Catastrophic Truck Accident Injuries in Texas
There are plenty of things that can go wrong on the road—and some of them are quite serious. But if you were asked to name the worst-case scenario in terms of a vehicle collision, we suspect that your imagined crash would involve an 18-wheeler. That makes perfect sense. After all, semis are often the largest vehicle on the road. And when they are full, they are carrying a lot of weight (to say the least). So, if you are in a car, an SUV, or even a pickup truck, a Houston truck accident is probably not going to end well for you, possibly ending with catastrophic injuries.
If you are in an accident involving a truck, the first thing you need to focus on, of course, is getting appropriate medical attention. There can be a lot of external and internal damage to your body in this kind of accident, so you want to be thoroughly checked out immediately. And you want to be sure you follow your doctor's advice for getting your recovery underway.
The second thing you need to focus on after a Houston truck accident is hiring an experienced Texas truck accident attorney near you.
The Advantages of Having a Personal Injury Attorney for a Houston Truck Accident
There are many reasons why it is important to have an attorney working to make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to after a Houston truck accident—especially since you may well be recovering from serious injuries. Those reasons include:
- An insurance company may offer a lowball settlement. Insurance companies want to make personal injury cases go away quickly and inexpensively, so they may try to pressure you into signing a settlement that doesn't come close to covering the damages for which they are responsible. They may also try to pressure you by suggesting that you were to blame for the accident. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer who can handle negotiations with the insurance company and who won't accept an inadequate offer can help put your mind at ease when you should be focusing on recovery.
- A personal injury lawyer can pursue the details of the accident. In the immediate aftermath of an accident—especially if you have been hurt—you are unlikely to have a perfectly clear picture of what happened. A personal injury lawyer can pursue documentation and witnesses to help determine how the accident happened and who was to blame. Notably, it is possible that there is a third party who may share some of the responsibility. For example, if an error in manufacturing caused a significant mechanical failure in the truck, you may be entitled to pursue compensation from the company that made the truck.
- An attorney will determine non-economic damages and argue that you should be compensated for them. It might seem as though you are only entitled to compensation for your medical bills associated with injuries sustained in the accident and perhaps for lost past and future wages. But you are likely also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the like. These damages can be substantial and are an important part of your case. A lawyer's expertise is crucial for getting a fair settlement.
- If the case goes to court, your lawyer will argue on your behalf. If a fair settlement with the insurance company just isn't coming together, your case may end up in court. And in a courtroom, you want to be sure you are represented by an attorney with your interests in mind and the expertise to build and make your case for compensation.