Getting hit from behind is scary enough. But when the vehicle that rear-ends you is a large commercial truck, the damage and the consequences can be devastating.
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C., we help clients across Waco, Killeen, Temple, Round Rock, and Austin who were seriously injured in truck accidents. If you were rear-ended by a commercial truck, settlement figures and process might be on your mind. This post breaks it down.
Why Rear-End Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
When a semi-truck or company vehicle slams into the back of a car, the results are often severe. Commercial trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and even at low speeds, they can total smaller vehicles and cause life-changing injuries.
Common injuries include:
- Whiplash and spinal trauma,
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs),
- Broken bones and fractures,
- Internal bleeding or organ damage, and
- Permanent disability or disfigurement.
The medical costs and time off work can add up quickly. And if the accident was the truck driver’s fault, you may be entitled to pursue compensation.
Can You File a Claim Against a Trucking Company?
Yes. If a commercial truck driver rear-ended you and caused injuries, you may have a case against:
- El camionero,
- The trucking company,
- The company that owns the truck, and
- A third-party (if parts or a mechanical failure played a role).
Texas law holds commercial drivers to a higher safety standard. If they were speeding, distracted, fatigued, or violating regulations, you can use those infractions to show fault if you’re rear-ended by a company vehicle. Settlement offers can be higher when you have strong evidence of wrongdoing by a driver on the clock.
What Does a Truck Accident Settlement Cover?
A settlement should compensate you for everything the accident has cost you—physically, financially, and emotionally.
Depending on your injuries and how the crash has affected your life, a potential settlement may include:
- Emergency room bills and hospital stays;
- Ongoing medical treatment and physical therapy;
- Lost income from missed work;
- Loss of future earning ability;
- Dolor y sufrimiento;
- Emotional distress and trauma;
- Property damage or vehicle replacement; and
- Out-of-pocket costs for transportation, childcare, or home care.
In some cases, especially where the trucking company’s negligence is extreme, punitive damages may also apply. These are meant to punish reckless behavior, such as forcing drivers to skip rest breaks or ignoring safety issues.
How Much Is a Rear-End Truck Accident Case Worth?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every case is different, and the value of your settlement depends on:
- The seriousness of your injuries,
- How long your recovery takes,
- Whether you can return to work,
- The total cost of your medical care,
- Whether the trucking company was clearly at fault, and
- Available insurance coverage and policy limits.
We don’t use settlement calculators or rough estimates. Instead, we work with medical experts, review all costs, and assess long-term impacts to ensure nothing is left out.
How Long Will It Take to Settle?
Some cases settle within a few months. Others may take a year or more, especially if injuries are severe or the trucking company disputes fault.
The timeline depends on:
- How long it takes to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI);
- Whether the trucking company offers a fair settlement early on;
- Whether you need to file a lawsuit and go to court; and
- The complexity of the investigation (e.g., requiring black-box data or expert witnesses).
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we never rush clients into quick settlements just to close a case. We focus on what’s best for you and ensure you’re not left with unpaid bills or future costs the settlement didn’t cover.
Proving Fault in Rear-End Truck Accidents
In Texas, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is usually presumed to be at fault. However, in truck accident cases, proving negligence can be more complex. We look at:
- Dash cam or surveillance footage,
- Black box data from the truck,
- Driver logs and rest records,
- Maintenance records and inspection reports,
- Cell phone records (to show distraction), and
- Company policies and safety violations.
We use this evidence to show that the driver or company failed to meet basic safety standards and that their actions directly caused your injuries.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely on the Insurance Company
After the crash, the trucking company’s insurance adjuster might contact you. They may sound helpful, but their goal is to protect the company, not you.
They may:
- Offer a quick, lowball settlement;
- Try to get a recorded statement to use against you;
- Claim you were partially at fault; and
- Delay the claim to wear you down.
You don’t have to face them alone. We deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing. We know their tactics and fight to ensure they treat you fairly.
What to Do After a Truck Rear-End Accident
If a truck rear-ended you, take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Call 911 and report the crash;
- Get medical treatment immediately;
- Document everything and take photos, gather witness info, and save receipts;
- Do not speak with the trucking company’s insurance without a lawyer; and
- Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
The sooner we can start investigating, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong case.
Rear-Ended by a Commercial Truck? Let a Texas Law Firm with over 85 Years of Combined Experience Handle the Fight
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C., we know how overwhelming these crashes can be. You’re hurting, frustrated, and trying to deal with big insurance companies that don’t have your best interests in mind.
We’re here to change that.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael nació en Houston, Texas. Estudió en las universidades de Baylor y Texas State, donde se licenció en Ciencias en 1987. Se especializó en Biología y en Química. Terminó su educación legal en Texas Southern University en 1990, obteniendo un Doctorado en Derecho de la Escuela de Derecho Thurgood Marshall. Fue admitido en el Colegio de Abogados del Estado de Texas en 1990.
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