Key Takeaways: What Every Concrete Truck Accident Victim Should Know
- Fully loaded cement trucks can weigh up to 69,000 lbs. in Texas, and their heavy, rotating drum and liquefied stone payload can produce a devastating impact in a collision.
- Cement trucks must carry higher liability insurance than standard passenger vehicles — a minimum of $500,000 for intrastate operation and $750,000 for interstate hauls of non-hazardous freight.
- Hours-of-service violations are a common cause of these wrecks. Intrastate cement truck drivers in Texas may drive no more than 12 hours and must stop after 15 hours on duty, and a trucking company that habitually allows violations may be found negligent.
- Hiring Simmons & Fletcher gives you an experienced team of personal injury attorneys, fighting for injured Houstonians since 1979, with a track record of compassion, dependability, and strong case results.
Accidents involving concrete trucks a/k/a cement-mixer trucks, commonly result in serious injuries and fatalities to those who are hit by them. If you or someone you love was injured by a cement truck accident, call a cement truck accident attorney to discuss your rights. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., fights for injury victims against the companies operating concrete mixers when their drivers negligently cause injury to you or your loved ones. Call today (713) 932-0777 for your free consultation.
What Makes Concrete Truck Accidents Different?
Concrete trucks have strong, heavy internal blades inside a rotating drum that continually move and regulate the temperature of the cement inside the drum. These are heavy-duty vehicles that carry a liquefied stone payload. They can legally weigh up to 69,000 lbs. when fully loaded and operating on Texas roadways. The sheer mass of these commercial motor vehicles can produce an impact that destroys the impacted vehicle, causing serious injury and fatalities.
How Can a Houston Cement Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Cement trucks are subject to the same rules and regulations as other commercial motor vehicles. Whether the vehicle operates solely within Texas or drives outside the state to conduct business determines whether it must follow state rules or both federal and state rules. A cement truck accident lawyer can help you determine which rules apply to your case and determine whether they were violated. Violations of these rules often determine the cement trucking company’s liability.
In addition to the above, a cement truck accident attorney can help you:
- Avoid mistakes or traps when talking to trained adjusters.
- Fully investigate the cause of the collision by inspecting the vehicles and downloading the black box.
- Obtain necessary but costly medical care by issuing letters of protection as required.
- Get to the truck by litigating the case, taking depositions of the drivers, company owners, and eyewitnesses.
- Represent you in court at hearings, depositions, mediations, and trial to fight for a fair and just settlement or judgment.
Why Call Simmons and Fletcher after Your Cement Mixer Truck Accident?
Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., fights exclusively for the injured. Our law firm has fought for injured Houstonians since 1979. We have three attorneys, all experienced personal injury law partners. No associates to pawn you off on. When you hire us, you get us.
Our goal is to fight for each and every client with the same compassion, trustworthiness, and integrity we would for our own family. Call us today for a 100% free consultation regarding your case at 713-932-0777.
What Our Clients Say
Veda J.
“After the accident I was really shaken to my core. Being a senior citizen, I wasn’t sure just what to do. I saw your tv ad and I decided to call. So glad I did…
Irma G.
Simmons and Fletcher was a very nice and friendly law firm from the moment I went in for my initial consult. A big thank you to all of them for hearing me out and agreeing…
Amber R.
Simmons and fletcher law firm. Went above and beyond for me. I was in a bad wreck that requires neck surgery. They constantly called and checked on me to see how I was doing. They…
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I cannot express enough what this firm has done for me and my family! From the very beginning my legal assistant, Jeannette, was there to guide me every step of the way. She kept me…
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This office helped us out tremendously. Everyone we dealt with was professional and courteous. They were quick to respond to any questions regarding the process. I would definitely recommend these attorneys.
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I had a great experience at Simmons and Fletcher. They fought continuously in my case and always hand my best interest in me. Ruth was kind and attentive to my needs. She was always available…
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This firm did an excellent job in representing our family. Not only are they very knowledgeable but are also very polite and always communicated through the whole process. A special thank you to Amanda for…
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I cannot recommend this firm enough. Chris Fletcher represented me and my experience was great from start to finish. Chris was honest, accessible, and easy to talk to. His paralegal, Stephanie Quinn, was also incredibly…
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I had a great experience with Simmons and Fletcher. Sharon Simmons Cantrell did an exceptional job on my case. She was attentive and sweet and fought hard for me. I would recommend her and the…
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I would recommend Simmons and Fletcher to anyone! From start to finish my case was handled properly! Amanda Johnston handle my case so well, as well as communicated with me throughout the entire ordeal, and…
Typical Injuries Sustained in a Concrete Truck Accident in Texas
The injuries we see in Texas concrete truck accidents are representative of injuries seen throughout the entire United States. Here are some of the typical injuries we see:
- Amputation/Limb Loss. An 18-wheeler’s size and weight are far greater than those of the average family passenger vehicle. The loss of an arm or leg due to severe crush injury or a shearing injury.
- Bone Fracture. The force of impact can easily result in broken bones in a big rig wreck.
- Burns. Trucks require a large amount of gasoline and sometimes haul flammable liquid as well; severe burn injuries are not uncommon after a vehicle bursts into flames.
- Disfigurement & Scarring. Any deep gash can result in scars and, at times, disfiguring marks caused by scar tissue. How well this can be controlled and/or avoided often depends upon whether you receive the best medical care available.
- Eye Injury. In a severe impact with an 18-wheeler, it is not uncommon for broken glass and other flying objects to become lodged in your eye, resulting in scratches to the surface, detached retinas, and even vision loss.
- Herniated, Bulging & Protruding Discs. Your spine is not designed to be a punching bag; the soft tissue pads between the bones can be compressed to the point of deforming or exploding, which results in disc injuries or even spinal cord injuries.
- Mental Anguish. The severe trauma of the pain and suffering you endure, or even the loss of a loved one, can cause mental anguish and severe emotional distress in a truck accident.
- Paralysis. While less common, a complete loss of the ability to use one’s legs, arms, or both can occur in a big truck accident.
- Ruptured Spleen. A ruptured spleen is a very painful injury that can result from blunt force trauma to the chest, either from hitting the steering wheel, dash, or other objects.
- Traumatic Brain Injury. Because the head is often slammed back and forth, the brain is often pinballed in commercial vehicle accidents. Recovery will depend upon whether the injury is mild or permanent in nature and the medical treatment you receive.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The fear of driving is a common result of being involved in a life-altering collision for victims of truck accidents.
- Wrongful Death. Sadly, the loss of life is not uncommon when an 18-wheeler crash occurs.
The type of injury you sustain plays an important role in determining the amount of compensation that justice dictates you are owed. Accounting for all of your economic and non-economic damages, as well as your future medical needs and physical impairments, requires that your Houston commercial vehicle accident attorney build your case with the right medical and expert testimony. Your quality of life has been altered. You need legal representation that understands what you are going through. Call us for a free case evaluation and know your legal rights today!
How Are Cement Trucks Regulated?
Cement truck regulations depend on whether the commercial motor vehicle operates within Texas (intrastate) or crosses state lines (interstate). Understanding these regulations is crucial for proving violations that may have contributed to your truck accident.
Intrastate Cement Trucks operating only within Texas must follow:
- Texas Department of Transportation safety regulations;
- State commercial driver’s license requirements;
- Texas-specific hours-of-service rules;
- State vehicle inspection and maintenance standards;
- Minimum $500,000 liability insurance coverage
Interstate Cement Trucks crossing state lines are subject to:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations;
- Federal hours-of-service requirements;
- DOT physical examination standards;
- Electronic logging device mandates;
- Minimum $750,000 liability insurance for non-hazardous freight
Violations of these cement trucking regulations may help establish negligence in your truck accident lawsuit. Our Houston truck accident lawyers thoroughly investigate regulatory compliance to strengthen your case.
What Are the Hours-of-Service Driving Requirements for an Intrastate Cement Truck Driver in Texas?
Cement truck drivers who operate only within Texas’ boundaries must follow the Texas Hours of Service Rules for commercial motor vehicles. Cement trucks may drive a maximum of 12 hours, but they must follow 8 hours of off-duty time; after a total of 15 hours (including breaks), they must stop driving.
Drivers can achieve their 8-hour requirement by;
- Taking 8 full hours of off-duty time,
- Combining 8 consecutive hours off duty and sleeper berth time, or
- Taking two periods of rest in the sleeper berth, provided:
- Neither rest period in the sleeper berth is under 2 hours in duration;
- The driving time in the period immediately before and after each rest period in the sleeper berth, when added together, does not exceed 12 hours,
- The on-duty time in the period immediately before and after each rest period in the sleeper berth, when added together, does not include any driving time after the 15th hour; and
- The driver may not return to driving without taking at least 8 consecutive hours off duty, at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, or a combination of at least 8 consecutive hours off duty and sleeper berth time.
If the cement truck delivers or hauls cement outside Texas, the driver must comply with the Federal 14-Hour Rule, not just the Texas Hours of Service Rules.
What Happened When a Cement Truck Driver Fails to Follow the Hours-of-Service Rules?
In addition to being cited and/or having the truck basically impounded, drivers who habitually fail to follow Hours-of-Service rules can become drowsy, less aware, and very dangerous behind the wheel. When a truck driver causes a wreck due to insufficient rest, the question becomes “how was this allowed to happen?” Truck drivers must keep extensive logs, and event data recorders, a/k/a black boxes, record driving hours and times so the trucking company can monitor them and prevent violations. If the company habitually allows drivers to violate HOR rules, the company itself may be negligent or even grossly negligent.
Other Resources
- What is a Commercial Motor Vehicle? Learn what qualifies a vehicle for regulation as a commercial motor vehicle.
- How To Prove Truck Driver Negligence In A Commercial Vehicle Accident. Learn what evidence you need to win your case.
- How To Sue A Trucking Company For Negligence After a Crash. The litigation process explained.
- Overweight Truck Accidents. Learn the regulations and requirements for heavy trucks.
Call Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. If You’ve Been Hit by a Cement Truck
If you sustain injuries after being hit by a cement truck, talk to a Houston personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Commercial trucking companies have teams of accident investigators whose goal is to reduce their exposure. A cement truck accident lawyer can help investigate the wreck and preserve critical evidence before it “disappears.” Injured victims have trusted the injury law firm of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., to investigate and litigate commercial truck wrecks since 1979. Talk to the law firm known for speaking up for the injured by calling (713) 932-0777 right now.
FAQ's
How much insurance must an intrastate cement truck carry in Texas?
Texas requires cement truck operators to carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance coverage. Texas intrastate commercial drivers operating vehicles of 26,001 pounds or more must follow this rule.
How much insurance must an interstate cement truck carry?
Federal law mandates that interstate cement truck drivers carry a minimum of $750,000.00 in liability insurance coverage for non-hazardous loads and vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or greater.
How much do cement trucks weigh?
An empty cement truck typically weighs 20,000 to 30,000 lbs. However, cement trucks can carry enough concrete to bring the total truck and load weight to 69,000 lbs. in Texas.
