Houston, Texas – How do victims of truck accidents recover money for property damage and medical issues caused by a defective vehicle?

The losses that are tied to a truck accident can include lost or damaged cargo, injured drivers, and even fatalities. In most cases, victims will need to file insurance claims or civil injury lawsuits to get payment for their problems. 

A serious truck accident on Interstate 45 has left at least one person dead and a large number of beer cans strewn on the road in Houston, Texas. 

Truck carrying beer cans crashes on the side of a highway killing the driver

Harris County Police responded to the scene and found an 18 wheeler that had left the road surface near the intersection of Richey Road and Interstate 45 south. After leaving the road, the vehicle hit a stop sign and a tree. The truck jackknifed, causing the driver to be ejected and the trailer to be broken open. A large cargo of empty Bud Light beer cans was all over the road and the accident scene. Most of the debris ended up on a feeder road next to the highway. Several lanes needed to be shut down for hours while the area was secured and cleaned. 

The driver was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and rescue crews confirmed that he had died at the scene. A witness said that based on the noises the truck was making, it seems that either a flat tire or a mechanical malfunction was the cause of the accident. The police also asked for hazmat crews to respond to the scene as a precaution in case any oil spilled out of the truck. 

Making a trucking company pay for the damage

There are a few different ways to recover losses when a truck driver is at fault for a collision. The two main avenues for compensation are insurance claims and civil negligence lawsuits. For insurance purposes, it is usually sufficient to notify your provider if relevant coverage is available. They may have their own adjusters view the damage and see if you are eligible to receive any kind of payout. If this process pays an insufficient amount, or the right kind of coverage is not available, it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer. They can help get victims proper compensation through a lawsuit. The largest payouts are usually tied to significant injuries and or other serious financial burdens because of property damage or medical bills. 

Faulty products that cause accidents

This accident may have been caused by a faulty tire or other problem with the vehicle. In this case, a manufacturer may be held responsible through a products liability lawsuit. These lawsuits are similar to negligence cases, however a manufacturer or distributor who sells faulty products is liable for any injuries they cause when their products are used as intended by consumers. Texas has its own laws regarding how manufacturers can be sued for defective products, and an attorney who practices in this area can provide you with more information. 

Lawyers in your area are ready to help after an incident with a truck

There are attorneys available in the Houston metro area who assist all kinds of accident victims. Blizzard Law serves the city with superior legal representation during the process of filing lawsuits.