Texas Truck Wreck Attorney Blog

One of the goals of this semi-truck accident attorney blog is to keep readers apprised of the numerous semi-truck accidents (and accompanying commentary) that occur in the area, across the state and even across the country. What follows are several news accounts of semi-truck accidents that have captured media attention.

*A passenger car driver hit a guardrail on a Texas roadway causing the driver to lose control and his vehicle to spin. It was struck by an oncoming semi-truck who was unable to avoid the impact. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is still under investigation.

*In an accident with unusual circumstances - a young man appeared to be asleep at the wheel of his vehicle while sitting at a light and when police attempted to waken him - he lost control of the car and ended up in a head-on collision with a semi-truck. The teen suffered critical injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital.

*Finally, an accident involving two semi-trucks and a passenger car in another state led to the death of one of the rig drivers and a horrific collision beside. The accident occurred when logs on a log hauler spilled onto the highway as they fell from the rig. It was then rear-ended by a second semi-truck carrying a toxic, flammable liquid - that resulted in alerting the surrounding communities of the potential hazard. Although a passenger vehicle became embroiled in the accident - no information was provided on the driver or his vehicle.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations provide specific rules for the proper and safe loading of 18-wheelers- when a load is not properly secured accidents can be very serious.

Continue reading "Recent Texas 18 Wheeler Accidents" »

There are over 5000 wrongful death truck accidents in United States each year. A good percentage of those fatal 18-wheeler accidents happen in Texas. Part of the reason for the large number of semi truck accidents in Texas is the sheer number of miles of highway in our state.

The major metropolitan areas such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and El Paso have a large share of the serious truck accidents either in the city limits or on a highway not far from the city. The majority of serious truck accidents occur on a highway at highway speeds.

The cost to Texas for the large number of semi truck accidents involves both lives and money is substantial. Many times or truck accidents where fortunately there are no injuries but the 18-wheeler overturned and caused a major traffic delay and cleanup effort for the community.

Unbelievably, many trucking companies push their workers to the limit and sometimes cause a fatigued driver, which is clearly an unsafe condition. Other trucking companies just do not monitor and enforce the rules required by the state of Texas and also the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which can lead to devastating results.

Additionally, many times the actual condition of the big rig can cause or contribute to the accident and in such cases it is not only the truck driver responsible but also the trucking company which bears ultimate responsibility for the condition of the big rig.

If you been the victim of a truck accident in Houston or elsewhere across the state of Texas you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Anyone who's been involved in a serious truck accident Texas should consider hiring a Texas truck accident attorney as early as possible to represent them in their claim against the motor carrier and driver.

There are many Houston lawyers who handle a variety of legal matters including criminal law, family law, personal injury and wills and estates. Some of these are very good attorneys and very capable in anything that they attempt. The reality is that attorneys who handle truck accidents on an everyday basis are generally better equipped to get the expert witness help and move the case from start to finish without having to reinvent the wheel.

Obviously, semi trucks operate differently than passenger cars and or different animal than a typical car wreck case. Not only are the vehicles different but also the statutes applicable to everyday drivers are different from those that apply to professional truck drivers. The Federal motor carrier safety regulations provide strict rules for both carriers and their drivers across a wide variety of subjects including driver's safety, rules of the road and safety of the tractor-trailers.

Often, a truck accident lawsuit can revolve around the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and their applicability to the facts of the case. It is essential, that a truck accident victim a Texas truck accident attorney who can recite the regulations that apply in the lawsuit. In short, attorneys who are actively engaged in truck accident litigation are generally better prepared to prosecute a case for victim.

Another factor that families should consider when choosing a semi truck accident attorney is that law firm's track record of success in helping victims of an 18-wheeler accident. While each case is unique the results from any one-law firm can be very revealing in their ability to successfully conclude a serious case.

A number of studies have been done over the past several decades whose findings have revealed that - even though each collision is unique - there are several common causes of truck accidents across the country.

Let us consider the top five mistakes that lead to truck wrecks involving semi-trucks (and other commercial vehicles) and often result in injury and wrongful death.

*Improper truck maintenance is one reason that so many semi-truck accidents happen on American roads. Worn tire tread, unattended to brakes and brake systems, inattention to proper care of the coupling system and other oversights in the care of an 18 wheeler can have deadly consequences for the rig driver and other unsuspecting persons on the road. Unfortunately, proactive attention to proper maintenance may be the best life-saving interventions that can be undertaken by the trucking industry.

*Driver fatigue is also one of the top five causes of truck accidents. Semi-truck drivers are put under pressure by their respective trucking companies to get their commodities from the place of origin to their destination. This leads to individuals pushing themselves beyond their physical capabilities in order meet expectations. Even though regulations are in place that are meant to prevent drivers criss-crossing the country without the proper rest - it happens regularly anyway - and, not surprisingly, accidents are often the result.

*Speeding is yet another cause of semi-truck accidents because it is another way that drivers can make up for time lost in traffic jams or bad weather. It can also lead to deadly accidents at a moment's notice because of unpredictable events on the roads that do not allow drivers adequate stopping time and distance.

Finally - improperly placed loads and substance abuse round out the top five causes of semi-truck accidents.

If you notice a truck driver behaving erratically contact local law enforcement or the state highway patrol. We have an obligation to keep each other safe on the roads.

Continue reading "Top 5 Causes of Truck Accidents" »

Impaired driving can not only be the result of intoxication or the ingestion of illegal substances - sometimes simple over the counter medications or prescription drugs can also inhibit safe motoring. In other cases these same drugs can interact with alcohol in a way that increases its potency as well.

For instance, experts have found that aspirin taken with a caffeine drink can have the same dulling effects as several drinks - comparing to an 0.05 level of alcohol in the bloodstream. Dramamine - a substance taken to combat seasickness - can also cause drowsiness and dizziness - a dangerous combination for drivers and a number of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines increases the effects of alcohol when taken in combination. Any time a driver is less than 100% the odds of a car accident or a truck accident increase.

Too, there are millions of prescription drugs taken by persons on a daily basis in this country. In fact, research suggests that nearly eighty percent of individuals age 65 and over take at least one type of medicine daily - and many are on a combination regimen of drugs for a wide variety of ailments.

While it's heartening to realize that the pharmaceutical companies and medicine have been able to increase the length and quality of life - this progress comes with risks.
Unfortunately, many seniors are unable to verbalize the cautions their physicians have given in relation to taking medicine and driving.

At the same time, research is beginning to show there is a direct correlation between prescription and over the counter medications and an increase in vehicular collisions.

If you are using any type of medicine - read the labels, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist. Be fully cognizant of the effects of medicine on your ability to drive safely.

Continue reading "Impaired Driving by OTC Drugs" »

Automobile accidents are a regular part of the driving experience in Houston, Dallas and across Texas. Some are more unique than others - and some are more deadly. Consider the following news stories about car and truck wrecks on city roads and highways.

*Three teens led police on a high-speed chase through the city of Houston after stealing a vehicle and then using it to ram a gas station - which they then proceeded to rob. In the end no one was hurt and the teens were taken into custody. Damages are expected to run into the thousands of dollars.

*The founder of a well-known church in another state was killed and his wife injured in a fatal truck accident although what happened is unclear, reports suggest it may have been that the vehicle he was driving veered into the lane of oncoming traffic and smashed head on into a semi-truck.

*A pedestrian was killed and 7 others injured when an SUV ran a stop sign during a police pursuit and hit a bus - forcing it into the bystander and pinning him below the bus. The driver and passengers in the SUV were all taken into custody and charged with manslaughter and burglary.

In each of these accidents the causes can be traced to ongoing debates about driving. In the first accident there have been continued discussions about the proper age for young people to be given permission to drive. Even though the youth allegedly stole the car - if the age of driving were raised would teens consider getting behind the wheel of a vehicle?

In the second accident - the opposite debate rages. The driver was nearly eighty years old and accidents with elder drivers require that we have an honest and open discussion about the proper age at which the elderly should regularly tested for a drivers license.

Finally, police chases are some of the most controversial subjects in municipalities across the country. I would wager that the loved ones of the gentleman who died would feel that the value of a stolen vehicle couldn't compare to the loss of their father, grandfather, uncle, and son.

Continue reading "Recent Accidents" »

The simple truth of the matter is that 18-wheeler accidents are not the same as a two-car crash. Victims of semi truck accidents generally have pretty significant injuries given the huge disparity in weight between a passenger car and a tractor-trailer.

The operation of an 18 wheeler is quite different from the typical passenger car, not only are the brakes substantially different but the braking characteristics and stopping distances are more complex given the articulated vehicle and waits up to 80,000 pounds.

Additionally, truck accident lawyers must be well versed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations such that they can recognize a violation of a statutory duty whether on the truck driver's part or the motor carrier.

A lawyer who handles tractor-trailer accidents on an everyday basis is in a much better place to assess the liability of a given accident and also to prosecute a truck accident case. A simple way to determine whether or not the lawyer you are speaking with is an experienced truck accident attorney is to ask them for their case results in 18-wheeler accident litigation.

While a successful track record in 18-wheeler accident litigation is desirable it is not the only factor that a victim should consider. Truck accidents tend to be much more complicated than the everyday car accident and involve much higher numbers in terms of damages.

It is critically important that the lawyer you select to help you seek justice in a Texas truck accident case be one that you are comfortable with and feel good about.

Continue reading "Why Hire a Real Truck Accident Attorney" »

While wrongful death lawsuits can be complicated and extensive - there are a few simple facts on which many are based. Each state has its own unique set of laws for wrongful death claims. Consider the following information.

*Wrongful death may be deliberate - such as murder - or accidental but due to the negligence or carelessness of another individual.

*Different states mandate which survivors are able to sue. In some cases only the spouse and immediate family members may file a wrongful death suit. In other states instances the right to sue may even extend to grandparents.

*There is a statute of limitations on filing a wrongful death lawsuit in most states.

*Medical malpractice does not always result in a wrongful death and wrongful deaths frequently are not traced to medical malpractice (even though the family feels otherwise).

*There are circumstances under which a bankruptcy court can discharge a judgment imposed by a court in the case of a wrongful death. This is usually not possible in a drunk driving wrongful death suit.

*A decision on the amount of damages to be awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit is complicated and may take into account a number of factors including such things as the loss of future earnings and pain and suffering and loss of services.

*Many states have incorporated measures that prevent family members from suing each other in the case of a wrongful death.

The decision to sue for wrongful death is a complicated issue. There is no doubt that families must consider their options at a time many are struggling with the grief of the loss.

Continue reading "Wrongful Death Claims" »

There has been a spate of semi-truck accidents lately on Houston roadways and in the greater Houston area. Some have been fatality collisions and others less serious.
Just this morning before dawn reports suggest a woman was traveling at a high rate of speed in a minivan and failed to realize that a semi-truck was stopped at an intersection.

She rear-ended the rig and died as a result - even though she was wearing a seatbelt. Toxicology reports are pending on the woman who lost her life. The truck driver passed a blood alcohol test. My heart goes out to the family.

In yet another early morning semi-truck accident in nearby Fort Worth, the 18 wheeler overturned spilling fuel and knocking out power to nearby homes and businesses. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time as is the condition of the driver - although initial reports indicated he was trapped in the wreckage and when he was freed he was flown to a nearby hospital. In some cases the truck driver can pursue the motor carrier if the accident was caused by the truck they supplied or maintained.

Finally, in a third match-up of Texas 18 wheeler accidents this morning the driver of a pick-up truck lost control of his vehicle and crossed the median where he then sideswiped an 18-wheeler. He, too, was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. No word on the condition of the semi driver but all indications are that he sustained only minor injuries.

Three tractor-trailer truck accidents in three hours is sobering news to say the least. The reader should remember that pre-dawn driving can be very dangerous because drivers tend to be drowsy and it is difficult to see the road and other drivers.

Continue reading "Recent Truck Accidents in Texas- Continued" »

There's drinking and driving and then there's drinking and driving. Of course, many believe that too often a person who is convicted of a DWI gets off way too leniently. But the following story takes the cake. A recent news report recounts that a Conroe man was just sentenced to 99 years in prison for his 16th DWI conviction.

Now, the reader surely has to wonder - as do I - how someone could have that many convictions without having already served some serious jail time and also was provided addiction help or something.

But cursory research on the subject turned up little other information except that the driver himself admitted that he was drunk nearly every time he got behind the wheel of his care and he really didn't give much thought to the health and welfare of other drivers on the road.

Video of the arrest shows that the man clearly was unable to execute the moves required in a sobriety test and the only way to describe the tv segment is to call it 'sobering' - for other drivers that is because it would seem that there's no way this guy was ever sober.

It is painful to watch for those of us who take our responsibility of driving safely to heart. It is chilling to realize that there are others on the road that have so little regard for their fellow human beings (children included) that they would show gross negligence and disregard for their own behavior while endangering the rest of us.

And, really, how in the bloody hell did this guy slip through the justice system so many times - and is it nothing short of a miracle that he caused no harm to others?

Finally, the man is eligible for parole in ten to fifteen years - let's just hope those in charge can count to sixteen and they realize that represents the number of times the justice system dropped the ball.

Continue reading "16 DWIs Enough?" »