Accidents involving 18-wheelers can be devastating. These large, heavy commercial vehicles can cause serious damage. This may lead to severe injuries, high medical bills, and long-lasting changes in your daily life.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler collision in Sugar Land, Texas, The Crash Team is here to help. We’ll pursue the financial support and justice you deserve.
Contact us today at 832-800-8000 to schedule a free consultation with a Sugar Land 18-wheeler accident lawyer.
How The Crash Team Can Help After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Sugar Land, TX
Accidents involving semi-trucks and big rigs differ significantly from standard car collisions. The legal and logistical issues are more complicated because multiple parties are often involved. This includes trucking companies, drivers, and insurance providers.
At The Crash Team, we pride ourselves on delivering client-focused representation. Our firm has 35 years of combined experience. We’ve recovered over $20 million for our clients. We are also recognized by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Our Sugar Land personal injury attorneys provide:
- Free case evaluations: We will assess your accident details and medical records. This helps us prove liability and your case’s value.
- Skilled negotiation: Insurance adjusters are trained to lower payouts. We counter them with strong evidence and firm negotiation tactics.
- Client support: We will keep you informed, answer your questions quickly, and make sure you feel good about every step of the legal process.
- Trial-ready strategy: Should negotiations fail, we have no hesitation in taking your case before a judge and jury.
Our primary goal is to safeguard your rights, secure the compensation you need, and help you move forward with your life.
What Is My 18-Wheeler Accident Case Worth?
The amount of money you could receive from a personal injury claim or lawsuit varies and is heavily dependent on several factors specific to your case including:
- The type and severity of your physical injuries
- The medical treatment required for your recovery
- The impact of your injuries on your ability to work
- How your injuries have affected your quality of life
- Whether you share any responsibility for your injuries
- The insurance benefits available to you and their policy limits
- Your age and life expectancy
- Your out-of-pocket expenses since the accident
The nature and severity of your injuries are particularly crucial factors as they directly influence the impact on your life and, consequently, the potential compensation you may receive through an insurance claim or jury verdict.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Victims of 18-wheeler accidents can seek different types of compensation. These help ease both financial and emotional burdens from the crash.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: These cover emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing treatments, and necessary medical devices.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity: You can get paid for missed work and any future earnings that might drop if your injuries last a long time.
- Property damage: This covers paying to repair or replace your vehicle and personal items damaged in the accident.
Medical bills, pay stubs, and expert testimony typically substantiate these damages.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: This refers to the physical pain and emotional distress from serious injuries.
- Emotional distress: This includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental effects from the accident.
- Loss of consortium: This addresses how the injury may affect relationships with spouses or family members.
Skilled advocacy is necessary to prove these subjective damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer?
At The Crash Team, our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t have to pay any upfront fees. We only receive payment if we win your case, and our fee is a percentage of the settlement or court award you receive.
This ensures that you can afford quality legal representation without any financial worry. We offer free consultations to discuss your unique situation, so please reach out to us today.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For an 18-Wheeler Accident in Texas?
Texas adheres to a modified comparative fault rule. Under this system:
- You can recover damages if you’re found partially at fault, as long as your share of fault doesn’t exceed 50%.
- The percentage of fault attributed to you will reduce your compensation.
- You cannot recover damages if you’re 51% or more responsible.
If a jury finds you 20% responsible for the accident and your total losses are $100,000, you could get $80,000. However, if you are 51% at fault, you recover nothing.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Truck Accident
Insurance companies mainly want to reduce payouts. This is especially true for big truck accident cases. These cases often involve serious injuries and high medical bills.
Approach all insurance communications with caution and consult your attorney. Insurance companies will try to limit responsibility through:
- Low settlement offers: Attempting to resolve the case quickly before you grasp the full extent of your injuries.
- Disputing liability: Trying to shift blame onto you or other parties.
- Excessive requests: Slowing down the process so you might drop your bigger claim.
- Pressuring statements: Fishing for inconsistent remarks they can use against you.
Partnering with an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer boosts your chances. You can better fight these tactics and get a fair settlement.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries
Following an accident with an 18-wheeler, you are likely to suffer a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe.
At The Crash Team, we can help with the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries: These injuries can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and long-term disability.
- Broken bones: This broad category encompasses fractures of varying severity, from hairline cracks to shattered bones, potentially requiring surgery, casting, and extensive rehabilitation.
- Soft tissue damage: This includes injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as sprains, strains, and contusions, which can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Internal injuries: These injuries can affect vital organs like the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys, potentially leading to internal bleeding, organ failure, and life-threatening complications.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired bodily functions, often necessitating lifelong medical care and adaptive equipment.
Contact us today so you can begin focusing on healing while we focus on getting you the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Sugar Land, TX
Understanding what leads to an 18-wheeler accident is essential for establishing liability. It also highlights the various safety lapses or negligent behaviors that could form the foundation of your legal claim.
Some of the most frequent causes we encounter are:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often operate under tight delivery schedules. Lack of proper rest can impair judgment and slow reaction times.
- Distracted driving: Using a phone, eating, changing the radio, or checking GPS can lead to dangerous crashes.
- Speeding or reckless driving: Driving a large truck fast allows for few mistakes, especially on busy highways.
- Poor maintenance: Worn tires, faulty brakes, or neglected engine upkeep can create hazards.
- Improper cargo loading: Overloading or unbalanced cargo can cause trucks to tip over or jackknife. This puts everyone on the road at risk.
Each of these factors increases the need for legal representation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Texas?
Under Texas law, victims generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline could mean forfeiting your right to seek compensation.
It’s important to understand a few exceptions:
- Minors: If a minor is involved, the statute of limitations may begin when the minor turns 18.
- Discovery rule: In rare instances, the clock might start when someone discovers an injury or should have discovered it.
- Wrongful death: Family members typically have two years from the victim’s death to file a claim.
Promptly consulting with an attorney ensures you do not lose your ability to file.
Contact Our Sugar Land 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A crash with an 18-wheeler can cause serious injuries. It can also bring financial stress and emotional challenges. At The Crash Team, we understand the stakes and are prepared to help you reclaim control of your life. No matter if your accident happened due to tired driving, poor vehicle care, or other errors, our skilled Sugar Land 18-wheeler accident attorneys can help you make a legal plan. This plan aims to secure fair compensation for you.
We invite you to contact our office in Sugar Land, Texas, to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Taking this first step helps you find the financial support and justice you need after a life-changing 18-wheeler accident.