Forklifts are widely used in industrial, construction, shipping, and retail environments to move heavy materials. While they are essential tools, forklifts are also powerful machines that require proper training and careful operation. Each year, forklift accidents cause serious injuries and fatalities in workplaces across Texas and the United States.
If you were injured in a forklift or lift truck accident in Brownsville, experienced legal representation can make a critical difference in your recovery. Herrman & Herrman helps injured workers pursue full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With more than a century of combined legal experience and thousands of cases handled, our attorneys are prepared to protect your rights and guide you through the legal process after a forklift accident.
Our firm has an office in Brownsville and a fully bilingual staff fluent in both Spanish and English. Contact Herrman & Herrman today for a free case evaluation to discuss your legal rights and options after a forklift or lift truck injury in Texas.
The Serious Nature of Forklift Accidents
Forklift accidents continue to cause tens of thousands of workplace injuries and numerous fatalities each year. According to available workplace safety data, forklifts are consistently linked to severe injuries and deadly incidents nationwide.
Forklifts are especially dangerous because:
-
They can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, which is hazardous in crowded or enclosed work environments such as warehouses.
-
They operate differently than passenger vehicles, with rear-wheel steering, unique braking systems, and a rear-weighted design.
-
Loads are typically carried in front, often blocking the operator’s view.
-
Raising or carrying heavy loads can destabilize the forklift, increasing the risk of rollovers.
The combination of weight, speed, and limited visibility makes forklift accidents particularly dangerous and often leads to catastrophic injuries.
Common Causes of Forklift Accidents
Federal workplace safety regulations require forklift operators to complete approved training programs. Despite these requirements, forklift accidents frequently occur due to unsafe practices, equipment issues, or employer negligence.
Common causes of forklift accidents include:
-
Inadequate training or lack of experience
-
Reckless operation, including speeding, inattention, failing to yield to pedestrians, or horseplay
-
Failing to secure or shut down the forklift when leaving the controls
-
Traveling on unsafe inclines or driving off ramps
-
Poor maintenance or mechanical failures
-
Design or manufacturing defects
-
Lack of proper safety equipment, such as seatbelts, helmets, roll cages, grab handles, warning lights, or audible alarms
Forklift Fatalities Investigated by OSHA
Tragically, forklift accidents continue to claim lives each year. Many fatal incidents are investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Past OSHA investigations have documented fatal forklift accidents involving:
-
A terminal clerk who was struck and run over when the operator’s view was blocked by a raised load
-
An operator crushed during a high-speed turn that caused the forklift to tip over
-
An employee pinned after standing on an unsecured pallet being lifted by a forklift
-
A fatal head injury suffered when a forklift tipped after colliding with a tractor-trailer pulling away from a loading dock
-
A worker killed when a forklift tipped over after hitting a pothole in a parking lot
-
A longshoreman crushed when improperly positioned forks tipped a nearby pallet onto him
-
An operator killed in a rollover on a steep incline while not wearing a seatbelt
These incidents highlight how quickly forklift accidents can turn deadly when safety protocols are ignored.
What to Do After a Forklift Accident in Brownsville
If you were injured in a forklift accident, taking prompt action can help protect your health and your legal rights:
-
Seek medical attention immediately. Call emergency services for serious injuries or schedule a medical evaluation within 48 hours if emergency care is not required.
-
Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible and request a copy of any incident or accident report.
-
Document the scene by taking photos or videos of the forklift, surrounding area, and any visible injuries, if you are able.
-
Consult a Brownsville forklift accident attorney at Herrman & Herrman. An attorney can explain your rights, evaluate potential claims, and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Forklift accidents can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Having an experienced legal team on your side can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Contact a Forklift Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a forklift-related accident, you may have options for seeking financial compensation for the harm and losses that you’ve suffered. Don’t wait another day to begin the process of pursuing recovery. We have an offices in Brownsville for your convenience. Contact Herrman & Herrman or give us a call at (361) 882-4357 today for a free consultation.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
