Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers in Texas

What Is a Commercial Truck Accident?

A commercial truck accident refers to a collision involving a large truck and another vehicle or object. These large truck accidents can occur on highways, city streets, or even in parking lots. The impact of a commercial truck accident can be devastating, as the force generated by these vehicles can cause significant damage and injuries.

Commercial truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Driver fatigue, for example, is a common cause of these accidents. Truck drivers often work long hours and may push themselves to meet tight deadlines, leading to exhaustion and impaired driving. Other factors, such as distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, can also contribute to commercial truck accidents.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

A truck accident involves a collision or incident where a large commercial vehicle, such as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or delivery truck, is involved. These accidents can occur due to various factors including driver error, vehicle malfunction, or external conditions. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, truck accidents often result in severe damage and injuries.

Common types of truck accidents:

• Jackknife Accidents
• Rear-End Collisions
• Underride Accidents
• Head-On Collisions
• T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions
• Rollover Accidents
• Wide Turn Accidents
• Blind Spot Accidents
• Lost Load Accidents
• Brake Failure Accidents

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can result from a variety of factors, many of which involve human error, mechanical failures, environmental conditions, and regulatory non-compliance. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Driver Fatigue
• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Impaired Driving
• Inadequate Training
• Mechanical Failures
• Improper Loading
• Environmental Factors
• Violation of Traffic Laws
• Other Vehicles
• Poor Maintenance Practices
• Regulatory Non-Compliance

How Do These Accidents Differ from Regular Car Accidents?

Commercial trucks, commercial vehicles, and truck operations are subject to harsher regulations than the typical passenger car. From operator training and certifications to vehicle maintenance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration establishes federal regulations for trucks and trucking companies. These regulations set the bar for professional truck drivers and trucking corporations to meet.

The operation of a commercial vehicle requires extensive preparation, training, maintenance, and skill. Drivers, trucking companies, maintenance crews, and other parties are negligent when they fall short of the requirements set forth by governing bodies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Since their negligence could seriously endanger others, they should be held accountable to prevent similar accidents.

Violations of these regulations can have severe consequences. Not only do they increase the risk of fatal truck accidents themselves, but they also impact accident cases by establishing a clear disregard for safety standards on the part of the trucking company or driver. When pursuing a commercial truck accident lawsuit, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate whether any violations of these regulations occurred and how they contributed to the accident.

Interstate Trucking Regulations

Interstate trucking involves the transportation of goods across state lines. Due to the nature of these operations, the interstate commercial trucking industry is regulated by both federal and state laws. Federal claims typically involve violations of federal regulations, such as those set forth by the FMCSA. These claims may be appropriate if a violation of federal trucking regulations caused the accident.

Here are several key federal trucking regulations:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations: Truck drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 hours off duty and can’t drive beyond 14 hours after starting their shift. These rules help prevent fatigue-related accidents by ensuring drivers get adequate rest.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Drivers must use electronic logging devices to automatically record driving time and duty status. This helps enforce hours-of-service rules and prevents falsified logbooks.
• Driver Qualification Standards: Truck drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and pass regular medical exams. Employers are required to maintain detailed qualification files for each driver, including driving history and drug testing records.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Requirements: Commercial trucks must be inspected daily by drivers and undergo annual inspections by certified professionals. Any issues found must be reported and repaired before the truck can be operated.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements: Drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing before employment, randomly while employed, and after certain accidents. These tests aim to keep impaired drivers off the road.
• Cargo Securement Rules: Truck cargo must be properly secured with approved equipment to prevent it from shifting or falling during transit. Special rules apply to certain types of cargo, such as logs or vehicles.
• Weight and Size Limits: Most trucks cannot exceed 80,000 pounds without special permits and must meet federal size restrictions. Overloaded or improperly balanced trucks are harder to control and more likely to cause accidents.
• Employer Responsibility and Safety Ratings: Trucking companies must ensure their drivers follow safety regulations and maintain proper oversight. The FMCSA tracks company performance through safety ratings, and poor ratings can result in audits or penalties.

State claims, on the other hand, are based on state laws and may be pursued if the accident was caused by a violation of state regulations or common law negligence. We can help you determine which type of claim is most appropriate for your situation.

When a trucking company or driver fails to comply with the regulations governing the industry, it can significantly impact accident cases. Our Texas truck accident lawyers will carefully review the details of the accident to identify any violations and demonstrate how they contributed to the occurrence of the accident and the resulting damages.

For example, if a truck driver exceeded the maximum allowable hours of service without taking the required rest breaks, it could be a violation of federal regulations. This violation may have contributed to driver fatigue, impairing their ability to safely operate the vehicle and increasing the likelihood of an accident. By establishing these violations, we can strengthen your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Class Actions & Mass Torts in Commercial Truck Accidents

In some cases, commercial truck accidents may involve multiple victims. A class action or mass tort lawsuit may be appropriate in such situations. These legal avenues allow multiple victims to bring their claims together, strengthening their position and increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

Class actions and mass torts can be complex, requiring extensive coordination among the victims and their legal representation. Victims can pool their resources and evidence by joining forces, making a stronger case against the responsible parties. Our team has experience handling class actions and mass torts and can help explore your legal options.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Commercial Truck Accident in Texas?

Texas is an at-fault state, meaning whoever caused the accident is liable for paying for the damages. Injured accident victims in Texas have the right to hold at-fault parties accountable for the losses they generate.

Commercial truck accidents are often more complex when it comes to assessing liability because they generally involve more parties than regular vehicle accidents. Depending on your specific truck accident claims, a careful investigation may reveal multiple parties to be responsible. 

As the plaintiff, you must provide evidence supporting your claim that someone else’s negligence directly led to your accident and subsequent losses. 

Any of the following parties and others may be found liable for a truck accident:

• Truck operators who drive while distracted or intoxicated
• Employers who hire truck drivers without adequately vetting them
• Trucking companies who require drivers to operate past their hours of service
• Maintenance companies who fail to address known truck maintenance issues
• Cargo loaders who load cargo onto trucks improperly

To help determine who may be liable, it is important to contact our team at Hilliard Law with our skills and resources to investigate and identify your specific legal options.

What Types of Compensation Can I Pursue After a Commercial Truck Accident?

After a truck accident, you may incur numerous losses from your injuries or from any property damage. If you can successfully establish that someone else’s negligence led to your accident, you may pursue compensation for all your accident-related losses.

Truck accident victims often recover damages for the following expenses and damages:

• Emergency department care
• Hospital bills
• Medical procedures
• Physical and cognitive rehabilitation
• Prosthetics and mobility aids
• Medical equipment and medications
• In-home and long-term health care services
• Medical travel expenses
• Medically necessary home renovations (ramps, railings, stairlifts, etc.)
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Physical pain, emotional suffering, and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Lost wages
• Vehicle damages

Your personal injury claim should seek compensation equal to all losses you have incurred due to the accident. Without the assistance of our personal injury attorneys, you may miscalculate the impact of a crash and the incoming future costs they will need to cover. We can assess your claim and establish how much compensation would reasonably account for your losses.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Commercial Truck Accident?