South Texas Trucking Accident Lawyers
Trucking accidents are the most devastating vehicle crashes that can happen to anyone. Because large trucks—defined by more than 10,000 pounds in weight—are everywhere, the risk of a truck crash exists on every road, street, and highway in America. Our South Texas truck accident attorneys have represented drivers (both commercial and passenger vehicles) who have suffered from catastrophic injuries, loss of a loved one, or post-traumatic stress as a result of 18-wheeler crashes. As lawyers, we've had the honor of helping our clients secure billions of dollars to pay for medical care, provide for their families, and create a stable financial future for themselves and their loved ones. Whether you're a regular commuter or an independent contractor with a leading carrier, our South Texas trucking law firm is ready to get your life back in the wake of a grievous accident.
Why Trucking Accidents Happen More Often
1 in 4 trucking accidents happened when a driver has been on the road for 17 hours or more. FMCSA officials believe that at least 13 percent of trucking accidents are attributable to fatigue—with the real number much higher, as fatigue likely contributes to many crashes without being reported. Evidence suggests that even moderate tiredness impairs driving as much as being drunk does.
Why are exhausted drivers on the road more than ever before? Because the trucking industry believes it's cheaper to hire hordes of new drivers and pay them a barely-livable wage. Most drivers, including independent contractors and employees alike, are paid by the mile (and aren't paid for all of the necessary non-driving work that truckers have to do). That means they're incentivized to stay on the road as long as possible without rest, to push themselves harder and harder to make their miles. If they don't, their families don't eat.
In that sort of climate, companies turn a blind eye toward illegal manipulation of logbooks—the federal requirement that keeps track of how long a driver has been hauling without rest. By keeping 2 logbooks, drivers are able to make it seem like they've gotten adequate rest...while driving for hours, even days without sleep.
Instead of investing their money toward practices that take care of their drivers, companies would rather put truckers (and everyone else on the road) at serious risk—all while the largest freight carriers make a larger profit.
Truck accidents we've represented include:
South Texas UPS Truck Crash Attorneys
Take United Parcel Service, for example. UPS is one of the largest general freight delivery services in the United States, commanding a market share of 27 percent. According to them, they have 119,000 vehicles on the road today. Over the last several years, UPS' accident rate has increased by nearly 40 percent, with a 27-percent increase in injury and a 25-percent increase in fatalities.
According to FMCSA data, UPS has been involved in 2,003 crashes, injuring 689 and killing 49 from 2015 to 2017.
South Texas FedEx Truck Crash Lawyers
FedEx is another example of how the economy's growth has only led to greater public risk. With 23 percent market share, FedEx could afford to pay drivers well and create safer systems. Instead, their crash rate has more than doubled since 2012 (1,762 accidents), with the number of injuries and fatalities increasing by 192 percent (575 injuries) and 273 percent (41 deaths), respectively. Why hasn't such a dramatic increase in FedEx's record made them a target for some kind of regulatory oversight? It might have to do with the fact that FedEx had 51 lobbyists in Washington from 2013-2014 alone, with 37 of them former government employees.
See for yourself—find out how often trucking companies get into accidents on the FMCSA website.
Fighting for People After the Worst Days of Their Lives
When people suffer through life-changing accidents, we’re who they call for help. A third of the Deepwater Horizon crew called us after the infamous explosion, and we helped them get relief for the rest of their lives. Four women who were left widowed by the sinking of the El Faro turned to us to get answers for what happened to their husbands, and we helped them get justice and enough support to move forward. Eight survivors of the William Olefins explosion in Geismar came to us for help, and we won tens of millions of dollars on their behalf. These are just a few of the thousands of people we’ve helped after they’ve suffered disaster and tragedy.
Our firm has investigated events and negligence involving:
- Commercial truck accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Offshore accidents (i.e., boat accidents)
- Plant explosions
- Drowning accidents
- Car and motorcycle accidents
As injury lawyers, our role is simple: make sure our clients have everything they need to rebuild their lives. From handling cases involving maritime law (such as the Jones Act and LHWCA) to serious industrial accidents, we're there for our clients. Whatever accident or catastrophe you’ve suffered, we have the resources and experience to hold the people at fault accountable for their role. Call us today to learn your legal and financial options.
Dial (888) 493-1629 to speak with a South Texas personal injury lawyer at Arnold & Itkin. We can discuss what happened to you and help you take the first step toward recovery.
