There are more fatal trucking accidents in Texas than anywhere else in the nation. Wrecks in North Texas counties like Johnson County and Hood County that involve big rigs are more common than we'd like and can result in devastating, debilitating and disabling injuries as well as wrongful death.
Because they are large, heavy and cumbersome, big trucks can be difficult to manage, even for seasoned truckers. The top three types of heavy truck accidents are side-impact crashes, rear-end collisions and head-on wrecks.
If a driver loses control of a tractor-trailer, that vehicle can take down everything in its path. Here are some catastrophic injuries people experience after being hit by a large truck:
- Traumatic brain and head injuries
- Neck, back and spinal cord injuries
- Injuries involving muscles, tendons and ligaments
- Burn injuries
- Chest injuries like broken ribs and damage to internal organs
- Deep cuts or wounds in the abdomen
- Bone injuries that require immediate surgery
Have You Been Hurt in a Trucking Collision?
Many people who have experienced serious truck accident injuries never receive the compensation they deserve. They are afraid to take on the trucking industry and the insurers who represent them. Most people don't know how to put a case together or navigate the complex legal system. For many individuals injured by heavy trucks, it's easier to minimize their damages and take the first settlement they are offered.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive?
There are three types of damages you may be awarded:
- Economic damages for financial losses
- Noneconomic damages for pain and suffering
- Punitive damages for heinous offenses
If you have been hurt by a heavy truck, you have every right to a fair settlement and full compensation. You owe it to yourself and your family to seek maximum damages that cover the full extent of your injuries. Attorney Robert L. Ward is a former prosecutor with years of personal injury experience. He and his team are devoted to securing maximum settlements for clients who have been hurt in semi-trailer accidents.
How an Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Beware of Insurance Company Offers
Injuries caused by big rigs can have profound, life-changing and far-reaching effects. Nevertheless, most trucking companies and their insurers want to keep your payout as low as possible. If the insurance company offers you a settlement, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer like Attorney Robert L. Ward at once. In most cases, the insurance company's offer will be only a fraction of what you're entitled to.
Truck accidents are not like car accidents. They are far more serious, and the payouts can be astronomical. Determining who is at fault can be a lengthy and complex process. Commercial vehicle wrecks can involve dozens of interested parties with considerable power at their disposal.
Trucking companies and their drivers now use advanced technology to monitor 18-wheelers. These systems report on vehicle movement, fuel consumption, road speeds and driver activity. An experienced lawyer will investigate those records and examine the driver's logbook to determine compliance with state and federal regulations. A thorough investigation is essential in any trucking accident personal injury claim.
Attorney Robert L. Ward will do everything possible to get you a fair settlement. Consultations are free, and you only pay us if you win.
Developing a Claim Based on Your Truck Crash
Personal Injury From Trucking Accidents
The top three reasons for big rig crashes are rear-end collisions, driver fatigue and overloaded trucks. Overly heavy trucks are exceptionally dangerous. They can lose their cargo in transit, and that can cause vehicle pileups. Toxic chemicals can be unleashed during a wreck that expose people to harmful contaminants.
Transporting more than the manufacturer's limit allows trucking companies to make extra money while risking the lives of other motorists. Overloaded trucks are highly unstable vehicles. It doesn't take much to tip one over.
Wrecks can occur due to negligence on the part of trucking companies:
- Poorly supervised drivers
- Negligent hiring practices
- Failure to vet drivers
- Failure to train drivers
- Failure to maintain vehicles
When a heavy truck is involved in an accident, both the driver and the trucking company may be liable. Truckers may be liable if an accident is due to their negligence. Attorney Robert L. Ward can help you get the compensation from your accident that you deserve. He will meet you at home or at the hospital. Call us now for a confidential consultation.