Truck Accidents can have Multiple Responsible Parties

Most auto accidents have two parties that could be liable.  There is an at-fault driver and a victim of the wreck.

But truck accidents can get a lot more complicated.  There can be a number of different parties that are held liable, and when third party liability comes into play, it’s hard to navigate these claims.  That’s when you will want a Texas truck accident lawyer on your side.

How Third Party Liability Occurs in a Truck Accident

In most two vehicle accidents, there are only two parties involved.  However, truck accidents are different.  They can involve one, or more, parties outside of the passenger vehicle driver and the truck driver.  Parties can include:

• Maintenance worker on the truck
• Parts manufacturer
• Cargo loader
• The driver
• The driver’s employer
• The trucking company
• The truck owner

Of course there could be some overlap, such as an owner/operator.  And often vehicle maintenance is assumed to be the driver’s responsibility.  But there are other factors that come into play.

If you are involved in a truck accident, do you know how to determine which party has at least partial liability?

What happens if Multiple Parties are Involved?

If you are rear ended by another passenger vehicle, and nobody is injured, that’s a pretty straight forward wreck: the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay to fix your rig.

How does a wreck look in a truck accident?

The truck driver may not have followed Federal Trucking Regulations; that negligence could have led to your wreck.

But the owner of the truck may not have maintained the vehicle properly, or ignored parts that needed to be replaced because he or she was trying to save money; their negligence could have led to your wreck.

Those that loaded the cargo onto the truck might not have loaded it properly, or secured it properly.  That negligence could have led to more strain on the truck than it could handle, and resulted in your wreck.

Or even if the truck was driven within legal limits, maintained properly, and loaded correctly, if a replacement part wasn’t manufactured right, it could break prematurely and lead to your wreck.

Often, however, it’s a combination of many different factors.  All of them building on each other, and culminating in a tragic accident.

If you’re involved in a truck accident, where multiple parties are held liable, that’s a much bigger issue, and multiple insurance companies need to be informed with claims submitted to each one.

Get Herbert Law Group on Your side

With so many different factors, and potential third party liability, truck accidents can be difficult to navigate.  The insurance companies are counting on that, so when a settlement is offered, you’re so overwhelmed that you accept it even though it may not fully suit your needs.

That’s why you need a Texas truck accident lawyer on your side.  That’s why you need Herbert Law Group to help get you through this tough time.  Leave the mess to us; you focus on healing from injuries.

Let’s get started on your free consultation.  Give us a call at 214-414-3808zz, or fill out the contact form on our site and we will be in touch.

When the Semi Driver Blames You for the Truck Accident

After a wreck, few people want to take the blame.  It’s just human nature to try to pass the buck.

But if you’re involved in a truck accident, and the semi driver gets out and says you’re at fault, what should you do?  Should you argue, bust out the dash cam footage, maybe try to fight him?  We don’t recommend fighting anyone, just for the record.

Here’s what you need to do after a truck accident.

Keep Your Cool

Just like any other situation, losing your temper is going to make things worse.  Nobody wants to deal with an angry yeller, so no matter how frustrated, irritated, and down-right mad you feel, stuff those emotions until later.

Even if the truck driver is yelling at you, saying you’re to blame, calmly explain that you want to wait until the police have arrived before making any statements.

When the cops come, stick to the facts.  Merely state what happened, and avoid words like “I caused this…” or “I accidentally…” or especially, “It was all my fault, I’m to blame.”  Let the police write up the report based on the evidence.

Make sure that you have Herbert Law Group programmed into your phone so you can let us know you will likely need a truck accident lawyer soon.

Flag Down some Witnesses

While you’re waiting for the police to arrive, make sure you at least get contact information from those who witnessed the crash.

If they’re willing, get a statement right away on video or an audio recording.  Some people aren’t going to want to be recorded, that’s fine.  At least get them to tell you what they saw, and later you can contact them again and get a statement in writing (or, perhaps let your truck accident lawyer handle that).

Ensure a Police Report

Police reports are often available within a few days of the incident.  You will have to request a copy, and you will have to head down to the police station to pick it up.  They’re in the business of serving and protecting, not mailing out reports.

Get that police report to your favorite lawyer based in Richardson, Texas right away so it can be double checked for accuracy.

Talk with a Truck Accident Attorney in Texas

And of course, the most crucial aspect of ensuring that you’re not raked over the coals after an accident, is talking with a truck accident attorney in Texas.  Perhaps you will want to talk to the one who is providing you with this how-to guide following the truck wreck.

An attorney is going to help you in ways that would be incredibly difficult to handle on your own.  We have seen a lot of truck accident claims over the years.  We know the evidence to look for, the signs of fault, and we know how to deal with those insurance companies that are relentless in their quest to pay you less than you deserve.

All you have to do is fill out the contact form on our site, or give us a call at 214-414-2808 and we’ll get started on your free consultation.

Texas has a lot of Truck Accidents; Here’s What Causes Them

Texas has a lot of people, a lot of manufacturing, and a lot of trucks on our highways.  We’ve talked about how Texas has proportionally more fatal truck accidents than the rest of the country.

But have you wondered what those Texas truck accidents consist of?  Even with more trucks on the road than other states, our infrastructure should be able to handle them.

There are still a lot of wrecks, here’s what happens in those wrecks.

Five Causes of Texas Truck Accidents

The causes of the wrecks are often due to driver error.  Of course, if you have read many of our posts on Texas truck accidents, you know it’s not always quite as straightforward as blaming the driver.

Regardless of why the accident happens, here is what happens in the wreck.

Blindspot Collision – We all have that one weird spot that’s called our blindspot.  It’s kind of behind and to the side of us.  With a big truck, that blindspot is even bigger; even with extra mirrors.  If the driver isn’t paying attention, merging lanes without checking the blindspot can lead to a collision.

Jackknife – Even after driving a lot of miles on highways around the country, I have only seen one truck that has jackknifed.  When the brakes on the cab lock up sooner, or harder, than the brakes on the trailer, it causes a jackknife accident.  The semi is virtually uncontrollable at this point and can lead to further collisions.

Truck Underride – Underride collisions are some of the most deadly Texas truck accidents.  When a smaller vehicle collides with the side of the semi, or rear ends the trailer, the smaller vehicle can go under the trailer.  We talked about truck underride collisions before, and some of the technology used to prevent them.

Rollover or Tip Over – To call it a rollover accident really wouldn’t be accurate; most big rigs aren’t going to fully roll over.  Instead, they’ll tip on their side.  It’s usually due to taking a turn too fast, or failure to navigate a high wind area properly.

Rear-End Collision – Trucks are big and heavy, they take a long time to stop.  When a driver follows too closely, they cannot stop in time if the vehicles in front of them suddenly slow.  This isn’t justification for brake checking, but when vehicles legit have to stop suddenly, it can be deadly if a driver is following too close.

Herbert Law Group Helps with Texas Truck Accidents

Accidents with passenger vehicles can be a pain to deal with.  Accidents with commercial vehicles have a whole lot more going on.  There often isn’t a straightforward answer to “who was at fault?”

If you get in a wreck with a big rig, there’s a good chance you will be severely injured.  Don’t spend your time trying to recuperate from your injuries and trying to deal with insurance and trucking companies!

Let Herbert Law Group help with your Texas truck accident.  We have dealt with hundreds of claims before, and know just what to look for.

Fill out our contact form, or give us a call at 214-414-3808, let’s get to know you, and see how we can help with your claim.

Empty Loads can Lead to Semi Truck Accidents

We know that a fully loaded semi truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds.  That much mass exhibits quite the force in a semi truck accident.

But we must also consider the dangers of a truck that isn’t loaded.  Whether the driver is pulling an empty trailer, or running “bobtail” without a trailer at all, semi truck accidents can still happen and be just as dangerous.

Four Causes of Semi Truck Accidents when No Load is Being Hauled

The issues with an unloaded semi, isn’t that the vehicle itself is more dangerous, it’s actually that the driver has gotten too used to hauling a load.  When the truck handles differently now, it causes problems.

Weather Issues When you’re not Loaded

We’ve seen fully loaded semis whipping down the road in a rainstorm.  The rest of us have to take it slow as our tires aren’t gripping the road quite as well.  But with all that weight, the semi doesn’t have a problem maintaining traction.

But drop the load, and the truck isn’t nearly as heavy anymore.  That traction is diminished, and an inexperienced driver may not know to slow down enough to keep from skidding out.

Of course, if there’s still a trailer attached, high winds can be a big issue as well.  Even stopped a truck can be blown over if the wind speeds pick up enough (check out this YouTube video of that very thing happening).

Stopping Issues When you’re not Loaded

Stopping seems to be an issue when a big heavy truck is rolling along.  But drop that weight, and stopping can be an issue too.

If you have ever stomped on the brakes, you know that your vehicle can stop pretty quickly.  Bigger vehicles, with more mass behind them, take longer to stop.  Something that a truck driver has become accustomed to, using a little heavier foot on the brake to slow that big truck down when it needs to be slowed.

Take all that weight off, and the brakes work a little better.  That heavy foot can end up causing the truck to stop faster than expected.  Vehicles following behind aren’t expecting a sudden stop, and rear end collisions occur.

Steering Issues When you’re not Loaded

Consider the weight distribution of a semi truck.  When you look at one without a trailer, there’s not much on the rear wheels, but a big heavy engine over the front.

Toss a trailer on there, and a lot of the weight is sitting on the back wheels.

An inexperienced driver gets used to the weight more evenly distributed, on the front from the engine and the back from the trailer.

Without that load, however, the rear wheels aren’t as heavy, and when the driver isn’t paying attention, that can cause a semi truck accident as the big rig skids during a turn.

Schedule Issues When you’re not Loaded

Our final scenario isn’t necessarily that the truck is handling differently, but rather that the driver is driving differently.

When a truck runs empty, it’s not making any money.  Ideally a driver would drop a load, and pick up a new one at the same location (or at least close by).  When the pickup point is far away from the drop point, though, it’s a matter of getting there as quickly as possible.

Semi truck accidents happen when drivers are trying to get to the next spot too quickly.  Speed leads to mistakes, and mistakes lead to injury or death.

Herbert Law Group Understand Semi Truck Accidents

Whether you’re the victim of a fully loaded semi truck, or one that is running empty, you deserve compensation that will remove the financial stress from your life.

There’s a lot that goes into a semi truck accident.  A lot that you may not even consider if you’re going up against an insurance company by yourself.

Get rid of that stress.  Give us a call at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site to begin your free initial conversation.  Let’s see how Herbert Law Group can help you.

Self Driving Trucks are Hitting the Road… What if they Hit You?

Five years ago Uber launched a test version of a self driving truck.  The trip was short, but successful.

Today, there are a half dozen or so companies that are trying to tap into the driverless truck market.  In an industry where the driver shortage is expected to crest 160,000 in a few years, it’s a big push to get this technology perfected.

There aren’t many self driving trucks on the road today.  But they are out there.  And you need to know your rights if you happen to get hit and injured by one of these things.

How Safe are Self Driving Trucks?

Automated vehicles have come a long way in just a few years.  But there is still much work that needs to be done before safety can be relied on completely.

The NHTSA defines automation in stages from Level 0 to Level 5, with 0 being no automation and 5 being no driver.  Currently automated trucks are sitting around a Level 3.  That is, in most situations they can drive themselves (stretches of highway, even with turns and varying driving conditions).  However, there are companies that are working on Level 4 trucks that are able to drive in all situations with a human merely paying attention if things get wild.

But how safe are these trucks?  Can we drive comfortably next to them on the highway?

94% of auto accidents are caused by human error.  So, in a world of all automated vehicles, our highways would actually be a lot safer than they are now.  But there are a few problems with fully automated trucks.

First, vehicles are yet to be able to communicate with each other.  Someday, when every vehicle is hooked up with the capability to broadcast signals, and a truck can be alerted of a stopped vehicle miles ahead.  For now, they can “see” the stoppage, but it could be too late before that time.

Second, trucks can’t stop quickly for obstacles in the road.  That includes animals and people.  If you’re crossing the road, legally at a cross walk, the truck may not sense you in time to stop before hitting you.

While self driving trucks will solve a lot of problems, at the moment they need to get better safety marks before people can fully trust them.

Who is Liable in a Self Driving Truck Wreck?

So, what happens if you’re in a wreck with an automated truck?  Normally the driver is the first person to be looked at for liability.  Without a driver, you can’t hold a machine liable.

Instead, we have to look at a variety of other factors.

• It might be the trucking company that is liable by putting a truck on the road that wasn’t ready.
• It might be the truck manufacturer who didn’t install the right safety equipment.
• It might be the computer engineer that developed the AI in that self driving truck.

Or it might be someone else or another company entirely.  Truck wrecks are complicated, and without a good semi truck accident lawyer, it’s hard to navigate the legal mess that could result after a wreck.

Herbert Law Group is Your Truck Wreck Lawyer

Here at Herbert Law Group, we have helped a lot of people after their accidents.  Any time you get in a wreck, and there is injury or death involved, you will need the help of a personal injury lawyer on your side.

We help you heal by taking away the stress of dealing with insurance companies.

Need to make your life after an accident a little more stress free?  Give us a call at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site.

Determining Fault after a Tire Blowout Leads to a Wreck

You’re driving down the highway when you see something in the road ahead.  Roadkill?  No, probably not… oh, it’s a blown tire; likely from a semi truck.

It’s hard to drive without seeing the remnants of a blown tire littering at least the shoulder of the highway.  Which makes one wonder, what happens if you’re driving next to the big rig when those massive chunks of rubber come shredding off?  Furthermore, who is at fault?  The driver, the tire company, the owner of the truck, or someone else completely?

Let’s take a look at how bad tire management can lead to truck accidents, and why you would need a Texas truck accident attorney to navigate these convoluted waters.

What Sort of Faulty Tires Can Lead to Truck Accidents?

Unlike passenger vehicles, where fault is almost always placed on the driver, truck accidents can have a range of faulty parties.  It’s not always the driver that is responsible, but it can come down to a number of other issues with the tires, and blame can be put on:

Manufacturers – Sometimes products just aren’t made right.  Tires are no different.  Truck accidents can occur when there is:

• Design flaws
• Steel belt separation
• Tread separation
• Poor retread

After you have been in a wreck with a truck, will you know what to look for to see if the accident was caused by poor manufacturing?

Maintenance Workers – Often the driver is responsible for maintaining his or her own vehicle.  But there is more to it when it comes down to it, including:

• Poor tire mounting
• Poor flat repair
• Poor tire alignment
• Improper installation

A thorough investigation can determine what exactly happened.

Texas Truck Accidents Caused by Tire Blowouts

Blowouts generally don’t “just happen.”  There’s almost always a cause that sets things in motion (that cause can sometimes be that the tires are just too old and should have been replaced many miles ago).

Other causes of truck accidents due to blowouts include:

• Road hazards. A generalized term for anything in the road that shouldn’t be there including potholes, nails, etc.
• Overloaded or poorly loaded trucks. Too much weight ultimately rests on the tires.
• Slick roads put different stressors on the tires.

Proving Fault in Texas Truck Accidents

After a wreck, there’s so much to do.  You have to get your vehicle fixed or replaced, you are dealing with insurance, you might have injuries, you may be missing work or trying to work from home with limited mobility… there’s so much going on that stress is eating away at you.

To top it all off, you’re trying to figure out who is at fault.  The truck driver?  The company the driver drivers for?  The maintenance worker or the manufacturer?  If you haven’t dealt with this before, how do you even know where to start?

Instead of adding to the stress, getting help from a Texas truck accidents lawyer, like Herbert Law Group, is the way to go.

We take all that stress off your plate, so you focus on getting back to life as normally as you possibly can.  Give us a call at 214-414-6808, or fill out the contact form on contact page and we’ll be in touch for your free initial consultation.

Do You know if the Truck Driver was Impaired?

Trucks, semis, big rigs, 18-wheelers.

There are a bunch of names for these commercial vehicles, but they all mean the same thing.  They are vehicles that are usually much larger than a passenger vehicle, and their purpose is to provide a service.  Because of their size, job, and the fact that they’re on the road for many more miles than the average motorist, professional drivers have a bigger responsibility to make sure that they are staying safe.

But what if you’re in a wreck with a truck?  What if the truck driver was impaired at the time of the crash?  Do you know how to prove the driver wasn’t operating at full capacity?  Do you know how to show that they acted negligently, and you’re entitled to compensation that will help you heal completely?

Herbert Law Group is on your side, so you can focus on healing.

Impaired Driving in the Trucking World

Drugs and alcohol both affect how our brains function and our bodies react.  We all know that we shouldn’t be drinking and driving, but many people believe in a bit of a gray area when it comes to drugs.  After all, you need those prescription drugs to help combat illness and disease right?

Both illicit (those that are illegal) and prescription drugs can cause impaired driving and lead to deadly results.  When a driver doesn’t have full control over his or her body (mentally or physically) then they are considered to be impaired.

Because truck drivers have a great responsibility than passenger motorists, their legal limit for a blood alcohol concentration is .04% (half the legal limit for passenger vehicle drivers).

But how do we know if the driver was impaired?

How to Prove a Truck Driver was Impaired

In most cases, if there was a crash involving a big rig, sobriety tests are administered.  When and who gives the test, however, vary depending on what happened in the crash.

Any accident where someone died, the trucking company must test the driver as soon as possible after the accident.  The same goes for if someone got injured and the truck driver was cited, or if one of more vehicles needed to be towed from the scene and the truck driver was cited.  You can see the whole chart the FMCSA website.

Drivers can must also be tested before their employment begins, and they can randomly be tested throughout their career.

Impaired can also mean Sleep Deprived or Distracted

Most people differentiate between impaired by drugs or alcohol and impaired by distraction or fatigue.  But for many legal definitions, impairment is whenever you don’t have full control over your mind or body; something that happens when you’re staring at a phone or suffering from lack of sleep.

Electronic logging helps to monitor and ensure that drivers aren’t on the road for more than the legally allowable hours.  Tracking devices can show when the crash happened and when the text messages (or other messages) were sent.

Discovering how, when, and why the driver is impaired can get to be rather labor intensive and cumbersome.  And that’s not something you want to be doing while you’re injured and recovering from a crash.

Herbert Law Group is on Your Side to prove the Truck Driver was Impaired

Because the legal world after a wreck can be downright confusing, Herbert Law Group is here to help.

With experience in these situations in the past, and thorough understanding of the laws around professional drivers, we can help you receive the compensation that you need in order to focus on recovering from injuries sustained in the wreck.

Let’s talk about it and see how we can help.  Fill out our contact form, or give us a call at 214-414-3808 for your free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in the Dallas area.

Why Truck Accidents are Rising Across the Country

Truck accidents in Texas are on the rise.  Accident rates are going up across the country too, but in Texas there are a disproportionately higher number of truck accidents than elsewhere.

Why is Texas getting hit harder?

It’s a multi-faceted problem that isn’t getting better with time.  In fact, fatal accidents rose in 2020, despite the pandemic that saw fewer vehicles traveling on the road.  In order to combat the issue that there are more fatal truck accidents in Texas than in any other state, everyone has to be more aware and more alert to stay safe.

People are Driving Faster than Before

Depending on which study you look at, speeding is often considered to be the number one cause of fatal crashes.  It’s not hard to see that the faster you’re going, the more damage the wreck will do.

Studies that look at fatal truck accidents in Texas don’t usually show who is at fault.  So when we consider speeding, we have to consider that both passenger vehicles and truck drivers share the blame for driving too fast.  When either party increases speed, the likelihood of a wreck increases, and the likelihood of a fatal accident occurring also increases.

Drivers are Paying Less Attention

Other studies will show that distracted driving is the number one cause of fatal crashes.  Distracted driving, especially among younger drivers, remains a huge issue that does not seem to be getting better over the years.

An increase in truck accidents can also be linked to distractions.  While there are specific rules in place for those driving commercial vehicles, those rules are often ignored or bypassed with the mindset that “It won’t happen to me.”

To reduce fatal wrecks, we all need to keep our focus on the road.

There’s a Truck Driver Shortage Going On

The American Trucking Associations reports that in 2018, the industry was short over 60,000 truckers to keep up with demand; if nothing changes that number will grow to 160,000 by 2028.

That means those drivers that are working now, are working harder than ever.  Longer hours, more trips, and a push to move goods faster all lead up to the same thing: mistakes made on the road.

While there are regulations on how many hours one driver can spend behind the wheel, those numbers can be fudged, pushed, or ignored completely.

Even when following the number of driving hours, maintenance can go unchecked in order to get back on the road faster.

Texas has a Lot of People Living Here

One of the biggest reasons that there are so many truck accidents in Texas is because of the number of people that live here.

The Dallas area is pushing 8 million people alone.  With major interstate highways that connect to the rest of the United States, there is a lot of traffic for both trucks and passengers.  And that’s not even to mention the other major cities throughout the state.

When more people drive in a smaller area, it’s harder to navigate these big rigs.

Companies are Opting Out of Life Saving Technology

There is a lot of technology out there that will save lives.  Some of it is mandatory, and some of it has largely been ignored by manufacturers and trucking companies.

The reason: cost savings.  It’s expensive to buy a new truck, and expensive to retrofit an old one with updated technology that can help to prevent an accident.

Herbert Law Group Helps with Truck Accidents in Texas

No matter what the cause is, if you’re involved in an accident with a commercial truck in Texas, you need the help of an attorney that specializes in truck accidents.

These wrecks usually have major injuries, and there are so many complicated parts, that it’s really hard to navigate the legal battles that can ensue; and that’s if you’re not trying to recover from your injuries!

That’s why Herbert Law Group specializes in truck accidents in Texas.  Fill out our contact form, or just give us a call at 214-414-3808 and we can get started on your free consultation.

For Over a Decade Texas has been the Leader in Fatal Truck Accidents

Texas is a big state with a lot of production.  That’s something to be proud of.  Goods are manufactured here and shipped all around the country and the world.

With that production and shipment, however, come a lot of trucks on the road.  More trucks lead to more crashes, and something that we shouldn’t be proud of: being the leader in deadly truck and bus crashes for a decade running.

FMCSA Reports Show Texas Far Outpaces Other States in Deadly Crashes

The FMCSA, or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, puts out a report each year that calculates a variety of statistics on crashes.  One of the reports has to do with Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts.

The report comes out in September, and contains facts looking back two years.  So, in 2021, the crash facts for 2019 will be available.

If previous years are any indication, the crash stats for 2019 probably won’t look any better than the stats from 2008 to 2018; all 10 years Texas had more fatal crashes in this category than any other state.  In many years the discrepancy between the deadliest and second deadliest state was incredibly large.

Texas: Deadliest State for Large Truck Crashes

Over the years, deadly crashes have slowly increased (with the exception a couple small drops).  Overall, however, the trend is toward deadlier roads.

This is an unfortunate result of having more people on the roads, and technology that continues to distract people at an alarming rate.

With a lot of people, and a lot of traffic, including a lot of semi trucks, Texas is significantly higher.  How much higher?  In 2018 there were 589 fatal truck and bus crashes in Texas, compared to 314 in California.  See the stats on the FMCSA site.

Those crashes actually accounted for 13.3% of all fatal crashes across the nation.

California: Second Deadliest State for Large Truck Crashes

California, with its high population and intricate freeway network fares better, but is still far from reaching a fatality free year.

Every year since 2008, this state has been the second deadliest state for large truck crashes.  Although in some years, such as 2018, Florida was approaching being just as deadly with their 295 fatal crashes to California’s 314.

How to Avoid Being a Statistic in a Deadly Truck Crash

Unfortunately, there is no way to properly honor all of the victims of these wrecks.  It’s easy to talk about numbers, but hard to talk about the lives lost, the families broken, and the grief suffered by many thousands of people.

Fortunately, there is a way to reduce these numbers whether you’re driving truck or you’re sharing the road in a passenger vehicle.

The primary way.  The best way.  The method that will have the most significant impact on making every road throughout the country safer is to put down the phone.  Eliminate those distractions.  Focus on driving.

Learn more about the regulations on distracted driving as a semi truck driver.

Beyond that, pay more attention.  Be aware of what’s going on, traffic patterns, and what other vehicles might not be paying attention and could lead to a crash.  It’s a lot of work driving in high traffic areas; but arriving safely is worthwhile.

Herbert Law Group Helps Victims of Large Truck Crashes in Texas

If you, or a loved one, have been involved in a large truck crash, you need an attorney to help you navigate this complicated mess.

Most truck accidents aren’t as straight forward as car wrecks.  There are a lot of moving parts that an experienced truck accident attorney will help with so you receive a settlement that is fair.

Let’s have a conversation about your wreck.  Just call us at 214-414-3808, or simply fill out the contact form and we will reach out to you.

Big Rig Accidents are All Different

You’re on your way home from work, stopped at a light, and an inexperienced driver doesn’t see you in time.

You’re in a fender bender.  Annoying? Yes.  Complicated?  Not usually.

But what if you’re on the highway and a semi truck jackknifes in front of you?  What if you swerve to avoid hitting the truck, and you hit another motorist?  What if the truck overturns, and you’re pinned beneath it?  The world of commercial truck accidents is complicated with a thousand different variables.

If you have been involved in one of these types of accidents, you need a semi truck accident lawyer to navigate the waters.

Differing Degrees of Semi Truck Accidents

Most of the time we think of accidents as pretty straightforward.  A truck driver didn’t slow down in time and rear ended you, or a truck veered into your lane and sideswiped your car, or a truck ran a red light and t-boned you… there are a number of scenarios and often when we imagine them it’s driver error that caused the wreck.

Let’s take a look at a handful of commercial truck wrecks from May and June 2021 to see just how different these can be.

Car Pinned Beneath Truck in Oregon

A semi truck near Portland, Oregon flipped onto its side while traveling down I-5 recently.  One unlucky motorist happened to be driving next to the big rig, and the occupants were trapped inside their vehicle pinned beneath the truck.  Fortunately, they weren’t killed in the crash.

Cement Truck Driver Seriously Injured in Michigan

Here’s a unique one: the driver of a commercial truck rear ended another commercial truck.  The cement truck driver crashed into the back of the semi truck.  Traffic was slowing down, and the semi had decreased its speed to accommodate; the cement truck driver didn’t slow in time.

Driver Airlifted to Florida Hospital

A driver navigating the highway along the Florida Panhandle was airlifted to a nearby hospital after being involved in a crash with a semi truck.  The driver was pinned under the truck and trapped in the vehicle until rescue crews could extract him.

Woman Hospitalized after Being Rear Ended in California

A woman had stopped her vehicle along the side of the road on I-10 in Southern California.  It’s unclear why the semi struck her from behind.  The commercial truck rear ended the vehicle which rolled onto its roof causing the driver to be rushed to the hospital with critical injuries.

Motorcyclist with Life Threatening Injuries in Ohio

In Ohio a motorcycle driver collided with a semi truck on a recent afternoon.  Details are sparse as to the cause of the wreck, but the outcome is not good for the biker.  He was airlifted with life-threatening injuries to the closest hospital.

Two Killed in Semi Crash in Kentucky

In Kentucky two young men driving a pickup truck and pulling a trailer crashed into a semi truck hauling freight.  The pickup went under the trailer of the truck and killed the two men instantly.  It’s unclear how the pickup ended up striking the semi, or who was at fault for the accident.

Truck Flips on Interstate Near Cleveland

On a busy Wednesday afternoon, a semi hauling a load of dry concrete navigated a turn a little too quickly.  As gravity did its job, the truck flipped onto its side and blocked all lanes of traffic.  If you had been driving nearby, would you have been able to get clear, or would you have been pinned under it?

These are just a few of the thousands of yearly crashes involving commercial vehicles.  Every one of them is different.  Every one of them needs a semi truck accident lawyer to ensure that the victim is being compensated completely to ensure proper healing.

Herbert Law Group: Your Semi Truck Accident Lawyer

One of the biggest causes of stress in our lives today is money issues.

If you’re injured, or a loved one is killed, in a semi truck accident, there will be money issues.

While we can’t take away the injury, or bring back that loved one that you miss, we can take away some of the stress you’re feeling so you can focus on healing.

You need a semi truck accident lawyer after a wreck with a commercial truck.  That way you can know everything is being handled for you.

Ready to talk about it and see how we can help?  Give us a call at 214-414-3808, or fill out our contact form.  Our discussion is no charge to you, we just need to know if we’ll be able to help you heal.