What Texas House Bill 19 Means for Victims of Truck Crashes
Texas House Bill 19 was signed into law in mid-June of this year and goes into effect on September 1, 2021. The legislation amends Chapter 72 of Texas’ Civil Practice and Remedies Code, specifically, the issue of liability for truck accidents. Car crashes involving large commercial trucks such as flatbeds and tanker trucks often cause catastrophic damage. Life-changing injuries, including disfiguring burns, amputations, and traumatic brain injuries are not uncommon in accidents involving commercial vehicles. Sadly, many truck collisions are fatal.
If you or a loved one were involved in a large truck crash or an accident caused by spilled truck cargo, you could be entitled to compensation for lost income and lost earning capacity, hospital bills, physical therapy, surgery, and more. You could also be eligible for non-economic damages that compensate you for your physical pain, mental and emotional distress, and lost quality of life.
It is important to know how HB 19 could affect your truck accident injury case.
Truck Accident Injury Lawsuits
HB 19 was proposed by State Representative Jeff Leach in response to the increasing frequency of truck accident lawsuits. Supporters of the legislation claim that many truck accident lawsuits are unsubstantiated. Opponents call attention to the fact that truck accident fatalities have more than doubled in the last decade and that truck drivers and trucking companies should be held responsible when a truck crash seriously injures or kills someone.
Employer Liability for Truck Accidents in Texas
Traditionally, when a truck driver causes an accident, the driver’s employer is ultimately liable for damages. The new law increases the standard for finding a trucking company liable for a truck crash and instead shifts more of the responsibility onto the truck driver. Determining liability for a commercial truck accident was already complicated before this legislation was introduced. Now, it is even more important that anyone hurt in a truck collision seek legal counsel from an attorney who understands the complexities of truck accident lawsuits.
Contact a New Braunfels Truck Crash Lawyer
If you lost a loved one or were injured in a truck-related car accident, contact The Bettersworth Law Firm for help. Texas truck accident injury attorney James S. Bettersworth can help you build a compelling claim and pursue monetary damages for your losses. Mr. Bettersworth understands the legal complexities associated with truck accident claims. He has a proven track record of recovering lucrative settlements for injured victims and their families. Call 830-443-9193 for a free consultation today.
Source:
https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB19/id/2407381
