In just seconds, a serious wreck involving a commercial vehicle can change your life. From large delivery trucks to company cars and 18-wheelers, commercial vehicles present unique risks on Texas roads. If you’ve been hurt in this type of collision, it’s essential to understand your legal rights and options.
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, we represent individuals who have been severely injured in commercial vehicle crashes and are dealing with physical injuries, medical bills, and emotional trauma. Whether you were hit by a garbage truck, work van, or bus, our skilled Katy truck accident attorneys offer clear guidance and focused representation to help you recover and move forward after a serious collision.
Why Choose D. Miller & Associates for Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Case?
Choosing legal representation after a crash isn’t just about filing paperwork—it’s about trusting a proven personal injury firm with the skills and experience to achieve a good outcome for your case.
At D. Miller & Associates, we’ve worked with clients across the Katy area injured in all types of commercial vehicle accidents. We know the tactics insurance companies use to avoid or underpay claims. We understand the mental and financial burdens that come with these traumatic events and have what it takes to advocate for accident victims.
When you work with D. Miller & Associates, you can expect:
- Detailed, personalized case assessments
- Direct communication with your legal team
- Access to investigators, medical consultants, and crash reconstruction experts
- Representation for every legal scenario, including settlement negotiations and possible litigation
Don’t wait to explore your legal options if you’ve been hurt. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys in Katy, Texas, are ready to speak with you.
What is a Commercial Vehicle?
A commercial vehicle is any car, truck, or van used for business purposes rather than personal use. Many of these vehicles require specialized training and licenses to operate. They are often larger and heavier than other vehicles, increasing the likelihood of severe injuries when collisions occur.
Commercial vehicles include:
- Corporate fleet cars and work vans
- Delivery vehicles (Amazon, FedEx, UPS)
- Garbage trucks and dump trucks
- 18-wheelers and semi-trucks
Companies or municipalities often own these vehicles and may be operated under strict regulations, making legal claims more complex than standard car accident cases.
Common Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Here are the most common commercial vehicle accidents we see at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, and the factors contributing to these crashes.
Rear-End Crashes
Often caused by distracted or fatigued drivers, these occur when a commercial vehicle fails to stop in time and crashes into the back of another vehicle, frequently resulting in whiplash or more serious injuries due to the vehicle’s mass.
Jackknife Accidents
Typically involving 18-wheelers and semi-trucks, these crashes occur when the trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, usually during hard braking or slippery conditions, creating a hazardous V-shape across multiple lanes.
Blind-Spot Collisions
Frequently seen with work vans and delivery trucks, commercial drivers may fail to see a smaller vehicle in their large blind zones when changing lanes or turning, causing a sideswipe or crush-type impact.
Rollovers
Sharp turns, uneven road surfaces, or abrupt maneuvers can cause these taller trucks and other top-heavy vehicles to tip over, potentially injuring occupants and nearby drivers.
Sideswipe Incidents
These accidents happen when a large vehicle drifts into another lane or misjudges the space available while merging, clipping the side of a neighboring car.
Improper and Wide Turns
Commercial vehicles require more space to make turns, and when drivers miscalculate, they may strike pedestrians, cyclists, or nearby vehicles in the process.
How Commercial Vehicle Accidents Differ from Standard Car Accidents
Commercial vehicle accident claims differ from standard car accident cases in a few ways.
Commercial vehicle crashes may have more potentially liable parties. It’s rarely just the driver who bears responsibility. Employers, third-party contractors, and even maintenance providers may all play a role. These cases are also governed by stricter regulations, as commercial drivers must follow Texas laws and federal rules set by agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Insurance is another key factor. Because companies often carry high-limit insurance policies, negotiations can become more complicated and contested. Also, the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles often lead to more serious injuries, meaning victims may require extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
The preservation of evidence is especially urgent in these commercial accident cases. Black box data, driver logs, and vehicle maintenance records can easily be lost or overwritten if not promptly secured. Once this data is gone, proving how and why the accident happened becomes more challenging.
Determining Liability After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
As noted above, multiple parties can be liable (or at fault) for commercial vehicle accidents. The driver may be at fault for speeding, making reckless lane changes, driving while fatigued, or operating a commercial vehicle without proper licensing or training.
But liability often extends beyond the driver. The company that owns or operates the vehicle may be responsible if it failed to vet or train employees properly, enforced unrealistic delivery schedules, or neglected required vehicle inspections.
Sometimes, a third-party maintenance provider shares liability for neglecting necessary repairs or performing incomplete or substandard maintenance work. If a crash was caused by a design flaw, mechanical defect, or a failure to recall a known problem, the vehicle manufacturer may also be liable.
These cases require a thorough investigation to uncover the root causes of the accident. D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, is knowledgeable about Katy commercial vehicle accident investigations. Our attorneys carefully review all the evidence to determine liability and build a strong and well-supported claim for full and fair compensation for accident survivors.
What Compensation is Available in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case?
When you’ve been injured in a commercial crash, you may be eligible to seek compensation for various losses.
While every case is different, many clients pursue:
- Emergency and long-term medical expenses
- Lost income and changes to earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Vehicle and property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death compensation (for surviving family members in fatal accidents)
It’s important to work with a lawyer who explains what may be available based on your situation and fights tirelessly on your behalf to recover the damages you deserve.
What to Do After a Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident
The hours and days after a crash are critical. If you’re physically able, taking the following steps may help preserve your claim:
- Call 911 and report the crash. This ensures that emergency responders arrive quickly and that a police report is created. This documentation is essential for commercial vehicle accident cases.
- Get medical attention even if symptoms are delayed. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal trauma, may not be immediately apparent, so seeing a medical professional right away can help protect both your health and your legal claim.
- Take photos of vehicles, the scene, and injuries. Visual evidence can be critical. Capturing vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries can help document what happened and support your version of events.
- Collect contact info from witnesses and the commercial driver. Having names, phone numbers, and other details will make it easier for your attorney to follow up and gather statements that could strengthen your case.
- Avoid speaking to insurers or signing documents without legal advice. Insurance companies may try to settle quickly or gather statements that can be used against you, so it’s best to consult a Katy commercial vehicle accident attorney before engaging with them.
- Reach out to legal counsel as soon as possible. The earlier you involve a lawyer, the sooner they can begin preserving evidence, protecting your rights, and guiding you through the steps of a potential commercial vehicle accident claim.
If you wait too long to act after an accident, you risk losing valuable evidence to support your Katy commercial vehicle accident lawsuit. And you open the door for insurance companies to question your injuries and whether they are even related to your accident.
How D. Miller & Associates Can Help
At D. Miller & Associates, our caring and compassionate legal team offers personalized attention and guidance. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we work to understand your situation and develop a legal strategy tailored to your needs.
That includes thoroughly investigating accident reports, witness statements, and black box data, and coordinating with medical professionals to accurately document your injuries. We handle communication with insurance companies and opposing legal teams and prepare every case with the expectation that it could go to trial, so nothing is overlooked.
We take time to accurately value your claim and pursue financial compensation that reflects all the ways a motor vehicle accident has impacted you, from financial losses to your ability to earn income and enjoy a good quality of life.
Our commercial vehicle accident injury attorneys have seen the devastation caused by reckless commercial vehicle companies and drivers. That is why we are committed to securing the best outcome for you and every client we represent.
If you’ve been hurt in a commercial crash, we invite you to contact us and speak with our team directly. Your consultation is free, and you are not obligated to work with us unless you are confident our firm meets your needs. Legal heroes at D. Miller & Associates proudly represent clients across Texas.
