Missouri City Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer

In 2018, over 36,000 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in the United States, and approximately 1 in 10 of those collisions involved a tractor trailer. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), 37,609 large truck accidents occurred throughout the state, including more than 500 in Fort Bend County alone. Over 600 people suffered fatal injuries in truck accidents in Texas that year, accounting for approximately 15% of the nationwide total.

Tractor trailer accidents occur every day in Texas, and many have serious consequences for the drivers and passengers of the vehicles involved. Semi trucks weigh more than 10,000 pounds, and their drivers must take special care to maintain their own safety and the safety of those in their vicinity. When they fail to do so, severe injuries and fatalities often result.

If you or a loved one suffered a serious or fatal injury in a Fort Bend County accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence, a tractor trailer accident lawyer serving Missouri City, TX, can help you pursue financial recovery for your losses. Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case with our legal team.

Tractor Trailer Driver Behavior That Leads to Accidents

A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) examined tractor trailer accidents from around the country to determine their cause. In 87% of the collisions studied, driver error accounted for the critical reason, or the immediate failure, that resulted in the accident.

According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), drivers can prevent many of these dangerous mistakes from occurring, starting with situational awareness. In today’s digital world, technology, such as collision avoidance and stability control, can also play a major role in preventing avoidable tractor trailer accidents.

If you suffered injuries or lost someone you love in a tractor trailer accident in Missouri City, TX, a lawyer can help you seek financial recovery. Contact the legal team at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ online today.

Tractor Trailer Accidents Increase Risk of Injury to Occupants of Other Vehicles

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), tractor trailers present a grave danger to those involved in accidents with them, particularly the occupants of passenger vehicles. The size and weight of semi trucks alone make them a hazard on the road, but that risk increases with the involvement of reckless or negligent driving.

Large trucks weigh up to 30,000 pounds, or about 20 to 30 times more than other vehicles on the road. Because of this, they require much more time and space to come to a complete stop, especially in poor weather conditions. While guards have become more common, underride accidents, in which cars slip underneath tractor trailers in accidents, do still occur and often lead to serious or fatal injuries.

Types of Financial Recovery in Tractor Trailer Accident Cases

Tractor trailer accidents often have devastating effects not only on the victims involved, but also on their families. The trauma of dealing with your injuries presents enough of a challenge, and you may also face physical injuries and financial instability on top of it. If you suffered injury or lost a family member in a large truck accident, you may qualify for financial recovery for one or more types of damages, which may include:

  • Emergency medical care, rehabilitation expenses, and other injury-related healthcare costs
  • Property damage for your vehicle or other personal effects
  • Lost wages for the time you spent off work recovering
  • Loss of earning potential if your injury led to a disability or the loss of a loved one who provided for you financially
  • Pain and suffering for your physical, emotional, and mental distress
  • Funeral and burial expenses if a loved one suffered fatal injuries

A tractor trailer accident lawyer serving Missouri City, TX, can help you assess your damages and seek fair financial recovery.

Texas Statutes of Limitations on Tractor Trailer Accident Claims

In most cases, victims of tractor trailer accidents in Texas have up to two years to file their personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. However, when the clock starts depends on the circumstances of your case. If you suffered injuries immediately as a result of your accident, the time likely begins on the day of the collision. However, if you did not discover the effects until later, you may have more time to file a claim. Regardless, lawyers suggest filing as soon as possible to try to avoid any potential delays in the process.

If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, you may have up to two years from the date of their passing to file a wrongful death claim. Texas only allows certain family members of the deceased to file wrongful death lawsuits, but a tractor trailer accident lawyer serving Missouri City, TX, can help you determine if you qualify.

D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ Can Help

If you or a loved one suffered serious or fatal injuries in a tractor trailer accident as the result of the truck driver’s negligence, you do not have to face the legal system on your own. The attorneys at D. Miller & Associates™ can help you by managing your case and pursuing just financial recovery on your behalf. Contact our legal team today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case.