Determining Commercial Vehicle Accident and Injury Liability in Midland-Odessa

This article discusses: 

• Who bears responsibility or can be held liable for truck or commercial vehicle accidents.
• How much you might be able to recover in damages during a Texas personal injury case.
• The advantages of hiring a local and experienced attorney for your personal injury case.

Who is Liable for My Serious Injuries After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Midland-Odessa?

If you have ever driven through the Midland-Odessa region of West Texas or any of the oil field-rich areas of Texas, you have almost certainly witnessed a vehicle accident or its aftermath. With any luck, you will never be in one. If you are, however, it is important to understand who is liable for such a commercial or truck vehicle accident, and who you can sue for your personal injury damages.

There are dozens of people and entities involved in any vehicle or truck accident, starting with the obvious ones like the owner of the vehicle, the company operating the vehicle, and the driver. But the list does not end there, there are the equipment owners and those who own the heavy machines being hauled like oil exploration companies, drilling companies, and construction companies.  There is also the possibility that the manufacturer of the truck or equipment can be held liable.  

How Do You Establish Liability in Trucking Accidents?

One recent case involved a vehicle that was driven negligently down a hill, was improperly loaded, and caused a massive loss when the load fell off the truck. Establishing liability was half the process of the case.

No matter how many different companies may be involved, establishing liability is vital to bringing a successful personal injury suit. This list of possible defendants involved gets longer and longer every year: 

• Construction companies
• Trucking and transportation companies
• Oil exploration companies
• Pipeline companies
• Electric service companies
• Dirt work companies
• Maintenance companies
• Oil field equipment suppliers
• Drillers 
• Road contractors
• Truck and equipment manufacturers 
• And more,

Perhaps even more important than determining who is at fault is determining who can afford to pay.  Judgments in these type cases often involve large sums of money because the damages involved in trucking personal injury cases and settlements are considerable.

How Much is a Texas 18-Wheeler Trucking Accident Injury Case Worth?

A road accident involving a big truck or commercial vehicle could be worth anywhere from $10,000 to $10 million, and even considerably more than that. Some cases have settled in the $20, $30, or $40 million range because someone was put in a wheelchair for the rest of their life and they needed a very expensive care plan as a result. 

As such, the size of a settlement depends on several different factors. The average case is often between $1 and $2 million. However, you cannot, and should not, assess value ahead of time. 

It is neither appropriate nor professional for an attorney to tell someone what they think their case is worth before they investigate. So, beware of any lawyer that goes out and tells you your case is worth a certain amount of money before he or she has even done the investigation. They are not being candid with you and may have an ulterior motive. 

These cases are indeed potentially worth a lot of money, but that money often corresponds to life-changing, or life-ending, injuries and accidents. It is never something you should hope for, but it is something you might find yourself dealing with. 

Why Hire a Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney in Midland-Odessa?

If ever you or a loved one has the misfortune to be injured in a vehicle accident in the Midland-Odessa region, or anywhere in West Texas oil country, you should strongly consider hiring a local attorney who will know how to navigate the particularities of the region. 

These are attorneys that have experience with West Texas defendants.  These defendants get sued repeatedly regarding oil field accidents. You want an attorney with a reputation for holding large operators and insurance companies accountable. An experienced attorney knows the players, the courtroom, the various types of accidents that can occur, and where to look to find the evidence needed to secure compensation. 

A Local Personal Injury Attorney Will Best Be Able to Represent You

Contrary to popular belief, it is not the actual driver or the operator of the truck who is held liable in many of these cases.

The real cause of the accident could be a mistake by the company that loaded the equipment onto the truck, a backhoe operator that was at the scene, or even the person who designed the equipment. There can be cases of “product liability,” cases where the real cause of the accident is a design defect in a truck. Sometimes the truck driver is also a victim because their truck wasn’t properly outfitted or equipped. 

Because of this, it is vital to have someone on your side who understands the Department of Transportation Safety Regulations, understands the designs of the trucks, the various truck manufacturers, the enormous loads these trucks haul, and the physics involved. Unless an attorney has worked with experts for years on these topics, they don’t have the ability or the wisdom to properly investigate the case and bring the appropriate parties responsible to settle or pay what they owe you in court.

With the guidance of a skilled attorney like Stuart Starry, you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing a local practitioner has your back. For more information on Trucking Accident Cases in Texas, an initial consultation is your next best step.   Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (432) 242-7827 today.