All car accidents in Houston are dangerous, but when an 80,000-pound semi truck is added to the mix, it can significantly increase the safety risk. These accidents can result in not only severe and debilitating physical trauma, but also long-term financial fights against trucking companies that want to minimize your compensation and defend their corporation. Because of this, truck accidents require expert lawyers to help maximize your compensation and get you the justice you deserve. By learning about the compensation process, you can be better equipped to understand your rights in the event of a road disaster.
The Big-Rig Difference: Why Truck Accident Claims Are Unique
Besides the serious injuries that can occur, truck accident lawyers must be familiar with specific laws and understand complex corporate insurance policies to achieve success. Several key aspects of big-rig accidents separate these claims from regular car accident cases, including the severity of injuries or damages, the commercial insurance, policy limits, and the governing regulations involved.
Severity and Impact of Truck Accident Injuries
The severity of injuries is the single most significant aspect of your claim. Each year in America, there are over 100,000 truck accidents that result in serious injury, making knowledge of how compensation works indispensable. The most common injuries sustained during serious truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limbs
In most cases, these injuries become long-term, life-altering medical and financial commitments that can cause significant strain on families in Houston.
Commercial Insurance and High Policy Limits
Trucking companies are federally required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to have significantly higher insurance policies in order to operate within the country. This is mandated to make sure that the coverage is able to withstand catastrophic damage in the case that the accident was caused by the truck driver. This is not only because of the potential damage to the other driver, but also because of the multitude of hazardous chemicals they are carrying. Depending on the load, insurance policies must increase based on hazardous chemicals or extra-heavy loads. These high policy limits typically come with two primary implications for victims of a semi-truck crash in Houston:
- Higher potential compensation: Many times, truck accidents contribute to such considerable financial loss for victims, from the extremely high medical bills, to lost wages from missing sometimes months of work. Higher policy limits mean there is more money on the table for victims to claim compensation in order to recover fully.
- Aggressive Defense: Trucking companies are known for having highly aggressive defense teams that are specifically trained, funded, and strategized to minimize victim payouts. This means that a strong team of Houston truck accident lawyers is a non-negotiable for semi-truck accident victims.
At Maida Law in Houston, we specialize in truck accident claims – giving you the best shot at combating their powerful defense teams and maximizing your compensation payout.
Governing Regulations
Aside from just strategic powerhouse legal teams, trucking companies are also governed by strict policies that can be integral for proving fault. The FMCSA has specific regulations in place that not only keep drivers safer on the roads but also create strict defaults for liability in the case of serious accidents. The primary regulations include:
- Truck driver hours of service regulations limit the time on the road without breaks allowed, aiding in preventing driver fatigue and poor judgment.
- Maintenance and inspection requirements are in place to help prevent tuck failure from causing dangerous crashes – including brake failure and big-rig tire blowouts.
- Commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations ensure that all truck drivers adhere to specific standards to be eligible for paid truck driving positions in the United States.
Any violations of these regulations can allow your truck accident lawyer to prove liability and maximize your compensation package.
The Complexities of Truck Accident Liability and Compensation
In typical car crashes, one driver or the other really determines the liability, making the compensation process extremely straightforward. But when it comes to commercial trucking companies, the matter of liability is very much a web of possible responsible parties and requires acute knowledge of the key players. When it comes to navigating compensation packages, this is a major factor, as claiming full compensation often requires being able to identify every party involved in the devastation. The primary players in question include:
- The truck drivers
- The trucking company
- The cargo loader or shipper
- The maintenance and repair shop
- The parts manufacturer
By accurately and fully placing liability on these parties through evidentiary support, including black box data, FMCSA documentation, and maintenance records, your truck accident lawyer can help you make a strong case for your claim.
Understanding the Three Pillars of Truck Accident Compensation
What makes truck accident compensation so imperative is that not only do they cover the multitude of painful, debilitating, and life-altering injuries, but they also need to cover the lifetime of loss that accidents cause in many cases. Creating compensation packages typically involves three primary aspects of your unique accident: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are calculable losses to the victim of the truck accident. This includes past and future medical expenses. Within this category could be emergency care, physical therapy, and all prescription medication – all of which are extremely common for all truck accidents in Houston. Economic damages also include lost wages and earning capabilities, which can be a key factor, especially for victims who were sole income providers for their families.
A court considers non-economic damages intangible losses, which include pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the loss of enjoyment of life. Truck accidents can be traumatic experiences, even if someone walks away unscathed. A lawyer can use mental anguish to maximize compensation. This is also true for victims who pass away during the accident, allowing for compensation for spouses or family members because of loss of companionship or spousal support.
Lastly, punitive damages are the rarest, yet most powerful, type of damage when it comes to establishing compensation expectations. Liable parties consider these more of a punishment than compensation. Typically, these are only awarded when a truck driver commits gross negligence.
Partnering with a truck accident lawyer is the best way to use these categories of damages in your case accurately. At Maida Law, we consistently strive to learn the full story of all our clients in order to precisely identify the damage caused by a truck accident, ensuring that they and their families receive the best support.
The Value of a Specialized Truck Accident Legal Team
A Houston truck accident lawyer, an expert in navigating the complex web of liability, regulations, and evidence, best uses the power of knowledge. Here at Maida Law, we understand that the vast majority of truck accidents in Houston have devastating outcomes for everyone involved. Because of this, we promise that if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay us. Our goal is always to provide the best service for our clients and secure the maximum compensation package. Contact us today for a free Houston truck accident case evaluation.