Texas & New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyers
Truck Accidents

Houston Truck Accident Attorneys

Put Decades of Experience in Your Corner

While all car accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries and sometimes death, accidents involving large trucks like 18-wheelers almost always end in catastrophic injuries.

An 18-wheeler is a tractor truck that pulled several semi-trailers, and its sheer size and weight can involve multiple cars in an accident. While most passenger vehicles are around 5,000 pounds, 18-wheelers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, depending on the cargo they’re carrying.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, our 18-wheeler accident attorneys in Houston are available to provide sound legal counsel.

Farah Law fiercely advocates for our injured clients so we can recover the maximum amount of compensation they need to recover. Negligent truck drivers shouldn’t get away without being held accountable for their actions.

Reduce your pain and suffering today by calling our team for a free consultation at (888) 481-9359, or contact us online. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid until you do.

Catastrophic Injuries & Their Causes

A catastrophic injury is an injury so severe that it can leave victims with permanent or long-lasting injuries. The most common catastrophic injuries are those that impact the head and brain or spinal cord and neck. Severe burns are also considered catastrophic.

Catastrophic injuries can also result in amputations of limbs, losing the ability to walk or move certain parts of the body, and losing the ability form a coherent thought.

While any kind of accident can potentially result in catastrophic injuries, accidents involving trucks almost always end in catastrophic and sometimes fatal injuries.

Truck accidents can be caused like most other motor vehicle accidents, though there are also some unique factors that contribute to accidents involving trucks. Common causes of these types of accidents include:

  • Truck defect: While 18-wheelers and other commercial trucks are supposed to be inspected before each use, sometimes issues go undetected until the truck is on the road. In an accident involving a vehicle defect, manufacturers or inspectors can be held responsible for negligence.
  • Lack of proper training: Every truck driver must undergo a certain amount of hours of training before they can be trusted to drive on the road, as navigating a massive vehicle comes with many rules and restrictions that smaller passenger vehicles don’t have. Accidents caused by unsafe turns or speeding can occur when drivers aren’t trained.
  • Fatigued driving: 18-wheeler drivers are typically carrying cargo across long distances and often overnight for hours at a time, meaning they can grow tired – especially if they fail to take their rest or meal breaks. Examples of fatigued driving include drifting into other lanes, slower reaction times, and even falling asleep at the wheel entirely.

Who is Liable After a Truck Accident?

When it comes to truck accident liability the trucking company a truck driver works for is usually held responsible for an accident. The main reason for this is because trucking companies are often caught either encouraging or expecting their drivers to break trucking rules and regulations in order to help save their company money.

While breaking these regulations may help the trucking company’s bottom line it raises the likelihood of an accident, putting motorists at an unnecessary risk. There are other parties that can be held liable for a truck accident depending on the specifics of your case including:

  • The truck driver
  • The truck manufacturer
  • The cargo loading team

The legal team at Farah Law is experienced in investigating truck accident claims and is ready to help you. Contact us today to get started on your claim by scheduling a free consultation with an attorney from our firm.

Truck Accident Regulations

Because large trucks can cause so much damage in the event of an accident, truck drivers are required to follow more regulations than other motor vehicles while on the road. One of these truck specific rules is called the hours of service regulation.

One of the main purposes of the hours of service regulations is to help prevent fatigued driving. Unfortunately, these rules are not always followed, which can lead to accidents on the roadways. According to these rules:

  • Truck drivers can work a maximum of14 hours in a single day but can only drive for 11 hours of these hours. The remaining time must be spent on rest or meal breaks.
  • Truck drivers must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours before beginning a new day at work.
  • Truck drivers are required to take days off work at regular intervals

What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident

After an accident, it’s of the utmost importance that you prioritize your health and seek medical attention for injuries immediately. Truck accidents can cause serious injuries that produce significant blood loss if not attended to by a doctor quickly.

Even if your injuries aren’t initially serious, a headache can be a symptom of an underlying issue like brain damage. A physician can conduct an initial evaluation to catch any issues and treat them before they worsen.

It’s then important that you call a truck accident lawyer. A lawyer has the resources and knowledge needed to investigate your accident while it’s still fresh and gather evidence needed to support your claim, including driver information, witness testimonies, and crash reports filed by authorities.

A lawyer can also communicate with insurance companies and adjusters so you can avoid saying something that the company may use against you in court.

Seeking Compensation for Truck Accident Injuries

If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. At Farah Law, our experienced Houston truck accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of truck accidents navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation they deserve.

When pursuing a personal injury claim after a truck accident, it is important to understand the potential damages you may be eligible for, including:

  • Medical expenses: This includes the cost of current and future medical treatments, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost wages: If your injuries have caused you to miss work or have resulted in a decreased earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and future earning potential.
  • Pain and suffering: Truck accidents can cause significant physical and emotional pain. Compensation may be available for the physical discomfort, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life experienced as a result of the accident.
  • Property damage: If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you may be eligible for compensation to repair or replace the damaged items.
  • Wrongful death: In cases where a truck accident results in the loss of a loved one, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional trauma.

Our Houston truck accident attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to build a strong case on your behalf and fight for the maximum compensation available. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you seek justice after a truck accident.

How Our Lawyers Can Help

The more serious injuries are, the more expensive it can be to treat them. Our legal team has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients to pay for damages including medical bills, lost wages or future earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering.

We’re also able to recover damages for funeral and burial costs for families who lost a loved one in a truck accident. You shouldn’t leave anything up to chance – call our firm to utilize our experience and skills.

Our Houston truck accident attorneys are available to listen and advise you on your claim when you call (888) 481-9359. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started on building your case.