Waco Truck Accident Lawyers

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Waco

Truck accidents can be devastating due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. Here are the most common types of truck accidents seen in Waco, Texas:

1. Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by distracted or fatigued drivers, these accidents can be particularly dangerous due to the force of impact from a heavy truck.
2. Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s cab and trailer fold at an angle, often due to sudden braking or slippery roads, it can block multiple lanes of traffic.
3. Underride Accidents: Smaller vehicles can slide under the side or rear of a truck, leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
4. Rollover Crashes: Trucks are prone to tipping over, especially during sharp turns or when carrying improperly loaded cargo.
5. Blind Spot Crashes: Trucks have large blind spots on all sides, and vehicles in these areas are at risk of being hit during lane changes or turns.
6. Tire Blowouts: A sudden tire failure can cause the truck driver to lose control, leading to multi-vehicle collisions.
7. T-Bone Collisions: These side-impact crashes often occur at intersections when a truck driver runs a red light or stop sign.
8. Wide-Turn Accidents: Trucks require extra space to make turns, and failing to account for this can lead to collisions with nearby vehicles or pedestrians.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Several factors contribute to truck accidents in Waco, many of which stem from negligence or violations of safety protocols. Here are some of the leading causes:

1. Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road without adequate rest can impair a truck driver’s reaction time and decision-making.
2. Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, or using navigation systems while driving can lead to accidents.
3. Speeding: Trucks traveling at excessive speeds are harder to control and more likely to cause severe collisions.
4. Improper Cargo Loading: Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing rollovers or loss of control.
5. Mechanical Failures: Poorly maintained trucks with faulty brakes, tires, or engines are prone to accidents.
6. Alcohol or Drug Use: Substance use among truck drivers, while less common, can be a major factor in fatal accidents.
7. Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, and high winds can make it difficult for trucks to maintain control, especially on busy Waco roadways like I-35.
8. Failure to Obey Traffic Laws: Running red lights, failing to yield, or improper lane changes are common violations leading to accidents.

Comprehensive Compensation for Truck Accident Victims

Victims of truck accidents in Waco are entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Here’s a breakdown:

Economic Damages:

• Medical Expenses: Includes hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost during recovery and any future loss of earning capacity.
• Property Damage: Covers repairs or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings.
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Includes transportation to medical appointments, childcare, and other related expenses.

Non-Economic Damages:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When injuries prevent victims from engaging in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed.
• Emotional Trauma: Covers conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, or depression resulting from the accident.

Punitive Damages: In rare cases involving egregious negligence, such as drunk driving or blatant violations of federal safety standards, victims may receive additional damages to punish the at-fault party.

Truck Accident Statistics in Waco, TX

Commercial Trucking Accident Statistics in McLennan County, TX

According to the Waco Police Department, in the broader McLennan County area around Waco. Crash Records Information Systems (CRIS) database, recorded 470 commercial motor vehicle collisions in 2022. These truck crashes consisted of:

• Fatal collisions:  3 fatal truck crashes which fatally injured 4 individuals.
• Serious injury collisions:  11 truck crashes inflicting serious injuries on 12 individuals.
• Minor injury collisions:  49 truck crashes resulting in minor injuries to 66 individuals.
• Possibly injury collisions:  68 truck crashes resulting in possible injuries to 100 individuals.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Waco

The steps you take immediately after a truck accident can significantly impact your recovery and legal claim. Here’s what to do:

1. Call 911: Report the accident to get police and emergency responders on the scene. A police report will be critical for your case.
2. Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries aren’t immediately apparent, get checked by a doctor. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, can surface later.
3. Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
4. Collect Information: Get the truck driver’s name, employer, insurance details, and license plate. Also, gather contact information from witnesses.
5. Avoid Discussing Fault: Do not admit fault or sign any documents from the trucking company or insurance adjusters without consulting an attorney.
6. Preserve Evidence: If possible, secure dashcam footage or request nearby surveillance recordings.
7. Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer: A local Waco attorney can guide you through the legal process and help preserve critical evidence, such as the truck’s “black box” data.

Proving Negligence in a Truck Wreck

Even in a clear-cut case of negligence, details can get missed and negligence can be more difficult to prove than most would think. Our Waco legal team has the experience to gather all the evidence to make sure nothing is missed to support a victim’s negligent claim.

Four Elements of Negligence in a Truck Accident Case

1. Duty of Care:  This simply means that a truck driver has a ‘duty’ or responsibility to act with attention, caution, and watchfulness when driving their vehicle to avoid causing an accident.
2. Breach of Duty:  Our legal team must determine that the defendant breached their duty of care obligation to avoid an accident, for example, by failing to follow basic traffic laws.
3. Causation:  Our attorneys must prove that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused your injuries from the collision.
4. Damages:  Our accident lawyers must prove that you suffered serious physical and financial damages from the defendant’s breach of duty by presenting evidence such as medical bills, demonstrating how the crash negatively impacted your life, and proof of injuries documented in your medical records.

Our Waco truck accident lawyers must prove these elements to get the maximum settlement for your truck wreck injuries. Our team of legal professionals will fight hard to win your case and get you the justice you deserve. Contact Thompson Law today for a FREE CONSULTATION, and let us help you get on the road to recovery.

Federal Trucking Regulations and Industry Compliance

Trucking companies and drivers must adhere to strict federal regulations designed to ensure road safety. Key rules include:

1. Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations

   • Drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
   • Weekly driving hours are capped at 60-70 hours depending on the schedule.

2. Vehicle Maintenance and Inspections

   • Trucks must undergo regular inspections to ensure brakes, tires, lights, and other critical systems are functioning properly.
   • Pre- and post-trip inspections are mandatory.

3. Cargo Securement Standards

   • Loads must be properly balanced, secured, and within weight limits.
   • Improper cargo can lead to rollovers or falling debris, endangering others.

4. Drug and Alcohol Testing

   • Federal law prohibits truck drivers from consuming alcohol within four hours of driving.
   • Regular drug testing is mandatory for all commercial drivers.

5. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements

   • Truck drivers must undergo extensive training and testing to receive and maintain a CDL.
   • Endorsements for hazardous materials or double/triple trailers require additional certifications.

6. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)

   • All commercial trucks must use ELDs to track driving hours and prevent violations of HOS regulations.

A skilled Waco truck accident lawyer can investigate whether violations of these regulations contributed to your accident and hold the responsible parties accountable.