18-Wheeler & Truck Accidents
Large trucks and 18-wheelers are everywhere on our roads and highways and deliver more than 70% of the freight transported in the United States. They are also big, heavy, and dangerous. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 40 tons, requires 40% more time to stop than an average car, and can cause life altering and often fatal injuries when the driver makes a mistake.
If you or a loved one were hurt in an 18-wheeler accident, semi-truck accident, or any other commercial vehicle accident, call our Houston truck accident lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. Do not assume the trucking company or its insurance provider are looking out for you or your family’s interests. They may claim you don’t need a lawyer and offer a quick settlement to resolve your case. But their offer will likely be too low, and the settlement will release them from any future liability for the accident, despite not fully compensating you for your damages.
We are available 24/7 to discuss your case and will fight to get you maximum compensation under the law. And we work on a contingency fee, which means that you don’t pay anything unless we obtain a settlement or win your case at trial.
What causes truck accidents?
Large trucks are complex machines that require special maintenance and must be operated by drivers with special training and licenses. There is a lot that can go wrong and cause an accident. Following are some common causes of truck accidents:
- Driver fatigue
- Lack of training
- Accidents caused by poor vehicle maintenance
- Unsafe freight loads
- Improperly secured freight
- Failure to follow CDL turning rules
- Impaired driving
- Violating state trucking regulations
- Violating DOT regulations for truck drivers
Damages you can recover in truck accident settlements and verdicts
If the truck driver or trucking company was responsible for the accident, you are entitled to recover compensation for your economic damages, like medical bills and lost income, and your non-economic damages, like the physical pain and suffering and emotional distress caused by the accident. If you hire us, we will seek compensation for:
- Past and future medical costs, including prescriptions, therapy, surgery, and other medical costs
- Income you’ve lost from being unable to work, and any future loss of earning capacity
- Any scarring or disfigurement caused by the accident
- Your physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress caused by the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life, including harm to your relationships
- Any other physical, financial, or emotional harm caused by the accident.
What is the statute of limitations in Texas for a truck accident lawsuit?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is 2 years from the date of the injury. Although there are narrow and limited exceptions to this rule, if a case is not filed within 2 years of the injury, there is a strong chance the claim will be barred. It is also important to act quickly because the more time that passes, the greater the chance that evidence supporting your claim will be lost or destroyed.