Grand Prairie, Texas Truck Accident Attorney

Because of the large size and weight of an 18-wheeler, accidents involving these trucks often have devastating consequences. When they are involved in collisions with commercial vehicles, victims may suffer catastrophic injuries that can lead to permanent disabilities. Recovering from these traumatic events can be difficult enough without the added stress of dealing with trucking companies, insurers, and complex legal issues. In these situations, representation from a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney can be essential.

At Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., we have more than 30 years of legal experience in cases involving truck wrecks, car accidents, and other types of personal injury matters. With a Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Attorney Jerry Andrews has the knowledge needed to address complex truck accident cases, and he has a proven record of success. With his history of successful courtroom litigation and his ability to negotiate favorable settlements, he can take on powerful trucking companies and insurers and fight to make sure injury victims will receive the full compensation they deserve.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Collisions with commercial trucks can happen for many reasons. Negligence on the part of drivers, trucking companies, or other parties involved in transporting goods may lead to devastating collisions and life-changing injuries. Some of the most frequent causes of truck wrecks include:

• Traffic Violations: Speeding, running red lights, following other vehicles too closely, improper lane changes, and other violations committed by truck drivers can increase the risk of severe collisions.
• Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers regularly work long hours. While they are required to follow federal hours-of-service regulations to ensure that they take breaks and get rest between shifts, they do not always comply with these requirements. Even if they follow regulations correctly, issues such as sleep disorders, medical conditions, long shifts, or exhaustion can affect a truck driver's decision-making and ability to maintain attention. Truck drivers who are drowsy, who close their eyes briefly, or who fall asleep while driving can cause dangerous accidents.
• Distracted Driving: Cell phones, onboard computers, eating and drinking, using radios, or other distractions can cause truck drivers to fail to notice and react to what is happening on the road around them, leading to serious crashes.
• Driving Under the Influence: Truck drivers may use alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal substances when driving. This can significantly increase the risk of accidents due to vision impairments, loss of coordination, increased reaction times, and other effects of intoxication.
• Equipment Malfunctions: Poor truck maintenance can lead to collisions when parts on a truck break down and cause a driver to lose control. Issues such as faulty brakes, defective tires, or trailer couplings that release unexpectedly can cause dangerous accidents.
• Improperly Loaded Cargo: Cargo that is unsecured or unevenly distributed can cause a truck to roll over or jackknife. Overloaded trucks can be more difficult to control, and a truck driver may be unable to prevent a collision. Unsecured cargo can fall into the road and injure people in other vehicles.

Determining Liability in Commercial Vehicle Crashes

Truck accidents can be more complex than other types of motor vehicle accidents due to the number of potential parties who may share responsibility. At Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., we will carefully investigate a truck wreck to determine all liable parties, which may include:

• A truck driver who engaged in negligent or reckless behavior
• A trucking company that failed to enforce safety rules, pushed drivers to violate regulations, or neglected vehicle maintenance
• A cargo loading company, if improper loading contributed to a crash
• Manufacturers of defective parts or maintenance providers that provided poor service that led to mechanical failures

By identifying every responsible party, we can help ensure that victims will be able to recover the maximum compensation available.