At McMinn Law Firm, we use our experience to advocate for the rights of semi-truck accident victims. When trucking companies in Austin operate negligently, those they hurt need help. We are there to be their guidance, support, and legal advocate every step of the way.
Austin Truck Accident Lawyer Practice Area Page at a Glance
Trucking companies protect their bottom line, not lives.
Regulations are in place to keep individuals safe during their daily commutes. Unfortunately not all truck drivers or companies obey the laws. There is a driver shortage in U.S. With a shortage of qualified drivers, some companies cut corners. We have represented clients who were injured by extremely negligent trucking companies. Some employ unlicensed drivers or those with a history of dangerous driving. The pressure to deliver goods quickly has caused companies to cut corners that put the publics’ safety at risk.
Friday May 15, 2020 a group of truck drivers protested a proposed regulation change that could put pressure on drivers to work for hours longer than they feel is safe. A federal rule that would redefine “short haul” trucking to allow 14-hour work days could put truckers and other drivers at risk. But trucking companies say the change could save them close to $300 million each year over the next decade.
More recently, a legislative campaign moved through House and Senate committee hearings in attempts to poke holes in basic safety responsibilities held by companies everywhere.
May 19, 2021, a bill that would shield trucking companies from personal injury lawsuits passed in the Texas Senate. Under House Bill 19, a truck driver would be held liable for an injury crash separate from their employer. Under the new legislation, a plaintiff would have to demonstrate that the trucking company was grossly negligent in training or policies in order to seek monetary damages from the company.
The Texas Senate made an amendment to the bill. Now the bill will go back to the house for approval before the bill can be signed into law by Governor Greg Abbot.
Read more about this bill from Texas Tribune.
When companies put profits over safety, we must hold them accountable when those policies cause harm. This legislation will make it more difficult for hard working Texans’ to get the medical care they need after they are harmed by reckless trucking companies.
Hurt In a Semi-Truck Crash? Let Us Fight For the Compensation You Deserve
We protect the rights of those injured by dangerous truck drivers and trucking companies. If you or someone you know was injured, call today to learn more how to reach full recovery after the accident.
$350K in Commercial Truck Accident Settlement
In a recent McMinn Law Firm settlement, the plaintiff was injured at the hands of a careless driver operating a commercial semi-truck. The client was attempting to make a right-hand turn when the operator of the Freightliner rear-ended the client's vehicle. As a result of the crash, the client suffered severe personal injury damages to his right shoulder. With this settlement, the client can seek the ongoing medical care needed to treat pain from his injuries.
TOTAL: $350,000.00
Tax Free to Client: $113,341.19 | Medical Bills: $93,573.65 | Lawyer's Fees: $140,000.00 | Miscellaneous Expenses: $3,085.16
A woman was injured in truck accident when she was rear-ended by a cement truck. Our client was stopped in traffic when a concrete truck forcefully rear-ended her vehicle causing her car to slam into the one in front as well. She was rushed to the hospital by EMS. She still suffers from permanent injuries to her neck and spine. McMinn Law Firm Truck Accident lawyers won a $1M recovery on her behalf.
Total Settlement: $993,477.08 | Expenses: $30,967.00 | Attorney Fees $397,390.83 | Net to Client: $565,119.25
Unfortunately some companies put profits over safety. The driver of the cement truck had been fired twice previously. He had been fired for failing to meet safety standards as well as failing a drug test. The injured woman hired truck accident attorneys at McMinn Law Firm to handle her case. Prior to trial the woman was awarded almost $1,000,000 for pain and suffering caused by the severe truck accident.
In photo, Jason poses at McMinn Law Firm with client injured by cement truck.
$1.2+ Million Settlement in Truck Accident Case
$1,237,000 Settlement Reached for Client who suffered injuries in truck accident.
Total settlement to client, minus legal fee: $739,334. A woman was rear-ended by a tractor trailer while traveling on IH 35 in Austin. The force of the collision caused her to vehicle to collide with one in front of her. The client of McMinn Law Firm sustained several permanent injuries.
Expenses: $3,165.06 | Attorney's Fees: $495,000 | Net to Client: $739,334.94
We are very pleased with the settlement. When trucking companies break the rules and cut corners to put profits over safety then they need to pay the price when those actions injure people in Travis County.
Justin McMinn | Truck Accident Lawyer, Austin
Justin McMinn Settled Confidential Truck Accident Case
Justin McMinn worked tirelessly to defend the rights of one of the 2222 gravel truck accident victims.
Below, watch a video of the shocking gravel truck crash. Read more about the gravel truck crash and how Justin McMinn secured settlement for client D. Nelson.
Why Choose McMinn Law Firm
Trusted truck accident attorneys at McMinn Law Firm have been helping clients since 2005. Brothers Jason McMinn and Justin McMinn have experience fighting for results injured clients deserve. In select jury trial cases, experienced trial attorney Heather McMinn provides her additional knowledge and experience.
Austin Truck Accident Lawyers at McMinn Law Firm Prioritize Client Satisfaction:
- Highly Rated in client satisfaction. Whether you view Google Reviews (4.8 stars), Facebook reviews (5 stars), Avvo Reviews (5 stars), Yelp reviews (5 stars), it is clear that clients are happy they chose McMinn.
- McMinn Law Firm received an A+ rating by Better Business Bureau.The rating, determined by BBB is not based on client reviews. An A+ rating demonstrates that the business has been deemed trustworthy by the independent organization.
- When you choose McMinn, you will work with Jason McMinn and Justin McMinn. Select cases receive assistance from Heather McMinn. Unlike other law firms that may seem more like a factory than a law firm, McMinn Law Firm knows every case deserves to be handled by an experienced attorney.
They took care of her, and they got us back on our feet following what could have been a very traumatic event.
Read more...They are VERY good at communicating the details - VERY responsive - VERY professional - VERY supportive, and VERY patient.
Read more...
Justin McMinn “Top 10” Trucking Trial Lawyer in Texas 2021
Trucking Trial Lawyers Association Admits Justin McMinn to Top 10
Trucking Trial Lawyers is an invitation-only professional organization that recognizes the top personal injury lawyers from each state.
Watch and learn with this video created for truck accident victims by McMinn Law Firm.
Truck driver hits a driver of a car. Driver goes to hospital for injuries. Hospital sends bills to the driver. Now what?
Many of our clients were injured by large trucks while driving on I-35. While Texas economies boom, that means more cars, trucks and people. Mopac even has a mock Twitter account outlining the daily traffic woes. It’s no secret that accidents and transportation are a major problem for Austinites. What isn’t always as obvious is what to do after a truck accident or who to seek for help.
How much can I get from my truck accident case?
In personal injury claims, a settlement’s value can be calculated by adding up the value of the medical bills, lost wages, and other money spent on recovery. Then, “pain and suffering” claims may be added. These are typically calculated from a multiplier of general damages.
Don’t forget that your settlement will depend upon your liability in the crash, your history, and the history of the truck driver. Investigations of the crash may be a factor including toxicology reports, driving history, and dangerous driving risks.
Every case is different. McMinn Law Firm settled a case in 2018 in which a man was injured when a truck driver fell asleep. What happened next wasn’t that the tractor trailer drove into the client’s lane, but rather into the guard rail. The guard rail was carried into several lanes of traffic. Unable to maneuver around the object, the client drove over the guardrail while traveling at 65 mph. Whether your injury happened due to a fatigued truck driver, an unsafe turn by a UPS truck driver, or a commercial truck speeding to their next job, a personal injury lawyer will be able to help you sort out options.
Why should I hire a lawyer? I got an offer and need to pay medical bills.
If you have pending medical bills it may be tempting to settle a semi-truck accident claim quickly. But there are a few reasons waiting to settle can save you money in the long run.
- You may not be fully aware of your injuries.
- Additional treatments may be needed before the injuries can heal.
- The victim experienced unexpected pain and anguish in their personal life.
If you believe that your insurance adjuster is looking out for you in settlement proceedings – think again. Don’t forget that your insurance adjuster is employed by the insurance company. Their purpose is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
You can avoid the risk of accepting a settlement claim that doesn’t fully cover you if you wait. An experienced personal injury attorney will help you to make the right decision on when to settle. The answer to “should I hire a lawyer?” is often “yes.”
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Tractor-trailor Accident Compensation in Texas
Even if two people were in similar crashes they won’t have the same outcome in a settlement or jury verdict. Say a middle aged man and a young woman were each rear ended by semis on the same stretch of highway. Though their crashes may seem similar, recovery time, loss of work, and need for medical care will all be factors in determining the true value of the case.
How do I calculate a truck accident settlement?
There’s no set “calculation” for determining the value of a semi truck case. Looking at values from other truck cases in the area may not give you realistic expectations.
The best way to estimate the value of your case is to contact a personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.
Lawyers know how to negotiate with all parties involved in truck accident cases. McMinn Law Firm will notify the insurance company for the truck company of our representation. Then we will be able to determine how much money is available for your recovery. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) requires trucking companies to carry much larger minimum policies than individuals. Your truck accident law firm will demand a certified declarations (DEC) sheet from the truck company’s insurance policy. It’ll outline the specific coverage under the insurance policy.
It’s possible your attorney will be able to tell you how much money is available once they receive the DEC. Talk with your attorney about how much is available. They may be able to reduce the cost of some medical bills as a way of increasing your truck accident settlement amount.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
If you are wondering how much your case is worth, contact an experienced personal injury attorney for a free consultation. Accidents that cause significant, severe injury may leave a client with broken bones, a need for surgery, permanent disability, or cause death. In cases of extremely severe injury an attorney may request the entire amount of the insurance policy held by the trucking company.
What happens after I hire a truck accident lawyer?
Attorneys at McMcminn law firm know how to negotiate with the many parties that could be involved in the case. Unlike with a car vs car accident, a truck accident could have happened because of many more factors. A potentially overlooked, but very important area of safety is the weight and handling of the freight. How goods are transported from Point A to Point B is regulated by the Office of Freight Management and Operations in the U.S. Department of Transportation. This office conducts research and provides regulations for the transportation of goods industry. When trucking companies fail to comply with these regulations, they can put the community at risk.
Dangers of Truck Accidents in Texas
Trucks typically weigh 80 tons. To put that in perspective, that’s about the size of 10 large adult elephants. With their size, it’s no wonder that large trucks can cause damage. In the earliest available years of data, the number of people injured in large truck crashes climbs to new highs each year. In 2017, 148,000 people were injured in large truck crashes.(1)
The number of large trucks registered in the United States has doubled since 1975.(2) However through sensible regulation and safety improvements to vehicles, the rate of fatal semi truck crashes has declined since 1975. Trends in truck-car crashes show that when truck companies comply with safety regulations, fewer injuries happen.
- In 1975, 4.58 fatal crashes occurred for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
- By 2014, the rate of fatality per 100 million VMT has been reduced to 1.23.
Wrongful Death Semi Crash Attorney
Due to the extreme consequences of truck crashes, some crashes result in the ultimate tragedy. Learn more about who can sue for wrongful death in Texas.
Fatal truck crashes have largely declined since 2015 – proponents of increased safety measures have marked this as a success of their initiatives.
- In 2014, large truck crashes caused 3,424 traffic fatalities in the United States. In total, there were 29,989 collision fatalities in 2014.
- Semi crashes made up 11 percent of total crash deaths.
- The percentage of fatal crashes involving large trucks has declined since 1975.
Infographic: Dangers Of Truck Crashes
Weighing in at an average of 40 tons, semi-trucks can cause severe damage in vehicle accidents. Shipment of goods and services puts more vehicle miles traveled on commercial vehicles. But at what cost? In recent years, estimates show that $112B U.S. dollars are spent each year on injuries and loss of life. View this infographic to see why commercial vehicles can cause so much damage on Texas roads and in communities like Austin.
Dangers of Truck Accidents in Texas
Even with higher scrutiny on large vehicles, violations still occur and put Texans at risk for injury. McMinn Law Firm client Delaney Nelson endured a horrific truck crash that was caught on tape and quickly went viral in Austin, TX.
Cases like the 2222 gravel truck case, represented by Justin McMinn, unfortunately happen too often. Cases in which the truck never should have been on the road, or where the driver never should have been behind the wheel demand competent legal advocates.
Truck Accident Lawyer’s View
Safety should be the highest priority of laws surrounding the trucking industry. The Texas economy relies on the ability of products and goods to be transferred from producer to shopper. However that should not come at the cost of injuries when sleep deprived truck drivers cause crashes in Texas.
It’s the responsibility of trucking companies to maintain the highest standard of safety when operating large commercial vehicles on community roads.
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This page was written as a collaboration between members of the McMinn Law Firm legal staff. It was edited by Austin truck accident attorney Justin McMinn. We value your feedback. For any questions about the content of this page, please contact McMinn Law Firm at community@mcminnlaw.com.