Collisions involving commercial trucks frequently result in serious injuries due to the force of impact of a these massive vehicles. Accident victims may be unsure of how to pursue compensation against the liable party after being injured in a Houston semi-truck crash.
If you were injured in a trucking accident, the qualified truck accident attorneys in Houston at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD are here to help. Nhan Nguyen and Nader Rabie will explain your rights and help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and other damages. We will explain the types of losses you are entitled to and how we can help you make a full recovery.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are losses that have a specific monetary value, such as if you were injured in a crash and required medical treatment, creating medical bills.
Another kind of economic loss resulting from a Texas truck accident is lost income for the time you were unable to work due to medical treatment.
The value of economic damages is usually linked to the size of the truck involved in the accident. The larger the vehicle, the more catastrophic your injuries will likely be, increasing your cost of medical treatment.
The type of commercial vehicle and its cargo can also impact the value of your losses, and some of the most common truck types include:
- Transporter trucks. These vehicles are too large to be drive on a highway without a permit, and they include trucks used for mining operations, ballast tractors, and haul trucks.
- Heavy trucks. These vehicles weigh up to 33,000 pounds and can include garbage trucks, cement mixers, refrigerator trucks, and log carriers.
- Medium trucks. These vehicles weigh between 14,001 and 26,000 pounds and include box trucks, platform trucks, fire trucks, and mobile homes.
- Light trucks. These vehicles can weigh up to 14,000 pounds and include panel trucks, delivery trucks, and tow trucks.
Oil Tanker Trucks
Oil tankers are designed to transport liquified cargo, such as natural gas or oil, and these kinds of commercial trucks can be threats on the road due to their flammable qualities.
A crash involving this kind of truck can result in explosions or fires which contribute to devastating injuries. The losses you can recover after an oil tanker truck accident can be significantly high due to the extent of resulting damages.
Non-Economic Damages
You may be able to recover non-economic damages after a Houston 18-wheeler accident, including compensation for suffering resulting from the accident that is not simply quantified, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Inconvenience
The value of these losses varies due to the type of evidence you are able to provide, including daily journal entries defining your pain and suffering, medical records, and testimony from physicians and medical experts about the non-economic impacts of your injuries.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are very different from other kinds of losses that are meant to compensate you for damages and to help you make a full recovery. Punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party and discourage similar future actions.
Punitive damages are usually only awarded in cases involving intentional wrongdoing or when a defendant acted in willful disregard of others’ safety.
Texas Workers’ Compensation
If you were on the job at the time of the incident, you may be able to receive workers’ comp benefits. If you were a truck driver who was injured in the accident or were driving a company vehicle or personal car while performing work duties, you may be able to obtain workers’ compensation — even if you were partially at fault for the accident.
Workers’ compensation damages include partial wage replacement and payment of medical bills. Depending on the severity of the injuries, you may be able to receive lump-sum payment or death benefits.
Best Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
Thousands of people are killed each year in semi-truck accidents across the United States, and the vast majority of trucking fatalities involve passenger-vehicle occupants. The best time to contact a Houston truck accident attorney is immediately after the accident. If you wait, it may be more difficult to gather relevant documents in order to prove negligence and the extent of your damages.
Injured parties should consult with a qualified Houston personal injury lawyer to pursue the compensation they deserve after being injured in a Houston semi-truck accident. At West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, we have experienced lawyers who can fight diligently on your behalf. Nhan Nguyen, Nader A. Rabie, and the rest of our qualified legal team can provide you with the top-quality legal representation necessary for a successful case. Give us a call at 713-840-7200 to see what we can do for you.
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