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What’s the Main Cause for Most Semi-Truck Accidents?

What’s the Main Cause for Most Semi-Truck Accidents?

As a team of experienced personal injury lawyers, we understand the devastating impact that semi-truck accidents can have on victims and their families. In this article, we’ll explore the causes of semi-truck accidents, the legal options available to victims, and the importance of working with an experienced truck accident attorney.

Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-truck accidents can have a variety of causes, including driver error, equipment failure, and hazardous road conditions. Some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents include:

  • Driver fatigue: Truck drivers are often under pressure to meet tight deadlines, which can lead to fatigue and impaired driving.
  • Distracted driving: Like all drivers, truck drivers can become distracted by cell phones, GPS systems, and other devices while on the road.
  • Speeding: Semi-trucks require a longer stopping distance than passenger vehicles, which can make speeding particularly dangerous.
  • Improper loading: When semi-trucks are not loaded properly, it can lead to shifting cargo and loss of control.
  • Equipment failure: Semi-trucks have a variety of complex systems that must be properly maintained in order to operate safely. Failure to maintain these systems can result in accidents.

Other Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Texas

While the causes of semi-truck accidents mentioned above are the most common, there are other factors that can also contribute to these accidents. Some of these causes include:

  • Poor weather conditions: Adverse weather such as heavy rain, snow, or fog can make driving more difficult for truck drivers.
  • Poor visibility: Semi-trucks have larger blind spots compared to passenger vehicles, which can increase the risk of accidents.
  • Improper training: Trucking companies have a responsibility to properly train their drivers on safety procedures and equipment use.
  • Overloaded trucks: Semi-trucks that are overloaded or carry unbalanced loads can cause instability and increase the risk of rollover accidents.

Understanding these causes of semi-truck accidents can help drivers and trucking companies take appropriate safety measures to prevent them.

Legal Options for Victims

If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi-truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. Some of the legal options available to victims of semi-truck accidents include:

  • Filing a personal injury lawsuit: Victims may be able to sue the truck driver, the trucking company, or other parties responsible for the accident.
  • Pursuing an insurance claim: Victims can also seek compensation through the trucking company’s insurance policy.  Depending on the trucking company’s applicable insurance polices, there may be multiple policies to seek compensation through.
  • Negotiating a settlement: In some cases, victims may be able to negotiate a settlement with the trucking company or their insurance provider(s).

Wrongful Death and Survival Actions

Wrongful death and survival actions are two types of legal recourse for the death of a loved one in a semi-truck accident. A family and/or certain family members may have grounds to file both types of actions in Texas.  It is important to understand the difference between these two actions.

 

  • Wrongful death claim.  In Texas wrongful death claims are specially limited to a surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased person and are the only persons able to make a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death lawsuit is to recover damages the surviving relatives suffered as a result of the death. Damages can include medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of the individual’s love, companionship, guidance, and financial support. Each of the family members identified above have and can make these claims and receive these damages directly.

 

  • Survival action. A survival action is to compensate the estate of the deceased person for the losses the individual suffered prior to death. This may include pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and property damage costs. The damages in a survival action are similar to the damages the individual may have received had the accident not resulted in his or her death. Damages go to the estate of the deceased for distribution, not directly to surviving family members identified above.

 

Family members can pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim, a survival action, or both. A skilled and experienced wrongful death attorney will be able to assist with these two distinct actions and file paperwork for either or both types of claims.

 

Working with a Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a family member has been involved in a semi-truck accident, it’s important to work with an experienced truck accident attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. A good truck accident attorney can help you:

  • Gather evidence: Your attorney can help you collect evidence to support your case, including witness statements, police reports, and medical records.
  • Determine liability: Your attorney can investigate the accident and determine who is liable for your injuries.
  • Negotiate with insurance companies: Your attorney can negotiate with the trucking company’s insurance provider on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
  • Obtain necessary expert:  In most semi-truck cases your attorney will obtain experts that can provided much needed expertise to support your claims and assist with damage models.
  • Represent you in court: If necessary, your attorney can represent you in court and argue your case before a judge and/or jury.

Importance of Working with a Texas Truck Accident Attorney

When it comes to semi-truck accidents, victims often face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Working with a skilled truck accident attorney can help you receive the compensation you need to recover from these challenges. Here are some reasons why hiring an attorney is crucial:

  • Trucking companies have teams of lawyers: Trucking companies have legal teams on their side to protect their interests. You need an attorney who can fight for your rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation.
  • You may not know the full extent of your injuries: Some injuries may not be immediately apparent after an accident. A truck accident attorney can help you determine the full extent of your injuries and ensure that you receive compensation for all your damages.
  • Negotiating with insurance companies can be complicated: Insurance companies are focused on paying as little as possible in claims. An attorney can help you navigate the complex process of negotiating with insurance companies and maximize your compensation.

Semi-truck accidents can be devastating, but victims have legal options for recovering compensation for their injuries and damages. Understanding the common causes of semi-truck accidents and working with an experienced truck accident attorney can help victims receive the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you with your semi-truck accident case.

With offices in Denton, Keller, Euless and Southlake, Texas, Chandler | Ross, PLLC and our Personal Injury Attorneys are well positioned to provide the most effective and highly-skilled representation possible.  We are a local law firm, focused on providing each and every client with the best representation possible.   If we take your case, it’s for a reason, and we’re going to prove that to you.  Don’t wait, and don’t compromise.  Contact us today for a Free Case Evaluation.  In most cases, you pay nothing unless you recover.  Contact us now.  (940) 800-2500

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While Chandler | Ross makes every effort to ensure information disseminated throughout this website is correct and up to date, we cannot and do not guarantee that informational blogs and articles within the site are accurate, up-to-date, and/or applicable to any specific situation.  Nothing herein is intended to create, and nor does it create an attorney-client relationship of any kind.  The information contained within this site is for general use and educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal advice of any kind.  No action should be taken in reliance of this information without first contacting an attorney who is licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

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