A minor car accident can be a minor inconvenience, but a truck accident can cause significant injury or loss of life. If you have sustained injuries because of a negligent truck driver, you may be eligible for compensation.
Recovering from something so devastating can be time-consuming, expensive, and painful, and you should not have to carry the cost of those burdens without a Houston truck accident lawyer fighting to hold the offending party accountable.
At Lowe Law, founded in 2016, we have experience with the unique nature of truck accidents. Our Houston personal injury lawyer understands the devastation they cause and diligently works to recover the maximum compensation available. Our team has decades of experience defending our clients’ rights in the courtroom and in settlement negotiations.
How a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Supports Your Case
If you are hurt in an accident with a truck, it is critical that you have access to a trusted and experienced attorney capable of helping you recover damages fairly. Truck accidents are complex legal matters that often involve numerous moving parts and, in some situations, may involve multiple parties. Consider why you should hire a Houston truck accident attorney based on what we will do for you:
- Gather evidence of what happened. Our investigators will find out what really happened in your accident, including all the causes. This could include distracted driving, fatigued drivers, loss of control due to cargo mishaps, or other concerns.
- Determine all parties at fault. We then gather all data to determine who is at fault. That could be just the truck driver, but it may also include the trucking company, cargo loaders, the mechanics who failed to do their job, or others. If there are violations of the federal hours of service or maintenance records, we will know who to blame.
- Calculate all of your losses. Our next objective is to calculate all of the losses you have as a result of this accident. We will look at your physical, emotional, and financial losses and build a strong, evidence-based claim to fight for recovery.
- Negotiate with the insurance company. Your lawyer will then negotiate fair compensation from the insurance company. We handle all communication, answer their questions, and hold them accountable.
- Going to court when necessary. In situations where the insurance company is not acting fairly, expect our legal team to take action by filing a lawsuit. We have extensive experience fighting for our clients through these complex claims and hearings.
- Recover your settlement. We do not give up until you get the financial compensation you deserve, and you can expect us to be diligent about building that case.
When you hire a trusted, experienced lawyer, you get answers and support throughout the process. You are not victimized again by the insurance company but instead treated with respect along the way. We know that your future is dependent on our ability to build an evidence-backed claim that recovers as much compensation as possible. Put your trust in us and know you are getting the best possible outcome.
Houston Truck Accident Statistics
Accidents happen in Houston daily. According to the Texas Department of Transportation report on crashes and injuries by county, Harris County saw nearly 116,000 accidents in the most recent reporting year. The CMV-involved crashes by injury, and the county showed that 6,113 crashes involved commercial vehicles.
The frequency of recent crashes may be lower than some would expect, given how common commercial vehicles are. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registration statistics report around 650,000 registered vehicles and over 700,000 drivers. According to a large truck crash causation study completed by the FMCSA, reports that 87% of truck accidents in their sample were the result of driver error.
If you have been in a truck accident in Houston, putting your case in the hands of our dedicated team may be the best decision you can make. Our Houston truck accident lawyer will guide you in recovering full and fair compensation for all of the losses you have, and we do not let insurance companies take advantage of you.
Critical Events Leading Up to Truck Accidents
The large truck crash causation study investigated nearly 1,000 truck accidents. From the data collected, they assigned values to each accident and created nationwide estimates of frequency. When the FMCSA investigated the crashes, they determined four types of driver-initiated critical reasons for an accident.
The critical incidents identified include non-performance, recognition, decision, or performance. Examples of these critical events or errors may include:
- Falling asleep
- Not paying attention
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Panicking and overcorrecting can cause an accident.
These behaviors are among the many common causes of vehicle accidents nationwide. When you are the victim of these reasons, a lawyer is a critical asset.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
The immediate aftermath of a truck accident can be shocking. You and others around you may be injured and not know what to do. The first step in any emergency is to make sure everyone is safe.
- Call 911: Call 911 following an accident with a large truck. The state of Texas requires a police report for any accident resulting in over $1,000 worth of property damage or the injury or death of a person. Calling 911 will ensure that the accident is reported and documented and that emergency medical services are available at the scene to evaluate injuries.
- Take Photos: Photographs can be invaluable evidence in your case. If possible, take photographs of the scene, including any vehicles, damaged property, and injuries. You may also be able to collect video or photos from bystanders who witnessed the crash.
- Seek Medical Evaluation: Some injuries may not be immediately evident. Soft tissue injuries may take hours or days to present completely, and seeking medical evaluation immediately may provide earlier identification. Additionally, failing to seek early treatment may give the perception that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
- Call a Truck Accident Lawyer: After an accident, the trucking company will have things moving quickly. They will almost certainly send their own investigators soon after the accident and consult their own attorneys. Some may feel that calling a truck accident attorney in Houston quickly is an extreme move, but in truth, it levels the playing field and gives you a fair chance of receiving the compensation you deserve.
When you contact a lawyer immediately, they can take quick steps to save or recover evidence that may otherwise be discarded. The sooner a Houston brain injury lawyer is involved, the sooner you have someone who can step in and minimize your liability by taking over communications and negotiations. This can allow you to focus on your recovery from day one.
Common Houston Truck Accident Injuries
The size and mass difference between commercial and personal vehicles means truck accidents can cause devastating injuries. The injuries these trucks cause can vary from minor to fatal. Some of the more commonly seen injuries include:
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Spinal Injury
- Death
Physical injuries are common, but the emotional effects of a truck accident can be just as devastating. Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are not uncommon after a car accident. The symptoms may resolve within a few months on their own, but they usually require treatment by a mental health professional. Talk to our Houston spinal cord injury lawyer today.
Compensation Available After a Houston Truck Accident
The losses from a truck accident can be extensive, especially if you have sustained major injuries. When you work with a Lowe Law Houston truck accident attorney, we can discuss the specifics of your case and determine if you are eligible to recover compensation for your losses. Some of the more common types of compensation we may recover include:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages from missed work
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
For all types of damages, your legal team will gather evidence to document what those losses are and their severity based on how they will impact your future. With the help of our truck accident attorney in Houston, you will know exactly how much the insurance company should be paying you. A Houston wrongful death lawyer can assist with your claim.
Punitive Damages Available in a Truck Accident Case
In some cases, when a person’s behavior is particularly reckless, malicious, or otherwise egregious, a jury may decide to award punitive damages.
Though the damages are awarded to the victim, they are meant to punish the offender and can only be assigned in court. Punitive damages are not frequently awarded, but they are often significant when they are.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston Today
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may face corporate lawyers with years of experience doing nothing but litigating for trucking companies. You deserve to have someone on your side fighting for your right to recover damages. When you call Lowe Law, we’re on your side.
Don’t take a chance on your future by trying to handle your case alone. Contact our truck accident lawyer in Houston today to schedule a free case consultation. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us anything until we recover compensation.
