Call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today at 713-535-7051. Over 2.3 million Texans call Houston home – the largest city in Texas and the fourth most populated city in the United States. Made famous as the headquarters of the NASA space program, Houston is now perhaps better known as a global leader in the energy industry. Over the last two decades, Houston has been repeatedly recognized as one of the best cities in the nation for both work and quality of life.
Being a center of commerce means that you can expect a significant amount of large truck traffic. Whether they are hauling consumer goods, construction materials, or some other vital resource, these trucks enter and exit our city via one of our many interstates and highways. And given the number of trucks that travel these roads every day, accidents are inevitable. Some of these accidents can result in severe injuries and sometimes even death. If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, contact a Houston truck accident lawyer at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm for help.
Houston Truck Accident Statistics
The Texas Department of Transportation compiles all of the motor vehicle accident data from across the state and summarizes it annually. While the DOT does not track truck accidents specifically, they do compile reports for commercial vehicles, which would include several different types of trucks. Furthermore, they organize the data by county, rather than by city.
Despite these limitations, the data provides an overview of the hazards that other drivers face when sharing the roads with large trucks. For 2021, the DOT reported the following statistics:
- There were 5,743 total accidents in Harris County involving a commercial vehicle
- 44 people were killed in commercial vehicle accidents
- 149 people suffered incapacitating injuries
- 606 people suffered serious but non-incapacitating injuries
These statistics remind us that truck accidents are more common than many people realize and often result in life-changing injuries. If you have been injured in a truck accident, a Houston truck accident lawyer can help you rebuild your life.
A Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Handling All Types of Truck Accidents
Understanding the nature of your accident is important – it can help identify the cause of the accident and ensure that you get fair compensation for the injuries you have suffered. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we have deep experience in handling all types of truck accident cases, including the following:
- Override accidents. These typically occur when a large truck rear-ends the vehicle in front of them and the cab of the truck rides up onto and crushes the vehicle in front of them. These accidents are often caused by speeding or tailgating, causing the truck driver to be unable to stop in time. They often lead to severe injuries and, in some cases, can be fatal.
- Underride accidents. These accidents occur when a vehicle slams into the rear of the truck. They can be especially dangerous because of the height of the truck or the trailer, which often meets the windshield of the vehicle behind, causing the vehicle to become smashed underneath the truck. Many of these accidents are caused by the following driver’s negligence, but some are the result of malfunctioning brake lights, stopping unsafely, or being parked on the side of the road without the emergency lights on.
- Jackknife accidents. This is when the trailer of a semi-truck swings out around the cab similar to the opening of a jackknife blade. They are often caused by sudden, hard breaking or entering a turn with too much speed. The driver often loses control of the truck when it jackknifes, leading to the truck overturning, crossing the centerline of the road, or colliding with other vehicles.
- Cargo accidents. Trucks carry heavy loads which affect their handling and braking performance. Loads that haven’t been properly secured can cause the truck to handle in an unpredictable manner, which can lead to an accident or make it difficult for the driver to avoid an accident. In addition, cargo spilled onto the road can cause accidents or additional injuries to other drivers involved in the original accident.
- Trailer accidents. Semi-trucks have sophisticated trailer systems that must be regularly maintained. A mechanical failure with the hitch or other trailer mechanism can cause the driver to lose control of the truck or cause the trailer to break loose.
Identifying the cause of your accident and how it led to your injuries is a critical step in your claim. More than likely, it will require extensive investigation. The sooner you contact an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer, the better your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Time is Not on Your Side
Truck accident claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations under Texas law. This means that you must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of your accident or you will lose all of your rights to compensation.
Even if you don’t intend to file a lawsuit, this is a very important deadline. The insurance company will not even consider your claim if the deadline has passed. In fact, they sometimes will delay settling your claim in the hopes that the deadline will expire without them having to pay out.
Two years may sound like a long time, but it passes rather quickly when you are struggling to recover from your accident. Furthermore, you need to act quickly to gather important evidence that you need to support your claim. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to prove your case. The bottom line is that the sooner you contact a Houston truck accident lawyer, the better your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
Injured? Talk to a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Today
Truck accident victims are entitled to be made whole. This means that you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. An experienced Houston truck accident lawyer at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm can help you rebuild your life – call us today at 713-535-7051 to schedule a free consultation.
