Commercial truck accidents in Houston can be devastating and result in serious injuries and property damage. Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, these accidents often cause significant harm to other vehicles and occupants involved. The causes of such accidents can vary, including driver fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, improper loading, or mechanical failures.
In the event of a commercial truck accident, it is crucial to seek the assistance of a skilled truck accident lawyer. They will help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure your rights are protected. A truck accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and identify all parties responsible for the incident. They will also work with accident reconstruction experts to establish negligence on the part of the truck driver, trucking company, or other involved parties.
Commercial Work Truck Accidents
Types of Serious Injuries Accident Victims Suffer in Commercial Work Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents can result in serious injuries. Victims may suffer from broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, and even fatalities. The property damage can be extensive, including damage to vehicles, infrastructure, and personal belongings.
In commercial truck accidents, various types of injuries can be suffered by individuals involved. Some common injuries include:
- Head and Brain Injuries: Crashes with large trucks can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions and other head injuries.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact of a commercial truck collision can lead to severe spinal cord injuries and paralysis.
- Broken Bones: The force of the accident can cause fractures and broken bones in victims.
- Internal Injuries: Commercial truck accidents can cause internal injuries such as organ damage and internal bleeding.
- Severe Burns: In some cases, commercial truck accidents can result in severe burns, which can lead to long-term complications and scarring.
- Amputations: The force of the impact or entrapment in the accident can result in the loss of limbs.
These injuries can have devastating consequences, leading to long-term disabilities, significant medical expenses, and emotional trauma. It is crucial for victims of commercial truck accidents to seek legal assistance to pursue compensation for their injuries and losses.
A skilled truck accident lawyer can help navigate the complex legal process and secure the compensation they deserve. After a truck accident, victims can collect damages such as current and future medical costs, lost wages, property damages, legal fees, and pain and suffering.
Damages You Can Seek in Commercial Work Truck Accidents in Houston
Factors contributing to truck accidents include driver fatigue, distracted driving, and alcohol or drug use. Furthermore, commercial trucks have a higher susceptibility to rollovers due to their high center of gravity, leading to severe damage and injuries
In commercial work truck accidents in Houston, you may be eligible to claim various damages.
In commercial truck accidents in Houston, victims can claim various damages. These may include:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for the cost of medical treatment, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and therapy. These can include compensation for medical expenses, both current and future, related to your injuries sustained in the accident.
- Lost wages: Reimbursement for the income lost due to the accident and resulting injuries, including wages, bonuses, and other employment benefits.
- Property damage: Compensation for the damage to your vehicle such as repairs or replacement of your vehicle or other property caused by the accident.
- Pain and suffering: Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish experienced as a result of the accident.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the negative impact the accident has on the victim’s relationship with their spouse or partner.
- Punitive damages: In some cases, victims may be awarded punitive damages to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless or negligent behavior.
It is important to consult with a legal professional to determine the specific damages that can be claimed in your individual case. A Houston commercial truck accident lawyer can help you understand the specific damages you may be entitled to claim based on the circumstances of your case.
The Difficulties of Getting Compensation after a Commercial Truck Accident
Getting compensation after a truck accident can be a challenging process. There are several hurdles and difficulties that accident victims may face. It is important for victims to be aware of these challenges and take the necessary steps to protect their rights and seek fair compensation.
- Navigating the complex legal process: Truck accident cases involve various laws and regulations, and the legal proceedings can be overwhelming for someone without legal knowledge. It is crucial to seek legal representation from an experienced truck accident attorney.
- Dealing with insurance companies: Insurance companies are known for trying to minimize payouts to accident victims. They may employ various tactics, such as offering low settlements or delaying the claim process. It is important to have an attorney who can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Determining liability in a truck accident can be challenging: There could be multiple parties involved, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and potentially other third parties. Identifying the responsible parties and proving their negligence requires a thorough investigation and gathering of evidence. An experienced attorney can assist in this process and build a strong case on your behalf.
Overall, seeking compensation after a truck accident can be a complex and challenging endeavor. It is important to have the support of a knowledgeable and skilled Houston truck accident lawyer who can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Extent of Insurance Coverage in Commercial Work Truck Accidents
Commercial vehicle insurance typically covers vehicles used for business purposes, such as delivery trucks, work vans, and other vehicles used for commercial work. The policy usually covers the driver, employees, and any passengers in the vehicle at the time of an accident.
The amount of insurance coverage for commercial work truck accidents can vary depending on the type of policy and the specific circumstances of the accident. However, most commercial truck insurance policies include the following types of coverage:
- Liability insurance: Liability coverage is essential and often required by law. It covers bodily injury and property damage that you may cause to others in an accident. This coverage pays for damages to third-party property and injuries in the event of an accident caused by the truck driver.
- Collision insurance: This coverage pays for repairs or replacement of the truck if it is damaged in an accident. This covers damage to your own truck in the event of an accident, regardless of fault. It may include collision coverage (damage from accidents) and comprehensive coverage (damage from non-accident events like theft or vandalism).
- Comprehensive insurance: This coverage pays for repairs or replacement of the truck if it is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by a covered event such as a fire or storm.
- Cargo insurance: If you transport goods, cargo coverage can protect the value of the cargo in case of damage or loss during transit.
In addition to these basic coverages, commercial truck insurance policies may also include optional coverages such as:
- Workers’ compensation insurance: This coverage pays for medical expenses and lost wages for employees who are injured on the job.
- Non-owned and hired auto insurance: This coverage provides liability coverage for trucks that are not owned or leased by the trucking company.
- Pollution liability insurance: This coverage pays for cleanup costs and damages in the event of a spill or release of hazardous materials.
The specific amount of coverage provided by each of these coverages will vary depending on the policy. However, commercial truck insurance policies typically have higher coverage limits than personal auto insurance policies due to the increased risks associated with commercial trucking.
Discuss Your Case With Our Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
Serious wounds cause disruption to life and means of support. You might be feeling stressed out and unsure of how you’ll make a physical and financial recovery if you were hurt in a truck accident in Texas. The good news is that you are not required to deal with these difficulties by yourself.
To help you hold negligent truck drivers and trucking businesses accountable and pursue the money you need to rebuild your life, contact Joel A. Gordon and Associates truck accident attorneys. Our Houston truck accident lawyers have the right skills and experience to assist you and will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf