Challenges Faced by Houston Truck Accident Victims

At the forefront of the challenges faced by Houston truck accident victims is the long-term restoration of health from painful and catastrophic injuries. Even without serious injuries, victims often face the inconvenience of property damage and financial instability caused by lost time from work.

Our truck accident attorneys will briefly describe the types of challenges that truck accident victims experience and their need for an experienced law firm to help them sort things out.

Challenge #1:  Getting Medical Help

The priority in any truck accident should be getting medical assistance to persons injured in the accident. If luck is on everyone’s side, the truck driver, car passengers, or standby witnesses make the call to the police and alert EMS teams to arrive to make the initial evaluations. If both drivers are seriously injured and no witnesses exist, then a smartphone assistant may be the only way to get help immediately.

In addition, collecting information about the drivers, passengers, and other witnesses is important. The police officers on the scene will gather contact and insurance information. They will also conduct a cursory investigation into how the accident occurred, including descriptions of the direction the vehicles traveled and their ending positions. EMS personnel gather initial medical information. All other in-depth analyses and investigations will wait for the insurance company investigators and the private attorney investigators.

Challenge #2: Gathering the Pertinent Information

Challenges faced by Houston truck accident victims include gathering information about the truck’s physical condition before the trip, and the truck driver’s conduct before and during the trip. Trucking industry regulations require drivers to maintain a trip log. The trip log tracks the number of hours the driver was on duty, and how many hours the driver spent driving, resting, and sleeping. The log also records the trucking company, the carrier, the vehicle number, how many miles the truck was driven, and the shipper.

The driver may record this information manually on paper or use an electronic recording device. In a contentious case, obtaining this information may require the plaintiff’s attorney to submit a request for documents during discovery.

Challenge #3: Who Is to Blame for the Houston Truck Accident?

Determining who is liable for financial compensation is one of the most difficult challenges faced by Houston truck accident victims. For instance, the number of potential defendants is larger than is usually found in the average motor vehicle accident. Potential defendants include trucking company owners, shippers, loaders, drivers, maintenance personnel, and lessees. All of these individuals may have played a part in the accident. In addition, the driver of the average-sized motor vehicle involved may also have contributed to the accident.

The attorneys for both sides of the lawsuit will present evidence of the negligence exhibited and of any violations of the federal laws that govern interstate trucking in the U.S.

Hire a Houston Attorney if You Are Facing Legal and Financial Challenges After a Truck Crash

The most consequential action you can take today on behalf of your injured loved one is to contact Schechter, Shaffer, and Harris without further delay. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers who will review the facts of your accident, assess the value of your potential lawsuit, and guide you on the best way forward for a successful demand for compensation.

From the first meeting, our skilled attorneys are prepared to address all the challenges faced by Houston truck accident victims.