18-wheeler accidents in Houston can completely turn your life upside down. They can happen totally out of the blue, but oftentimes have lasting impacts on the lives of those involved. Because of this, an expert truck accident lawyer is an essential tool for strategizing your case and fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Semi-truck accidents and trucking companies can be tricky, complicated foes when it comes to legal battles. Not only is this because they typically have powerful legal teams dedicated specifically to fighting liability claims daily, but it is also because of the myriad of factors that can contribute to a serious truck accident. By understanding the most common reasons for serious big rig accidents in Houston, you can not only stay safer on the road, but also understand how these components affect your case.
Truck Accident Liability: The Basics
The most important aspect of truck accident cases is proving where the true liability lies. At its core, liability defines who or what specifically caused an event. When proving liability in a case, nothing is more valuable than a clear understanding of the baseline reason for the accident occurring. In all cases, liability and negligence will dictate your compensation at the end of your legal proceedings.
The Primary Culprits of Big Rig Accidents
Unfortunately, a pure accident rarely causes a semi-truck accident. In almost every case, a single cause can be traced back as the root of the accident. Understanding the most common causes for these dangerous accidents makes developing a plan to prevent such failures and accurately placing liability essential for your truck accident lawyer’s legal strategy.
Cause #1: Truck Driver Fatigue
One of the most common causes for serious semi-truck accidents is driver fatigue. Drivers oftentimes face tight deadlines, long hours, and late nights spent on the road. Because of these factors, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has installed rigorous Hours of Service regulations that must be closely followed. These standards are in place to keep drivers from stretching their physical limits in order to avoid missing deadlines.
This feeling can have detrimental symptoms for all drivers, but especially truck drivers who are operating tons of machinery and carrying heavy, sometimes dangerous, loads. Symptoms of fatigue can begin shockingly fast. Within 24 hours of being awake, serious symptoms of lack of sleep can begin to kick in, including:
- Increased tiredness and yawning
- Irritability and mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Lack of energy
- Impaired coordination and balance
- Microsleeps
Behind the wheel, these symptoms can look like delayed reaction time, swerving between lanes, and poor judgment – all of which can contribute to dangerous roadway accidents. In Houston, this can be a huge concern because of the city’s clogged highways, constant construction, and notoriously aggressive drivers. At Maida Law Firm, we meticulously investigate driver records and blackbox data to determine if fatigue was a factor in your truck accident claim.
Cause #2: Eyes Off The Road: How Distracted Driving Can Cause Truck Accidents in Houston
In today’s world, many people feel the need to be constantly connected. This extends to truck drivers, and, unfortunately, many accidents are caused by drivers being distracted by their phones. Aside from just 18-wheeler accidents, distracted driving is responsible for nearly 8% of fatal car accidents every year for all drivers on the road. Looking away for even a few seconds can lead to extremely dangerous problems on the road, especially with heavy trucks and high speeds involved.
Distracted driving can negatively impact all Houston drivers, but it’s exponentially more dangerous for big rig drivers. Even if phones or games don’t distract you, daily requirements like eating, drinking, and talking on the phone can make your eyes wander and cause you to lose focus.
Proving distracted driving can be a huge factor in your truck accident lawyer’s strategy. We do this by taking a deep dive into the driver’s phone records, in-cab camera footage, and valuable witness testimonies.
Cause #3: Mechanical Failure and Proving Trucking Company Negligence
Commercial trucks are incredibly complex and powerful machines. When even the smallest, most insignificant part fails, it can have devastating outcomes for other drivers on the road. From small issues to huge issues, such as defective brakes and failed tires, avoiding critical truck maintenance can put Houston drivers in harm’s way.
When faced with deadlines and fast-paced orders, it can be easy for a trucking company to skip required maintenance or inspections; however, by neglecting to keep their company’s equipment in safe, top-tier order while on the road, the trucking company can be held liable. This is one of the most important reasons to work with an expert team of personal injury lawyers like our team at Maida Law. We have years of experience fighting for our truck accident clients and can help develop an unbeatable plan.
Cause #4: Houston’s Unpredictable Weather and Poor Truck Driver Judgement
Houston is well-known for its wildly unpredictable weather. When heavy rain appears out of nowhere, it can harm a driver’s driving schedule and potentially tempt them to speed, skip rest hours, or drive aggressively through the storm to reach their goals. Much like when proving poor driving skills, our team can prove driver neglect through speed gauge data, tracking, and witness testimonies.
When it comes to proving these specific reasons for your truck accident, it is vital to take several key measures immediately after the accident. First, assess the scene and take photos of everything – from the car damage to the weather, to the state of the road. Additionally, getting the contact information of any and all witnesses can help give your case the edge in determining if the truck driver was at fault.
Building Your Case: How Fault Can Impact Your 18-Wheeler Accident Claim
Determining the reason for an accident is only part of the battle. The other major portion is using data and testimonies to build your case and fight for maximum compensation for the impact this accident may have had on your life or livelihood. We do this through these key pieces of evidence:
- Black box data: The truck’s complete data center, which includes all speed, braking, and steering maneuvers that took place.
- Driver logs: These track the driver’s hours and past HOS violations, helping your truck accident lawyer determine if there are any patterns of negligence.
- Maintenance records: This document can show whether and how much value was placed on truck maintenance. Lackluster maintenance records typically lead to trucking company negligence.
- Witness statements: Oftentimes, this is the most valuable piece of evidence and your truck accident lawyer uses these statements to provide an eyewitness, boots-on-the-ground insight into the accident.
We understand that truck accidents alone are life-changing, but the legal battle that follows can often be just as intimidating. At Maida Law, we strive to not only tirelessly fight for our clients to receive the justice they deserve but also to educate them on why these accidents typically occur. By understanding these most common reasons for truck accidents in Houston, you can approach your daily commute or your upcoming truck accident case with confidence. Contact us today for a free truck accident lawyer consultation!