Richardson, TX Truck Accident Lawyer

A collision with a truck can be a traumatic experience, both physically and mentally. Some victims are left with lasting injuries that profoundly affect their lives, potentially impacting their ability to work or enjoy their usual hobbies. If you have sustained any injuries in a collision with a tractor-trailer, contact a Richardson, Texas truck accident attorney who can help you seek payment from the party responsible.

Truck accident claims tend to be much more complex than the average car accident claim. Multiple parties may share fault, and the trucking company or its insurer might refuse to take responsibility. In cases like these, Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. can help you protect your rights. Attorney Jerry D. Andrews is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, making him a sound choice to handle your claim.

Truck Driver Fault in Collisions

Truck drivers are held to a higher standard than ordinary motorists. They are required to obtain a commercial license, follow federal hours-of-service regulations, and operate vehicles that demand more skill, attention, and care than a passenger car. When a truck driver falls short of those obligations, the results can be devastating for anyone else on the road. Accidents can result from various causes, including:

• Fatigued driving, a persistent problem in the trucking industry where financial pressure and tight delivery schedules push drivers to stay on the road longer than regulations allow
• Distracted driving, including phone use, GPS interaction, or any other behavior that takes a driver's attention away from the road
• Failure to check blind spots before merging or turning, which can force smaller vehicles off the road or into other traffic
• Operating a vehicle while impaired, undertrained, or aware of a mechanical problem that was never addressed

Can a Trucking Company Be Held at Fault When an Employee Causes an Accident?

A trucking company can be held responsible when its own decisions and practices contributed to the wreck. That liability can arise from negligent hiring, inadequate training, failure to supervise drivers, pressure to meet unrealistic schedules, or failure to maintain the vehicles in the fleet. Additionally, when a driver causes a collision while working within the scope of their employment, the company that put them on the road may share or bear the full responsibility for the harm caused.

Trucking companies and their insurers often move quickly after a serious accident to investigate the claim and protect their own interests. An injured person deserves the same level of preparation on their side.

Truck Accidents Caused by Loose and Unsecured Cargo

In some cases, the party responsible for loading the truck is a separate company from the carrier, and both can share liability for what happened.

Cargo that is improperly loaded, overweight, or inadequately secured creates serious dangers. Shifting loads can affect a driver's ability to control the vehicle, particularly during turns, sudden stops, or highway maneuvers. Cargo that falls from a truck can strike other vehicles directly or create road hazards that cause secondary collisions.