Houston Truck Underride Accident Lawyer
Truck Underride Accidents are horrifying and can result in death.
What is a Truck Underride Accident?
A Truck Underride Accident is one of the more devastating truck accidents that can happen. In this type of accident, the smaller vehicle travels under the rear or side of the truck and becomes stuck or wedged underneath the truck. The people that are in the car that is stuck under the truck usually suffer severe injuries.
If you or a loved one have been in an underride accident in Houston or in Texas, then you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Rick Molina and the Molina Law Firm can help you maximize your compensation. Contact us today for a free accident case evaluation.
How Can A Houston Truck Underride Accident Lawyer help?
Rick Molina and the Molina Law Firm represent truck accidents victims throughout Texas. When dealing with the trucking companies and their insurance carriers, it is important to keep in mind that you need someone on your side that can fight for you every step of the way.
Trucking companies and their insurance companies have the time and money to immediately begin their own investigation once an accident happens. Trucking companies spend huge sums of money to train people on how to investigate accidents. Also, they usually begin their investigation while the injured victim is still recovering from injuries. It may seem unfair, but while the accident victim is recovering from injuries, the trucking company is immediately conducting its investigation.
The trucking companies will inevitably try to shift the blame during their investigation. You need an experienced Houston Truck Underride Accident Lawyer to help you begin your own investigation.
What Are the Common Causes of Houston Underride Truck Accidents?
Rules are in place to protect the public from truck underrride accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has set rules for truck rear guards. Tractor-trailers are required to have a rear underride guard that should prevent a car from going underneath the rear of the truck. Also, large trucks are required to have reflective tape, or conspicuity tape, so that these trucks are easily seen on the public roads. There are still many additional scenarios that contribute to underride accidents. A truck may dart out into the road. A large truck may fail to yield to on-coming traffic. A truck may slam the brakes, which in turn causes a chain reaction. All of these scenarios are examples of negligence that contribute to underride accidents. Here are some of the causes of truck underride accidents:
- Truck Driver Fatigue
- Inadequate Conspicuity Tape or Reflectors
- Dangerous or Aggressive Driving
- Poor Truck Maintenance
- Impaired Driving/ Alcohol or Drugs
- Failure to Follow Truck Rules
- Truck Driver Time Pressures
- Improper Truck Equipment Inspection
- Broken Brake Lights or TailLights
What Are the Common Injuries from A Houston Underride Truck Accident?
Truck underride accident injuries can be horrifying because the roof of the car is crushed underneath the truck. A horrible statistic is that more than 75% of underride accidents result in death. Medical bills from these injuries are usually several thousands of dollars. Many of these injuries are permanent and have huge non-economic consequences. For example, a crushed vehicle roof can result in permanent brain damage or loss of life. Additional common injuries include:
- broken bones
- amputations
- neck injuries
- back injuries
- spinal cord injuries
- spleen injuries
- wrongful death
- paralysis
- burn injuries
- disfigurement
Who Can Be Responsible for A Truck Underride Accident?
Underride accidents are usually the result of truck driver negligence. However, there are other entities that may also be responsible. The trucking companies set the delivery schedules, which may create unnecessary time pressures on the drivers. Here are some of the people and entities that can also be held responsible:
- 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
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 Underride Accident?
Underride Accidents result in serious injuries. The number one priority in underride accidents is your health and well-being. There are steps to be taken if you have been involved in an underride accident.
Get help on the way
Dial 911 if you are able. 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 underride accident 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.
