Whether they become drowsy from allergy pills, lightheaded from cold medication, or experience another symptom, they can have problems concentrating and controlling their vehicles.
Inadequate Surveillance: There are many instances where auto accidents involve inadequate surveillance. This is particularly true in cases where blind-spot accidents occur, reverse pedestrian accidents and other types of collisions.
Fatigue: Truck drivers spend an extended amount of time on the road. Although there are various laws and regulations that dictate how long drivers are allowed to be out, we continue to see them drive over their limits and fall asleep behind the wheel.
It is crucial that truck drivers maintain their vehicles and adhere to local and national safety protocols. Not doing so can lead to a life-altering accident. When victims are injured in accidents, it is crucial that they reach out to a truck accident attorney in Abilene as soon as possible to ensure their legal rights are protected. Our team at Low Law Firm is available to answer your questions and guide you throughout the legal process.
Liable Parties in Truck Accidents Across Texas
Victims who are injured in truck accidents caused by others can recover compensation to alleviate various damages they face moving forward. In order to obtain money from those at-fault, it is imperative to determine the liable parties. Trends across the state show that liability for truck accidents often extends beyond drivers. There are frequently several parties subjected to legal claims for even a single accident. Some parties who can be held liable for truck accidents in Texas include:
Truck Drivers: Truck drivers often bear major responsibility in truck accidents. Those in charge of operating trucks can be held liable for resulting injuries and damages when their actions are the cause of the collision. Drivers who are distracted, impaired, or otherwise engaged in reckless behaviors while operating their vehicles place others at an increased risk of being injured.
The Trucking Company: Trucking companies are required to verify that drivers are responsible, legally able to drive, and experienced. When trucking companies are negligent during the hiring process, they may hire unqualified drivers.
The Owner of the Truck: In some cases, trucks involved in accidents are not owned by the driver or the company. Instead, third-parties own trucks that are used by contractors and other drivers. In these cases, truck owners can be held liable for accidents. It is imperative that truck owners verify that they have qualified, licensed, and experienced drivers operating their vehicles.
Cargo Companies: Cargo companies can be held liable for accidents when negligent and reckless loading practices are used to fill trailers. It is crucial that trailers are loaded within their limits and evenly. It is also crucial that products are adequately secured. When trailers are not properly loaded, it can lead to spillovers and other unfortunate accidents that cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
Manufacturers: It is imperative that semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles function as intended. Malfunctioning brakes, accelerators, and other parts of semi-trucks can lead to collisions. When drivers lose the ability to brake, accelerate, slow down, or control their vehicle in any sense, it can cause them to crash into others sharing the road. In these cases, manufacturers of the truck, the parts, or those involved in the manufacturing process can be held liable for accidents.
Semi-trucks are required to have large insurance policy limits. This enables victims of truck accidents to obtain full and fair compensation to alleviate the financial burdens they face from their accidents. Working with an aggressive truck accident attorney at Low Law Firm in Abilene will ensure you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Tractor-Trailer Accident Litigation Can Be Very Complicated.
Your attorney must possess an extensive understanding of the complex state and federal regulations governing the trucking industry. Oftentimes these trucking companies violate the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines with impunity. Some of the violations against these guidelines include:
- Not monitoring hours of service requirements.
- Encouraging drivers to speed in order to deliver a load quickly.
- Not properly screening drivers before hiring them.
- Ignoring truck driver drug abuse.
The list of violations goes on and on, but Low Law Firm understands these violations and knows where and how to find them.
Negligence of Trucking Companies and Truck Drivers
Most truck drivers are conscientious and fastidious in their determination to do their job correctly. However, some drivers work for companies that force impossible delivery requirements or hours of service on them. These companies put profit over safety. This approach creates an environment for mistakes, errors, and negligence, all of which lead to tractor-trailer accidents and injury when left unchecked. Low Law Firm takes at-fault trucking companies to task when truck accident violations occur. Tara Gilmore-Low and her team of investigators and trucking industry experts work to expose violations and make sure that victims and their families are compensated fairly for their tractor-trailer accident injuries.
Preservation of Tractor-Trailer Accident Evidence
The sooner you start working with Low Law Firm, the better. The longer you wait the greater the opportunity the trucking company has to put that truck back into service–losing out on an opportunity to gather critical evidence. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a tractor-trailer accident, due to the negligence and carelessness of a trucking company, don’t wait to contact the attorneys at Low Law Firm today.
Our Process to Protect Your Legal Rights
Victims who are injured in truck accidents throughout Texas need quality and effective legal representation. The attorneys at Low Law Firm strive to help our clients by ensuring they are in the best possible position to move forward after being injured. Our team provides a number of services for victims that ensure they are able to get the justice they deserve. Our services focus on three key areas, including:
Documentation: Our team will gather records relative to your claim. We gather medical records, billing statements, doctor reports that highlight future healthcare needs, insurance documents, police reports, and various other documents that help prove the extent of damages you face. Our ultimate goal is to help you recover so you can reach your goals and get the medical care you need.
Investigation: Trucking companies are notorious for hiding evidence and correcting “mistakes.” Our investigators and trucking company experts visit the scene of the accident and inspect the truck as soon as possible after the accident. It is imperative that photographs are taken of the tractor-trailer accident scene, the truck, your vehicle, and any other property involved in the 18 wheeler accident. Physical evidence such as skid marks, accident debris, gouge marks, and fluids can disappear very quickly after a trucking accident. Our team will gather evidence from dashcams, security cameras, police records, and more.
Negotiation: Our personal injury attorneys in Texas will negotiate full and fair settlements to ensure you are able to get the compensation you need and deserve. If we are unable to come to a settlement agreement with the at-fault party, we provide aggressive, effective, and proven legal representation inside the courtroom to help you obtain the outcome you expect.
Our Abilene truck accident attorneys at Low Law Firm strive to help our clients move forward in the best way imaginable. If you sustained injuries in a truck accident as the result of another driver’s actions, contact our law firm to see how we can help you.
How Can Low Law Firm Help You?
Facing the aftermath of a tractor-trailer accident is frightening. Oftentimes people are not sure what their rights are, what options are available to them, or what issues they will face. The attorneys at Low Law Firm will give you practical advice about your legal options. We will advise you on how to protect your interests when facing the money and power of a trucking company. We will answer your questions along the way and explain the legal procedures being utilized. Low Law Firm will work very hard to prepare your case for a successful settlement or trial.
The tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Low Law Firm in Abilene strive to help victims after being injured in a traumatic commercial vehicle accident in our state. We provide aggressive and effective legal representation that ensures victims are able to protect their legal rights and get the justice they deserve after being harmed. If you were injured in a semi-truck accident as a result of another driver’s actions, contact Low Law Firm today at (325) 455-1889. Schedule a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience with our team to explore legal options available for you.