Every day, thousands of semi-trucks and tractor-trailers pass through the State of Texas on their way East or West. Sadly, not all of these transports safely reach their destinations. Accidents involving large trucks can prove fatal – especially for the occupants inside smaller vehicles. If you lost a loved one in a fatal 18-wheeler accident in Laredo, a wrongful death attorney in Laredo with experience in truck accident law can help you seek justice.
How Often Do Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents Occur in Laredo?
Fatal commercial trucking accidents are a growing problem. According to data collected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by 18 percent from 2020 to 2021, from 4,821 to 5,700.
In 2021, Texas reported 806 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks. This was the highest number in the last 10 years – an increase of 25.3 percent from 2020. The most recent statistics (2023) show 796 accidents involving commercial vehicles in Webb County alone, resulting in 3 fatalities (source: the Texas Department of Transportation).
Common Causes of Fatal Truck Accidents
Catastrophic and deadly truck accidents can occur in Laredo due to many examples of negligence, or the failure to act with proper care. Negligence by a trucking company, truck driver, cargo company or other involved parties increases the odds of a serious collision.
Common issues and mistakes behind fatal truck accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Drowsy driving
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Broken federal regulations
- Violated hours-of-service rules
- Incompetent truck driver
- Improper truck maintenance
- Equipment failures
- Tire blowouts
- Improper cargo loading or securement
- Imbalanced loads
You or your wrongful death attorney must determine the cause of the fatal trucking accident before you can file an insurance claim. This is how Texas’s fault-based insurance system works; the party at fault for causing an accident is identified, and then his or her insurance pays for victims’ losses.
Can You File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Truck Accident in Laredo?
If an investigation discovers that the trucking company, truck driver or another party besides your loved one is at fault for the fatal wreck, your family may be able to obtain financial compensation through a wrongful death claim in Laredo.
A wrongful death claim can be filed in Texas if the death was caused by someone else’s “wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness or default” (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.002). If your lawyer can prove that the defendant is at fault for the fatal truck accident, eligible beneficiaries and surviving loved ones may secure financial compensation for various losses.
Common types of compensation include reasonable funeral and burial costs, lost income and financial support, lost savings or inheritance, lost value of household services the decedent would have provided, loss of consortium, and survivors’ mental pain and anguish.
What to Do if Your Loved One Died in a Fatal Semi-Truck Crash in Laredo
It is critical to have an experienced Laredo trucking accident attorney by your side when pursuing compensation for a fatal truck accident. These cases are complex, with issues such as powerful adversaries and unique types of evidence. An attorney can successfully navigate Texas’s wrongful death and trucking laws on your behalf. You can count on your lawyer to achieve the best possible case results while your family focuses on what matters most.
To discuss a fatal truck accident with an attorney in Laredo at no cost or obligation, schedule a free consultation at Gonzalez Druker Law Firm.