Yes. If you have lost a family member in an 18-wheeler accident, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of the 18-wheeler as well as the trucking company and any other parties determined to be negligent. Our Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyers are well-versed in wrongful death claims and will work diligently to ensure you are properly compensated for your loved one's death.

Because truck accidents are so complex, your Austin truck accident lawyer may wish to bring in expert witnesses to help prove your claim. An expert witnesses is an industry expert with specialized knowledge of truck drivers, truck accidents, and/or trucking regulations. Expert witnesses that may work on your case include:

• Accident Investigation Experts
• Hazardous Materials Experts
• FMCSA Compliance Consultants
• Forensic Engineers
• Accident Re-constructionists
• Human Factors Forensic Science Experts (reaction time, fatigue and distracted driving)
• General Equipment Technical Expert

Whether or not a truck accident case goes to trial is dependent on several factors. Among the most important of those factors are:

• How clear is a liability in the case?
• Is the insurance company willing to pay a reasonable settlement?

While a case will be settled out of court more often than not, your attorney must treat every claim as though it will be tried to verdict. Our truck accident lawyers will take this approach to your case from day one.

Commercial trucks are further classified by their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). In the United States, the classifications are as follows:

• Class 1- GVWR ranges from 0 to 6,000 pounds
• Class 2- GVWR ranges from 6,001 to 10,000 pounds
• Class 3- GVWR ranges from 10,001 to 14,000 pounds
• Class 4- GVWR ranges from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds
• Class 5- GVWR ranges from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds
• Class 6- GVWR ranges from 19,501 to 26,000 pounds
• Class 7- GVWR ranges from 26,001 to 33,000 pounds
• Class 8- GVWR is anything above 33,000 pounds

If you have questions about the vehicle involved in your accident, speak with one our Texas truck accident lawyers.

When you are involved in a serious trucking accident, you will likely miss some work due to your injuries. The amount of work missed generally depends on the severity of your injuries and the physical requirements of your job. In the most severe cases, you may not be able to return to your previous occupation at all. You can recover these damages as lost wages. In the simplest terms, lost wages are any wages you did not or cannot earn due to your injury. Lost wages are not limited to those you have already missed out on, but can also refer to wages you will miss out on in the future. Typically, lost wages are broken down into three categories:

• Lost wages – wages you lost during a period you were unable to work.
• Loss of earning capacity – if you have sustained a long-term disability from an accident and cannot make as much money as you did before your accident.
• Lost opportunities – this would include things like missing a job interview while you were recovering.

An important thing to remember is that if you lost your previous job due to your injuries and returned to work for lower pay, you may be entitled to the difference in pay between your previous job and the job you now hold.