Serving Abilene, Amarillo, El Paso, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa & San Angelo
We extend our services throughout West Texas, including Abilene, Amarillo, El Paso, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, and San Angelo, but the truth is that you can find Arnold & Itkin’s Texas personal injury lawyers nationwide. We have tried cases from coast to coast, representing clients from all 50 states. We encourage you to get in touch with us as soon as possible so that you can learn more about what sets us apart and how we can put that experience to work for you. We have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, including hundreds of cases that were worth more than $1 million, and we look forward to helping you.
To discuss your claim, contact our West Texas accident lawyers. Simply give us a call at (888) 493-1629 or fill out our online form if you would like to receive a free consultation.
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West Texas Catastrophic Injury Attorneys
Helping Serious Injury Survivors in West Texas & Nationwide
There are few things more difficult than dealing with the aftermath of a serious injury. At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we have stood by the side of countless catastrophic injury survivors throughout the years, helping them fight for the full, fair compensation they need to not only take care of themselves but also take care of their families.
Catastrophic injuries occur when an injury permanently impairs a person’s mobility and cognitive abilities. Most injuries of this degree incur enormous costs in medical expenses and future treatments. Thousands of people suffer catastrophic injuries every year, many of them as a result of life-changing accidents.
Common Types of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries aren’t only physically and emotionally damaging, but they also subject survivors and families to financial hardship. It's costly to pay for medical expenses and other treatments, depending on the type of catastrophic injuries. For example, amputation or paralysis may incur long-term costs for prosthetics and equipment to accommodate the injury. Additionally, holding negligent companies or people accountable for their harmful actions can help make sure that what happened to you never happens again.
Different types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Acoustic Trauma: This injury causes hearing loss. When a person suffers acoustic trauma, it permanently changes the way they engage with the world.
- Amputation: The loss of a limb can leave people in pain and anguish for years, while incurring the cost of tens of thousands of dollars in limb prosthetics.
- Blunt Force Trauma: Any force that impacts a specific part of the body can cause serious side effects—especially if the object struck a person on the head.
- Burn Injuries: Burn injuries can have lasting physical and emotional impact. With the need for around-the-clock care and numerous specialists, burn injuries also have the highest hospitalization costs of any injury.
- Neck and Back Injuries: The number one source of chronic pain reported by the American public is neck and back injuries. They can have lasting repercussions that can inhibit mobility and prevent people from going back to work.
- Neurological Injuries: These types of injuries can result in the loss of reasoning abilities and cognitive function, although it is not always visible.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The severe injuries can result in loss of mobility and even total paralysis.
- Vision Lossand Other Eye Injuries: Trauma to the eyes can result in permanent vision loss—changing a person’s life permanently.
If you are looking to file a lawsuit for a severe injury that you or a loved one are dealing with, we are the law firm that you should call. We have a track record of success and a history of getting results, earning record-making victories on behalf of catastrophic injury victims nationwide. For example, we won a confidential settlement of $87 million on behalf of a man who suffered life-threatening burn injuries while on the job. We also helped a client win a $44 million verdict, which was the largest verdict ever won for an amputee victim.
To see our victories for yourself, browse our results today.
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West Texas Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers
Proven Auto Accident Attorneys in West Texas
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we also provide skilled legal assistance for clients who have been involved in a vehicle accident of some kind. From car crashes to motorcycle accidents, we are the personal injury lawyers that can you trust to even the playing field while helping you recover.
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West Texas Truck Accident Attorneys
Speak With Trucking Lawyers Serving West Texas & the Entire U.S.
Big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—the weight of a train car—and there are millions of them traveling U.S. highways alongside vehicles that aren't even a tenth their size. That's why tractor-trailers are involved in some of the worst traffic accidents on the road. Catastrophic injuries mark 18-wheeler crashes, including burn injuries, loss of limbs, traumatic brain injury, and wrongful deaths.
Truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries. When they do, our West Texas truck accident lawyers help people get back on their feet. Our law firm helps commercial drivers, independent contractors, and regular commuters pay for medical care and replace their income so they can focus on getting better and moving forward. Our clients have won billions thanks to our guidance and resources.
Long-Haul Drivers Working Themselves to Death
Trucking company policies are putting the public at risk.
Thousands of drivers are getting behind the wheel of their big rigs with dangerously low levels of sleep. Why? Because truck drivers are largely paid by the mile—allowing companies to put the risks and costs of long-haul trucking on them. Time spent getting the rig inspected, waiting for loading and unloading, or getting a new load from a dispatcher is all unpaid. This pushes drivers to haul as fast and for as long as they can. New drivers are encouraged (unofficially, of course) to keep two logbooks so they can violate hours of service regulations.
Their grueling schedule forces them to go without adequate sleep. Losing sleep to drive longer hauls has a measurable effect on highway safety. Experts estimate that 13 percent of truck crashes are directly caused by fatigue—but researchers say the actual number is far higher since fatigue affects far more crashes that are reported. Up to 1 in 4 truck crashes happen when a driver has been hauling for longer than 17 hours. The problem is killing passenger drivers and truckers alike—of the 5,000+ trucking fatalities every year, as many as 700 are truckers.
Truck accidents we've represented include:
FedEx & UPS Truck Accident Lawyers
In the general freight hauling industry, there are two companies that dominate the landscape: Federal Express and United Parcel Service. These two global brands control half of the U.S. freight delivery industry by themselves—meaning their practices and profit margins can shape the industry. Unfortunately, the shape it's taking isn't one that's good for drivers. From 2015 to 2017, UPS trucks were involved in 2,003 crashes, injuring 689 and killing 49. Those numbers represent a 38 percent increase in the number of crashes since 2012. While FedEx trails behind UPS, their rate of increase is staggering—FedEx trucks have been involved with 273 percent more fatalities since 2012. Together, the two companies have more than 210,000 vehicles on the road.
See for yourself—find out how often trucking companies get into accidents on the FMCSA website.
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West Texas Car Accident Lawyers
Texas Car Accident Attorneys Helping the Victims of Serious Collisions
Many car accidents life-changing injuries that left victims in physical distress and with expensive medical bills. If you were in a serious car accident, you may feel hopeless, but there is hope for recovery. Victims of car accidents are entitled to seek compensation for their losses from those at fault.
What Are Common Causes of West Texas Car Accidents?
Distracted driving continues to be the number one cause of car accidents in the United States. Distracted driving results in reckless and negligent behavior that put other people on the road at risk. Ultimately, all car accidents are preventable with proper vigilance; when bad drivers fail to pay attention to the road, other people suffer the most.
Some of the most common causes of West Texas car accidents include the following:
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Cars that are not well maintained can break down and cause devastating accidents. For example, improperly monitored tire pressure or failing to get regular checkups can lead to serious - Aggressive Driving or Road Rage
It is common for drivers to get angry, but this is no excuse for reckless driving. Aggressive driving can cause drivers to tailgate, excessive change in lanes, and speed. All these actions increase the likelihood of an accident. - Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cause a catastrophic accident. Alcohol causes drivers to become drowsy and lose focus while slowing down their reflexes. Drunk drivers simply don’t have the cognitive function to be able to control their vehicle. - Unsafe Roadways
If the state fails to keep highways in proper conditions, it can become a significant contributor to car accidents. Ignored potholes, roads with limited visibility, and lack of traffic signs can lead drivers to collide with another vehicle or pedestrian. - Distracted Drivers
It only takes a few seconds to reply to a text message, but that's all it takes to cause a tragic accident. Distracted driving is much more dangerous than drivers realize. - Tired Drivers
Driving for long periods of time or driving after a long day can make drivers fatigued. This is extremely dangerous because it makes drivers doze off and takes their focus off the road.
How Can I Seek Compensation After a Car Accident in West Texas?
The first thing to do to recover compensation for your damages in a car accident is seek legal advice from a West Texas car accident attorney. An attorney can hire the right experts to investigate the crash and will be able to explain the different legal options available to you.
Helpful questions to ask after a car accident include:
- Could the accident have been prevented?
- Was the other driver operating his/her vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
- Was the other driver talking or texting on his/her cell phone?
- Was the other driver driving faster than the posted speed limit, or too fast for the weather conditions?
- Was the driver distracted in some way other than those listed above?
Can I File suit if my Loved One Was Killed in a West Texas Car Accident?
If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you have the right to seek compensation by filing a wrongful death claim. Contact our West Texas car accident attorneys so we can explain the different legal options for your case.
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West Texas Aviation Accident Lawyers
Get Answers After a Helicopter or Plane Accident
There are few, if any, accidents that can result in as much damage as those involving airplanes and other aircraft. If you or someone you love have been involved in an aviation accident, then it is critical that you get legal assistance that you can trust. This is not the time to work with an inexperienced or green lawyer. You need someone who truly understands how to take on large corporations—someone who is not afraid of a fight.
At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we have earned a reputation of being unafraid of the courtroom. In fact, our West Texas aviation accident attorneys have tried more cases in the last few years than most attorneys do their entire careers. We are well-equipped to handle complex cases involving airplane crashes, helicopter accidents, and more.
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West Texas Railroad Accident Attorneys
Helping Railroad Workers, Passengers & Others Harmed in Train Accidents
When an accident involves a train, finding a lawyer you trust is crucial. We encourage you to contact a West Texas railroad accident attorneys from our personal injury law firm as soon as possible. Our legal team can handle train accident lawsuits of all kinds, including those involving injuries to passengers, as well as railroad workers. In fact, our firm once won a $10.9 million verdict against Union Pacific on behalf of a family who was involved in a serious grade crossing accident. We’re not scared to stand up to large companies and will do everything that we can to see our clients fairly compensated. Get in touch today to get started with a 100% free consult.
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West Texas Work Accident Lawyers
On-the-Job Injury Attorneys Helping West Texas Workers
We help workers throughout West Texas who have been seriously injured while on the job. From land rig accidents on the oilfields of West Texas to construction accidents, you can trust that our firm is there to listen to your story and help you recover the compensation that you truly deserve.
Whether you were injured while driving a commercial vehicle, while operating a rig in an oilfield, or while employed at an industrial plant, we understand what you’re experiencing, and we are ready to help.
Common CAUSES of on-the-job INJURIES
The most common cause of workplace accidents is negligence or the inexperience of employers or co-workers. Employer negligence puts workers in danger—especially if they fail to provide proper safety equipment.
There are many forms of negligence that can lead to injuries, including:
- Equipment Failures—Serious injuries can be caused due to poorly maintained or operated machinery. Dangerous equipment can include industrial machinery, vehicles, handheld devices, and electrical equipment.
- Falling Objects & Flying Debris—Falling objects and flying debris often occur at construction sites, logging sites, factories, warehouses, and shipyards. Falling objects and flying debris can cause serious damage to the eyes, ears, and head.
- Slips & Falls—Slippery or cluttered floors can lead to serious, lifelong injuries. These incidents often occur at hospitals, construction sites, factories, warehouses, ships, and drilling rigs.
- Improper Maintenance—Companies need to regularly perform maintenance on machinery and equipment. This will help ensure they are working properly while eliminating any risks.
- Failure to Comply with Safety Regulations—Employers can endanger workers by failing to meet federal regulations that govern workplace health and safety.
- Inadequate Inspections—Regular inspections should be conducted to identify potential risks or hazards. This can include defective ladders, scaffolds, defects with derricks, cranes, hoists, pulleys, forklifts, and winches. This also includes ensuring that employers wear the proper gear to maintain the maximum amount of safety.
- Insufficient Training—Employers must train workers to perform their work safely and how to identify potential hazards in the workplace.
Facts About Work Accidents
Workplace injuries and illnesses often occur, including wrongful deaths. Although wrongful deaths have been declining at a steady pace, it remains a danger in too many workplaces. Many of them are preventable; injuries often occur because of an employer or workplace owner’s negligent behavior.
Below are a few statistics about work accidents:
- 50,000 workers died from occupational diseases—resulting in an average loss of 150 workers per day
- Over the last 4 years, the job fatality rate has remained fairly steady at 3.4 deaths per 100,000 workers.
- Workplace violence caused 24,610 serious injuries and killed 803 workers in 2012.
- The most violated OSHA standard in 2013 was related to fall protection in the construction industry.
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West Texas Construction Accident Lawyers
Billions Won by Construction Injury Attorneys in West Texas, TX
Few industries endanger workers like the construction industry. According to OSHA, the construction industry is responsible for about 1 in 5 fatal work accidents, and about 1 in 10 nonfatal work accidents. Spend one day on a construction site and it’s easy to see why: construction work requires working at great heights, with heavy machinery, in tight spaces, and surrounded by potentially hazardous materials. Thankfully, we have documented nearly every danger a worker might face at a construction site, creating solutions to prevent injury or death.
The problem is that employers often fail to utilize these solutions, citing either costs or time or other excuses. At Arnold & Itkin, we believe there’s zero excuse for allowing construction workers to suffer injury or death on the job. Our West Texas construction injury attorneys hold companies accountable for failing their workers, and we’ve won billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients as a result.
What Is the Fatal Four?
OSHA compiles data on the most frequent accidents in the construction injury, which gives us valuable data on the most hazards every worker is most likely to face. What they’ve found is that the same four hazards are responsible for hundreds of construction deaths every year. OSHA has titled these hazards “The Fatal Four.”
As of 2022, the Fatal Four includes:
- Falls from a height (33.5%)
- Being struck by objects (11.1%)
- Electrocution (8.5%)
- Caught between objects or machinery (5.5%)
Fatal Four accidents are all preventable; any fatalities due to these hazards are all due to lack of safe equipment, training, or staffing. Hundreds of lives could be saved if employers just fixed these four hazards.
Why Do Construction Accidents Happen?
All construction injuries are rooted in human error. Supervisors, equipment leasing companies, or even other workers practice negligence every day, eventually resulting in life-changing accidents. The key to preventing human error is self-inspection, training, and accountability—and sometimes, that accountability has to come from an external source.
Negligence at construction sites also looks like:
- Poor site design
- Poorly marked (or unmarked) hazards
- Safety code violations
- Old or badly maintained equipment
- Overly aggressive completion dates
In most cases involving negligence, accidents come from bad policies. Supervisors and employers cut corners, trying to shave time and money off the budget. Unfortunately, it’s the construction workers who pay the price for it. Getting companies to change means making them answer for every accident, forcing them to provide for every injured worker out of their own pocket. That’s what our West Texas construction accident lawyers do.
What Are Common Types of Construction Accidents in West Texas?
- Scaffolding Accidents: scaffolding causes more than 4,500 injuries annually, with dozens of fatalities. Scaffolds are required to be able to carry four times its maximum intended load to prevent accidents due to support giving way, a commonly cited cause of scaffolding accidents.
- Falling from a Height: OSHA reported more than 660 deaths due to falling from a height in 2014. That doesn’t account for the thousands who suffered serious injuries after surviving a fall.
- Poor Equipment Management: Forklifts, cranes, and other high-stakes machinery are common tools at a construction site. When workers are poorly trained or the equipment is badly cared for, it puts everyone else at risk. Employers need to invest in adequate training, supervision, and equipment maintenance.
- Toxic Exposure: Construction companies are filled with substances that corrode, irritate, ignite, or cause other kinds of harm. Employers must meet strict safety standards to ensure their workers’ safety and health.
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West Texas Wrongful Death Attorneys
Helping Families Across West Texas & Nationwide. Over $15 Billion Won.
When a family loses a loved one, they experience one of the most difficult and painful situations that they will ever face. Sometimes, death and grieving are made extra difficult if the death was caused by the negligence of another person or entity. Wrongful death often causes the loss of income, lower quality of life, and emotional distress.
Though these times may seem hopeless, it is important to know that you may have legal options. By contacting the experienced West Texas wrongful death attorneys at Arnold & Itkin, you will be taking the first step to getting the help that you deserve. We know how difficult this time is—call us to find out how we can help you.
When to File a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death occurs when the negligence of an individual or company causes a person’s untimely death. When a person is killed, they often leave behind family members who relied on them for financial support. These family members can pursue at-fault parties for damages caused by the wrongful death of their relative.
Negligent parties must be held accountable for their actions—especially when they’ve caused the death of an innocent person. Even if those responsible for the death are already facing criminal charges, it is still possible to hold them accountable in civil court. If the responsible party is a corporation, the only way they will face punishment is through a civil claim. A wrongful death claim is like a personal injury claim, except wrongful death claims are filed for the damages caused by a person's death, not by a person's injuries.
West Texas Wrongful Death Lawsuits: Who Can File
Wrongful death describes anytime a person dies due to the fault of another. Whether the death is caused by negligence, recklessness, or willful action, a responsible party may be sued for compensation in a wrongful death case. In Texas, family members have up to two years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death claim. However, only certain family members are able to make a claim.
To file a wrongful death claim, you must be one of the following to the victim:
- A spouse
- A child
- A parent or grandparent
- A sibling
Notably, spouses and children are given priority in a wrongful death case. If the decedent has no children or spouses, the ability to make a claim transfers to parents, siblings, or grandparents. If an individual does not have family members, the executor of their estate is able to pursue economic damages.
Wrongful Death Compensation
Texas is like other states regarding what it allows to be claimed by family members of a person who has been wrongfully killed. These damages are split into two categories: economic and non-economic losses
Economic losses include the following:
- Medical bills incurred while the individual was receiving treatment for the cause of their death
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages that the individual would have made if still alive
- Lost benefits the individual would have received if still alive
- Services that the individual would have provided
Non-economic losses include the following:
- Emotional suffering of family members
- Pain and suffering experienced by the decedent before their passing
Those able to make a wrongful death claim must remember that Texas puts a time limit on the ability to file a claim. This means that action must be taken quickly to recover the losses that happen after a family member passes away due to the actions of another person. Though these times are difficult, it is critical to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney as soon as possible for assistance.
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Call (888) 493-1629 for a Free Consultation with Our West Texas Attorneys
The first step to recovery is simple: contact our West Texas personal injury law firm. We have a history of success in helping the injured and grieving recover the compensation that they need to piece their life back together. We believe you deserve a future where you can take care of yourself and your loved ones, and we want to help you reach it. All you need to do is give us a call at (888) 493-1629 or fill out our online form to receive a 100% free review. We can listen to your side of the story and then discuss your legal options with you so that you know what you can do and what steps are available. We’re here to help you, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Learn more about how our West Texas accident attorneys can help during a free review of your case. Contact us by calling (888) 493-1629 or by sending us a message online!
