Texas is the gateway between American and Mexican freight traffic and those traveling along the border every day. On top of this, the West Texas Permian Basin fracking boom continues – where a single oil or gas well can involve nearly 1,000 truck shipments! As a result, tractor-trailers are a major presence on Texas highways.
While commercial trucks are a vital part of the American economy, they also are a severe hazard to other drivers. Accidents between a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle can cause devastating and sometimes lethal injuries. If you have been in a truck accident, you may be suffering unbearable pain, out of work, and have medical bills piling up. We sympathize, and we can help.
If you or a loved one has been injured in truck accident and have terrible injuries, contact Houston truck accident lawyers the Waldman Legal Group today.
We will listen, understand your case, and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve – for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost earnings.
How Truck Accident Attorneys in Houston Can Help You
If you decide to retain the Waldman Legal Group as your truck accident lawyers, we will break down your case to determine who was at fault, how it happened, the losses incurred, and much more. This detailed work is crucial to obtaining the largest settlement possible for your painful truck accident injuries:
Investigate the Truck Crash
Our experienced attorneys know how to determine how a big rig crash occurred and who can be held liable. We will collect some or all of the following evidence:
- Crash scene evidence preserved by photos
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Damage to all vehicles in the crash
- Black box data from the tractor-trailer
- Cell phone records
- Truck driver toxicology results
- Police reports
- Logbooks and assorted company records
- Truck driver’s criminal and traffic background
- Trucking company history of violating safety rules.
- Consult with Crash Experts
Our Houston truck accident attorneys can access truck accident experts who can assist in determining the cause of a crash and the level of harm you suffered:
- Truck accident reconstruction experts
- Rules compliance and safety experts
- Truck driver training experts
- Engineers and mechanics
- Toxicology experts
- Medical experts in specialties such as brain trauma and orthopedic injuries
- Life care planners and economists.
Preserve Evidence
Our truck accident attorneys can send a ‘notice and spoliation letter’ right away to the trucking company and all other parties in the case to tell them to keep logbooks and other crucial evidence. We also can obtain court orders to force the trucking company to provide evidence it may want to conceal.
Seek a Just Settlement
Our attorneys are tough, experienced negotiators. We can provide a strong case to the insurance company involved in the case and demand fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Go To Court If Needed
Our Houston truck accident attorneys will be ready to go to court if needed and present a compelling case to the jury, using our legal skills and cutting-edge exhibits and technology. Our attorneys may also continue settlement negotiations during the trial.
Not Charge Legal Fees Unless We Collect Compensation for You
Our truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay attorney fees unless you get a settlement or verdict in your favor. We are paid a percentage from the final recovery and reimbursed case costs if we win.
What To Do After a Texas Truck Accident
The actions you take right after your Houston truck crash can be critical to the success of your case. After the crash, remember to perform the following:
Call the Waldman Legal Group Truck Accident Lawyers
Time is vital after a truck crash. Crucial evidence — such as the rig’s black box, GPS information, driver logs, and even the truck itself — has a way of disappearing. This important evidence can be helpful to your truck crash case.
Just minutes after a tractor-trailer crash, the trucking company will be working with its attorneys to prove they did not cause the accident. Our attorneys want to be certain that we can access all the information about the wreck before it is concealed or eliminated by the trucking company. It is vital to have access to all important case information as soon as possible after the crash.
Do Not Speak to the Trucking Company or Anyone Representing It
Trucking companies and their insurance companies move fast after a crash they caused. They want to protect the company’s financial interests, above all else. Do not speak to anyone from the trucking company or its insurance company. Also, do not allow your family members to talk to them. Any statement you make can be used against you later. Even a few words, such as “I’m ok,” can be taken out of context and used to deny your claim. If anyone contacts you after the crash, refer them to your Houston truck accident lawyers.
Get Medical Treatment
Go to the ER and get treatment, even if you do not have health insurance. Our attorneys will make sure you get the healthcare you need.
Keep Records
Use a folder to keep all medical bills, expenses related to the accident, insurance letters, etc. Do not worry if it is just a pile of disorganized documents – your attorney and our legal team will sort it out.
Take Pictures and Notes, If Possible
Write down every accident detail you can as soon as possible after the crash. Save any pictures you took of the crash scene and injuries you have.
How a Truck Accident Lawsuit Works
If you have never been involved in any type of personal injury lawsuit, you may wonder what is going to happen in a Houston truck crash lawsuit. After all, you have major injuries, medical bills, and possibly are out of work. The sooner you can get compensated, the better. Below is a brief truck crash timeline of what will usually happen:
- Truck crash: Before you call Houston truck wreck lawyers, there is the accident itself. If you were not to blame, you must call an attorney as soon as possible. The trucking company is looking for a way to pay you as little as possible, so act fast.
- Accident case discovery: The discovery phase is vital to the claim and can take months. Your attorney will collect all key information about the case, such as medical costs, police reports, lost earnings, witness statements, background information on the driver, and much more.
- Depositions: These are face-to-face, sworn, and recorded interviews with all stakeholders in the accident. Because of logistics and timing, this process can take months, as well.
- Initial settlement offer: After discovery and depositions are finished, both sides will take time to look over all the evidence and gathered information. At this time, both sides should have a solid understanding of the facts. You can now make an informed decision about whether to settle, continue negotiating, or go to court. Your Houston truck accident attorneys will review what we think is a fair settlement amount for your situation. If an agreement is impossible, the case may go to the mediation phase.
- Mediation: This is a process where both parties to the lawsuit meet with a neutral third party to attempt to reach a settlement before the case goes to trial. Many cases are settled at this point, and many judges will require mediation before taking the case to court. While many cases do settle in mediation, your truck accident lawyers at the Waldman Legal Group will not hesitate to go to court if you are dissatisfied with your settlement offer.
- Trial: Most truck crash cases do not go to trial. Court cases take months or years, are unpredictable and very expensive. Occasionally, going to trial is needed to get you as much money as possible. There are some truck accident attorneys in Houston who will shy away from going to court, but our attorney will not. We prepare every truck crash case like it will go to trial, and we have years of proven trial experience working for you. (Mr. Waldman has been Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1986.)
- Post-settlement: After the truck crash case has been settled, we will begin to work with your healthcare providers to try to reduce your medical costs. This will leave you with more money and help with your accident recovery. At this point, we will receive our financial compensation in the form of a percentage of the total monies awarded to you. This is the only time you pay us anything during your case.
Remember that most truckers work for big companies who have aggressive attorneys who act the minute a truck driver is involved in a crash. It is common for a company representative to arrive at the crash scene in minutes and attempt to get signatures from crash victims to reduce company liability. Never sign anything! Call the Waldman Legal Group as soon as you can.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Houston Today
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a truck accident, call Waldman Legal Group truck accident lawyers today. Our experienced truck accident lawyers in Houston will advise you of your legal rights and help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve. Call (713) 688-4878 (HURT) for a free truck accident injury consultation now.