A spinal injury from a truck accident doesn't just leave you with physical pain—it turns your entire life upside down. If you've been hit by a semi-truck and are struggling with medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about the future, this guide will walk you through exactly how to fight for the compensation you deserve.
1. Story Is Your Strongest Weapon (Document Everything!)
Most people think evidence starts with police reports—but in 18-wheeler crash cases, your personal account can make or break your claim.
Here's what matters most:
- What happened before the crash?
Example: "One client noticed the truck drifting between lanes minutes before impact—a key sign of driver fatigue." - How did your injury affect your daily life?
"Could you pick up your kids after the crash?"
"Were you unable to work because of spinal fusion surgery?"
2. Medical Records: The Backbone of Your Case
Spinal injuries may be invisible, but your medical records tell a story that no insurer—or truck accident lawyer—can overlook after an 18-wheeler crash.
What to demand from doctors:
- MRI reports showing herniated discs (specify C6-C7 or L4-L5 for credibility).
- Notes linking your injury to the crash (e.g., "Patient's acute lumbar pain began immediately post-accident.").
3. Why Truck Crashes Are Different (And Harder to Win)
Unlike car accidents, big rig crashes involve:
- More than one party may be responsible for an 18-wheeler crash — including the driver, the trucking company, the mechanic, or even the people who loaded the cargo.
- Black box data (showing speed, braking, and hours driven—FMCSA rules cap driving at 11 hours/day).
- Corporate cover-ups (Example: "We once found a company falsified maintenance logs after a tire blowout.").
This is where a truck accident attorney fights hardest: We subpoena employment records, inspection histories, and driver drug tests.
4. Insurance Tactics to WATCH OUT For
They'll try:
- Lowball offers ("Take $30k now!")—but spinal surgeries can cost $500k+.
- Recorded statements (they'll twist your words).
Your response?
- "I'll consult my lawyer first."
- "We'll calculate lifetime care costs before discussing settlements."
5. Compensation You Might Not Know You Can Claim
Beyond medical bills, we fight for:
- Lost future earnings (if you can't return to construction work).
- Home modifications (ramps, stairlifts for paralysis victims).
- "Pain and suffering" (Texas allows this under §41.001).
A Houston warehouse worker won $2.3M after proving a trucker's DUI caused his T12 vertebrae fracture. Key evidence? The trucker's logbook showed 16 hours driving before the crash.
Final Advice: Act Fast, But Don't Rush
In Texas, you have two years to file a claim — but key evidence from an 18-wheeler crash can vanish in just a few months.
Do this NOW:
- Get a free medical lien evaluation (so you don't pay upfront).
- Download our 'Truck Accident Checklist' (link) to help preserve evidence.
Bottom Line:
It's not only about the money—it's about making careless trucking companies answer for their actions. With the right truck accident lawyer, you can turn pain into power.