Although some truck accidents cannot be avoided, many are simply the fault of a careless or fatigued truck driver. If you've been injured in a tractor trailer accident caused by a trucker's negligence, you must act quickly to protect your rights. The truck accident lawyers at Heard & Smith help personal injury victims obtain compensation for accidents and injuries. Call Heard & Smith today at (210) 820-3737, toll free at (800) 584-3700, or contact us via our online form. We serve truck accident victims throughout the state of Texas, including San Antonio; El Paso; Rio Grande Valley - McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, Rio Grande City; Laredo; Victoria, Eagle Pass and Longview.
The term “truck” can refer to a variety of transport vehicles such as 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, big rigs, semis, commercial trucks, dump trucks, bucket trucks and tanker trucks. According to a 2007 federal study, factors that lead to truck accidents include brake problems, traffic congestion, prescription and over-the-counter drug use, cell-phone use, tailgating, speeding, unfamiliarity with local roads and driver fatigue.
The unique dangers posed by truck accidents can be heightened because of the type of truck involved or the freight that the truck is carrying. The wreck outcome can vary dramatically when multiple trailers, overloaded trailers and inadequately maintained flatbeds are involved, as well as in accidents where 18 wheelers are hauling hazardous chemicals or flammable materials.
Studies show that 40% of truck wrecks are caused by tired truckers. Since fatigue leads to so many truck accidents, drivers of large trucks must comply with stringent federal regulations that place limits on how long they may be on the road each day. Those regulations also spell out the maximum weight and size of a truck’s cargo and impose very strict rules when hazardous and flammable materials are being transported. The truck accident attorneys of Heard & Smith have truck collision experience and know how these laws will affect your case -- and how to preserve evidence that will be vital to proving your claim.
While the most obvious defendant in a truck accident lawsuit is the truck driver, he or she may not be the only entity that is legally responsible for the accident. You may be entitled to compensation from trucking companies or agencies, truck manufacturers, contractors, employers and insurance companies. The truck accident lawyers of Heard & Smith will make sure that you get the best recovery possible by identifying all of the potentially responsible parties.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident, motorcycle accident or car accident, or a loved one has been killed, you may be entitled to several types of general damages, including compensation for:
- Automobile repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Medical bills
- Loss of current and future income
- Wrongful death
If you are injured in a truck accident, you likely will be contacted by an insurance company, whose objectives include limiting the amount of money paid out. Anytime an insurance company presents an accident victim with a settlement offer, it is in the victim’s best interests to discuss the settlement with a truck accident lawyer before accepting the offer. The truck accident attorneys of Heard & Smith are familiar with the many ways in which insurance companies may try to influence you to settle quickly and for less compensation than you deserve. We have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and handling accident claims.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a truck accident, you should speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Please call Heard & Smith today at (210) 820-3737, toll free at (800) 584-3700, or contact us via our online form.
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