Georgetown Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Most people rely on driving or riding in vehicles daily to go to and from work or school and check errands off their to-do lists. While vehicle safety and traffic laws have come a long way over the past century, car accidents still pose a serious threat to those on the road. In fact, the National Safety Council reports that motor vehicle accidents come in fifth place among the top causes of death in the United States.

All types of collisions pose a risk to vehicle occupants and pedestrians. Still, those involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) often have a more serious outcome, particularly for passenger vehicles. Drivers of large trucks and buses have a responsibility to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of those around them, as their failure to do so can result in severe and even fatal injuries.

If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a CMV collision, a commercial vehicle accident lawyer serving Georgetown, TX, could help you seek financial awards. Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case with our legal team.

Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Texas

According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Texas has more large truck accidents each year than any other state. It beats its closest competitor, California, by a large margin.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) summarizes the prevalence of the trucking industry, which employs 1 in 16 people throughout the state. Oil and agricultural products play a major role in the Texas economy, and CMVs allow for efficient transport within the state and beyond.

Large trucks transport over 70% of the goods produced in Texas and move over $1.6 trillion of freight each year. As a tourist destination, Texas also has a significant number of bus companies. The presence of buses and large trucks on the road can make traveling in congested metropolitan areas like Austin dangerous for everyone.

TxDOT reported that more than 39,000 CMV accidents took place on Texas roads in 2019, including over 400 in Williamson County alone. If you or a loved one suffered a serious or fatal injury due to a CMV driver’s negligence, a commercial vehicle accident lawyer serving Georgetown, TX, can help you seek financial awards.

Call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, today at (713) 850-8600 with more information about your case, and our legal team will respond as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Contributors to CMV Accidents

Many of the same factors that contribute to other vehicle accidents have a hand in CMV collisions. According to TxDOT, common causes of 2019 collisions in the state included speeding, unsafe lane changes, driver inattention, and driving while distracted. Other causes include:

  • Disregarding a stop sign
  • Improper lane usage
  • Failure to yield
  • Tailgating

Additionally, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) conducted a study on the cause of at-fault large truck accidents from 2011 through 2014. Researchers used data from almost 2,800 CMV accidents across 20 Texas counties and found that inattention stood out as a major contributor to collisions in the study. They emphasized that basic measures such as increased attention on the road and trucking technology solutions could minimize the frequency of CMV accidents.

A Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Serving Georgetown, TX Can Determine Fault in Your Case

You can pursue your CMV accident case on your own, but you might find it challenging to navigate the process, meet deadlines, and come up against the other party’s insurance company. A lawyer can help you determine liability and pursue financial recovery from the driver responsible for the accident in your case.

Types of Evidence That Could Support Your Claim

To prove negligence, an attorney could gather evidence from the scene of your accident and the parties involved in your case. The types of documents, statements, and other items they might collect include:

  • Photos and videos of skid marks, property damage, and debris at the scene
  • Photos of your injuries
  • Police reports
  • Eyewitness testimonies
  • Medical records and statements
  • Cellphone records
  • Field sobriety tests
  • Black box information

Once they have gathered the appropriate information, they could use it to prove that the other driver’s actions meet the criteria for negligence, which include:

  • Duty of care: The driver was responsible for protecting your safety on the road.
  • Breach of duty: The driver breached their duty of care by driving recklessly or failing to act when necessary.
  • Causation: The driver’s breach of duty caused your injuries.
  • Damages: Your injuries resulted in significant damages.

If a CMV driver caused the accident that led to your injuries, a lawyer could help you prove damages in your case.

Fighting Back Against the Insurance Company

In Texas, the driver responsible for causing an accident must cover the victims’ damages through their liability auto insurance policies. Unfortunately, obtaining recovery from the insurance company might not come as easily as it should.

Insurance companies work for a profit, so they train their adjusters to use sneaky tactics, such as trying to find loopholes to avoid blame or undervaluing your injuries so that they do not have to provide you with an adequate amount.

If an insurance adjuster offers you a settlement, you have a right to decline the offer and contact a commercial vehicle accident lawyer serving Georgetown, TX, who can review it to ensure you receive fair financial recovery in your case.

If the settlement offer falls short, your lawyer could negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company to work toward an agreement that both sides can agree on. They can also handle all communications with the insurance company and their legal team on your behalf so that you do not have to worry about their manipulative tactics.

Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, to Get Started on Your Case

Dealing with the aftermath of a CMV collision can feel overwhelming enough without the added pressure of pursuing legal action against the driver who caused your accident on your own.

You deserve financial recovery for your injuries or the loss of your loved one, and the lawyers at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™, can help you pursue it. Contact our legal team today at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case.