Motor vehicle accidents take thousands of lives and injure millions of others across the United States every year. All types of accidents can threaten the lives of those involved, but those involving tractor trailers have an increased risk of harming their victims.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the majority of U.S. tractor trailer accidents take place in Texas each year, and that state beats its closest competitor, California, by a landslide. Of the 4,415 fatal truck accidents that took place throughout the country in 2018, more than 600 occurred in Texas.
If you or someone you love suffered severe or fatal injuries as the result of a large truck collision, a tractor trailer accident lawyer serving Brazoria County, TX, can help you pursue financial recovery. Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case with our legal team.
Dangers of Tractor Trailer Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 1 in 10 of all motor vehicle accidents with fatalities in 2018 involved large trucks. In tractor trailer accidents involving multiple vehicles that year, occupants of the passenger car accounted for 96% of all fatalities. Between 2009 and 2018, the number of fatalities in truck accidents increased by more than 30%.
Many factors contribute to the inherent dangers of tractor trailers, most of which relate to their size and weight. Semi trucks often weigh up to 30 times more than lighter vehicles, and while their higher ground clearance provides added safety for the truck occupants, it can make it easier for cars to slide underneath the trailer in accidents. They also require a much longer time to stop, so drivers must take extra precautions to ensure they survey the road adequately and allow themselves enough time to brake.
If you or a loved one suffered severe or fatal injuries when a negligent driver caused a truck collision in the Pearland area, a tractor trailer accident lawyer serving Brazoria County, TX, could help you seek financial awards. Give us a call today at (713) 850-8600.
Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents
Tractor trailer accidents occur for many reasons, but some factors play a more prevalent role than others. To learn more, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) conducted a study on the causes of truck accidents using data from almost 2,800 tractor trailer collisions in 20 counties across the state. Researchers found that most of the accidents involved human error, and simple measures like increased awareness, better training methods, and trucking system technologies could aid in their prevention.
Some of the most common driver behaviors that led to at-fault truck accidents included:
- Failure to stop
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Using the wrong lane
- Speeding
Because truck drivers typically work long hours on the road, driver fatigue also leads to many semi truck accidents, which often result in serious consequences. In fact, the study reports that of the multiple-vehicle truck collisions involving driver fatigue, those involved faced a 270% higher risk of injuries or death.
A Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer Serving Brazoria County, TX, Can Help You Build Your Case
Truck drivers are responsible for considering the dangers their vehicles pose to others on the road and make decisions accordingly to respect their safety. When they fail to do so, their actions may constitute negligence. If a tractor trailer driver’s reckless act or failure to take action led to your injuries and the subsequent damages you accrued, a lawyer could help you prove liability and pursue financial recovery.
Evidence May Strengthen Your Case
Establishing liability in a tractor trailer accident case often involves gathering documentation, statements, and other items that demonstrate the negligence of the other driver. Some of the types of evidence that may help your case include:
- Photos of debris, property damage, skid marks, and injuries
- Videos from the scene
- Police reports
- Eyewitness testimony
- Medical records and bills
- Cellphone records
- The truck’s black box information
Proving the fault of the truck driver may feel overwhelming, but the lawyers at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, can help. Contact our legal team online at any time, and we will respond as soon as possible to discuss your case with you.
A Lawyer Can Negotiate with an Insurance Company for You
Insurance companies work for a profit, not for accident victims, so adjusters try to take advantage of victims and their families to avoid providing sufficient coverage. They may attempt to assign some of the blame of the accident to you or deny the extent of your injuries, and they sometimes use sneaky tactics to do this.
In some cases, adjusters will reach out to accident victims personally to offer them a settlement for their injuries. In what seems like a generous approach, victims often find after accepting the amount that it does not cover their injuries. Insurance companies do this intentionally to save money, all while leaving the victim in the dark during their difficult time. An attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf and seek adequate financial recovery for you.
Texas Statutes of Limitations on Tractor Trailer Accident Cases
If a negligent driver caused the Brazoria County tractor trailer accident that led to your injuries or the loss of your loved one, you have a right to file a claim against them to pursue financial awards. However, Texas has a two-year statute of limitations on both personal injury and wrongful death claims, according to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003.
This means that you typically have up to two years from the date of your accident or the date of your loved one’s passing to settle your claim with the at-fault party or initiate a lawsuit. An attorney can determine how much time you have left to file and get started on your case right away to help prevent you from missing your window of opportunity.
Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, Today
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, our lawyers understand the long-term effects truck accidents can have on victims and their families. You did not deserve the injuries or losses you suffered, and you should not have to restore your financial stability on your own.
We can help by getting to know the details of your case, proving the negligence of the truck driver, and seeking financial recovery for you. Contact us today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case with our legal team.