If you or a loved one were injured in a commercial vehicle accident, do
not risk your recovery by hiring an inexperienced law firm. We have the
knowledge, experience, and resources to fight your fight and win. Let
us help you move forward.
Consult a Houston 18-Wheeler Crash Lawyer to Protect Your Rights
The lawyers at The Ammons Law Firm are trained in truck accident litigation so that they can protect your rights under the law. We have recovered over $1 billion in total compensation for our clients through hard work and dedication. We have served the Houston community for over three decades and are routinely called upon by fellow attorneys to handle difficult cases. Our sole purpose is to help you recover the financial compensation you need to move forward. Let us help you.
Truck Accidents Resulting in Personal Injury or Wrongful Death
It is estimated that nearly 140,000 people are injured or killed in a truck accident yearly, roughly one every 16 minutes. In fact, more people die in truck collisions than in crashes involving planes, trains, ships, and buses—combined. Unfortunately, Texas leads the nation in fatal truck accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 580 people were killed in truck accidents in 2020, accounting for over 10% of all truck fatalities across the nation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 71% of the individuals killed in collisions involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle are the occupants of the passenger vehicle.[i] When a truck accident does not result in a fatality, it often results in catastrophic, life-changing injuries.
At The Ammons Law Firm, we represent individuals and families who have been seriously injured or killed in a truck accident. These cases are complex because the effect of the crash lasts a lifetime. Capturing the lifetime impact of an injury is difficult and is best handled by attorneys that have helped others in similar situations. Our firm has extensive experience assisting clients with the following injuries:
- Injury to the Spinal Cord
- Severe Burn Injuries
- Injury Resulting in Loss of Limb
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Injury to the Neck or Back
- Disfigurement to the Face and Body
- Injury to Internal Organs
- Fatal Injuries
At The Ammons Law Firm, we use medical, vocational, and financial experts trained in catastrophic injuries to capture the lifelong cost of a severe injury. This ensures our clients receive the compensation they need to build a new life.
Proving Liability in an 18-Wheeler Crash Lawsuit
When you are injured in a truck accident, you have the right to recover compensation for all harm caused by the crash. However, to ensure innocent parties are not responsible for an accident they did not cause, the law requires injured plaintiffs to identify the party responsible for the crash and prove their actions were wrongful.
Identifying the responsible party can be difficult in truck accident cases. Many parties are responsible for a truck safely moving from point A to point B. For instance, tire manufacturers are responsible for producing truck tires that hold up under normal conditions. Trucking companies are responsible for hiring safe drivers and ensuring they adhere to the basic rules of the road. Shipping companies are responsible for properly securing cargo to avoid sudden shifts during transport. Even when it seems clear the driver was at fault, an independent investigation may reveal systematic issues within the company that allowed the negligent behavior to happen.
Identifying all responsible parties is important. Often, trucking companies do not have enough insurance to cover the damages caused by a crash. In these cases, it is vital to identify other wrongdoers to ensure the innocent victim is fully compensated and has sufficient resources to move forward.
When Is the Trucking Company Responsible for my Crash?
Under Texas law, companies are responsible for their employees' negligence when they act within the course and scope of their employment. This means that trucking companies are liable to pay the financial damages caused by their drivers’ actions.
On the other hand, trucking companies may be held directly responsible when their actions enabled or contributed to the crash. For instance, a trucking company that fails to maintain its vehicles properly may be held directly responsible for an accident caused by a mechanical failure that could have been prevented by pre-trip maintenance.
When Is the Driver Responsible for my Crash?
All commercial operators owe a duty to fellow motorists to drive safely. Given the serious risks of harm associated with 18-wheeler vehicles, safe driving practices for commercial operators extends beyond those of standard motorists. In addition to the normal rules of the road all motorists obey, commercial operators must obey state and federal regulations specific to the trucking industry.
A trucker that violates a universal rule of safety, a special law applicable to commercial operators, or acts negligently, is responsible for all harm caused by their wrongful conduct.
When is the Manufacturer Responsible for my Crash?
Manufacturers are strictly liable for accidents caused by a defective product. Trucks are highly complex machines that can only be operated safely when performing as designed. When a truck’s brakes, tires, steer systems, lighting, fuel system, electrical units, or suspension fail during operation, serious crashes happen. A detailed investigation of the truck must be conducted following a crash to determine if the truck was functioning correctly at the time of the crash. If a defective product caused the crash, a product liability claim may be brought against the manufacturer for all harm caused by the collision.
Product liability is a difficult area of the law that many personal injury firms are unequipped to handle. Working with a firm that cannot address product liability claims hinders a client’s ability to recover full compensation. Hiring a personal injury firm with the resources and training to hold all wrongdoers responsible is essential.
