Harlingen Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents occur in Texas more than in any other state. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), that total hit over 39,000 in 2019, including 242 in Cameron County alone. That year, more than 600 victims lost their lives in semi truck collisions throughout Texas.

If your family has experienced the loss of a loved one, or you have suffered serious injuries in a Cameron County truck collision, a tractor trailer accident lawyer serving Harlingen, TX, can help you pursue financial recovery. Call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case with our legal team.

Tractor Trailer Accidents Carry an Increased Risk of Severe and Fatal Injuries

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) underscores that large trucks are inherently dangerous to passengers in smaller vehicles. People in those vehicles are at a higher risk of suffering severe and fatal injuries in tractor trailer accidents. Tractor trailers can weigh up to 30 times more than passenger vehicles, making passenger vehicle occupants more vulnerable to the truck’s increased impact.

While many trucks now have underride protection guards, cars can sometimes slide underneath trucks in accidents due to the higher ground clearance of the trailer. Those types of accidents often prove serious or fatal. Because they require a longer time and distance to stop, large trucks also run the risk of hitting the rear of other vehicles if they do not exercise proper caution, especially in poor weather conditions or on slick surfaces.

Driver Behaviors Contribute to Tractor Trailer Accidents

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) conducted a study about driver-caused tractor trailer accidents and found that driver error played a major role. The analysis also found that feasible measures, such as increased driver attentiveness and the use of collision avoidance, stability control, and other mainstream technology, could help drivers avoid preventable accidents. Other common driver behaviors that lead to tractor trailer accidents include:

  • Braking issues
  • Wrong lane use
  • Speeding
  • Failure to yield the right of way

If you have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a truck accident, a tractor trailer accident lawyer serving Harlingen, TX, can help you pursue legal action against the driver responsible for the accident.

The Role of Fatigue

The TTI notes that fatigue ranks among the top causes for driver-caused tractor trailer accidents, and the IIHS mentions its hazardous effects, as well. While certain procedures, such as increased driver training and policy, may help to minimize accidents caused by driver fatigue, the issue seems prevalent despite federal law. Drivers can operate their trucks for up to 11 consecutive hours, but surveys discovered that many continued driving illegally past that threshold.

The Economic Impact

As victims of truck accidents and their families know, losses often extend far beyond physical and emotional pain and into their finances, where they often have a devastating effect on stability. Victims may find themselves unable to work and provide for their families for long periods, and bouncing back from that can prove challenging.

According to TTI, tractor trailer accidents involving multiple vehicles resulted in a 60% higher cost when the truck driver caused the accident by failing to brake, a 130% higher cost in non-intersection collisions, and a 170% higher cost in accidents in which speeding contributed.

If a negligent or reckless truck driver caused your injuries or the loss of your loved one, you should not have to resolve your financial distress on your own.

Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, today with more information at (713) 850-8600. When you call, our legal team will listen to the details of your situation and discuss your options with you.

A Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer Serving Harlingen, TX, Can Help You Seek Financial Awards

Your potential options for pursuing financial awards in your tractor trailer accident case may vary depending on the collision’s circumstances and its effects, such as the extent of your injuries and available insurance coverage. A lawyer can help you assess your damages and seek fair financial awards for your case, including:

  • Emergency medical care, physical therapy, and other health care expenses related to the injury
  • Lost wages for the time you missed at work due to your injuries
  • Loss of earning capacity if your injury prevents you from returning to work or if you lost a loved one who provided you with financial support
  • Property damage for vehicle repairs or a new vehicle
  • Pain and suffering, such as permanent disfigurement, mental anguish, or loss of consortium
  • Funeral and burial expenses if a loved one suffered fatal injuries in the accident

An attorney can help you determine an appropriate amount to pursue and fight for accountability and a fair financial settlement for you.

Texas Statutes of Limitation on Tractor Trailer Accident Claims

In Texas, victims of tractor trailer accidents and their families have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit. These statutes of limitations require that they file their personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit within a certain time frame after the accident or the passing of their loved one occurred or risk losing their opportunity to seek financial awards from the responsible party.

As a general rule, victims and their families have up to two years from the relevant incident to file their claims, as provided by Texas law. However, the statute of limitations sometimes varies depending on the details of the case, and only certain family members can file wrongful death claims on the victim’s behalf. A tractor trailer accident lawyer serving Harlingen, TX, can help you determine if you qualify and how much time you have and help you get started on your claim.

Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a severe or fatal injury in a tractor trailer accident due to a truck driver’s negligence, you do not have to face the legal system on your own. The attorneys at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, can investigate your case, manage your case, and pursue a financial settlement for you. Contact us today at (713) 850-8600 to speak with our legal team about your case.