Automobile accidents involving semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles can often turn fatal due to the size and weight of these vehicles. In Houston, certain roadways expose people to more risk of fatal truck accidents, such as the Katy Freeway, which spans 26 lanes wide.
If your loved one passed away in a truck accident in Houston, our legal team at Domingo Garcia wants to listen to your case. We help surviving families hold trucking companies and other liable parties accountable for their negligence. To start, we offer a free consultation to review your case and discuss how a Houston fatal truck accident lawyer from our firm can serve you. From there, we’ll take care of the rest.
Families Can Demand Compensation for Damages Related to a Houston Truck Accident
If your loved one passed away in a truck accident due to the negligent actions or inactions of a truck driver, trucking company, or another liable party (e.g., the truck’s manufacturer or maintenance company), you may qualify to receive compensation for damages in a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. Through this type of action, you can pursue compensation for:
- Medical treatment expenses your loved one received for their fatal injuries
- Funeral expenses you face to arrange their service, including burial and cremation service costs
- Loss of financial support if your loved one covered daily living costs for the family
- Loss of consortium or companionship for the surviving spouse
- Loss of parental guidance for the surviving child(ren)
- Other emotional losses, including grief
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as property damage or psychological therapy costs
- Loss of income if you were unable to work due to having to respond to damages caused by the fatal accident or other personal reasons, such as grief
- Emotional distress, including depression and insomnia
You may qualify for other damages not listed here that are specific to your personal situation. Your Houston fatal truck accident attorney will thoroughly discuss your damages to reach an estimate that fairly reflects what you’ve experienced.
Our Law Firm Has Helped Victims and Families Win Multi-Million-Dollar Settlements
At Domingo Garcia, our legal team fights hard for fair compensation for our clients. Below are some past settlements we’ve won for clients:
- $1 million settlement for a truck accident case involving wrongful death
- $8 million settlement for a truck accident case involving an 18-wheeler vehicle
- $1.2 million settlement for a truck accident case involving an 18-wheeler vehicle that resulted in multiple injuries
While you can’t put a price on a loved one’s life, we will strive to pursue a compensation award that helps you and your family recover financially.
Our Legal Team Will Investigate the Truck Accident to Build Your Case
When you hire a Houston fatal truck accident lawyer from Domingo Garcia, you can expect the following legal services:
- Private investigation: We will confirm key details about the truck accident in Houston, including whether more than one party may be held liable for the accident and resulting damages. We will also collect evidence supporting your case, such as black box information, video footage, and eyewitness testimony.
- Administrative services: We will fill out legal paperwork on your behalf and respond to message inquiries about your case, such as settlement offers, court hearing dates, and insurance adjuster calls. Your Houston truck accident lawyer will file legal motions when necessary, especially if the trucking company is not cooperative with forfeiting evidence.
- Legal representation: If necessary, your lawyer will represent you in court in front of a jury, as well as out of court to negotiate a potential settlement deal for your case. If you have questions about your case at any point, you can reach out to our team for legal counsel, and we will answer you accordingly.
Trucking Companies Must Comply with Federal Safety Regulations
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) mandates that all truck drivers in the state must comply with federal safety regulations, such as hours of service regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The FMCSA also requires trucking companies to keep driving logs for each 24-period their drivers fulfill. Additionally, the DPS mandates that motor carriers keep accident register reports for three years. These reports must include the following information:
- Accident date
- Accident location
- The truck driver’s name and contact information
- Details about the accident (e.g., injuries, fatalities, hazardous materials present, etc.)
Common Violations of Federal Regulations
Common violations reported on the FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Planner include:
- Speeding
- Driving a commercial vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, such as amphetamines
- Having unauthorized passengers on board the commercial vehicle or occupants who are not wearing seat belts
- Driving a commercial vehicle while using a cell phone, such as to text or make a phone call
- Moving violations, such as failing to yield the right-of-way or making an improper lane change
If one of the above violations caused your loved one’s fatal truck accident in Houston, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit and pursue compensation for damages that followed the accident.
Texas Gives a Short Window for You to File a Wrongful Death Truck Accident Lawsuit
If you are interested in filing a wrongful death lawsuit about your loved one’s fatal truck case, you must comply with the statute of limitations in Texas. This statute is a legal deadline for those who want to take legal action against a negligent party.
Per Texas Civil Practice Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the fatal truck accident to file your case. While some exceptions could extend the legal filing deadline, you may lose your opportunity to pursue compensation through the civil court if you do not submit your case within the filing window.
Your Houston truck accident attorney will confirm your case’s statutory deadline and take the appropriate steps to ensure it remains valid.
Call Domingo Garcia Today for a Free Truck Accident Case Evaluation
If you lost a loved one in a truck accident in Houston, Texas, you may qualify to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit on their behalf and demand compensation for damages. Our legal team at Domingo Garcia helps surviving families of fatal truck accident victims stand up to large businesses like trucking companies and maintenance companies so that they can be held accountable for their negligence.
Call now to speak with a member of our team in a free consultation. We can explain how a Houston fatal truck accident lawyer from our office can serve you and get started on your case immediately.
