What to Know About 18-Wheeler Accident Settlements in Texas
18-wheeler trucking accidents can be devastating. If you’re injured after a heavy truck crash, it’s crucial you consult commercial trucking attorneys to determine if you can claim damages for the harm sustained. In the meantime, here’s what you should know about 18-wheeler accident settlements in Texas.
18-Wheeler Truck Accidents
With over 580 large truck fatalities in 2020, Texas has some of the highest fatal trucking accident rates in the country. 18-wheeler trucking accidents are often caused by:
- careless driving
- driver fatigue
- equipment failure
- inadequate training
- loading errors
Thankfully most accidents are not fatal, but they can result in a variety of injuries including:
- amputations
- broken bones
- cuts and lacerations
- head injuries
- muscle and tendon damage
- paralysis
- spinal cord damage
- traumatic brain injuries
- whiplash
Although every road accident can be serious, heavy truck accidents can be especially catastrophic due to the size and weight of the vehicle(s) involved.
Who to Sue After an 18-Wheeler Trucking Accident in Texas
If you’re injured after a heavy truck accident, it’s important to know who to hold responsible.
Depending on the facts of your case, you may sue the driver, trucking company, or vehicle manufacturer. For example, if the truck driver is under the influence of alcohol when they crash, they may be directly responsible for the accident. Or if the trucking company failed to offer drivers proper training, it may be them you can hold responsible. In some cases, you can sue the vehicle manufacturer e.g. if they produced faulty parts for the truck.
Although you can sue the driver personally, it’s not always your best option to obtain the maximum amount of compensation. 18-wheeler accident lawyers can determine who you should sue based on the unique facts of your case.
18-Wheeler Accident Settlements in Texas
Since every case is unique, there’s no such thing as an “average” settlement for a trucking accident in Texas. The exact amount of compensation available to any victim after an 18-wheeler accident depends on, for example:
- extent of long-term care required
- the type of injuries sustained
- whether there are fatalities
Depending on the circumstances, settlement figures are often higher for trucking accidents than, say, fender benders. An experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney in Houston can give you an estimate of what you might claim after carefully evaluating your case and the extent of your injuries.
Fault and 18-Wheeler Accident Settlements
Texas is what’s known as a “modified comparative fault” state. Put simply, your compensation is affected by whether you’re partially or entirely to blame for the accident.
- If you’re blameless, your compensation will not decrease.
- For drivers found to be 50% or less “at fault” for the accident, they will receive less compensation than if they were blameless.
- If a driver is over 50% responsible for the accident i.e. it was mainly their fault, they can’t claim personal injury compensation.
Commercial truck accident lawyers will explain whether the comparative fault rule affects your compensation.
Houston 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney
At the Alexander Law Firm, we offer free initial consultations to anyone injured in a trucking accident here in Texas. We don’t charge you anything unless we win your case – and winning is something we’re good at. Call now on 800-350-5110 or reach us online.