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Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Houston Truck Accidents Often Result in Serious Injury and Even Death.

How Can A Houston Truck Accident Lawyer help?

Trucking companies and their insurance companies have many financial resources to immediately begin their own investigation once an accident happens.  They will inevitably try to shift the blame during their investigation.   You need an experienced Houston Truck Accident Lawyer to help you begin your own investigation. 

 

Accidents involving large, commercial 18-wheelers or large box trucks can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle as well as serious personal injuries.  Houston Texas has many trucks on its roads, and some freeways seem to have more trucks than passenger vehicles. Call Molina Law Firm when you need a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer.

 

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 5,000 large truck and bus accidents that resulted in fatal crashes in 2018.  Over 176,00 people were injured in that same year.  Commercial trucking and their insurance companies are very good at minimizing compensation for at-fault accidents.  Seek the advice of an experienced Houston Truck Accident Lawyer to represent you! Truck accidents involve federal and state rules. It is important that you understand how fault and responsibility are evaluated in Houston and in Texas.

 

What Are the Common Causes of Houston Truck Accidents?

Truck drivers and trucking companies have rules that they should follow to keep the other drivers safe.  Not following these rules usually leads to accidents.  These are some of the causes of truck accidents: 

What Types of Trucks Are Usually Involved in Houston Truck Accidents?

Most people think of 18-wheelers when they think of truck accidents.  However, other trucks also are likely to be involved in accidents, including:

How Are Damages Determined in A Houston Truck Accident?

Truck Accident damages are usaully more severe because of the greater impact caused by the heavy trucks.  The video below gives an analysis of how to evaluate damages and fault in an accident case.  

A jury determines damages after hearing evidence of the cause of the accident and the past and future effects on the injured victim.  An experienced Houston Truck Accident Lawyer will help you gather and present this evidence to a jury. 

 

 

In Texas, Auto Accident damages generally fall under two categories:  economic and noneconomic.  

Economic damages are generally out-of-pocket damages such as medical expenses and lost earnings or loss of earning capacity.  In wrongful death cases, these damages can also include funeral expenses.  

Non-economic damages are intangible damages such as pain, suffering, disfigurement, and physical impairment.  In wrongful death cases, these damages can also include loss of companionship.  

 

What Are the Common Injuries from A Houston Truck Accident?

Trucking accidents usually lead to severe injuries with long-lasting effects.   Medical bills can easily be in the thousands of dollars.  Some of these injuries have sizeable non-economic consequences.  For example, a burn injury can result in the permanent loss of a limb and have permanent disfigurement.   Some of the more common injuries include:

How is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident?

Because of their size, trucks, truck drivers, and truck companies,  have many rules and regulations that they have to follow to be on the road.  Violating these rules may lead to an accident.  

Trucking insurance companies will inevitably blame you for the accident.  They will immediately begin their own investigation to find fault in something that you did or did not do.  You need a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer at Molina Law Firm to begin your own investigation as soon as possible. 

In Texas, the fault for a truck accident can get legally complicated.  Rick Molina is a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer with experience in navigating the complexities of single and multi-vehicle truck accidents to maximize compensation for injured victims.  In Texas, fault is determined on percentage basis.    For example, if a jury determines the other side is 70% responsible for an accident, but you are determined 30% at fault, then your award may get reduced by the percentage of your responsibility.  More importantly, if you are found to be more than 50% responsible for an accident, then you may get zero (0) compensation.  This video will help you understand how fault is determined in a Houston Truck Accident. 

Who Can Be Responsible for A Truck Accident?

It is important to begin an investigation as soon as possible to determine the people and entities that can be held responsible for an accident.   Here are some of the people and  entities that can be held responsible:  

How Do I Prove My Case In A Truck Accident?

Truck drivers and trucking companies have many rules and regulations that they should follow.  Investigating and gathering evidence regarding any violations of these rules is critical because truck drivers and trucking companies have this evidence in their possession.  Evidence may include the police report, expert reports, witness reports, truck inspection reports, data from the truck’s “black box”, and medical records.  

Also, as a general matter, the evidence must establish negligence against the truck driver and trucking companies. Negligence includes the following elements: 

  1. Duty.  Did the other person owe you a duty?  Every driver has a duty to obey the laws and to not injure other people.
  2. Breach. Did the other person violate the duty?  This is usually shown by showing that the other person acted unreasonably.  For example, were they speeding? 
  3. Causation.  The breach must cause your injuries.  What are the injuries that are caused by the breach of duty?  
  4. Damages. The injuries in turn resulted in damages.  The damages are discussed below.

 

What makes us different?

The Molina Law Firm has been representing truck accident victims for over 20 years helping them navigate the sometimes complex legal fight against the insurance carriers.  Remember that when you retain Attorney Rick Molina, you pay nothing upfront and we only collect a percentage of the compensation you receive only when we have won your case.  Don’t go against the truck insurance carriers alone. 

Attorney Rick Molina will aggressively represent you and fight on your behalf.  We have the knowledge, resources, and experience to get you all the compensation for your loss, pain, and suffering.

No Win, No Fee

Image of Truck Accident on Houston Freeways

Truck Accident Statistics

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were 6,369 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in 2019.

  • There were 36 fatalities associated with those accidents
  • Over 124 suspected serious injuries
  • Over 1,084 possible injuries

What To Do After A Truck Accident?

Accidents involving large commercial trucks result in serious injuries, so your health is the number one priority. There are steps to be taken if you have been involved in an 18-wheeler or large truck accident. We have detailed some of the steps here. These steps are some of the more broad, important things that should be taken care of.

Call 911 after an accident

Get help on the way

If you cannot, get someone to call 911. This will get EMS and police on the way. Get medical attention. Even if you think you may be fine, a medical evaluation is critical.

Gather information

Take photos, get the other drivers information, get witness information. Try and get as much info as possible.

police crash reports

Get a case number

The police will talk to everyone involved and possibly issue citations. They should provide you with a case number that is needed to obtain the crash report.

If you have been seriously injured, it is important that you get an experienced personal injury attorney to help you. Time is important. Contact us.

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If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident, fill out the form below to start your free case review.

 

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Common Types of Auto Accidents in Houston

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Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents that involve large commercial trucks have a higher chance of serious personal injury or death.  Victims of these types of accidents have substantial financial and health damages.  Many times, these damages are long-term or even permanent.

  • Commercial Truck Drivers are governed by rules and regulations involving their training, on-the-road time, and driving. The company that they work for can also be held liable for their actions.
  • Carrier Companies are regulated in terms of vehicle maintenance, hiring practices, driver training, and other laws that can help determine liability in the event of an accident.
  • Insurance limits of trucking companies and truck operators are much higher than that of other drivers.

 

If the driver of the 18-wheeler was at fault in the accident, an experienced truck accident attorney will look at the driver, the trucking company, the involved vehicles, and the equipment manufacturers to determine who can be held responsible. In most accident claims, the amount of compensation that can be received is usually limited by the insurance policy.

 

The second an accident happens, insurance companies have teams of people ready to investigate the accident on their behalf. You need to know that the insurance companies are not investigating the accident on your behalf. The insurance companies also will not share any information with you. If you want an investigation on your behalf, then you need to call us to begin this investigation as soon as possible. As for settlements, you should not accept a settlement from the insurance company until you have had an experienced attorney conduct a review of your case.

At the Molina Law Firm, we will fight cases in court when a settlement cannot be reached. If a settlement does not appear to be fair, then you need to be in a position to fight your case in court.