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18-Wheeler/Trucking Accidents

Dedicated Beaumont Trucking Accident Lawyers Advocate for Victims

Texas firm skilled in trucking/18-wheeler injury and wrongful death cases

Passenger vehicles must share the nation’s highways with massive commercial trucks that haul tons of cargo. Due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles, a collision with an 18-wheeler often causes catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been hurt in such an accident, the Bernsen Law Firm in Beaumont, Texas has a dedicated team of aggressive attorneys ready to help you proceed with a personal injury claim. We will thoroughly evaluate your case and proceed aggressively against any parties potentially responsible.

The rising danger of trucking accidents throughout Texas

Texas is a dangerous state for automobile and truck drivers and passengers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Texas leads all states in motor vehicle fatalities, surpassing California, the previous national leader. Statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation show that in 2018, there were 37,515 reported crashes involving commercial vehicles throughout Texas, causing 1,367 suspected serious injuries and 611 fatalities.

A 2015 report from the Transportation Policy Research Center at Texas A&M University found a correlation between increased oil and gas drilling activity in Texas and crashes in the energy-rich areas of the state. As the Texas economy continues to prosper, drivers must be wary of the need for extra care on heavily trafficked roadways, especially those used by 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles.

Pursuing all parties responsible for causing trucking accidents in Texas

Determining the cause of a truck accident and the parties responsible is the first step in building a case for money damages. Our firm teams up with accomplished accident reconstruction specialists to identify and assemble evidence to establish liability on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company and others whose negligence may be a contributing cause.

Common causes of trucking accidents in Texas include:

  • Driver fatigue — Drowsy driving is always a potential cause of accidents, but the danger is exponentially greater when the vehicle is a big rig. That’s why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has instituted hours-of-service rules for commercial drivers. They are subject to an 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty or a maximum of 10 hours after eight consecutive hours off duty. There are also limits placed on a driver’s total hours of duty for a trucking company.
  • Improperly loaded and overloaded trucks — The weight and distribution of cargo impact a truck’s ability to maneuver. When companies overload trucks, there is a greater danger of jack-knifing during sudden deceleration. Poorly secured cargo can break loose and create hazards on the road. Improperly loaded cargo can make a truck top-prone to rollovers. The FMCSA imposes strict rules for securement, including workload limits and use of blocking and bracing.
  • Unlicensed or untrained drivers — Operating a commercial vehicle requires specific training and licensing. Owner-operators who are not properly licensed, as well as trucking companies who hire unqualified drivers, are liable for accidents due to driver failure.
  • Poor truck maintenance — Mechanical malfunctions like brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering problems contribute to many commercial truck accidents. A maintenance company that does shoddy work can be liable for the failure but so can a trucking company that puts a truck back in service without giving proper attention to known problems.
  • Drug and alcohol use —The legal blood alcohol content limit for a commercial driver is 0.04 percent, half that for a regular driver. However, consumption of alcohol can lead to carelessness driving even if a driver is below the legal BAC limit. Use of drugs — even those legally dispensed — can also affect a driver’s performance.

Our personal injury lawyers have a full understanding of the regulations placed on commercial carriers and we use that knowledge to prepare effective cases on behalf of trucking accident victims.

Experienced lawyers seek proper compensation for injured victims

Occupants of cars, SUVs and other small vehicles often suffer catastrophic injuries in collisions with trucks. These can include head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple broken bones, back and spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, amputations, burn injuries and paraplegia or quadriplegia. We are skilled at proving the extent of victims’ injuries through the use of extensive testing and expert medical opinion. We know how to deal with proofs of even the most complex injuries and will aggressively pursue the money damages needed to make our clients whole.

Call our Beaumont trucking accident attorneys today for a free consultation

Please contact us online or by phone at 409-212-9994 or contact us online to set up a free consultation. We take personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning that we don’t get paid unless you do. We are conveniently located in downtown Beaumont and we can come to you if you are too injured to make it to our office.

Our Attorneys
  • Best Law Firms Lifetime Member
  • Best Attorneys of America
  • Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Martindale AV Preeminent Award '21
Testimonials
  • "I can't begin to thank Cade Bernsen and Bernsen Law Firm for believing in me and my case. They did everything and then some that I couldn't even imagine to see me through my difficult case. They stood beside me as we made it through many obstacles that were put in our path. " - Pam Parker

  • "When you need the best legal team and advice this is where you turn to. When you need the best legal team and advice this is where you turn to. They will take on the Corporate giants to make sure justice is rendered. They truly care about their clients and have your back! They helped my family and I was completely satisfied." - Christi Lynn

  • "I would like to personally thank the Attorneys and Staff of Bernsen Law Firm for their dedication and tireless efforts which contributed to successful litigation. Guiding me through the legal process, the steadfast confidence of Team Bernsen allowed me to relax knowing that my case was going to be handled in a competent, concise and positive manner. " - Bill Van Benthuysen

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