22 March

What To Do If You’re Hit By A Truck

Reviewed for accuracy by attorney Julian Fertitta

Getting hit by a truck often involves serious injuries and long-term consequences for your quality of life. As if the trauma and injuries from a serious accident weren’t enough, you will likely be forced to deal with a large trucking company, as well as their legal defense team, who will do their very best to protect their bottom line and keep you from getting fair compensation.

In other words, semi-truck accidents are very different from your run-of-the-mill car accidents, and, unfortunately, they are incredibly common in Texas.

Whether you got hit by a jackknifed truck or were t-boned by a truck running a red light, successfully bringing a claim against the massive trucking companies looking to protect their interests will require the best car accident lawyer Houston has to offer.

If you or a loved one has been hit by a truck and have yet to contact a lawyer, call the attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta today at (713) 224-7644 and ask them to fight for you.

How many trucking accidents happen each year?

Although being hit by a truck might seem like a freak accident, it happens a lot more often than you would expect. In fact, Texas is consistently the most dangerous state for truck accidents in the nation. Some more recent numbers on truck accidents in Texas are as follows:

Texas saw 12,542 reported truck accidents in 2023.
There were 563 fatal truck accidents in Texas in 2023.
8,710 people suffered some form of injury in truck accidents in 2023, underscoring the increased risk involved in commercial vehicle accidents.

Texas truck accidents are not only common but due to the high speeds and massive vehicles that these vehicles travel at, are also particularly dangerous. Trucking accidents are more likely than normal car accidents to cause serious injury or death and often involve going up against large trucking companies and insurance companies.

What to do after getting hit by a truck?

What happens when you are hit by a truck? In many scenarios, Houston truck accident injuries can be deadly or leave the occupants in the other vehicle unconscious. If this is the case, you’ll need to wait until you are physically able to take the appropriate next steps. However, if you are conscious after a semi-truck accident, here are a few quick tips to remember:

Contact the proper authorities and do not leave the scene of the accident.
If you are able to safely do so, leave your vehicle and make sure you are out of harm’s way (example: move to the side of the road if you are in the middle of a busy intersection).
If there are other people injured in your vehicle or inside the semi-truck, check on these individuals and provide assistance if you are able to safely do so.
Document the scene and gather the contact information of all drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Make sure to file a police report when the police arrive on the scene.
Receive medical assistance no matter what (even if you believe you are not injured or that your injuries are not severe).
Contact a Houston truck accident lawyer and ask them to fight for your rights.

Keep reading: What to do when you get in an accident

How long does it take to recover from getting hit by a truck?

Recovery from a truck accident can be a long, difficult journey. How long it actually takes you to recover will depend on the type of injuries you sustained, and the quality of medical care that you receive. Injuries common to truck accidents often include surgery, extensive rehabilitation, or other ongoing medical care, which can mean even longer recovery times and more money spent on medical bills. Some serious injuries common to truck accidents include:

Emotional recovery after a serious truck accident is also often a years-long process that should not be neglected, as victims are often left with acute anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Why are truck accident claims so serious?

As we mentioned earlier, getting hit by a semi-truck is considerably different than being hit by a regular vehicle — and for a number of reasons.

The extent of injuries: First and foremost, the sheer damage that can be inflicted by a semi-truck can be overwhelming. This damage — done to both your vehicle and your body — can cost thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Typically, semi-truck accident injuries have the possibility of being life-altering and permanent, especially if they are not treated immediately and appropriately.
The trucking company’s experience handling accidents: On top of the physical damage that can be caused, there’s a potential for legal damage, as well. If the semi-truck you collided with is backed by a large company, you can expect them to have a legal team on standby. This team will be experienced in dealing with accidents, and they will do everything within their power to guarantee the lowest compensation amount is awarded.
Potential for multiple parties involved: It is important to remember that many different parties can be responsible for the accident. When seeking compensation, this can become a critical component of your legal battle. For example, the truck driver himself could be held responsible for the accident if he is an independent contractor. On the other side of the spectrum, there could be an issue with the cargo the truck is holding or the semi-truck itself. It is the obligation of your lawyer to determine who the responsible party is and how to make the claim.

Can you sue if you were hit by a truck?

Many people who contact us after getting hit by a truck immediately want to know: Can you sue for being hit by a semi-truck? The answer to this question is yes. You may be entitled to compensation, but this amount will vary based on the accident, the injuries involved, and other unique circumstances of your case.

For the reasons outlined above, it is typically in your best interest to pursue legal action with the help of a trustworthy truck accident lawyer in Houston. The truck accident attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta have decades of experience helping our clients pursue their right to compensation. As previous insurance attorneys, we are uniquely qualified to help our clients navigate complicated negotiations with insurance adjusters and trucking companies.

The legal process after a Texas truck accident claim

What happens after you’re involved in a truck accident? The legal process of bringing and resolving a claim can be long and trying, but your Houston truck accident lawyer will be there with you every step of the way.

Actions immediately following the accident include getting medical attention, gathering what evidence you can at the scene, and filing a police report.
Contacting a skilled Houston truck accident lawyer should be your next step.
Your attorney will conduct a preliminary investigation, attempting to establish liability and build you the strongest case possible.
Your attorney will assess the damages that you have suffered, factoring in non-economic damages and all future damages related to the accident.
Your attorney will attempt to negotiate a settlement with the trucking companies/insurance companies.
If they cannot settle, your attorney will represent you in court.

Without a talented and tenacious attorney at your side, your Texas truck accident claim will not get very far. Although most of the legal process will be in your attorney’s hands, there are a few things that you can do to help set you and your attorney up for success, like not speaking to the insurance company or trucking company and keeping thorough documentation of communication and costs related to the accident.

Hit by a truck in Houston? Get help from the truck accident lawyers at Grimes & Fertitta.

If you’ve been hit by a truck, you don’t need just any car accident lawyer in Houston to represent you, you need a top Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer with experience fighting through complexity and adversity for their clients, like those at Grimes & Fertitta.

We can show you what your options are, what legal fees you might incur in the process, what your chance of success is, and provide you with examples of similar situations. We recognize that what you have been through is incredibly difficult and will work hard to make the legal process as streamlined and straightforward as possible.

As a close-knit firm that treats our clients like family, we will stand by you and make sure that your best interests are always kept at the forefront of all decisions. With us, you will never be treated like “just another case number.”

Let Grimes & Fertitta fight for you. Give us a call today at (713) 224-7644 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.

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