Defining Trucks Under Texas Law: What You Need to Know
The Texas Transportation Code defines a “truck” as a motor vehicle “designed, used, or maintained primarily to transport property.” Thus, trucks meet the state’s definition of a “commercial motor vehicle,” which is any self-propelled or towed vehicle used to transport passengers or cargo that meets at least one of the following criteria:
- The vehicle or combination of vehicles has a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating exceeding 26,000 pounds;
- The vehicle is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or
- The vehicle transports hazardous materials that require placarding by regulations under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. A farm vehicle with a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of less than 48,000 pounds does not fall under this definition.
Examples of Commercial Trucks Involved in Accidents
- Semi-trailer trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Box trucks
- Car haulers
- Tanker trucks
- Refrigerator trucks
- Tow trucks
- Dump trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Concrete mixers
- Fire trucks
- Crane trucks
- Logging trucks
- Livestock trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Utility trucks
- Food trucks
- Street sweepers
- Moving trucks
- School buses
- Public transit buses
- Shuttle buses
- Hazardous material trucks
- Bucket trucks
- Mobile crane trucks
- Cherry picker trucks
- Beverage trucks
- Armored trucks
- 18-Wheeler trucks
What Compensation Can a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Help You Recover?
When you file a truck accident claim, you could be entitled to compensation for the losses you incurred in the crash, including the following:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Future costs related to injuries
- Lost income
- Lost lifetime earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Property damage
In addition, if a truck accident becomes a fatal one, the surviving family may file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Deadlines to File a Lawsuit with a Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
Under the Texas statute of limitations, a plaintiff has two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, including a suit for a truck accident. The two-year window starts from the date of the accident that injured you. If you miss the two-year deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation in civil court.
While this deadline doesn’t apply to insurance claims, you might have a shorter deadline for filing claims depending on specific insurance policies. Furthermore, the ability to sue can be a powerful bargaining chip during settlement negotiations with insurers. Because of these reasons, it is crucial to keep the statute of limitations in mind if you seek compensation through a lawsuit or an insurance claim.
An attorney can help you determine which deadlines apply to your case and ensure the necessary legal paperwork is filed promptly and correctly.
Frequent Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Texas
Various types of truck accidents can occur due to the size, weight, and characteristics of 18-wheeler trucks. The more common types of truck accidents in Texas include the following:
