Truck Accidents

McAllen Truck Accident Lawyer

An 18-Wheeler truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. When it crashes into an ordinary 5,000-pound car, the results can be disastrous. According to the most recent report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Texas has the highest number of  truck accident fatalities of all states. Every day, at least one person dies in a trucking accident in Texas.

Approximately 600 people are killed annually in Texas truck crashes. Hundreds more are severely injured. In many of those cases, the lives of the injured person and the lives of their families will never be the same.

Major Causes of Trucking Accidents

There are many causes of 18-wheeler accidents.  The McAllen truck accident lawyers at Eric Ramos Law, PLLC thoroughly investigate each case. Just a few examples of issues we look for include, but are not limited to:

  • Truck driver negligence. Common factors in trucking collisions are speeding, driving too fast for road conditions even if complying with the posted speed, merging into vehicles in the truck driver’s blind spot, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fatigue, improper braking, making poor decisions, and more.
  • Defective trucks or inadequate maintenance. This ranges from faulty brakes to worn-out tires, among others. In some parts of Texas, the speed limit is 85 mph. Most tires on big rigs are only approved for up to 75 mph. A blow-out on an 18-wheeler going 85 mph may be catastrophic to any involved in the subsequent crash.
  • Safety violations. Driving too long without a break, failing to keep a driver’s log, texting or using a handheld electronic device, disregarding regulations specific to trucking companies and drivers in general.
  • Cargo loading errors. Shifting cargo can cause the driver to lose control of the truck resulting in running off of the road, jack-knifing, spilling on the road, and other accidents.
  • Road defects, weather conditions, and other factors. Potholes in the road, low shoulders, weather-related conditions such as pooling rainwater may all play a role in causing the trucking accident.
  • Passenger vehicles. Passenger vehicle drivers may be negligent in the way they interact with trucks on the road.

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Errors Made by Trucking Companies

More than 10 percent of all trucking accidents are due to failures of the hiring company to follow federal rules. When a trucking company’s negligence was the reason for, or contributed to, the accident, the company may also be liable for your damages. Some of the most common company failures include:

  • Failure to do a proper and complete background check on the driver. Federal law requires companies to check the DMV records of each applicant and to verify that the drivers have the training and experience for the class of vehicle they will be driving
  • Failure to inspect driver’s logs to be sure they are current. Drivers are required to keep various logs. One example is a log verifying the number of hours they have driven before taking a rest, and how much time they rested before resuming driving. Drivers also have certain inspections they are required to do at the beginning of their trip and at periodic intervals as they travel.
  • Failure to maintain the fleet. Owners of trucking companies are required to periodically inspect their big trucks, keep logs of the inspections and of all repairs and upgrades that are performed on each truck.

At the McAllen Law Office of Eric Ramos We Fight To Get the Settlement You Deserve

Unfortunately, insurance companies have a reputation for taking advantage of those who have been injured. Remember that the job of adjusters is to save their company money. When you are at your lowest, suffering from your injuries and losing wages due to time off of work to heal, the insurer will make you an offer it hopes you won’t refuse.

The first offer is almost always low. You may be tempted to accept it without realizing what your case is really worth. You need to consider not just your current medical expenses, but expenses you might incur in the future due to your accident. The same is true of your lost wages, possible need for rehabilitation or job training if you are unable to return to your former employment because of your injury, plus damages you may not have even considered you could collect.

We need to calculate the physical, emotional, and financial consequences you will likely suffer in the years to come. You need to collect all the damages to which you are legally entitled.

We offer a free consultations and there is no fee unless we win. Contact the McAllen personal injury law firm of Eric Ramos Law at (956) 948-7003.

McAllen Office

Address:

Eric Ramos Law, PLLC
813 N. Main St. Ste. 503
McAllen, TX 78501

Phone:

(956) 948-7003

Hours:

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

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