McKinney Truck Accident Lawyer

Common Injuries From Truck Wrecks

The severity of the injuries you sustain may depend on the type of collision and the point of impact. This is general information and does not diagnose or establish the cause of any injury, and a medical professional should evaluate any symptoms you notice after a wreck. Some of the most common injuries in truck wrecks include the following:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Injuries to the head and brain may cause life-changing consequences. From concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries, a forceful blow to the head during a truck wreck may affect your ability to return to daily activities. Symptoms may include vomiting, headaches, nausea, fatigue, sleep problems, difficulty speaking, dizziness, and loss of coordination. Our McKinney brain injury attorneys may help you pursue compensation for the full scope of these losses.

Soft Tissue Damage

Soft tissue injuries include strains, sprains, dislocations, tears, lacerations, and contusions. While they may appear less severe than other injuries, soft tissue damage may still cause significant pain, scarring, and long-term complications. Hospitalization and physical therapy are often necessary for those dealing with soft tissue injuries following a truck wreck.

Broken and Fractured Bones

A hard impact with a truck may easily break or fracture a bone. Those injured in truck wrecks often sustain broken or fractured bones in the hands, wrists, shoulders, arms, and legs. Severe bone fractures may require immediate medical attention and, in some cases, may lead to amputation.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord allows us to stand, move freely, and bend in different directions. When damaged, spinal injuries may drastically alter a person’s life. Each section of the spine controls specific motor functions, and an injury to any part of the spine may impair or eliminate that function. In many cases, a person may become paralyzed at or below the injury site.

Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, wrecks involving one may be especially hazardous. The injuries you face come with medical fees, lost income, and other significant financial burdens. If you are injured in a collision due to another party’s negligence, contact a McKinney truck wreck attorney at Rose Knows Law.

Common Causes of Truck Wrecks

Understanding why truck wrecks happen may help you protect yourself and strengthen your claim if you are injured. Texas truck wrecks occur for many reasons, ranging from driver negligence to mechanical failures.

Driver fatigue is one of the most dangerous causes of truck crashes. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours of service rules, a property-carrying driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, within a 14-hour window, and must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. Some drivers or companies disregard these rules to meet tight deadlines. When a trucker falls asleep at the wheel or struggles to stay alert, their massive vehicle may become a serious hazard on the highway.

Improper loading also leads to devastating wrecks. Trucks carrying unbalanced or unsecured cargo may roll over, jackknife, or lose their loads on busy McKinney roads. Companies that rush to load trailers and skip safety protocols put everyone at risk. Our McKinney serious injury attorneys understand how these failures translate into real harm for victims.

Poor vehicle maintenance creates another significant hazard. Worn brakes, bald tires, and faulty steering systems may cause trucks to lose control. Trucking companies that cut corners on maintenance to save money often create the conditions for catastrophic crashes.

How Truck Wreck Claims Differ From Car Wreck Claims

Truck wreck claims involve unique complexities that are not present in typical car wreck cases. Multiple parties may share responsibility for your crash, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers. If your wreck involved only passenger vehicles, our McKinney car accident lawyer page explains those claims.

Federal regulations govern the trucking industry, creating additional legal requirements. These rules cover driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations may significantly strengthen your case.

Insurance coverage also differs between personal vehicles and commercial trucks. Trucking companies may carry higher insurance limits than individual drivers, but their insurers employ teams of attorneys and investigators focused on minimizing payouts.

Evidence preservation becomes more critical in truck wreck cases. Electronic logging devices, maintenance records, driver qualification files, and cargo manifests may be lost if they are not secured quickly. Acting promptly to preserve this evidence may make a significant difference in your claim.

What Affects the Value of a Truck Wreck Claim

The value of a claim depends on the facts of each case. Factors that may matter include the severity and permanence of the injuries, the cost of past and future medical treatment, lost income and reduced earning capacity, the strength of the evidence on liability, whether more than one party shares responsibility, and the insurance coverage available.

Texas is a comparative liability state, so you may still recover compensation if you are found 50 percent or less responsible, although your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. Insurers often try to shift blame onto injured people, which is one reason a thorough investigation matters.

What to Do After a Truck Wreck

Your actions immediately following a truck wreck may significantly impact your health and your legal claim. Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. The adrenaline from a crash may mask serious injuries, and some symptoms may not appear for hours or days.

Call 911 to report the wreck and request police response. The responding officer will create a crash report documenting the scene and initial findings, which may serve as valuable evidence in your claim.

Document everything you may safely observe. Take photos of vehicle damage, the wreck scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries. If possible, photograph the truck’s license plate, DOT number, and any company markings. Collect contact information from witnesses.

Avoid discussing fault or admitting responsibility to anyone at the scene. Insurance adjusters and trucking company representatives may attempt to get statements from you immediately after the wreck. Politely decline to give recorded statements and refer them to your attorney.

Statute of Limitations for Truck Wreck Claims

Under Texas law, a personal injury lawsuit from a truck wreck must generally be filed within two years of the date of the wreck, with limited exceptions. In a wrongful death case, the two years begin on the date of death. You may review the statute on the Texas Legislature’s website.

Shorter notice deadlines may apply when a government vehicle or employee is involved, so speaking with an attorney promptly matters. Missing the deadline may permanently bar your claim, no matter how strong the evidence is, and truck evidence may be lost quickly.