Houston Truck Jackknife Accident Lawyer
Injured in a Houston Truck Jackknife Accident?
Houston Truck Jackknife Accidents happen in a split second with little to no time for other drivers to react. In these jackknife accidents, the 18-wheeler or big rig is either going too fast, not paying attention, quickly applying the brakes, or simply operating the truck in a negligent way. Truck jackknife accidents usually result in forceful impacts among vehicles traveling at high speeds.
The end result of the negligent truck operation is the truck spinning out of control with the trailer skidding forward into a jackknife position. These accidents are scary to see and even more terrifying to be in. If you were injured in a Jackknife Accident, then Call Molina Law Firm to begin your immediate investigation today.
How Can A Houston Truck Jackknife Accident Lawyer help?
Trucking companies and their insurance companies have people already in place and many financial resources to immediately begin their own investigation once an accident happens. They train many people to conduct an investigation as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the injured truck accident victim is seeking medical care or even in the hospital. Also, the trucking company will inevitably try to shift the blame during their investigation. You need an experienced Houston Truck Jackknife Accident Lawyer to help you begin your own investigation.
Accidents involving large, commercial 18-wheelers or large box trucks can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle as well as serious personal injuries. Houston Texas has many trucks on its roads, and some freeways seem to have more trucks than passenger vehicles. Call Molina Law Firm when you need a Houston Truck Jackknife Accident Lawyer.
During the investigation, Rick Molina and Molina Law Firm will secure the evidence from the scene, talk to all witnesses, obtain the police report, obtain all medical records, talk to all medical experts, talk to all accident reconstructionists, and negotiate with the opposing trucking and insurance companies. In truck accident cases, it is also important to secure all driver and truck company information to make sure that the driver and company were not violating any hours-of-service or cargo-hauling rules. For these reasons, Molina Law Firm obtains the truck’s “black box” and the driving logs to fully investigate the truck jackknife accident.
What Are the Common Causes of Houston Truck Jackknife Accidents?
Jackknife accidents are usually caused by driver negligence or inadequate brakes. The negligence may be that the truck driver was going too fast and had to slam the brakes. The negligence may also be that the brakes were not properly maintained. Trucking companies should have regular brake inspections. Cargo loads should be adequate for the type of truck. Loads that are too heavy may lead to an accident. Also, truck companies may cut corners to meet delivery deadlines, which leads to drivers driving too fast or being too tired to safely drive. These are some of the causes of truck jackknife accidents:
- Truck Driver Fatigue
- Distracted Driving
- Dangerous or Aggressive Driving
- Poor Truck Maintenance
- Poor Cargo Loading
- Impaired Driving/ Alcohol or Drugs
- Failure to Follow Truck Rules
- Truck Driver Time Pressures
- Improper Truck Equipment Inspection
- Improper Hiring
What Are the Common Injuries from A Houston Truck Jackknife Accident?
Trucking jackknife accidents lead to severe injuries with permanent effects. Jackknife accidents may also involve multiple vehicles and multiple impacts on the same car. Trucks can even explode. Medical bills can easily be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Some of these injuries have sizeable non-economic consequences. For example, a burn injury can result in the permanent loss of a limb and have permanent disfigurement. Some of the more common injuries include:
- broken bones
- amputations
- neck injuries
- back injuries
- spinal cord injuries
- spleen injuries
- wrongful death
- paralysis
- burn injuries
How is Fault Determined in a Truck Jackknife Accident?
Trucking insurance companies will inevitably blame the injured victim for the accident. They will immediately begin their own investigation to find fault in something that the injured victim did or did not do. You need a Houston Truck Jackknife Accident Lawyer at Molina Law Firm to begin your own investigation as soon as possible.
In Texas, the fault for a truck jackknife accident can get legally complicated. Rick Molina is a Houston Truck jackknife Accident Lawyer with experience in navigating the complexities of single and multi-vehicle truck accidents to maximize compensation for injured victims. In Texas, fault is determined on percentage basis. For example, if a jury determines the other side is 60% responsible for an accident, but you are determined 40% at fault, then your award may get reduced by the percentage of your responsibility. More importantly, if you are found to be more than 50% responsible for an accident, then you may get zero (0) compensation. This video will help you understand how fault is determined in a Houston Truck Jackknife Accident.
Who Can Be Responsible for A Truck Jackknife Accident?
Jackknife accidents are usually caused by negligent drivers. But, trucking companies are also responsible for the delivery schedules, truck maintenance, and cargo loading. Here are some of the people and entities that can be held responsible for jackknife accidents:
- the Truck Driver
- the Truck Owner
- the Trucking Company
- the Cargo Loading Company
- the Truck Repair or Maintenance Company
- the Truck Freight Broker
- the Truck Manufacturer
How Do I Prove My Case In A Truck Jackknife Accident?
When a truck jackknifes, it usually means that the driver did something wrong for the truck to jackknife. It could also mean that the brakes were not working properly. Truck drivers and trucking companies have many rules and regulations that they should follow. Investigating and gathering evidence regarding any violations of these rules is critical because truck drivers and trucking companies have this evidence in their possession.
Also, as a general matter, the evidence must establish negligence against the truck driver and trucking companies. Negligence includes the following elements:
- Duty. Did the other person owe you a duty? Every driver has a duty to obey the laws and to not injure other people.
- Breach. Did the other person violate the duty? This is usually shown by showing that the other person acted unreasonably. For example, were they speeding?
- Causation. The breach must cause your injuries. What are the injuries that are caused by the breach of duty?
- Damages. The injuries in turn resulted in damages. The damages are discussed below.
What makes us different?
The Molina Law Firm has been representing truck accident victims for over 20 years helping them navigate the sometimes complex legal fight against the insurance carriers. Remember that when you retain Attorney Rick Molina, you pay nothing upfront and we only collect a percentage of the compensation you receive only when we have won your case. Don’t go against the truck insurance carriers alone.
Attorney Rick Molina will aggressively represent you and fight on your behalf. We have the knowledge, resources, and experience to get you all the compensation for your loss, pain, and suffering.
No Win, No Fee
What To Do After A Truck Jackknife Accident?
Accidents involving large commercial trucks result in serious injuries, so your health is the number one priority. There are steps to be taken if you have been involved in an 18-wheeler or large truck accident. We have detailed some of the steps here. These steps are some of the more broad, important things that should be taken care of.
Get help on the way
If you cannot, get someone to call 911. This will get EMS and police on the way. Get medical attention. Even if you think you may be fine, a medical evaluation is critical.
Gather information
Take photos, get the other drivers information, get witness information. Try and get as much info as possible.
Get a case number
The police will talk to everyone involved and possibly issue citations. They should provide you with a case number that is needed to obtain the crash report.
If you have been seriously injured, it is important that you get an experienced personal injury attorney to help you. Time is important. Contact us.
Free Accident Case Review
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident, fill out the form below to start your free case review.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Houston
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Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents that involve large commercial trucks have a higher chance of serious personal injury or death. Victims of these types of accidents have substantial financial and health damages. Many times, these damages are long-term or even permanent.
- Commercial Truck Drivers are governed by rules and regulations involving their training, on-the-road time, and driving. The company that they work for can also be held liable for their actions.
- Carrier Companies are regulated in terms of vehicle maintenance, hiring practices, driver training, and other laws that can help determine liability in the event of an accident.
- Insurance limits of trucking companies and truck operators are much higher than that of other drivers.
If the driver of the 18-wheeler was at fault in the accident, an experienced truck accident attorney will look at the driver, the trucking company, the involved vehicles, and the equipment manufacturers to determine who can be held responsible. In most accident claims, the amount of compensation that can be received is usually limited by the insurance policy.
The second an accident happens, insurance companies have teams of people ready to investigate the accident on their behalf. You need to know that the insurance companies are not investigating the accident on your behalf. The insurance companies also will not share any information with you. If you want an investigation on your behalf, then you need to call us to begin this investigation as soon as possible. As for settlements, you should not accept a settlement from the insurance company until you have had an experienced attorney conduct a review of your case.
At the Molina Law Firm, we will fight cases in court when a settlement cannot be reached. If a settlement does not appear to be fair, then you need to be in a position to fight your case in court.
