The first and most important thing is to get immediate help. Flag down passersby and call 911 for police and emergency medical teams. The next steps you should take are:
- Get information from the truck driver, including name, company, address and phone numbers.
- Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses or anyone else involved in the truck accident, including passengers.
- Write down any relevant details of the crash while they are still fresh in your mind – time of day, location and weather conditions.
- If you have a camera, or camera phone, take photos of the truck wreck site, including the positions of the truck and car, and any other vehicles involved in the accident.
- Get a copy of the police report when it is available.
Gathering evidence at the truck accident scene will help you and your El Paso truck accident attorneys make the case for compensation from the parties responsible for the accident.
My car was totaled in an accident with a tractor trailer near Houston, TX. I was hurt, but I have good insurance. What should I do?
You will want to contact an experienced Houston tractor trailer wreck lawyer. This is especially critical in cases of injuries which may appear at first, but will show up over time. A Barry & Loewy 18-wheeler accident attorney will work to make sure that you get adequate medical diagnoses and advice.
The Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyers at Barry & Loewy LLP can be counted on to listen to your concerns, to explain your rights and options, and to pursue your case diligently and aggressively until you get the justice you deserve. An initial personal and confidential consultation is free of charge. Contact us for a free truck accident claim evaluation.
How common are truck wrecks common in Texas?
According to preliminary statistics for 2006, in TX there were:
- 16,276 large trucks involved in non-fatal crashes.
- 6,620 large trucks involved in injury crashes.
- 9,906 injuries in crashes involving large trucks.
- 9,656 large trucks involved in tow-away crashes.
- 58 large trucks involved in Hazmat placard crashes.
Why is a collision with a truck so dangerous?
Accidents between a large truck, tractor trailer or 18-wheeler and an automobile can cause very serious injuries and fatalities, particularly to the passengers in the car. These big trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds – more than 15 times the weight of the average car. Because of the types of injuries large trucks can cause, drivers of semi trucks and 18-wheelers are considered to have an even greater standard of care than other drivers.
What are some of the most common causes of tractor trailer accidents?
Some of the most common causes of tractor trailer wrecks in Texas are:
- An unlicensed driver
- Speeding
- Disobeying safety procedures
- Repair and maintenance problems
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
- Driver fatigue
- Brake failure
- Blown tires
- Overloaded trailer
- Loads that shift weight
What are the most common types of injuries sustained in a semi truck crash?
Trucking accidents studies show that the most serious injuries in 18-wheeler accidents may involve the brain or spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can result in loss of movement or feeling, or in paralysis. Brain injuries -- which are sometimes not visible and therefore often missed in initial emergency room examinations – have a wide range of traumatic effects, including:
- Loss of memory
- Inability to concentrate
- Depression or other mental health problems
- Diminishment of eyesight
- Hearing loss
- Retardation
A tractor trailer collision can also cause a number of less serious, but still costly injuries, including broken bones and internal injuries.
I was hurt in a crash with an 18-wheeler, and the truck driver admitted he fell asleep behind the wheel. What kind of damages can I recover?
Your recovery could include compensation for your medical expenses, hospital bills, income lost because of missed work, pain and suffering, future medical or physical therapy expenses and compensation for any loss of earning capacity resulting from the accident.
Who can I sue?
Responsible parties may include the driver of the tractor trailer, the trucking company and perhaps the truck's manufacturer, if it can be proven that the truck accident was caused by some defect in the truck.
Why should I choose Barry & Loewy?
At Barry & Loewy LLP, we represent individuals and the families of victims who have been seriously injured or killed in trucking accidents in El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, and throughout the state of Texas. When tractor trailer collisions do occur, trucking companies involved in the accident often send representatives to the accident scene. These agents work to handle everything at the scene of the accident so that they can limit or mitigate their company’s liability. With the Houston truck accident attorneys of Barry & Loewy on your side, you will have an experienced team of litigators fighting for you.
