Rollover Truck Accidents in Temple
Truck rollovers are among the most terrifying events a driver could encounter. When a semi has a rollover crash, it could crush vehicles in parallel lanes. Rollover crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
If you were involved in a rollover truck accident in Temple and sustained injuries, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses. Consult with a local truck accident lawyer to find out how you can pursue damages that might cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain, mental anguish, and other losses.
How Do Rollovers Happen?
Rollovers usually occur when a truck navigates a turn or a curve. The trailer’s high center of gravity causes it to lean in the opposite direction to the curve, pulling the vehicle onto its side.
The large majority of rollover wrecks are preventable. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, driver error accounts for almost 80 percent of truck rollovers. Scenarios that might lead to truck rollovers include:
- Speeding, driving too fast for conditions
- Distracted driving leading to overcorrection on a curve
- Aggressive lane changes or merges
- Shifting cargo causing a steering wobble the driver does not correct in time
Rollovers also might occur if the trucker loses control of the rig because of a tire blowout or other mechanical failure. Road hazards such as black ice could cause a rollover accident, and fierce wind gusts have caused rollovers. A capable accident attorney could investigate a particular crash to determine the likely cause.
Who Might Be Responsible?
Truck drivers have a responsibility to everyone else on the road to operate their vehicles safely. When their carelessness or misjudgment causes an accident, they could be liable to anyone who was injured as a result. However, even when driver error is the primary cause of the wreck, a savvy attorney could identify other potentially responsible parties who might share responsibility.
A trucker’s employer is responsible for any negligent acts they commit while on duty. If the truck driver was working a shift at the time of the wreck, an injured person could hold the trucking company liable.
Companies that load cargo also have a duty to ensure that the cargo is distributed properly and secured in the trailer or tank. If an improperly loaded trailer or tank caused the rollover, the cargo loading company could bear responsibility.
Sometimes a poorly maintained road or unclear signage could lead a truck into a rollover. In these situations, the local government responsible for that stretch of road could be liable to someone who suffered injuries in the accident.
What is the Timeframe for Action?
Texas requires someone seeking damages for personal injuries to file a lawsuit within two years of the date they were injured. Failing to meet that deadline could prevent an injured person from collecting damages, no matter how worthy their case.
An injured person must move very quickly if a local government might have some responsibility for the rollover. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 101.101 requires anyone seeking damages from a local government to file a notice of claim describing the circumstances with the local government within six months of the incident.
Accident victims must be aware of these deadlines, or they risk losing their rights to claim damages. A knowledgeable accident attorney could ensure that all filings occur on time and preserve the injured person’s right to sue.
Trust Your Rollover Injury Claim to an Experienced Attorney
Truck accident claims often involve multiple potentially responsible parties, which can complicate the process of arriving at a reasonable settlement. The process requires the help of a legal professional who knows the law and understands the trucking business.
If a rollover truck accident in Temple injured you, a local lawyer with experience litigating truck crash claims is your best bet. Discuss your options with a seasoned advocate—reach out today.
