One of the most stressful and traumatic things that a person can encounter is the wreck of a commercial vehicle accident. In Texas, the sheer volume of freight moving through our major highways—from I-10 in Houston to the bustling corridors of Cypress, TX, and the coastal routes of Corpus Christi—makes the region a hotspot for severe wrecks. If you or a loved one has been injured, you need experienced 18-wheeler wreck lawyers to level the playing field against massive corporate defense teams.
At Jones & Koch Law Firm, we understand that an accident involving an 80,000-pound tractor trailer is fundamentally different from standard car accidents. The physics of the crash is more destructive, injuries, more severe and the law battle is infinitely more complex. Our seasoned legal team can help you through the entire process and provide you with as much compensation as possible
The Devastating Reality of Semi Truck Collisions
The impact of a passenger car hitting a semi truck is almost always devastating to the passenger car. The size difference and weight factor often lead to physical harm that can impact an individual’s life as a result of a truck accident. Most often, victims of an accident will have a traumatic brain injury, severed limbs, paralysis, spinal cord damage and complex injuries that spine specialists will have to treat for years to come.
Treating these catastrophic injuries requires immediate medical attention and results in staggering medical bills. From emergency room visits at the accident scene to long-term rehabilitation, your medical expenses can quickly spiral out of control. In addition, many victims are unable to work and their lost income is a significant burden on the economy. The saddest accidents result in a wrongful death case when a loved one dies, leaving a family to seek wrongful death damages.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas
It is essential that you know what causes truck accidents in order to establish a truck accident case and determine who is liable for the accident. Commercial trucks are already a dangerous proposition, and negligent drivers, coupled with the greed of corporate leaders, can endanger them even more. There are several very common causes of a truck crash:
- Driver Fatigue and Drowsy Driving: Federal regulations have strict hours service requirements in place to avoid fatigued driving for trucks, but many truck drivers are forced by their trucking company to deliver on unrealistic schedules.
- Distracted Driving: Any driver of a commercial truck who texts, uses a navigation system or eats while driving faces a high risk of an auto accident.
- Improper Maintenance: Failing to maintain brakes, tires, and steering mechanisms causes truck components to fail at highway speeds.
- Drunk Driving: Driving a large truck when intoxicated or on drugs is a serious crime according to accident law and federal regulations.
It is important to determine what caused the vehicle accident as quickly as possible, no matter what it is, in order to have a successful accident claim.
Why You Need Specialized 18 Wheeler Wreck Lawyers
Many people may ask themselves, “Should I hire a specific truck accident lawyer, or will any personal injury lawyer do the job?” The reality is that truck accident law is a very niche area of law. General car accident lawyers or accident attorneys are great at covering regular car crashes, but an 18-wheeler accident has challenging state and federal trucking regulations. A competent truck accident attorney will know how to ensure that key evidence, like the truck’s black box data, the trucking companies’ electronic logging devices (ELDs) and maintenance records are preserved quickly before they are destroyed by the trucking companies.
Moreover, you are not battling against a single motorist, you’re against a formidable company that provides insurance. These insurance firms have groups of accident attorneys at their disposal and will be ready to go to a crash scene at a moment’s notice in order to reduce their liability. To maintain your rights and defend the millions of dollars your injury claim may be entitled to you need an aggressive injury lawyer.
Who is Liable in a Trucking Accident?
One of the complexities of truck accidents is the sheer number of potentially liable parties. In standard accidents, car accidents usually just involve the two drivers. In a trucking accident, liable parties can include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The freight loader (if unbalanced cargo caused the wreck)
- The manufacturer of defective truck parts (leading to a product liability claim)
Our injury attorneys will take a comprehensive look at your case and determine who has been responsible. We’ll work to make sure the organization that has caused your pain and suffering is fully accountable.
How Severe Trucking Injuries Connect to Broader Personal Injury Claims
Our firm is highly in-demand for truckers and severe road trauma isn’t limited to semi-trucks. Our solicitors have a broad and general knowledge of medical damages and liability in all of our practice areas. We have a wide breadth of home firm litigation experience and can apply a range of huge resources to your cause:
- Motorcycle Accidents & Bicycle Accidents: Safeguarding the vulnerable motorcycle and bicycle riders on Texas’ roadways who are hit by careless motorists.
- Pedestrian Accident Claims: Filing Claims for those who have been injured walking close to commercial areas where there are a lot of vehicles.
- Premises Liability & Slip Fall: Holding careless business owners accountable if you trip or get hurt on a dangerous property or broken street floor.
- Workers Compensation & Construction Accidents: Assisting employees who suffer severe trauma on the job, including industrial truck incidents.
- Medical Malpractice & Nursing Home Neglect: Fighting for victims of professional negligence, medical errors, or elderly home neglect and abuse.
Whether you suffered brain injuries from an auto wreck or lost a family member to commercial truck negligence, our accident law firm is equipped to secure the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take After an Accident
If you are an injured truck accident victim, you must make sure to protect your claim.
- Even if the wound or injuries appear minor, get medical attention immediately.
- Contact the police to get an official report on the accident.
- Avoid providing any insurance company with a recorded statement.
- Let a Personal Injury Attorney take care of the legal work.
Know the statutes of limitation in Texas; in Texas, you only have a certain amount of time to file your accident cases before you run out of time to sue
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average settlement for a 18 wheeler accident?
There is no fixed average as each case is different. But when it comes to a wheeler accident, the settlement may be hundreds of thousands to well over an accident million dollars based on the amount of your medical expenses, lost income and permanent disability.
18-wheeler accident lawyers near me?
If you are searching for local representation in Houston, Cypress, TX, or Corpus Christi, Jones & Koch Law Firm is perfectly positioned to handle your case. We know the local courts and exactly how to litigate in Texas.
Semi truck accident lawyers near me?
Yes. Our attorneys specialize in collisions involving semi-trucks, big rigs, and commercial delivery vehicles. We offer localized, aggressive representation.
How do I start my case?
We’ll help you get started easily. You can check out our resources blog, email us, or check the map directions and office hours on our website. The first thing to do is to book a free consultation with us.
Will I have to pay upfront?
No. Our injury attorney team works on a contingency fee basis. We only get paid if we successfully win compensation for your injuries.
Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation Today
The days and weeks following a severe collision are critical. Evidence vanishes and trucking firms start laying the groundwork to defend themselves right away. Don’t delay, get the legal help you deserve now! Allow our experienced attorneys to work through the legal aspects of your truck accident, while you concentrate only on the physical side. We will review your case, educate you on your rights, and lay out the best options to pursue.
If you are ready to fight back, contact us today. We are standing by to answer your call and provide the aggressive advocacy you need.