Texas 18 wheeler, Trucking, and Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney Accidents involving trucks in interstate and intrastate commerce result in thousands of injuries and fatalities per year in the United States.  Texas has one of the highest annual rates of injury and fatality in the nation resulting from these accidents. A fully loaded large commercial truckÕs weight can exceed 80,000 pounds, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3,000 pounds.  Because of the enormous mass of trucks, any collision between a commercial truck and another vehicle is likely to result in serious injuries.  If the truck is carrying hazardous chemicals or flammable materials, the resulting injuries may be even more severe.

Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents and collisions involving tractor-trailers or 18-wheelers entail a complicated set of laws and large amounts of evidence.  The trucking industry is heavily regulated.  Accidents involving trucks are generally significantly more complex than typical automobile accidents.  Trucking lawsuits are complex and the injuries are often devastating.  Injuries from trucking accidents often include paralysis, brain injuries, amputations, severe burns, spinal cord injuries, and sometimes death.  State and federal laws are in place, designed to keep safe the public roadways, and the drivers who are on them.

Unfortunately, the trucking company and its insurance company have one sole interest when their vehicles are involved in accidents - minimize their liability exposure and the compensation to the victims.  Insurance companies employ aggressive insurance adjusters who immediately implement Òdamage controlÓ tactics the moment they are notified about an accident involving one of their insured vehicles. Typically, an insurance adjuster and team of ÒinvestigatorsÓ will appear at the scene of the accident, the hospital, and even the familiesÕ home attempting to obtain favorable recorded statements to defend any potential lawsuit the victims may decide to pursue.  They prey upon victimsÕ vulnerability and compromised emotional state before they have a chance to obtain legal consultation.

At the Amaro Firm, we know how to effectively pursue legal action to maximize our clientsÕ recovery.  In many instances, we pursue legal action against the truck driver, the trucking company, and the tractor-trailer owner.  Potential causes of action against a trucking company and its driver may include negligence per se, negligent entrustment, negligent training, negligent supervision, negligent retention of employee, and negligent maintenance.  Other potential causes of action may include those common negligence theories in motor vehicle accidents such as failure to maintain a safe distance and speeding, failure to maintain a proper look out, and failure to timely apply brakes.

It is absolutely critical to begin investigating the accident as soon as possible.  As part of their Òdamage controlÓ techniques, the trucking company and its insurance company will obtain statements from witnesses, the driver, and possibly the victim.  Further, the trucking company and its insurance company may have the truck inspected by one of their experts to produce favorable defensive reports and have another one of their experts investigate the accident scene and produce a defensive report.  Trucks contain a Òblack boxÓ which records very relevant data before, during, and after the accident.  It is imperative that the recorded information is analyzed.

There are a variety of types of information that need to be investigated in regard to your claims.  This information includes previous violations of regulations by the trucking company or driver involved, the truck's maintenance records, the speed the truck and your vehicle were traveling, the location of the impact on the vehicles' exteriors, the truck driver's log book and statements from eye witnesses and first responders to the accident scene, such as emergency personnel and police officers.

An accident involving an 18-wheeler, semi truck, commercial truck, or tractor-trailer can result in serious injury and property damage.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, property damage and car repairs, lost wages, pain and suffering, impairment, permanent injury, and disfigurement.

Have your or someone you know been injured in a trucking accident in Texas and want to know if you have a claim?

Free case evaluations and consultation.  NO attorneys' fees or costs to you unless we recover a settlement, benefits, or verdict in your case.  We can initiate your case by phone or e-mail - CALL today for a free consultation 713-864-1941.

If negligence can be established, you can recover compensation and damages for the following: