When the front or back of a truck hits the side of another vehicle, it is called a side-impact truck accident. These kinds of accidents can be very serious because the side of the vehicle usually does not have as much protection for the driver and passengers as the front or back of the vehicle would. Even at slow speeds, side impact collisions can result in severe injuries or death, especially when a large vehicle like a truck is involved. In less common cases, the front of a car may hit the side of a truck, resulting in an underride accident, which is when the car slides under the truck.
When you or a loved one are hurt in a side-impact truck accident in Houston, it is important to know your legal options. Life after a traumatic wreck with a large vehicle can be hard to navigate on your own. In addition, passengers in side-impact car crashes are especially at risk for severe and life-threatening injuries. Due to their unexpected nature and the amount of force, side-impact truck crashes can cause long-term trauma to those who survive. Hiring an empathetic truck accident attorney to handle the legal process for you will relieve stress when facing unexpected medical and car repair bills.
Frequent Causes of T-Bone Accidents
There are many reasons as to why side-impact truck collisions occur. Some examples are:
- Fatigue
- Faulty brakes
- Chatting with passengers
- Consuming food or drinks
- Poor maintenance of vehicle
- Being distracted by a phone or GPS
- Observing something else on the road
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Making a left-hand turn without the right of way
- Wrongly assuming the other driver planned to yield or slow down
A Houston lawyer with experience in side-impact truck crashes could figure out whether the truck driver was careless or negligent or if the accident was due to different influences.
Common Injuries
The side of a vehicle does not absorb as much of an impact as the front or back does, which results in greater injury to the car’s passengers. Some common injuries resulting from side-impact collisions with a truck include:
- Brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Death
The subsequent costs of medical care, including surgeries, hospital bills, and medications can be expensive and stressful. That is why it is essential to hire an attorney who will account for your injuries when pursuing compensation on your behalf.
The Importance of Timeliness
Timeliness is vital for the success of any legal complaint. A law limiting a specific amount of time for filing certain cases is known as the statute of limitations.
This period is typically two years for personal injury lawsuits. For side-impact truck crashes in Houston, the statute of limitations is normally two years from the date of the accident unless an exception exists. When someone tries to file a complaint after two years, they most likely will be denied because the legal deadline has passed.
A legal professional could work to honor all deadlines and ensure an injured person receives the maximum possible compensation in their lawsuit.
Get Help From an Attorney in Houston After a Side-Impact Truck Wreck
When you are hurt in a side-impact truck accident in Houston, it is important for you to be made whole again as soon as possible. The first step to take is to contact our firm to explore your legal options.
A lawyer at Benjamin Roberts Law knows what you are going through and how to help you get the compensation you deserve.
By contacting us, you can receive truthful advice on how to move forward and have someone supporting your case from beginning to end.
Below are just some of the more common types of cases that Benjamin Roberts represents personal injury clients.
For a full list of the cases we handle, please see the Practice Areas link at the top of the page.