Midland Truck Accident Attorney

Trusted and Board-Certified Truck Accident Attorney in Midland, Texas

Accidents involving semi-trucks can result in catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage. Due to their heavy cargo and the potential to cause serious harm when they are operated negligently, commercial trucks may put other drivers and road users at risk. Attorney James Kennedy understands just how devastating a semi-truck accident can be, and he can provide you with the legal representation that you need to ensure that you will be properly compensated for the injuries you have suffered in a collision. With more than 25 years of experience successfully representing clients in personal injury cases, James Kennedy is ready to fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Rollover Accidents

Semi-trucks are prone to rolling over due to their high center of gravity. Dangerous accidents may occur in which a truck may turn over while traveling on roads or highways. An overturned truck or trailer can create a massive obstacle across multiple lanes of traffic, potentially causing collisions with one or more other vehicles. Rollover accidents can be caused by unsafe behaviors by truck drivers, such as speeding, making abrupt turns or lane changes, or failure to account for poor weather conditions. Trucks that are overloaded will be more likely to roll over and cause harm to people in other vehicles.

Jackknifed Trucks

When a semi-truck's trailer becomes stuck at an unnatural angle, a truck driver may lose control and collide with other vehicles, or the truck and trailer may obstruct traffic, causing an accident. Jackknifing usually happens when a truck's wheels lose traction due to sudden braking or slick road surfaces. Truck driver errors or equipment malfunctions may be to blame for these types of accidents.

Tire Blowouts

When one or more of the tires on a truck or trailer suddenly burst while driving at high speeds, it can be very challenging for the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. A tire blowout can lead to a loss of balance, causing the truck to swerve into other lanes, collide with adjacent vehicles, or even roll over.

Underride Collisions

In some truck wrecks, a smaller vehicle may be trapped underneath the rear or side of a semi-trailer. These crashes often result in severe head and neck injuries for occupants of passenger cars. Poorly marked trailers without reflective tape can lead to an increased risk of underride accidents.

Negligence That May Lead to Semi-Truck Wrecks

In many cases, truck wrecks are preventable. Truck drivers should be trained on the safe operation of commercial vehicles, and trucking companies should ensure that they follow all applicable regulations and are taking the correct measures to protect people's safety. Unfortunately, truck drivers and trucking companies may fail to meet these requirements as they strive to deliver cargo as quickly and efficiently as possible. Some common forms of negligence that often contribute to truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue: Long-haul truck drivers and others who operate commercial vehicles may spend a great deal of time behind the wheel, driving for multiple hours within a single shift. When they fail to get adequate rest breaks as mandated by federal regulations, fatigue and drowsiness can set in, leading to slower reaction times and an increased risk of accidents.
• Distracted driving: Activities such as reading or sending text messages, talking on cell phones, eating while driving, or operating navigation systems can take a truck driver's attention away from the operation of their vehicle, and they may lose focus on what is happening on the road around them. These distractions can have severe consequences, since operating large commercial vehicles requires a great deal of focus, and a split second of distraction can prevent a truck driver from reacting and being able to to avoid a collision.
• Inadequate maintenance: Failing to properly inspect and maintain the equipment on semi-trucks can result in mechanical failures like brake malfunctions or tire blowouts. These issues may cause a truck driver to lose control, or people in other vehicles may be injured by detached trailers or other safety issues.
• Improper loading: Overloading cargo or improperly securing it in the cargo area of a truck can cause imbalance issues during transit. This can contribute to rollover accidents or other types of truck wrecks, or unsecured cargo may fall from a truck and damage other vehicles or inflict serious injuries.
• Failure to account for poor weather conditions: Rainstorms, snowstorms, foggy conditions, and icy roads can increase stopping distances for trucks, decrease visibility, or result in a loss of control. Truck drivers who do not slow down during inclement weather or take other safety precautions may lose control and cause collisions.

Contact Our Midland, Texas TruckWreck Lawyer

When negligence by truck drivers, trucking companies, or other parties leads to collisions between commercial vehicles and passenger cars or trucks, James Kennedy, P.L.L.C. can help protect the rights of those who have been injured. We can work with truck accident victims to ensure that they will be able to recover the maximum compensation they deserve. Call 915-544-5200 or contact us online to schedule a complimentary consultation. We are ready to fight passionately on your behalf so you can focus on healing.