Austin TRUCKING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

We would love to help you through this difficult time.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness in Austin, Joe Lopez can help you. There are severe consequences to many accidents, long-lasting injuries, and extensive hospital bills. You may not know what to do now that you are hurt and can’t work and provide for your family.

18 WHEELER TRUCKING ACCIDENT CASES

18 wheelers are a modern marvel which allow companies to easily and quickly transport their goods throughout the country and into both urban and rural settings. 18 wheelers became necessary shortly after Henry Ford unveiled the Model T. Ford needed a way to transport all the cars around the country and manufactured an early type of 18 wheeler truck which could transport several cars to different locations. From that moment on, industry changed as companies were able to use new motor vehicles to ship off goods. However, 18 wheelers are not without their downside. Motor vehicle accidents which involve 18 wheelers are often quite severe and may even result in the death of the other driver. If you or a loved one have been involved in an 18 wheeler trucking accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact our experienced and dedicated 18 wheeler trucking accident attorney today.

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Austin Truck Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one have been injured in an 18 wheeler trucking accident, do not hesitate to contact 18 wheeler trucking accident attorney Joe Lopez for assistance in filing your claim. Austin Personal Injury Attorney Joe Lopez is well experienced in handling 18 wheeler cases and understands the traumatic effect these cases have on you and your family. It is more than just a motor vehicle accident and has the potential to drastically alter your life and your future. Contact our Austin office today for your initial free consultation.

Eagle Ford Shale (EFS) Accidents

The Eagle Ford Shale (EFS) is quite possibly the largest single economic development in the history of the state of Texas and ranks as largest oil and gas development in the world based on capital invested. This 400-mile-long, 50-mile-wide bacchanal of oil and gas extraction stretches from Leon County, Texas, in the northeast to the Mexican border in the southwest. This rich in oil area has employees using the process of fracking to extract the oil and gas.

Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand, and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well.

10 reasons
people choose our law firm

1

We pay for ALL up-front expenses. We don't get paid unless you do.

2

Calls, consultations, and questions are welcomed and enjoyed.

3

We take the stress of dealing with the insurance companies off of your shoulders.

4

Over 10 years of experience in bodily injury litigation and insurance claims.

5

We work closely with medical providers such as orthopedists and neuro doctors to get you well.

6

Attorney Joe Lopez is fluent in both Spanish and English.

7

Every person you speak with at our office knows you and your case.

8

Your health and well-being is most important to us.

9

You will work directly with an attorney throughout your entire case.

10

We are passionate about protecting Austin, and the surrounding community.

Meet Joe Lopez

Member of the distinguished multi-million dollar advocates

Joe Lopez started practicing law in 2003 and in 2015, he founded Joe Lopez Law. Today he is the lead trial attorney at the firm. Joe is a trial attorney entirely devoted to representing people who have suffered a great deal.

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Reviews & Testimonials

Austin Car Accident Injury Lawyer Joe Lopez is client focused and very selective taking less cases to ensure that your case is our sole focus. This allows us to strictly concentrate on your case. Meaning that our time, attention, and resources are poured directly into your case.

Joe Lopez will always meet directly with our clients and their family members to ensure everyone is well informed of this process. Most importantly, clients will be ensured a level of comfort dealing with the firm. We have an open communication line and return your calls and emails as soon as possible.

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Awards & Legal Memberships

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with each & every case we handle

Joe Lopez Law

Austin, Texas Car Accident Attorney

Attorney Joe Lopez has years of experience in helping his clients receive the compensation they deserve for traumatic injuries. Joe Lopez has geared his practice to helping those who have been injured by the negligence of others. Devastating accidents happen on a daily basis, but these accidents should not ruin your life.

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Joe Lopez has helped many central Texans in car accident cases from beginning to end. He has fought against insurance companies to make sure his clients receive the protection they are entitled to. Insurance companies are often hesitant to pay out large sums to injured clients. They even attempt to bully the victims into signing a document which provides them with only a fraction of the compensation they are entitled to.

Joe Lopez will ensure that no one attempts to force you to sign any documentation that could prevent any further litigation.

Why Joe Lopez Law can help you

THESE TYPES OF INJURIES can result in the occurance of a truck accident.

Broken Bones or Severe Fractures

Broken or fractured bones are common injuries in Texas 18-wheeler accidents. Typically, the human bone is strong enough to withstand an impact. Sometimes, however, when a strong enough force hits the body, there are times when bones are unable to endure the sheer force of impact. Under these circumstances, a fractured or broken bone is likely to result.

Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Closed head injuries, ranging from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries, are another common injury. These often occur when the head makes direct impact with some part of the vehicle. When airbags go off, the high impact nature of collisions can cause head or brain injuries as a result of making contact with the airbag.

Loss of Limb

When a semi-truck accident is very serious in nature, victims can often lose limbs as a result of being trapped in compromising positions. Injuries of this nature may lead to partial or full amputations.

Back and Neck Injuries

Injuries to the back and neck can often leave accident victims in serious and debilitating pain. Less serious neck injuries include whiplash and neck strain, while severe cases can include disc replacement, spinal dislocations and fractures, strains and sprains, or any number of other conditions of the neck and back.

Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injury

Any damage to the spinal cord which results in the loss of sensation or motor control is classified as a spinal cord injury. The severity of this type of injury usually depends on the location of the damage. Some of the most common types of spinal cord injuries include:

  • Herniated discs
  • Torn ligaments
  • Crushed vertebrae
  • Fractured spine

Serious Burns

Burns are a common consequence of semi-truck accidents in Eagle Ford. The friction caused by contact with moving parts in the car or the roadway itself can leave victims with serious first, second, or third-degree burns on their bodies. Oil fires can also result in serious burns.

Joe Lopez Understands Semi-Truck Laws

The defense lawyers of the trucking and insurance companies will begin immediately. Therefore, you should not delay in contacting our office. Defense lawyers for the trucking insurance companies will work hard to limit their liability. They generally challenge every aspect of evidence in the case to protect their insurance company’s payout. As personal injury trial attorneys with decades of experience, we can assure you that will are prepared to fully and aggressively represent you at every stage of your case. We will document your medical expenses and the extent of your injuries and rigorously investigate all causes of liability. You need to employ an accident attorney at your first opportunity. You want as much evidence as possible to protected and not destroyed or even compromised.

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TEXAS LAWS REGARDING SEMI-TRUCKS

Texas and federal laws mandate that truck drivers must undergo rigorous training and meet specified qualifications. They also govern the amount of time that drivers are working, and several other protocols concerning vehicle repair, regular maintenance and inspections, and insurance coverage. Unfortunately, these mandates are not always fully observed.

In Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to all commercial motor vehicles engaged in interstate commerce. 49 C.F.R. §§ 350-399.

  • Commercial truck drivers are subject to a number of regulations which allow and sometimes even mandate drug testing. See 49 C.F.R. § 382. Semi-truck drivers must be drug-tested before they begin employment and “as soon as practicable following an accident.”
  • With only a few narrow exceptions, any person who operates a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate, foreign, or intrastate commerce must obtain a commercial driver’s license. See 49 C.F.R. § 383.

Federal laws impose rigorous requirements on semi-truck drivers regarding the amount of time they are allowed to drive at any given time. No driver of a property-carrying vehicle may drive or be permitted to drive:

  • More than 11 cumulative hours following 10 consecutive hours off-duty;
  • For any period after the end of the 14th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty (with certain exceptions);
  • After having been on duty 60 hours in any period of 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in any period of 8 consecutive days;
  • Without taking 34 or more consecutive hours off-duty after the 7 or 8 days of consecutive driving described above. 49 C.F.R. § 395.3.

Federal laws impose more rigorous restrictions on passenger-carrying commercial vehicles. Such drivers are not allowed to drive:

  • More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty; or
  • For any period after having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty. 49 C.F.R.395.5.

Why It Is Important To Contact An Attorney

It is important for your truck accident attorney to sort out who the liable parties are. Liable parties in a semi-truck accident lawsuit may include:

  • The owner (trucking company) is usually liable.
  • Attributing liability to the owner of the freight is possible in some cases
  • The driver of the truck generally has very little money.
  • Employers are liable for any accidents caused by its employees while they are acting within the course and scope of their employment.

Practice Areas

Personal injury is the wrongful injury of one person through the negligence or carelessness of another individual. We have successfully represented victims of traffic accidents, workplace accidents, and many other types of accidents.

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