Harmonson Law Firm

Helping Good People Injured In Bad Accidents

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915.584.8777

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) 544-1200
    • The Hospitals of Providence NE Campus—(915) 242-2400
    • The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus—(915) 577-6011
    • The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus—(915) 747-4000
    • The Hospitals of Providence East Campus—(915) 832-2000
    • The Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus—(915) 877-8136
    • The Hospitals of Providence Horizon City Campus—(915) 407-7878
    • Las Palmas Medical Center—(915) 521-1200
    • Del Sol Medical Center—(915) 595-9000
  • Urgent Care Facilities (not a complete list)
    • UCare Urgent Care—(915) 213-7222
    • Southwest Urgent Care—(915) 910-6595
    • MedPost Urgent Care—(915) 249-3106
    • Summit Urgent Care—(915) 857-4559
    • Upper Valley Urgent Care—(915) 584-8882
    • CareNow Urgent Care—(915) 206-4690
  • Police—911 or:
    • El Paso Police Dept. on Raynor Street—(915) 212-4000
    • El Paso Police Dept. on Dyer Street—(915) 212-8100
    • El Paso Police Dept. on Escobar Drive—(915) 212-0400
    • El Paso Police Dept. on Pebble Hills Blvd. (915) 212-0190
    • City of El Paso Police Department on Lee St.—(915) 544-7028
    • El Paso Police Dept. (Commander) on Campbell Street—(915) 212-0210
  • 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) 485-5600
    • El Paso Fire Station 3—(915) 212-5600

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured by a Commercial Driver

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, the most important thing you can do is to get medical attention for your injuries and for anyone else injured in the truck accident. While you are much more likely to have severe, even catastrophic injuries following a truck accident, if you are physically able, take photographs of the scene of the accident, exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver, get contact information for any witnesses, and ask the police officer at the scene when you can pick up a copy of the police report. Once you are home, contact your own insurance company, then find an El Paso truck accident lawyer who can help you through the claims process. 

What is the Truck Accident Claim Process?

Step 1—Call us immediately (free of charge). The trucking company has already employed lawyers and investigators at work to avoid responsibility for causing your accident. CALL NOW

Step 2—Once hired, we have a rapid response team, including accident reconstructionists and trucking industry experts, ready to investigate the crash and preserve favorable evidence to help with your claim.

Step 3—We’ll help get the medical treatment and compensation you need and deserve for your losses.

Call Harmonson Law Firm at (915) 584-8777 today to schedule your free case evaluation with our experienced attorney! 

Dedicated Representation for Victims of Serious Accidents

Large semi-trucks and tractor-trailers cause extensive damage when they are involved in vehicle collisions. Mainly due to their immense size and weight, these trucks can seriously injure or kill other motorists when accidents occur.

Often, such accidents are the result of negligence—on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the truck manufacturer. When this is the case, the negligent party or parties are responsible for your injuries. Harmonson Law Firm can help you fight for the just recovery you are owed after you suffer life-altering injuries in a trucking collision.

Our El Paso truck accident lawyer has more than 19 years of experience handling all types of complex personal injury cases, including those that involve commercial vehicles. These types of cases are often incredibly difficult and complicated because commercial trucking insurance companies will do everything in their power to devalue or deny your rightful claim. This is why it’s incredibly important that you have a seasoned attorney on your side.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Trucking Accidents?

There are many factors that come into play for any type of motor vehicle accident, but a trucking accident is very different from a “normal” car accident because of the large size of the truck and the increased risk of catastrophic injury and death.

Every year, approximately 500,000 trucking accidents occur across the United States, including throughout Texas and New Mexico. The catastrophic truth is that in truck accidents, 98% of fatalities occur to individuals in passenger vehicles. Many of these accidents can be attributed to negligence. And unfortunately, these accidents are more common than you think.

Why? Because trucking companies put profit over safety by pushing their drivers to stay on the road for extremely long periods of time in order to make more money. The leading causes of trucking crashes are driver fatigue and exhaustion, driver error, and long hours of service violations.

Here’s a full list of the most common causes of trucking accidents:

  • Brake failure
  • Defective rear or side lighting
  • Defective steering
  • Improper load distribution/product securement
  • Depowering front brakes, causing a jackknife
  • Improper trailer attachment
  • Fatigued drivers as a result of unrealistic schedules
  • Transmission failure
  • Defective or faulty tires
  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Distracted drivers, including cell phone use
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
  • Inadequate training and/or supervision
  • Unrealistic quotas
  • Lack of proper truck maintenance

Harmonson Law Firm has the experience, resources, and understanding of applicable law to properly pursue liability against the trucking company in your case. Our El Paso truck accident lawyer has more than 16 years of experience handling all types of personal injury claims. In every case, we are committed to working toward the maximum recovery you are owed.

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Truck Accident Claim?

Speaking to an attorney from Harmonson Law Firm will let you know whether you have a valid claim for damages or not. Your attorney will comprehensively evaluate the accident, determining whether the fault is clear or must be proven through an investigation, and what your injury damages will be. He or she will also determine how long your injuries are expected to last, and whether they will prevent you from returning to work (and how long). Your attorney can then tell you whether you have a valid truck accident claim or not.

How Can I Choose the Best Truck Accident Lawyer for Me?

At Harmonson Law Firm, we know that you have choices when you are looking for an El Paso truck accident lawyer. We also know that we can not only offer you every benefit that a large law firm can offer, but we also provide the highly individualized attention and care of a smaller firm. Attorneys Clark Harmonson and Hadley Huchton have been helping people in similar situations for many years. We are experienced and highly skilled, yet compassionate and understanding. We believe that once you talk to one of our attorneys, you will immediately see why Harmonson Law Firm is the best choice for you, your family, and your future. 

Helping Good People Injured in Bad Accidents—How the Harmonson Law Firm Can Help

At Harmonson Law Firm, we understand how devastating trucking accidents are for victims and their loved ones. Severe injuries often require ongoing medical treatment, expensive surgeries, lifelong physical and cognitive rehabilitation therapy, in-home care, loss of income due to temporary or permanent disabilities, and extreme emotional distress. In very severe cases, you may be facing unexpected funeral costs and the pain of losing your loved one.

No matter your unique situation, our attorney is here to provide you with the compassionate legal guidance you need and the sound representation you deserve. Our legal team is committed to your case, working toward an optimal outcome that meets your goals and needs. Don’t wait to get help! Contact us at (915) 584-8777 to learn more about how our firm can help you. We offer free initial consultations.