Injured in a Crash Involving a Big Rig, Semi-Truck, or 18-Wheeler?
Representing Injured Individuals in Car Accidents Throughout Harris County & Texas
When collisions happen between passenger vehicles and large 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles, the injuries and losses are often devastating. Unfortunately for victims, navigating the aftermath of a crash is not only physically and emotionally demanding, but also financially challenging.
Medical bills can pile up, and victims are often forced to take time off work to heal.
Recovering compensation after a serious truck accident is possible—but difficult. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident involving a big rig or another large truck, it is important to enlist an experienced truck accident attorney in Houston to help ensure your rights are protected.
At Payne Law Firm, we have helped numerous clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries in these types of accidents. We also handle cases involving the wrongful deaths of truck accident victims.
Our founding attorney, Jason Payne, is board-certified in personal injury trial law, a designation that sets him apart from other local truck accident lawyers in Houston. He and our entire team are highly skilled at taking cases to trial and will argue your case in front of a judge or jury whenever necessary.
Injured in a crash with a big rig or 18-wheeler in Texas? Contact us online or call (713) 999-4801 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Houston truck accident lawyers today.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
Liability in truck accident cases is very complex. Unlike standard car accident cases, the at-fault driver may not be the only liable party; you may need to file a claim against an entirely separate entity.
Any of the following parties (and others) could be liable for a truck accident:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The manufacturer of a defective truck/truck part
- The person/party responsible for truck maintenance
- The entity responsible for truck repairs
- The construction company that designed or built a defective roadway
- A third-party motorist
Because truck drivers are typically “on the clock” when accidents occur, their employers are often liable. This means that you may need to file a claim against the trucking company itself and seek compensation under its insurance policy. However, these insurance companies are heavily invested in undervaluing and denying claims to save money and protect their bottom lines.
As a result, the insurance company will likely fight back against your claim, arguing that you were partially at fault for the crash or even that their policyholder, the trucking company, is not liable whatsoever.
In some cases, other entities, such as product manufacturers or truck repair companies, could be partially or wholly liable for your damages. At Payne Law Firm, we know how to properly investigate truck accident claims to determine what happened and who is legally responsible for your losses.
We often work with a team of experts, comprising accident reconstructionists and others, who help us build powerful cases that prove our clients’ losses and the defendants’ liability.
Damages in Truck Accident Cases
Victims of large truck accidents and other commercial vehicle collisions are likely to sustain severe, life-altering injuries. In some cases, victims are killed, and their families are left to pick up the pieces.
At Payne Law Firm, our Houston truck accident attorneys understand the immense impact these accidents have, and we know what it takes to recover maximum compensation for our clients.
Depending on the specifics of your case, we may be able to help you recover damages for:
- Emergency medical care
- Rehabilitation, surgery, and other treatments
- Ongoing and future medical care
- Medical expenses incurred prior to the death of a loved one
- Lost income, wages, and employment benefits
- Pain and suffering, including conscious pain and suffering experienced by the deceased
- Emotional distress, anguish, and trauma
- Lost future earnings and lost earning capacity due to disability
- Reasonable and necessary funeral/burial costs
- Loss of life enjoyment/quality of life
- Loss of love, companionship, consortium, guidance, and counsel
- Loss of services and support provided by a loved one who died
In some cases, we may even be able to recover punitive damages, which are meant to punish defendants for egregious negligence or intentional, willful, or wanton conduct.
To learn more about the potential value of your claim and the types of damages you may be able to recover, we encourage you to contact our Houston big rig accident lawyers and request a free consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Crashes
Many different factors can contribute to a truck accident.
Some of the more common reasons include:
- Driver Negligence: Drivers who are speeding, driving recklessly, drinking and driving, and/or abusing drugs are putting everyone on the road in jeopardy. Drivers who are conducting themselves in an illegal manner and driving carelessly need to be held responsible.
- Driver Fatigue and Falling Asleep at the Wheel: Drivers are under enormous pressure to get their loads to the destination as quickly as possible. They may push themselves to stay awake to continue driving—often in violation of hours-of-service regulations. Unfortunately, this often leads to drowsy driving, extreme fatigue, and drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
- Failure to Properly Maintain the Truck: Maintenance is of the utmost importance when it comes to 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks. If they are not maintained on a regular basis, the trucks can fall into disrepair and be a danger to everyone on the road, including the drivers themselves.
- Overloaded/Unbalanced Cargo: There is a certain way the cargo must be loaded into the trailers of trucks to ensure safety. When the cargo is not loaded properly, the trailer is overloaded, or the cargo is unsecured, the situation becomes dangerous. The truck can become incredibly difficult to control or the cargo may become dislodged and spill onto the road.
These and other factors can lead to devastating accidents, resulting in catastrophic bodily injury and loss of life. Proving who is responsible for a truck accident is often very difficult, which is why it is critical that you hire an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Houston for help with your claim.
What Makes Truck Accidents Dangerous?
Truck accidents are among the most perilous incidents on our roads, posing significant risks to both drivers and pedestrians alike. While traffic accidents involving passenger vehicles are concerning, truck accidents stand out due to their unique characteristics and the heightened level of danger they present.
- Size and Weight Disparity: One of the most apparent reasons why truck accidents are so dangerous is the vast size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and regular passenger vehicles. Trucks, especially semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds or more when fully loaded. In contrast, the average passenger car typically weighs around 4,000 pounds. This stark difference in size and weight means that when a collision occurs, the smaller vehicle often bears the brunt of the impact, leading to severe damage and potentially fatal injuries.
- Increased Stopping Distance: Trucks require significantly more distance to come to a complete stop compared to passenger vehicles. This extended stopping distance is primarily due to their greater mass and momentum. When a truck driver encounters a sudden obstacle or has to brake abruptly, the likelihood of rear-end collisions or multi-vehicle pileups increases. The longer stopping distance can make it challenging for truck drivers to avoid accidents, especially in congested traffic or adverse weather conditions.
- Limited Maneuverability: Trucks have limited maneuverability, especially in tight spaces and when negotiating sharp turns. Their long wheelbase and size make it difficult for truck drivers to change lanes, merge onto highways, or navigate through urban areas swiftly. This limited maneuverability can lead to accidents when drivers underestimate the space required for a truck to safely make a turn or change lanes, resulting in collisions with other vehicles.
- Blind Spots: Trucks have substantial blind spots, which are areas around the vehicle where the driver’s vision is obstructed. These blind spots are significantly larger than those of passenger cars and include areas to the front, rear, and sides of the truck. When drivers in other vehicles linger in these blind spots, they become invisible to the truck driver, increasing the risk of accidents when lane changes or turns are made without full awareness of nearby vehicles.
- Fatigue and Long Hours: Truck drivers often face demanding schedules and long hours on the road, which can lead to fatigue. Fatigued drivers are more likely to make errors in judgment, react slowly to changing road conditions, or even fall asleep at the wheel. Fatigue-related accidents can result in catastrophic consequences, as a truck’s size and weight amplify the severity of collisions.
Understanding the Complexities of Truck Accident Cases
Many different federal and state regulations govern truck drivers and trucking companies. These regulations may impact how your truck accident case is handled. These factors can become very complicated as we investigate all aspects of the case. Our firm has extensive knowledge of these rules and regulations, as well as the laws that govern how truck accident cases are handled in Texas.
Since 2004, we have been representing victims of serious truck accidents in Houston, Harris County, and the entire state, successfully securing millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Our award-winning Houston truck accident lawyer offers aggressive, results-oriented representation, coupled with compassionate, client-focused service. We prioritize consistent communication, honesty, and integrity and work to ensure our clients are always informed about the details of their cases.
To schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney in Houston, call Payne Law Firm at (713) 999-4801 or contact us online today. Hablamos español.
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Seeking Justice on Your Behalf
After a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, big rig, or commercial vehicle accident, you deserve justice—and Payne Law Firm can help. We offer free initial consultations and contingency fees, meaning you do not owe anything unless/until we recover compensation for you.
You only have two years from the date of the accident (in most cases) to file your lawsuit, so do not wait until it is too late. Reach out to our office in Houston today to schedule a complimentary case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
What Sets Us ApArt
serious lawyers for serious accidents
client Focused
We will help you every step of the way, providing answers to your questions and continuing to update you on the status of your case.
A History of Success
We have helped over a thousand injured individuals and families get the compensation they deserved.
Battle-Tested
We not only understand the complexities of insurance companies but know how to fight them.
Full Transparency
Our team knows the importance of your case and is committed to doing what is best for you.
