Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

A local woman was killed outside of Alvin, Texas when a big rig loaded with grass hit a vehicle pushing that vehicle into a car in which she was a passenger.

The truck wreck happened Monday afternoon on FM 1462 about 4 miles E. of Highway 288 and involved at least 4 different vehicles.

According to the DPS, a SUV was struck by a tractor-trailer when the SUV was attempting to cross FM 1462, causing the SUV to hit a Toyota going west on FM 1462. The deceased was a passenger in the Toyota.

The driver of the Toyota was Life Flighted to Memorial Herman hospital for treatment.

After the initial impact the tractor-trailer jackknifed and struck a pickup truck on 1462, officers indicated.

The DPS will reconstruct the accident and the investigation into the cause of the truck wreck is continuing at this time.

Continue reading "Brazoria County truck wreck leads to death" »

A semi truck ran over a car early in the morning and killed at least one person and injured others. The fatal Texas truck accident happened outside of Balch Springs, on the LBJ Freeway early in the morning.

As the photograph below shows there was not much left of the car that was run over by the 18-wheeler.

The truck wreck happened on the LBJ Freeway and closed the highway for several hours pending investigation by authorities. As of today no details have been released about the preliminary results of the investigation or the victims names.

My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and I hope that those who survived the initial impact recover quickly and come home to their loved ones.

Truck drivers are regulated by states and also by the federal government in an effort to you ensure safety of the motoring public. Given the size and weight of tractor-trailers and the reduced stopping power of a semi truck it is imperative that trucking companies and their drivers strictly adheres to the safety regulations.

Continue reading "Truck accident turns deadly in Texas" »

Police were called to the scene of a tractor-trailer accident where the two rear wheels fell off a big rig and caused a wreck. The equipment failure occurred about one in the afternoon when both rear wheels fell off the truck.

Three other vehicles were involved in the truck accident, according to reports. Not long ago, I wrote about a woman who had lost her life due to a big rig losing its wheel, which crashed into her windshield and caused her death.

Truck drivers are expected to inspect their equipment before each trip and after each trip. Not only do truck drivers have legal responsibility for the condition of their rig but also truck companies have a non-Dell available duty under the Federal motor carrier safety regulations to comply with the regulations as far as safety of equipment.

There is no excuse for a truck having a wheel come off and cause at a wreck. Not only is the public at risk, the truck driver is also at risk.

Many times truck companies contract out the maintenance of the fleet, however that does not relieve the trucking company of legal responsibility for the condition of the truck.

Continue reading "Wheels fall off big rig and cause wreck" »

At least four different vehicles were involved in a fatal crash on Houston Highway 59 not far from Interstate 45 turnoff.

An 18-wheeler struck a tan sedan and caused significant damage and probably the fatality. Officers are still investigating the cause of the fatal truck accident and no preliminary conclusions are available at this time.

Reports indicate that rescue workers had to cut the passengers out of the car. Whenever a fatal truck accident occurs in Texas, the DPS typically sends an experienced accident reconstructionist to fully reenact the wreck.

Many times, the reconstruction takes 2-3 weeks before the official report is published. In this truck accident reports give us no clue as to responsibility for the death.

Trucking companies use quick response teams to get to the scene and witnesses as soon as possible and usually, within hours of a fatal wreck.

If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident, call an experienced and reputable truck accident lawyer as soon as you can after the accident.

Continue reading "Fatal truck accident Houston" »

Automobile and semi truck accidents can lead to any number of temporary and permanent physical injuries that alter a person's quality of life. One type of injury that is especially heart wrenching is temporary or permanent paralysis.

The medical definition of the word paralysis is the 'complete loss of control of a single muscle or group of muscles'. When paralysis affects only small portions of the body such as the inability to move your leg or arm then it is considered to be 'local'. Global paralysis is more generalized and is actually a loss of sensation throughout the body.

Paralysis is a complicated type of injury. If a person suffers temporary paralysis it is usually as a result of swelling or pressure on the nervous system. When pressure or swelling occurs it inhibits the spinal cord functions but full recovery is possible when the swelling subsides.

Although there are many researchers studying paralysis, unfortunately, there is no cure for permanent paralysis as of yet.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approximately 55% of paralysis cases occur as a result of an automobile, motorcycle or truck collision. Certain types of crashes make a person more susceptible to paralysis than others.

For instance, in roll-over crashes the car compresses and body parts become unnaturally misshapen and the spinal cord may be affected. The automakers are required to ensure that the roofs of their products can withstand a roll-over without becoming crushed and further injuring any passengers.

Continue reading "55% of paralysis cases are caused by vehicle accidents" »

Today's automobiles incorporate many new safety features but the seat belt and airbag will remain the most beneficial in preventing deaths as a result of a car accident.

Airbags are designed to deploy in front-end or near front-end collisions. The United States requires deployment in a crash deceleration of as little as 14mph into a barrier.

The concept of the airbag is that it is a soft pillow to land on in the event of a crash. Since 1998 all new cars must have front airbags for the driver and passenger but many auto manufacturers have gone beyond this minimal requirement and include up to eight airbags placed strategically throughout the vehicle.

To understand the basics of how airbags work we must turn to simple physics and the laws of motion. Moving objects have momentum (the product of an object's mass and velocity). The object will continue to move in its original direction at a predetermined speed unless it meets up with an outside force. To stop an object in motion requires force acting over a period of time.

In the case of auto accident the car's momentum stops instantly when it comes into contact with another vehicle or object but the persons inside will continue moving until a force is imposed to cause it to stop.

The goal of the airbag is to help stop the passenger while doing as little damage to him or her as possible. This must happen within the fraction of a second. The airbag actually slows the person without abruptly stopping them. In this way there is less possibility of serious injuries.

Continue reading "Air bags-important auto accident safety feature" »

Wet streets in Houston from our recent downpour contributed to cause an accident with a semi truck on Saturday. The truck accident happened on Interstate 10 not far from downtown Houston.

According to officials, the semi truck driver lost control of the tractor-trailer and crashed the truck on Interstate 10.

With significant truck accidents and with trucks overturned, HAZMAT was called in to ensure that the fuel spills, if any, were properly dealt with to avoid discharge of contaminants into our waters and further accidents on the roadway.

Much of Interstate 10 was closed due to this major truck accident. The traffic congestion was significant and long delays were the order of the day on Interstate 10.

The truck driver was helped from his wrecked semi and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation of injury.

Continue reading "18-wheeler accident closes I -10" »

Selecting a truck accident injury attorney is not as complex as some would have you believe. Many sources of referral exist to aid your effort in locating a reputable incompetent auto accident attorney.

Some tips to help your evaluation of on truck accident injury lawyers. First, look for a firm that does not have a huge volume practice. If you are a case number to the law firm and not an individual chances are your experience will not be that much fun.

Second, look for experience as a track record speaks volumes in how the attorney has handled other cases. Each case is unique and you cannot gauge past results to future cases, but a track record is probably the best indicator of attorney competence.

Third, after you have spoken with the attorney of your choosing is the lawyer interested in you as a person or paycheck?

Many personal injury claims get litigated and the lawsuit process can be long, choose someone you trust and can depend upon.

Continue reading "Truck Accident Injury Attorney- what you need know in selecting one" »

The Baumgartner law firm recently settled a 18 wheeler accident case for a confidential sum. The trucking company originally denied the injury claim and the Baumgartner law firm filed a lawsuit.

After initial discovery was conducted and a trial date was set, the lawsuit was settled at the request of the defense.

The terms of the settlement are confidential pursuant to an agreement between the parties.

Continue reading "Baumgartner law firm settles truck accident case" »

A two-year-old boy climbed under a commercial vehicle that was hauling trash from an empty house. The toddler was unnoticed by the driver of the truck or his passenger. Apparently, when the truck drove off the little boy got caught in the undercarriage.

It was reported that the two-year-old boy lived next door to the empty house and was out playing. The drivers had no idea that the little boy was under their truck.

This tragic accident is one that just rips your heart out. I can only imagine the pain that the family of the little boy feels. I also feel sorry for the truck drivers who did not know the little boy was under the truck. I'm sure that this tragic accident is going to be very difficult for them to deal with as well.

Continue reading "Toddler dies in tragic truck accident" »

In Houston, a driver of an 18-wheeler was fatally injured in a accident with another truck. The 18-wheeler caught fire and consumed one of the vehicles.

It is unknown at this time if the driver died from blunt force injuries or from the vehicle fire. The accident happened on US 59 just outside of Rosenberg, Texas.

The identity of the truck driver who was killed has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Authorities are investigating the 18-wheeler accident and no preliminary results are available.

The 18-wheeler accident closed the southbound lanes of Highway 59 four several hours. The cleanup of the 18 with her accident was a significant undertaking.

Continue reading "Two 18-wheelers crash outside of Houston and truck driver killed " »

Since driving safety is so important let's use this blog to continue our conversation on it and offer you some more great ways to avoid accidents.

Today's first tip is never cross highway medians. It is not uncommon for people to find themselves turned around on the highway and headed in the wrong direction. When this happens it may be several miles before you reach the next exit and can turn yourself around.

Then you see a median ahead and to the left and the temptation is to use it to cut across the highway and get turned around faster. But this is a dangerous if not deadly idea. To do this you must slow down on the highway which is never a good idea.

Other drivers may be going too fast to avoid running into the rear of your vehicle. They may swerve to keep from hitting you and wind up causing a chain reaction in which a number of vehicles collide.

Pulling out into speeding traffic on the other side of the highway holds an equal number of similar perils. In the seconds that it takes your car to go from 0 to 60 m.p.h. other vehicles have to negotiate around you - and some find themselves in the untenable and unavoidable situation of running into you or someone else.

In many states it is illegal to use the media to cross the highway. Prohibited or not - it's a bad and potentially deadly idea.

For everybody's sake just go to the next exit and turn around. Drive safely.

Continue reading "Do not use medians to do a "U" turn!" »

Although we have 'talked' about safe driving in other blogs it is a topic so important that we should return to it on a regular basis. We have already waxed long on the importance of giving your driving your full attention and keeping your speeds down.

Too, we have pointed out the folly of driving while intoxicated or otherwise impaired.

Now let's add to this list of safety tips with some never-before-discussed ideas.
First, you should map out your route before you leave the house when going on a trip or to a location that is foreign to you.

This will prevent you from taking your eyes on the road to look for street names and building numbers. It will also keep you from slowing down in busy traffic and causing other motorists to have to drive around you or guess what you are doing.

Too, if you are going on a long driving trip bring your car to an acceptable speed and then engage the cruise control. This will ensure you are driving at an even, measured pace which is the safest way to motor on the highways.

A third important tip seems obvious. If you are taking a long road trip get plenty of rest the night before and stop often to stretch and relax. When you stop get out and walk around so that you can keep the blood flowing and remain alert.

Driving is more than a pastime. It's serious business - one could even say a matter of life and death.

Continue reading "Planning your trip- can help you arrive safely" »

If you are in an accident caused by another driver then you may file a bodily injury and damage claim with the other driver's insurance company. The following information will be helpful to know in the event of this.

When you file a claim the person who takes care of it is called an insurance adjuster. The first thing he or she will do is to take a recorded statement from you regarding your view of the facts of the accident. You must be prepared to provide estimates of the damage done to your vehicle as well as any doctor or hospital bills that were the result of bodily injury.

It is important for the reader to understand that - although insurance companies all but delight in taking your money in the form of monthly premiums - they are not as anxious to pay out on a claim against them and will do everything they can to minimize the settlement.

Because of this fact, it is probably a good idea to speak with a lawyer first. This may prevent you from 'speaking out of turn' - or saying something that could allow the insurance company to offer a smaller settlement than you deserve.

The insurance company of the driver who caused the accident will request proof of any claim you make for lost wages, medical care and vehicle damage. States take different stances in regard to insurance claims for bodily injury. Some have strict rules while others have a 'no fault' approach.

Either way, filing a claim or suing for a settlement is a lengthy, tenuous process. Your best bet is to hire an attorney who specializes in auto accidents. They will put your best interests first.

Continue reading "Accident adjusters get paid -not to pay!" »

In our blogs we often refer to 'injuries' as a result of automobile or semi truck accidents. While not wanting to alienate my readers by providing extremely graphic information - we will offer some general examples for your edification.

Bodily injuries run the gamut of minor to critical or life-threatening. Depending on the severity of the accident one may simply sustain inconsequential cuts, bruises and other abrasions - and can walk away from the accident.

More serious injuries include broken bones - which, by the way, are painful and take not a small amount of time to mend - and open wounds. The most serious injuries are traumatic brain, neck and spinal cord damage as well as internal injuries to any vital organs.

An average of 50,000 Americans die in traffic accidents each year. Realizing this, it is simple to understand why there is a need for auto insurance companies as well as law firms that specialize in vehicular injuries and fatalities.

The specifics of each accident are unique but their cause can usually be traced to a handful of reasons or common themes - as it were. Distracted and drunk driving are the leading causes of automobile accidents.

Most of the time a driver does not intend to injure or kill an innocent stranger (or strangers). Instead, they have simply taken leave of their senses. I would guess that 100% of those drivers who cause accidents that result in bodily injury or death to another person would gladly undo their actions if they could.

Unfortunately, you can't turn back time. Think about that - and imagine for a moment if the person with the broken bones or life -threatening injuries was your loved one.

That's a mental picture that would make most drivers take their driving responsibility more seriously and realize how unjust tort reform really is to benefit wrongdoers and the expense of the real injury victim.

Drive safely please - the life you safe may be someone else's.

Continue reading "You cant take back an accident!" »