An off-duty reserve deputy constable was killed in a collision with a commercial truck on a Gulf Coast highway, and surviving family members may have legal options under Texas wrongful death law.
Get Connected Now →Losing a family member in a fatal truck crash is a devastating, life-altering event. When that loss happens on a Texas highway because of a commercial vehicle collision, families are left facing funeral costs, lost income, and grief while insurers and trucking companies begin building their own legal defense immediately. You deserve someone in your corner from the start.
Crashes involving 18-wheelers on busy Gulf Coast freight corridors like those near Winnie in Chambers County can involve complex liability questions, including driver fatigue, cargo loading, vehicle maintenance records, and carrier compliance with federal trucking regulations. Families should not have to navigate that alone while mourning a loved one.
Under Texas law, a surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased are generally entitled to bring a wrongful death claim. If none of those parties file within three months, the executor or administrator of the estate may file on behalf of the estate.
Texas generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death and personal injury claims. That clock typically starts on the date of the fatal incident, so contacting an attorney as soon as possible helps preserve your options and critical evidence.
Potentially yes. In Texas, trucking companies can face liability under theories including negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and vicarious liability for their drivers. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations may also be relevant to establishing fault.
Texas wrongful death claims may seek damages for funeral and burial costs, the deceased person's lost earning capacity, loss of companionship and support, and mental anguish experienced by surviving family members. Each case is different and outcomes vary.
No. HurtMatch is a legal referral service, not a law firm. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. We connect you with independent licensed Texas attorneys who can evaluate your specific situation.