The Edwards Law Firm The Edwards Law Firm 2026-11-13T07:06:24Z https://www.edwardsfirm.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1504427/2025/03/cropped-Edward_Law_Firm_site-icon-32x32.png On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[What Texas’s modified comparative fault rule means for you]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48402 2026-11-03T09:10:40Z 2026-11-03T09:10:40Z Imagine driving through busy streets in Texas when another driver’s car clips yours. Even when you are sure you were not at fault for the incident, an insurance company may claim you are partially at fault. If you worry about how to protect yourself in this scenario, do not panic. The right legal strategies can protect your right to recover damages.  It is important to know that partial fault does not automatically destroy your compensation claim. Texas law actually allows you to recover damages even when you share some responsibility for the accident.

Understanding the 51% rule

Texas follows a proportionate responsibility statute that can work in your favor. As long as your percentage of responsibility is not greater than 50%, you can still recover damages. However, your fault percentage reduces any compensation.  For example, if you are found 30% responsible for a car accident, your compensation is reduced by30%. This means that if your damages total $100,000, you might get only $70,000. When your percentage of fault is 51% or above, you cannot recover anything. Fault determination is absolutely crucial to your claim's success.

How insurers weaponize this rule

Insurance adjusters know this rule well and often use it to minimize payouts. They examine every detail of your accident to look for ways to shift blame. Common tactics can include the following:
  • Twisting your words from recorded statements to suggest you admitted fault
  • Highlighting any traffic violations, even minor ones
  • Using your case’s lack of evidence against you
  • Offering quick, low settlements before you understand your rights
These tactics serve the purpose of assigning you enough fault to either bar your claim entirely or reduce what they owe you.

Protecting your claim

You can take immediate steps to protect yourself from unfair fault allocation. Do not forget to document all details of your accident to build strong evidence supporting your injury claim. Take photos of the accident scene and gather witness contact information. Additionally, watch what you say. Do not admit fault or apologize to anyone, and stick to the facts when reporting the incident. Avoid giving recorded statements without legal guidance and figure out your strategies before taking concrete action.

Countering insurer tactics

Before accepting any settlement offer, consider your next steps carefully. Insurance companies, even your own, may work against you to protect their own interests. If there is a dispute over fault, you may need the help of an experienced Texas personal injury professional. They can help you counter fault-shifting tactics and gather evidence.]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[Steps to seeking maximum compensation after a motorcycle accident]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48398 2026-10-22T15:55:56Z 2026-10-22T15:53:19Z Preserve physical evidence Texas allows injured parties to present physical evidence in court. Your damaged helmet, riding gear and motorcycle components are direct proof of what happened during the crash. Insurance companies and courts rely on this kind of tangible evidence to understand the severity of an accident. Repairing your motorcycle too soon or discarding damaged gear can erase critical proof before it is ever examined.

Understand Texas helmet laws

Insurance companies often look for any reason to reduce their payout, and helmet use is one area they closely examine. In Texas, all motorcycle riders under 21 are required to wear a helmet. Riders 21 and older may ride without one if they have completed a safety course or carry health insurance. However, the state prohibits insurance companies from using your choice not to wear a helmet as evidence of comparative negligence against you in court.

Avoid giving a recorded statement

Insurance adjusters often reach out shortly after an accident. They may request a recorded statement, framing it as a routine step. However, insurance companies can actually use your words to limit what you can recover. Adjusters may ask questions in ways that can make your injuries seem less severe or suggest that you share fault for the accident. Even a simple, offhand comment gives insurers the ammunition they need to justify paying you less.

Review settlement offers before accepting

Insurance companies frequently make quick settlement offers after accidents. These offers are usually far lower than what your case is truly worth. Once you accept a settlement, it closes your claim permanently and blocks any future attempt to recover more.

Know what damages you can recover

Texas law allows motorcycle accident victims to recover compensation for several types of losses, including:
  • Past and future medical bills
  • Ongoing rehabilitation and care
  • Lost earning capacity if injuries limit your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disfigurement
Insurance companies often offer lower settlements when victims do not understand the full value of their claims. Identifying every category of loss ensures your claim reflects the true cost of your accident.

Securing financial recovery after a motorcycle wreck

Motorcycle accidents often leave victims dealing with serious injuries and mounting medical bills all at once. The decisions you make in the days and weeks following the crash can either protect or hurt your claim. Taking the right steps early can help you recover the full extent of your losses.]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[Who is liable for damages in a commercial Texas truck wreck?]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48373 2026-08-27T08:47:25Z 2026-08-27T08:47:25Z Most big truck crashes in Texas have many causes. A driver might cause the wreck, but the company that hired them may also be at fault. Furthermore, other groups like repair shops, shippers, or part makers, could be liable too. However, new Texas laws make it harder to hold these companies fully responsible. Let’s look at how liability works in Texas truck accidents and what money you can recover in court.

What shields trucking companies?

In practice, finding out who is at fault after a truck crash is hard because of new laws.  With Texas House Bill 19 (HB 19) passed in 2021, the law changes how you can sue trucking firms. As a result, this law erected substantial barriers that separate driver negligence from the company’s corporate liability. Some key parts of HB 19 include:
  • Forked or bifurcated trials: The trial splits into two phases. Phase 1 looks at driver negligence and compensatory damages. On the other hand, Phase 2 determines the employer's direct liability and punitive damages.
  • Heightened burden of proof: The law restricts presenting direct negligence claims against the employer in Phase 1. Consequently, you must follow strict procedural steps to prove vicarious liability.
  • Corporate protective measures: The trucking company gains a defense that protects them from immediate scrutiny.
By forcing the focus onto the driver first, HB 19 makes it harder to hold the company itself accountable for systemic failures.

Recoverable damages

Victims of truck wrecks often face life-altering injuries and astronomical costs. Therefore, if you are involved in a truck accident, it is necessary to calculate and pursue all recoverable damages. They fall into a few general categories:
  • Medical debt and future care: This includes your hospital bills, surgery and rehabilitation costs. However, damages may include lifelong medical treatment, home modifications and specialized care.
  • Lost earning capacity: Beyond immediate lost wages, victims can recover compensation for the loss of future income.
  • Non-economic damages: Texas law allows for the recovery of "pain and suffering," mental anguish and physical impairment. 
  • Exemplary (punitive) damages: Finally, there are cases where courts may award punitive damages to punish the corporation for its conduct. This is done to deter future similar incidents.
HB 19 has created a more challenging environment for injured parties. Nevertheless, a detailed legal strategy focused on comprehensive damage assessment remains the most effective way to secure compensation. If you are seeking to recover punitive damages, consider consulting a legal professional.  After all, knowing the law can help you develop a strategy tailored to your situation.]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[Crushed by an 18-wheeler: Why commercial truck accidents demand a different level of fight]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48371 2026-08-13T23:55:18Z 2026-08-13T07:50:42Z sound of an 18-wheeler hitting your vehicle can change your life in seconds. After the crash, you may face serious injuries, shock and uncertainty about what comes next. On major South Texas routes such as I-37 and US-77, the size and weight of commercial trucks can make a collision especially severe. You may also face another challenge after the crash. A trucking company may have insurers, claims staff and legal teams working to protect its interests. As a result, you may feel as if you are facing a harder legal challenge while still dealing with the effects of the collision.

Why can commercial truck crashes require more evidence?

A truck crash may involve more than the driver’s actions. Your legal team may need to review the driver’s hours, the company’s schedules and records from the truck itself. Fatigue can play a role in some truck crashes. Truck drivers may travel long distances and work demanding schedules. Records may show how long a driver stayed on the road before a crash. Electronic logging devices may also provide information about driving time. Other evidence may include:
  • Truck data showing speed, braking and driving activity
  • Dispatch records showing the driver’s work schedule
  • Traffic or dashcam video showing lane movement or delayed braking
  • Police reports and witness accounts describing what happened
Taken together, these records may help show what happened before the collision. They could also raise questions about the driver’s actions, work schedule or other factors that may have contributed to the crash.

How can Texas law affect your claim?

Texas law allows a court or jury to assign a percentage of responsibility to people who contributed to an injury. Depending on the facts, that may include you, the truck driver or other parties. As a result, the details of your crash can become important when people dispute responsibility. A trucking company may question your actions, so evidence from the crash scene and truck records could help clarify what happened.

Why can a truck crash involve more than the collision?

A commercial truck crash may raise questions about more than how the vehicles collided. The driver’s conduct, the trucking company’s practices and the truck’s condition may all need review. For example, investigators may examine:
  • Driver fatigue: Whether the driver’s hours on the road may have affected alertness or reaction time
  • Driver training: Whether the driver had the training and experience needed to operate the truck safely
  • Truck maintenance: Whether brake, tire or equipment problems may have contributed to the crash
  • Company records: Whether schedules, dispatch records or other documents may show factors that contributed to the collision
These issues can matter because a commercial truck crash may involve several possible causes. Looking beyond the point of impact could help identify facts that a review of the crash scene alone may not reveal.

When the truck changes everything

A commercial truck crash can create serious physical, financial and emotional challenges. You may have little time or energy to sort through records while recovering. Legal counsel may also help you identify relevant evidence and assess the issues that could arise after a serious collision.]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[The hidden danger of delayed pain after a Corpus Christi crash]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48367 2026-08-11T15:04:29Z 2026-08-11T15:04:29Z Your body masks pain after a crash After a car accident, your body releases adrenaline and endorphins, stress hormones that temporarily mask pain and injury. This natural response can keep you from realizing how injured you really are until these chemicals wear off, often hours or even a full day later. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash, sprains and muscle tears become more painful as swelling and inflammation develop over time. Brain injuries such as concussions may not show symptoms immediately, with confusion, dizziness and headaches appearing gradually. Internal injuries to organs may not cause obvious symptoms until hours later, making them especially dangerous if left untreated.

Common delayed injuries to watch for

Several types of injuries are known for delayed symptoms:
  • Whiplash and neck strains may not be noticeable until the next day, causing neck pain, reduced range of motion, headaches and shoulder discomfort.
  • Concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries can develop slowly, causing brain fog, sensitivity to light or trouble concentrating without any loss of consciousness.
  • Back and spine injuries, including herniated discs and nerve compression, often take time to become painful as inflammation increases.
  • Severe bruising, especially purple or blue marks on the sides or abdomen, may show blood pooling under your skin from internal trauma.
  • Abdominal pain that feels firm or rigid, along with nausea and dizziness, can signal internal bleeding.
  • Difficulty breathing may point to chest wall or lung injuries that require immediate medical attention.
If you notice any of these symptoms in the hours, days or weeks following your accident, seek medical attention immediately.

Why seeing a doctor immediately protects your health and claim

Even if you feel fine after a Corpus Christi car accident, seeing a doctor within 24 to 72 hours is critical. Early medical evaluation can identify injuries before they worsen and prevent long-term complications. Medical records created immediately after the accident establish a clear link between the collision and your injuries. Insurance companies frequently argue that delayed injuries were caused by something other than the accident, and without prompt documentation, you may lose the ability to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Document your symptoms, follow your treatment plan and keep records of all medical visits and expenses to protect both your health and your legal options.  ]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[Can biker bias reduce compensation after a motorcycle crash?]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48370 2026-08-13T23:54:35Z 2026-07-23T06:17:19Z Understanding bias in valuation Stereotypes about motorcyclists can shape how an insurer reviews your claim and how a witness describes the crash. Those views do not prove fault, yet they may influence settlement talks and a jury’s interpretation of the evidence. In Texas, your damages are reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. A finding of more than 50% bars recovery entirely, so unsupported assumptions about your riding could affect both the size of your award and whether you obtain compensation at all.

Identifying bias in early crash accounts

Before a complete review of the evidence, several sources can influence how others interpret a collision:
  • Media portrayals that associate riders with risk-taking
  • Witness accounts that fill gaps with expectations rather than observed details
  • Police reports that record an officer’s opinion about contributing factors
An insurer may rely on an early account or an unsupported allegation about your speed to argue that you bear more responsibility. Photographs, video footage, vehicle damage and electronic data can help determine whether those assertions match what occurred.

Establishing facts through evidence

Documentation can address both fault and the losses caused by the accident:
  • 911 calls, dashcam footage and nearby surveillance that establish the sequence of events
  • Skid marks, debris patterns and reconstruction analysis that estimate speed, direction and the point of impact
  • Medical records, employment documents and expert opinions that connect the crash to your injuries and financial losses
Taken together, these materials focus the claim on what occurred and the harm that followed rather than assumptions about the decision to ride. They can support your account of the crash and the compensation you seek during negotiations or at trial.

Challenging unsupported fault arguments

An attorney can examine the crash report for factual errors and gather proof that supports a correction. Counsel can then take that material to the agency that filed it and request a supplement on the disputed point. Saving your damaged gear, repair records and written exchanges helps document both the collision and the insurer's stance. When the company assigns blame without a clear basis, this file can show whether a lower offer rests on real evidence or on assumptions about motorcycle riders.]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[How black boxes and logbooks help prove fault in truck accidents]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48365 2026-06-25T10:24:33Z 2026-06-25T10:24:33Z Evidence can strengthen a truck accident claim Instead of relying only on conflicting statements, investigators often compare digital records with physical evidence from the scene. Black box data and driver logbooks can provide a clearer record of the trip before the crash. These sources may help establish fault in several ways, including:
  • They can capture key crash details: Black box data may show speed, brake use, engine performance and other activity shortly before impact.
  • They may verify statements: The available data can support or challenge statements from the driver or trucking company.
  • They can track driving hours: ELD records may show whether the driver exceeded federal hours-of-service limits. They can also indicate whether fatigue contributed to the crash.
  • They often build a clear timeline of events: Experts may use this information to reconstruct how the crash likely occurred.
  • They may flag mismatches: Investigators can compare log entries with GPS data and fuel receipts to find inconsistencies.
These records often become more important when the parties dispute fault. Under Texas' modified comparative negligence system, each party receives a percentage of responsibility. Your compensation generally decreases by your share of fault. You also generally cannot recover compensation if a judge or jury assigns more than 50% of the responsibility to you. For that reason, reliable evidence may help judges, juries and insurance companies determine each party's share of fault.

Why local legal guidance is important

Building a strong truck accident claim often depends on protecting important evidence before it disappears. Electronic records may not remain available indefinitely, so prompt action matters. That is one reason local legal guidance can be important from the start. An attorney may send a spoliation letter directing the trucking company to preserve black box data, ELD records and other relevant materials. Legal counsel can also compare those records with other evidence to identify inconsistencies.]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[Why trucking regulations fail to stop driver fatigue on Texas roads]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48361 2026-05-28T03:09:22Z 2026-05-27T22:22:52Z The failure of hours-of-service and the pay-per-mile trap The primary catalyst for regulatory failure is how commercial drivers are financially compensated. Because the vast majority of over-the-road drivers are paid using a "pay-per-mile" system, complying with safety laws directly penalizes a driver's paycheck.
  • The fatigue prohibition violations: Under federal law,  a motor carrier is strictly prohibited from requiring or permitting a driver to operate a commercial vehicle while their alertness is impaired by fatigue or illness
  • The hours-of-service limits: Drivers are confined to a strict 11-hour driving limit within a 14-hour window. However, uncompensated detention time at shipping docks forces drivers to push their physical limits to log miles before their legal hours expire.
  • The personal conveyance loophole: To mask actual driving hours, unscrupulous carriers often manipulate electronic logs, improperly categorizing illegal drive time as "personal conveyance" or "yard moves" within the ELD software.
When a corporate carrier allows or forces a driver to falsify ELD logs to meet tight deadlines, they commit a direct federal safety violation.

Corporate coercion and carrier liability under Texas law

While motor carriers publicly praise safety, internal dispatch operations often engage in driver coercion, which is explicitly illegal. This occurs when a carrier threatens a driver with loss of employment or punitive route assignments for refusing to drive while dangerously exhausted. When a fatigue-induced wreck occurs, corporate defense teams will immediately try to frame the incident as an isolated driver error. However, a motor carrier can be held independently liable for gross negligence if it can be proven that they actively encouraged or turned a blind eye to hours-of-service violations. Reviewing the statutory liability rules for Texas commercial trucking accidents is a vital step toward holding corporate entities accountable. Uncovering this negligence requires issuing immediate preservation letters to secure the truck's Electronic Control Module (ECM) data, dispatch logs, and internal messaging history before they are erased. Taking a firm, analytically rigorous stand against predatory economic practices is the only way for injury victims to secure full financial recovery and force safety reforms on Texas roads.  ]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[What happens when adjusters contact crash victims?]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48353 2026-04-30T08:56:43Z 2026-04-30T08:56:43Z The phone call often comes sooner than expected. After a car crash in Corpus Christi, an insurance adjuster may reach out within days, sometimes even hours. That first conversation can feel routine, but it often plays a key role in how your claim unfolds. What gets said, what gets recorded and how details get framed may all shape the outcome later.

Why the first call matters

Insurance adjusters work to evaluate claims and limit payouts for their companies. During that initial call, they may ask about your injuries, the crash itself and your medical care. Answering casually or guessing details may seem harmless, yet even small inconsistencies can raise questions later.  For example, according to experts, whiplash symptoms may not appear for 24 hours or longer. This means early statements about feeling “fine” may later conflict with medical findings once pain develops.

How claims shift fast

Once that first call ends, the process often moves quickly. Adjusters may follow up with requests, documents or even early settlement offers. Recognizing how these steps fit together can make a difference:
  • Accepting a quick settlement may close your claim before all injuries appear.
  • Sharing broad medical authorizations may give access to unrelated records.
  • Giving detailed statements early may limit how facts get clarified later.
  • Delaying responses without context may slow down claim progress.
Each of these moments can influence how the insurance company views your case.

Certified help matters

Not all legal guidance carries the same weight. In Texas, a Board Certified attorney has proven experience and specialized knowledge in personal injury law. That background may help when dealing with adjusters who handle claims every day and know how to spot weaknesses. Working with someone who knows the process can bring more clarity to each step, from early calls to final negotiations.

One call, big impact

That first conversation with an adjuster may seem simple, yet it often sets the tone for everything that follows. Paying attention to how the process unfolds can make a meaningful difference in how your traffic accident claim gets handled and resolved.]]> On Behalf of The Edwards Law Firm <![CDATA[Fighting for support and dignity after a major motorcycle injury]]> https://www.edwardsfirm.com/?p=48354 2026-04-30T08:20:37Z 2026-04-30T08:20:37Z including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), due to their experience. Basic insurance coverage provided by an at-fault driver may be woefully inadequate for the major costs generated by a motorcycle collision. Riders may need to take legal action to pursue the dignity and care they deserve after a collision.

Expenses mount rapidly

Obviously, the cost of trauma care immediately after a motorcycle crash is a significant financial obligation. Surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation services can potentially consume all of the available insurance coverage. Injured riders may require ongoing physical therapy for life in cases involving spinal cord injuries and other severe injuries. They may also require mental health support services to work through the trauma they experienced, as well as the anxiety and depression their new medical challenges may generate. There are also lost future wages and diminished future earning potential to consider. Home health support to administer medical care or assist with daily functions, ranging from personal hygiene needs to home maintenance activities, may be necessary. Those with permanent injuries may also require modifications to their homes, such as the addition of wheelchair ramps, the adjustment of a bathroom to make it accessible or the relocation of a bedroom to the first floor for accessibility reasons. Those changes can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Modified vehicles, such as a wheelchair-accessible van, can also be a significant investment that the rider and their family may need to make repeatedly over the course of their life, as vehicles eventually fail. Motorcycle riders are at risk of inadequate insurance settlements or biased jurors awarding them insufficient compensation. They need the assistance of an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer to maximize the financial recovery after a collision causes permanent injuries. Contacting the Edwards Law Firm can give injured motorcycle riders and their families peace of mind, and the support they receive can help them pursue the financial support and dignity an injured motorcycle rider deserves.]]>