Rear-end Collision Lawyer In Houston

Rear-end accidents are common, but when a large truck rear-ends a passenger car, it could easily crush the smaller vehicle, resulting in severe injuries and damages. Some of these trucks carry hazardous materials, which can make the accident that much more dangerous.

If you were injured in a rear-end truck accident, you have legal rights and options. The Houston truck accident attorneys at Gibson Hill Personal Injury can help you file an insurance claim or lawsuit to pursue the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.

Rear-end truck accidents are typically the result of tailgating or driver inattention. Truck drivers spend hours on the road and could easily become distracted or fall asleep at the wheel. Any error they make could lead to a crash.

At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, our Houston personal injury lawyers believe each client deserves exceptional representation and the chance to pursue comprehensive compensation for the suffering they endured. When you get hurt through no fault of your own, you have the right to hold the person or people accountable for their reckless behavior.

Our Houston rear-end collision lawyers will advocate for your rights and fight for the maximum recovery you deserve. Don’t hesitate to call us at (713) 659-4000 for a free consultation to learn about your legal options.

Table Of Contents

    What Causes Rear-End Collisions in Houston?

    Tailgating is one of the most common causes of rear-end truck accidents. When a truck driver follows another vehicle too closely, they don’t leave enough stopping distance in the event that traffic comes to a sudden halt. Instead of coming to a complete stop, the truck could end up crashing into the back of a car.

    The safest way to drive with other vehicles around is to follow the three-second rule. This rule helps to ensure there will be enough space between vehicles to slow down or stop safely when necessary. When you’re driving, pick out a stationary object, such as a parked car or telephone pole, and count how many seconds it takes you to pass by it after the vehicle ahead passes it. If it’s more than three seconds, there should be enough stopping distance to avoid a rear-end collision.

    Although tailgating frequently leads to rear-end truck accidents, other factors could cause this type of collision, such as:

    • Slow-moving vehicles
    • Road rage
    • Speeding
    • Driver inattention
    • Traffic congestion
    • Impaired driving
    • Driving while tired

    Gibson Hill Personal Injury will review your case to determine what caused the rear-end collision and if you deserve compensation from the truck driver or trucking company. Many times, it is not just the driver who is at fault. Sometimes trucking companies could be held liable for someone’s injuries if they negligently hired an unlicensed driver or didn’t perform adequate maintenance of their vehicle fleet.

    Our Houston rear-end collision lawyers have the experience and resources to investigate these types of accidents and pursue the compensation injured victims need to cover their medical treatment and associated costs.

    What You Should Do Following a Rear-End Truck Accident

    The steps you take in the aftermath of a serious crash could impact the outcome of your legal case. If you were involved in a rear-end accident with a commercial truck, try to follow the steps below to protect your right to full compensation:

    Call 911. An officer will show up at the scene to investigate the accident and determine who was at fault. They will write a crash report and submit it to the Texas Department of Transportation, and you can request a copy when it becomes available.

    Obtain insurance information. Ask the truck driver for their name, contact information, insurance details, and employer’s information.

    Accident scene evidence. Collect any evidence you find at the scene and take photos.

    Find witnesses. Speak to bystanders and ask if they saw the crash occur. Write down their names and phone numbers so they can provide witness statements to the insurance company.

    Seek treatment. Go to the doctor and discuss all the injuries you sustained. They might recommend that you follow up with other doctors as part of your recovery. Be sure to do what they say. If you stop treatment or make a habit of skipping appointments, you could ruin your chance of receiving the maximum available compensation.

    Get an estimate. If your car was damaged in the accident, bring it to a repair shop. Ask for an estimate of the damage.

    Hire a lawyer. Speak with a Houston rear-end collision lawyer from Gibson Hill Personal Injury about your case. We will review the details and determine if you are entitled to compensation.

    It can be an uphill battle to pursue compensation from the at-fault truck driver. We know the tactics insurance companies use to diminish or deny claims, and we will fight vigorously and effectively to recover the money you need to cover your losses. We will investigate the rear-end collision to obtain compelling evidence, such as:

    • Crash report
    • Repair estimates for all vehicles involved in the accident
    • Statements from witnesses
    • Your medical records and medical bills
    • Security video footage
    • Crash scene photos
    • Truck driver’s employment history, driving history, and qualifications
    • Data from the truck’s “black box”

    We will work exhaustively to find the evidence we need to prove fault and support your claim for maximum compensation.

    Injuries Associated With Rear-End Truck Accidents

    When a commercial truck and a passenger car collide, it can cause a violent impact. If the smaller vehicle occupants aren’t wearing seat belts, they could get ejected and suffer severe injuries. Large trucks can also crush the back end of a car and trap the backseat occupants inside.

    The most common injuries someone might sustain in a rear-end collision include:

    • Spinal cord injuries
    • Ejection injuries
    • Concussion
    • Whiplash
    • Broken bones
    • Internal organ damage and bleeding
    • Traumatic brain injury
    • Crush injuries
    • Paralysis

    Sometimes injuries after a truck accident don’t heal entirely or properly. If you end up with a permanent impairment or disability, you might find it challenging to perform at your job or take care of your family. Ongoing medical treatment is expensive and can cause significant financial strain. You should not be responsible for any of the costs you incur. Gibson Hill Personal Injury will advocate aggressively for your rights, so you receive the monetary award you need to cover your expenses.

    Recovering Financial Compensation After a Rear-End Collision

    Rear-end Collision Lawyer In HoustonTexas is considered a fault state when it comes to financial responsibility after an accident. Whoever is at fault becomes liable for the injured party’s physical and emotional losses, such as medical bills and psychological trauma. If the truck driver caused your injuries, you could file a claim with their insurance company for compensation.

    All truck drivers must carry insurance with minimum liability limits, which depends on the cargo they’re transporting and the truck’s weight. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, the minimum required limit is $300,000, and it could go up to $5 million.

    When you file an insurance claim, you may be entitled to the following types of compensation:

    • Mental anguish
    • Medical bills
    • Property damage
    • Lost wages
    • Lost earning capacity
    • Out of pocket expenses
    • Pain and suffering
    • Physical impairment or disfigurement.

    Even though state and federal laws require all drivers to carry liability insurance, the truck driver who rear-ended you might not have coverage. In that case, you could file a claim with your auto insurance company.

    Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage provides compensation to accident victims when the negligent party does not have liability coverage or adequate liability limits to compensate for the total losses. These losses include:

    • Medical bills
    • Pain and suffering
    • Lost wages
    • Lost earning capacity
    • Property damage
    • Out of pocket expenses

    You also have the option to file a lawsuit. In many situations, Gibson Hill Personal Injury might try to settle your case during an insurance claim first. If the insurance company fails to cooperate with our demands for a fair amount of money, we could move forward with a lawsuit against them and the truck driver.

    There is a deadline involved when you want to sue someone for causing an accident. It is known as a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations in Texas for truck accident injury cases is two years. You would have two years from the crash date to file, or you could lose your right to seek compensation in this legal matter.

    Contact Gibson Hill Personal Injury for a Free Consultation

    Our legal team of Houston personal injury lawyers will fight strategically and assertively to help you hold the truck driver or other responsible party accountable for their negligence. We won’t back down until we reach a favorable outcome in your case. Whether we file an insurance claim or lawsuit, you can depend on us to keep your interests in mind as we’re pursuing your legal goals.

    If you were the victim of a rear-end accident, call Gibson Hill Personal Injury at (713) 659-4000. One of our Houston truck accident lawyers will meet with you for a free consultation and immediately begin working on your case.

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