Victims of reckless truck driver accidents can suffer catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries. If you were the victim of a reckless truck accident in Houston, Texas, you might be concerned about your legal options. Victims have a right to pursue compensation against truck drivers whose recklessness caused the accident.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a reckless truck driver accident in Houston, the attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC are here to help. Our attorneys have the skill and experience to hold reckless truck drivers accountable for the injuries they cause. We will review your case and help you understand the legal options you have to proceed. Ceja Law Firm PLLC devotes time and resources to each case we work on, prioritizing your right to recover compensation.
Reckless Truck Driving Is Prohibited Under Texas Law
Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles are the largest vehicles on the highway. Other drivers are right to be careful around them. The Texas Department of Transportation (TX DOT) requires all drivers, including truck drivers, to refrain from reckless and aggressive driving. According to the Texas Transportation Code Section 545.401, the offense of reckless driving occurs when a driver drives a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
The offense of reckless driving is considered a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200 and a jail sentence of up to 30 days. When a driver has a prior racing conviction, was racing when intoxicated, or has an open container of alcohol in the vehicle, the charge will be a more serious Class A misdemeanor. When a person becomes seriously injured or dies, the driver can be charged with a felony for reckless driving, which can be punishable by two to 20 years in prison.
Pursuing Compensation for Your Injuries
Whether or not the truck driver who caused your injuries is convicted of reckless driving, victims can pursue a civil lawsuit against the driver. Plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits can use the truck driver’s criminal conviction as evidence that he or she engaged in reckless driving. However, a victim can still successfully obtain compensation through a personal injury lawsuit in a civil Texas court even when the driver hasn’t been convicted.
Whether you pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit or by pursuing a claim through the truck driver’s insurance policy, you’ll benefit from hiring an experienced attorney. Commercial insurance companies have teams of attorneys and investigators working to avoid paying victims the compensation they deserve. Hiring an experienced attorney will help you level the playing field. When you work with Ceja Law Firm PLLC, we will immediately begin handling every aspect of your claim, including communicating and negotiating with insurance adjusters.
Proving Liability in Reckless Truck Driver Cases
In order to recover compensation in a personal injury lawsuit or through an insurance claim, you will need to prove that the truck driver or his or her employer is liable for your injuries.
The Texas truck accident attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC are prepared to help clients hold Texas truckers and trucking companies accountable for the harm they cause. We will move quickly to gather evidence of the trucker’s reckless actions.
Our attorneys will obtain the truck’s Heavy Vehicle Data Event Recorder, commonly called a “black box.” The information in the data record can often provide a picture of what the truck was doing before the crash. We will also investigate witness interviews, stoplight surveillance cameras, and other evidence proving that the truck driver engaged in reckless behavior.
Common Examples of Reckless Truck Driving
Reckless driving is a serious traffic violation in Texas because it places other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists at significant risk of injury. When a truck driver shows a lack of regard for the safety of others on the road, their actions can fall into the category of reckless driving. Reckless driving is especially dangerous when a driver is traveling in a commercial vehicle. Many types of reckless driving behaviors endanger other motorists, including the following:
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Driving above the speed limit
- Cutting off other motorists while swerving in and out of traffic
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Ignoring traffic signs or signals
- Texting while driving or other types of distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to signal when changing lanes
Accidents Caused By Aggressive Truck Driving in Houston
Texas doesn’t have a specific traffic law addressing aggressive driving. Instead, aggressive driving falls under the category of reckless driving. Aggressive driving has always been considered dangerous behavior, especially for truck drivers. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has reported that aggressive driving accounts for more than half of all fatal crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that aggressive driving occurs when truck drivers commit a combination of moving traffic violations that endanger others on the road. Aggressive driving includes some combination of the following:
- Driving at excessive speeds
- Following too closely
- Weaving through traffic
- Running stoplights and stop signs
- Road rage
Aggressive driving can include yelling at another motorist, gesturing in anger, physical assault, and confrontation. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency that regulates commercial truck driving, has taken action to promote public awareness campaigns against aggressive driving among commercial truck drivers.
Injuries Caused By Reckless Truck Driver Accident
The size and weight of large commercial trucks make them particularly dangerous when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles. As a result, the injuries victims suffer in commercial truck accidents are generally severe and require significant and ongoing medical treatment. Some of the most commonly caused injuries include the following:
- Severe burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries causing paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
Discuss Your Case with a Houston Personal Injury Attorney
Ceja Law Firm PLLC has extensive experience recovering compensation for reckless and aggressive truck driver victims. Our legal team moves quickly to investigate the causes of truck accident cases. We regularly work with medical and financial experts to determine the value of our client’s cases and pursue the full compensation they deserve. If a reckless truck driver has seriously injured you or your loved one, don’t hesitate to contact Ceja Law Firm PLLC to schedule an initial consultation and learn more.
