Why Truck Accidents Are So Common in Laredo and What Victims Should Do Next | Texas Attorneys

Truck traffic is inherently dangerous in Laredo, Texas, because of the size and decreased maneuverability of big rigs. Other drivers must beware of the trucks’ wide turns and blind spots to lessen the risk of collision. When a driver or a trucking company negligently operates a semi-truck and causes a collision, the law may deem them liable for damages. Victims should hire an experienced attorney to seek compensation for their injuries.

The Laredo truck accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw can help you with your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Visit our website to read our law firm’s client reviews and then call or contact us online to schedule a free case review.

Laredo does have a robust industrial sector, but much of the truck traffic in the region stems from the border crossing into Mexico. Four bridges cross the Rio Grande in Laredo, Texas, and two of them allow commercial traffic. The World Trade Bridge sees 15,000 to 18,000 trucks cross the border daily. Although there are Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes, the border crossing remains a pinch point with frequent congestion during peak travel hours.

Interstate 35, Loop 20 (Bob Bullock Loop), and Mines Road (FM 1472) are also significant truck routes with an increased risk for a Laredo commercial vehicle accident. The companies and drivers that manage these vehicles may cut corners to reduce costs or meet deadlines. This puts all drivers at risk in the event of a crash.

An 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Laredo will likely encourage you to seek safety and prioritize medical treatment above anything else after an accident. This improves your individual health outcomes but also protects your injury claim. Victims should generally do their best to mitigate damages after a truck crash. If they don’t, the law may deem them partially responsible for damages and reduce their compensation accordingly.

After seeking safety, you can help your lawyer by collecting any evidence that you can at the scene. Helpful evidence at the scene of a commercial vehicle accident may include:

• Photos of the vehicles, accident scene, and injuries
• Contact information about involved parties and witnesses
• Vehicle identification, such as license plate numbers or USDOT numbers
• Dash cam or CCTV footage

You can call a lawyer at any time after you’ve sought safety and necessary medical care. Calling sooner rather than later improves evidence collection and can help you meet legal deadlines. In most cases, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case in Texas is two years from the date of the accident.

A commercial truck accident lawyer in Laredo must consider multiple parties when deciding who to file an injury claim against. The driver may have been the negligent party, but their employer may be vicariously liable for damages. An auto manufacturer might be liable for truck defects. Any third party who contributed to the cause of the accident may be responsible for damages.

A big rig accident lawyer will apply the appropriate liability laws to your case. More than one person may be proportionately responsible for damages in an injury claim because Texas is a shared fault state. This includes the victim unless their contribution to fault exceeds 50%. Your attorney will help you understand whether you have adequate cause for a lawsuit.

Truck accidents frequently include corporate trucking companies with access to legal teams and financial resources that exceed those of the average victim. Hiring an experienced attorney levels those advantages, and at Carabin Shaw, you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call our toll-free number today at 1-800-862-1260 to schedule your free case review. We have English- and Spanish-speaking staff ready to take your call 24/7. We can help you understand what to do next after a truck accident in Laredo, Texas.

For more information:

• The Geography of Transport Systems
• Texas Statutes 33
• Texas Statutes 16