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Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents in Houston and surrounding areas are devastating incidents that often lead to severe injuries, significant financial losses, and emotional distress. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, Karan Joshi, the Director of Orange Law and an experienced personal injury lawyer, is here to help. With his principal office in Houston, Karan Joshi has a proven track record of fighting for victims’ rights and ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve.
What Are Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents involve large commercial vehicles such as 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and delivery trucks. These collisions are often more severe than car accidents due to the massive size and weight of trucks. In Texas, nearly 4,000 fatal truck accidents were reported in recent years, making truck-related crashes a significant public safety concern. Common causes include driver fatigue, overloaded cargo, and mechanical failures.
Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston
The legal proceedings connected to truck accidents are complex. In Houston, many different types of accidents happen, and each of them needs a special kind of knowledge from a lawyer who is an expert in the field. Orange Law Firm helps victims of the different types of trucks and the common causes of accidents to achieve justice and compensation efficiently.
18-Wheeler Truck Accidents
The term “18-wheelers” also means semi-trucks or tractor-trailers and includes some of our roads’ biggest machines. They are also the vehicles that, by their size and load, are responsible for most of the road collisions. Driver fatigue, improper maintenance, and drifting are the major causes of 18-wheeler accidents. Many accidents with such trucks are lure hazards because most of them occur on rural roads during horseless days.
12-Wheeler Truck Accidents
12-wheeler trucks, of course, are small trucks meant for delivery services. With the fact that they are smaller, they can nevertheless be severe in accidents. Today, there are situations consisting of poor machine and cargo loading and the inexperience of the drivers. There is also injury in smaller truck accidents as the victims suffer most of the problems as those in big truck accidents.,
16-Wheeler Truck Accidents
Wherein the 18-wheelers are larger than these, 16-wheelers serve large numbers of goods transport. However, these vehicles are also involved in astonishing accidents due to factors such as driverless negligence or weather disasters.
The lawyer’s help is crucial for the victims to get through all the difficulties of the liability and the insurance companies.
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen in Houston?
Proper identification of the most common causes is a step to go when it comes to the search for the victims of the Truck to have them compensated:
- Driver Fatigue: Drivers who spend most of their time behind the wheel can suffer from extreme tiredness that affects their decision-making and reflexes.
- Improper Maintenance: Lack of vehicle maintenance is another factor that can cause brake failure or tyre breakage.
- Reckless Driving: High-speed or beat-the-traffic actions of the drivers make enough ground for the accidents to happen.
- Inattention: Using mobile devices and other things is one of the main factors that can lead to severe accidents.
- Employer Pressure: Employers always demand that drivers reach their destinations quickly; thus, many drivers compromise road safety.
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Accidents involving trucks are on a large scale primarily because of these trucks’ enormous sizes and weights. Identifying these common causes can help mitigate and prevent these incidents and also guide the actions of the legal authorities to take appropriate legal steps.
The following are some of the most common causes of truck accidents:
- Driver Fatigue: Driver fatigue is one of the main contributors to the truck accident crash statistics. A long time on the road limits a driver’s mind from clear thinking and thus their reflexes, ultimately raising their chances of being involved in an accident. Governmental driving laws such as the Hours of Service are crucial to reduce such risks when implementing mandatory rest periods.
- Distracted Driving: As a matter of fact, distracted driving is one of the most serious things that brings a lot of negativity to people. Distracted driving, such as texting or eating while driving, can significantly increase the chances of an accident. The situation arises when a driver cannot correctly react to the conditions presented on the road.
- Speeding and Insufficient Stopping Distance: Most of the time, the velocity driven is connected to the accidents of the truck. The stiff brake pads and the high speed of these vehicles force them to take longer stopping distances, which is very difficult to undertake if they want to travel at top speeds.
- Improper Maintenance: Poorly maintained vehicles can cause technical problems like brake seizures and tyre blowing, which bring about mishappenings. Continuous checking up on your vehicle is as essential as oncologists checking up on cancer.
- Improper Loading: The overloading of cargo can also result from the driver and cargo company’s lack of support. Rollovers can occur, or a truck can even jackknife if the improperly loaded cargo is the reason for these mishaps. The serious risk of accidents has forced the need to apply proper loading procedures, which are the tools to prison such occurrences.
- Driving Under the Influence: The consumption of alcohol, as well as taking drugs, has been a major cause of people not being able to have complete control of a car and increased rates of crashes up to 37%. Keep in mind that even if there seems to be no obstacle on the road, you must always stay vigilantly at a safe level of 100 feet below the legal limit.
- Aggressive Driving: Some of the leading disruptive driving habits are putting the Truck too close to the car in front or making careless lane changes. These attitudes also contribute to fatal occurrences as they result in drivers having less grip on the vehicle.
- Poor Weather Conditions: Bad weather can, on the other hand, be a big factor that causes accidents in the sky. The high risk of accidents caused by weather change forces drivers to drive safely due to the fact that the environmental condition now is not good.
- Inexperienced Drivers: One of the reasons inexperienced drivers’ driving skills cause many mishaps is that they are less skilled to deal with the bad road conditions of a truck. Proper training can save potential victims of truck reckonings.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Laws: Crashing is an event that happens as a result of the Truck being driven at a high speed in violation of the motor vehicle laws or a failure to give way in compliance with the traffic regulations that have been set in the categories of drivers.
In case you were hurt by the 18-wheeler, a qualified lawyer with experience in truck accident law can greatly help you in the lawsuit you need to file to seek the compensation you deserve.
Legal Rights of Victims of Truck Accident in Houston
When it comes to the victims of Truck accident in Houston, they have a lot of legal rights at their disposal that might be useful to them in getting justice and restitution. Before a person starts the vast journey of legal action, it is important to become acquainted with all the important rights.
- Right to Seek compensation
- Types of Compensation: Different types of compensation, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disability accommodations, may be given to crash victims.
- Liability: The liability involved in the event can be extended not only to the driver but also to the trucking company, maintenance contractors, shippers, and manufacturers if they contributed to the accident26.
- Right to Legal Representation
- Consulting an Attorney: If it is your first experience with a truck accident, seeking legal advice from a lawyer experienced in truck accidents is highly recommended.
- Free Consultations: Many law firms offer the first consultation freely to transact conversations on the merit and viability of the case.
- Right to Investigate the Accident
- Gathering Evidence: In this regard, victims should take photos and gather witness statements and police reports from the scene to gather the necessary evidence to support their claims.
- Avoiding Admissions of Fault: There are many instances in which people admit to their fault, resulting in them losing their claim. It won’t be latent on our part if we do this action.
- Right to File a Lawsuit
- Statute of Limitations: The period of limitation for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is, in this case, two years
- Wrongful Death Claims: If a person from the family has been killed as a result of the Truck accident, then they should file a court case within two years.
- Right to Seek Justice and Closure
- Holding Parties Accountable: One of the laws and regulations connecting to legal action is accountability, which makes responsible parties accountable for their mistakes and allows companies to command business changes.
- Emotional Support: Moreover, they can be very supportive of the emotional and social aspects of the personal experience during difficult times.
What is the role of an experienced truck accident lawyer in an 12 or 16 wheeler case?
In cases of 18-wheeler accidents in Houston, to avail of your rights effectively, it is advisable that you get in touch with a proficient truck accident lawyer so that you can comprehend and exercise your rights thoroughly. An experienced truck accident lawyer can be the one person who could provide all the key factors that are necessary for the winning of a case gaining the right compensation in an 18-wheeler truck accident case:
- Investigation and Evidence Collection
- Comprehensive Investigation: They conduct thorough surveys to decide who is to blame and who is to be held responsible by collecting key pieces of evidence such as police reports, accident site photos, driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records.
- Preserving Evidence: They will ensure that evidence cannot be modified before the trucking company’s quick, responsive crew can do so.
- Identifying Liable Parties
- Multiple Defendants: In most cases, truck accidents include many defendants, such as the driver, the trucking company, and some manufacturers. The lawyer can point out the situations in which all are liable for the accident.
- Negotiation with Insurers
- Aggressive Negotiation: The lawyers contacting insurance firms will be setting aggressive negotiations with insurance representatives in motion for a fair settlement. Having a good grasp of the hacks used by insurers to try cutting their payouts can help them counter those effectively.
- Litigation in Court
- Trial Representation: In case no settlement is agreed upon, the lawyer can agree to represent you in court through their ability to provide a very good stand to the judge or the jury. This will include selecting a jury, questioning witnesses, and presenting evidence.
- Handling Complex Regulations
- Federal Regulations: Trucking companies are bound by some of the strictest federal regulations. A competent attorney is familiar with these standards and can use them to support your case.
- Collaboration with Experts
- Expert Testimony: It is a common practice among lawyers to collaborate with professionals, including doctors, accident construction workers, and economists, in an effort to present a robust case and to reveal your full damages.
- Case Evaluation and Damages Assessment
- Assessing Damages: Including medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and long-term consequences of your injuries a Truck accident lawyer calculates your damages. The aim is to maximize your recoveries by the Personal injury lawyer through vigorous negotiations. In most cases, primary repairing operations have to be taken as it has been confirmed that due to their tremendous size and heavy weight, 18-wheeler trucks are prone to accidents that inflict severe damage. Injuries are usually severe, and they typically require consistent medical attention.
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident in Houston?
Determining liability in a truck accident can be complex due to multiple parties involved:
- Truck Driver: For negligence or reckless behavior.
- Trucking Company: For improper maintenance or forcing drivers to work overtime.
- Manufacturers: For defective truck parts.
- Cargo Loaders: For improperly secured or overloaded cargo.
Karan Joshi ensures a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties and maximize your compensation.
When Should You Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston?
It is crucial to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. Texas law imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, and evidence can quickly disappear. The sooner you contact Karan Joshi, the better your chances of building a strong case.
How Can Truck accident attorney Houston Help You?
With years of experience in handling truck accident cases, Karan Joshi provides personalized legal representation tailored to your unique situation. Here’s how he can assist:
- Case Investigation: Collecting evidence such as police reports, eyewitness accounts, and black box data.
- Negotiation: Dealing with insurance companies to secure fair compensation.
- Litigation: Preparing your case for trial if a settlement cannot be reached.
In 2023, Karan Joshi helped clients recover millions in settlements and verdicts for truck accident cases, ensuring justice for victims.
What Compensation Can You Recover from Truck Accident?
Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Both current and future costs.
- Lost Wages: Including diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical and emotional trauma.
- Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle.
Why Choose Karan Joshi and Orange Law?
- Experience: Years of handling complex truck accident cases.
- Commitment: Personalized attention to every client.
- Results: Proven success in securing significant compensation.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait. Contact Karan Joshi and the team at Orange Law for a free consultation. With a dedication to fighting for the “little guy,” Karan Joshi will stand by your side every step of the way, ensuring your rights are protected.
Call now or fill out our online contact form to get started on your journey to justice.