Getting into a tractor-trailer accident can change your life. Damage to your vehicle, combined with your injuries, is difficult enough to deal with. On top of that, you will have to deal with the expense of car repairs and medical bills. You may even have to miss work, which will stop you from earning a living until you are able to go back.
According to a study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 77% of the accidents involving large trucks were tractors pulling a single semi-trailer. This means that your accident was one of many accidents involving tractor-trailers that happen every year. You did not cause your accident, and you are not expected to handle the expenses caused by the accident on your own.
Under civil law, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the party that is liable for the accident to help with your financial recovery. Discuss your case with a tractor-trailer accident lawyer serving Pasadena, TX to see what your legal options are. You can call the offices of D. Miller & Associates, PLLC at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case with our team.
Tractor-Trailer Accident Laws in Pasadena, TX
Like many other cities across the country, Pasadena has specific laws and ordinances regarding the use of tractor-trailers and the development of facilities related to trucking operations. According to the City of Pasadena Planning Department, the heavy truck ordinance lays all of these rules and regulations out to make planning easier. Traffic control is an important part of the plan to make sure that trucks can move safely in and out of areas without problems.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) lists many of the potential problems when operating trucks. They have large blind spots and other potential hazards that must be accounted for.
Truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reason, you will have expenses to deal with afterward. If you are not responsible for the accident, you may be able to hold the other parties involved in the accident liable for your expenses. This will help protect your finances from long-term damage and help you relieve much of the stress of getting your life back on track.
Determining Liability
When lawyers take cases, they look to see who is responsible for the accident. However, this is only to help determine liability. Liability makes someone financially responsible for the damages caused by their actions. In your case, your tractor-trailer accident lawyer serving Pasadena, TX wants to find the party that is liable for your expenses.
It is highly likely that the truck driver will be held liable for the accident, but liability might also extend to the company that the driver works for. In most cases, companies are held liable for the damages that their work vehicles cause. Your lawyer may file a lawsuit against the truck driver, the company that the driver works for, or both depending on the specifics of your case.
While it may seem like there will be major problems trying to sue a company for the actions of one of its drivers, this is common practice. Companies are covered by liability insurance plans in case accidents happen. For you, this means that you will likely not have a problem collecting what you may be awarded if your case goes to trial. In cases where a single driver is the sole party held liable for the accident, that driver may not have enough financial resources to pay everything that you are awarded in a trial. Your lawyer files against the company to ensure that you can collect everything that you deserve.
Statute of Limitations
After your accident, you will have to act soon to take legal action. States limit the amount of time that you have to take legal action after an accident. This is called the statute of limitations. According to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code of Texas, you have two years to file claims for property damage or personal injury starting at the date of the accident. Most lawyers are not involved in a case until months into this, which can make it more difficult to track down witnesses and collect evidence. Give your lawyer as much time as possible to build a solid case by starting the process as soon as you are able to.
Financial Impacts of Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Being in a tractor-trailer accident can leave you with expenses that may take years to resolve. Emergency medical care is expensive but often required after an accident with a truck. You probably have significant injuries that require ongoing medical care to recover from. Treatment options like physical therapy or corrective surgery are expensive, and your insurance may not cover all of the cost.
Property damage is also another major issue. After a truck accident, your vehicle is probably totaled. If not, then it likely needs extensive repair work. Car repairs are expensive, and your car insurance policy may not provide enough support to cover the costs. This is why accident victims tend to file civil lawsuits. The high cost of recovery can put them into debt that could take years to pay off.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you could face unexpected expenses related to your injuries. Contact D. Miller & Associates, PLLC at (713) 850-8600 for your free consultation with a member of our team.
Contact Us for Your Free Consultation
Although recovering from an accident can be expensive and difficult, it is important to get the help that you need to make a full recovery. Failing to do so may mean that you will have ongoing problems related to your accident. Do not let yourself continue to be an accident victim and take legal action to protect yourself and your finances. Connect with a tractor-trailer accident lawyer serving Pasadena, TX to see if a civil lawsuit is the right action to take in your case. Contact the office of D. Miller & Associates, PLLC at (713) 850-8600 to discuss your case with our team.
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