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Injured By an 18-Wheeler Accident in Texas?

A truck accident can alter your life in ways you could never have imagined.

If you have been the victim of a big rig collision, you know how terrifying those first days after your accident can be.

As you take note of your injuries, you may realize that some of them could cause ongoing health issues and prevent you from living your normal life.

However, you do not have to recover from an accident like this alone.

An experienced Texas truck accident lawyer on our Armstrong Lee & Baker team can help you pursue a claim against the parties responsible for your accident and recover damages.

Common Reasons for Truck Accidents in Texas

There is no single cause of big rig accidents. Just like any motor vehicle accident, drivers of commercial trucks may crash for almost any reason.

Unfortunately for drivers of smaller cars on the road, truck drivers’ negligent behavior and poor choices behind the wheel are the cause of many accidents.

While these mistakes might not cause as much damage in a sedan, big rigs often weigh more than ten times as much as a compact car.

Poor judgment, speeding, driving while intoxicated, drowsy driving, and distracted driving are some of the negligent behaviors that can cause a truck accident. 

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA), in 2019, 6% of truck drivers involved in a fatal accident tested positive for drugs.

Using a cell phone, eating, and drowsy driving were other leading causes the FMCSA found for single- and multi-vehicle truck accidents.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck driver’s negligent behavior behind the wheel, speak with a Texas truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

The Armstrong Lee & Baker personal injury law team can assess your case and help you understand how to proceed after a devastating motor vehicle accident.

Key Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

Ensure Everyone’s Health and Safety

After a truck crash, and before calling the police or a Texas truck accident attorney, it is important to first check yourself and others for injuries.

Then, if it is safe to do so, check on the occupants of other vehicles involved as well. If someone is injured, call 911 and request both the police and an ambulance. 

If you are injured, seek medical attention right away.

Even if you are unaware of any immediate injuries, you may have hidden injuries that take days or weeks to appear.

Your Texas truck accident lawyer may explain that truck crashes can cause significant damage to soft tissue and muscles.

Only a medical professional can identify injuries that may otherwise go unnoticed, and your truck accident lawyer can explain any Texas laws that will impact the timing of filing your claim.

Finally, never leave the scene of an accident. Leaving the scene can leave you vulnerable to a charge of hit-and-run driving, which comes with severe penalties.

If you need to go for medical treatment, inform one of the law enforcement officers on site.

Document the Scene

If you can, try to capture images or videos of the truck crash scene.

When you file a claim with the help of your truck accident lawyer in Texas, you can use this evidence to support your claim.

Be as specific as possible in your documentation, and make sure to capture other vehicles, debris, signage, road conditions, and skid marks in your photos and videos.

Additionally, if you are able, gather the names and information of all the drivers involved. If you cannot, have a capable witness or bystander complete this task.

Be sure to exchange insurance information and contact information with the truck driver and others involved in the accident.

If possible, also obtain contact information for any witnesses at the scene. All these details will be helpful to your case.

At Armstrong Lee & Baker, our team of exceptional truck accident lawyers know how to help you navigate the aftermath of even the most difficult collisions.

We advise clients to avoid social media in the wake of a crash involving a big rig.

If you are posting pictures or tell your story, a trucking company’s defense team may use those posts to later find minor discrepancies between what you said online and what you say in court. Do not take any chances!

Contact a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer

After you have checked that everyone is safe, received medical help, stayed at the scene, waited for law enforcement to arrive, and documented the crash, it is time to call a truck accident attorney.

Texas has strict time limits on filing personal injury claims, so the sooner you bring your claim against the trucking company, the better.

Bringing a claim while evidence is fresh and memories are clear can also enhance your chances of success in settlement negotiations or trial.

Types of Damages You May Be Eligible for After a Truck Accident in Texas

You may be eligible to collect damages if you have been injured in a big rig accident. Some of the most common damages include:

  • Medical expenses;
  • Lost income and future wages;
  • Vehicle repair or replacement costs;
  • Future medical bills;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Loss of consortium, and
  • Wrongful death if you are suing on behalf of a loved one killed by a negligent or reckless driver. 

This is not an exhaustive list. An experienced Texas truck accident lawyer can tell you more about which parties would be best to file a claim against.

Texas truck accident settlement amounts can vary widely depending on whether the drivers were insured and the amounts of applicable insurance policies, the severity of your injuries, and the extent of damages.

How Armstrong Lee & Baker Can Help

At Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, we provide you with compassion and honesty every step of the way in filing your truck accident claim.

Our attorneys have obtained millions of dollars for clients, and we will stop at nothing to get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today at 832-402-6637 to learn more about what we can do for you.