Texas has the largest highway system in the nation and more miles of interstate highway than any other state. From El Paso to Laredo, from Houston to San Antonio, tractor trailers and semi trucks are constantly moving cargo over the roads. Unfortunately, with thousands of miles of highways and thousands of trucks using them, more fatal 18-wheeler accidents occur in Texas than in any other state — deadly crashes involving semi trucks, tanker trucks, freight trucks, tractor trailers and other big rigs.
A variety of circumstances can lead to an 18-wheeler accident. Among the frequently cited factors are trucks driving too fast for conditions, adverse weather, truck driver fatigue, truckers feeling pressure to make a delivery deadline, and brake problems. All of these factors lead to serious and fatal tractor-trailer crashes on Texas roads and highways. The occupants of the other vehicles struck by large trucks often suffer the most serious injuries.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor-trailer accident, contact an experienced Texas accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP by calling 877-398-4972 or by using our online contact form for a free consultation. We represent tractor-trailer accident victims across Texas, including Houston, Harris County, San Antonio and Fort Worth. We’ll put our truck accident experience to work for you.
One out of nine traffic fatalities in 2008 resulted from a collision involving a large truck. Many of these accidents occurred on rural stretches of highway in the daytime. Tractor-trailer truck drivers involved in accidents are cited for driving too fast almost 50 percent more often than drivers of cars and light duty trucks, according to a 2007 federal study. Nearly one fourth of large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2008 had at least one past speeding conviction. Brake problems were cited in about one third of accidents involving large trucks, the study said.
Truck drivers may feel pressure to push themselves physically beyond the limits of safe operation to make a delivery on time. Driving a big rig for too many hours at a stretch, truckers can become less attentive to highway situations that cause serious accidents and may become dangerously fatigued. Feeling deadline pressure, truckers may also try to keep pushing a big rig 70 miles per hour despite adverse weather and wet or slick road conditions that make high speeds unsafe. Tractor trailers and other large trucks, which may weigh 80,000 pounds, require much longer distances to stop safely than automobiles do.
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our experienced truck accident lawyers understand the many causes and contributing factors of tractor-trailer collisions. We have helped many victims of large truck crashes obtain the compensation they need to get back on their feet after a devastating 18-wheeler crash. We’d like to know how we can help you.
The Texas law firm of Arnold & Itkin LLP, based in Houston, represents victims of truck accidents across Texas, including Houston, Harris County, San Antonio and Fort Worth. We are skilled trial lawyers and aggressive advocates for victims of tractor-trailer collisions and semi accidents. We have successfully handled cases involving speeding, driver error, aggressive driving, negligent maintenance and issues of corporate responsibility in commercial vehicle accidents of all types. We have stood up to some of the largest trucking companies in the United States on behalf of our clients. We have obtained many successful verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims and their families, including multi-million dollar recoveries. We secured more than $100 million on behalf of clients in 2009.
We’re prepared to stand up to trucking companies to secure a settlement that recognizes the severity of your injuries and the disruption to your family. We have extensive experience handling commercial motor vehicle accidents and a track record of success to prove it. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at for a free consultation by calling (866) 222-2606 or by using our online contact form.
