Truck accidents in Georgetown can be devastating. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks can cause significant damage and injuries to other vehicles and their occupants. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Georgetown, you need experienced legal representation to help you navigate the complexities of your case.
At Howry, Breen & Herman, LLP, we have a team of dedicated personal injury attorneys who specialize in truck accident cases. We understand the unique challenges that come with these types of accidents, and we have the skills and resources needed to fight for your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at (512) 430-4844 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Georgetown truck accident lawyer.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
A truck accident refers to any collision or incident involving a commercial truck, such as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, big rig, or other large freight-carrying vehicle. These accidents can occur on highways, city streets, or any road where trucks travel. Truck accidents can vary in severity and may result in property damage, catastrophic injuries, or fatalities.
Common types of truck accidents include:
Rear-End Collisions: These occur when a truck strikes the vehicle in front of it. Trucks have longer stopping distances than passenger cars, and factors like distracted driving or sudden braking can lead to rear-end collisions.
Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife accident happens when the truck's trailer swings out to the side, forming an L or V shape with the cab. This often occurs when the truck's wheels lock up due to braking too hard or losing traction, causing the trailer to skid.
Rollover Accidents: Trucks are prone to rollovers because of their high center of gravity. Sharp turns at high speeds, abrupt lane changes, and overloading can lead to rollovers. These accidents can be particularly devastating.
Underride Accidents: An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle gets trapped underneath the rear or side of a truck's trailer. These accidents are often fatal for occupants of the smaller vehicle, as their passenger compartment can be severely crushed.
Wide Turns: Trucks make wide turns to accommodate their length. However, this can lead to collisions with vehicles in adjacent lanes, especially if the truck driver doesn't check their blind spots properly.
Blind Spot Accidents: Large trucks have significant blind spots where smaller vehicles can disappear from the truck driver's view. If a truck changes lanes or makes a turn without checking these blind spots, it can lead to collisions.
Tire Blowouts: Blowouts of a truck's tires can result in loss of control and accidents. The debris from a blown tire can also pose a hazard to other vehicles on the road.
Fatigue-Related Accidents: Truck drivers often work long hours and may experience fatigue, which can impair their judgment and reaction times. Fatigue-related accidents can be caused by falling asleep at the wheel or reduced alertness.
Brake Failures: Brake failures in trucks can result from inadequate maintenance or issues with the braking system. This can lead to rear-end collisions, jackknife accidents, or other dangerous situations.
Hazardous Materials Accidents: Trucks carrying hazardous materials pose an additional risk. Accidents involving these materials can lead to explosions, fires, and environmental damage.
Load Shifts and Spills: If cargo inside a truck is not properly secured, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable or leading to cargo spills. This can result in accidents and road hazards.
Weather-Related Accidents: Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, or fog, can make driving a truck more challenging and increase the risk of accidents.
Determining Truck Accident Liability
Determining liability in a truck accident can be complex because multiple parties may share responsibility for the accident.
The potential liable parties in a truck accident can include:
Truck Driver: The most common party held responsible for a truck accident is the truck driver. If the driver's actions or negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or violating traffic laws, contributed to the accident, they may be held liable.
Trucking Company: The trucking company that employs the driver can also be liable. If the company encouraged or forced the driver to violate regulations, failed to adequately train the driver, or neglected vehicle maintenance, it may share liability for the accident.
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Companies: If the accident was caused by a mechanical failure or defect in the truck, the companies responsible for maintaining or repairing the vehicle may be held liable for negligence in maintaining or repairing the truck properly.
Truck Manufacturer: In some cases, a defect in the truck's design or manufacturing can contribute to an accident. If this is the case, the truck manufacturer may be held liable for product liability.
Cargo Loaders and Shippers: If the cargo in the truck was improperly loaded, unsecured, or exceeded weight limits, the companies responsible for loading and shipping the cargo may share liability for the accident.
Government Entities: If the accident was caused by hazardous road conditions, poor road maintenance, or inadequate signage, government entities responsible for the road's safety may be held liable.
Contractors and Subcontractors: In cases where the trucking company subcontracted certain aspects of their operations, such as maintenance or cargo loading, the subcontractors may share liability if their actions or negligence contributed to the accident.
Third-Party Drivers: If another vehicle on the road played a role in causing the accident, the driver of that vehicle may be held liable for their actions or negligence.
Insurance Companies: Insurance companies may be involved in determining liability and settling claims. Depending on the circumstances, they may also be held accountable if they act in bad faith by not fulfilling their obligations.
Establishing liability often requires a thorough investigation of the accident, including examining evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, vehicle data recorders (black boxes), and surveillance footage. Legal professionals, insurance adjusters, and accident reconstruction experts may be involved in determining the responsible parties.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact our Georgetown truck accident lawyers at Howry, Breen & Herman, LLP today at (512) 430-4844 for a free case review.
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HBH went above and beyond to help out following a crisis. Over the course of a 3 year case, I was always kept in the loop by their amazing team. Their preparation and execution was flawless and made the whole process run smoothly. Cannot speak highly enough of their team and how they care for their clients. Will never recommend another personal injury firm besides HBH.
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
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Howry, Breen & Herman is proud to have been named a Tier 1, 2 and 3 Austin “Best Law Firm” in 9 practice areas by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® (“U.S. News” and BL Rankings, LLC). Law firms are selected for inclusion in this prestigious ranking based on a series of quantitative and qualitative criteria. Our specialty and tiers are listed here: https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/profile/howry-breen-herman-llp/overview/36628
The Austin Bar Association was founded in 1893 as a nonprofit professional organization for attorneys. Its mission is to enhance the legal profession, administration of justice, and the community through education, networking, and public service.
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Howry Breen & Herman, LLP was selected the Top Personal Injury Law Firm in Austin by Texas Lawyer, “Best of 2020”. The annual special supplement contains the results of Texas Lawyer readers’ poll, wherein readers cast their votes for the best providers of services and goods to the legal profession.
Attorney Sean Breen and Attorney Chris Lavorato placed in California’s Top 100 Settlements for 2019, as tracked by The Recorder and VerdictSearch.
Our law firm is proud to have been recognized in the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame. Texas Lawyer in conjunction with VerdictSearch, recognize attorneys and law firms for their verdicts of $10 million or more. In 2011 Sean Breen was a Hall of Fame Award Recipient for the #1 Premises Liability Top Texas Verdict, awarded by Texas Lawyer, for the jury verdict award in the case VanDusen v. Aspen Square Management. In 2016 Sean Breen was inducted into the Texas Verdicts Hall of Fame, awarded by Texas Lawyer, for an outstanding verdict in Nester v. Textron.
Selection to America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identity the nation’s most exceptional litigators for high-value personal injury, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice matters. HBH is proud that Sean Breen has been selected for this award. Less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor — truly the most exclusive and elite level of attorneys in the community. (2017-2022)
Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
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Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year | Personal Injury - Plaintiffs (by BL Rankings, LLC d/b/a Best Lawyers and Co., LLC)
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional attorneys whose accomplishments and impact on the legal profession merit a Lifetime Achievement award. Selection is not achieved based on a single accomplishment or a single great year of success, but rather on a lifetime of hard work, ethical standards, and community enriching accomplishments that are inspiring among the legal profession. Both Sean Breen (since 2017) and Randy Howry (since 2018) are honored to receive this award.
America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional trial attorneys in high value, high stakes legal matters. To be considered for selection, an attorney must have litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter (1) with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or (2) with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake. These minimum qualifications are required for initial consideration. Thereafter, candidates are carefully screened through comprehensive Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on a broad array of criteria, including the candidate’s professional experience, litigation experience, significant case results, representative high stakes matters, peer reputation, and community impact in order to rank the candidates throughout the state. HBH is privileged to honor Partners Sean Breen (2017- 2022) and Randy Howry 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for selection of this award.
Expertise - Howry Breen & Herman was recognized and featured in an article by expertisecommunity.com as one of the Best Real Estate Lawyers in Austin. 2020
America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers®” – 7 Figure Litigators®, 8 Figure Litigators®, is meant to recognize the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on their verifiable verdicts and/or settlements. It is a tremendous honor for Sean Breen (member since 2019) and Randy Howry (member since 2020) to be recognized among this elite group.
America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers®” – 7 Figure Litigators®, 8 Figure Litigators®, is meant to recognize the nation’s most respected and preeminent high-stakes trial lawyers based on their verifiable verdicts and/or settlements. It is a tremendous honor for Sean Breen (member since 2019) and Randy Howry (member since 2020) to be recognized among this elite group.
The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100, a highly respected legal organization that limits its members to premier trial attorneys who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by strict qualification requirements. Sean Breen Top 100 Civil Plaintiff, since 2009.
Top 10 Business Tort Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. Randy Howry 2012-2013; Sean Breen since 2016.
The Best Lawyers in America® recognizes the top 5% of the most skilled attorneys in the nation. The robust selection process requires attorneys to nominate and review fellow lawyers based on their ethics, skill, knowledge, and ability to obtain results for their clients. The Best Lawyers in America® list is a way for plaintiffs to identify the leading attorneys in their region, known for their ability to get results with honesty, strength, and skill. Tim Herman, Sean Breen & Randy Howry have been featured by The Best Lawyers in America® (consecutively from 2006-2023) running alongside some of the most qualified firms in the nation. More info here.
Top Attorneys As Published In Texas Monthly
Sean Breen has been recognized for obtaining the Number 1 Verdict in Texas for electrical injury and utility negligence. This win underscores his relentless commitment to achieving justice for his clients and showcases the firms dedication to exceptional advocacy.
Sean Breen was honored by TopVerdict.com for recovering one of the Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2017. This is an honorable distinction, reserved for those attorneys that achieve the highest settlements and verdicts in the state.
Sean Breen was honored by TopVerdict.com for recovering one of the Top 50 Verdicts in Texas in 2016. This is an honorable distinction, reserved for those attorneys that achieve the highest settlements and verdicts in the state.
Sean Breen has been a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2011, a renowned legal organization whose membership is restricted to trial attorneys who have achieved seven-figured settlements and/or jury verdicts.
Martindale-Hubbell® is widely regarded as one of the most renowned peer-review rating organizations in the legal field. Randy Howry (2018), Sean Breen (2001), Tim Herman (1998), and Glen Wilkerson (2014) at Howry, Breen & Herman have achieved the organization’s highest distinction of AV Preeminent®.
Each year, Super Lawyers® magazine publishes its list of peer-nominated/evaluated and independently reviewed attorneys. We are proud to have attorneys who have been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers® List, by Thomas Reuters since 2003, running through 2020.
Membership in Top American Lawyers is limited to only 1% of all attorneys in the United States. Randy Howry is proud to be honored with a Lifetime Charter Membership in this exclusive organization (2017).
Randy Howry was honored by Austin Monthly’s Top Attorneys in 2023.
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