Our ability to hear is something that most of us take for granted until something happens to reduce that ability. Whether it is listening to our favorite music, enjoying a conversation with loved ones, or completing job responsibilities, we use our sense of hearing every day. When a work accident, car crash, or another incident causes hearing loss, the results can be devastating. If you or a loved one suffered hearing loss in an unexpected accident, you may be interested in exploring your legal options.

Hearing Loss Caused by Work Accidents

Our ears are sensitive to loud, sudden noises as well as prolonged exposure to noise. Individuals who work around heavy equipment, such as construction workers or oil rig workers, may suffer hearing loss because of extremely loud equipment. These workers may also suffer hearing problems because of an explosion or blowout. Whatever the cause, losing your ability to hear can dramatically impact your life.

Some workers who suffer hearing loss may be entitled to compensation through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. However, workers’ compensation is not required in Texas. Furthermore, offshore oil rig workers subject to the Jones Act are unable to recover compensation through workers’ compensation. However, workers who are hurt on the job may have the right to sue their employers for damages if the employer’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident.

Original publication date: 7/20/20

When cellphones first became popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, phones were capable of little more than making and receiving calls. Today’s smartphones allow us to do everything from banking to online shopping. Using a cell phone while driving is associated with a much higher risk of being in an accident. One study showed that drivers who were texting and driving are over 20 times more likely to be involved in a collision. It is estimated that almost one in five crashes in Texas are caused by a distracted driver. 

If you have been injured by another driver in a car accident, you may need to deal with a variety of issues, including receiving treatment for your injuries, being unable to work while you are recovering, and repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle. If the driver who caused a collision did not have insurance, you may be worried about how you will be able to cover your expenses and make a full recovery. Fortunately, by working with a personal injury attorney, you can determine your options for receiving insurance coverage or pursuing compensation from other sources.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If the driver who was at fault for a car wreck was uninsured, you can usually receive coverage through your own auto insurance policy. All car insurance policies are required to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage will address situations where an at-fault driver had no insurance, and underinsured motorist coverage will be available in cases where a driver’s insurance policy will not fully cover your expenses. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage must be provided at the minimum amounts for liability insurance. In Texas, these amounts are $30,000 for the bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for the bodily injury or death of two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage.

While your own insurance policy will provide you with coverage in cases where another driver did not have insurance, receiving payments that fully address your injuries and damages can sometimes be difficult. A skilled attorney can speak to your insurance company on your behalf and negotiate a settlement that will fully cover your injuries and property damage.

Tragically, many car accidents involving large commercial trucks are deadly. Even more tragically, many fatal truck accidents are preventable. If you have lost a spouse, parent, child, or another close family member in a truck crash, you know first-hand just how devastating these accidents can be. You may be interested in exploring your legal options but are unsure of whether taking legal action is the right step. Read on to learn about the potential benefits of filing a wrongful death claim after losing a loved one in a truck crash in Texas.

Seeking Justice for a Loved One Killed by Negligence

The word “negligence” is a legal term used to describe irresponsible or reckless behavior that causes injury to someone. Many truck accidents are caused by the negligent actions of one or more parties. Fatal truck crashes may be caused by negligence in the form of:

• Intoxicated driving
• Distracted driving
• Inadequate truck maintenance
• Trucking company shortcuts or oversights
• Negligent design or manufacture of truck parts
• Improper loading and securement of truck cargo
• Negligent road design or maintenance

If another party’s careless or unlawful actions led to your loved one’s death. A wrongful death claim may be the best way to hold that party accountable for your family’s tragic loss.