Tens of thousands of people lose their lives in motor vehicle accidents across the United States annually, and hundreds of thousands suffer injuries due to an often-preventable collision.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) reveals that more than 36,560 people suffered fatal injuries in traffic accidents in 2018 alone. According to the data cited, 885 occupants of large trucks involved in accidents also suffered fatal wounds that year, which is nearly a 1% increase.
Any accident can cause severe or fatal injuries, but those involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) often result in more serious consequences. The size and weight of large trucks and buses make them especially hazardous to occupants of lighter vehicles. As such, their drivers are responsible for taking extra precautions to protect those around them on the road.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a CMV collision in Brazos County, a commercial vehicle accident lawyer serving College Station, TX, might be able to help you pursue financial recovery. Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case with our legal team.
Texas Commercial Vehicle Accidents
According to the Vision Zero Texas campaign, ten people lose their lives on Texas roads every day, and another 50 suffer life-threatening injuries. The fact that Texas has more large truck accidents each year than any other U.S. state by a substantial margin does not help with this statistic, which has remained consistent for decades.
The trucking industry plays a significant role in the Texas economy, particularly for the transportation of petroleum products. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) notes that the trucking industry employs 1 in 16 Texans, who transport nearly three-quarters of the goods manufactured in the state.
Unfortunately, a higher number of trucks could contribute to an increased risk for CMV accidents, which often have serious consequences.
TxDOT reported an increase in fatalities involving CMVs throughout the state in 2019. More than 15% of all fatal accidents involved at least one commercial vehicle, and most serious accidents take place in major metropolitan areas. However, smaller cities like College Station carry a risk as well, which poses a threat to Texas A&M University students and other residents.
If you or a loved one suffered serious or fatal injuries in a College Station CMV accident, an attorney can review your case and help you seek financial awards that may be due to you. Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, today at (713) 850-8600 to speak with our legal team about your case.
The Dangers of CMVs
The size of large trucks and buses alone makes them dangerous to other nearby vehicles on the road, and their specialized functions require drivers to have specific training and licenses to drive them. When they fail to take necessary precautions, serious accidents can occur that most often affect the smaller vehicles’ occupants.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that in 2018, occupants of passenger vehicles accounted for 96% of the fatalities in accidents involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle.
Similarly, the size and weight of buses generally make them safer for their passengers, while those in lighter vehicles typically suffer the worst injuries. School buses, for example, make transportation to and from school significantly safer for children.
As the most regulated vehicles on the road, their design protects occupants, who rarely suffer major injuries. According to the NHTSA, between 2008 and 2017, children had an almost doubled risk of suffering fatal injuries in other vehicles on their way to or from school than in a school bus.
How a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer in College Station, TX, Can Help You with Your Case
In Texas, the driver who causes an accident must provide coverage for the victims’ injuries. However, to establish liability in your case, you must first prove that the other driver’s actions or failure to act meet the four criteria for legal negligence.
- The driver must have had a duty of care to you, or a reasonable responsibility to maintain your safety, such as by abiding by traffic laws.
- The driver must have breached their duty of care by failing to act or acting negligently.
- The driver’s breach of duty must have led to your injuries or the loss of your loved one.
- Your injuries or your loved one’s passing must have led to significant damages.
Police, lawyers, and insurance companies often investigate the accident case to determine fault. If you want to hire legal representation, an attorney can review your case and help you prove the other driver’s negligence.
Gather Evidence
To build your case, a lawyer may collect documents, statements, and other items from your accident and those involved with your case to prove the other driver’s liability. These types of evidence may include:
- Police reports
- Photos and videos of accident debris, skid marks, and property damage
- Photos of your injuries
- Eyewitness testimony
- Medical records
- Hospital bills
- Cell phone records
- Field sobriety tests
- Black box information
Fight for Fair Financial Recovery
Texas drivers must carry liability insurance in case they cause an accident that injures another person. However, insurance companies can hesitate to provide sufficient financial recovery to individuals in accidents as doing so cuts into their profit.
Adjusters might try to pin the blame on the person filing the claim, or undervalue their injuries and losses to avoid paying an adequate settlement amount. Unsuspecting victims who accept insurance settlements may realize later that the settlement they received does not cover their losses.
Do not feel bullied or intimidated by insurance adjusters who do not have your best interest in mind. If an adjuster reaches out to you with a settlement offer, you can reject it. While you are weighing your options, you can reach out to a commercial vehicle accident lawyer serving College Station, TX, who can help you assess your damages and seek fair financial awards.
Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ Today to Get Started
If you or a loved one suffered a serious or fatal injury in a commercial motor vehicle accident in College Station, you might feel overwhelmed by the process of holding the negligent driver accountable for your losses. With help from the lawyers at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, you do not have to manage your claim on your own. Call us today at (713) 850-8600 to talk with our legal team about your case.
