The Salazar Law Firm in Houston and San Marcos has a team of experienced attorneys who are dedicated to helping those who have been injured in truck accidents. Our attorney has the knowledge and resources to effectively represent clients in truck accident cases, and we work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation for their injuries.
Motor vehicle accidents can have devastating effects on those involved. With death effecting the families of loved ones and injuries leaving passengers dependent on medical care and unable to work, monetary relief is necessary to allow those involved to cope with the financial implications that a collision (and it’s aftermath) can have. When the vehicle involved weighs between 20,000 and 80,000 pounds this is particularly true.
Fortunately, the majority of the collisions do no result in injury. However, for those that do, the effects can alter the injured parties life forever. The pain and suffering is at the core of the aftermath that the driver and/or passenger of the vehicle involved must deal with on a daily basis. In addition to the physical pain, often injuries are severe enough that they interfere with the individual’s ability to work or live a life of self-sufficiency. When spinal cord or brain damage is involved, the person usually needs care indefinitely. While we can only hope for a full recovery, the unfortunate truth is that in some cases, damage is irreparable.
There are a number of factors and variables involved in a truck accident and determining who is at fault will require an investigation. Much like non-commercial vehicles, the operator of the truck is to be evaluated to determine if they were abiding by the rules of the road and driving responsibly. There is usually more than one contributing factor and while this is the case it is essential to determine if the driver of the truck was speeding, making reckless maneuvers, under the influence or perhaps distracted by an electronic device in their cabin.
Additionally, there are other variables that need to be looked at including the equipment itself. Trucks have many components and need to be maintained and loaded correctly. Failure to maintain the truck can cause its equipment to fail, which results in the driver losing control of the vehicle. If the truck was loaded incorrectly, the distribution of weight, or overload can also interfere with the driver’s ability to maneuver in a safe manner.
Determining who is at fault requires more investigation than a motor vehicle accident, while in some cases it is obvious, trucks are often maintained and/or loaded by 3rd parties. It is important to note whether the truck driver owns the truck or whether it belongs to a company. First and foremost it is essential that following a collision involving a truck, you follow protocol for a motor vehicle accident by calling 911 if someone has been injured, documenting the incident, getting insurance information, the drivers information, and license plate numbers It is also important to get a police report and whatever statements from objective 3rd parties witnessed the incident.
Determining who is liable can be tricky and a skilled 18 Wheeler Accident attorney knows what to look for and what steps to take in order to secure a fair settlement. If you’ve been involved in an accident with an 18 Wheeler, The Salazar Law Firm, PLLC can offer you a free consultation. Providing aggressive legal representation and advocacy, The Salazar Law Firm will look out for your best interests to ensure that the settlement obtained is adequate.
There are a number of factors and variables involved in a truck accident and determining who is at fault will require an investigation.
This blog post is part of a series that The Salazar Law Firm provides for the benefit of our neighbors across the San Marcos and contiguous areas. It is meant to keep our community informed about recent motor vehicle accidents, and should not be construed as legal advice. However, if you or someone you love has been injured because of another driver’s reckless behavior, we would like to hear from you at your earliest convenience. Contact us today, online or by calling 281-857-6770, to speak with an experienced San Marcos car accident lawyer at absolutely no cost to you.
After being involved in truck accident in Texas, you may wonder what the next step is, and if you should contact an attorney. Whether you were the driver of the truck, a driver of another vehicle, or a bicyclist/pedestrian, its important to know that you may actually be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Accident liability can be a very complicated area, so we recommend hiring an attorney.
One of the first steps to take is to determine everyone who was involved in the accident. This includes all people who were physically there and affected by the accident, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. What is surprising, however, are the parties involved you may not have taken into consideration. This includes insurance companies, employers, vehicle manufacturers, government entities, trucking companies, or contractors. One advantage of using an attorney is that using their legal resources, they can quickly help you identify any parties involved in the litigation. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to recover the maximum amount of damages for your injury.
Next, make sure to receive medical treatment for your injuries. Keep up with all doctor/hospital visits, prescriptions, care plans etc. and don’t forget to keep copies of all related documentation. If your financial situation makes this a difficult step to take, please contact Hurt in Houston at 281.857.6770 to discuss how we can help. You’ll also likely be contacted by insurance companies who are trying to offer you a settlement – just remember, they are more than likely offering a far smaller sum than you are actually entitled to.
It’s also prudent to understand how damages are rewarded, and these laws vary between states. Your case could fall under pure contributory negligence, pure comparative fault, or modified comparative fault (the latter has multiple provisions depending on the state). For example, in a state that rules under modified comparative fault with a 51 percent bar rule, any involved party is not entitled to damages if it is determined they are 51% or more responsible for the accident. If you’re in a state that practices pure contributory negligence, you won’t get any payout if you are even 1% at fault. Sound confusing? It becomes even less comprehendible when you take into consideration the multiple statutes attached to these laws – statutes that could, ultimately, affect your individual case in a way you don’t anticipate.
Most importantly, don’t waste any time. Auto accidents often take into consideration many external factors like weather, road conditions, etc., and these external factors can be considered evidence. Often times and there is also a statute of limitations regarding these cases (which means if you wait too long to take action, you won’t be entitled to any reward at all). Hurt in Houston offers free case evaluations, so don’t waste in any time in contacting us. You can fill out a short form here, or call us at 281.857.6770.
Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to recover the maximum amount of damages for your injury.
