Houston Truck Accident Attorney

Big rig accidents often result in catastrophic injuries for truck drivers and occupants of passenger vehicles. The truck accident lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP fight for truck accident victims nationwide to recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

Defending the Houston Victims of 18 Wheeler Accidents

When an 18-wheeler truck collides with a passenger vehicle or another truck, serious injury or death is likely to occur. Each year in the U.S. there are more than 400,000 accidents involving large trucks including commercial box trucks and tractor-trailer combinations such as 18-wheelers. In 2005 alone, 3,920 fatalities occurred in truck accidents involving 18-wheelers or some other combination-unit truck. That's an average of ten fatalities daily resulting from 18-wheeler truck accidents. Recently these numbers have not been getting any better.

In fact, in December of 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revealed that the data from 2010 showed that there was actually an increase in the number of fatal truck accidents. In 2009, there were 3,380 people that were killed in fatal accidents and in 2010 this number rose to 4,000. Many attribute this to the current unsafe hours-of-service (HOS) regulations and the tired drivers on the road. Even though tremendous strides have been made to make large commercial trucks safer and to encourage safe driving among truckers, there is still a long way to go; catastrophic and even fatal accidents still occur every day in Texas, the Gulf Coast and throughout the United States.

In many cases, these crashes are the direct result of the reckless and negligent actions of truck drivers and trucking companies. They need to be held accountable. Their victims must be compensated and action must be taken to prevent others from suffering similar harm. The causes of truck accidents range from truck driver negligence to issues with truck maintenance that may not even be the fault of the truck's driver. Truck drivers themselves may be injured or killed in a truck accident for which they are not at fault. In any case, whether the victim is a professional truck driver or the occupant of an involved passenger vehicle, our truck accident lawyers can help you claim compensation from those responsible.

Who's Responsible for Your Trucking Accident?

The most important stage in any trucking accident case is the initial research and investigation. This is when we compile evidence that demonstrates how your accident occurred and who is responsible for your injuries or the death of a family member. We work hard to sift through information that can be collected at the accident scene and from the truck itself, including combing through logbooks and trucking company records and downloading data from electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) that are quickly becoming an industry standard. We also seek police reports, medical records and other information to help us determine if the tractor-trailer crash was caused by any of the following parties:

• Truck driver. Failing to conduct proper pre-trip inspections, driving too fast for weather or road conditions, making illegal or unsafe turns and passes, failing to brake, driving drowsy, leaving loads unsecured, texting or using a cell phone behind the wheel or driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs are all examples of reckless and negligent driving by big rig drivers.
• Trucking company: Carriers expose their truckers and other motorists and pedestrians on the road to the risk of injury by failing to adopt and execute adequate safety plans, encouraging drivers to engage in dangerous driving or hiring drivers without conducting proper background checks that would reveal the driver's safety, criminal and health history as well as their possible problems with driving while intoxicated. Trucking companies may also be liable for failing to inspect and maintain the rigs in their fleet, including outfitting them with safety and emergency equipment.
• Truck manufacturer: Even the safest trucker or fleet operator may be involved in a collision if the truck and its components are defective, including tires, brakes, gears, hydraulics and lights.

Complex truck accident litigation may involve tracking down truck carriers and insurance companies that are located in several different parts of the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries. Countless depositions, requests for documents and medical examinations may need to be undertaken. If the responsible parties resist attempts to collect information, various motions and other pleadings will need to be filed. That's why determined legal assistance is needed to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Truck Accident Lawyer – Our Areas of Practice

Truck accident cases can be very complicated as they involve issues such as causation, multiple parties and insurance disputes. Truck carriers and their insurance companies will also do whatever it takes to keep from being held responsible for the accidents, injuries and deaths that they cause. You need to match fire with fire. You need to contact Arnold & Itkin LLP.

Our firm takes an aggressive approach to every case we handle. This means we research, investigate and develop the case as if it is headed to trial. This helps to give us a strong position at the negotiating table and it allows us to be ready at a moment's notice to head into the courtroom and advocate on behalf of our clients before a judge or jury. Our clients deserve fair and full compensation. We won't settle for less.

Since our law firm was established in 2004, we have secured a series of substantial verdicts and settlements for clients, including many multi-million dollar recoveries. We litigate cases across the country in state and federal courts and we always remain dedicated to ensuring that our clients have the high-quality legal assistance that they deserve. Just some of the different issues we are able to help you with include, but are not limited to, the following:

Causes of Trucking Accidents
The causes of trucking accidents are virtually unlimited. Therefore, it is easy to see how an accident of this nature could result. If you have been injured in a truck accident then identifying the causes will help you make your accident and injury claims. Read more about causes of trucking accidents.

Employer Negligence
An accident should never be the result of negligent behaviors, especially a truck accident that has the potential to injure many. Trucking companies and employers are required to adhere to the trucking regulations established under truck laws. When these are not followed, an accident can very easily result. Read more about employer negligence.

Injured Motorists
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you could have grounds to file a claim. In some cases, it might not have even be the fault of the truck driver. In fact, should the trucking company be negligent in maintaining the trucks in their fleet, it can lead to malfunctioning equipment and serious accidents. Read more about injured motorists.

Injured Truck Drivers
Are you a truck driver who has suffered a serious injury? No matter whether the accident was caused by defective equipment or if a third party's negligence directly lead to the accident, you do not deserve to suffer in silence. Get us involved today to learn more about how we can help you fight for fair financial compensation. Read more about injured truck drivers.

Jackknifing Accidents
When a truck jackknifes it is often due to a defective product, improper braking, or another error which could have been avoided if proper trucking regulations were maintained. Victims of jackknifing accidents are rightfully entitled to take their injuries to court. Read more about jackknifing accidents.

Truck Accident Investigation
Any time an accident occurs, thorough investigation should be conducted in order to determine the causes of the accident. This is no more true than in cases of tuck collision. In many instances, negligent or reckless behaviors may have led to the trucking accident that has left you injured, and you deserve to take this type of matter to court. Read more about truck accident investigation.

Truck Accident Statistics
In 2005, there were over 400,000 large trucks that were involved in an accident. This caused to over 5,000 people dying – accounting for over 10% of all traffic-related fatalities. This is nothing to take lightly. If you have been one of these victims, you deserve to have your rights protected. Read more about truck accident statistics.

Truck Inspections and Highway Safety
Due to the dangerous aspect of their career, it is highly important that trucks and their drivers receive regular inspections to ensure that they are upholding the highest of safety standards. This, however, does not always occur. Read more about truck inspections and highway safety.

Truck Insurance
One of the most important steps you can take a collision is to contact an attorney to help you handle your insurance claims. Insurance companies can take advantage of your situation, but a skilled attorney can stand up for your rights. Read more about truck insurance.

Trucking Regulations
There are very specific laws that are put into place to promote the safety and wellbeing of all truck drivers. Should these regulations be disregarded or ignored, it could cause serious accidents and can lead to fatal and near-fatal injuries being sustained. Read more about trucking regulations.

Underride Accidents
Few victims of underride accidents survive it unscathed, let alone alive. For this reason, victims and the family members of those who have been wrongfully killed in an underride accident owe it to themselves to hold the responsible party liable. A Houston truck accident lawyer can help you do this. Read more about underride accidents.

Seriously injured in a truck accident in Houston, TX?

Your right to recover damages in a truck crash may be lost if you wait too long to pursue legal action. Evidence needs to be preserved by acting promptly and statutes of limitations may bar a claim from being pursued if a certain number of years pass from the date of the wreck. That's why it's important to contact the highly qualified trucking accident lawyers from Arnold & Itkin LLP today.

If you have suffered a serious injury or the injury or death of a loved one as a result of a semi truck accident, you should consult with a Houston personal injury lawyer who understands the magnitude of these cases and who has the experience to properly investigate and prosecute your truck accident claim. As truck accident investigation can be very complex, you need a lawyer with the resources and the experience to thoroughly investigate and build a strong case to hold those who are responsible accountable. We have the experience you need and will fight to protect your rights. We are committed to helping victims of truck accidents involving serious injury or wrongful death and will fight to you get the compensation you deserve.

For a free consultation, contact a Houston truck accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP by calling today toll-free at 888-392-8704.

To learn more, we encourage you to visit our site devoted exclusively to truck accident claims.