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Getting hit from behind by a big truck is frightening. One moment, you are stopped at a light or slowing for traffic. The next, a truck that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds slams into the back of your car. That kind of force can total your vehicle and leave you with serious, lasting injuries.
If this happened to you, you have the right to ask for help. A Texas truck accident lawyer can explain your options, deal with the trucking company, and fight for the money you need to recover. Our team has won large settlements for rear-end crash victims for more than 40 years.
A loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That is about 20 times heavier than the average car. All of that weight takes much longer to bring to a stop.
At highway speeds, a big truck needs roughly one-third more room to stop than a passenger car. When a truck driver follows too closely or stops paying attention, there often is not enough room left to stop in time. You can read more about how far a big rig needs to stop.
That extra stopping distance is one of the leading causes of rear-end truck crashes nationwide.
In most rear-end crashes, the driver in the back is at fault. Usually, it is because they followed too closely or braked too late. But fault in a rear-end truck crash depends on what actually happened. A few common situations help decide who is to blame.
Truck drivers are trained to keep a safe following distance, on flat roads and on hills. If a driver tailgates you and cannot stop when you slow down, that driver is likely at fault. The same is true for speeding trucks, which need even more room to stop. Following too closely is one of the most common causes of these wrecks.
Even a few seconds of distraction can be deadly with a truck this large. Looking down at a phone, checking a GPS, or eating while driving can all cause a driver to miss the car stopping ahead. If a distracted truck driver hit you, they may be responsible for your injuries.
Sometimes the driver in front shares part of the fault. For example, if you cut in front of a truck and then brake hard, the truck may not have had room to stop safely. Texas law can still let you recover money even if you were partly at fault, as long as you were not mostly at fault. A lawyer can review the facts and explain how this affects your case.
The truck driver is not always the only one at fault. If the truck’s brakes failed, the blame might fall on the trucking company, the repair shop, or the parts manufacturer. These cases require careful review, so it helps to have an experienced attorney review what really happened.
A rear-end hit from a heavy truck can cause serious harm, especially at highway speed. You can learn more about why rear-end crashes are so dangerous. Common injuries include:
These injuries can lead to high medical bills and time away from work. A truck accident claim can help you seek money for those costs.
The steps you take after a crash can protect both your health and your case. If you are able to:
For a full walk-through, see our guide on what to do after being rear-ended by an 18-wheeler.
You do not have to face the trucking company and its insurance team alone. A lawyer can:
Trucking companies often have lawyers working fast to limit what they pay. Having your own Houston truck accident lawyer helps level the field.
If a rear-end truck crash hurt you, you do not have to sort it out alone. Our firm has helped Texas crash victims for more than 40 years. We offer a free, no-pressure consultation, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
Call (281) 893-0760 or contact our Houston office to get started today.
Not always, but usually. The driver in the back is most often to blame for following too closely or braking late. Still, the facts matter, so each crash needs a close look.
Texas usually gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some exceptions apply, so it is best to talk to a lawyer early to avoid missing a deadline.
This is a common defense. A lawyer can use evidence, such as photos, witness accounts, and the truck’s own data, to show what really happened.
Most truck accident lawyers, including our firm, work on a contingency fee. That means you pay nothing up front, and the fee is deducted from your settlement only if you win.
Call for a Free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced TX truck accident attorney.
Visit our Austin truck accident page or call 1-866-758-4529
Visit our Baytown truck accident page or call 1-866-758-4529
Visit our Conroe truck accident page or call 1-866-758-4529
Visit our Waco 18-wheeler truck accident page or call 1-866-758-4529
