Transporting goods in, out, and over the great state of Texas requires trucks. These large vehicles keep the supply chain open and get important products where they need to go. However, these big rigs take training and experience to operate and drivers can be on the road for many long days. If any party involved in a trucking business is negligent, they can cause a crash that injures innocent people. Harlingen residents can turn to Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm if this has happened to them. A Harlingen, TX truck accident lawyer will fight for your rights.
What Are the Types of Tractor-Trailer Accidents?
Harlingen is a part of Cameron County. In 2020, Cameron County had 211 total crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. One of the crashes was fatal and three were suspected serious crashes. Others did result in injuries, but weren’t incapacitating. As your truck accident lawyer is looking into your accident, it’s possible that one of the common types of semitruck accidents happened to you.
One of the accident types is called a jackknife, or when the truck is no longer pulling the trailer and the trailer is now beside the truck in an L shape. Once the trailer is beside the truck, the driver has little to no control of it. The trailer can block the lane next them and collide with traffic.
Override or underride accidents occur when a vehicle is trapped underneath a semi. Once a driver is trapped underneath a rig, they usually cannot maneuver the car to get back out. These types of accidents can crush the top of a car and severely harm vehicle occupants.
If a truck takes a turn too quickly or the driver loses control of the cab, a rollover accident can happen. These can cause multiple vehicle accidents if the cabs rolls into other traffic lanes.
When a tractor-trailer is transporting goods, the cargo needs to be within the weight requirement for the vehicle and to be secure. If it’s too much for the trailer or isn’t secured, the cargo can crush the axles or cause the trailer to move as the cargo hits the sides. In some cases, if the back of the truck isn’t locked, cargo can fall out of the truck and hit oncoming traffic.
Your truck accident lawyers will be able to tell the type of accident you were involved in and then search as to why it happened in the first place.
Why Do 18 Wheeler Crashes Happen?
As you’re taking the first steps into the legal process, your lawyer will begin investigating your case to find out what happened. This will include how the other party was negligent and how their negligence caused your crash. While there are many factors that could have been present that led to the accident, your Harlingen, TX truck accident lawyer will identify the reasons why the crash happened and how it harmed you.
- Driver Error. If the driver doesn’t have experience or is reckless on the road, then their actions could have caused the accident. They could have been speeding, texting and driving, depending on their phone for GPS, or trying to eat and drink while behind the wheel. Truck drivers may also not give their vehicle enough time to speed up and slow down when they’re turning or changing lanes.
- Driver Fatigue. Truck drivers can be on the road for multiple hours each day. If they’re traveling over a span of a few days, there are regulations for them to take breaks and rest. However, some truckers may try to adhere to their schedule instead of sleep regulations. Some drivers may not realize how much their control of the big rig is reduced when they’re tired. Fatigue can cause slow decision making, slow reaction times, and falling asleep at the wheel.
- Trucking Issue. If the semitruck driver has a piece of the truck fail while they’re driving, it could be because the trucking company didn’t make sure the semi was ready for the road, or the company that made the auto part sold a defective product. In either case, their negligence could be the reason why your accident and resulting injuries occurred.
When your truck accident attorney discovers who was responsible and why, then we’ll look into your injuries and damages. Our lawyers understand how devastating truck accident injuries can be. We’ll fight for compensation that will allow you to get the treatment you need.
What Makes Large Truck Accidents Dangerous?
A commercial motor vehicle’s size and weight is much more than a regular sized vehicle. If a rig and a car crash into each other, those in the car will likely sustain more injuries. The injuries that result from these accidents are often catastrophic, meaning they could cause permanent injuries and prevent the injured person from returning to work.
Catastrophic injuries include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, loss of limb, burn injuries, or any injury that could affect someone for the rest of their lives. These injuries require immediate professional care and treatment and the person may need to undergo surgeries or other procedures and follow a rigorous treatment plan for recovery.
The time needed for recovery plus the costs of the treatment can be daunting. That’s where we can help. Your Harlingen, TX truck accident lawyer will fight for your compensation to cover:
- Medical Costs
- Lost Wages/Loss of Earning Capacity
- Property Damage
- Emotional Damages
When you have fair compensation for your injuries, you’ll be able to get the continued treatment you need and take the time you need to recover. While missing work or being unable to go back to work is stressful, we’ll fight for your compensation to cover your lost wages so you’re able to cover your other expenses as well.
While the physical injuries and the consequences of them can be financially costly, they can also have many other effects on your life. Mental anguish from the crash and loss of enjoyment of life as you’re dealing with your injuries are major pain points that you may deal with every day. These don’t appear in the form of a bill, but are still serious outcomes from the accident. Our lawyers will include your emotional damages when we’re calculating your compensation.
Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm Can Stand Up for You
Trucking company representatives and insurance companies can be intimidating when you’re holding a negligent driver or company accountable for their actions. You can trust that your rights will be protected when you have a Harlingen, TX truck accident lawyer fighting for you. We will not be intimidated and will not let your voice be ignored. Our firm will do everything possible to secure your financial future. Get in touch with us today for an obligation-free consultation.
