Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers How We Can Help You
Attorney Stewart J. Guss founded this law firm to put the client first, go after the justice they need, and get them the results they require. Today, the firm has not only met these goals but surpassed them with our skilled and knowledgeable attorneys and staff that will try to do whatever it takes to get the best possible outcome for our clients. As a result of this drive, experience, and dedication, we have not only helped countless clients but collected millions of dollars on their behalf through settlement negotiations and jury verdicts. However, more importantly, because we take all of our truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, our clients will owe us nothing unless we win their case. That is why you should reach out to us today with your case questions. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Common Types of Trucking Accidents in Corpus Christi
Due to their sheer size and weight, large trucks can often result in catastrophic injuries and significant property damage. Below we will discuss some of the more common types of trucking accidents that tend to occur in Corpus Christi:#1. Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident typically occurs when a large truck suddenly brakes and their trailer swings out to a ninety-degree angle, creating a shape that resembles a pocketknife. Unfortunately, when this movement happens, it can easily cause the truck to roll over or overturn, resulting in a massive accident and severe injuries.#2. Rollover Accidents
These trucking collisions tend to happen when a trucker loses control of their vehicles, and the truck ends up rolling onto its side.#3. Tire Blowout Accidents
Large trucks are especially vulnerable to tire blowouts and other tire issues. However, if a truck’s tire blows out, it forces the truck to move in a wayward direction uncontrollably and can result in it crashing into nearby motor vehicles.#4. Blind Spot Accidents
Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can cause the truck driver to lose sight of the other motor vehicles around them. Typically, these blind spots are located on the back of the truck, the front, and on each of the sides and although, most truckers do their best to check these spots before turning, changing lanes, or braking, sometimes they may still not be able to see another motor vehicle in these blind spots, leading to devastating accidents.#5. Wide Turn Accidents
If truckers are approaching an intersection with the intent to turn right, they may try to swing out to make sure they can make this turn. Yet, when they do this, it can cause the truck to turn into other lanes and trap vehicles and pedestrians there.#6. T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents are known as side-impact collisions, which occur when a truck runs a stop sign or a red light and crashes into another vehicle perpendicularly. These accidents are especially dangerous for passengers sitting in a car on the side of the impact, as smaller passenger cars do not provide their occupants with much protection when a heavier truck slams into them.#7. Rear-end and Head-on Accidents
A head-on crash occurs when a truck collides with another vehicle head-on, while a rear-end crash results when the truck driver drives into the back of another vehicle. Although there are a few differences between these two accidents, they both tend to result in the same consequences debilitating injuries, devastating pain, and in some cases, even death.Common Causes of Corpus Christi Trucking Accidents
Studies show that almost one-third of trucking accidents result from truck driver error. Yet, even though this cause is a significant concern in Corpus Christi, there are numerous other reasons behind these tragic accidents as well. For instance:#1. Speeding
Truckers have tight deadlines and often a significant amount of pressure from clients and trucking companies to meet these deadlines. Consequently, many of these drivers feel significant stress about getting to their destination as quickly as possible, which causes them to drive faster than what is appropriate for these vehicles. Yet, when these drivers push these semis to their limits, it can cause deadly accidents on the road, especially since the truck’s force of impact is much more substantial when it is traveling at higher speeds.#2. Fatigue
The Federal Hours-of-Services Regulations lay out the amount of time a trucker can drive per shift, the number of breaks they need to take, and how many consecutive days they are allowed to be on the roads. However, because of their deadlines, many of these drivers do not follow these rules. Instead, they forgo their rest to ensure that goods are delivered to destinations within the allotted time. Yet, when these drivers do not get the break they need, it results in them experiencing slower reaction times, a loss of coordination, and even causing them to fall asleep behind the wheel.#3. Intoxicated Driving
If a truck driver decides to drive their vehicle while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or even certain prescription medications, it can significantly impact their ability to make sound decisions on the roads. As a result, intoxicated driving can often lead to devastating crashes and numerous fatalities.#4. Distracted Driving
Truck drivers have to drive long distances for hours on end. However, when these drivers have to do this day in and day out, it can become tedious, leading to boredom and ultimately distracted driving. Distracted driving refers to any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from their primary task of driving. These activities include texting, eating, talking on the phone, or playing with the radio while driving. Yet, although in most instances this distraction may only last a moment, when these truck drivers glance away from the road for even a second, it can mean bad news for not only them but for everyone around them.#5. Defective Trucks and Parts
Defective trucks can put people in danger. That is why trucking companies and drivers are supposed to keep their trucks in good working order and regularly inspect them to ensure they are well-maintained. However, many of these companies decide to put off these important checks because of their expenses and the amount of time they take. Yet, when these routine checkups are not completed, large semis often end up on the road in insufficient condition to make the trip.#6. Dangerous Corpus Christi Intersections and Roadways
Although these tragic trucking collisions can occur anywhere in Corpus Christi, some intersections and roadways in the city are more prone to crashes than others. They include:- Staples Street and South Padre Island Drive
- Saratoga Boulevard and South Staples Street
- South Padre Island Drive and Airline Road
- South Padre Island Drive and Kostoryz Road
- TX-286 and Crosstown Expressway
The Actions You Should Take After a Corpus Christi Trucking Accident
Trucking accidents are some of the most destructive accidents on the road. However, as a victim of this crash, even though the last thing you want to do is worry about the steps you need to take next, you should make sure you understand what you have to do in these situations. This is because the things you do after this accident can help keep you safe and protect your legal rights. For these reasons, following a Corpus Christi trucking collision, you should do the following:#1. Call 911 Immediately After the Crash
After a trucking collision, you need to call 911 right away. This is the best way to alert the police of the accident, get it on record, and let emergency medical crews know that you or another person needs immediate medical assistance. Once the authorities get to the scene, they can perform a preliminary investigation and jot down their findings in their police report. If you decide to file a legal claim following this accident, this police report can serve as valuable evidence.#2. Gather Evidence From the Area
Generally, following a trucking accident, you will likely require emergency medical treatment, which will prevent you from doing anything after the crash. However, in rare situations where circumstances of the collision allow you to move around safely, you should try to collect as much evidence from the scene as possible. This evidence should include pictures and videos of the vehicles involved, your visible injuries, the placement of these vehicles on the road, the weather conditions at the time of the incident, skid marks on the street, traffic signs and signals near the area, and any other evidence that can help show what happened. Yet, if you cannot gather this information, do not worry. After you retain a Corpus Christi trucking accident lawyer, like those at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, these attorneys can get to work securing all of this evidence on your behalf.#3. Exchange Details with the Other Drivers
Try to exchange information with all those involved in the trucking collision, including names, contact details, insurance information, and driver’s license numbers. However, as you get this information, make sure you watch what you say. This means you want to avoid making any definitive statements about the accident, apologizing, or taking the blame for what happened. These types of comments can come back later and hurt your case, impacting the amount of money you can receive.#4. Check for Witnesses
If people at the accident scene saw what happened, try to get their personal details, including names and numbers. Their statements can often provide your lawyer with helpful information regarding the accident and help back up your claim.#5. Get to a Doctor as Soon as You Can
As previously mentioned, you likely will require emergency medical assistance after your trucking collision. However, if it appears that you only suffered minor injuries following your trucking accident, you should still get to a doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms of serious injuries such as brain trauma can take some time to manifest. Yet, the longer you delay getting this condition checked out, the more deadly it can become. Plus, getting this prompt medical treatment can also help your legal case. Insurance companies are always looking for ways to get you to settle for less than you deserve or deny your claim altogether. By not getting prompt medical treatment, these insurers will try to argue that your injuries are not that serious or a result of a separate event Fortunately, when you get to a doctor after your accident, these medical professionals can write down details regarding your injuries in their medical report, providing you with evidence of a direct connection between the harm you sustained and your Corpus Christi truck accident.Corpus Christi Truck Accident FAQs
Following a Corpus Christi trucking accident, you likely need information regarding the legal options you have, the remedies you can pursue, and the steps you need to take next. That is why we have prepared answers to the following frequently asked questions our firm often receives following a trucking collision. With these responses, we hope you have a better understanding of how you can secure compensation after this tragic accident and how an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you take on this legal fight and go after the justice you deserve.1. Following a Trucking Accident in Corpus Christi, How Do You Know If You Have a Valid Legal Claim?
One of the most common questions clients want to know after a trucking accident is whether they can take legal action and go after the compensation they need for the losses and injuries they endured. Yet, the answer to this question is not as simple as many people want it to be. In truth, to determine if you have a viable legal claim, numerous factors need to be considered. For instance:- Was the trucking accident the result of another person’s wrongful, reckless, or negligent actions?
- Did the trucking accident cause you to suffer substantial injuries and losses?
- Did these injuries result in significant financial damages?
- Is there time to bring a legal claim following the trucking accident?
- Is there insurance money available following the trucking accident?
2. Who Can You Hold Accountable if You Were Involved in a Corpus Christi Truck Collision?
Many victims of a Corpus Christi trucking accident may not realize that following a collision, there can be multiple parties responsible for the accident, even those not present at the scene. These liable parties can include:- The liable truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck’s owner
- Cargo owners and loaders
- Truck mechanics
- Manufacturers of the truck or its parts
- Other parties that contributed to the accident, such as other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists
- Governmental agencies responsible for road maintenance or design
3. What Is the Statute of Limitations For Pursuing a Trucking Accident Claim in Corpus Christi?
The statute of limitations is a rule that sets the maximum amount of time an individual has to file a legal claim following an alleged offense. If these individuals do not file their claim within that time, they can be barred from bringing legal action to collect money for their injuries and losses. In Texas, the statute of limitations to bring an injury claim following a trucking accident in Corpus Christi is two years from the date of the accident. However, some limited exceptions to this rule may apply. That is why, following a Corpus Christi trucking accident, you should reach out to an experienced Corpus Christi trucking accident lawyer, like those at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, as soon as you can. We can promptly review your accident, figure out how much time you have to file your claim, and prepare and file all your legal motions and documents appropriately and correctly before time runs out. Plus, just because you may have years to file your claim, it is often best that you do not hold off waiting that long. Over time, memories of the incident can fade, evidence can disappear, and witnesses may no longer be able to testify, factors which can impact the chance of your case succeeding.4. What Types of Compensation Can You Pursue Following a Corpus Christi Truck Accident?
If you suffered harm in a Corpus Christi truck accident because of another person’s wrongful or negligent actions, you might be entitled to certain types of compensation. In Texas, this compensation includes both economic and non-economic damages: Economic Damages: These damages are the actual losses a person experiences following an accident. These losses are generally easy to quantify and include:- Medical bills related to surgeries, doctor visits, hospital stay, prescription medications, emergency services, and even assistive medical devices
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Personal property replacement or repair expenses
- At-home nursing care
- Replacement home services such as child-care or cleaning services
- Rehabilitation therapy services
- Other out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Limb loss
- Inconvenience
- Humiliation
- Loss of reputation
- Other nonpecuniary losses
5. How Much Is a Corpus Christi Trucking Accident Case Worth?
Trucking accidents are often known to result in substantial costs, often related to the astronomical medical bills and the inability to work following the accident because of the injuries that occurred. Yet even though an experienced attorney can help you go after those responsible for these injuries, they cannot promise you that they will succeed in your case or be able to tell you exactly how much money you can get for your damages. This is generally because there are just too many factors that can impact the value of your claim and, ultimately, the amount of money you can receive. For instance, consider the following factors that can influence your potential recovery:- The type, severity, and extent of the injuries you sustained from your trucking accident
- The type of medical treatments needed
- Did the accident result in lost wages
- Whether medical care or nursing care will be required in the future
- Whether you can work following the accident
- Did you suffer extensive pain and suffering because of the accident
- Can you perform the normal activities that you used to take part in before the accident
- The defendant’s culpability
- The credibility of the evidence presented
6. How Long Will It Take For a Trucking Accident Case to Resolve in Corpus Christi?
Numerous factors can influence how long it will take for your legal case to resolve following a trucking accident, including:- The extent of the medical treatments involved and how long before you have a better understanding of your injuries
- The time it takes to perform a thorough investigation into the accident
- The interactions with the insurance company and how negotiations are going
7. What Happens If You Lost a Loved One in a Corpus Christi Trucking Accident?
If an individual passes away in a Corpus Christi trucking accident because of the wrongful or negligent actions of another, their loved ones can bring a wrongful death claim. These claims are a particular type of personal injury case that arises when a person dies following an accident from their injuries. Because of this death, certain family members can step into the shoes of the deceased and sue for damages that can compensate their family for the costs arising from their family member’s death and the loss of financial support they endured after losing their loved one. These damages often include:- Funeral costs and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of care and love
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
8. How Can Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers Help You Following a Corpus Christi Trucking Accident?
At Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, we understand that no amount of compensation will ever truly help you forget about the events that led to your injuries or the pain and trauma that you had to experience because of your trucking accident. However, we also know that when you obtain fair compensation for the losses and harm you sustained, this money can help you start rebuilding your life and provide you with some peace of mind that justice has been obtained. That is why our firm’s goal has always been to put our clients first, get them through their challenging legal ordeal, and help them fight for the maximum financial recovery they are entitled to. For these reasons, when you retain one of our experienced trucking accident lawyers, we can make sure to:- Go over your truck accident with you in detail, evaluate your legal claim, and determine whether you have a viable case.
- Provide you with the legal support you need during this challenging time and help you figure out the legal options you can pursue.
- Answer all the questions and concerns you have regarding your case and the legal process involved.
- Thoroughly investigate your trucking accident and secure the evidence needed to prove fault and damages.
- Obtain experts, such as accident reconstructionists, financial experts, doctors, and even engineers, to substantiate your claim.
- Handle all the discussions and negotiations with the others side on your behalf, going after the just settlement you require.
- Proceed to trial if the other side is unwilling to negotiate fairly and fight for maximum compensation.
See what past clients have to say:
Review: 5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"As a relatively new resident of Houston, I did not know of an attorney to contact for a personal injury suit. I randomly went through the yellow pages contacting two attorneys that had rejected my case prior to me contacting Stewart Guss. Stewart took my case on and settled for far more than I had anticipated. The silver lining of this is that I will now have enough money to go back to school for retraining, so I will be able to reenter the workforce in a new capacity. The paralegal, Angela, was kind and supportive throughout the process. If I did not understand the legal jargon, I did not hesitate to ask, and was never once made to feel that I was incompetent. Thank you Stewart and Angela for giving me a new lease on live."
-Sally T.