Truck Accident Lawyers in Houston, TX

Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents are different from other vehicles. Truck collisions have a high probability of severe injury and death, and the insurance companies and policies you seek compensation from will vary greatly. It would be best to have a compassionate truck accident attorney who understands the challenges and has the resources to fight powerful companies.

Talking to an experienced truck accident attorney who has worked on commercial truck accident cases is the best way to protect your rights while gathering timely evidence.

A qualified truck accident attorney can recommend getting medical help, such as diagnostic tests and expert advice, that you may have yet to receive on your own. Additionally, an experienced trucking accident attorney knows the inner workings of the trucking industry. This can significantly benefit your case. A lawyer can investigate a truck accident, document your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and even file a lawsuit if necessary.

At Christ Law Firm, P.C., our Houston truck accident attorneys have fought for the rights of people injured in significant truck accidents for decades. We obtained the most extensive commercial trucking verdict in Texas in 2014 with a $6,028,000 jury verdict after a motorcycle and tractor-trailer collision resulted in a below-the-knee amputation.

How to Find a Truck Accident Attorney in Houston, TX

Here are some questions you should consider asking when looking for the right truck accident attorney to handle your Texas truck accident claim:

What is your focus?

An attorney who focuses on truck accident cases has specific knowledge of liability, maintenance and inspection failures, mechanical issues that may have contributed to the accident, and the involvement of multiple responsible parties in a lawsuit. A lawyer can gain this knowledge only by handling real-world cases that result in significant compensation for commercial truck accident victims.

Have you handled cases like this before?

Every case is unique, but a Houston personal injury attorney with significant experience handling truck accident cases is familiar with the Texas state laws that govern large commercial trucks' operation and federal regulations governing the retail transport industry's maintenance, inspection, process, etc., aspects.

Do you have experience negotiating with insurance companies?

Many truck accident lawsuits never go to trial. They are resolved through negotiation or arbitration. That's why it's so important to retain a Houston personal injury attorney with experience dealing with insurance companies and getting fair compensation for injuries.

Do you have testing experience?

Truck accident cases often involve serious, life-changing injuries. If your truck accident claim is pending here in Texas, you need a truck accident attorney who is confident and has the skills to fight for your best interests.

With over 40 years of legal experience, The Christ Law Firm, P.C. If you've been involved in a truck accident in Houston, you may not know how to move on after a severe and life-changing collision. Contact our experienced Houston 18-wheeler accident attorneys at The Christ Law Firm, P.C. 281-326-9202, to learn how we can help you.

Truck Accident Compensation in Texas

Many truck accident lawyers aim to settle with those responsible for the injuries. However, we will always try to get the maximum compensation possible. If we determine that we need to file a truck accident lawsuit to get what you are entitled to, we have the resources to do so. We have taken many cases to court and will not hesitate to obtain a jury verdict in your favor to cover the following damages after a truck accident:

• Medical expenses

• Physical pain

• Mental distress

• Physical limitations

• distortion

• Loss of earning capacity

You may not be fully compensated for your personal motor vehicle accident losses. The liable person's insurance policies and financial restrictions limit their ability to recover. However, commercial vehicle insurance policy limits are much higher, and trucking companies have additional funds available. Depending on the type of vehicle, they may also have federal requirements for insurance coverage. Instead of covering a portion of your damages, we can help you obtain compensation to protect your past and future damages and legal costs.

Fatal Truck Accidents

Unfortunately, sizeable commercial vehicle collisions can have far worse consequences than medical bills. Due to their large size and heavy weight, these vehicles can be fatal in accidents. If your loved one was involved in a deadly truck accident, they are likely experiencing emotional distress and unsure how to handle the financial loss.

You can recover the following through a wrongful death claim:

• Burial and funeral expenses

• Loss of financial support

• Loss of care, support, maintenance, counseling, and advice

• Loss of love, companionship, comfort, and society.

• Loss of inheritance that you might have received if your family member had lived an average life expectancy.

You may also recover medical expenses, physical pain, and mental anguish that your loved one suffered before they died due to the truck accident.

Our Houston truck accident attorneys at The Crest Law Firm, P.C. Understand their concerns. We will patiently listen to your story, determine your needs, and work with insurance companies and third parties to get the financial compensation you deserve.

Understanding Truck Accident Injuries

If you are injured in a truck accident, the truck driver or the company he works for may be liable for damages related to your injuries. Here are some common truck accident injuries and their effects on the human body.

Head and Brain Injuries: Depending on the accident's severity, a head or brain injury can have long-lasting effects. A head injury can be as minor as a concussion that clears up in a day or two or as severe as mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injuries (T.B.I.s), which are conditions that Can cause a variety of adverse effects ranging from personality changes.

Death. Truck accidents can cause severe head and brain injuries to victims, and these injuries can be life-changing when they occur.

Broken bones: The amount of blunt force trauma involved in truck accidents can break bones, leaving drivers and passengers with multiple injuries that are likely to be severe.

Amputated Limbs: Arms, legs, hands, or feet may be amputated with catastrophic effect or must be amputated after severe crushing or burns.

Burns: Unfortunately, burns are more common in commercial truck collisions than in passenger vehicle accidents. Because trucks are more significant and typically take more damage in an impact, there is a greater risk of fuel tank ruptures and vehicle fires. A fire can destroy a motor vehicle and cause severe and disfiguring injuries from which victims may never fully recover.

Spinal Injuries: The impact of a commercial truck accident can injure or damage the bones, muscles, or nerves of the spine. It can cause partial, temporary, or complete paralysis of different body parts. Even if the injuries are not permanent, they can cause severe pain and often require complex rehabilitation. These types of damages usually require sophisticated imaging, such as an M.R.I., to properly diagnose and may require surgery for treatment.

Neck and Back Injuries: These injuries are alarmingly common in most vehicle accidents that affect drivers and passengers during an impact. The structural components of the neck and back are incredibly intricate. Injuring these body parts can cause debilitating pain and even paralysis if the damage is severe.

Internal injuries: The blunt force trauma of a collision with a semi-truck and physical stress from interaction with body restraints, such as deployed airbags, can cause blunt force abdominal trauma. These types of internal injuries can affect the bladder, spleen, liver, pancreas, or kidneys, can be very difficult to treat, and can result in lifelong physical limitations.

Torso and rib injuries: These damages are hazardous because blunt force trauma to the abdomen can be painful, and these structures surround vital organs. Broken ribs that are not correctly identified and treated can puncture a lung or cause severe damage to the human body.

Cuts and bruises: Although they may seem minor compared to internal injuries or head trauma, cuts can have a lasting effect. Broken glass, chipped metal, or loose objects inside the vehicle can cause scratches and damages, from minor scratches to permanent eye, head, or body injuries. Cuts can cause wounds or become infected, leading to severe illness or death.

Seat Belt and Air Bag Injuries: Seat belts and other safety measures are essential life-saving tools for people involved in truck accidents, but they can also cause some injuries during a crash. Seat belts, by definition, restrain the chest and abdomen, while airbags can deploy with enough speed to remove the skin from the driver's hands and cause blunt force trauma to the head. Can. These accidents can also cause or contribute to chest, neck, or back injuries.

Wrongful Death: Unfortunately, the severity of damages in a commercial truck accident means that not everyone can survive a catastrophic accident. This is defined in the legal system as "wrongful death" and may require a claim by the victim's family.

How Christ Gets the Compensation You Deserve

Why should you hire an experienced Houston semi truck accident attorney to represent you in a personal injury case? Here are a few:

Determination of failure

With multiple parties to a single highway or highway accident involving a truck, it can be challenging to determine who is responsible and how to approach a multi-faceted case.

Research

Truck and other vehicle accident investigations in Texas are unusually complex. Often, commercial shipping companies deploy their team of investigators to respond to each incident. The commercial trucking company pays the investigator, so they have no interest in the victim's welfare or fair compensation. Any evidence collected by investigators working for trucking companies is likely to be victimized. Commercial trucking companies may unapologetically use this evidence against the victim during restitution negotiations or trials.

Evidence of negligence

In many semi-truck accidents, the actual collision is caused by the negligence of the truck driver, whose behaviors may include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs

• Driving while extremely tired

• Driving too fast or too aggressively for road conditions

• road rage

• Driving while eating, texting, or doing anything else that might be considered distracting

On the other hand, there are several ways in which a transport company can be negligent:

It is setting impractical delivery times that undermine safe driving behaviors.

Late replacement of parts, including tires and essential mechanical items

Postponement or non-examination of diagnostic vehicles

Pressure truckers to drive longer than federal law allows

Determining liability is much more difficult in truck accident cases than passenger collisions, as several parties may be involved.

Recovery Negotiations: In a typical car accident, your attorney only negotiates with the other driver's insurance company. Because multiple parties are involved in a truck accident case, a Houston 18-wheeler accident attorney must be able to communicate with various parties, including insurance companies, truck drivers, your employer, and vehicle and spare parts manufacturers.

Understanding State and Federal Laws: If you are involved in a truck accident, you must retain a Texas truck accident attorney familiar with Texas state law and federal regulations, as both rules apply to your case. This can affect significantly. Texas law, for example, limits your ability to bring an action for personal injury or wrongful death.

Texas statute states that you must file a lawsuit two years after the date of your truck accident. For wrongful death cases, the statute of limitations is still two years, but the starting date is not the date of the truck accident but two years after the death occurred.

At the same time, some laws and regulations are specific to the trucking industry in the United States, including Texas. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees the trucking industry in this nation. The FMCSA oversees laws and regulations that apply to the commercial trucking industry but not passenger vehicles.

For example, a driver must meet specific requirements before driving a commercial 18-wheeler. Other FMCSA rules govern the number of hours a truck driver can work and other specific conditions for driving a commercial truck. The skilled Houston commercial vehicle accident attorneys at Christ Law Firm P.C. are well-versed in Texas state law and federal regulation. They will know which rules and regulations apply to your case and help you recover compensation. How to use them to make a strong case for

Work with a winning Houston truck accident lawyer.

An accident of this scale can result in terrible injuries. We understand the Texas legal landscape and how federal regulations apply to liability for significant commercial truck accidents.

We will work with you and your family to inform you of the details of your case and to tell the judge or jury what you can do for your past and future. Medical costs, a reduction in earning potential, physical pain and suffering. , mental distress, limitations, and distortions.

Christ Law Firm, P.C.I., our semi truck accident attorneys, have handled many truck accident cases throughout Texas. We understand state law, federal trucking regulations, and the investigative techniques necessary to successfully manage a trucking accident, in or out of court.

In addition, we work closely with experts, including accident reconstructionists, end-of-life care planners, engineers, medical professionals, and electronic forensics experts who monitor the truck's data recorder or "black box." " can get data from and analyze it. With these experts, we can present a solid case to prove the cause of the accident, your injuries, and the extent of your mental and physical damage.

Truck Accident Laws

The laws governing the commercial trucking industry differ from those governing most passenger vehicles. Both federal and state agencies issue rules that truckers and their employers must follow. Your truck accident attorney can explain the laws that apply to your case. Our experienced commercial vehicle accident attorneys know how to build the most robust case using these laws.

Federal trucking laws

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and many other agencies enforce rules on trucks and carriers. Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations establishes rules everyone in the trucking industry must follow. When these rules are not followed, the responsible party may be liable for damages.

Negligent maintenance

When a driver or operator fails to inspect and maintain a commercial truck correctly, it can cause severe damage or catastrophic injuries in the event of a collision.

Common Truck Injuries

Any severe injury sustained in a truck accident can have devastating, life-changing consequences. This can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputations.

Liability in matters of transportation

Negligent or negligent truckers are expressly liable for any resulting damages. Many other parties, though, might also be at fault. Carriers who violate the law or neglect their responsibilities can also be held liable for accidents caused by their employees.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Determining liability in trucking accident cases is much more complex than in passenger collisions because of the number of parties involved. However, a reasonable Houston semi truck accident attorney can better evaluate your case.

Truck Accident Claims and the Legal Process

Deciding on a truck accident can be difficult. You need the best medical care and practical legal representation. After taking care of your immediate medical needs, you should focus on contacting a truck accident attorney who can help you through the complex truck accident claims process.

Step 1

Free initial consultation

We will listen to your story and help you understand the laws and legal process for filing a personal injury claim.

Step 2

The process of discovery

We will gather evidence and establish the facts about your truck accident. This phase takes up the most time in a personal injury case. This includes obtaining the truck's black box, trucker's logbook, employee records, and company files. We may also interview or testify about parties and witnesses and obtain expert opinions. Your truck accident attorney will use the discovery process to ensure we get all the information needed to prove your truck accident claim.

Step 3

The initial claim for compensation

After establishing the trucker's and trucking company's liability and getting information about how much you will need to cover your long-term losses, we will make an initial claim for compensation from the insurance company. We will consider past and future losses to ensure we include everything you need to move on with your life after a catastrophic accident.

Step 4

Truck accident case

Most insurance companies deny the initial claim and offer a low counteroffer. We won't settle for anything less than what you merit. If necessary, we will file a truck accident lawsuit to confirm our determination to recover your compensation. A case will include a complaint, motions, and other complex legal documents. Strict deadlines must be met to meet court requirements. We will ensure that all conditions are met to give you the best chance of success.

Step 5

Negotiations in trucking matters

The negotiation process can have several stages. Additional counteroffers and demands will be made by the parties trying to achieve beneficial results. We will ensure the trucking company, your insurance, and your attorney understand that we will only accept an offer that meets your needs.

Step 6

Truck Accident Mediation

We may attempt to arbitrate your legal claim. This includes meeting with the arbitrator, the defendants, your insurance company, and other necessary parties. Both parties will provide a statement, and we will have an opportunity to provide information about how much we believe the defendant owes for your injuries. Many cases are resolved through the mediation process. However, we will proceed to trial if we still try to reach an acceptable financial result.

Step 7

Rehearsal

Many law firms avoid litigation. However, Christ Law Firm, P.C. He is fearless in taking a case to trial. We have experienced attorneys familiar with local court procedures and can effectively present evidence to a judge or jury. If we accept your chance to practice, we will work to obtain the highest possible verdict.

Roles of Plaintiffs and Defendants

The case has a lot of activity before the jury decides on liability and damages. The process includes the following:

• A truck accident investigation.
• A fact-finding and discovery approach is called discovery.
• Various motions to resolve specific legal or factual issues before the case goes to trial.

After all, defendants are named in a Texas truck accident case, and the plaintiff must establish a theory of liability.

Except in defective products or mechanical failure cases, the plaintiff's theory in a truck accident is usually based on negligence. When the charge applies to the truck driver, liability is generally determined by investigating the accident, interviewing witnesses, and reconstructing the accident with experts in the field.

Liability becomes even more complex when other parties are involved. For example, suppose a trucking company knowingly hires a driver with substance abuse problems or multiple prior accidents on his driving record. In that case, the trucking company may be negligent in hiring the driver. May also be responsible for obtaining or maintaining Some other common ways a trucking company can be careless, and therefore liable for your injuries, include:

• Not regularly inspecting and maintaining trucks

• Not training drivers properly

• Please ensure that drivers comply with regulations that limit driving hours.

• Failure to meet federal or Texas safety standards

• Being liable for the negligence of your driver-employee

Once liability is established, the plaintiff must prove the extent of his injuries. This usually involves the testimony of expert witnesses. A doctor will provide a medical opinion that describes the injuries sustained by a victim in a truck accident. Plaintiffs' attorneys often also retain an economist or life care planner to provide an expert opinion on the loss of earning capacity, past and future, and care needs.

Can trucking companies avoid liability?

Numerous trucking accidents have occurred in which trucking companies have tried to avoid liability by creating a perceived distance between themselves and the driver, vehicle, or other equipment.

The professional transport company has obtained the necessary permits to operate the truck in such cases. However, for "Ownership" purposes, the Company leases or rents equipment, tractors, and trailers from an "Owner/Operator". Instead of employing drivers, the trucking company uses them as independent contractors.

The trucking company then gives the owner/operator a sign with the trucking company's name and permit number, indicating that the professional trucking company owns the truck and that the driver is a skilled employee. In previous years, the trucking company argued that it was not responsible for driver error because the driver was not an employee and did not own the equipment. Hence, the company was not responsible for maintenance.

Fortunately, federal law eliminated this illogical argument. Under current federal law, a trucking company is liable for all accidents involving a truck with its name on the vehicle, regardless of the driver's employment status.

Trucking Company Negligence and Damages

A significant difference between car accidents and commercial trucks is training and maintenance. Truckers driving through Houston must complete special training, education, and on-the-road instruction and have a valid commercial driver's license to drive a commercial truck. Most professional truckers go to an independent trucking school or train a trucking company with a qualified driver.

If a Texas trucker causes an accident but has not completed the required training or licensing, a negligence claim can and should be filed against the commercial trucking company. The same concept applies if the commercial trucking company fails to maintain or repair the vehicle correctly or if a vehicle component, such as brakes, is found defective through negligence or mismanagement.

18-wheel tractor-trailer accident

Damages in an 18-wheeler or similar type of large commercial truck are high simply because the injuries in these types of truck accidents are extensive.

A loaded semi-trailer can weigh more than 80,000 pounds, while most passenger vehicles weigh about 3,000 pounds. It's easy to do the math and see how this difference in size and weight can lead to catastrophic or fatal injuries. Because of this increased potential for serious injury, commercial truck operators should be insured with higher liability limits.

This means more insurance money may be available to settle a truck accident claim. By hiring a qualified and competent attorney like the Houston truck accident attorneys with The Crest Law Firm, P.C., Are you likely to receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and damages?

Punitive Damages in Texas Truck Accidents

Because each case is based on a unique set of facts and circumstances, the type and compensation you receive will depend on individual factors related to your accident.

In extreme cases, truck accident attorneys may seek punitive damages if there is evidence that one party to the truck accident acted maliciously or with the intent to harm another party. Punitive damages may be awarded in situations such as a truck accident in which the driver was found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or when there is evidence that the driver's employer willfully caused the driver to violate safety regulations. Pressured. However, punitive damages are rare in Texas, and significant punitive damages can be reduced at the judge's discretion.

Comparative negligence in truck accidents

In Texas, your actions can reduce the amount of compensation you can receive under a theory known as comparative negligence. Comparative negligence means that you contributed to your injuries in some way.

Texas law states that your compensation must be proportional to the degree of fault contributing to your accident or injuries. For example, if a jury decides that your injuries are worth $100,000 in compensation but were found to be 30 percent at fault, your verdict will be reduced by 30 percent, or $30,000. He will receive $70,000 of the $100,000 judgment.

You have no legal right to compensation if you are found to be more than 50% at fault.

Frequently Asked Questions for Houston Truck Accident Lawyers

How Much Can I Recover in My Big Truck Accident Case?

Once it is determined that you are entitled to recover damages for another party's negligence, your actual damages will be assessed. These may include medical bills, current and future lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage, among other monetary damages. In some cases, an injured party will receive additional money in the form of punitive damages, such as in cases where the responsible party's actions were particularly egregious, such as a trucker texting while driving or the trucking company knowing in advance that the truck was unsafe.

The best way to understand the value of your case is to consult with a truck accident attorney for a free case evaluation.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?

It's worth nothing until you recover. The majority of personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency basis. This means that you will be charged a fee based on the compensation you receive and will not be charged any money, including the costs of proceeding and taking the case to trial unless you are healthy. Don't get caught. Talk to your trucking accident attorney about the contingency fee structure they offer their clients in cases like yours, but typically, the contingency fee is between 25% and 40% of the recovery.

How long do I have to file my truck accident case in Texas?

As a general rule, a person injured in a Texas truck accident or a survivor of a person killed in a Texas truck accident has two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations refers to this period. However, it is essential to retain an attorney as soon as possible after the accident to preserve evidence of the accident. The longer you wait to start your case, the more likely necessary evidence will be destroyed or lost.

If I can get my insurance money now?

The trucking company's insurance agent's job is to settle the case for the least amount possible. Despite what they may say or how helpful and understanding they seem, they do not have your best interests or your family's best interests at heart. They must protect the trucking company and the insurer, not you.

You need more than the amount offered to cover all your expenses and the pain and suffering you may experience. An experienced truck accident attorney knows how to determine the appropriate amount and how to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. If the insurance company acts unreasonably, your lawyer can seek justice in court.

Who is responsible for a truck accident?

It is not always immediately apparent who is at fault in a truck accident. Depending on the facts of the case, the driver and the trucking company may be liable for injuries and other damages resulting from a trucking accident. There are also cases where the mechanic who worked on the truck or the truck parts manufacturer may share responsibility for the accident. These are the questions that will be answered as your case is investigated.

Determining who to sue for damages in a truck accident case is the most important strategic aspect of your claim and is the job of an experienced truck accident attorney. This is why hiring an experienced attorney for your case is so important.

Exclusive representation for your Houston truck accident claim

The Christ Law Firm, P.C. I, our experienced semi-truck accident attorneys, balance aggressive pursuit of your Houston truck accident claim with compassion and understanding of your and your family's needs in an uncertain situation. It's a stressful time. We will ensure you understand all your options and are informed at every stage of your case so you can make the necessary decisions to protect and care for your family.

When we represent you, we will fight to get the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and hold the person or company responsible for what happened to you in your accident. Is responsible. Our experienced truck accident litigators know the laws and have the skills to make or break your case.