Corpus Christi Personal Injury Lawyer - Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney Discusses Tragedy near Beeville

Reynaldo Pena — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:34 GMT

There has recently been another horrible tragedy on our Texas highways. This time, a beautiful 4 year old boy named Luca Moya was killed, and his mother, Emika Moya, was seriously injured. Emika, a school teacher in Goliad, Texas, was driving through dense fog when her car was hit head-on by an 18 wheeler that had crossed over into her lane. Emika never had a chance, and neither did little Luca.

It is clear that when commercial vehicles are driving in low visibility conditions such as fog that they must take extra precautions and make sure they do not endanger the lives of innocent people driving on our highways. There is no excuse for an 18 wheeler to cross over into on-coming traffic in low-visibility situations. This is unacceptable, and a family is now having to deal with an enormous tragedy that could have easily been avoided. My heart and prayers go out to the Moya family and all others that are affected.

The point is that commercial drivers need to realize that they are driving steel and metal monsters that need to be driven responsibly. Passenger vehicles are no match for these metal monsters when they collide. In fact, not even a properly used car-seat could save little Luca, but the driver of the 18 wheeler only sustained minor injuries. When driving it is very important to drive defensively, and pay close attention to comercial vehicles driving near you - clearly commercial vehicle drivers are not always driving responsibly. I hope the Moya family's story, and the many stories like his, will perpetuate change for the better. It is the mission of our lawfirm, and me personally, to perpetuate changes in the law to make our roads safer, and to hold commercial vehicle companies and their drivers accountable for the lives that are destroyed in their wake. Our mission continues.

Reynaldo A. Pena

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Reynaldo Pena

Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney Discusses Killer Profits

Reynaldo Pena — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:28:23 GMT

Our firm represents several victims of commercial vehicle accidents at any one time. These victims have suffered immeasurably due to the actions and decisions of commercial vehicle drivers and companies throughout the United States, and most of the time PROFIT is the real cause of the incidents. While there is nothing wrong with a business making a profit (that is the point of business!), businesses must conduct themselves in a responsible manner - especially when their business activities can seriously injure or kill innocent people.

Sadly, many commercial vehicles are improperly maintained, and corners are cut, for the sole purpose of saving a buck. This August, the American Association for Justice released a report on commercial vehicle accidents, and the findings are frightening. The most common problem with these enormous, super-heavy metal machines traveling at highway speeds along side much smaller passenger vehicles is brake failure! Other common violations are commercial vehicles driving on bad tires, and trucks being over-loaded. These problems, especially when combined, are a recipe for disaster, and the sad thing is that many truckers and trucking companies know about these problems and choose to ignore them. It is much cheaper for them to ignore the problems, save money on maintenance and repair, and roll the dice - on your life! Talk about killer profits. Our firm sees firsthand the devastation brought on by these problems, and it is inexcusable.

Please always be aware of your surroundings when you are driving, and pay close attention to commercial vehicles whether they are trash trucks or 18 wheelers. Drive defensively and do not take for granted that the "professional" driver next to you on the highway is a safe driver driving a safe vehicle.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Reynaldo Pena

Eleven Killed When Tractor-Trailer Crashes Into Tour Bus

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:21:00 GMT

Eleven people were killed when a drunken tractor-trailer driver lost control of his vehicle and struck a bus carrying a tour group from Texas, officials said.

The deaths included a winter Texan from Iowa and seven Americans, among them two teachers from Brownsville. Also killed in the tragic accident were three Canadians and the Mexican bus driver, according to Jose Angel Herrera, a federal homicide detective in northern Coahuila state.

According to officials, the tractor-trailer drive lost control of the vehicle - left the road and then swerved back and came straight for the bus which was traveling in the opposite direction. In total, sixteen people were injured, many of which sustained serious injuries.

The truck driver, who was also hurt, was intoxicated and will be charged with involuntary homicide.

The passengers were on a four-day bus tour of Mexican cities of Zacatecas and Real de Catorce.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Butane Tanker Rolls Over On U.S. Highway 277

Chrissie Cole — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:56:00 GMT

A tractor-trailer rolled over on U.S. Highway 277 near Sonora, on Wednesday morning. The truck, carrying liquefied butane, was removed from the crash site at 11:30 p.m., after 15 hours, according to a Department of Public Safety official.

The crash damaged a valve which allowed liquid and vapor to leak from the trailer. Troopers blocked off a five mile radius surrounding the crash site.

The driver, the only person involved in the crash, suffered non-life threatening injuries. He was treated and released from Sonora Hospital.

The truck was carrying fuel to Mexico for Texas International Oil and Gas of El Paso.

Recent statistics show that more than 144,000 trucks were involved in accidents in the span of one year. More importantly, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2005 statistics showed 4,932 trucks were involved in fatal traffic accidents.

For more information on tractor-trailer accidents, please refer to our Tractor-Trailer Help Center.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Texas Woman Killed In Rollover Truck Accident

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:19:00 GMT

A truck accident claimed the life of a 49-year-old Waco woman on Sunday night when she was ejected from the vehicle in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 35.

The woman, whose name was not immediately released by authorities, was traveling south on Interstate 35 at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday when her Ford Explorer veered out of the lane.

She apparently over-corrected which caused the SUV to roll onto the shoulder of the road. As the vehicle rolled, she was ejected.

According to witnesses, the woman was allegedly on her cell phone right before the accident occurred, said Department of Public Safety troopers.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by McLennan County Justice of the Peace, Kristi DeClutt.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Tractor-Trailer Damages Texas Overpass

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:17:00 GMT

A tractor-trailer struck the State Highway 360 overpass on Wednesday, according to Arlington police.

The 18-wheelter truck, hauling a forklift took a chunk out of the overpass located near Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, just before 9:00 p.m. According to authorities, the tractor-trailer was too big to go under the bridge.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said the northbound exit ramp from Highway 360 to Lamar Boulevard is expected to be shut until early 2009. Repairs will start shortly after the holidays and take approximately a week to complete, TxDOT said.

Concrete began to fall onto I-30, so authorities and fire units shut down eastbound I-30 and northbound Highway 360 for two hours. TxDOT inspectors reopened the highway after the debris was cleared.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Employee Crushed By Garbage Truck in Montgomery County

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:07:00 GMT

A garbage worker was killed this morning when the truck he was riding rolled over and crushed him, according to authorities.

The driver, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was an employee for Enviro-Waste Systems of Conroe.

The crash happened at Cedar Lane Road and Timberline Estates in northeast Montgomery County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety officials.

The driver of the truck said the brakes stopped working while he and his crew were collecting trash on their route.

“I pulled the emergency brake and tried to put the truck into reverse, but it didn’t work, said the driver. “I thought I would turn on the curb” to slow the truck down. But, instead the truck flipped over onto the driver’s side.

The driver of the truck was able to crawl from the vehicle, he was not injured.

The garbage truck had just been released from the shop that morning after major engine repair and inspection. The brakes were okay, said David Fogle, owner of Enviro-Waste.

Officials do not believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the accident. The case is under investigation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Texas Safety Lawyer discusses Hiring a Lawyer for Trucking Accidents

Jesse Guerra — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:41:37 GMT

Individuals who have been seriously injured in accidents involving commercial trucks such as 18 wheelers should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Often times, individuals choose to wait a few days or even weeks before hiring legal counsel.
If you are a victim of such an accident you need to contact an attorney immediately so that you can ensure your legal rights to pursue a claim on your behalf are protected. A qualified law firm will be able to investigate the accident scene and vehicles involved in the accident. This may include, but is not limited to an investigator and trucking accident expert team being dispatched to the scene to preserve evidence and record the scene as near or close to the time of the accident as possible.
Hiring a law firm allows the best opportunity to recover evidence, preserve the evidence found, and take witness statements from key people who witnessed the accident. An effort should also be made to obtain the police report as soon as it becomes available to verify accurate recordings and key facts.
It may also require a legal motion to prevent the trucking company from altering or destroying critical evidence involved such as load data, driver data, and trip information, as well as electronic black boxes that are found in most trucks that record engine data such as a drivers last breaking and speeding actions that may prove liability against the trucking company.
Large trucking companies customarily have their own accident teams and attorneys that take action to mitigate and control an accident scene, police reports, and witness statements in favor of the company when they are notified of an accident. These teams are on the way as soon as they hear of an accident and while victims are on the way to the hospital or to identify fatal victims involved in an accident.
Therefore, it's essential that you have your own legal team working on your behalf and with your families interest in mind as soon as possible to ensure your best efforts for any recovery to be made on your behalf.
You should also be careful of making any statements that are recorded by insurance companies on behalf of the trucking company that may be used against you. Always speak to an attorney before you speak with any insurance company, because the goal of an insurance company is always motivated by limiting the damages to paying the least amount possible for any claim and not maximizing your financial recovery.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra

Truck Crashes into San Marcos River

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:57:00 GMT

An 18-wheeler plummeted into the environmentally sensitive San Marcos River this morning and emergency workers have been working to remove the fuel from the truck tank.

The truck cab had been submerged to its roof in the river, but the driver, who said the steering had gone out, following the trucking accident, was able to escape without serious injury. The trailer was transporting computer components, officials said.

The truck driver estimates the fuel tank had 70 gallons of gas at the time of the crash, but officials are not expecting a lot of environmental damage. Officials are working to clean up the scene of the crash.

It took three tow trucks to pull the truck from the river. Floating barriers were being used to help contain the spill, and absorbent pads were being used to draw the fuel from the water.

Stephen Twidwell, a pollution biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department based in San Marcos, said it looks like the fish are doing well downstream and that the water is flowing well.

To pull the truck from the water, officials had to remove a bent axle from the front of the truck. San Marcos Fire and Rescue officials removed the remaining fuel from the cab. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is overseeing the cleanup.

The truck driver was treated and released from Central Texas Medical Center with minor injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

18 Wheeler Accidents

Jesse Guerra — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:31:53 GMT

Each year thousands of people are seriously injured or killed in 18 wheeler related accidents. Often times over worked drivers and drivers who are in a hurry to get their load from one place to another are to blame.

Hilliard and Munoz LLP have the resources and legal skills you need on your side in the event you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed as a result of a negligent truck driver or company driver. It is extremely important to retain legal help as soon as possible if you are involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler or commercial vehicle. Critical evidence can often be lost or destroyed if the appropriate legal action is not taken. Bob Hilliard is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and has been trying cases since 1983. Hilliard and Munoz LLP will promptly send a legal team for your assistance upon your request anywhere in the Country.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jesse Guerra