When a behemoth commercial truck crashes into the side of an automobile, the door assembly is the only protection the motorist has. That is not much. Injuries are sure to be catastrophic, if not deadly, and the motorist is not the only one affected. Families suffer, too. When truckers and their employers are negligent, causing T-bone accidents, they should pay for what they have done to you and your family.
You drive safely, and for the most part, truck drivers also comply with safety laws. They have a duty, because their size can cause horrific damage, to avoid harming motorists. Unfortunately, they do inflict harm when they are careless. If you are involved in a side-impact truck accident in Hitchcock, contact the skilled truck crash attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris to discuss your options.
What Causes T-Bone Truck Accidents?
Trucking companies that try to circumvent federal rules are known to offer their drivers incentives to deliver a load early, even if the driver must rack up more hours and miles than permitted. When cargo is delivered early, the next load is on the road sooner, adding to company profits.
Some truckers periodically rise to the challenge and press themselves to keep driving, even if they are exhausted. Mileage and hour logs can be doctored, and truckers may drink or take amphetamines to stay awake. These actions put other motorists at risk, and if a side-impact accident occurs, it could be due to a trucker:
- Failing to brake the big rig properly, causing loss of control and a potential jackknife and side impact accident
- Running a stop sign or yellow light when a motorist is traveling through the intersection
- Failing to maintain the braking system
- Distracted by using a cell phone, eating or drinking, or daydreaming
- Impaired by drugs or alcohol
Thousands of motorists are killed in side-impact truck accidents annually, which does not even acknowledge the thousands more who are injured. Our attorneys seek compensation for those who are injured in side-impact truck crashes in Hitchcock.
The Elements of Negligence
If a side impact truck accident occurs, your Hitchcock attorney will study the police report, talk to witnesses, and review surveillance videos and any other evidence available. The mission is to show the truck driver was negligent because their actions fall below the actions a reasonable truck driver would employ in a similar situation, causing a foreseeable accident, in which you are injured.
The trucking company’s negligence could be proved by showing it did not properly train its employees, did not initiate background checks, or encouraged drivers to engage in substandard behavior, such as driving longer than federal law allows in any one day or week, and offering bribes to do so.
Compensation Available After a T-Bone Truck Crash
If you are embroiled and injured in a side-impact truck crash caused by the truck driver, you are entitled to be compensated for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can be calculated, such as the money you lay out for medical care, the wages you lose while you cannot work, and the damage to your property. Non-economic compensation includes losses that are subjective, such as your pain, emotional trauma, and the psychological impact of living with the aftermath and any disfigurement.
Seek Legal Assistance After Side-Impact Truck Crashes in Hitchcock
Negligence is the basis of truck accidents, and when a trucker is found negligent for broadsiding you, reimbursement is appropriate to cover your losses.
Our personal injury attorneys understand that your life will forever be altered after an accident of this magnitude. Schechter, Shaffer & Harris dedicate our law practice to helping you reclaim the life you enjoyed before the accident. Call us to schedule a consultation to consider how we can help you after a side-impact truck accident in Hitchcock.
