Every year, nearly 500,000 tractor-trailers are involved in traffic accidents in the United States. In fact, one out of every eight traffic fatalities is caused by a collision with a large truck. Too often, drivers and passengers of automobiles are the unfortunate victims when they collide with these goliaths of the road.

A dangerous trucking accident in Texas can occur from a multitude of reasons such as:

• Rain, snow, heavy fog, intense wind
• Prescription drug use/Over-the-counter drug use
• Unfamiliar with roadway
• Unsafe road conditions
• Speeding
• Negligence
• Inadequate surveillance
• Alcohol
• Fatigue

Where Do 18-Wheeler Accidents Occur?

Truck drivers routinely work long, grueling hours with little to no sleep and overloaded cargo trailers. The combination of fatigue and added tractor trailer weight often makes it difficult for truck drivers to stay awake and maneuver their 18-wheelers properly.

A trucking accident can occur on any road, highway, or interstate. Rural roads, like many of the highways in Texas, are often death traps for innocent victims hit by tractor trailers. Many of the severe trucking accidents occur on the following highways.

How can a Trucking Accident Attorney help me?

The 18-wheeler accident attorneys at Farris, Riley & Pitt have represented numerous clients and their families who were involved in various types of trucking accidents. Our clients includes those who have suffered injuries such as broken bones and bruises caused by the accident to more severe injuries where our clients were left brain dead, paralyzed or killed. Our attorneys have various trucking accidents with:

• Logging Trucks
• Delivery Trucks
• Construction Trucks
• Garbage Trucks
• Large Semi Trucks (tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers)
• Other Commercial Carriers

Truck accident lawyers are familiar and experienced with both local and federal laws that govern commercial truck operators. The firm’s tractor trailer attorneys are well prepared to represent clients who have suffered due to dangerous trucking conduct. Lawyers are relentless and aggressive at seeking justice for their clients. They protect their clients from the mammoth trucking companies and will not stop until they obtain the compensation you deserve.

Insurance and 18 Wheelers

Federal law requires commercial truck drivers and their employers to insure against accidents. Unfortunately for accident victims, these insurance companies often conduct campaigns intentionally designed to reduce the amount they pay toward your emotional, physical and financial injury and loss. Some insurance agents may try to befriend you, attempting to lull you into complacency. Others may try to intimate you. They might try to:

• Delay Payment. Insurance companies know that many victims need money immediately after an accident. They know that injured drivers suffer from medical expenses, lost wages and, in some cases, reduced spousal income as family members care for them. By delaying payment, insurance companies know that victims become more desperate-and that they may be willing to settle for less than they deserve!
• Reduce Payment. To you and your family, you’re a person. But to an insurance company, you’re liability. Your injury is their expense. And like any business, they’re looking for ways to reduce expenses. Not surprisingly, they’ll do what they can to reduce how much they have to pay-including lie to your face.
• Defer Payments. The reality of finance is that money today is more valuable than money tomorrow. If you have money in your pocket, you can spend less on credit and invest more in interest-bearing accounts. Of course, the insurance companies know that if they have your money, they’ll get interest on that money-instead of you!
• Discount Inflation Rates. For decades, inflation has reduced the value of a dollar. As you negotiate with the insurance company about future payments against your medical and personal expenses, they may argue that inflation won’t be very high in the future. They’ll try to downplay how much they owe you-and how much you should receive.
• Ignore Future Expenses. As a result of your injury, you may be more susceptible to other kinds of pain and suffering in the future. For instance, your doctor might advise pain medication, surgery or the use of expensive medical devices to maintain your quality of life. You deserve compensation for these future medical expenses. Of course, insurance companies frequently attempt to weasel out of these costs.
• Downplay Non-Economic Loss. Courts have long recognized the concept of noneconomic loss. If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, your quality of life may have been severely-perhaps even, irreparably-damaged. Or, you may have lost the ability to enjoy your time with loved ones. You deserve full compensation for this loss. Unfortunately, insurance companies often attempt to ignore these types of loss.

Tips to avoid a trucking accident. Do not:

• Abruptly changing lanes
• Drive between trucks/18-wheelers
• Drive in a no-zone driving area (behind and/or beside a commercial truck)
• Pull into traffic from the road without proper acceleration
• Abandon a vehicle in an emergency lane

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been hurt or killed by a tractor trailer accident, call the Texas Trucking Accident Lawyers.