Austin Trucking Accident Lawyer

Austin Personal Injury Lawyer

“¡Es cierto lo que dice su cartelera que definitivamente es El Abogado que Trabaja!”

- Eduardo G.

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Truck Accident Lawyer in Texas

Available for Texas Truck Crash Victims 24/7

Truck accidents cause some of the most devastating injury claims. Because of their size and weight, trucks can injure and kill more people than regular-sized passenger cars. In 2012 alone, there were 3,702 fatal accidents involving commercial trucks. Our state is no stranger to these accidents and fatalities – Texas regularly has the highest number of fatal truck accidents of any state every year. In 2017, there were 556 fatal truck accidents in Texas, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSDA). The state with the second-highest number of fatal truck crashes was California with 320 – a difference of 236 accidents involving deaths.

Chris Morrow Law, PLLC is a local Austin law firm that understands the unique accidents and injuries that occur in our community. Our Austin trucking accident lawyer understands how truck crashes occur and who can ultimately be held liable in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If you or a loved one has been harmed or killed in a crash, you can turn to us for unwavering legal support.

Chris Morrow has the resources, time, and experience needed to defend your rights to compensation after an accident. Call us to schedule your free consultation today at (512) 520-8100. You can also reach us online.

Why Truck Accidents Result in Catastrophic Injuries

Truck accident claims are to be taken seriously because they tend to have high value and more is at stake for victims. This is because truck accidents tend to result in catastrophic injuries for others involved. While passenger vehicles typically weigh around 3,000 pounds, trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, meaning collisions involve much more force and there’s a danger of additional damage when cargo is present.

Injuries that can occur in truck accidents include:

Amputations or loss of limbs
Broken or crushed bones
Spinal cord injuries like paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia
Traumatic brain injuries that can result in permanent brain damage
Internal bleeding or organ damage

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 96 percent of vehicle occupants killed in truck crashes in 2018 were occupants of the other passenger vehicles involved. When individuals are seriously injured in accidents, they tend to face higher expenses as a result of medical treatment, lost income, and property damage. Someone who has sustained permanent brain damage in an accident may have to quit their jobs and pay for someone to take care of them at home.

Are Truck Drivers Always to Blame for Accidents?

Truck drivers are often at fault for crashes, especially if they were found to be drinking or fatigued at the time of the crash. However, it’s possible for other parties to be at fault, especially if the truck driver can be classified as an employee of a trucking company. Companies are generally responsible for the conduct of their employees and can be liable for damages if they failed to train their drivers properly or maintain their vehicles. Truck manufacturers may also be guilty if a defective auto part contributed to the crash.

Because each truck accident is unique and involves various moving parts, it’s important to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer in Texas who can investigate your accident closely.

Call our Austin trucking accident lawyer if you’ve been injured in Austin or the surrounding areas at (512) 520-8100. We offer 24/7 availability and your first consultation is free.

How A Texas Semi Truck Accident Can Happen

Collisions with trucks and big rigs in Texas aren’t rare, especially because of our state’s massive oil industry. It’s common for Texans to take the road and find themselves beside or behind a large commercial vehicle.

Truck accidents can be caused by the same factors that contribute to any auto accident, though it’s important to note that there are some factors that are fairly unique to truck drivers, such as:

Impaired driving: It’s not uncommon for truck drivers to take stimulants to keep themselves alert on the road, or to drink a little too much at rest stops. Impaired driving can affect a person’s judgment and lead to them making dangerous decisions like changing lanes abruptly or speeding, both of which can be particularly harmful to drivers of trucks.
Fatigued driving: Because commercial drivers spend so much time on the road, they’re likely driving long distances for hours at a time. Some even drive in the middle of the night to make their deliveries on time. Because of this, many truck drivers are fatigued. Though their employers require them to take breaks, some may not abide by this rule and drive over 24 hours with no sleep. Fatigued drivers are less likely to be alert and can miss important traffic signals or doze off and crash into others on the road.

Lack of training: Operating a large truck, especially one that is transporting heavy cargo in a trailer, is much different from operating a passenger vehicle and requires specialized training. When truck drivers aren’t properly trained to drive, they may make mistakes on the road that put others in harm’s way. Truck drivers making wide turns, for example, can cut off other vehicles and cause collisions, and drivers that speed may not be able to brake quickly enough to avoid a rear-end collision.

In addition to the causes of truck crashes, some truck accident types are fairly unique. Trucks are more likely to roll over in crashes because of their weight. Another common type of accident is a jackknife accident, which occurs when the truck folds in on itself at a 90-degree angle.

Our Austin trucking accident lawyer understands how truck crashes occur and who can ultimately be held liable in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.