Catastrophic Injuries From Truck Accidents in Texas: What Victims Should Know
Get tips about catastrophic injuries from truck accidents in Texas. Everything is bigger here in the Lone Star State — including the trucking industry. From the number of drivers and trucking companies to the total volume of freight, Texas is a national leader in commercial trucking by almost any measure. Unfortunately, it also paces the country in a far more sobering category: catastrophic injuries and fatalities caused by truck accidents.
If you or someone you love is among the thousands of Texans whose lives have been altered following crashes caused by large commercial trucks, you don’t have to deal with the fallout alone. Seeking relief for mental, physical and financial distress is an intimidating process, but Haney Paschal & Romoser’s skilled commercial vehicle injury lawyers can help you assert your rights and demand the compensation you deserve.
Why Truck Accidents Often Lead to Catastrophic Injuries
It’s no great secret: America’s roadways are distinctly dangerous. At least six million traffic collisions happen annually from coast to coast, inflicting more than two million injuries and over 40,000 fatalities. Up to a quarter-million of those casualties — nearly two per minute — are recorded in Texas alone. When these accidents include tractor-trailers, dump trucks, delivery vehicles, concrete mixers and other commercial trucks — as they frequently do — the outcomes can be particularly severe.
It isn’t hard to see why. Commercial vehicles are much wider, longer and taller than the typical sedan or SUV. They can also carry massive loads, tipping the scales at up to 80,000 pounds — all while traveling at, or beyond, freeway speeds. Even the most advanced consumer safety features are unlikely to offer much protection when subjected to such titanic forces.
Consequently, motorists involved in a commercial truck accident are much more likely to experience a range of catastrophic injuries, from broken bones and lost limbs to severe burns and trauma to the head and spinal cord.
Needless to say, such major injuries can greatly affect your quality of life and have grave, long-lasting consequences, including:
- Massive and unmanageable medical debt
- Long-term mental and physical disabilities
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Chronic pain and impaired mobility
What Makes Truck Accident Cases So Complex?
When you’ve been harmed by another person’s negligence behind the wheel, taking legal action may be the only option for pursuing justice. Car crash lawsuits are rarely straightforward, but they can become particularly complicated when semi-trucks or other commercial vehicles are involved. These cases feature a number of potential complicating factors, presenting unique challenges requiring the expertise of an experienced catastrophic injury attorney.
Liability of Multiple Parties
Any personal injury lawsuit’s main goal is to establish liability, but this doesn’t always imply one person is wholly at fault. It’s not unusual for several parties to bear some degree of blame for collisions involving commercial trucks. Trucking companies are frequently held liable for accidents drivers cause while on the job, especially when there’s evidence of poor training, management or safety standards. Dispatchers who overburden drivers with time constraints could also be considered at fault. Truck manufacturers, maintenance companies, cargo loaders and third-party logistics firms are among a variety of other parties that are commonly named as defendants.
Industry Laws and Regulations
Considering the dangers inherent in the industry, it’s no surprise trucking is subject to heavy regulation. Drivers and carriers must abide by a litany of rules dictating everything from maintenance schedules and hours of service to gross weight limits and local route restrictions. It requires a keen knowledge of these rules to identify and investigate violations, but showing a willful disregard for safety regulations can go a long way in proving liability.
Potentially Catastrophic Injuries and Damages
Because commercial truck accidents produce disproportionately severe injuries, victims are frequently left with permanent disabilities, crushing medical expenses, lingering mental trauma and other life-altering complications. This makes it especially important — and unusually challenging — to evaluate the full long-term impact of an accident and accurately assess the monetary value of the resulting damages.
Aggressive and High-Powered Defense
Trucking carriers know the risks their vehicles pose on the road, and they’re well aware of how much they have to lose when things go terribly wrong. So, too, do the insurance providers that cover them. Naturally, these companies go to great lengths to minimize their exposure in truck accident cases. Armed with the best representation money can buy, they relentlessly deny responsibility, delay claims and push meager settlement offers. In the face of such capable and determined opposition, it takes a top commercial vehicle injury attorney to secure fair compensation.
Your Rights as a Victim in Texas
Collisions with commercial trucks are often physically and economically ruinous for victims and their families. Nothing can heal the damage done, but a personal injury lawsuit can help ease the burden and provide a much-needed measure of relief. If you were injured in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek full compensation for any damages you’ve suffered with the help of a truck accident lawyer.
Even if your own actions indirectly contributed to the collision, there may still be grounds to take legal action. That’s because Texas state law is based on the doctrine of modified comparative negligence, in which liability for an accident can be divided and apportioned between multiple parties. You need only be found less than 50% at fault to successfully recover damages, although your compensation will be proportionally reduced to reflect your degree of responsibility.
What To Do After a Truck Accident
Being in an accident is incredibly stressful and disorienting, and it’s easy to feel helpless or overwhelmed. However, knowing how to respond and what actions to take can help you keep calm and take control of the situation. Follow the simple steps below to protect yourself and ensure you’re in position to exercise your rights.
Contact 911 Immediately
Safety is paramount after a wreck, so your top priority should be to alert first responders. Dial 911 as soon as you can, being clear and direct in answering the operator’s questions. While you await the police, take a moment to collect your thoughts. Stay calm and cooperate fully with emergency personnel on the scene. When questioned or asked to give a statement, be honest and forthright. However, don’t feel pressured to engage in speculation or volunteer unnecessary details.
Document the Accident Scene
When it comes to proving liability in truck accident lawsuits, pictures are worth a thousand words. Provided you can do so safely, focus on taking photos illustrating the damage to each vehicle. Get multiple angles whenever possible, including license plates and other identifying features. In addition, snap some wider shots to show the full crash scene in context. If you or anyone else has visible catastrophic injuries, document those as well. Finally, think like a seasoned accident investigator. Sweep your surroundings for pertinent clues like skid marks, road signs, traffic signals, weather conditions and roadway obstructions.
Exchange Vital Information
While tempers can easily flare after a collision, it’s imperative to remain calm and focus on covering all your bases. This includes exchanging insurance and contact details with everyone involved in the crash. You’ll also need the truck driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) number, license plate, USDOT number and vehicle information. Additionally, make sure to record the details of the company that owns and operates the truck.
Seek Urgent Medical Attention
Surviving a car wreck can unleash an enormous surge of adrenaline, inhibiting perceptions of pain and temporarily masking the extent and severity of injuries. That’s why you should always seek emergency medical care, even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt. Not only is this a sensible precaution for protecting your health, but it’s a vital step in documenting any catastrophic injuries you may have sustained.
Call a Truck Accident Attorney
The statute of limitations for truck accident cases here in Texas is two years. While that may seem like plenty of time, there’s no reason to risk running out the clock. Instead, it’s always best to be proactive and promptly make contact with a trusted truck accident injury lawyer in your area. The sooner you schedule a free consultation with a reputable truck accident attorney, the sooner you can begin building a case and exploring your legal options.
Why Legal Representation Matters With Catastrophic Injuries
When your life has been upended by a serious accident, it takes a tremendous effort just to pick up the pieces and start moving forward. Don’t add even more to your plate by trying to take on the responsible parties alone. You can bet trucking carriers and insurance companies will always have high-powered lawyers representing them. Don’t you deserve the same?
Truck accident injury attorneys aren’t just experts in legalese. They’re dedicated advocates who understand how best to represent your interests and explore all available remedies in pursuit of maximum compensation. This entails overseeing every aspect of your lawsuit, from interviewing witnesses and conducting investigations to methodically building and presenting an airtight case. An attorney can also determine appropriate damages, negotiate settlement offers and even represent you at trial if necessary.
Why Contact Haney Paschal & Romoser
For decades, Haney Paschal & Romoser, P.C. has been a relentless advocate for East Texas residents injured in commercial truck accidents. Our track record speaks for itself, and we have a proven reputation for delivering positive outcomes. At our firm, you’ll work directly with a qualified lead attorney committed to fighting zealously for your right to compensation.
As veteran commercial vehicle injury attorneys, you can trust we’ll do what it takes to bring a just and speedy resolution to your case. We’re well-equipped to handle complex litigation, with an experienced team backed by a wealth of resources, an unflinching reputation and a wide-ranging network of connections within the community.
We provide free expert consultations and perform our services on a contingency basis, so you won’t pay a cent unless you win. What have you got to lose? If you’ve been the victim of a commercial truck accident, contact Haney Paschal & Romoser today and let the area’s most trusted catastrophic injury lawyers go to work for you.