El Paso Truck Accident Lawyer

The El Paso truck accident lawyer at Harmonson Law Firm has seen firsthand how catastrophic injuries can result from trucking accidents. Some of the first questions my clients ask me are: How will I cope with my serious injuries? And will our family make it financially with the burden of medical bills and lack of income? No one should go through the hell that you and your family are currently facing. And that’s why Harmonson Law Firm will work tirelessly to get you what you need and deserve.

You have just experienced a devastating loss, medically, emotionally, and financially. You have bills to pay (both medical and day-to-day), and our team wants to help you make sure that happens. Because the trucking company and its team of lawyers and accident reconstructionists are busy at work from the moment your catastrophic trucking accident occurred, time is of the essence. 

What’s the Difference Between Truck Accidents and Car Accidents?

There are two primary differences between truck accidents and car accidents. First, because of the sheer size difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle (80,000 pounds vs. 3,000 pounds), the injuries for those involved in a truck accident are likely to be much more severe, even catastrophic or fatal. Those in the passenger vehicle may suffer such serious injuries as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, along with amputations, burns, and serious internal injuries. 

The second big difference between truck accidents and car accidents is that in a truck accident, there may be more than one liable party. The truck driver may have been impaired, distracted, fatigued, or driving carelessly. If the driver works for a trucking company, the company may bear the liability for the driver’s negligence. If the trucking company failed to conduct a thorough background check or ensure the driver was fully trained, they may also bear responsibility. 

If the accident was the result of bad tires, brakes, or another maintenance issue, the maintenance company may share liability. When a truck accident is caused by poorly loaded cargo, the loading company may be responsible for the accident, or at least partially responsible. Your attorney must have experience with truck accidents in order to know who to hold accountable for your accident, or how to split the liability. 

What Laws Govern Truck Accidents in El Paso?

In the summer of 2021, the Texas Legislature passed HB19, and the Governor signed it into law. This law significantly changed the process of how a person injured in a commercial truck accident receives compensation for damages. Unfortunately, HB19 could make it more difficult for commercial truck accident victims to recover compensation for their injuries from trucking companies. An altered system must now be navigated by the injured person (or their attorney). First, the victim is required to establish driver negligence as well as the total amount of their damages. No personal injury claim may be filed until these two things have been done, and a claim may only be filed if the driver was clearly negligent. 

Further, the jury is not even allowed to know who the employer of the truck driver is unless the driver has been found to be liable for the accident. Historically, the law has held that an employer is liable for an employee’s wrongful actions only when those actions are within the scope of employment. This means that employer and employee (truck driver and trucking company) are generally joined as parties in a personal injury lawsuit. HB19 does not allow the employer to be a party to the lawsuit until the driver has been shown to be clearly responsible for the accident. 

Local Truck Accident Statistics

According to KTSM news, a 2022 study done by an out-of-state law firm found that fatal accidents involving large commercial trucks are relatively common in Texas as compared to other states. Texas ranks tenth on the list in terms of the frequency of fatal crashes involving semi-trucks. As many as 11.4 percent of fatal vehicle crashes in 2020 in the state of Texas involved a large commercial truck. Out of 5,460 vehicles across the state that were involved in a fatal accident in 2020, 622 of those accidents involved a semi-truck. The state of Wyoming had the highest percentage of fatal truck accidents, at 19 percent. 

Local Resources to Help with Your Injuries

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in El Paso, TX, the following resources could be of benefit to you:

• Hospitals (not a complete list)
  • University Medical Center of El Paso (915) 233-6427
  • The Hospitals of Providence NE Campus—(915) 233-6427
  • The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus—(915) 233-6427
  • The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus—(915) 233-6427
  • The Hospitals of Providence East Campus—(915) 233-6427
  • The Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus—(915) 233-6427
  • The Hospitals of Providence Horizon City Campus—(915) 233-6427
  • Las Palmas Medical Center—(915) 233-6427
  • Del Sol Medical Center—(915) 233-6427
• Urgent Care Facilities (not a complete list)
  • UCare Urgent Care—(915) 233-6427
  • Southwest Urgent Care—(915) 233-6427
  • MedPost Urgent Care—(915) 233-6427
  • Summit Urgent Care—(915) 233-6427
  • Upper Valley Urgent Care—(915) 233-6427
  • CareNow Urgent Care—(915) 233-6427
• Police—911 or:
  • El Paso Police Dept. on Raynor Street—(915) 233-6427
  • El Paso Police Dept. on Dyer Street—(915) 233-6427
  • El Paso Police Dept. on Escobar Drive—(915) 233-6427
  • El Paso Police Dept. on Pebble Hills Blvd. (915) 233-6427
  • City of El Paso Police Department on Lee St.—(915) 233-6427
  • El Paso Police Dept. (Commander) on Campbell Street—(915) 233-6427
• Fire Department—(There are many fire station sub-stations across El Paso with the same number as #3 listed).  
  • El Paso Central Fire Station—(915) 233-6427
  • El Paso Fire Station 3—(915) 233-6427

Call Harmonson Law Firm at (915) 233-6427 today to schedule your free case evaluation with our experienced attorney!