Types Of Commercial Truck Accidents
Texas and Louisiana have specific traffic laws regarding the operation of commercial trucks on their public roadways.
Commercial trucks in Texas and Louisiana must comply with all vehicle size, weight, and load regulations before operation. Truck drivers must also obey all laws, including age requirements, health certifications, and insurance.
However, hundreds of innocent people are injured every year as a result of commercial truck accidents.
Individuals fortunate enough to survive commercial truck crashes may suffer devastating injuries, such as broken or crushed bones, lost limbs, concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord damage, and internal injuries.
The immense size of a commercial truck increases the risk of an accident or pileup.
The odds of suffering catastrophic and fatal injuries are higher in a truck accident compared to a standard motor vehicle accident.
Commercial trucking accidents can result from negligence by trucking companies and their drivers.
Negligence Of Trucking Companies
· Allowing or encouraging drivers to violate hour and sleep rules
· Encouraging reckless driving for the sake of company profits
· Overloaded or improperly loaded vehicles
· Poor vehicle maintenance
· Inadequate training
Truck Driver Negligence
· Distracted driving
· Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
· Speeding
· Failure to obey traffic signals or rules
· Texting while driving
· Not complying with Department of Transportation hours of service regulations
Other negligent parties may include truck manufacturers, repair shops, and government entities.
Truck wrecks and resulting injuries are often preventable.
Types Of Commercial Truck Accidents
Accidents involving commercial trucks can result in significant damage to property, severe injuries, or even fatalities due to the size and weight of these vehicles. Common types of truck accidents include:
Rear-end Collisions
This type of accident occurs when a truck hits the vehicle in front of it. The collision might happen because the truck driver is unable to stop in time, often because of speeding, distracted driving, or poor road conditions.
Jackknife Accidents
Some of the most common crashes involving large trucks are jackknife accidents.
A jackknife accident occurs when the cabin and trailer move in opposite directions, forming a V-shaped angle comparable to a closing jackknife.
Jackknifing occurs when a truck’s front cabin and rear trailer move out of sync because the driver is forced to slam on the brakes.
When a commercial truck jackknifes, it can damage any number of passenger cars and block multiple lanes of traffic.
Truck Rollovers
Rollover accidents occur when a truck flips over onto its roof or side. Large Commercial trucks have a higher center of gravity and are more susceptible to rolling over. Rollovers have a high fatality rate. Rollover crashes can be single-car incidents or accidents involving multiple vehicles.
Tire Blowouts
When a truck’s tire blows out, it may cause the driver to lose control, leading to a collision. Tire blowouts can occur due to overloading, poor maintenance, or road debris.
Underride And Override Accidents
The disparity in vehicle size can lead to a unique issue in truck accidents: underride and override accidents.
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a big rig. An override accident is when a big rig drives up and over a smaller car but does not crash into it.
Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers: Truck Accident Lawyers Serving Texas and Louisiana
At Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers, our legal practice focuses on helping victims of commercial truck collisions. When a truck accident happens, injuries are often significant or result in loss of life.
When you are in a truck crash, multiple parties may be liable or vicariously liable for your medical injuries. Identifying the liable party and determining claim value can be challenging in a truck accident claim.
At Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers, our lawyers consider the severity of injuries sustained by truck accident victims, lost wages, medical treatment and ongoing care costs, and other damages when determining the value of a truck accident claim.
After a truck accident, the trucking company will try to repair the truck. A truck accident lawyer at our Louisiana and Texas personal injury law firm sends a spoliation letter to the company to preserve it until a professional examines it. Our truck accident lawyers will investigate the accident, review the trucking company’s policies, and gather relevant insurance company records. They will assess your unique situation to decide which damages are available. Our law firm knows the significance of the evidence from the electronic control module (ECM) and other onboard recording devices on the truck that record various driving-related data like video footage of moments leading up to the crash, driver logs, and how long the driver has been driving.
Trucking accident attorney Bart Bernard knows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act inside and out. He understands the rules and regulations that govern trucking companies and truck drivers in Texas and Louisiana.
From the initial consultation to the final settlement, our law firm offers comprehensive support to navigate the complex aftermath of trucking accidents.
Our principles remain the same as our law firm grows: empowering and serving Louisiana and Texas communities.
Contact us to schedule your complimentary case assessment.
