If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as a result of truck driver negligence, even if the collision or crash was not intentional, we can help. Austin truck accident lawyers  will fight to help you recover financial compensation for injuries caused to you and/or your loved ones. He has successfully recovered multiple million dollar plus settlements for his clients and will do everything he can to help you recover compensation for:

Choosing the right truck accident attorney to handle your case may be one of the most important decisions in your life. It’s absolutely crucial to hire a lawyer experienced with handling truck accident cases.

Each year in the U.S. there are over 500,000 truck accidents, many of those being on Texas highways. As a result of the trucks being so large, there is a 50% greater chance of death when there is a truck accident than in a standard car accident. In addition, many of the collisions that occur involving trucks cause serious injuries to the victims. Big rigs, 18-wheelers, Mack trucks, diesel trucks, semi trucks and all other large trucks have been to blame for many catastrophic injuries such as brain damage and other head injuries, amputations (lost limbs), burn injuries, paralysis, neck and spinal cord injuries, broken bones and other serious permanent injuries.

Austin Texas Truck Accident Attorney

When you’ve been injured in an Austin or Travis County Texas truck accident, you need a lawyer who is aggressive, experienced, and willing to go the distance for you. Call the Travis County truck accident lawyer, the initial conversation is free. Call or fill out our free online consultation form.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an 18 Wheeler accident? If you’re like most accident victims, you’re probably hurt, angry and confused. You’ve probably asked questions like:

• How will I pay my medical bills?
• How will I support my family financially?
• How will I regain the quality of life I had before my accident?

You don’t have to answer these questions alone. Attorneys and counselors have the experience and expertise necessary to defend your legal rights, secure the compensation you deserve and let you rebuild your life.

The Fatal Truth: Trucking Accidents Kill Thousands of Americans Every Year

In the United States, trucking accidents occur with alarming frequency. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019 more than 33,000 Americans died and more than 2.2 million were injured on highways across the United States. Of these accidents, a significant number were 18 Wheeler, large-truck accidents. In fact, on average someone is killed or injured in a large-truck accident every 16 minutes!

Tragically, Texas leads the nation in large-truck injuries and fatalities. According to one study, Texas has on average at least 100 more fatal 18 Wheeler accidents every year than any other state. A recent Dallas Morning News series revealed that Texas accidents alone accounted for nearly 10 percent of the trucking-related fatalities that occur nationwide.

Common Causes Of Truck Accidents:

• Unlicensed Driver
• Speeding
• Disobeying Safety Procedure
• Truck Inspection Failure
• Repair Failure
• Maintenance Failure
• Failure to Yield The Right of Way
• Jacknifing
• DUI / DWI (Drunk Driving)
• Truck Driver Fatigue
• Trucker Overturns
• Backing
• Illegal U-Turns
• Dangerous Lane Changes
• Vehicle Collisions
• Mechanical or Brake Failure
• Tire Blowouts
• Tire Failure
• Transporting Equipment with Tractor Trailers
• Overloaded Trucks or Trailer
• Loads That Shift Weight
• Onramp / Offramp Deficiencies
• Inexperienced Truck Drivers

Trucking Company Negligence

A negligent driver is easy to see. He violates hours of service (HOS) regulations, driving sleepy and endangering the lives of fellow drivers. He doesn’t properly maintain his vehicle. He uses excessive speed, changes lanes recklessly, and follows other drivers too closely.

But what does a negligent trucking company look like? Here are a few clues:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Violations. In some cases, trucking companies willfully ignore drivers’ HOS violations. In others, negligent companies promote HOS violations and encourage reckless conduct. In situations like these, the trucking company—not just the driver—may be at fault for any injury resulting from such intentional and deliberate violation of federal law.
• Improper or Incomplete Training Procedures. In any business, training employees correctly is important. In the trucking industry, proper training is even more important because of the risk which truckers impose on the driving public. Unfortunately, many trucking companies fail to ensure that new truck drivers have the basic skill set required to safely handle a large commercial vehicle. In some cases, these companies have refused to spend the time or money to properly train their newest drivers. As a result, the public is unnecessarily and unavoidably exposed to hazardous, inexperienced truck drivers.
• Reckless Hiring Practices. The American Trucking Association (ATA), the trucking industry’s trade association, admitted in a 2005 study that the United States is short 20,000 drivers and predicted that, if the trend continues, the shortage of long-haul, heavy duty truckers could reach 111,000 by 2014. Fighting this trend, some companies have diluted their hiring standards in order to attract more “qualified” drivers. In some instances, they’ve overlooked an applicant’s prior safety violations!
• Improper Maintenance. Heavy-duty trucks require regular proper maintenance. This includes engine examinations, brake checks and observing appropriate load requirements. Tragically, in an effort to reduce costs, decrease truck down-time and cut corners, some trucking companies routinely engage in improper maintenance. It isn’t right—and it imposes deadly risk on truck drivers and the driving public!

Why Is the Trucking Industry So Fatal?

The short answer is money. Trucking revenues totaled an estimated $610 billion in 2019 and revenues are forecasted to double by 2015. Too often, profitability in the trucking industry comes at a tragic price. Every year, slip-shod industry practices cause the injury or death of thousands of innocent drivers.

• Negligent Truck Drivers. A recent U.S. Department of Transportation survey revealed that 44 percent of trucking accidents are the fault of truckers themselves – nearly double the American Trucking Association’s estimate of 25 percent.
• Negligent Truck Companies. State and federal laws are designed to keep the American public safe. However, many truckers and trucking companies frequently disregard them. In Texas, for instance, only 1,000 of the state’s 64,000 trucks underwent the required compliance reviews in 2005 and of those only 37 percent attained “Level 1” reviews!

Your 18 Wheeler Accident Experts

With years of experience helping people just like you, the 18 Wheeler accident experts are ready to help you answer the questions that have kept you up at night. We’re ready to help you determine how you can:

• Pay your medical bills
• Support your family financially
• Regain your quality of life

You deserve to be justly compensated for the financial, physical, and emotional injuries you have endured. For a free consultation and to start down your path to full recovery, contact the injury experts.

Trucking Accidents FAQS

As you consider your legal options, you’ve probably asked a number of questions, include:

Why Are 18 Wheelers More Likely to Cause Injury than a Car?

A fully loaded commercial truck weighs at least 80,000. By comparison, a passenger car weighs roughly 3,000 pounds. At highway speeds, a truck contains a massive amount of force; in an accident, it’s capable of completely destroying even the safest, best built automobiles.

Are Truck Drivers Regulated by Law?

Yes. Federal and state laws regulate a wide variety of trucking related issues including, for example, how many hours a driver may drive in a day or week, how the driver should record his hours, how much insurance a driver should carry, and what standards a driver must meet in order to earn and maintain his commercial driver’s license.

Who Can I Sue in an Accident?

The truck driver may have caused the accident, but other parties may have contributed to the extent of your injury. In addition to the truck driver, these parties include the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, the owner of the truck, the shipper, and the manufacturer of such essential trucking components as the tire, the truck, the trailer, the brakes and the engine.

Why Is It Important to Hire a Law Firm Specializing in Trucking Law?

Trucking law is complicated. Congress has passed a number of federal laws and created agencies that regulate the trucking industry. In turn, these federal agencies have passed rules that further enumerate the ways that trucking companies and truck drivers must act. Finally, state legislatures and state agencies have also passed laws and rules which further constrain trucking companies and drivers. You don’t need a run-of-the-mill lawyer. You need an expert who specializes in trucking law and understand its complexity.

What Are Some Common Causes of Trucking Accidents?

The causes of accidents are many, however, they often include:

• • Overly aggressive truck drivers
  • Dangerous rates of speed
  • Defective truck components, such as brakes, tires and blind-spot mirrors
  • Driver fatigue
  • Excessive hours, often in violation of Hours of Service requirements.

Do Federal and State Laws Regulate Truckers’ Alcohol Consumption?

Yes. A driver of a commercial motor vehicle may not:

• • Drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 or greater
  • Carry alcohol in his truck or trailer unless it is part of a shipment
  • Consume alcohol while performing safety-sensitive functions
  • Refuse to submit to an alcohol or drug test

If you have more questions feel free to contact the truck accident experts.