More motor vehicle collisions occur in Houston than any other city in Texas, and the surrounding Harris County area also experiences a high volume of traffic accidents. Even drivers in suburban areas like Baytown regularly face the threat of collisions. In fact, the Texas Department of Transportation reports that more than 2,200 accidents occurred in the city in 2019 alone. Of the over 113,000 collisions that took place in Harris County, more than 1 in 20 involved a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
Large trucks and buses play a crucial role in the Texas economy, but they also put others on the road at an increased risk of suffering severe or fatal injuries. If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one due to a CMV driver’s negligence, a commercial vehicle accident lawyer serving Baytown, TX can help you pursue financial recovery. Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ today at (713) 850-8600 to get started on your case.
Commercial Vehicle Accidents Often Cause Serious Injuries
The size and weight of CMVs make them a significant threat to occupants of other vehicles, who often suffer serious or fatal injuries in accidents involving trucks and buses. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) emphasizes the inherent hazards of large trucks that require specialized training and attention to keep those on the road around it safe from preventable harm.
- Trucks require approximately 20% to 40% more distance to stop, especially when loaded. Certain conditions such as bad weather and wet roads can increase this distance.
- Trucks typically weigh 20 to 30 times more than the average passenger vehicle.
- Trucks sit higher off the ground than other vehicles, making it possible for cars to slide underneath the trailer in an accident.
- While not a structural danger, driver fatigue also plays a major role in CMV accidents, as truck drivers often work for many consecutive hours at a time.
According to an article on Earth.com, bus occupants typically suffer fewer injuries in accidents than those in passenger vehicles, as well. Over a ten-year period, researchers found that car trips resulted in five times as many severe and fatal injuries as bus trips. Of all the bus accidents that did occur over the study period, only 10 resulted in serious injuries.
Although promising for bus and truck occupants, these statistics show the dangers car drivers and their passengers face in accidents involving commercial vehicles. If you suffered injuries in a Baytown CMV collision, a lawyer can help you seek financial awards for your losses. Call (713) 850-8600 for a free consultation.
A Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Serving Baytown, TX Can Help You Prove Negligence in Your Case
In order to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the CMV driver in your case, you must first establish their liability.
- Duty of care: The driver must have had a duty of care to maintain your safety or the safety of your loved one by following traffic laws and paying attention to the road.
- Breach of duty: The driver must have breached their duty of care by acting recklessly or failing to take action when necessary to prevent the accident from occurring.
- Causation: The accident must have led to your injuries or the loss of your loved one.
- Damages: Your injuries or loss must have left you with substantial financial or emotional damages.
After demonstrating that their negligence caused the accident, you can seek financial recovery from the at-fault party, and an attorney can help you through the process. Contact the legal team at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ today, and we will get back to you to discuss the details of your case.
Types of Evidence That May Support Your Claim
Proving negligence often requires the use of evidence from the scene of the accident and from those involved with the case. Types of evidence that can help you build your case against the other driver may include:
- Police reports
- Medical records and bills
- Videos and photos from the scene of the collision
- Photos of your injuries
- Eyewitness testimony
- Cell phone records
- Black box information
- Field sobriety tests
A commercial vehicle accident lawyer serving Baytown, TX can help you collect evidence to build your case.
Insurance Company Tactics
In Texas, the person responsible for causing an accident must provide coverage for victims’ damages through their auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, despite the fact that insurance coverage exists to benefit those injured in collisions, carriers typically try to avoid providing fair settlements in an effort to make a profit. They may point the finger at you or try to undervalue your injuries, which many victims find intimidating or overwhelming, especially during their difficult times.
An attorney can handle all negotiations with the insurance adjusters on your behalf and pursue the fair financial recovery you deserve.
You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim
Although you may have a right to pursue legal action against the liable driver in your commercial vehicle accident case, you have a limited amount of time to do so. Texas has statutes of limitations, or legal time frames during which you can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim, on CMV accident cases.
In most instances, victims and their family members have up to two years to seek financial awards. However, that time limit may vary, and when the clock starts ticking depends on the case. A lawyer can determine how much time you have left to file your claim and get started on it right away to help you avoid potential delays.
Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ Today for a Case Evaluation
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, our attorneys understand the devastating effects commercial vehicle accidents can have on victims and their families. You did not deserve the accident that caused your injuries or the loss of your loved one, and you should not have to foot the bill for your losses. Contact us today at (713) 850-8600 to speak with our legal team about your case.
