BEST 18 WHEELER TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS IN HOUSTON
Almost every consumer product in every store in Texas spent some time on a large 18-wheeler truck. Therefore, it’s not surprising that wrecks involving these large commercial vehicles have increased 42 percent since 2009. These large trucks, when fully loaded, weigh more than 80,000 pounds. So, it’s also not surprising that these collisions often cause catastrophic injuries and even death.
Truck wreck claims are often quite complex, and not just because the injuries are so severe. Two reasons for the complex claim process are. First, the truck drivers are usually not Texas residents. Second, the companies that own these trucks are generally out-of-state corporations. Given these geographic details having the Best 18 Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston handling the case can make things go a bit smoother.
What Our Clients Say
The compassion and determination with which we’ve served our community for nearly 40 years set us apart from other law firms. More than 200,000 clients have trusted our reputation as an honest and experienced team who will stop at nothing to secure compensation for their suffering. This trust has consistently earned us top-tier recognition as a nationally acclaimed personal injury trial law firm with a proven record of success.
To win the toughest cases, it takes resources, perseverance, and decades of legal experience. We offer 100% free and confidential case evaluations. Fill out a contact form or connect with one of our helpful live chat representatives. Real people. Real help. We are ready to hear your story.
SOME OF OUR VERDICTS
$1,500,000
Jury verdict against an auto auction company for injuries.
$6,110,000
Jury verdict against manufacturer of a toxic product.
$3,700,000
Jury verdict against industrial facility for a wrongful death.
Free Case Evaluation
COMPENSATION YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO
Past and future medical expenses
Lost earning capacity
Mental anguish
Property damage
Lost wages
Physical impairment or disfigurement
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium
Harris County Couple Awarded $12.4M Verdict in Trucking Accident Case
On September 30, 2019, Jim Hart and his legal team of Williams Hart & Boundas won a $12,450,000 verdict in the 129th District Court of Harris County, Texas. Their clients, a young working couple, sustained serious injuries when an 18-wheeler operated by New Prime, Inc. struck their small sedan from behind at highway speed on Interstate 45 in Houston.
One client suffered an injury known as trigeminal neuralgia, a painful nerve disease that is one of the most painful conditions known in medicine.
New Prime, Inc. is one of the largest trucking companies in North America. It entrusted its vehicle to a driver with a history of over 60 safety violations. The defense strategically admitted to the driver’s negligence before the weeklong trial. The jury took a half-day of deliberations to return their verdict.
Attorneys that also helped in the success of this case were: Attorneys Kevin Haynes and Margot Trevino, as well as Trial Paralegal Jael Hamilton of Williams Hart & Boundas.
DID YOU KNOW?
Since November 7, 2000
Houston has some of the most dangerous roads in America.
A deadly streak
- Approximately Six hundred forty people die each year on Houston roads.
- An additional 2850 more people sustained injures due to mobile auto collisions.
MANY HOUSTONIANS SADLY SEE FATAL
COLLISIONS AS INEVITABLE, BUT NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
While some accidents do happen, many 18 wheeler truck collisions are preventable. Often these accidents occur because someone chose to ignore basic safety protocols. Thus, neglecting the rules results in the loss of lives and leaves many families to heal after a horrific event.
When a serious collision could have been prevented, the best 18 wheeler truck accident lawyers at Williams Hart & Boundas are here to help. Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney is critical. Trucking accidents may involve multiple insurance companies, law enforcement agencies, and at-fault companies. Thus, it is vital to have a legal team experienced in these complex legal situations. This will ensure you get the best possible outcome.
After a serious truck crash, we know that financial compensation can be a critical step in paying for medical bills. It also helps provide for lost wages or long-term care of disabilities because of the accident. We are committed to helping individuals and their families get justice after major vehicular accidents.
HOW A TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWSUIT WORKS
When you partner with Williams Hart & Boundas, law team, you have one of the country’s best law firms.
Our experienced Houston truck accident lawyers routinely handle these cases in Harris County and nearby jurisdictions. Many truck drivers are just getting their bearings when they pull out of the Houston Ship Channel. Thus, not being a native to the area, navigating the web of Houston expressways can be quite difficult. Yet, that is no excuse for negligent driving. Therefore, we never stop fighting for you.
Our cases work on a ‘contingency basis,’ which means we only get paid if we win you money!
We promise you won’t have any out-of-pocket legal expenses during your case with us.
It is entirely free to inquire about your possible case at Williams Hart & Boundas. There is no obligation to sign up with Williams Hart & Boundas. The first step is to get your questions answered by our experienced legal team.
When you sign up with our firm, our legal team will begin collecting the necessary information about the case. Preparing a case requires communicating with all parties involved in the accident. This is so we can get the necessary documents from the owner of the truck, the trucking company, the insurance companies, and law enforcement.
We will talk about your options. Every case is unique, and we want to help families make informed decisions. With all the facts laid out, we can help you go forward into a trial or other legal proceedings.
NAVIGATING LIABILITY
Our Top rate Law firm helps people process the aftermath of a major accident. Truck accident cases can often be handled out of court. In these situations, a lawyer communicates on behalf of the victim with the insurance company. However, a team of qualified legal experts is needed to handle the case in more complex instances. Determining who is liable may not be immediately clear; thus, these cases may need to go to court. Sometimes after a commercial vehicle collision, victims may face pressure from several insurance agencies and legal entities. We are experienced in advocating for truck crash victims in these extreme situations. Our Houston car accident lawyers help clients navigate these difficult situations to get the compensation they deserve.
FIRST PARTY LIABILITY
Truck accident victims must establish negligence by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not. Traditional evidence, such as medical bills and the police accident report, often form these claims’ backbone. Additional evidence in truck accident claims includes:
Event Data Recorders (EDR) Large truck EDR is much like the black box flight data recorders in commercial airplanes. Depending on the make and model, these devices track and record things like vehicle speed and brake application. These numbers are often critical in car crash claims.
Federal government’s Safety Maintenance System (SMS) Is a multi-state driving record. As mentioned, most truck drivers have out-of-state licenses. SMS database reports are generally admissible in court.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) Are often important in drowsy driver claims. These claims are common. Many drivers circumvent HOS (Hours of Service) requirements so that they can stay on the road longer. Much like an EDR, an ELD is a computer that’s attached to the truck’s drive train.
THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY
A ship’s captain is ultimately responsible for the crew’s conduct. Similarly, employers are liable for the negligent acts their employees commit during the scope of their employment. This legal doctrine, known as respondeat superior, has three basic prongs:
Employee: There was a time in Texas law that limited this category to only W-2 workers receiving regular paychecks. Today, the term “employee” has a broader label and applies to anyone the employer controls. So, this label includes owner-operators, independent contractors, and even some unpaid volunteers.
Scope of Employment: Similarly, Texas law once limited employment scope to situations like a delivery driver on a regular delivery route. Now, this category is much larger. It includes any act which benefits the employer in any way. For example, an employee injured in company softball games is acting within the scope of employment. How is this so, you may ask? The employer benefits from the free advertising.
Foreseeability: Accidents are foreseeable if they are possible. It is not foreseeable that someone will steal a truck from the garage and cause a crash. Anything short of that is probably within the realm of possibility. Other employer liability theories, which often apply in assault and other intentional tort claims, include negligent hiring and negligent entrustment
INJURIES IN TRUCK ACCIDENT CLAIMS
Serious Burns
Frequently, truck accident victims sustain third or fourth-degree burns. These wounds always require skin grafts and other treatments only available at expensive burn centers. These wounds are often fatal as well.
Head Injuries
The massive force in a truck collision usually causes a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBIs are always permanent. Once brain cells die, they never regenerate. However, extensive physical therapy can help these victims live normal lives.
Exsanguination
Excessive blood loss, mainly from internal injuries, is often the official cause of death in truck crash cases. Typically, victims are on the verge of hypovolemic shock by the time emergency responders arrive.
Most non-commercial operators have a duty of reasonable care. Therefore, they must drive defensively and avoid crashes when possible. Any one of the impairments listed above makes fulfilling this duty difficult, if not impossible.
