Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston
Did you lose a loved one in a collision involving an 18-wheeler or another large commercial truck in Houston? If so, qualified legal representation is available to you and your family.
For more than 25 years, the truck accident attorneys at The Callahan Law Firm have fought for the rights of families just like yours in Houston. We know that treating a fatal truck accident case like any other car accident is a mistake. We are prepared to bring all of our experience, knowledge, and resources to the table to help you seek justice for the deceased and fair compensation for the losses you’ve experienced.
We purposely limit the number of cases that we handle so that we can provide you and your family with the focus and effort that you deserve. We work hard to level the playing field for you and your family when going up against big trucking companies and powerful insurers.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident in Houston, contact our firm for a free case evaluation. We are ready to discuss the accident and your rights and legal options.
Common Causes of Fatal Truck Accidents in Houston
Some of the most common causes of fatal truck crashes in Houston include:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Tailgating
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving
- Running red lights or stop signs, or ignoring other traffic controls
- Unsafe lane changes or turns, including not signaling or checking mirrors
- Inexperienced driving
- Unfamiliarity with routes
- Unsecured or unsafely loaded cargo
- Neglected vehicle maintenance
- Defective truck parts
- Bad weather
- Poor road conditions
How to Prove Liability for a Truck Accident Fatality in Houston
Proving liability for a fatal truck accident in Houston requires a thorough investigation and review of many different pieces of evidence, such as:
- The truck driver’s logs, which can show if the driver exceeded their hours-of-service limitations and may have caused the accident due to drowsy or fatigued driving
- The driver’s drug/alcohol screening tests, if performed after the accident
- The truck’s electronic data recorder (“black box”) logs, which contain information about the truck’s speed, GPS position, operating hours, or driver inputs
- The load manifest, which details the cargo loaded onto the truck
- Truck inspection and maintenance records
- Post-accident vehicle inspection reports
- Police accident reports
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage of the accident
- Accident scene photos
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert accident reconstruction reports
When Is a Truck Accident a Wrongful Death?
When negligence or recklessness on the part of the truck driver, trucking company, or another entity results in a fatal crash, the deceased’s family might be eligible to file a wrongful death action. Although it is similar to a personal injury claim in many ways, wrongful death actions have some distinctions, including who can file them, what damages are available, and who gets the compensation.
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim for a Fatal Truck Crash?
Under the Texas wrongful death statute, a decedent’s surviving spouse, children, and parents are entitled to file a claim when their loved one is killed in a truck crash. If the surviving family members do not file a wrongful death claim within three months of the death, then the executor or administrator of the decedent’s estate may file the claim – unless all the surviving family members request that a wrongful death claim not be filed.
Damages in a Truck Accident Wrongful Death Case
In a wrongful death case, you and your family could be entitled to recover compensation for:
- The loss of your loved one’s earning capacity and financial contributions to the family and household
- The loss of the growth of the value of your loved one’s estate
- The loss of your loved one’s services to the household
- The loss of love, companionship, society, comfort, guidance, and advice
- Emotional anguish and suffering you experience due to your loved one’s passing
Depending on the circumstances of the truck accident, you and your family might also be entitled to an award of punitive damages, also called exemplary damages, at trial. However, punitive damages usually are awarded only for egregious intentional or reckless conduct. Punitive damages do not compensate you for a loss but are intended to punish the liable party for their behavior and deter others from behaving in the same manner.
How a Lawyer Can Help with a Death Caused by a Truck Accident
If your family has lost a loved one in a Houston truck accident, a lawyer can help you pursue accountability and justice from those at fault for your loved one’s death by:
- Investigating the accident to recover and review all the available evidence to determine how the crash occurred and to identify the party or parties at fault for the accident and your loved one’s death
- Identifying all possible sources of compensation, including insurance coverages
- Working with accident reconstruction experts when necessary to prepare a compelling and persuasive case
- Documenting the full extent of your family’s losses
- Filing your family’s claims with the at-fault parties and insurance companies
- Aggressively negotiating for a settlement that provides your family with fair and full compensation for your loved one’s passing
- Taking your family’s claims to court if necessary to thoroughly pursue your rights and options
Get Help from Our Houston Fatal Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you have a loved one who was killed in a fatal truck crash, contact The Callahan Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Houston fatal truck accident lawyers are ready to provide compassionate and aggressive representation for you and your family, with the goal of recovering fair compensation from the at-fault party.
Don’t wait until it is too late to take action. Call us, chat with us live, or fill out a contact form now.
