A woman was killed Sunday when an 18-wheeler hit her on the North Loop East near the intersection with North McCarty Street. The pedestrian was crossing the road in a spot where there wasn’t a crosswalk about 8:55 a.m., Houston police reported.
The tragic accident left traffic on the North Loop East feeder road shut down in both directions while officers investigated and interviewed witnesses.
How Trucking Companies Try to Shift Fault After 18-Wheeler Accidents
Trucking accidents are complicated because the injuries can be so catastrophic ─ and often deadly. Insurance companies want to avoid large payouts, and they will do everything possible to push the blame onto the victim, especially if the victim is no longer alive to have a voice.
In Texas, a system of modified comparative fault allows crash victims to recover compensation as long as they were 50 percent or less at fault for the accident. However, the amount of compensation they are entitled to receive is reduced by the percentage of blame assigned to them.
So, for example, if a pedestrian is crossing the street outside of a crosswalk, the trucking company may try to argue the victim shared in the blame for the accident. (However, there may be circumstances where pedestrians have the right to cross the road outside of marked crosswalks.) If a victim is ultimately determined to be 10 percent at fault for the crash and the total compensation amount is set at $100,000, the amount awarded would be reduced by $10,000 under the modified comparative fault system.
It is important to understand that trucking companies will be aggressive in defending their side of the story, so it is crucial that crash victims or surviving family members seek help from an experienced and skilled attorney after an 18-wheeler accident in Houston.
Texas Traffic Accident Statistics
Unfortunately, 18-wheeler crash statistics and overall motor vehicle accident statistics paint a sad picture for Texas residents, especially pedestrians. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that auto accident statistics for 2017 show:
- 3,721 people were killed in Texas motor vehicle accidents, including 641 pedestrian deaths.
- 254,853 people were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes.
- 1,144 pedestrians suffered serious injuries, and 2,312 suffered non-incapacitating injuries in crashes in 2017.
- 761 people were killed in crashes that occurred in intersections or were related to an intersection.
- Texas had no deathless days on its roadways in 2017.
Help for Families Who Lost Loved Ones in 18-Wheeler Accidents in Houston
If you have lost a family member in a tragic 18-wheeler accident in Houston or the surrounding areas, the compassionate trucking accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ are here to help. We can explain your family’s right to financial compensation and help you demand justice for your loved one.
Please call us or contact us online today to talk about your case. The consultation is free, and there is no charge unless we recover money for your family in a wrongful death claim.
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