Truck Accident Lawyer Houston TX

Truck Accident Lawyer Houston, TX 

Cross country commerce is a major part of the American economic system and consumer society, as a truck accident lawyer Houston, TX trusts can attest. A large percentage of this depends on commercial trucks which drive 24/7 on the country's' highways, roads, and interstates. The trucking industry is vital to the American way of life, but it also one that requires drivers to meet obligations in a timely manner. Unfortunately, this fast-paced life comes with many dangers that often put the lives of others at risk. With 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, commercial trucks, and tankers crowding the roads, accidents do happen. When they do, the outcome is usually catastrophic - even deadly.

If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident, it is important to understand that you have legal rights. To find out what options are available, please call a Houston truck accident lawyer from John K. Zaid & Associates as soon as possible.

Do You Need the Help of a Truck Accident Lawyer Houston, TX Trusts?

Following a truck accident, you may feel vulnerable and confused about the situation the has unfortunately presented itself. Mounting medical bills, excruciating pain, depression, and a host of other problems may be overwhelming. Add in pressure from insurance adjusters wanting you to settle and you might wonder what you should really do. While it might be tempting to accept an immediate offer and move forward in life, it is very likely that you will get less than what you deserve. Furthermore, you might not receive enough to actually cover all of your losses and prospective losses. This is where it can help to have a good truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX on your side.

Meet John K. Zaid & Associates

The lawyers at John K. Zaid & Associates handle personal injury claims every day. These range in all types and complexities, but each and every case equally matters to us. It is our goal to help victims of truck accidents get the justice they need and deserve. When you retain us to be your Houston truck accident lawyer, you can feel confident in knowing we:

• Have fought and won many truck accident cases

• Are equipped with the most up to date knowledge of laws and rules

• Have a network of investigators, expert witnesses, and doctors who can assist us in case investigations

• Are guided by years of experience

• Can offer you honest, dependable legal advice

• Do not back down from aggressive insurance companies or legal defense teams

• Have recovered millions through settlements and verdicts

• Seek maximum compensation

When you choose our firm to represent you, you will be in good hands. To talk with a truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX now, please call or email us.

The Seriousness of Commercial Truck Accidents

A collision that involves a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle often results in the occupants of the car to suffer from serious or fatal injuries. It is less common for the driver of the truck to be severely injured, if at all. This is because large trucks can weigh between 50,000 and 80,000 pounds or more. A passenger car weighs about 3,000 pounds making it much more vulnerable to a forceful impact.

Statistics from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

• In 2014, 3,660 people died in truck accidents

• 16% were the occupants of the truck

• 68% were occupants of a car

• 15% were pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists

• 111,000 people were injured

• 74% were occupants of a car

According to the IIHS, braking capabilities on a truck are usually a contributing factor in collisions as loaded tractor trailers and commercial trucks require 20-40% more distance to stop. Our truck accident lawyers have also noticed the following to often be involved in cases:

• Driver fatigue

• Lack of experience

• Poor weather conditions

• Road obstructions

• Distracted driving

• Speeding

• Reckless driving

All of the above may be considered negligence. When this is true and a serious injury or fatality occurred, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit. A Houston, TX truck accident lawyer can further explain your options so you can make an educated decision about what to do next.

Causes of Truck Accidents

A truck accident can happen for a broad number of reasons. Some are just an unfortunate accident, but others are the result of negligence or wrongdoing. This may or may not be by the driver of the truck, but could also include a negligent driver of another vehicle. Other reasons for a truck accident may include poor road or weather conditions. When a Houston, TX truck accident lawyer believes negligence is a factor, and the driver of the truck is responsible, he or she may assess whether or not any of the following were factors:

• The truck driver did not have the right qualifications or necessary experience

• The driver was driving at excessive speeds to make an unreasonable delivery

• The driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs (i.e. often stimulants)

• The driver was fatigued and fell asleep at the wheel

• The truck was overloaded

• The trailer of the truck was not properly secured

• Maintenance on the truck was not performed

• An inspection of the truck was not carried out

• Hazardous chemicals were being illegally transported

• There was an equipment failure

When you contact a truck accident lawyer, he or she will discuss the details of the accident and review any available evidence. Often there are multiple negligent parties involved. If a lawyer in Houston, TX can prove these parties knew about the potential dangers, but did not do anything to prevent them, they could be included in the claim.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

A truck accident often results in serious, even fatal, injuries. Many times multiple people outside the truck are injured while the truck driver walks away with a few cuts and bruises. A truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX understands the emotions you may be experiencing and will provide as much support as possible to ease the situation. If you or a family member experienced any of the following injuries, you may have a legal claim:

• Brain injury

• Spinal cord injury

• Neck or head injury

• Organ damage

• Internal bleeding

• Paraplegia or quadriplegia

• Amputation

• Facial injuries

• Scarring

• Burns

• Disfigurement

• Chronic pain

• Psychological trauma

The above injuries are not exhaustive. Even if your injuries were moderate, there is a possibility that you still have a claim. Call John K. Zaid & Associates today.

Damages that Can Be Recovered

What your lawyer will seek to recover will be dependent upon the specifics of your case. In general, the following will be included:

• Medical expenses

• Personal and household assistance

• Transportation to medical appointments

• Rehabilitation, therapy, and counseling

• Medical devices

• Lost earnings and future earnings

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional anguish

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Loss of consortium

• Funeral expenses

Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, it may be in your best interest to seek legal counsel from an experienced and trusted  truck accident lawyer Houston, TX trusts. At, John K. Zaid & Associates, PLLC, we have helped numerous clients during this stressful time to reach the compensation they deserve. After a collision you may have numerous questions and, while we encourage speaking in person with an experienced truck accident lawyer serving Houston, TX, here are a few Q&As that you may find beneficial:

What sort of damages am I eligible to recover after a truck accident?

Victims that have been injured due to the malfunction or negligence of a commercial truck driver, may be entitled to compensation for several damages. You could receive coverage for:

• Medical expenses. This could include hospital bills, different types of therapies, medication, and all other related medical expenses. This would include medical expenses both present and future, depending on the severity of the accident.

• Lost wages. After an accident you may not be able to work until you have had the time to recover. You are entitled to receive compensation for the wages you lost during because of the accident and any future earnings you could have aquired. An experienced and tenacious truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX, like the ones at John K. Zaid & Associates, PLLC, will work diligently to make sure clients are cared for in an economic way the can help them get healthy again.

• Pain and suffering. There is most likely physical pain associated with being involved in a semi-truck accident, but you may also experience emotional suffering. Both physical and emotional suffering can receive compensation.

• Wrongful death. In extreme and horrendous circumstances, family members can seek compensation for loss of companionship, loss of care and funeral expenses.  

What makes a truck accident different from other vehicle accidents?

A good Houston, TX truck accident lawyer can tell you that there are two main differences between being a victim of a passenger automobile accident versus a semi-truck accident.

1. Semi-truck accidents have a much higher probability of ending disastrously. This is due to the weight and size of a semi-truck.

2. Semi-trucks are obligated to have larger amount of insurance coverage, subject to different local and state safety regulations, and liability may include several parties. There are many variables that surround a semi-truck accident, and having an experienced lawyer on your side can help navigate all of the confusing legal aspects.

What are common causes of a semi-truck accident?

The common causes of a truck accident may include:

• Receiving inadequate training in safety concerns and driving techniques for such a large and heavy vehicle. This could result in aggressive driving, such as changing lanes unsafely, or driving too fast.

• The driver operating the vehicle on the road while feeling fatigued or in a rush to meet unrealistic scheduling of the trucking company.

• Ignoring proper maintenance of the truck or failing to conduct ongoing vehicle inspections.

• Loading the truck incorrectly or not securing the cargo properly.

Equipment malfunction, driver negligence, or inattentive matinence on the truck could lead to injury or even wrongful death.

What should I do now?

We can help you navigate the tedious and complex process of getting the compensation that you deserve for your injuries and losses. If you have been injured from a semi-truck accident, you should speak with a skilled truck accident lawyer Houston, TX families rely on at John K. Zaid & Associates, PLLC today.

A Houston, TX Truck Accident Lawyer Is on Your Side

Regardless of the circumstances, we would like to hear about your truck accident and provide you with an honest opinion about your case.

Any motor vehicle accident can be intimidating at best and outright dangerous at worst. However, those involving a large truck can be incredibly devastating due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. The stopping distance is increased dramatically over smaller passenger vehicles.

Truck drivers may fail to properly judge distances or see smaller cars from their vantage point in the truck. Without proper mirrors or other similar modifications that cars and smaller trucks do not need, their judgment may be incorrect.

These dangerous accidents in which trucks are involved can be caused by driver error, equipment failure or overweight cargo loads, defective or inadequate mirrors or lighting, failure to properly hitch trailer or driver fatigue.

How can a police report affect a truck accident?

When a truck accident occurs, the occupant of a passenger vehicle, and perhaps even witnesses, will naturally accuse the driver of the truck for causing the collision. It might even be further assumed that the police will validate this in the police report. This is not necessarily true. 

Police Reports for a Trucking Accident

Police officers in Houston, TX have many duties; one of which is to protect the people. This can result in police focusing on crimes rather than traffic violations and accidents. As a result, police reports may lack certain details or be inaccurate. As a Houston, TX truck accident lawyer might explain to you, the police report will be referred to in your case. However, it is not the only document that will be used. That being said, if there is limited evidence and no witnesses, the police report may be one of the primary methods of analyzing fault. If the report is inaccurate, problems could arise. 

Even if the report is astoundingly accurate, it may not include information that a truck accident lawyer in Houston, Texas needs. This is because a police officer is not meant to ensure the report is sufficient enough to hold up in civil court. Rather, it must only lay out what happened. 

What is a Police Report

Once a police officer arrives at the accident scene, they may call for an ambulance if it has not already been done. Pictures and measurements may also be taken. If witnesses were present, their statement may be taken. If possible, a statement will also be taken from the driver of the truck and any cars involved. Using this information, a report will be drafted and filed. In the report, the officer will include their opinion on how the accident happened and who may be to blame. The insurance company will need this report as soon as possible. They will review it to get an understanding of what happened based upon the perspective of the police officer. 

When a truck accident is not severe enough to warrant a separate investigation, the police report may be called upon. Any good truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX will likely keep in mind that the report might not be completely accurate. However, it is possible for the report to affect your case. 

For example, if the report claimed the driver of the passenger vehicle was at fault, and not the truck driver, it may cause problems when you are trying to recover damages from the insurance company.  You should talk with a Houston, TX truck accident lawyer for assistance and to ensure the report was not in anyway incorrect. 

In general, the court may favor what is written in the police report; however, it doesn't mean that this is always true. Nor does it mean that if you are to blame, there is no way to recover your damages. Finally, it is possible that a mistake was made. Police officers are human and can make mistakes. If you believe your police report does not include important facts, is inaccurate, biased, or misleading, you should call a truck accident lawyer in Houston, Texas now. 

Call John K. Zaid & Associates for Assistance

John K. Zaid and Associates have the experience and dedication to assist victims and their families by investigating accidents and maximizing compensation. Sadly and not surprisingly, accidents with large trucks often cause severe disability in many cases. Victims who do survive usually have a long road of recovery ahead of them requiring hospital stays, doctors’ visits, and physical therapy and rehabilitation. Many need occupational therapy simply to relearn everyday skills such as dressing, walking, and eating.

John K. Zaid & Associates have trained and skilled attorneys who know the laws and can help victims get better faster by taking over the legal aspects of their recovery. They understand how complicated the laws and paperwork can be for any lay person, no less one who is trying to recover from a major accident. Freeing up the victim’s time and energy to getting better so that victims and their families can get on with their lives is what a skilled truck accident lawyer Houston, TX trusts can do. If you are ready to discuss your case with a skilled, truck accident lawyer Houston, TX clients recommend, call our firm today.

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Truck Accident Lawyer Houston, TX