Everything can change in an instant because of a truck accident. You will likely need fast compensation as soon as possible, and we can fast track your recovery when handling your case. From determining who is liable to holding them accountable with a lawsuit, let us work on every aspect of your compensation claim.
You should always call the police if you are injured in a car accident. This will yield a crash report we can get and use to gain a deeper understanding of the collision’s events. The report will note the at-fault driver’s information, which we need to pursue compensation. The driver’s employer may also be liable if they were working at the time, which is likely during a commercial truck accident. Photographic evidence is important to get a settlement or prove fault at trial, so take as many pictures as you can after the crash.
Call our truck accident lawyers for a free case review from Cap City Injury Attorneys today at (512) 612-3110.
What if I Do Not Call the Police After a Truck Accident in Austin?
Calling the police straight after an accident is the best way to document what happened. You may be far too injured to speak to witnesses, get the at-fault driver’s information, or commit small details to memory, and law enforcement can help in this scenario.
If you do not call the police, you may still seek compensation. Not calling the police only benefits the negligent truck driver, their employer, or any other liable party, and not the victim.
Call 911, even if the other driver threatens to leave the scene. Fleeing the scene of an accident is illegal in Texas, so officers may track down the at-fault driver, which helps us identify who to sue in a compensation claim.
Who Can I Sue After an Accident with a Truck?
Knowing you can file a lawsuit after a truck accident is one thing, but knowing who to sue is another thing altogether. Multiple parties could share fault, and capitalizing on that may help maximize your recovery.
Although the truck driver was negligent and injured you, their employer may also be liable. Generally speaking, a company is responsible for an employee’s actions while they are working. Truck drivers delivering goods or equipment are typically working while driving these vehicles, making their employers liable for any injuries they cause.
The owner of the truck, the trucking company, may also be liable if the vehicle failed inspections or was otherwise unsafe, and a vehicle issue caused the crash.
If a car part was defective and not poorly maintained, the manufacturer might be liable. This means you could sue the manufacturer of the defective brakes on the truck that hit you rather than the driver.
Do I Need Photographic Evidence for a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Having photographic evidence can significantly help your truck accident injury lawsuit. The more pictures we have, the better. Send all photos you took to our lawyers promptly, and do not delete any before completing this step.
Trucks may sustain little to no visible damage in collisions with passenger cars or other small vehicles. Still, you should photograph the truck so we can place it at the scene. Its position in relation to your car is important, so photograph that distance too.
Your car might be severely damaged because of a truck accident. Photos from various angles give us more information about the point of impact and the truck’s speed at the time.
Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, and other painful injuries stop many victims from taking photos right after collisions. You should not panic if you do not have many pictures, as we may get more from law enforcement or the eyewitnesses we interview.
What Happens if My Truck Accident Case Goes to Trial?
Plaintiffs should be prepared in case their lawsuits go to trial instead of settling. Let us explain what you can expect from going to court so you are ready if that time comes.
Both Sides Present Evidence
If your truck accident lawsuit goes to trial, both sides get to present their evidence to the jury. The plaintiff goes first, letting our truck accident lawyers explain how and why the defendant is liable. The defense then gets to present its own arguments, one of the most common being comparative fault.
Being partially liable for an accident lowers your compensation and only blocks it if you are more at fault than the defendant. Since comparative fault arguments are so common in motor vehicle accident lawsuits, we can anticipate this and submit evidence that directly refutes it before the defense even has a chance to present their case.
Plaintiff May Testify
Also, during a trial, you may have to testify. This happens when we present our case to the jury. You may not be the only witness to testify, but you may be the most important. Testifying is daunting for many reasons, and we can explain exactly what to expect from our questions beforehand. We can also anticipate some of the questions the defense may ask you, so you are ready to answer them.
You can discuss your memories from the crash, like the amount of pain you were in or the negligent conduct you witnessed from the other driver. You can also discuss your damages since the crash, primarily your non-economic damages.
Jury Decides Liability
When lawsuits go to trial in Austin, the jury gets to decide liability. The plaintiff succeeds by proving it is more likely than not that the defendant is liable. Juries award compensation when verdicts decide trials. Texas does not limit compensation in personal injury lawsuit for truck crashes, and you may get more from a jury award than what was ever offered to you in an out-of-court settlement.
Get a Free Case Analysis by Calling Our Austin Injury Lawyers
Call the truck accident lawyers of Cap City Injury Attorneys for help with your case at (512) 612-3110.