Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

Perhaps the most common phrase uttered after a vehicle collision of any type is "but it was an accident". An accident is a calamity of sorts, misfortune, misadventure - something that is often physically injurious however.

Never does one hear the phrase "but it was negligence" after a vehicle collision. This term means disregard, inattentiveness and laxity and connotes serious consequences. Are the two words interchangeable?

For instance, if a person is changing the radio and causes an accident - is he or she negligent? They were inattentive but it wasn't deliberate.

Last weekend, in a neighboring state, a semi truck driver was starting his day bright and early - 6:30 a.m. So were several other families. The truck driver ran a stop sign - one he didn't see because the sun was in his eyes. A minor inconvenience and in a nanosecond - in the time of a single breath - he rear-ended an SUV and minivan.

In this truck accident a seventeen year old boy died at the scene and seven people were taken to the hospital as a result - but it was an accident. Statistics place the number of annual traffic accident wrongful deaths at anywhere from 43,000 to 50,000.

Rarely does a driver set out to deliberately kill someone with their vehicle - car or truck (although occasionally someone will intentionally use their vehicle as a weapon). It's always an accident - and nearly 50,000 times a year someone pays for this accident with their life.

Continue reading "But it was an Accident!" »

Driving on Houston roadways can occasionally be likened to inserting yourself in the middle of a free-for-all. Every day one can count on the reality that several accidents will occur around town - some serious, some fatal - and often for the two simple reasons that a driver is either intoxicated or distracted.

Consider the circumstances of the following wrecks that were reported in a single 24 hour period.

A 36 year old woman was charged with vehicular assault and a DUI after crashing into a man on a motorcycle and injuring him. She allegedly failed to yield the right of way to the biker at a four way stop and he subsequently was taken to the hospital in critical condition. She remains in jail in lieu of bond.

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A late night high-impact car accident claims the life of one man in Harris County. The details of the incident are yet unknown and will be made available when possible.
Widen your search to include neighboring states and the story repeats itself with eerie similarity.

Two people died and four people were injured in a wreck early Sunday morning on Startown Road in Catawba County. Several news outlets report that a pickup truck crossed the center line and struck another truck head-on, quoting the N.C. Highway Patrol.

It is a fact that an average of no less than 100 people a day - or 2 persons per state - lose their lives in traffic accidents. If you have been involved in a traffic accident seek the guidance of a professional and experienced Houston truck accident lawyer to ensure your rights are safeguarded.

Continue reading "100 People a Day Are Lost in Car Accidents" »

There is more than enough tragedy to go around as a result of a drunk driving accident in Houston several weeks ago. An evening that began as a birthday celebration ended with horrific consequences.

According to the official police report four girls were on their way home when the driver of another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the Excursion - ejecting two girls from the vehicle who died at the scene. A third female died at the hospital later that night. One young lady, survived the accident.

The blood alcohol content of the driver indicated that he was legally intoxicated.

The young girl who survived killed herself with a shotgun wound to her chest this week.

Experts are now pointing out that a lack of access to counseling support after the accident is directly correlated to this young lady's suicide - and who, in hind sight, could disagree?

Her struggle with survivor's guilt was well documented on her computer. Her overwhelming depression may have masked suicidal tendencies that professional counselors are trained to identify and treat. Professionals point out that those who choose to end their own lives usually do not do so because of a desire to end their own life - but more often to end the emotional pain from which they suffer.

There are a number of counseling services in the greater Houston area whose services are free to the community. These include Family Services of Greater Houston and the Texas Department of State Health Services. If you suspect someone is considering suicide do not hesitate to contact these organizations for support.

This terrible tragedy is a warning to all of us that signs of depression or need for help may not be that easy to recognize.

Continue reading "Houston Accident Survivor Kills Herself" »

In another Houston highway fatality, a tow truck driver was killed today in a truck accident. According to police, the driver was in a hurry to beat another tow truck to the scene of a car accident to tow the vehicles.

Reports indicate that 2 wrecker drivers were racing down Jensen Road early this morning in an effort to get to the scene of another wreck first.

On reaching an intersection one of the wreckers swerved to miss a car at a light and sideswiped it, losing control of the truck and hitting two polls and rolling over. The truck driver died at the scene of the accident.

Reports indicate that the other tow truck did not stop at the scene of the accident. Fortunately, the driver of the car that was sideswiped sustained only minor injuries.

In a bizarre twist, the driver of the car who police said was not at fault for the fatal truck accident was over the limit for blood alcohol and was arrested for DWI, according to reports.

This is not the first reported accident relating to wreckers trying to get to the scene of an accident to secure the tow. My heart goes out to the family members of the truck driver who perished in the accident.

This accident shows that even large vehicles are in jeopardy on the highways and

Continue reading "A Wrecker Driver Killed in Houston Truck Accident" »

Today in Houston, a man died after the pickup in which he was riding struck an 18-wheeler parked on the shoulder of the road police reported. The truck accident occurred on the 3100 block of West Loop North early this morning.

Reports indicate that a passenger in the pickup truck died at the scene. The pickup driver was taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest hospital for injuries.

The police are still investigating the cause of the accident fatal 18-wheeler accident.

18-wheelers have very specific rules regarding parking on the side of the road. The rules are covered in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and provide express guidance to truck drivers parking their trucks.

Many times, truck accidents are a combination of factors all working together to cause the accident. In this case, hypothetically, the pickup driver may be partly responsible for not staying in a lane of traffic. Likewise, if an 18-wheeler driver did not follow applicable truck safety rules the truck driver and the trucking company may be partly responsible for the wrongful death of the pickup truck passenger.

While the specific factors of this accident are unknown at this time, in any serious truck accident it pays to get facts from the scene as early as humanly possible.

Continue reading "Accident With parked 18-Wheeler Kills Houston Man " »

A Houston police officer that was responding to a call was injured when she crashed through an apartment complex fence last night. The car accident occurred about midnight Thursday evening.

According to reports, the officer sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for care.

The cause of the auto accident is under investigation and no report has been issued at this time. One could assume that the veteran officer was trying to get to what has been reported as an assault in progress as quickly as possible to save Houston lives.

Fortunately, no one else was reported hurt from the officers car accident and her injuries do not look to be serious.

The Houston 100 club is an organization that supports families of officers who lose their lives in the line of duty and is a worthwhile organization to support. You can contact the Houston 100 club at 713-952-0100.

Continue reading "Houston Police Officer Crashes into Apartment Complex " »

An 18 wheeler flipped over on the Katy Freeway causing Houston commuters much frustration Friday morning.

The truck accident happened on the ramp to the Katy Freeway from the West Loop northbound. The accident shut down the roadway for several hours during peak traffic times.

Alternative routes were selected by many to avoid the snarled traffic. Unfortunately, in Houston such truck accidents occur almost every day. In this case it appears that the only one hurt was the truck driver and reports indicated that his injuries were minor.

Reports indicate that the DPS was inspecting the roadway to make sure that the road and the guard rails did not sustain damage.

Apparently, the 18 wheeler driver was ticketed for failure to maintain a center lane.

When truck drivers flip or rollover the clearing of the roadway takes much longer than in a car accident. Mainly it takes longer to clear the accident site due to the size and weight of the tractor-trailers. Sometimes, a load can get distributed over the roadway that requires extra caution and labor to ensure the roadway is safe for motoring traffic.

Continue reading "Truck Flips and Closes Katy Freeway" »

Police reports indicate that a driver of a pickup truck fled the scene of an automobile accident after crashing into a car in West Houston Sunday evening.

The auto accident happened on Westheimer near Jeanetta about midnight and reports indicate that the pickup truck is thought to have run a red light prior to slamming into the victim's vehicle.

The driver of the call are that was struck by the pickup has been taken to the hospital and noted as in serious but stable condition.

The Houston area has been plagued by hit and run accidents where a Houstonian has been injured or killed and the driver of the bullet vehicle having fled the scene.

If you have any information about the hit and run please contact the Houston Police Department.

Continue reading "Another hit and run in Houston" »

A semi truck flipped over on a Houston toll road this week and caught fire. The tractor-trailer was carrying gasoline and the fire was huge.

According to witnesses the tractor-trailer was struck by a van when another vehicle ran a red light and caused the truck accident.

A massive fire resulted when the trucks fuel spilled onto the roadway and caught fire. The flames were so high that it was well over an hour before firefighters could extinguish the fuel fed fire.

The truck driver appeared to survive the truck wreck without injury. The driver of the van was taken to Willowbrook Methodist Hospital for treatment of injuries.

The traffic on the Houston tollway was backed up and for quite some time closed in both directions. Hazmat crews would have been dispatched to assist in the cleanup whenever a fuel spill is affecting the roadway.

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" »

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" »

In Houston, Texas the drunk driver capital of the United States another victim of suspected drunk driving was critically injured last night.

A local man was in critical condition Sunday morning after being struck outside a local nightclub in the parking lot. Authorities indicated the driver of a Ford Mustang hit the victim at a high rate of speed in the parking lot of the Escapade nightclub off the Eastex Freeway.

The man suspected of drunk driving apparently lost control of his Ford Mustang and struck the victim causing great bodily harm. The victim was taken to Ben Taub Hospital and is reportedly in critical condition.

Houston has a great many drunk driving accidents and fatalities, and Texas leads the nation as the state with the most alcohol related fatalities from car accidents. In 2008 alone over 1400 people lost their lives in Texas due to drinking and driving. That's over 43% of all car accident fatalities in Texas.

It is important to note that not all drunken-driving fatalities are the fault of the drunk driver. Sometimes the alcohol impaired driver just happened to be another car on the road at the time of the crash. However, as one would expect, the single greatest factor in traffic fatalities in Texas is the drinking driver.

Teenage boys and girls are the leading victims in drunk driving accidents. Of all the risks for teenagers, drinking and driving is the highest. Parents, please do your best to communicate the risks to your children of drinking and driving and also the consequences of writing in a car with a drinking driver.

Continue reading "Houston man in critical condition after being struck by suspected drunk driver " »

Around the Houston area there are semi-truck tractor trailer accidents nearly every day. Some of these result in death and others result in bodily injury.

Truck wrecks always leave property damage in their wake as well as traumatized victims and witnesses. Bodily injury is at the same time both a broad and vague term. It cannot begin to explain the hundreds of different afflictions that may be short or long term and cost tens of millions in medical treatments annually.

As always, this injuries is a topic that is difficult to discuss but if it causes just one reader to alter a bad driving habit then it has served a purpose.

Due to the sheer size and weight of a semi tractor trailers the accidents caused by them are usually catastrophic.

Broken bones are only one small type of injury passengers might sustain in a collision. More often neck and spinal cord injuries are the result of a semi truck accident.

Many accident victims receive permanent and debilitating impairments - deformities that alter lives forever. Some are left without the ability to walk - requiring the use of a wheelchair and others never regain consciousness but live in a continued vegetative state. Still others may suffer through an amputation because doctors are unable to save the limb.

Continue reading "Houston truck accidents happen every day. " »

Did you know that there are a series of steps one must take when involved in an automobile accident to protect yourself and your rights? Let us consider these in this blog post.

Automobile accidents take many forms - it could be 2 or more automobiles involved in a collision, a truck-car accident or even one that involves a pedestrian. No matter what type of collision you are involved in follow these easy suggestions.

Immediately following an automobile accident the emotions of everyone involved are running high. Try to stay calm. Never...ever leave the scene of the accident - whether you caused it or not. The exception to this may be if the accident occurred in a deserted area - if it appears that the other driver's intent is to do harm then call the police and drive to the nearest police station. But the general rule is never leave the scene of an injury accident.

If you are able - check on the condition of the other drivers and passengers then immediately call the police. While waiting for their arrival you may want to exchange information such as the name of your insurance companies.

However,...and THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT...do not apologize for anything at the scene. This may result in backing yourself into a corner in terms of legal responsibility.

Finally, get the names and numbers of any witnesses to the accident - something the police will do as well.

Continue reading "Auto accident safety suggestions" »

Unfortunately, semi-truck accidents in and around Houston are a regular occurrence. Many of these are injury accidents and many result in fatalities.

Last year semi-truck accident fatalities accounted for two percent of all highway deaths in Texas and can sometimes be traced to something as simple as inattention behind the wheel, or violation of a truck safety regulation.

Such was the case of the tragedy that transpired near Houston last fall as recounted by this Texas semi-truck accident lawyer. When coming upon a construction zone that requires the driver to minimize their speed a semi-truck driver admitted to being distracted and failing to negotiate the orange barrels placed there to guide drivers.

Horrifically, the semi-truck driver did not even see the traffic jam ahead of him caused by the need to merge two lanes of cars and trucks into one. He slammed directly into the car in front of him without ever hitting the brakes or slowing at all.

Needless to say, when there is a match-up between a ten thousand pound vehicle going over forty miles an hour and a three thousand pound vehicle at a dead standstill - loss of life and property ensue.

In the end the out-of-control semi smashed into several cars and as a result three people were killed. This fatal multiple vehicle collision caused solely by a distracted semi-truck driver is another sad example of the need for experienced semi-truck accident lawyers to exist.

Focus on truck safety is mandatory to prevent, as much as possible, truck crashes. Given the size and weight of big rigs, professional drivers are needed and ongoing examination of the effectiveness of enforcement of truck safety rules required.

We support the ongoing efforts of the Department of Transportation in the management of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Continue reading "2 % of Texas highway deaths are 18-wheeler accident related" »