Who Can I Sue for My 18 Wheeler Accident Injuries? McAllen Lawyers

While any mishap on the roads of McAllen, Texas can be scary and traumatic, accidents involving semi-trucks are especially dangerous and terrifying. In fact, over 4,000 people were killed in truck accidents in 2018 alone, and over two-thirds of these were drivers or passengers in other cars.

If you have experienced such a situation recently, you may be wondering, “Who can I sue for my 18 wheeler accident injuries?” The McAllen personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw have been helping injured people like you for decades, and have some answers for you.

Unlike in a typical two-car accident, where either driver (or both) can be found at fault for an accident, there are various third parties that may be held liable for commercial vehicle accidents in McAllen, and your lawyer will need to prove negligence on behalf of these different parties.

Negligence, which is legal term for someone acting in a way that can cause harm to others, can be proven in several ways, though it is a bit complicated because large trucks are so much heavier than passenger vehicles (weighing up to 40 tons) and are governed by different laws (thus, a truck typically far more damage than a car). In fact, there is a federal agency — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — that regulates and enforces these stricter policies, managing, for example, how many hours a driver is allowed to work in a given day, or how often they must stop to take breaks.

An 18 wheeler accident lawyer in McAllen will be able to provide more specific details for you individual circumstance, but generally speaking fault can be found with the following:

If the truck driver was found neglecting the rules of the road for example, by speeding or running red lights, they will be held responsible for the accident. They will also be held responsible if they are driving while fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or were driving distracted (such as driving while texting).

If the truck driver is fatigued because the trucking company has made its employees drive for longer than the legal limit to meet deadlines, however, the trucking company itself can be held liable. This is also the case if the trucking company does not do regular, comprehensive maintenance of its fleet. If a truck’s brakes don’t work because they have not been maintained, the company is responsible.

Sometimes, parts can be defective. If a trucking company maintains its fleet well but there is a faulty part that causes the accident, your attorney will attempt to hold the parts manufacturer negligent, and therefore liable for your injuries, as well.

As you can see, commercial vehicle accidents in McAllen are extremely complicated. Truck accidents are incredibly dangerous and often cause catastrophic injuries, so it is best to pursue your claim with an experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer in McAllen by your side. They will investigate the incident thoroughly, contact medical experts and witnesses, coordinate with the insurance companies, and make sure it all happens on a timeline that allows you to focus on what’s really important: feeling better.

If you’re wondering, “Who can I sue for my 18 wheeler accident injuries?” contact the McAllen personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw right away. We have over 200 years of combined legal experience, and have won over $500 million dollars in compensation for our clients. We will work as hard as possible to make sure you recover the full value of your claim — including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering — so you can focus on your recovery. In addition, please know that Carabin Shaw never charges a fee unless we win. So call (956) 664-2724 today for a no cost, no obligation consultation with an attorney in McAllen, Texas — you have nothing to lose.