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Hasty Settlement After a Truck-Related Accident & Broken Down Car Obliterated by Barreling Truck
Every day there are accidents involving vehicles in the metro Houston area, but often the most serious are those that are truck-related. While we would like to think that these are infrequent events, a quick read of the Houston traffic reports over the past few months alone proves otherwise.
Recently a frightening truck accident at the Gulf Freeway and South Loop sent a tanker truck up in flames, unfortunately claiming one life. Following another incident in April 2014, a big-rig driver is now facing intoxication manslaughter charges after allegedly causing a fatal crash near Cook Road.
Why Big Rigs Often Cause Bigger Injuries
There are a number of reasons why truck accidents cause a number of needless injuries and in Texas:
- Trucks can weigh up to 40 tons – significantly larger than your average one or two-ton vehicle;
- Tractor-trailers require longer stopping distances which drivers often misjudge;
- Trucks are less maneuverable than vehicles or SUVs;
- Poor truck maintenance (particularly poor brake maintenance) can pose an increased level of danger on the road;
- Truckers spend long hours behind the wheel which can lead to inattention, distracted driving or fatigue, and often results in these large vehicles veering off the road;
- Truckers may misjudge their ability to navigate a truck at regular speeds in poor weather conditions;
- Aggressive driving.
Press “Pause” On Any Settlement
Almost as soon as a truck accident occurs, the truck owner and the commercial insurer will be right on the scene starting their investigation, sometimes even before the person who has been injured has left or received medical treatment!
While the injured person may be too hurt or confused to consider all that has happened, these advantageous investigators will be right in there taking pictures, gathering evidence, and obtaining witness statements.
What Happens Next?
They calculate their potential financial losses and offer the innocent victim as small a settlement as possible, one that we believe is often far below what he or she actually deserves.
Protecting Yourself with a Personal Injury Attorney
Charles J. Argento & Associates has spent years winning significant settlements for his clients by taking decisive and aggressive action against these trucking companies and their insurance companies. When combined with his access to qualified forensic, scientific, and medical experts, he is able to hold those accountable liable for the injuries they have caused and will ensure that you or your loved one receive the settlement that will medically and financially take care of them now and into the future.
Broken Down Car Obliterated by Barreling Truck
An unfortunate event took place at the end of 2015 which involved four passenger-vehicle occupants and a big rig. At approximately 4 am, a 1997 Ford Probe broke down and stopped in a moving lane on the Northwest Freeway near Mason. The driver exited the vehicle and was trying to flag down an 18-wheeler that was coming toward her, but she was unable to stop the truck.
The driver was fortunate enough to be able to dash out of the way, but the occupants of the vehicle were not so lucky. Upon impact, the car burst into flames. The semi-tractor trailer crashed onto its side, losing its cargo. The cab of the truck then also burst into flames.
A man who was a passenger in the disabled vehicle and the truck driver both passed away as a result of the high-speed collision. The other two passengers of the Probe suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were rushed to the Memorial Hermann Hospital.
What You Should Do If Your Vehicle Breaks Down
Vehicles break down every day, and it is important that drivers are aware of what actions they should take should they suddenly find their vehicle inoperable.
First and most importantly, move your vehicle to the right-hand shoulder of the road as soon as you can – especially if you are on a highway. Coast along the shoulder until you are away from any curves in the road.
If you cannot get off the road, you should remain in the vehicle with your seat belt on. If you exit the vehicle, do not cross multiple lanes of traffic and stay on the shoulder of the highway.
If it is dark out, turn the interior light on so that your vehicle is more visible.
The Importance of Contacting an Attorney
At the Charles J. Argento & Associates law Firm, our Houston personal injury attorneys handle a number of cases where who are at fault, and to what degree, may not be always be cut and dry. In this instance, there is a question of why the driver of the vehicle did not pull over, and other questions surrounding why the truck driver did not notice the stalled vehicle, and if the truck driver had the opportunity to change lanes.
Many factors can come into play, which is why, in Houston Texas, our highly skilled personal injury attorney should be contacted, as soon as possible after your motor accident. We have the resources required to conduct an investigation that will allow us to assess and defend your case.
We invite you to call our Houston personal injury attorney office of Charles J. Argento at (713) 225-5050 to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss how we can help you to obtain the settlement you deserve.