Rates of injury in accidents involving semi-trucks are higher than those associated with typical car accidents involving only passenger vehicles. Those who have been hurt in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, whether they were driving a truck or a car at the time, should look into hiring a truck accident attorney in Houston, TX, as soon as possible after the accident occurs. Many attorneys handle car accidents, but not all are equipped to handle accidents involving larger vehicles. Here’s why.
Liability is more difficult to determine in accidents involving trucks, particularly when they are commercial vehicles. This is because there are numerous parties that can be held responsible and share in liability. The person driving the truck, the company he or she is driving for, and the truck’s manufacturers are all partially responsible for ensuring the driver’s safety and that of other drivers on the road. Should any involved party fail in upholding this responsibility, they can and should be held liable.
Negotiations with insurance companies can also be more complicated after accidents involving commercial 18-wheelers. Ordinarily, the process is quite straightforward, as a car accident lawyer would only have to negotiate on behalf of his or her client with the auto insurance company. Often there are more parties involved in handling the repercussions of truck accidents, which makes it essential to have an attorney who has experience in negotiating simultaneously with multiple parties.
Also, there are some laws and regulations written specifically for the trucking industry, which a Truck Accident Attorney in Houston, TX, will be familiar with. The regulatory bureau for the trucking industry, known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, has created laws to ensure the safety of all vehicles on the road that apply only to professional truck drivers. These include additional licensing qualifications and restrictions on the number of hours that can be driven in a day among many others. It’s important to hire an attorney who is familiar with them.
For those who have recently been involved in a vehicular accident involving a commercial truck, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Get more information about truck accidents and victim’s rights today, visit ferrel-lawfirm.com.
