Every day, thousands of commercial trucking drivers climb behind the wheel of a big rig and share the road with smaller peripheral traffic. Every day, these 18 wheelers transport hundreds of tons of goods and exports across the state of Texas. And while Texas’ open highways allow for quick transportation of goods, it also provides ample opportunity for increased traffic and collisions. If you have been involved in a trucking accident in Victoria, Houston, or elsewhere in Texas, the Victoria truck accident attorney at Carabin Shaw wants to hear from you.
Causes of Trucking Accidents
Because of their magnitude, commercial trucks are even more dangerous to surrounding vehicles if the driver is careless or negligent. But before you consult with a Victoria semi truck accident lawyer, educating yourself about the causes of these types of accidents can not only help you recognize a situation as it develops, but it can also help you classify your situation and determine culpability as you pursue compensation for your damages.
Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents in Victoria, Houston, and the surrounding area, typically include:
- Driver negligence
- Drunk/drugged driving under the influence
- Smartphone distraction
- Fatigued driving
- Mechanical failure
- Traffic law negligence
What Compensation Am I Eligible To Obtain?
When you are involved in a trucking accident, your life and the life of those who depend on you can change in an instant. There are an endless combination of damages that can affect your life in the months, weeks, and years after the incident. A Victoria truck accident lawyer will help you determine the value losses, including any unforeseen long-term effects, and help restore your life as it was before the accident. Presence of a lawyer can also help you and your family recover financial losses associated with an accident. These typically include:
- Loss of wages
- Job loss
- Medication costs
- Hospital bills
- Surgery costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Funeral expenses in the event of fatality
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Insurance Companies
It is always important to remember that insurance companies are in the business of saving themselves money, and not always primarily focused on maximizing their client’s ability to obtain full compensation. It is always recommended to never discuss your case with any third party or third party’s insurance company until you have consulted with a Victoria truck accident attorney.
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies assume a basic amount of culpability because they are the entities which deploy the trucks and the drivers of these big rigs. If the trucking company fails to properly train their drivers, or hires them without appropriate background checks, they can be held responsible in the event of a Victoria truck crash. They can also be held liable for damages if scheduling tactics indicate they have overworked, overscheduled, or otherwise fatigued their drivers before sending them out on the road.
Truck Manufacturing Company
Trucking accidents can happen due to mechanical failures or technical oversight during the stages of the truck’s production. If the accident can be traced to some inherent fault with the truck, it may not be the driver, but the manufacturing company that should be held responsible. Sometimes, the trucking company can be held to a certain standard of upkeep. In cases of maintenance negligence, if you can prove that the trucking company failed to routinely check the semi’s engine and perform routine oil changes and engine checks.
