Houston Personal Injury Lawyers
At The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, our experienced Houston truck accident lawyers understand the devastating impact that a collision with a semi-trailer truck can have. Whether you've suffered severe injuries or lost a loved one in such an accident, we’re here to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Houston has seen incredible growth over the past few decades, making it the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the nation. While this prosperity has brought a booming economy, it also comes with challenges, like the heavy commercial truck traffic on our roads.
Unfortunately, highways such as I-10, I-45, and I-69 can be dangerous because many truck drivers don't operate their vehicles safely or responsibly. Additionally, many transportation companies prioritize profits over safety. Reckless and negligent drivers and companies' focus on profits can lead to disastrous and life-altering accidents.
At The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, we’re more than just experienced truck accident lawyers in Houston. We’re a dedicated legal team committed to defending the rights of injured people in the Houston community. When you contact our firm, our legal team will help you understand what’s happening and how we can assist you. Here are the essential steps we follow when we work with truck accident victims:
At The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, we are committed to defending your rights after an accident, and you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket. Your well-being is our top priority.
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As one of the largest states with a thriving oil industry, Texas has a high amount of commercial truck traffic on its roads. Unfortunately, more trucks on the road mean a higher likelihood of 18-wheeler accidents. Here are some alarming statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for recent years:
These statistics reveal the significant danger trucks pose to other drivers. Truck accidents frequently provoke severe injuries and fatalities.
The situation is even more dire for Texas drivers. The FMCSA consistently reports that Texas leads the nation in fatal truck accidents. In 2023, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recorded 38,909 truck accidents across the state. These accidents led to 549 fatal crashes, resulting in the deaths of 620 people and serious injuries to another 1,687 people, according to emergency responders.
Harris County, in particular, sees the highest number of fatal truck accidents involving large rigs. In a single year, Harris County experienced the following types of truck-related accidents and injuries:
Commercial trucks pose greater dangers compared to other vehicles for several reasons:
These are just a few reasons why trucks can be more dangerous than other vehicles on the road.
Truck accidents in Houston and its surrounding areas can occur for numerous reasons. At The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, we often handle cases involving the following types of accidents:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibits truck drivers from driving and texting or calling if the cell phone is out of reach, requires more than a single button press to dial, or involves holding the phone during a conversation. However, many drivers allow other distractions to interfere with the safe operation of their vehicles.
FMCSA´s hours-of-service regulation restricts truck drivers' hours on the road without a rest.
Operating a truck while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or some types of prescription medications can lead to catastrophic accidents. Drivers can´t operate a commercial tractor-trailer with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04 or higher, compared to 0.08 for drivers of other types of vehicles. Despite laws and regulations, alcohol contributed to 25% of fatal accidents that occurred in Texas for the most recent year reported, according to TxDOT.
When a truck driver loses control, the cab can swing out, forming the shape of a folding blade. This kind of accident typically happens because the driver is driving too fast for the road conditions.
While many truck drivers are highly professional and prioritize road safety, some follow other vehicles too closely or engage in erratic and aggressive driving. Rear-end collisions are common when a truck driver doesn’t leave enough distance between their truck and the vehicle ahead.
Truck drivers are trained to make safe turns, but unfortunately, they sometimes take turns too wide and fail to check mirrors and blind spots.
Regardless of the type of truck accident you’ve been involved in, our Houston 18-wheeler accident attorneys are ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Most people are aware that distracted driving is illegal in almost every state. In 2017, Texas took its first step to ban texting while driving. This negligent behavior is particularly dangerous when it involves truck drivers. When a large commercial semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the consequences can be catastrophic. Some injuries can result in extremely costly medical bills and long-term expenses, affecting not just the injured person but their entire family.
At the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, our team has over 15 years of experience representing drivers and victims injured in distracted driving truck accidents. They have extensive experience handling severe truck crashes throughout Texas. We have the skills and resources needed to take on trucking companies and their aggressive insurers.
Distractions are not always what you might think. While most people immediately associate distracted driving with cell phone use, which is a common distraction, truck drivers can become distracted in various other ways. Some of the most common distractions include:
Unlike most of us, truck drivers can’t always stop and take a break to eat. They may grab quick snacks because they’re under pressure to meet a tight deadline to make a delivery or pick up cargo.
Today’s smartphones are multifunctional devices, serving as GPS units, messaging platforms, calculators, calendars, video and social media devices, weather reports, and more. This turns them into a significant distraction for drivers.
For the same reasons truck drivers eat and drink while driving, they may also make the poor decision to groom themselves while on the road. This includes shaving, applying deodorant, or even trimming their beard or hair. These activities save time but come at the expense of others’ safety.
Most people, including truck drivers, agree that it would be highly irresponsible to try to watch a video while driving an 80,000-pound semi-truck through traffic. However, some truck drivers do watch videos or attempt to video chat while driving.
Modern truck drivers have more technology at their disposal than ever before. However, despite having the best GPS or cell phone, many drivers still rely on physical maps, especially in areas where GPS or cell services don’t work properly. Consulting a map or operating a GPS while driving can be very dangerous.
Most people think truck drivers work alone, and while this is partially true, many truckers work in teams. This means that while one driver sleeps, the other drives. Working in teams allows drivers to cover more distance and make cross-country deliveries faster. Having a partner in the cab can lead to distracting conversations.
Driving a semi-truck can be lonely and even boring. The radio is a source of distraction that can help take the driver’s mind off the monotony of the job. But it can also divert their attention from the road, just like using a CB radio.
This is just a short list of the many reasons a distracted driver could cause serious or even fatal truck accidents in Houston.
Fatigue and exhaustion can be especially dangerous for commercial truck drivers. These drivers often spend long hours behind the wheel and are frequently under pressure to meet tight delivery schedules. A fatigued truck driver operating a vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds poses a deadly risk to everyone on the road. If the driver ignored Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, or if the driver's employer required or pressured them to disregard these rules, they could be held liable for any injuries or deaths they caused.
According to a truck crash study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 13% of commercial vehicle drivers involved in accidents were found to be fatigued at the time of the crash. The federal government strives to prevent driver fatigue through the enforcement of HOS regulations, which limit the number of hours a truck driver can work in a given day or week.
HOS regulations limit drivers transporting passengers to 10 hours of driving after eight consecutive hours off-duty. For drivers transporting goods, the limit is 11 hours behind the wheel after ten continuous hours of rest. A truck operator is limited to driving a maximum of 60 hours in seven days or 70 hours in eight days.
It isn't always immediately clear that driver fatigue contributed to an accident. Truck drivers may not admit to being drowsy behind the wheel and could deny fault to avoid repercussions or shield their employer from a costly insurance claim.
Fatigue may not always directly cause an accident. However, it can be a contributing factor to reckless driving and other driver errors, such as improper turns or illegal maneuvers.
The National Sleep Foundation reports that lack of sleep can affect the body similarly to alcohol consumption. Staying awake for 18 hours straight has a similar effect to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05. Being awake for 24 hours has an equivalent effect to a BAC of 0.10.
Driving while fatigued is not only dangerous but also considered a form of negligence. When truck drivers fail to take necessary rest breaks and continue driving despite being tired, they put everyone on the road at risk. If a fatigued driver causes an accident, both the driver and their employer may be held liable for the resulting damages, especially if there is evidence that the driver violated Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers who sleep only four to five hours are four times likelier to be involved in an accident compared to those who get at least seven hours of sleep. According to a 2023 report by the National Sleep Foundation, 20% off al traffic accidents involve drowsy driving, with a total of 300,000 reported crashes, more than 100,000 injuries, and 6,400 fatalities each year.
A truck driver who falls asleep at the wheel may not intentionally cause an accident, but they are still responsible for the outcome. Truck drivers have a duty to ensure they are fully capable of safely operating a commercial vehicle.
While fatigue clearly constitutes negligence, proving it can be difficult. Many conclusions about driver fatigue are based on circumstantial evidence, but some trucks are equipped with video cameras that might capture footage of a driver dozing off.
When a truck driver under the influence of alcohol tries to control an 80,000-pound commercial truck, it can result in catastrophic accidents with severe injuries or even fatalities. When truck drivers make the reckless decision to drive under the influence, they endanger everyone else on the road. At the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, we do not tolerate this negligent and reckless behavior. Our Houston truck accident attorneys aggressively fight to hold drunk truck drivers and the companies behind them accountable.
When a truck driver under the influence of alcohol causes an accident, the driver is often not the only party responsible. Other parties that may have contributed to the accident include:
Truck drivers are legally bound to operate their vehicles safely. Drunk driving is a blatant violation of this responsibility and endangers everyone on the road. It is also the responsibility of the truck driver’s employer, the trucking company, to take measures to ensure that their employees are not operating a truck under the influence.
Trucking companies can be held liable for the negligent actions of their drivers and for employing drivers with a history of drunk driving. If the drunk truck driver who caused your accident has previous offenses for driving under the influence, your case against the trucking company could be even stronger.
If you suspect a commercial truck driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, be alert of the following warning signs:
If you have suffered injuries due to a commercial truck driver’s negligence, contact the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ immediately. Our top Houston truck accident attorneys will collect the necessary evidence and identify all liable parties to pursue your case.
According to FMCSA, "speeding of any kind" was the most commonly cited driver error in fatal truck accidents in recent years. Truck drivers may have various incentives and underlying reasons that encourage speeding. However, when truckers drive at excessive speeds, they endanger everyone else on the road.
The faster a vehicle travels, the more distance it needs to come to a complete stop. Because trucks weigh around 80,000 pounds, trucking companies have a legal obligation to require drivers to operate these massive vehicles safely to avoid preventable collisions. The heavy weight of commercial trucks means they need more time and distance to stop completely compared to smaller vehicles. When truck drivers speed, they create additional risks and longer deceleration times. Truck drivers already operate their vehicles under challenging conditions, including large blind spots, loads that can shift during transit, and difficulties making wide turns. Speeding adds more risk to this already dangerous job. Moreover, it increases the likelihood of severe, if not fatal, injuries when a truck is involved in an accident.
Truck drivers may choose to speed for a variety of reasons, including:
To prove that speed was a factor in your accident, a skilled truck accident attorney can gather compelling evidence, such as:
This evidence can form the foundation of a strong legal strategy to pursue maximum compensation in truck accident cases.
Properly loading a truck is crucial to ensure the load´s weight is evenly distributed and remains secure during transit. The potential dangers of a shifting load include:
Truck accidents caused by improperly loaded cargo in Houston can result from several factors. Sometimes, accidents occur because workers are not properly trained and do not know how to load a truck correctly. In other cases, the truck driver might be in a rush and cut corners with the cargo, such as not using tie-downs or neglecting to inspect the load before hitting the road. Many of these accidents happen when individuals or companies prioritize delivery deadlines and profits over road safety.
Some of the most common causes of improperly secured cargo accidents in Houston are:
Houston’s laws on improper cargo loading are outlined in Section 725.001 of the Texas Transportation Code, which states that a driver who fails to properly secure a load is guilty of a misdemeanor. This law requires truck drivers to:
These regulations are designed to prevent accidents from unsecured commercial truckloads in Houston and across Texas.
Federal regulations also play a role in preventing improper cargo loading accidents. These regulations include:
Truck drivers and transportation companies must follow safety standards designed to prevent accidents. Some of these standards are:
Truck drivers and transport companies must follow federal and state laws. If a truck driver´s or their employer´s disregard of a federal or state law results in an accident, their actions or negligence could make them liable for the damages caused. A successful truck accident attorney can help the victims receive the compensation they deserve.
At the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, we are proud to fight for the rights of accident victims in Houston. Contact us for trustworthy assistance and representation in your truck accident injury case.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Houston, make sure to follow these five steps:
At The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, we work tirelessly to identify all responsible parties in a truck accident, increasing the likelihood that our clients will receive the maximum compensation possible.
Our truck accident legal team understands that truck accidents are distinct from car accidents for several reasons. Here are the key aspects to consider:
It's a common assumption that the truck driver is at fault in a truck accident, and this is often true. However, the truck driver can be held liable for the crash if they broke traffic laws, failed to check blind spots, were distracted, or otherwise acted negligently. In many cases, the trucking company or a third party may share responsibility.
The trucking company could be found liable if it failed to meet its obligations. Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring they hire qualified drivers, conduct background checks, review driving records before hiring, and provide ongoing training. They must also ensure that their trucks are properly maintained and safe for the road. When they neglect these responsibilities, they may be held accountable for the accident.
Often, more than one party is responsible for the injuries and damages that victims suffer. Consider all the parties that could potentially share responsibility for causing a semi-truck crash in Houston. Here are the most common parties responsible for truck accidents.
At The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™, we take a thorough approach to identifying all responsible parties in a truck accident, aiming to help our clients seek the highest possible compensation.
To claim compensation for your injuries after a truck accident, you first need to prove that someone else was at least 51% at fault. Texas has comparative negligence laws, which state that a plaintiff can only receive compensation for the amount of fault and negligence the court assigns to the defendant. If the defendant is 60% at fault, the plaintiff receives 60% compensation for damages. However, if the plaintiff is found to have 50% of the responsibility for the accident, they are not entitled to any compensation. Proving fault involves demonstrating that another party was negligent, meaning they acted carelessly or recklessly, and those actions caused the accident, resulting in your injuries. To establish negligence, you need evidence, which can include:
Insurance companies are not on the side of accident victims. Their main goal is to keep payouts low and profits high. To achieve this, they often offer settlements that are too low to cover the full extent of your injuries. If you accept the settlement, you waive your right to pursue additional compensation from the insurer and may end up covering a significant portion of the expenses yourself.
Our skilled Houston semi-truck accident lawyers can assess any settlement offer you receive and help you understand what a fair settlement should include.
Unfortunately, no one can determine the value of your case without thoroughly examining the details. However, you might be entitled to several types of compensation, such as:
Our expert Houston commercial truck accident lawyers can assess your claim at no cost and outline the full range of compensation you might be entitled to in your specific case.
In Texas, the deadline, or statute of limitations, for filing a lawsuit or insurance claim is two years from the date of the accident. However, to ensure that all evidence is preserved and your claim is properly documented from the start, it's essential to consult with Houston truck crash injury lawyers as soon as possible after the accident.
You should immediately hire a truck accident lawyer because the insurance company will contact you soon after the accident, and the clock on the statute of limitations starts the day of the accident.
Our Houston truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means our fees are a percentage of the compensation or award you receive. If we don't recover any money for you, you don't owe us anything. Contact Houston trucking accident legal experts at The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ today. Our legal team is ready to provide you with a free, immediate consultation to explain your rights and all available legal options. Call us or reach out online today for more information.
