A truck accident in Lubbock County can cause you injuries, damages, and entitle you to financial recovery. D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® will do everything in our power to secure those damages, covering any medical expenses, lost income, and other damages you’ve suffered.
A truck accident lawyer serving Lubbock from our firm will lead the entire legal process. You can focus on your recovery and leave your case’s obligations to us.
Truck Accidents in Lubbock and Northwest Texas
Lubbock, Texas earned the nickname “Hub City” because of the numerous highways and interstates used for transportation leading in and out of the city. (Lubbock Economic Development Alliance) These include:
- Interstate 27
- Marsha Sharp Freeway
- United States (U.S.) Highway 62
- U.S. Highway 82
- U.S. Highway 84
- U.S. Highway 87
- State Highway 114
These roads all support a high level of 18-wheeler, semi truck, and tractor-trailer traffic. When the driver of one of these large trucks acts negligently and causes an accident, the occupants of passenger cars often pay the price. If this happened to you, you may be able to file an insurance claim or lawsuit to seek a financial recovery.
Four Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Lubbock
Every case is different, and you should do what makes sense in your situation. That said, here are some suggestions that you might want to consider after getting hurt in a Lubbock truck accident:
- Call the police immediately from the site of the accident. If any of the vehicles try to leave, you could snap a photograph on your cell phone or jot down the license plate number for the police. Also, you will want to get the names, insurance, and contact information of all the parties involved.
- Get medical attention right away. Your medical records will provide an objective assessment of your injuries’ severity and extent. Also, getting examined by a trauma specialist could uncover wounds that have not yet developed noticeable symptoms but could quickly become a medical emergency.
- Talk to a truck accident lawyer about your legal options. The earlier you talk to an attorney, the more chance they have of finding evidence that could be useful in proving causation and other factors in your injury claim.
- Complete your medical treatment as prescribed by your treating physician. You do not want to give the at-fault party an excuse to reduce your settlement based on an allegation that you might have healed better with the full treatment plan.
There will, of course, be much more guidance we can give you if you become a client of the firm.
Reasons to Hire D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® for Your Truck Accident Case
When you’re seeking a lawyer for a truck accident case, you may look for a firm with relevant experience and results. Truck accidents are a major practice area that our firm handles, meaning we have the experience you want.
We fight relentlessly to get the financial recovery our clients deserve—and your case will be no different. As a client of D. Miller & Associates, PLLC®, you should expect:
- The support of a team of attorneys working for a fair settlement or verdict
- To be able to reach us through phone calls, emails, text messages, or in person whenever you need to
- Regular updates about the status of your case
- Our team to hire experts, complete thorough investigations, and do everything else in our power to build the case you deserve
We are a full-service personal injury firm that fights for truck accident victims in Lubbock. This means that, once you hire us to handle your case, you can return to focusing on your health. Your case will be our responsibility.
Our Former Clients Praise Our Attorneys And Staff
Consider what some of our former clients say about our attorneys, paralegals, and support staff:
- “Very attentive and helpful law firm. Quick to answer your questions and explain tough legal language and make a negative time of my life have a positive outcome and brighter future.” – Daniel Lieberg, former client
- “Every time I’ve called they have been very courteous and attentive. They also answered all my questions I had regarding my case and made me feel like they truly care about my claim. Even though my case is still pending I know I will go to them for any other legal issues I may have in the future.” – Adrianne Frencl, former client
- “These lawyers are great and I would recommend them to anyone. They keep me updated and don’t take a dime until I win.” – Heather Fun, former client
These testimonials show the dedication our firm has to each and every client. Expect a Lubbock truck accident lawyer from our firm to go the extra mile as we fight for your financial recovery.
Truck Accident Cases Are Complicated – But Not for Us
Even if you’re not usually inclined to hire an attorney, you may want to for a truck accident case. These kinds of cases can be especially complicated due to:
- The possibility that valuable evidence is in the trucking company’s possession, and we may need to take legal steps to obtain that evidence
- The complex nature of trucks
- The possibility that a defect caused your accident
- The possibility that a liable trucking company has a legal team on retainer, ready to defend against cases like yours
As you recover from your injuries, you should not have to learn about trucks or the legal process. Our firm already has the knowledge and training to lead your truck accident case in Lubbock, so why not leave the legal process to us?
Who Might Be Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
Texas law makes it possible for us to hold the driver’s employer liable in many of these cases under a doctrine known as respondeat superior. Respondeat superior is a legal theory that says an employer is directly or vicariously liable or has a responsibility for the acts of others (referring to their employees).
Texas case law applies respondeat superior in automobile negligence cases when both of the following are true (The Yale Law Journal):
- The truck driver was an employee of the trucking company at the time of the accident.
- The truck driver was working and engaged in actions that were within the “course and scope” of their job when the accident occurred.
Additional Parties Who May be Liable
Some truck accident cases might involve multiple negligent parties. The driver and his employer might not be the only liable parties in your 18-wheeler or semi truck accident. The company that built the truck could bear some liability if your accident was caused by a manufacturing or design flaw or defect.
If this is a possible cause of your accident, our investigation will include:
- A detailed inspection of the truck, if possible
- A consultation with a trucking industry expert
The company that built your truck’s parts could also bear liability. If a component of the truck caused it to fail, we can hold its maker responsible for that component. This includes flawed or faulty:
- Brakes that prevent the driver from stopping effectively
- Windshield wipers that inhibit the driver’s visibility
- Couplings that jeopardize the truck’s cab and cargo container
We will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident. Our goal is to identify the at-fault party or parties and assign full or partial responsibility according to the degree of negligence and responsibility.
Possible Recoverable Damages In Your Lubbock Truck Accident Case
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) explains that those hit by trucks—not truck occupants—overwhelmingly suffer harm in these collisions. The comparably large size and weight of trucks put others at great risk.
Your damages, therefore, may be substantial. Your recoverable losses may include:
- Medical care for all accident-related injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Repairs for your vehicle and other damaged property
- Lost income
- Lost earning power
- Lost bonuses or potential promotions the injury prevented you from earning
- Temporary transportation expenses
- Treatment for emotional or psychological issues
We’re prepared to seek recovery for these and any other damages you’ve suffered. Our team serving Lubbock will also account for any future damages you’re likely to incur.
D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® also handles wrongful death cases in Lubbock County. If your loved one passed away due to a truck accident, we can lead your legal case.
The Filing Deadline for Your Lubbock Accident Injury Case
You might not have had to learn about the filing deadlines, also called statutes of limitations, in our state before getting injured in a commercial truck collision. Texas law limits you to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking recovery for your losses from the negligent party who caused the accident. Also, under Texas law, the deadline for filing a wrongful death case is also two years if your close relative did not survive the accident.
When the statute of limitations expires, the law will bar you from holding the at-fault party accountable for your losses. Because you cannot sue them at that point, the insurance company will stop negotiating with you.
One of the many benefits of working with commercial truck accident lawyers is that we keep track of procedural rules like the statutes of limitations that apply in your case.
What D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® Will Do To Seek Victory For You
Once we’ve accepted your truck accident case in Lubbock, we handle every step. Our duties may include:
- Identifying those liable for the truck accident: We’ll complete an investigation, determining liability as we gather evidence of negligence. We may rely on experts and investigators to help with evidence collection.
- Creating a complete record of your damages: Without a full record of your losses, we cannot set a target for a fair settlement or judgment. We’ll identify all of your recoverable damages and seek any proof documenting those damages.
- Handling the legal aspects of your case: From drafting your lawsuit to crafting legal arguments and dealing with other attorneys, we handle all the legal features of your truck accident case.
- Negotiating a settlement: A settlement may allow you to get fair recovery as efficiently as possible. We will lead settlement discussions for you, presenting any offers that we receive for your consideration. You will ultimately decide whether to accept or reject a settlement offer.
- Taking your case to trial: Our attorneys never shy away from trials, especially when it is in our clients’ best interests. Though trials can be difficult, our success in the courtroom speaks for itself.
No two truck accident cases in Lubbock are exactly alike. We’ll overcome all challenges as we seek the financial recovery you deserve.
Call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® for a Free Consultation
A truck accident lawyer can be a valuable resource following a collision in Lubbock. Let a Lubbock personal injury attorney from D. Miller & Associates, PLLC® lighten your load by taking on your case.
Call us today for a free case evaluation about your injury claim.
