Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston, Texas: Investigating Fault in Commercial Truck Accidents

An accident between a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck always results in disastrous damages. The victims experience severe injuries, unwarranted medical expenses, and emotional trauma. Establishment of fault is the beginning of achieving reasonable claims. A Houston, Texas personal injury attorney is the victims’ voice in revealing the truth about truck accidents and leading to justice for the culprits.

Why Fault Is Important After A Truck Accident

Every trucking accident is different. Some are the result of someone speeding, distracted, or driving tired. Others are the result of someone being careless or overloaded. Fault must be established because it will establish who is going to pay you for what you have lost. Texas follows a modified comparative rule of fault. You can still recover as long as you are less than 51% at fault. That’s why it’s so important to have an attorney familiar with these types of rules. A Houston truck accident lawyer walks through it all in the wreck and helps in the legal process. They obtain police reports, driver logs, and company records for the trucking firm. They even retain accident reconstruction experts to build a solid case. The thought is to figure out the cause and follow that all the way back to your injuries.

Major Factors Taken into Account in Determining Fault

Driver Error:

Truck drivers cover long distances on highways on tight timetables. Inattention or fatigue can lead to catastrophic mistakes. Distracted driving, fatigued driving, or the use of narcotics are some of the most common causes.

Company Negligence:

Trucking firms overload drivers with quantities greater than legal. They may skip car inspections or delay repairs to save money. In that situation, the company becomes responsible.

Vehicle Maintenance Issues:

Worn-out brakes due to friction, blowouts, and faulty lighting are the most frequent causes of accidents. Check-up every few months is required by federal law, and it can be established as fault for non-compliance.

Cargo Loading Issue:

Overloading or uneven loading of cargo affects the control of the truck. Rollover or swinging out in jackknife crashes is caused by improper loading.

Third-Party Liability:

Sometimes maintenance or loading of the load shall be carried out by a third-party firm. They too can be sued if their mistake causes a collision.

How Lawyers Investigate Truck Accidents

A Houston personal injury lawyer systematically prepares your case. Every action is done to find tangible proof of your claim.

1. Collecting Evidence

Attorneys collect photographs, black box data, and dashcam video footage. They determine the accident and what happened and why.

2. Analyzing Police and Federal Reports

Truckers and carriers are required to adhere to state and federal safety standards. Non-adherence to these regulations is an act of negligence. Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records usually reveal such violations.

3. Witness and Expert Interviews

Most informative are accident reconstruction experts and witnesses. Their testimony explains the order of the collision in a believable manner.

4. Check Driver History

An attorney looks for the driver’s history of previous offense or drug use. This puts the driver on a record of risky behavior.

5. Scanning Company Records

Maintenance records, scheduling records, and training records could show if a company had neglected safety procedures or not.

Common Injuries After a Truck Accident

Tractor-trailer accidents cause severe injury. Victims are most likely to experience:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injury
• Brain injury
• Scarring and burns
• Internal bleeding

These are expensive injuries that require ongoing medical care. An attorney estimates future and current costs to seek maximum recovery.

Compensation You Can Recover

Victims can recover the following after a tractor-trailer accident:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation that can be extensive

Your lawyer battles for each dollar you deserve. They negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf that try to reduce or deny fair settlements.

Why Hire a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Earlier Instead of Later

Time is not on your side in a trucking accident lawsuit. Texas law provides most victims with two years to bring a personal injury action. Waiting too long hurts your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses relocate, and records get discarded. Do not hesitate too long. Consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer today and let us help you obtain the justice you are entitled to. An experienced Houston personal injury attorney is your liaison with insurers and constructs a strong claim from the outset. They will ensure you comply with all deadlines and get appropriate treatment.

Truck Accident Cases Are Not Ordinary

Truck cases are not your run-of-the-mill car accidents. There are a number of parties involved, such as:

• The driver
• The trucking firm
• The owner of the truck
• The parts manufacturer
• The maintenance company
• The cargo loader

Both of you may be held liable. Only an experienced attorney will be able to solve this liability maze and get you justice.

Actions to Take After a Truck Accident

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Get medical attention, even if you weren’t hurt.
3. Take photos and record.
4. Gather witnesses’ contact information.
5. Never provide recorded statements to insurance carriers.
6. Call a Houston, Texas, personal injury lawyer immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Truck Accident Investigations

1. Why are truck accident claims so much more different from automobile accidents?

There are big rigs, federal regulations, and multiple parties in truck collisions. The damages and injuries are much more substantial. There is a necessity for expertise and access to truck records for investigations.

2. How long does a truck accident investigation take?

That’s dependent on how complex. Some do take weeks, some take months. Lawyers need to review logs, reports, and expert reports before you can file a claim. 

3. Am I eligible for compensation if I caused the accident?

Yes. Texas law holds that you are eligible for damages if you are less than 51% responsible for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. 

4. What if the trucking company conceals evidence?

A lawyer can make legal motions to secure and obtain evidence. Companies can be ordered by courts to sanction them for concealing or destroying documents.

5. How much do you pay to hire a Houston truck accident lawyer?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay a dime unless you win your case. They only receive payment if you win your case.

Final Thoughts

Wrecked tractor trailers change lives overnight. Fault forms the basis of justice and fairness in compensation. With Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP – Accident & Injury Attorneys, the victims can anticipate the truth, hold giant trucking companies accountable, and reconstruct their lives with hope. Quick action, evidence preservation, and confidence in an expert professional lawyer attorney can prove to be the turning point following a horrific collision.