Who Might Be Liable for an 18 Wheeler Accident in Texas? 3 FAQs Answered by a Tyler Personal-Injury Lawyer

Commercial trucks play an important role in driving America’s economy. Almost every industry you can think of – from construction to information technology – needs large quantities of valuable goods transported quickly and safely across the country.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) report shows there were almost 12 million registered large trucks and buses on the road in 2014. Unfortunately, due to their size and weight, a crash with these vehicles is likely to end with serious property damage and injuries.

According to data collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation, truck accidents claimed 3,660 lives in 2014 – that’s a 16-percent increase in fatal truck crashes since 2009.

If you were injured in an 18 wheeler crash, contact a Tyler truck accident attorney from the Cooper Law Firm. A personal-injury lawyer will evaluate your case to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for lost income, medical bills and other damages.

Attorney N. Eric Cooper is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit the USAttorneys website to learn more about injury claims in Texas.

Here are the answers to three FAQs about truck accident claims:

Who Is at Fault in My Truck Accident?

The FMCSA Large Truck Accident Causation Study found that driver error caused 88 percent of all crashes involving big trucks. This means that in most cases, either the truck driver or the driver of another vehicle is at fault.

However, cases exist in which neither driver is at fault. This may happen if:

Equipment problems existed due to inadequate maintenance;
Truck drivers did not receive sufficient training;
Or driver benefit systems encouraged speeding or driving in excess of the maximum hours allowed by law.

Whom Can I Sue after a Truck Accident?

Truck drivers are expected by their employers to travel long distances carrying heavy loads, for many hours at a time and often overnight. Driving while fatigued, in the dark and through unfamiliar areas is a recipe for serious accidents – and when they do occur, it might not be immediately obvious who is liable for damages.

After being involved in an accident with a large truck, it is in your interests to identify as many liable parties as possible. Depending on the unique circumstances of your crash, you may be entitled to damages from:

The truck driver, if he or she was negligent;
The owner of the truck, if it was unfit for duty on the road;
The manufacturer of the truck, if its parts were faulty;
Or the loader of the truck’s goods, if they were unsecured and caused the accident.

Should I Consult a Personal-Injury Lawyer after a Truck Accident?

Accidents involving large trucks can have far-reaching and expensive consequences. Making a successful personal-injury claim could be the difference between maintaining financial security and falling into overwhelming debt.

As such, you should enlist the help of an accident attorney. Your personal-injury lawyer can gather evidence, talk to witnesses, identify all liable parties, and fight for the maximum compensation on your behalf. If your case goes to trial, your attorney can represent your interests in court.

If you were injured in a collision with a negligent truck driver in Texas, contact a Tyler personal-injury lawyer from the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is a truck accident attorney who helps clients throughout east Texas. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.