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Commercial Vehicle Accident Settlement | Odessa Injury Attorneys

The Permian Basin, a rich source of oil and natural gas, expands through most of West Texas. More than half of the oil rigs in the United States are located here, and many Odessa, Texas residents rely on this industry for work. Even those that don’t, however, know that the booming economy and development come at a cost: traffic accidents in the area are frequent, and semi-trucks are often the cause.

Navigating a commercial vehicle accident settlement alone is incredibly difficult. If you or someone you know experienced a wreck with an 18 wheeler, you should reach out to a Carabin Shaw commercial vehicle accident lawyer in Odessa.

Determining Fault in Texas

Texas insurers manage accident claims based on comparative fault. In this system, a factfinder or jury determines who is responsible for the accident. Typically, you would file a lawsuit directly against the other driver, and his or her insurance would handle the settlement. This path is common because driver error is the leading cause of all motor vehicle accidents, including semi-truck collisions.

The reasonable person standard requires motorists to act with care and sound judgment to protect the safety of others. If a trucker fails to uphold this standard, he or she is liable for your injuries. However, depending on the circumstances, your Odessa 18 wheeler accident attorney might also advise you to file a claim against either of the following:

  • The trucking company: Carriers must hire drivers with clean records, follow federal regulations, and maintain the trucks. These federal regulations include appropriate scheduling to ensure that drivers are not overworked. When companies fail on any count, an attorney can apply the legal precedent respondeat superior. This precedent means the business is responsible for the actions of its employees.
  • Manufacturers: If a trucking accident is the consequence of faulty vehicle design, production, or testing, the manufacturer might owe you money.

These choices can be difficult to navigate alone, which is why our lawyers are standing by. If you need help selecting the best plan for your claim, connect with a commercial vehicle accident lawyer in Odessa today.

Calculating a Trucking Accident Settlement

A settlement is a formal arrangement that resolves an injury case out of court that nearly always involves monetary compensation to the victim. After an Odessa, Texas trucking accident, you might want to know how to calculate a commercial vehicle accident settlement. Because each accident is distinct, there is no exact formula for calculating settlement value. However, the more severe the collision, the higher the payout will be. Semi-truck accidents are often serious because 18 wheelers are enormous compared to the average passenger vehicle, so the settlements are relatively high.

Your Odessa 18 wheeler accident attorney will consider two categories when estimating your settlement: special damages and general damages. Special damages are quantifiable expenses you have due to your injuries. The more your injuries cost you, the more you can expect to regain. These damages include:

  • Emergency room charges
  • Future medical care
  • General practitioner visits
  • Lost wages
  • Medications
  • Specialist visits

General damages, by contrast, refer to the non-quantifiable effects of the accident, such as pain and suffering. General damages vary from claim to claim, and your Odessa accident injury attorneys will have to make a strong argument in your favor.

Connect with Commercial Vehicle Lawyers Today

After a trucking accident, you need the best Odessa accident injury attorneys on your side. Choosing Carabin Shaw guarantees that quality of care is what you will be getting. We offer first-time clients with a free consultation. During this meeting, we will listen to your case and answer any questions you might have about moving forward with a claim.

Let us leverage our decades of experience to advocate on your behalf. Dial 432-620-0544 to speak to an attorney today.


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We are very glad we called Carabin Shaw after our accident. We now recommend them to everyone. - Griselda S.
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You want Carabin Shaw on your side after an accident. They were excellent. - Valerie S.
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In our opinion, no one is better, Carabin Shaw is the Law Firm you want on your side after an accident. - Amanda G.
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The attorneys and staff went out of their way to help us after our accident. Thank you Carabin Shaw. - Melinda F.
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We did our research after our accident and chose Carabin Shaw. They were great. Highly recommend. Joel Y.
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