Harrison County Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Harrison County, TX

Truck accidents have become a significant and escalating problem in the United States, drawing the attention of federal safety administrations and agencies nationwide. When an 18-wheeler crash occurs, it not only highlights potential driver negligence but can also pose life-threatening risks and impose substantial financial burdens on innocent drivers. Reach out to a Harrison County truck accident lawyer to understand your legal options under Texas law.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer with Years of Professional Experience

With decades of experience taking on over 125 jury trials as the first chair lead counsel, Attorney Josh B. Maness is ready to provide you with the strong representation and guidance you need during this challenging time. When new clients meet with Attorney Maness, they work exclusively with him throughout the entirety of their case.

Our firm offers free consultations to residents living in Harrison County and the surrounding areas. During your initial meeting, Attorney Maness gives you his personal cell phone number. This means you can have direct access to express any concerns or questions you may have about your case.

The Reality of Truck Accidents in Harrison County

In 2024, there were around 52,600 cars owned and operated by households in Harrison County. These drivers share I-20 and US 59 with more and more truck drivers every day. Towns like Marshall can expect to see even more truck traffic as interstate development projects like the Marshall Relief Route come to fruition.

With more traffic and more trucks traveling daily through Harrison County, an increase in truck accidents is inevitable. Due to the size and weight of semi-trucks, truck accidents tend to cause catastrophic damage to those involved. When a vehicle collides with a semi-truck, the worst injuries are often incurred by occupants of passenger vehicles rather than the truck drivers.

Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when the trailer is fully loaded, whereas the average weight of a car in 2024 was only 4,354 pounds, and they are expected to only get heavier as more electric vehicles enter the roads, as they are significantly heavier than their gas-fueled counterparts. Electric vehicles can, in fact, weigh up to 30% more than a fuel-powered vehicle.

Truck drivers in the United States are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to take 10 hours of time off after working 11 hours. However, due to the stress involved in this line of work, it can be difficult for drivers to get proper rest before they get back on the road.

In 2023, 504 United States truck drivers were surveyed by DAT Freight & Analytics. Of these drivers, 63% reported they slept less than six hours every night, and 33% reported driving over 49 hours per week.

Regardless of what causes a truck accident, you have the right to seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Connect with an intuitive Harrison County truck accident attorney for guidance in optimizing your truck accident claim in Marshall.
What Causes Truck Crashes?

Aggressive Legal Counsel for Accident Victims in Harrison County, TX

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Other road users are exposed to unique risks when sharing the road with trucks. Recognizing the hazards associated with these large vehicles is of utmost importance. Even minor driving errors can result in catastrophic consequences. In 2024, 251,977 people were injured throughout Texas because of a motor vehicle accident. That same year, 42,146 crashes involved an 18-wheeler. Some of the most prevalent causes of truck crashes are listed below:

• Distracted driving
• Drowsiness
• DUI
• Speeding
• Improper loading
• Terrible weather
• Insufficient or lacking maintenance and/or equipment testing

Understanding that most crashes can be prevented by adhering to safety regulations and maintaining attentiveness on the road is crucial.

Common Truck Crash Injuries

Truck crashes can cause disastrous injuries depending on the number of vehicles involved, the safety levels of the vehicles involved, and the safety features deployed. There were 1,449 motor vehicle crashes in Harrison County in 2024, causing 309 suspected minor injuries and 84 suspected serious injuries. Some common car crash injuries are listed below:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Interior organ damage
• Pain and neck injuries
• Bruising and wounds

If you have suffered injuries in a severe semi-truck accident, don’t hesitate to hire a truck accident lawyer from the Law Office of Josh B. Maness. Our dedicated team is here to help you navigate the legal process as you exercise your right to seek compensation.

Exercise Your Right to Compensation with the Help of an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

Recovering after a car or commercial truck crash can become very expensive very quickly. You want to move on with your life, but now you’re saddled with debt due to medical bills and fixing or replacing your damaged vehicle. If you’re unable to work, you may find it even more difficult to pay for your recovery.

When you’ve been involved in an auto or truck crash, it’s crucial to have the support and guidance of an experienced attorney by your side. Consulting with an experienced auto and truck accident lawyer team can help protect your rights and work to get the compensation you deserve.
At the Law Office of Josh B. Maness, we focus on handling auto and truck accident cases and are committed to protecting your rights.

What to Do Following a Truck Crash?

In the event of a trucking accident, you must take particular steps to protect your health and legal rights. Some recommended steps you should consider are listed below:

• Seek medical attention. Your health and well-being should be your top priority. Even if you think your wounds are minimal, it’s still important to have a medical doctor examine you.
• Report the crash. Report the truck accident to local authorities. They can then record the incident and produce an official statement, important proof for your case.
• Document the scene. Get as much information as possible at the truck accident scene, including the contact information of the truck driver and insurance information. Also, take pictures of the physical damage to your car and belongings, and your injuries if you can. This evidence may be important in supporting your claim.
• Consult your Harrison County truck accident attorney or car crash lawyer. Remember that anything you say after the accident could be used against you afterward; even if you are concerned you might have been partially accountable, avoid apologizing for the accident or acting apologetic. Reach out to the Law Office of Josh B. Maness as soon as possible. We can help guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.

How Long Do I Have to File a Case with Truck Crash Lawyers After a Crash?

It’s important to be aware of the time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a truck accident claim after a truck crash. The statute of limitations in Texas for personal injury claims is typically two years from the date of the accident. However, there may be conditions that could affect this timeframe. To help you meet all deadlines, consult with an attorney promptly after the crash.

Types of Compensation for Damages in Truck Accident Cases

Depending on the circumstances of your accident and the impact your injuries have had on your life, an experienced attorney can help you seek compensation to help you recover the damages you’ve incurred. Under Texas Truck Accident Laws, you may be able to recover the types of damages listed below:

• Disability
• Surgery Costs
• Lost Wages
• Pain and Suffering
• Property Damage
• Ongoing Medical Treatment
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitative Services

Essential Stages of a Truck Accident Case in Harrison County

After filing your truck accident claim, your attorney can then help you gather evidence that pertains to your specific case. Examples of relevant evidence are listed below:

• Photos and videos taken at the scene of the crash. This should include the position of the vehicles, damage to the vehicles, property damage caused by the wreck, skid marks, damage to your personal items, and your injuries.
• Testimony from anyone who witnessed the accident. Attorney Maness prefers to gather this type of evidence quickly, as witness memories tend to alter after experiencing traumatic events.
• Police records. Copies of the initial incident report and transcripts of the 911 call.
• Data from the truck’s black box. This device is used in commercial vehicles to record vital information before, during, and right after accidents. The black box report can reveal crucial details about the accident, including the speed of the truck, the exact time of the crash, the use of brakes, the deployment of airbags, incidents of sudden acceleration, and more.
• Medical information. Medical records and medical bills related to your injury.
• Pay documentation. Proof of the income you’ve lost due to your injury.
• External media. Footage from dash cams, traffic cameras, or nearby surveillance cameras. These need to be collected early in the case, as surveillance cameras tend to tape over themselves after a short period of time.
• Testimony from crash reconstruction professionals. These professionals take the evidence provided and use mathematical equations to recreate the crash in a digital format to determine the likely cause of the crash.
• Mental health records. Proof of your emotional losses, such as a therapist’s or doctor’s statement describing your altered mental state since the crash.
• Accident reconstruction reports. A detailed, written timeline of events, drawings, recreated images, etc., that explains what happened in the accident and ultimately reveals liability.

After assisting in the collection of evidence, a qualified Harrison County truck accident lawyer can handle most of the legal processes thereafter. For residents of Harrison County, truck accident cases are often overseen by the Harrison County Courthouse, located at 200 West Houston in Marshall. Attorney Maness is very familiar with this court and can manage your case while you rest and recover.

How Courts in Texas Determine Fault in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accidents often involve multiple parties. Depending on what happened during your accident, you may recover less compensation than you were hoping for. In Texas, courts determine how much compensation to award victims and who pays it by assigning everyone involved in the accident a percentage of fault.

Texas truck accident laws describe the state’s proportionate liability statute that defines fault based on percentages of the parties involved. This is determined by a review of the evidence and testimonies provided by all parties. Parties found to be over 50% responsible for the incident cannot recover compensation. Those who are liable for less than 50% of the responsibility for an accident can seek compensation proportionate to their percentage of fault. For instance:

• If you were speeding at the time of the incident, you may be assigned 10% at fault.
• If the truck driver who hit you was under the influence of drugs, they may be assigned 70% at fault.
• If a third vehicle hit you during the accident because they were texting and driving and couldn’t avoid the collision, the driver may be assigned 20% at fault.
• If the courts grant you $100,000, it would be reduced by 10%, making your final compensation $90,000. The other drivers’ insurance covers only that amount, proportionately to their individual percentages of fault.

Victims of truck accidents often find themselves in substantial medical debt. Not only do they incur medical expenses, but in many cases, their vehicle is also in need of extensive repairs to make it operable. In addition, they also more often than not cannot work for an extended period of time, making their financial situation even more dire.

This makes it vital to seek counsel from a skilled Harrison County truck accident attorney who can advocate on your behalf to obtain a worthwhile settlement for your injuries and other damages.

Focus on Your Recovery After an Auto Accident, Get Compensated for Your Damages and Losses

Car crashes can be absolutely devastating. In addition to property damage, you could also get seriously injured. If you were involved in a commercial truck crash, the damage could be even more severe. Whether you’re recovering from a few bumps and bruises or dealing with a long-term injury, you need legal help.

The mounting medical costs and time away from work can also bring about stressful financial situations. When your crash was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, you shouldn’t be responsible for the financial burden of your recovery.

Don’t wait to seek the assistance you need to find a clear path to healing — turn to the Law Office of Josh B. Maness. Serving Marshall and all of Harrison County, TX, Attorney Maness is a qualified auto and truck accident attorney. He can provide strong representation and guidance after you’ve been involved in a collision on Texas roadways.

Connect with a Harrison County Truck Accident Attorney Who Gets Results

Schedule an appointment with the Law Office of Josh B. Maness today at our office in Waskom. We offer free case evaluations to new clients living in Harrison County and the surrounding Texas counties. Attorney Maness has over a decade of experience as an auto and truck accident attorney, helping truck accident victims. He’s prepared to advocate on your behalf following an injury.