We Handle All Types of Truck Accident Cases
At Turnbull Legal Group, our attorneys are ready to assist you regardless of the circumstances. We handle a full range of truck accident cases, including:
Rear-End Collisions
These are common in busy traffic and are often caused by driver inattention, tailgating, or improper braking.
Sideswipe Accidents
When trucks swerve, make sudden lane changes, or fail to maintain lane control, sideswipe accidents can happen, causing severe damage.
Rollover Accidents
Due to instability, overloading, improper loading, or dangerous road conditions, trucks can roll over, causing significant injuries to passengers and other vehicles involved in the incident.
Underride Accidents
When smaller vehicles collide with the underside of a truck (such as a semi-trailer or a large SUV) with significant force, the smaller vehicle can slide underneath the larger one.
Jackknife Accidents
This type of accident occurs when the trailer of a tractor-trailer swings out to a nearly 90-degree angle, creating dangerous situations for other motorists on the road.
Typical Injuries Seen in Big Rig Accidents
Truck accidents can result in a wide range of severe injuries. These often include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
These injuries can affect memory, cognitive function, speech, and mobility. - Spinal Cord Injuries
These can result in paralysis, weakness, or loss of sensation, leading to lifelong limitations and challenges. - Internal Injuries
Accidents can cause damage to vital organs, which require immediate medical attention and potentially long-term treatment and care. - Broken Bones
The force of a collision with a large truck can cause severe fractures, requiring surgeries and significant healing time. - Burn Injuries
These may result from accidents involving fuel tank fires or spills, causing long-term pain, scarring, and other complications. - Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscle strains, ligament tears, and other soft tissue damage are common in truck accidents and can lead to chronic pain.
If you suffered severe injuries in a truck accident, you might be facing high medical bills and rehabilitation costs. Holding the negligent party accountable can provide you with the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Numerous factors contribute to truck accidents on Houston roads. It’s vital to understand these potential causes when building a case. Some common causes include:
- Driver Fatigue
Hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers can be violated, leading to fatigue, impaired judgment, and increased risk of accidents. - Driver Distractions
Texting, using a cell phone, eating, or other distractions behind the wheel can lead to dangerous situations on the road. - Aggressive Driving
Speeding, tailgating, sudden lane changes, and reckless driving can put drivers in dangerous positions. - Overloading
When trucks are overloaded or improperly loaded, their stability is compromised, increasing the risk of rollovers and other accidents. - Equipment Failure
Defective brakes, tires, lights, or other essential components can lead to dangerous malfunctions and accidents.
We’ll investigate the circumstances of your accident carefully to identify all of the liable parties and collect evidence that supports your claim.
Liability After Truck Accidents in Texas
Determining liability after a truck accident in Texas requires a careful review of the specific circumstances. In many cases, negligence plays a significant role. Here's a closer look:
Negligence
In Texas, employers can be held liable for the negligent actions of their employees through the concept of vicarious liability, even if the employer did not directly contribute to the accident. This could include failing to maintain proper safety standards, failing to properly train or supervise drivers, or failing to ensure adequate vehicle maintenance.
A truck driver might also be held directly responsible for violating the rules of the road, driving recklessly, or ignoring safety guidelines.
How Can I Win My Truck Accident Case?
In order to succeed in a truck accident injury claim, it's essential to demonstrate several crucial elements.
- Duty of Care
The truck driver and trucking company had a legal duty to operate the vehicle with reasonable care and avoid actions that could lead to accidents. - Breach of Duty
The truck driver or trucking company failed to meet this duty of care, leading to a violation of safety rules, negligent driving, or other failures. - Causation
The truck driver's negligence was a direct and proximate cause of your accident, resulting in your injuries and losses. - Damages
You have suffered real and demonstrable losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
At Turnbull Legal Group, we’ll put our extensive experience to use in building a case that includes all of the requisite elements. We know what it takes to win a truck accident case, and we’ll do everything in our power to help you get what you’re owed.
Essential Evidence in Truck Accident Claims
Our truck accident attorneys understand that it's important to gather essential evidence to prove your claim and secure compensation. This often includes:
- Police Report
The official police report documents the accident scene, identifies the vehicles involved, and usually provides initial witness statements. - Photos and Videos
Photos of the scene, damage to vehicles, injuries sustained, and any road conditions that contributed to the accident can be valuable evidence. - Medical Records
Your medical records, including doctor’s notes, diagnoses, and prescriptions, will document the extent of your injuries and any ongoing treatment. - Witness Statements
Statements from other people at the accident scene who may have seen what happened can support your account. - Black Box Data
Truck computers or "black boxes" can record data about speed, braking, engine performance, and other information relevant to the accident.
While you focus on recovering, we’ll comb through the evidence and document every relevant detail.
Our Process for Building a Strong Truck Accident Claim
Our team at Turnbull Legal Group will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve by:
- Thoroughly Investigating
Our team will gather evidence from all possible sources, including accident reports, police records, witness statements, and expert assessments. - Consulting Expert Witnesses
If necessary, we can consult with medical professionals, engineers, and other experts to analyze evidence and support your claim. - Negotiating With Insurance Companies
We will handle all communication with insurance adjusters, seeking fair settlements and aggressively challenging lowball offers. - Litigating
If a fair settlement can't be reached, our attorneys are prepared to litigate your case in court to achieve a favorable outcome.
Personal injury cases can be complex, but we’ll keep you informed at every stage so that you feel empowered and prepared.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Houston Truck Accident
In Texas, wrongful death lawsuits are possible if a person's death is caused by another's negligence. If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, we’ll help you navigate the process and pursue justice. Obtaining a settlement or verdict can help you pay for funeral costs, lost income of the deceased, loss of consortium, the pain and suffering of the deceased, and other losses.
What's My Truck Accident Injury Claim Worth?
Every case is unique, and factors like the severity of injuries, fault, and available insurance coverage impact potential settlements or verdicts. Consulting a lawyer at Turnbull Legal Group can offer you further insight into your specific situation.
Truck Accident Damages: What You May Be Entitled to Receive
The law aims to provide financial compensation to help injured individuals or their families recover from their losses. The types of damages you may be eligible for include:
- Medical Expenses
Past and future medical costs, including treatment, medication, rehabilitation, therapy, and assistive devices. - Lost Wages
Compensation for income lost due to the injury and inability to work. - Pain and Suffering
Compensation for the emotional and physical pain and suffering endured because of the accident. - Property Damage
Costs associated with repairs or replacement of vehicles or other property. - Wrongful Death
Damages awarded to the families of loved ones who have lost their lives in a truck accident.
Your lawyer will help you identify all possible sources of compensation so that you do not miss out on the opportunity to be made financially whole.
Shared Fault in Truck Accidents in Texas: What You Need to Know
Texas is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that even if you are partially at fault for a truck accident, you may still be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. However, the amount of damages you receive will be reduced in proportion to your level of fault, and you cannot recover damages if you are more than 50% at fault.
For example, in a truck accident lawsuit, a jury may find the truck driver 70% responsible and the other driver 30% responsible. The driver’s recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault, so they’ll only be able to collect 70% of their total damages.
In many cases, experts such as accident reconstructionists are hired to determine the cause of the accident and contribute to assigning fault percentages.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Following a truck accident, immediate action can be critical in preserving your rights and securing compensation. We advise that you do the following:
- Ensure Safety
Check for injuries and seek immediate medical attention if needed. - Contact Law Enforcement
Report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the accident report. - Gather Evidence
Take photos of the accident scene, the damage to vehicles, any injuries you or others have suffered, and any evidence related to the road conditions. - Get Contact Information
Exchange contact and insurance details with all parties involved. - Don’t Talk to Insurance Adjusters
Insurance companies may want to obtain a statement, but avoid giving them details until you have spoken with a lawyer.
It’s important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your rights, guide you through the legal process, and advocate for your best interests.
Truck Accident Lawsuits: Filing Deadlines in Texas
A statute of limitations is a legal deadline by which a lawsuit must be filed. The deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is typically two years from the date of the accident. However, this can vary depending on the specifics of your case, and it's important to seek legal counsel to determine the correct deadline.
Let Us Guide You Through Your Truck Accident Case
If you’ve been in a truck accident, you need a strong advocate on your side. Our team will navigate the legal process, fight for fair compensation, and support you every step of the way.
No Win, No Fee: We Fight Until You Get What You Deserve
We understand that the thought of paying legal fees might feel overwhelming when you're already dealing with an accident and its aftermath.
At Turnbull Legal Group, we believe everyone deserves access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That's why we operate on a "no win, no fee" basis: you pay us nothing unless we successfully obtain compensation for you.
