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, 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 firm has nearly ten years of experience defending our clients’ rights in the courtroom and in settlement negotiations.
Houston Truck Accidents
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 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 from their sample were the result of driver error.
Critical Events
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, or panicking and overcorrecting, which can cause an accident. These behaviors are among the many common causes of vehicle accidents nationwide.
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 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.
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
Punitive Damages
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 up against 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.
