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The Definitive Guide to Commercial Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents injured 151,000 people and killed another 4,951 in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In these fatal crashes, only 18 percent of the fatalities were the truck drivers themselves. That means over 4,000 other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists were killed in commercial trucking accidents, and many more were injured. Commercial trucks can be dangerous, and when accidents occur, it’s usually the drivers in passenger vehicles who get hurt. In this definitive guide, we’ve answered a handful of questions that people frequently ask us about commercial truck accidents and how to get  the compensation you deserve for your injuries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao&feature=youtu.be What Is a Commercial Truck Accident? In the United States, a motor vehicle is designated as a commercial vehicle when it is titled or registered to a company.  Commercial truck classifications are determined according to weight, using what is called the “gross vehicle weight rating”, or GVWR. There are eight different classes of commercial trucks, ranging from Class 1 (0 to 6,000 pounds) to Class 8 (above 33,000 pounds). Some common examples of commercial trucks include: Tractor Trailers (also called Big Rigs or Eighteen Wheelers)Heavy HaulersFlatbed TrucksRefrigerator TrucksDump TrucksCement MixersGarbage TruckTankers The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a large truck crash causation study to uncover the primary causes of accidents involving commercial trucks and other large trucks. The study concluded that 87% of the truck accident cases reviewed were caused by driver error, either by the truck driver or another driver involved…

The Ultimate Guide to Offshore Accidents

According to a study of offshore fatalities by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chance of being killed while working in the oil and gas extraction industry is seven times higher than for all workers in the United States.  We’ve put together a quick guide to offshore accidents and what you should do if you are injured in one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vd_HVPtPf4&feature=youtu.be What Is an Offshore Accident? The term “offshore” generally means the injured worker was working on navigable water.  It is also a term generally used to refer to the extraction of oil and gas from reservoirs found beneath the seafloor by oil and gas companies. These operations require laborers to work offshore on various types of rigs, barges, and platforms.  The perils of being at sea, severe weather conditions, the nature of working with oil and gas, and the size of offshore drilling vessels contribute to the frequency of offshore incidents, making offshore work incredibly risky. The kind of physical work required of maritime workers also creates hazards that can result in injury or death. Common types of injuries involved in offshore accidents include: BurnsHead traumaTwisted jointsSprained jointsBack injuriesSpinal cord injuriesNeck injuriesBruised, broken, or fractured bones DrowningTraumatic brain injuries Offshore Drilling Accidents The number of offshore injuries was on a downward trajectory between 2015 and 2017. However, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the number of injuries on offshore rigs grew by 21 percent in 2018 and 2019. This injury rate is calculated by using the…

The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries

18-wheeler accident victims are dealing with a legal emergency.  They need to file a lawsuit to recover the monetary damages they deserve.  They need the help of a legal emergency personal injury lawyer. We have witnessed first-hand the extent of pain and suffering caused by 18-wheeler or semi truck accidents. And to make matters worse, the truck driver and trucking company always try to deny fault and shift the blame onto the victim.  They will try to make the legal emergency victim settle for an inadequate settlement amount. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an 18-wheeler, semi, or other trucking accident, you need to file a lawsuit to recover the monetary damages you deserve.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxEHIxZTbK8&feature=youtu.be Do I need to sue a trucking company after an 18-wheeler accident? Yes, generally you need to sue the big rig trucking company. It’s important to realize that trucking companies and their insurance companies have whole teams of lawyers working night and day fighting to minimize claims.  Their job is to convince the jury that the injured victims were at fault in the accident.  And that the injured victim is not that hurt. They will make below case value settlement offers to try and get legal emergency 18-wheeler accident victims to settle their case. Don’t be intimidated. Hire experienced and aggressive legal emergency representation to help you level the playing field. And don’t go with just any personal injury lawyer. Go with a firm that has a proven track…

Can an Insurance Company Refuse to Pay a Claim?

Yes, insurance companies do refuse to pay claims. So, what happens when an insurance company unfairly denies your claim, or offers far less than what you truly deserve? It’s time to contact a personal injury attorney. Whether your accident was with a standard vehicle or an 18-wheeler semi-truck, working with an attorney can spare you the headache of fighting the insurance company, so you can focus on healing and getting back to your life. Here’s a quick guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wiMHLgvcDs&feature=youtu.be Do I file a claim with my own car insurance or the other driver’s? You should always file a claim with your own insurance company after an accident. But whether and how much your own insurer will have to pay will depend on your degree of fault in the accident, and whether you live in a “no fault” state or a “fault” state. In a “fault” state, like Texas, the driver judged to be less responsible for causing the accident will recover insurance money from the at-fault driver’s policy. This is why it is always vital to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver after an accident.  Can I file an insurance claim after a car accident if I’m at fault? Yes, you should file a claim if you’re at fault. Why? Because your insurance can help cover your own potential liability in an accident and help protect you from exorbitant out-of-pocket costs. That said, never automatically assume you’re at fault for an accident, or take the blame at…

Can I Get a Pro Bono DUI or DWI Lawyer?

Have you been injured in a DUI, DWI, or OVI accident? Do you think you need a pro bono lawyer because you’re concerned about the costs? Don’t worry. Many personal injury attorneys will take your case on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless your case is won. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCmSu_WX7MU&feature=youtu.be What if I can’t afford a personal injury lawyer after a DUI, DWI, or OVI car accident? Do I need a pro bono lawyer? Generally, DWI accident victims don’t need a pro bono lawyer, because attorneys may take their case on a contingency basis -- meaning the client pays nothing unless the case is won or a settlement is mediated. If you have been injured or lost a loved one to a drunk driver, many personal injury attorneys will take your case on what’s called a contingency fee. If you win your case at trial, or your lawyer negotiates a fair settlement for you, the attorney fees will simply be deducted from the damages awarded, your medical bills are paid, and you receive the rest.  If your lawyer has taken your case on a contingency basis and you lose in court you won’t have to pay your lawyer at all.   Will DUI personal injury lawyers ever take a case pro bono? Generally speaking, no. A lawyer takes a case pro bono when they charge no fees whatsoever, and simply donate their services to clients on a voluntary basis. Personal injury attorneys hardly ever do this for DUI lawsuits, unless…

The Parent’s Guide to Child Injury Lawsuits

Child injury lawsuits are highly emotional, and nobody wants to go through the ordeal. It is profoundly frustrating for parents to feel powerless to help their son or daughter when they’ve been hurt. Sadly, many parents blame themselves, when the reality is that there’s nothing they could have done to prevent an accident, injury, or traumatic event from occurring. So how do you go about getting justice and compensation for your innocent child when they have been harmed? Read on below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaiiqKQortE&feature=youtu.be Can I sue an adult if they hurt my child? Yes, absolutely. Obviously, while your child is a minor, they lack the capacity to sue someone themselves. But you can file a civil lawsuit on your child’s behalf. Under the law, your child is entitled to the same amount of monetary damages as an adult with similar injuries. And you, as a parent, may be entitled to additional compensation for your own extraordinary expenses in caring for your child after they’ve been hurt -- physically, emotionally, or both. Even if an adult did not intentionally mean to cause harm to your son or daughter, they may be liable for monetary damages if their actions were negligent, careless, or reckless. If an adult intentionally hurts your child, you may be awarded punitive damages above and beyond what the injury has cost you personally. Punitive damages are monetary awards granted by the court as a means of further punishing a perpetrator for their wrongful actions.  If your child has been…

What to Expect During a Car Accident Deposition

If you have been injured in a car accident and file a lawsuit, you will likely need to participate in a deposition. Many people are intimidated by the term “deposition” and have a lot of anxiety prior to being deposed, mostly because they don’t know what to expect. But a good personal injury lawyer will help you fully prepare. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NTsXE4vU28&feature=youtu.be What is a deposition in a car accident lawsuit? A deposition is an out-of-court legal proceeding where a person gives sworn testimony under oath in the presence of a court reporter and attorneys. Basically, it’s a formal question-and-answer session that is recorded and legally official. Some depositions are recorded on video and all of them are transcribed onto paper for reference. Depositions are usually done at a law office, but sometimes they’re done at a person’s home.  In a car accident lawsuit, plaintiff drivers, defendant drivers, passengers, eyewitnesses, first responders, and/or medical professionals may all be deposed as part of the discovery phase. The purpose of a deposition is to help both sides clarify the facts of the case and assess the relative strength of their arguments prior to mediation and/or trial.   How should I prepare for my car accident deposition? In preparing for your car accident deposition, your lawyer should go over a list of possible questions you may be asked, and give you guidance on how best to respond. Before your deposition, review the questions and rehearse your responses, if you feel the need. You…

The Victim’s Guide to Car Crash Compensation

Car crash victims are generally entitled to compensation. If you’ve been injured in a car accident -- or worse, a big rig or semi-truck accident -- you’re probably wondering how you will pay your medical bills, your injuries, missed work, and repairs. But, how much will the insurance policies pay out? What do you need to do to get the insurance company to pay? What if the other driver was drunk, high, or texting while driving? If you’re the victim in a car crash, the amount of total compensation you receive for your injuries and damages will depend on many different factors. Here’s a guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLbNemS_YlM&feature=youtu.be What if the other driver says the car accident was my fault? Sometimes you have to prove the accident was not your fault.  You should always call the police to make a report, take photos of the vehicles and the other driver’s information, call your and the other driver’s insurance company, and contact a personal injury lawyer afterward to get immediate help with your legal emergency.  An experienced personal injury legal emergency lawyer can help you prove your case. Texas is a “fault” state with regard to car accidents. This means that the driver who is judged to be most responsible for the crash will have to compensate the victims out of their own auto insurance policy or in some cases, their own pocket. The driver less responsible for causing the accident will generally not have to use their own car insurance to pay…