Whether it’s a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, or other commercial vehicle, being in an accident with one is often one of the most daunting events in the victim’s life.
Since these vehicles are large and weigh a significant amount, they can cause accidents in which the victim is crushed, forced off the road, caught underneath the truck’s trailer, or otherwise suffers serious personal injuries.
What Types of Truck Accidents Are There?
There are various types of truck accidents that can happen. For example:
- Rollover accident. A rollover accident involves a truck rolling onto its side or roof. It can cause serious injuries to pedestrians and other drivers, and rollover accidents have a higher rate of fatality than other types.
- Blind spot accident. A blind spot accident occurs when the truck driver fails to check their blind spot properly, crashing into another vehicle.
- Jackknife accident. A jackknife accident happens when an 18-wheeler folds into itself, often as a result of skidding but the trailer not stopping in time.
- Underride or override accident. Underride and override accidents cause smaller vehicles to become trapped underneath a commercial truck by slamming into the truck’s rear or by getting hit by a runaway truck.
- Tire blowout accidents. Tire blowouts happen when a truck abruptly loses a tire as a result of the rapid loss of inflation pressure of a pneumatic tire, and they can cause the truck driver to lose control of the truck, resulting in an accident.
- Flyaway freight accidents. Flyaway freight accidents occur when cargo blows off of a truck, causing an obstruction in the road.
Why Are Truck Accidents Often More Complex Than Other Motor Vehicle Accidents?
A truck accident not only tends to cause greater injuries and damages, but a resulting case can involve various complicated facts, laws, and parties, which makes for a complex process. In a truck accident, the victim may suffer serious, even catastrophic injuries.
For example, truck accidents often involve head or traumatic brain injuries, along with significant internal injuries or bleeding. Back and spinal injuries are also common, and some injuries, such as paralysis, can cause catastrophic changes to the victim’s life. In the most serious cases, a loved one dies in a truck accident, giving way to a potential wrongful death lawsuit.
Not only do truck accidents cause significant injuries, but they also tend to result in significant damages or financial losses to the victim and their family. Damages include economic costs, such as lost income if the victim cannot work, along with typically very high costs for the medical treatment and attention that the victim needs.
They also include general damages for pain and suffering, not to mention the significant decline in quality of life of the victim and their family. After a truck accident, the victim may need life-long care and may be unable to perform many of the same things they used to do.
Truck accidents can be complicated by the presence of multiple parties who could be responsible for the accident. The truck driver, for example, may be responsible if they were driving recklessly or negligently, and the trucking company may also be responsible if they neglected to maintain and inspect their fleet of trucks, ultimately resulting in an accident.
There are various laws involved, including the concepts of liability and damages, which must be proven in order to recover compensation. And, while the facts of each trucking accident are always unique, they can also present some complex, difficult issues in the case.
Truck Accidents in Texas
Commercial vehicle accidents in Texas can be even more serious and more common than in many other states—simply because the state boasts so much highway mileage. In fact, Texas has the most truck accidents of all 50 states, and they often tend to result in fatalities; in 2020, for example, there were 518 fatal accidents involving commercial vehicles in Texas.
A truck accident can leave a devastating mark on the life of the victim and their family. Navigating the legal system and the personal injury process can be complex, lengthy, and costly — especially if you are trying to do it alone. A great Texas truck accident lawyer can help investigate the facts of your accident, accurately value your damages, preserve important evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and build a strong case on your behalf.
At Pastrana & García Injury Law, we pride ourselves on not only working to get our clients the maximum compensation but also helping them piece their lives back together after a debilitating truck accident. When you’re faced with serious injuries after a truck accident, it is imperative to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
With over 30 years of experience in recovering compensation for our clients, we can help you get the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact us online or call 888-674-4487. And remember, at Pastrana & García Injury Law, you will not be charged unless we win your case.
