Any vehicle accident can be bad, but accidents involving large 18-wheelers or other commercial trucks are especially dangerous. Drivers might be left with severe injuries and costs they cannot afford. A lawyer should help you figure out the best way to get compensation.
You should call 911 immediately and get emergency help. You or others might need an ambulance, and the police should quickly investigate the accident, take witness statements, and document the crash site. You should speak to an attorney as soon as possible about starting a legal case for damages. You might find your damages adequately covered by insurance. If not, you may file a personal injury lawsuit.
Our commercial truck accident attorneys with Cap City Injury Attorneys are available for a free case evaluation when you call (512) 612-3110.
What Should I Do Following a Commercial Truck Collision in Taylor, TX?
Truck accidents often constitute serious emergencies, and your top priority should be to get help. When you are ready, a lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.
Call 911 Immediately
You should call 911 immediately. Even if you do not believe you are badly injured, someone else might be, or you might have internal injuries that you do not realize. When you call 911, a dispatcher should send the police to your location to investigate the scene and render emergency aid.
Document the Accident Scene
While waiting for help, document the accident scene if you can. If it is safe to exit your vehicle, do so and take pictures and record videos of the accident scene. Be sure to get photos of other vehicles, your vehicle, the truck, and other drivers. If you are seriously injured, do not worry about this. Remain where you are and focus on getting help.
Hire a Lawyer
You might be hesitant to take legal action and involve lawyers, but this may be the best way to protect yourself and secure fair financial compensation. Your attorney can help you gather evidence, build a case, and file a claim for damages. It is best to hire a lawyer as soon as possible, as Texas law allows you only 2 years from the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
How Can I Get Financial Compensation After an 18-Wheeler Accident?
The aftermath of a commercial truck or 18-wheeler accident is not just painful but expensive. Our commercial truck accident attorneys will assist you in securing financial compensation for your damages.
Insurance Claims
Vehicle accidents of almost any kind, including truck crashes, often result in insurance claims. You may file a third-party claim with the trucker’s liability coverage or with their employer’s coverage. You might also file first-party claims with your own coverage, if any. If you file with more than one policy, your attorney can help you coordinate benefits.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you exhaust your insurance options and you still have damages that have not been compensated, your attorney can help you sue for your damages. Often, courts prefer that plaintiffs completely exhaust their insurance options before suing. While lawsuits tend to take longer than insurance claims, they often yield larger damages awards.
Private Settlement Agreements
Settlements allow plaintiffs to receive compensation faster while avoiding a trial. However, settlements are often the result of negotiation and compromise. Your final settlement may be helpful, but it might not be worth the full extent of your damages. If you are interested in a settlement, your attorney can negotiate the best possible settlement.
FAQs About 18-Wheeler and Commercial Truck Collisions in Taylor, TX
Who is Responsible for Commercial Truck Accidents in Taylor, TX?
Often, negligent truck drivers are directly responsible for accidents. Common examples of trucker negligence include fatigued driving, speeding, failing to signal, and turning too sharply. Trucking companies, although not directly responsible for accidents, may be held vicariously liable for their employees’ negligence.
How Do I File an Insurance Claim After a Commercial Truck Crash?
In Texas, injured drivers typically file third-party insurance claims against the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. You must prove to the insurance company that the trucker is responsible for the crash. If your claims exceed the trucker’s policy limits, you may file claims with your own first-party coverage if you have any. The trucking company may also have insurance coverage for your claims.
When Should I File a Lawsuit for a Commercial Truck Collision?
Injured plaintiffs have only 2 years from the date of the accident to file personal injury lawsuits. Since this limitation period begins almost immediately, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less time your lawyer may have to build your case and file your claims.
What Are Damages in an 18-Wheeler Accident Worth?
Hospital bills alone can cost thousands of dollars. In extreme cases, plaintiffs might be awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages for enormous medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain, suffering, and more. If death is involved, surviving families could be awarded upwards of a million dollars.
Should I Accept a Private Settlement for a Commercial Truck Accident?
Maybe. Settlements are common and often allow plaintiffs to get compensation faster than a trial. However, a settlement might not cover the full extent of your damages, and you might have to compromise on certain claims. You should never accept a settlement without reviewing it with a lawyer, and you can negotiate for more money.
Where Do I Find Evidence to Back Up My Claims in a Truck Accident Case?
Evidence is often found at the scene of the commercial truck accident. Nearby businesses or houses might have security cameras with footage of the accident. You might have taken pictures of the crash while waiting for help. Witnesses who were present during the crash may provide testimony. Your lawyer can help you find evidence specific to your case.
How Long Do Truck Accident Cases Usually Take in Taylor, TX?
The time it takes to complete your case will vary based on the facts of your accident and how you file your claims. Insurance claims tend to be resolved faster than lawsuits and may be approved in a few weeks. Lawsuits often take at least several months to finish, and you might not see compensation until weeks after a verdict.
What if Other Injured Victims Also File Legal Claims for the Same Truck Crash?
Truck accidents are large and often affect multiple drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians. As such, many other victims might be filing their own claims for the same accident as you. If that happens, the court might consolidate these cases to improve efficiency. However, your claims may remain separate from those of the other plaintiffs.
Should I Hire a Lawyer After an Accident with an 18-Wheeler?
Yes. Not only can a lawyer evaluate your claims to determine the full extent of your damages, but they can also help you determine the best way to get that compensation. Perhaps your claims are fully covered by insurance. Maybe you can get more compensation through a trial. Still, your attorney might be able to negotiate a good settlement.
Can I Sue for a Truck Accident if I am Partially to Blame?
Yes. In Texas, when more than one party, including the plaintiff, shares blame for an accident, the court may determine proportionate responsibility. Texas, like many states, follows a modified comparative negligence rule. In short, your damages may be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault, and you may be barred from recovery if you are more than 50% responsible.
Discuss Your Legal Claims with Our Commercial Truck Accident Attorneys in Taylor, TX
Our commercial truck accident attorneys with Cap City Injury Attorneys are available for a free case evaluation when you call (512) 612-3110.