No one enjoys sharing the road with 18-wheelers, and it’s easy to understand why: when these massive trucks cause accidents, the results can be catastrophic or deadly for the occupants of the passenger vehicles involved. If you or someone you love were recently in a tractor-trailer crash, you could be facing life-altering injuries and substantial financial losses or grieving and planning a funeral for a loved one.
When a semi-truck owner or operator’s negligence causes devastating injuries and losses, they must be held accountable—and if you’ve ever been in a car accident, you might think you know what to expect from the recovery process. Unfortunately, commercial truck accident litigation is a whole new ball game that pits you against powerful companies with deep pockets, in-house insurers, and savvy corporate counsel who prioritize protecting their bottom line over providing compensation that covers your medical care and allows you to begin rebuilding your life.
Tireless Representation for Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Victims
At Terry & Thweatt, P.C., we know that in the aftermath of a horrific big-rig crash, you need an experienced and compassionate attorney who isn’t afraid to stand up to big trucking and insurance companies and fight tirelessly to secure the recovery you deserve. Our Houston-based personal injury and wrongful death practice provides skilled and steadfast legal guidance to help you regain your footing after a commercial truck accident. We help clients go up against well-resourced defendants—and win.
Read on to learn more about Texas 18-wheeler accident cases and the benefits of having tenacious trial lawyers on your side.
Everything’s Bigger in Texas Commercial Truck Crash Cases
From the stakes to the complexities, everything about truck accident cases can be as big as the big rigs involved in them. Here’s what sets these challenging matters apart from traditional car crash cases—and how Terry & Thweatt, P.C.’s seasoned attorneys can help you adeptly navigate this unfamiliar (and oversized) legal terrain.
Massive Trucks
Most tractor-trailers are between 70 and 80 feet long, nearly 14 feet tall, and weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, making them capable of immense destruction in an accident.
Catastrophic Injuries and Losses
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal injuries resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia, and severe burns over a significant percentage of your body are just a few of the life-altering injuries associated with semi-truck crashes. These catastrophic injuries can prevent you from working and may require costly ongoing medical care or modifying your home to improve accessibility.
Large Pool of Potentially Liable Parties
Truck drivers, trucking companies, truck manufacturers, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, third-party contractors, and government agencies are just a few of the individuals or entities who might be liable for commercial truck accidents. We’ll help you identify the appropriate defendants for your 18-wheeler accident lawsuit.
Additional Evidence
Driver hiring and training records, truck maintenance logs, electronic logging devices, black box data, and in-cab or dashcam footage can play a powerful role in your case. We’ll send spoliation letters to the trucking company and other parties informing them of their obligation to preserve relevant evidence.
Bigger Insurance Minimums
While Texas requires a minimum of $30,000 in liability insurance coverage for passenger vehicles, the mandated minimum coverage for large commercial trucks starts at $750,000 and increases to $5 million for trucks transporting hazardous materials.
Potential Recoveries
Catastrophic injuries and losses pave the way for sizeable financial recoveries. Depending on the facts and evidence in your case, your recovery might include compensation for related medical expenses (including the estimated cost of future care), lost wages and earning potential, property damages, out-of-pocket costs, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other losses. Families who lost a loved one could also be eligible for damages.