Houston Truck Accident Lawyer: Defending Against Negligent Drivers!

Truck Accident Attorney In Houston, Texas

Commercial and non-commercial truck accidents are horrific scenes. A loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a large truck strikes your vehicle, especially at high speeds on a freeway, automobiles can be torn apart. Many trucks are carrying hazardous materials that can catch fire quickly or even explode. Truck crashes involving undercarriage accidents can cause amputations and decapitations. Survivors often suffer catastrophic injuries that may alter their lives forever. 

At Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, we are here to help. Our highly sought team of attorneys has extensive experience handling claims and protecting the rights of truck accident victims. If you or someone you love has been harmed due to a negligent 18-wheeler or semi truck driver near Houston, contact our dedicated team of truck accident lawyers today by clicking here or calling 713-244-5477. 

Will the Insurance Company Cover My Medical Expenses?

After a collision in Houston, most people turn to the insurance company hoping for a settlement to cover their expenses. It can be extremely disappointing when you are offered a settlement that is far less than expected. Sometimes, your claim may even be denied. 

Insurance companies look out for their bottom line and will do whatever is necessary to minimize their payouts after a semi truck crash. When an insurance adjuster reaches out, you may feel they are on your side. Insurance adjusters are trained to assess the accident, as well as damages and liability. If, for example, you take some of the responsibility for the truck crash, your claim can be significantly altered or denied entirely. Even answering seemingly harmless, simple questions without effective representation can hurt your claim. 

Common questions an adjuster might ask include;

• When did the accident occur? Please state the date and time.
• Were there any other vehicles involved?
• What is the year, make, and model of the vehicle you were driving at the time of the accident?
• What type of damage was done to your vehicle?
• Will your motor vehicle need repairs? 
• What repair shop do you plan to use? 
• Did you call the police? How long before the police arrived on the scene?
• Do you have a copy of the police report?

Answering other questions may hurt your claim. If you have not retained representation, avoid answering the following;

• Were you wearing your seatbelt at the time of the crash?
• How did the crash occur? Can you describe the accident?
• In what direction were you traveling?
• Did the weather play a role in the accident?
• Did anyone witness the crash? Can you share their contact information, if so?
• Were you hurt?
• Were you taken to the hospital by ambulance? Did the paramedic treat you at the scene? 
• Did you wave medical treatment at the scene? If so, how long did you wait before seeking medical attention?

Victims in a commercial truck accident can feel a rush of adrenaline that can cover up their pain. Sometimes injuries can even be delayed by hours, days, or weeks. When speaking with an insurance company, never play down your injuries. If you are hurt, you may discover later with additional testing that your injuries are more serious. Diagnostic testing, orthopedic treatment, and chiropractic treatment can reveal the severity of truck accident injuries over time. If you play down your injuries, an insurance adjuster may argue that they were made worse after the crash by an unrelated event and offer you a much lower settlement. High medical expenses of severe injuries can damage your financial well-being for years. Do not accept a settlement lower than you deserve.

It is important to know that you are not required to speak with the insurance company before hiring a commercial truck accident attorney. At Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, we have 70 years of personal injury experience to help guide you through this overwhelming time. You deserve to have someone by your side that will put your needs first. Call a truck accident lawyer in Houston, Texas, today. We will give you the peace of mind to heal and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. 

How Expensive is a truck accident lawyer?

Every accident poses a unique burden on a person and their family. Many times, that burden includes heavy medical bills and expenses related to your injuries. At Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, our attorneys want to help families put the pieces of their lives back together. We do not charge any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

What Questions Should I Ask An Attorney if I Have Been Involved in a Truck or 18-wheeler Accident?

Accidents involving 18-wheelers, semis, and commercial trucks are particularly devastating due to the massive size of large trucks. When a large truck crashes into your vehicle, the damage is extensive. If a person survives, they often are plagued with serious injuries and long recovery times. 

Having an experienced truck accident lawyer is imperative to protect your rights and recover the damages you deserve. Before your consultation, prepare some questions ahead of time. You should also ask:

Who is at fault for my accident?

Sometimes liability is not very straightforward. If a truck driver ran a stop sign and hit you, vicarious liability may apply, meaning the truck driver’s company could be held responsible. 

What settlement can I get?

The average settlement can include medical expenses, car repair costs, emotional distress, and economic losses if you are unable to work now or in the future.

How will I receive my compensation?

Most attorneys will obtain a financial settlement with the insurance company. You will need an experienced negotiator to maximize your claim successfully.

Can you represent me in court?

If the insurance company or trucking company refuses to offer you a fair settlement, your lawyer will need to fight for you in court. An experienced litigator is critical to securing the compensation you deserve. 

Have you faced corporate legal teams before?

It is not uncommon for a commercial trucking company to have a team of lawyers to protect them. Your attorney needs to be prepared to negotiate with a legal team whose mission is to minimize any settlement. Ask your truck accident lawyer what they will do if negotiations fail. 

How Many Large Truck Accidents Are There a Year? 

Both commercial and non-commercial trucks saw an increase in fatalities in the last reporting year. In Texas, 652 people were killed in an accident involving a large truck.

• 5,005 large trucks were involved in deadly accidents, accounting for 10% of all fatal crashes
• Fatalities increased by 2%
• Approximately 160,000 people were injured in truck accidents, a 7% increase
• 69% of people injured were not truck occupants

When a large truck collides with a motor vehicle, the impact can tear through the smaller automobile. The truck driver, on the other hand, is generally protected by a massive amount of steel. While most truckers walk away from accidents with minor injuries, the occupants of other vehicles suffer catastrophic damage and death.

If you have lost someone you love due to a careless truck driver, please call our wrongful death attorneys to help you in your time of need. We will fight and hold the responsible party accountable for your loss and give you the closure you need to grieve in peace. 

What Are the Common Causes of Trucking Accidents?

Truckers have a difficult job hauling goods all over the country. They are supposed to be specially trained to drive 80,000-pound big-rigs due to the hazards they pose on the roads. When a trucker ignores their safety training, either by driving longer than allowed or driving under the influence of a drug to help them stay alert, thousands of lives a year are lost.

Some of the leading causes of large truck accidents include;

Speed: 

Large trucks are heavy and require more time and space to stop or slow.

Fatigue:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration only allows a trucker to drive up to 11 hours in a 14-hour period. It also states a driver must be off duty for 10 or more consecutive hours before another window. 

Impaired Driving: 

Truckers are drug tested periodically using outdated urine testing. However, Congress passed the FAST Act 2015 to combat prolonged drug abuse by allowing the Department of Transportation to require hair follicle testing. Traditional urine tests only uncover drugs used in the last three days, while hair follicle testing can show drugs used up to 90 days out. After six years, the Department of Transportation has not implemented hair follicle testing, leaving many drug abusers on the road. 

Distracted Driving:

Truckers drive long hours and can be tempted to alleviate boredom by using cell phones or other distractions. A truck driver must be aware of their surroundings and in complete control of their large truck.

Failure to Obey Traffic Rules:

Truck drivers must adhere to the same rules as other cars. However, sometimes a distracted truck driver can be impatient to make a turn, relying on the ability of other vehicles to stop. 

Lack of Experience and Poor Judgement:

New truck drivers can make careless mistakes on the roads or may be too inexperienced to react correctly in hazardous weather conditions.

What Are the Common Injuries Sustained in Trucking Accidents?

Injuries from large truck accidents are often life-altering. After all, the average weight of an empty semi-truck or 18-wheeler is 35,000 pounds. The most common injuries sustained in a truck accident include;

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage, sometimes resulting in paraplegia or paralysis 
• Severe neck and back injuries
• Broken bones, fractures, and dislocations
• Amputations
• Disfigurement 
• Internal injuries like damaged organs or internal bleeding

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car crash involving a large commercial truck, big rig, 18-wheeler, or semi-truck please call a truck accident lawyer at our law firm in Houston today. Our dedicated truck accident attorneys will go over your options and investigate your case so you can focus on your recovery.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Houston?

The immediate aftermath of a truck accident is the most crucial period. If you have been severely hurt, you are at the mercy of a witness or the truck driver to call for help. If you have the ability to call yourself, there are a few steps to take to ensure your rights are protected.

1. Call 911 and alert the necessary authorities
2. Make sure you seek medical treatment. Even if you feel you do not need medical attention, it is important to have a medical professional assess your wounds. Internal bleeding or organ damage, fractures, and back injuries may take hours or days for you to notice, while a health care professional can run diagnostics to ensure your safety.
3. Try to identify other people or vehicles involved. Witness statements to the police are crucial. Also, is the truck driver employed by a company? They may be liable for your injuries and damage to your car.
4. Exchange the necessary information;
   1. Diver’s name, address, phone number, email address
   2. Driver’s insurance company
   3. Driver’s license number
   4. Name and contact number for the driver’s employer
5. Documentation is crucial in any insurance claim. Take pictures from different angles, make sure you receive a copy of the police report, and take photos of your injuries or have someone document them for you. As you recover, a journal daily about the pain on a scale of 1 to 10 and add recovery photos.
6. Call a truck accident attorney in Houston, Texas, before you speak with the insurance adjuster.

Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner has extensive experience handling truck accident claims in Houston. Reach out for a free consultation on your case by calling 713-244-5477. A truck accident lawyer will help you protect your rights so you can focus on your recovery. 

What is the Average Settlement for a Large Trucking Accident?

Driving near or around large trucks is unavoidable in Texas. Large 18-wheelers, big rigs, dump trucks, and commercial vehicles are all over the roads. If you or a loved one are harmed in a truck accident due to a driver’s negligent or careless acts, you may be entitled to damages.

Who is at fault?

It is crucial to speak with a truck accident lawyer before you talk with an insurance adjuster. In Texas, if you are found to be partially responsible or more than 51% responsible, your claim will be seriously impacted. 

How do you calculate damages?

Both physical and emotional damages are considered if you are not found at fault for the accident. The extent of your injuries will determine the financial compensation you will receive. 

Will you fully recover from your injuries? Are you temporarily or permanently disabled? Will you be able to continue working?

If you are disabled or disfigured due to the accident, you may suffer a loss of earning potential. Life-altering injuries can include amputations, paraplegia, or traumatic brain injuries. Your education, skills, past employment, and work performance will be considered in calculating lost future earnings.  

You may be entitled to pain and suffering for you the trauma you experienced, but it is not automatic in any claim. Speak with your truck accident lawyer to determine if you qualify.

What are punitive damages?

There is a misconception that punitive damages are derived from your injuries. However, punitive damages are meant to punish the driver. Usually, punitive damages are awarded in cases of gross negligence. Gross negligence could be if the driver was under the influence or driving recklessly. 

Who pays the settlement? 

Who pays the settlement depends on a few factors, mainly who is found responsible for the crash. The truck driver who caused the accident, the insurance company or the driver’s employer could be made to pay the settlement. 

When you are injured in a truck accident, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. The extent of your injuries can be frightening, the effect your injuries have on your family and children, and the financial aftermath often leads to depression and extreme anxiety. At Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, you need to know you are not alone. Our truck attorneys will be here every step of the way.

Why We Should Be Your Lawyer After a Truck Accident

Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner has over 70 years of successful litigation experience. Since 1951, our truck accident attorneys have worked efficiently and diligently to protect clients’ best interests. We have the skills and resources you need to obtain critical evidence and negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries. You are entitled to compensation. We can help.

• Lost wages if you are unable to work
• Coverage of medical expenses, both present and future
• Loss of earning potential
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages
• Pain and suffering damages
• Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent party

If you or a loved one have been injured by a big rig, semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or commercial vehicle, call Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner today and let us secure the compensation you deserve. You can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 713-244-5477. When you need a truck accident attorney in Houston, Texas, you deserve the best. Call Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner today.

Truck Accident Resources

A Guide To Truck Accident Claims in Texas

Can Passenger Vehicles Be Responsible For a Truck Crash?

How Dangerous Are Big Rigs and 18-Wheelers

Hit By a Delivery Truck

Can You Sue For a Rear-End Truck Collision?

What to Do After a Semi Truck Accident

Who Can I Sue if I’m a Victim of a Trucking Accident?

How Can Commercial Truck Crashes Be Prevented?

Broken Bones & Fractures

Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

Barnett Shale Truck Accidents

Brake Failure

The Problem With Reincarnated Trucking Companies

Tire Defects

Truck Accidents Caused by Maintenance Issues and Defective Equipment

Oversized Truck Loads

Trucking Regulations

Trucking License Fraud