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Truck Accident Injury
Attorney in Houston, TX
Attorney SGT Pike is the best truck accident injury attorney in the entire Greater Houston Metropolitan Area who has fought for the rights of truck accident victims for many years.
18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer in Houston, Texas
If you have been injured in an 18 wheeler accident, you may be entitled to damages. At the Law Offices of Andrew "PIKE" Piekalkiewicz, PLLC, we have years of experience representing those who have been harmed in these types of accidents. We will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
Attorney Sgt. Pike has extensive experience working with insurance companies and government agencies, ensuring that he can get the most favorable settlement for his clients. He is a skilled negotiator and will do everything in his power to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of money for your injuries.
How Attorney Sgt. Pike Helps to Get the Compensation You Deserve
Attorney Sgt. Pike can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries through the following:
Determining Fault
If you are hurt in a truck accident, you may be wondering who is at fault. Attorney Sgt. Pike can help you determine fault and help secure the compensation you deserve. Pike has experience investigating truck accidents and knows how to get the most money for your case. He will work with you to create a strong case, so that you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Investigations
Attorney Sgt. Pike is a highly experienced investigator. He knows how to navigate the complex legal system and get you the best possible outcome.
Proving Negligence
Attorney Sgt. Pike can help you prove negligence on the part of the other party. He has years of experience in this field and will use that knowledge to help you achieve the maximum settlement possible. Contact him today for a free consultation so that he can assess your case and provide you with the best possible advice.
Are you ready to get the money you deserve with a truck accident lawsuit in Houston?
Attorney Sgt. Pike will handle everything for you.
Attorney Sgt. Pike will handle everything for you.
What to Do After a Houston Truck Accident
If you’re the victim of an accident with an 18-wheeler, a dump truck, a delivery truck, or any other kind of company owned vehicle, the first thing you need to understand is that the company handling your claim is not on your side. It’s in the interest of insurance companies not to pay you for the damages their clients cause, regardless of how catastrophic your physical, emotional, and economic injuries are. At every turn, they will do their best to take advantage of you and to treat you unfairly.
With so much antagonism stacked up between you and your rightful settlement, the entire claims process can be difficult, irritating, and downright traumatic to deal with.
• They’ll say the accident was your fault.
• They’ll say their driver was following all of the proper regulations for commercial driving.
• They’ll say you weren’t injured in the crash or that your injuries were caused by some unspecified so-called “pre-existing condition.”
• They’ll destroy evidence of their driver’s wrongdoing before you can use it against them.
• They’ll pull out all the stops to ensure that you don’t get compensated for their driver’s negligence or that the compensation you do receive is minimal.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Houston
Houston is one of the most congested cities in America, and this fact can be blamed for a large number of truck accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 513 truck accidents resulting in 581 deaths in Texas in 2020, with Houston among the counties with the most number of crashes.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving can be caused by anything from cell phone use to eating and drinking. The main way that it causes accidents is by driver distraction. When drivers are distracted, they are less able to pay attention to the road and their surroundings. This can lead to dangerous situations where other drivers don't see them or they make mistakes that can cause an accident.
Fatigued driving
Truck drivers are particularly susceptible to fatigue because they often have long hours behind the wheel and must frequently drive at high speeds. When tired, truck drivers are less likely to adhere to safety rules and stop at red lights. This can lead to serious consequences, including fatal accidents. To prevent these accidents, truckers need access to reliable sleep-aids and rest facilities.
Inexperience
Inexperienced driving can be a lack of experience driving trucks, not knowing how to operate the truck safely, or being unfamiliar with the area in which they are driving. In addition, inexperienced drivers may not take the time to learn about truck safety before getting behind the wheel. This can lead to fatal accidents if they are involved in an accident while driving a truck.
Poor truck maintenance
Inadequate oiling and lubeing of trucks' brakes can cause accidents. Poorly maintained vehicles also often have malfunctioning headlights or taillights, which can lead to collisions at night.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving can be caused by anything from cell phone use to eating and drinking. The main way that it causes accidents is by driver distraction. When drivers are distracted, they are less able to pay attention to the road and their surroundings. This can lead to dangerous situations where other drivers don't see them or they make mistakes that can cause an accident.
Need an experienced truck accident attorney in Houston?
Sgt. Pike knows the tricks the transportation companies play, and he won’t rest until you see justice.
Sgt. Pike knows the tricks the transportation companies play, and he won’t rest until you see justice.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Truck Accident Investigation in Houston
If you are involved in a truck accident in Houston, Tx and have been injured, your first priority is to get the necessary medical care. However, there are other factors you may want to consider before speaking with an attorney. For example, can you prove that the other driver was at fault.
Here are three ways to do so:
Collect evidence
of the crash.
This may include eyewitness accounts, video footage from security cameras near the scene of the accident, or even photographs of the damage to your vehicle. If possible, take pictures or videos of any witnesses who could provide testimony supporting your case.
Review insurance
company records.
Determine whether the other driver had any prior accidents and/or was driving under the influence at the time of your collision. If so, this information may support your argument that they were at fault.
Contact
an attorney.
If you believe the other driver was at fault, don't delay any longer in contacting a personal injury attorney. An attorney will review all of the evidence and determine whether or not your case has merit.
Parties That Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Accident in Houston
When a truck accident occurs on the side of the road, it can be easy to point fingers at the driver. But in most cases, there are multiple parties involved in the incident that could end up being held liable for your injuries.
The following parties may be held responsible for your damages:
The Truck Driver
The truck driver is responsible for the safety of his/her truck. The driver's actions are his or her own and should not be pinned on anyone else.
However, there are some exceptions:
- If a co-worker was negligent, he or she may be liable for the damage caused by their actions. For example, if you were rear-ended by another driver who failed to pay attention while backing up, that person could be sued by both you and the other driver because they failed to use reasonable care when driving safely.
- If an employer fails to provide adequate training or secure proper brakes on their vehicles (or any other necessary equipment), then they will likely face liability as well.
The Trucking Company
If you're in a truck accident, the trucking company may be liable for your damages. This liability can come from several different avenues. For example, if the truck driver was not properly trained or did not follow the rules of the road, then this can hold them responsible for your injuries. However, if they knew that their employee had a bad driving record and continued to employ him or her anyway, they may also be at fault.
Shipping Company
If you’re in a car accident with a truck, the shipping company may be responsible. The shipping company can be held liable for any of the following:
- If the truck was not in good condition to drive
- If the driver was not properly trained to operate that particular vehicle
- If the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Broker
A broker who sells or leases a truck to the driver can be held liable if the driver is negligent in his/her driving. This can include not following safety guidelines, not having a valid license, or driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Truck Manufacturer
Truck manufacturers are responsible for making sure that their vehicles are safe to use on public roads and highways, but they may also be held responsible for accidents resulting from defects or malfunctions in those vehicles as well. Manufacturers have a duty to make sure that their products are safe before they sell them, so any defect in your vehicle could be grounds for filing a lawsuit against the company that made it.
Third Party (e.g., another driver involved in the crash)
Third party liability is when someone else other than the truck driver or company is at fault. This can be used to sue for damages and/or compensation. For example, if a third party driver was speeding and rear-ended your vehicle while you were stopped at a red light, they would be at fault and their insurance would cover the damages to your vehicle as well as any injuries sustained in the crash (if there were any).
Laws Governing Truck Accident Claims in Houston
There are a number of laws that govern truck accident claims in Houston, and each case is unique. If you are injured as a result of a truck accident, you may be able to file a claim with your insurance company. Here are some key facts to know about filing a truck accident claim in Houston:
The statute of limitations
is two years.
In Texas, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that if you are injured in an accident and would like to file a claim for damages, you must file within two years from the date of the accident. The clock does not start ticking on this deadline until after your injuries have healed and you are competent enough to make a decision about your case. There are exceptions, however, which can extend the deadline for filing a claim. For example, if you were not able to file within two years due to being incapacitated by mental or physical health issues (e.g., from brain damage), then your statute of limitations may be extended.
The law takes truck accidents seriously in Texas
In Texas, the law takes truck accidents seriously. Trucking companies are typically insured against liability claims in the event of an accident, but that doesn't mean you can't make a claim against them. The first thing to understand is that Texas is a "fault state." This means that if you're injured because of another person's negligence, they have to pay for your damages. If you're partially at fault for getting into an accident with a truck driver, however (for example, by failing to yield), some of your damages may be reduced based on how much blame you shoulder for causing harm.
Another important point about Texas law is its comparative negligence system—in other words: if you and another party both played some role in causing an accident (for example by both swerving suddenly), then there will be no cap placed on how much money either party can recover from each other. This means that if two drivers each cause $100 worth of damage during their collision and no one else is hurt as a result thereof , then they'll both get fully compensated regardless!
Understanding Truck Accident Injuries
Whether you're driving a car or a truck, accidents can happen. When they do, it's important to understand how the injuries from these accidents differ from those that occur in smaller vehicles.
In this article, we'll explain the most common injuries sustained by truck drivers and passengers as well as steps you can take now to help keep yourself safe on the road.
Head and Brain Injuries
Concussion is one of the most common types of traumatic brain injury (TBI). A concussion can occur when an object strikes your head or if you fall and hit your head on anything hard enough to cause unconsciousness. Symptoms include headaches, difficulty concentrating, nausea, dizziness and sleepiness.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are the most common injury in truck accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is important to know that broken bones can be life threatening. They can also cause permanent disability and pain and suffering, as well as financial loss.
Amputated Limbs or Extremities
Amputation is the removal of a limb or external body part. Injuries can be to arms, legs, hands, feet, toes and fingers. Amputation can be caused by trauma (a car accident), disease or illness. It may also occur as a result of an accident during surgery to repair a broken bone in which too much healthy tissue is removed from around the injured area.
Torso or Rib Injuriues
Ribs are the bones that protect your lungs and heart. When a rib is fractured, it may puncture the lung or damage blood vessels in your chest cavity. Ribs can also be bruised by seatbelts, which can cause pain to increase over time. Airbags can deploy with enough force to fracture ribs because they're designed to provide protection for occupants during sudden stops or collisions—they're designed to be strong!
Neck and Back Injuries
Injuries to the cervical spine (neck) are usually due to compression fractures at one or more of the vertebrae. This can be caused by sudden impact of the head against a hard surface, such as hitting your head against the dashboard during an accident. Neck and back injuries are common in truck accidents.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are the most serious type of injury. They are often fatal, and they can be difficult to diagnose because they don't show up on X-rays or CT scans. Internal injuries often require surgery to repair them, and sometimes the damage is so bad that part of your body has to be removed in order for you to survive. The complications from internal injuries can linger long after treatment is complete, affecting your health and quality of life for years or decades into the future.
Cuts and Lacerations
A cut is an injury where the skin has been broken. The severity of a cut depends on how deep it is, and whether or not it bleeds heavily. Cuts can be very minor or become more serious as they heal, depending on the type of injury.
Seatbelt and Airbag Injuries
Even though you may not have heard about it, seatbelt and airbag injuries are a serious concern in the trucking industry. These types of injuries can occur when you're traveling in a vehicle that has been involved in an accident. If you're wearing your seatbelt properly and have not been intoxicated, then this is less likely to happen to you—but that doesn't mean it can't.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death claim is a civil case that can be filed in court by the family of someone who died as a result of another person's negligence. A wrongful death claim is brought against both sides of an accident, including the driver and owner of a truck, car or other vehicle involved in an accident.
Investigate truck crash claims in Houston now and get your fair settlement. Trust Attorney Sgt. Pike!
Legal Differences Between Car Accidents and 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents in Houston
When a car crashes into another object, the legal system will typically handle the case in a way that is different than when a truck crashes into another object.
Here are four key differences:
Injuries and damages
For starters, injuries are usually more severe in 18-wheeler truck accidents. A lot of this has to do with the size and weight of large trucks—when they collide with smaller cars and trucks, there's a greater chance that people will be injured or killed.
In addition to severity issues related to injuries sustained during an accident involving an 18-wheeler truck, there's also often more extensive damage caused by these types of collisions as well.
Parties Involved
If you've been involved in a car accident, it's important to know who is responsible for your injuries. The parties involved will vary depending on the type of car accident and how it occurred. In some cases, multiple people can be at fault for an accident.
Here's a look at who may be responsible:
- Driver of the car - If you were driving when your vehicle was hit by another driver, then your insurance company will likely cover any medical bills as well as pay for lost wages or other damages that result from the crash.
- Passenger of the car - If someone else was driving and they caused an accident that injured you, then their insurance company would be responsible for paying all associated costs without regard to fault. That said, there are some exceptions such as when someone else was driving while intoxicated or texting while behind the wheel (this is illegal in Texas). In these situations where one party is clearly more at fault than others involved in an accident, they'd still have their own policy but would also need supplemental coverage through personal injury protection (PIP) offered under certain policies (more on PIP below). This type of coverage helps protect people injured through no fault of their own during accidents caused by uninsured drivers or drivers who cause bodily harm intentionally—and because Texas law requires that drivers carry liability insurance only up until age 25 years old; if you're 26 years old or older this type of coverage isn't mandatory unless specifically opted into by both parties prior signing contracts with each other before agreeing upon terms
Laws and Regulations
While state laws regarding car accidents are different from one state to another, federal laws apply to all. When you're involved in an 18-wheeler truck accident, you need to understand the differences between state and federal regulations.
Federal laws are stricter than those established by individual states. This means that even if your accident happened in Texas, where there aren't many restrictions on trucks and trailers, you may still be liable for damages if it was caused by negligence on your part.
State law applies only within its borders; however, federal law applies everywhere—including Texas—and can hold you responsible even if your car's license plate is registered in another state (as long as there's proof that it was traveling through or within its borders).
Evidence and Investigations
In the aftermath of an accident, evidence and investigations will be conducted to determine who is at fault. First responders will collect body parts and other physical pieces that could provide information about what happened during the crash. They may also take photos or videos from various angles, including from the air in some cases.
At this point, one officer will be assigned to be lead investigator on the case. This person is responsible for collecting all available information about what happened leading up to and during the crash. The lead investigator will gather witness statements and do their own investigation with help from other officers at the scene if necessary.
How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost
Neither Attorney Sgt. Pike nor his team receive compensation unless your case is settled. In other words, he doesn’t get paid until you do. He has skin in the game in every case. Just as he risked his life for his country, he now risks his own financial wellbeing beside you so you have a vested interest as a team in achieving victory.
Call Our Experienced Truck Accident Injury Attorney in Houston
Why Choose Attorney Sgt. Pike As Your Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston
Inspired by his experiences as a Special Forces Operator (Army Green Beret), Attorney Sgt. Pike has developed a special A-Team of his own to handle your truck accident: the Truck Accident Response Team (T.A.R.T.™).
Unique Approach
Attorney Sgt. Pike activates the T.A.R.T.™ team immediately after being hired in appropriate cases then deploys them to the area of the crash. The T.A.R.T.™ team consists of specialized personnel trained in every aspect of truck accidents and can be deployed within hours of a serious 18-Wheeler wreck. Only by employing this unique, advanced system can vital evidence be preserved and protected.
Aggressive
With this unique approach—incomparable with the methods used by other lawyers claiming to be experts in this complex field—Attorney Sgt. Pike’s proven T.A.R.T.™ system cannot be defeated by the trucking industry. In this way, Sgt. Pike is able to secure substantial monetary compensation for those clients farsighted enough to hire him.
Tireless
With Attorney Sgt. Pike and his T.A.R.T.™ system at your side, the nefarious methods used by insurance companies to worm their way out of the compensation you are owed will simply fall apart.
Great Success
Attorney Sgt. Pike has taken on Big Trucking thousands of times before and won, time and time again, and will do the same for you.
FAQs
Who are Potential Houston Truck Collision Defendents?
When a truck collides with another vehicle, the truck driver can be held liable. The potential defendants in these accidents can include the truck driver, the other motorist, and the truck manufacturer.
How Can Violations of Trucking Safety Regulations Help My Case?
If you've been injured in a truck accident, you may be wondering how violations of trucking safety regulations can help your case. A truck driver who violates safety regulations can be held liable for your injuries. This means that the driver could be fined or even imprisoned. In some cases, the driver's insurance company may also be responsible for paying your damages.
If you were injured in a truck accident as a result of someone else's negligence, talk to an attorney about your legal options. An attorney can help you determine whether you have a valid claim and provide advice on how to build a strong case.
Truck Accident Claims Process in Houston
If you have been involved in a truck accident in Houston, you likely have many questions about the process for making a claim. In general, the process is fairly straightforward.
The first step is to contact your insurance company or Truck Accident Claims administrator (TACCA). They will help determine if you are eligible for benefits and will provide information about how to file a claim.
After filing your claim, your insurance company or TACCA will send you a notice of settlement or denial. If your claim is denied, you may want to consider consulting an attorney.
What if I Am Partly at Fault for a Truck Accident in Houston, Texas?
If you are partially at fault in a truck accident in Houston, Texas, you may be able to recover money damages. In order to prove your case, you will need to demonstrate that you were not entirely at fault for the accident.
Additionally, you may be able to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs. If you have been injured in a truck accident in Houston, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.