Lubbock Truck Accident Attorneys
One of the largest industries that impact Texas is commercial trucking. From dump trucks to 18 wheelers, these machines power across roadways throughout the state, hauling consumer goods and foods to local stores. Despite strictly regulated safety standards, the chances for accidents are high as they cover millions of miles of highway every year.
Truck and commercial vehicle crashes happen for many reasons, including inclement weather, poorly maintained equipment, and driver fatigue. The resulting injuries are often catastrophic for those involved in a collision with these powerful vehicles. In situations where driver negligence is involved, working with a skilled truck accident injury lawyer is vital.
At Texas Car Crash Attorney Group, we know that the companies that own these vehicles will minimize your claim if they can. By trusting us to represent your case, we can prevent this from happening.
Types of Truck Accidents in Lubbock, TX
Because the Lone Star State is a major thoroughfare for the trucking industry, accidents can happen suddenly. In 2019 alone, The Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Report showed over 540 fatal commercial vehicle accidents were fatal. This number isn’t surprising because of the sheer power and size of such machines. The damages a high-speed impact causes are frequently catastrophic, leaving victims critically injured and needing long-term care.
Countless factors affect the safety of trucks on the road, but the following are the more frequently seen crash types:
- Jackknifes
- Lost loads
- Head-on collisions
- Truck rollovers
- Blindspot crashes
- Tire blowouts
- Wide-turn accidents
- T-bone crashes
- Rear-end accidents
- Underride accidents
Because of their weight and lack of maneuverability, trucks and other commercial vehicles have dangerous blind spots and can’t stop quickly. These additional hazards make avoiding accidents challenging for many drivers. When you consider other top accident causes like distracted driving, the risk for a collision gets higher and higher.
Top Causes of 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents in Lubbock
Semi-truck (18-wheeler) accidents brought to trial in Texas frequently end in some of the most significant compensation awards in history. This is usually due to the circumstances surrounding the crash and the devastating injuries that can result from crashes with these huge vehicles. As trial attorneys, Texas Car Crash Attorney Group has previous experience defending liable drivers and their companies from criminal prosecution. As personal injury attorneys, this gives us unique insight into how such defense strategies work, strengthening your civil compensation case.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were over 15,000 crashes in Texas alone during 2020. The top causes of these 18-wheeler accidents involved circumstances that were entirely preventable and involved some form of driver or company negligence, including:
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Inadequate training or lack thereof
- Distracted driving
- Not yielding the right of way
- Overloading
- Failing to maintain the vehicle
- Driving drunk or under the influence of drugs
- Careless operation of the vehicle
- Not driving in the appropriate lane
- Weather
- Ignoring of traffic signs and signals
- Tailgating and other road rage incidents
- Overcorrecting
- Hazardous road conditions
Having a skilled Lubbock truck accident attorney representing your case right after your accident is a critical first step. Our firm has helped clients secure significant payouts, but the trucking companies, their insurers, and defense lawyers will fight every step of the way. They do this because of the scale of trauma and damage caused by these types of catastrophic collisions. Tactics you may see in your case might include claiming that important records were lost, or, that you are to blame in the first place. All of the abusive tactics have one goal in mind–to save them money.
If you lost a loved one in this type of accident, contact our aggressive team of trial lawyers today. You may have grounds for a wrongful death suit to obtain critical compensation for your family’s loss.
I was Struck by a Commercial Truck in Lubbock, TX. What Should I Do Next?
If you have been involved in a nightmarish commercial truck accident, you likely have experienced severe injuries. Your smaller vehicle stood no chance against the power of these commercial machines. In the minutes, hours, and days following these tragic crashes, legal action may not be on your mind. This is entirely understandable. You or a loved one may not have the ability even to make a phone call.
In situations where you can act on behalf of an injured family member or your own, there are steps to take to preserve your compensation rights in Texas.
Call 911 Right Away
Even if you believe you or others are not injured, call 911 immediately. Not only will you ensure that everyone gets medically examined, but police will also come to the scene. Their arrival means gathering evidence, taking witness statements, and starting the initial accident investigation. The report they generate could prove critical to your case when the trucking company or driver denies liability.
Document the Accident Scene with Photos and Video
Whether you were in the wreck or a loved one was, if you can document the accident scene safely, do so. The sooner the better as roadways change over time for a variety of reasons. The state of the roadway and involved vehicles at the time of the accident must be preserved. Showing the following elements can help a judge and jury appreciate the impact of the crash and support your case.
- Skidmarks
- Angles of impact
- Roadway layout
- Pictures of debris to demonstrate the force of impact
- Any visible injuries you might have
- Video of witness and driver statements
- Street signs and signals
- Property damage
Exchange Contact Information
Taking a quick picture of the driver’s license can provide critical contact information. If you don’t have a phone or camera available, try to write these details down or get them from the officer. You should make sure you get the following information if you are able:
- Driver’s name
- Name and number of the trucking company
- DOT number
- License plate number
- Witness names and addresses
- Insurance carrier information
Go to the ER
Even if you walked away from the accident, go to the emergency room and get checked out. This should be the golden rule for anyone that was involved in a commercial trucking accident. Often, our bodies initially respond to physical trauma with adrenaline. This makes it difficult to recognize we are injured because it masks pain. Having yourself evaluated for injuries at the ER will also ensure that you can immediately begin treatment to stabilize your condition and get it documented in a medical record. This includes what is known as soft tissue injuries. Taking this precautionary step can stop any attempts by the carrier or truck driver to minimize the harm you suffered.
Contact Your Car Insurance Company
While it’s critical to notify your car insurance company about your 18-wheeler accident in Lubbock, TX, use caution. Even if you aren’t at fault, your insurer will use any reason it can find to minimize or deny your personal injury claim. You are entitled to state-required personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in your policy, and the other driver might have MedPay available. These are crucial policies that can help you afford vital medical care right away without breaking your bank.
You may consider first speaking with our truck accident attorneys at Texas Car Crash Attorney Group before making any official statements to your insurance company. We can help you prepare for the questions they will ask and explain how to answer so that you don’t jeopardize your compensation claim.
Don’t Speak with the Trucking Company’s Insurer
The trucking company’s insurer will call you fairly quickly after the accident. Often their adjusters or claims representatives will promise to help you and apologize for your experience. This show of compassion, while appreciated, can result in you letting your guard down. These accidents often result in significant damages, so they want to pay as little as possible. Anything you say in a recorded statement will come back to haunt you later, especially if you don’t know the full extent of your losses yet. If you haven’t hired an attorney when they first call, advise them you can’t comment yet and need to consult a truck accident lawyer first.
Follow through on, and NEVER Skip, Medical Care Follow-ups and Treatment
One of the most important aspects of any truck accident injury case is evidence. This makes following up with your treating physician and treatment recommendations crucial. Failing to do so could give the insurer and the liable company an excuse to question the legitimacy of your injuries. If your case goes to trial, the jury may find all or part of such a defense valid and reduce the amount of compensation you would have received. If you can’t go to appointments because of transportation issues or other financial reasons, speak with a skilled lawyer right away. Often, we can help you with finding resources to resolve this problem.
Don’t Share Information about Your Trucking Accident
While talking to loved ones about your experience is therapeutic, speculating on fault is harmful to your case. Even with the police, you should refrain from speculation because anything you say about the accident could be purposely misconstrued against you, including in social media posts.
Contact a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer in Lubbock, TX
Contacting a Lubbock truck accident attorney after a devastating crash can have an enormous impact on the success of your case. As your legal counsel, our trial attorneys are your fiercest advocate during the claims process. We handle every aspect of gathering and preserving evidence. From reconstructing the accident scene for trial to demanding access to the commercial vehicle’s black box, we know what evidence you need to succeed. Texas Car Crash Attorney Group focuses on the details of your case while you focus on your emotional, physical and financial recovery.
File a Claim Against the Liable Party
As a fault-based insurance state, Texas law expects liable parties in your 18-wheeler truck accident to take care of your damages. This means that any medical costs, lost wages, and other related costs to the wreck should be paid by the party(ies) that were negligent. This could include multiple defendants, including the transportation company, truck driver, insurers, and other involved entities.
As you can see, navigating a trucking accident in Lubbock, TX, can be a complex process. When you consider how much is at stake. Contacting the attorneys of Texas Car Crash Attorney Group is a smart first step on your way to recovery. We can take the burden of insurance claim preparation and negotiations off your plate so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
How Texas Car Crash Attorney Group Lubbock Trucking Accident Attorneys Can Help
Don’t put yourself through the stress and frustration of navigating a complex truck accident claim independently. Having an experienced attorney representing your best interests can significantly change the level of compensation you receive. At Texas Car Crash Attorney Group, our attorneys have decades of combined experience that proves invaluable for many of our clients in your position.
Many 18-wheeler accident victims don’t realize that not every Lubbock personal injury practice can handle these types of cases. Taking big trucking companies to trial requires an aggressive and tenacious legal strategy with extensive litigation experience. With over 600 jury trials to our name in West Texas, our attorneys can provide unique insights others cannot. Because we also have years of experience as criminal defense litigators, we know precisely how these types of cases get defended.
Our firm understands that you may not be able to come to appointments physically. This is a common barrier for many trucking accident victims in Lubbock, TX. To protect your rights and help you gain access to our legal services, we run a paperless office. This means that consultations can take place via video conferencing and social media chat platforms. If there is a deposition, we can do so virtually, as well. Our primary focus at Texas Car Crash Attorney Group is ensuring you have the best possible positioning with a jury so your compensation award gets maximized.
Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about your rights to damages and how we can make your case successful.
