With its proximity to the Gulf and the bustling oil and gas activity in the region, the roadways in and around Pasadena, TX are commonly used by commercial trucks. While these trucks have a vital role in the local economy, their large size makes them more difficult to maneuver and places other roadway users at risk of becoming severely injured if an accident involving a commercial truck occurs. Common truck accident injuries in Pasadena are often severe and life-changing, leaving a person with physical, psychological, and financial impacts.
If you’ve been injured in this type of accident, a local truck accident lawyer can help you understand the process of seeking compensation and tell you about the services they can provide to assist you with your claim.
Truck Accident Injuries Are Often Severe and Life-Changing
Some of the most common truck accident injuries we see in Pasadena include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, serious lacerations, and even traumatic limb amputations. These injuries can result in tremendous costs in medical treatment, lost wages, lost earning capacity resulting from disabilities, the costs of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle, modifications to the home intended to accommodate permanent injuries, and much more. Unfortunately, these economic impacts are often accompanied by psychological ones, including pain and suffering, and other quality-of-life losses.
Because the most common injuries suffered by the occupants of other vehicles are so severe, trucking companies and owner-operators have what is known as an “increased duty of care” when it comes to the safety of other motorists. This means they are required to take extra precautions to avoid causing harm to other travelers, including the requirement of a special license to drive a large commercial truck, increased liability insurance and vehicle maintenance requirements, a lower alcohol impairment limit, and more.
If an accident is caused by the truck driver or company’s negligence, the injured party in Pasadena may be eligible to seek compensation for the extraordinary costs suffered by those who have been injured.
Compensation Available for the Expenses and Impacts of Your Injuries
Those who have been injured in Pasadena truck accidents that were caused by someone else’s negligence have the right to seek compensation through the personal injury claims process. This process typically involves first seeking compensation for the expenses of the injury through the liable party’s auto insurance. If the insurance provider fails to fairly compensate the claim, it can be filed as a civil lawsuit so that a jury can hear the case and make decisions regarding liability and compensation. The deadline for filing a lawsuit in a truck accident case is usually two years from the date of the accident, though exceptions to this deadline apply in some cases. Failing to meet the deadline will usually result in the claimant losing the right to seek compensation through the court process.
A lawyer has an important role in the claims process as they may be able to provide services such as assistance with collecting evidence, filing paperwork, negotiating a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer, and more. The lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP can provide a free case evaluation to help injured parties determine if they are eligible for the claims process.
If You Have Suffered Common Truck Accident Injuries in Pasadena, Contact Us
Truck accident injuries tend to be severe and costly. If you have been injured, let our legal team help you understand your options. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.
