Truck Accidents Often Result in Serious Injury. We can Help You Get the Compensation You Need and Deserve.

The Scope of the Problem

In 2007 over 400 people in Texas lost their lives after having an accident with a large truck.  The number of semi truck accidents has risen every year since 2003 and in Texas alone over 18,000 18 wheeler accidents occur each year.  This means that on average large trucks are involved in 49 accidents a day and that at least one accident a day will end a life.  In most cases, the injured party is an occupant of the smaller car or truck involved in the crash.  If you have been involved in an accident with a large truck, only an experienced Houston, Texas truck accident attorney can help you prove negligence and win your case.

The Trouble with Trucking

Trucking can be a stressful occupation.  In order to meet consumer needs, truckers are encouraged to get loads from point A to point B as quickly as possible.  The more trips a trucker makes, the more money he earns.  Companies encourage this, leaving the driver with two options- make the tight deadline or lose pay. 

This situation is not safe for anyone on the roadway.  Strenuous work loads can cause truckers to make the following mistakes.

• Driving drowsy
• Excessive speeding
• Driving too fast for the conditions
• Aggressive driving
• Improper Maintenance
• Improperly Secured Load/Spilled Loads

Any and all of the above can cause a serious trucking accident.  As commercial trucks far outweigh all other vehicles on the road, they are more likely than passenger cars to be involved in accidents that cause serious injury and death.

Have you been involved in a Texas truck accident?

If you have, you need a truck accident lawyer with the serious experience needed to win your serious injury case.  Trucking accidents can leave the injured with years of rehabilitation and costly surgeries.  At Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P.we have over 100 years of combined experience dealing with serious accidents. 

We are standing by, ready to help you- no matter when you need us.  With 24 hour a day service you can count on us to help you on your road to recovery.  We are happy only when you have been given the restitution you deserve.  Contact a Texas truck accident attorney at SMSH today.  

In order to better serve the diverse population of the US we offer services in Spanish (Espanol) and Vietnamese (tính t?).

Though driving on any road can be dangerous, the following Texas highways and interstates are heavily populated with commercial trucks:  I 610 (The Loop, Loop 610), I 10, I 45, Highway 225, Highway 59, Highway 290, Highway 90, Highway 288, Sam Houston Parkway, Hardy Toll Road

The offices of Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. are located in Houston.  However, we help clients nationwide and in the following Texas cities:  Houston, Pasadena, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Galveston, Port Arthur, Baytown, Beaumont, Kirkwood, Humble, Spring, Round Rock, Katy, League City, Freeport, Corpus Christi, Texas City, Lake Jackson, Bay City, Matagorda Bay, Victoria

Blog for Texas Truck Accidents

• Support Growing for Speed Limiting Devices on Trucks | Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys

  Description: Texas truck accident lawyers support mneasures to install speed limiting devices in commercial trucks to help prevent Texas 18-wheeler accidents.

• Laredo Family Killed in 18-Wheeler Accident | Texas Truck Accident Lawyers

  Description: Texas family killed in tractor-trailer accident near Laredo identified as Manuel Arizola, Johana Sandoval, and their baby Romen Arizola. Investigations continue into the cause of the tractor-trailer crossing the line and striking the family's Toyota.

• Santo Truck Accident Possibly Linked to Driver Fatigue | Texas Truck Wreck Lawyer

  Description: A tractor-trailer accident in Santo earlier this week could possibly have been caused because one of the drivers fell asleep at the wheel.

• More Efforts against Trucker Distractions | Texas Trucking Lawyer

  Description: Texas 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys have learned that the FMCSA may extend their ban on commercial driver distractions beyond texting to include CB radios and electronic dispatch systems. Be sure to watch for upcoming news on what they decide to ban for truckers.

• 18 Wheeler Kills Frisco, Texas Mother and Children, Severely Injures Husband

  Description: The Greene Family was driving from Texas to Louisiana to spend the holiday with relatives when an 18-wheeler rear-ended their SUV on Interstate 20 in Kaufman County. The Texas Truck Accident accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-20 between Terrell and Canton. Lakeysha Greene, a 35-year-old Frisco mother and her two children Wesleigh, 5, and Wyndell II, who was a day away from turning 3 were killed. Her husband remains in the hospital with severe burns.

• New Exercise Treatment Program for Sleep Apnea is Affordable, Effective

  Description: New exercise program effective in treating sleep apnea, which is a significant cause of Texas Trucking Accidents and big rig accidents nationwide. Studies have shown persons, who were taught to perform throat exercises for 30 minutes, had their incidence of sleep apnea reduced by approximately 39%.

• FMCSA Set to Roll out System to Prevent Commercial Driver’s License Fraud

  Description: FMCSA is set to launch a new system to prevent Commercial Driver's License fraud. The current system has too many loopholes through which such unethical and rogue truck drivers are able get licenses. In fact, according to a 2002 report by the Inspector General, such rogue truck drivers have been involved in several serious fatal truck accidents around the country.

• FMCSA Looking at Technology to Prevent Rear Ender Truck Accidents

  Description: FMCSA Looking at Technology to Prevent Rear Ender Truck Accidents such as installation of warning lights on the back of a truck activated by rear facing radar that will detect when a vehicle is getting too close to the back of the truck and other configurations of lights, including lights under the rear under ride guard, as well as additional lighting on the sides of the trailer.

• FMCSA Considering Targeted Approach to Sleep Apnea/Driver Fatigue Issue

  Description: 30% of truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea. This week, the chief of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration addressed the Sleep Apnea and Trucking Conference in Baltimore. Anne Ferro made it clear that tackling the problem of truck drivers and sleep apnea will involve in-depth research into sleep apnea, education, awareness, outreach and intervention.

• Truck Driver May Have Been Texting Just before Fatal Accident

  Description: The dangers of truckers texting or trucking distracted driving has been apparent to Texas truck accident lawyers for a while now. Now, texting while driving is being blamed for a fatal accident in Kentucky last month that killed 11 people, including the driver.

• Texas Woman Injured in 18-Wheeler Accident in Kendall County

  Description: A woman from Boerne in Kendall County had a miraculous escape after an 18-wheeler driver lost control of his truck, crashing it into the woman's pickup. The pickup was wedged underneath the big rig, and the woman was trapped in her vehicle. Rescue workers were able to extricate the woman from the mangled pickup using the Jaws of Life. According to police officers, the truck driver lost control of his truck, and the vehicle slid sideways, jumped the median and struck the woman's vehicle. Officers are blaming wet road conditions for the accident.

• Texas Truck Driver Has Miraculous Escape in Fiery Accident

  Description: A truck driver from Lewisville had a providential escape after his tractor-trailer was involved in an accident that left the rig in flames and completely charred. According to news reports, the accident occurred when a dump truck pulled out in front of the 18 wheeler. The rig collided with the dump truck, and the impact damaged the fuel tank. The 18-wheeler burst into flames, sending the truck spinning out of control, and into a concrete barrier. The trailer was left hanging over the side of the bridge. The truck had been hauling more than 40,000 pounds of frozen chicken.

• Fiery Big Rig Crash in Louisiana Leaves Four Dead

  Description: Four people were killed Friday as the result of a fiery crash on Interstate 10 involving three 18-wheelers and an SUV. The fatal semi truck accident happened just east of Louisiana Highway 77 interchange near the Grosse Tete exit. Grosse Tete is approximately 20 miles from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A Baton Rouge Police officer was among those killed. Our thoughts go out to the family, friends and fellow police officers of Russell Kiger, 37, who was off duty in a personal vehicle with his cousin, Jacob Kiger, 38. Both men died at the scene of Friday's Semi-truck crash. Officer Kiger was a 2-year veteran of the department and a former deputy with the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office. Funeral arrangements are pending.

• Truck Driver Killed in 18-Wheeler Accident in Houston

  Description: A fiery crash involving two 18-wheelers in Houston left one of the truck drivers dead. The accident occurred just after midnight yesterday on Interstate 10. One of the trucks involved in the accident belonged to Academy Sports and Outdoors. The driver told police investigators that the second 18-wheeler rear ended the truck, sending the Academy trailer flipping over. The second truck which was carrying a load of deodorant, then burst into flames. Motorists on the highway tried to help the second 18 wheeler driver get out of his burning truck, but were not successful. The Academy truck driver has also sustained injuries in the crash.

• Sweeney Man Seriously Injured in 18-wheeler-Pickup Truck Accident

  Description: The family and friends of a Sweeney man who was seriously injured in an 18-wheeler accident, are holding a benefit on Saturday morning to help his wife cope with mounting expenses. The man was driving his pickup truck to work when it collided with the truck. He suffered concussions and multiple fractures in his neck, legs, and back. The 54-year-old man had to be airlifted to the University Of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He's expected to be in a back brace and neck brace for at least three months.

• No Accident as Dallas Tanker Truck Driver Drives Wrong Way

  Description: It's hard to imagine what motorists on the Sam Rayburn Tollway in Dallas must have thought when they saw a tanker truck headed towards them in the opposite direction. Luckily, the truck driver did not hit any vehicles as he drove the wrong way. According to news reports, the tanker had struck a pickup truck. The driver then decided that he needed to inform a police officer about the accident. It's beyond odd that the driver could simply make a U-turn on a busy highway, and proceed to drive his massive rig in the opposite direction from dozens of vehicles on a busy Thursday afternoon. He has now been arrested on suspicion of DWI.

• Semi Truck Cash in Grayson County, Texas

  Description: On Highway 75, an accident involving a semi truck and two additional vehicles occurred near the Texas Travel Plaza in Grayson County, Texas last week. Cars on the highway had slowed as the Northbound lane narrowed down to one lane. Unfortunately, while the cars did slow down, a tractor trailer truck did not and it slammed into one car and side-swiped another. Attorney Jonathan S. Harris is board-certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Together with his partners and their associates, Mr. Harris fights relentlessly for those affected by fatal trucking, motorcycle, and car accidents throughout Texas. To schedule a consultation, contact us online or e-mail us at info@smslegal.com.

• 18-wheeler Slides on Ice and Lands Atop Pickup Truck on Interstate 30

  Description: Icy road conditions are to blame for two Texas Motor Vehicle Accidents and one unfortunate death. Paul Smith, 36, of Haltom City died in an accident on Interstate 30 near Arlington, Texas. The wreck involved five cars, two 18-wheelers and two pickups, according to local police. When there is a traffic accident on an icy road, one factor contributing to the accident may be that a driver did not use reasonable caution given the road conditions. However, even given the icy road, the semitrailer truck driver, his employer, the owner of the freight, and others can potentially be liable for a fatal trucking accident. For more information about a Texas semitrailer truck accident lawsuit, please contact SMSH today at info@smslegal.com or by completing our confidential online contact form.

• Truckers Lobby for Safe Parking Areas for Drivers

  Description: The widow of Jason Rivenburg, Hope, addressed a press conference where she pushed for the passing of Jason's Law, which will encourage the Department of Transportation, to collaborate with state and local agencies to expand existing truck rest facilities and build new ones. The bill will provide for funds for building new truck stops and safe resting areas, improving existing truck stops, as well as enhancing access to these facilities so truckers can have a rest area that's close to them. The Houston truck accident lawyers at SMSH represent injured victims of tractor-trailer, 18 wheeler and semi truck accidents in Houston, Galveston, Brazoria and around the state of Texas.

• Central Texas Man Killed In ATV Collision With Tractor-Trailer Truck

  Description: Michael Don Mach, of West, Texas was pronounced dead at the scene of a Texas Trucking Accident last Friday near Prairie Hill in Limestone County. The truck driver, Glenda Zavala, 37, of Ft. Worth, Texas was not injured. The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that Mr. Mach was driving his 4-wheeler ATV across Highway 84 when he collided with the saddle tank of a 2001 Mack tractor-trailer truck. The truck was pulling a belly-dump trailer loaded with asphalt. If you or someone you know has been injured or a death has occurred due to an ATV or other type of Texas Auto Accident, the experienced lawyers of SMSH are here to help you recover compensation. Contact your Texas Personal Injury Lawyer NOW by emailing us at info@smslegal.com.

Library for Texas Truck Accidents:

• Houston Truck Accident Attorney
  Description: Speak to a Houston truck accident attorney at SMSH today. We have a combined 100 years experience representing truck accident victims in Houston, Texas and other cities across the state of Texas. Call now, 1-800-282-2122

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Arthur L. Schechter, Matthew D. Shaffer and Jonathan S. Harris are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

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