If you or a loved one suffered injuries during a collision, our commercial vehicle accident lawyers serving San Angelo, TX can protect your rights and help you recover damages for medical bills and other losses. Texas has complicated liability and negligence laws, and it can be daunting to navigate these on your own.
It is your legal right to consult a lawyer about your case. This gives you peace of mind, knowing that you have a strong advocate by your side who can deal with the insurance adjuster and the other party’s lawyer while you focus on feeling better.
For a free case evaluation, call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™. A member of our team can tell you whether you have a case.
How a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Benefits You
Some of the most serious injuries we have seen resulted from commercial vehicle accidents. Often, these vehicles are large trucks or vans that weigh many times more than the typical passenger car. This means that those in the smaller vehicle usually suffer more severe injuries and damages during a collision. If your accident was not your fault, you deserve awards to help you pay for your medical treatment and other losses.
Our San Angelo commercial vehicle accident attorneys can relieve you of many of the steps necessary in pursuing damages, including:
- Gathering evidence of liability by the other party
- Securing medical records to gain an understanding of your injuries
- Compiling your medical bills, pay stubs, and other evidence of damages
- Identifying and communicating with liable parties
- Pursuing recovery on your behalf
We understand that these are stressful circumstances for you and your loved ones. You did not ask to be in this position, but you can choose how to proceed. Call our offices for a free case evaluation.
When to Connect With a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
We encourage you to hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible. There are several reasons why this may be in your best interest, including:
- Evidence can erode or become misplaced.
- People’s memories can become uncertain, creating unreliable witnesses.
- Insurance companies may view delays as an opportunity to question your injuries or damages.
Like other states, Texas has a statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. According to Texas law, you have only two years from the accident or your family member’s passing to take legal action for a personal injury or the wrongful death of a loved one.
This may sound like plenty of time, but you should consider that many personal injury lawsuits begin as insurance claims. You want to leave ample time to build a case, work through negotiations, and have the option of taking legal action if necessary.
Our Attorneys Will Negotiate With the Insurance Adjuster
More than one insurance carrier may be involved in a commercial vehicle accident because there may be two or more liable parties. For example, if an 18-wheeler struck you, one company may own the tractor while another owns the trailer. This can make negotiations between different insurance companies more complex.
Our legal team at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ may consult with experts, including accident reconstruction specialists, to reach a consensus on your damages.
When it comes to insurance negotiations, you should be aware that:
- You do not have to accept an insurance company’s first offer.
- First offers are often low-ball amounts that are inadequate for your injuries or damages.
- Insurance settlement terms are usually confidential, and the liable party does not have to admit any wrongdoing.
Your signed insurance agreement is final, and you cannot pursue additional damages if you discover subsequent losses in the future. Therefore, it is essential you understand the full scope of your damages before accepting a settlement.
Our attorneys can help you understand your legal options. Our firm uses Facebook live streams as one way to connect with our clients.
We Are Familiar With Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Since 2002, D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ has helped clients recover damages for injuries caused by someone else’s negligent or careless behavior.
A commercial vehicle accident involves any vehicle used for commercial or business use, including:
- Delivery trucks and vans
- 18-wheeler trucks
- Semi trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Fleet cars
- Taxis
- Uber and Lyft vehicles
- Buses
- Motorcoaches
- Tow trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Dump trucks
- Construction vehicles
These commercial vehicles are often insured for large amounts. An insurance adjuster may try to prevent you from recovering damages for your injuries. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers serving San Angelo, TX will stand up to the insurance company for the best possible outcome for you and your loved ones.
Our Lawyers Will Prove Liability for Your Commercial Vehicle Collision
To secure financial recovery for your accident, you will need to prove that one or more liable parties caused your injuries and resulting damages due to their negligence. Examples of potentially liable parties and negligent actions that contribute to commercial vehicle accidents include:
- Drivers – Commercial vehicle drivers must follow the same rules of the road as all motorists, as well as special regulations outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A driver could bear responsibility for your accident if they were drinking and driving, speeding, following too closely, violating drive-time limits, or breaking another traffic law or FMCSA regulation. You may also have a case against a third-party driver if their negligence or reckless driving contributed to your collision.
- Trucking companies and other employers – Trucking companies, construction companies, government entities, and other employers of commercial drivers may be vicariously liable for their employee’s negligent actions. Examples of employer negligence include failure to vet or train drivers, failure to test drivers for drug or alcohol use, or forcing drivers to meet unreasonable deadlines.
- Commercial vehicle owners – The owner of the commercial vehicle involved in your accident is responsible for the vehicle’s condition and maintenance. You may have a case against a truck owner or maintenance garage if engine failure, brake failure, faulty tires, or a lack of safety equipment caused your collision. You may also have grounds for a claim against a vehicle or parts manufacturer if your accident involved defective equipment.
- The entity responsible for the truck’s cargo – Shifting cargo, falling cargo, loads that exceed FMCSA regulations, and improperly attached trailers can all lead to commercial vehicle accidents. If these factors played a role in your collision, the owner or loader of the transported goods may be liable.
To establish liability, our attorneys will investigate your accident and collect evidence, which may include:
- Driver employment records
- Driver logs
- The vehicle’s electronic data recorder or “black box”
- Eyewitness testimony
- Cell phone or surveillance footage
- Photographs of your injuries and vehicle damages
- Police reports
- Medical records
Damages for a Commercial Vehicle Accident
You may have significant injuries after an accident involving a commercial vehicle. In general, the more extensive your injuries, the greater your damages. Our legal team will do all we can to hold the liable party accountable for such damages as:
- Medical care and treatment (current and future)
- Lost pay for the time that you could not work, including benefits and tips
- Reduced earning ability if your injuries leave you disabled, disfigured, or with a chronic medical condition
- Lifecare costs
- Property damages
- Prescription medicine, medical equipment, or adaptive devices
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
If you lost a loved one in a commercial vehicle accident, please accept our condolences. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), 81 people lost their lives in these types of collisions in Tom Green County in 2020.
Our lawyers can help you seek recovery for final expenses, loss of income, and other damages if your loved one suffered fatal injuries in an accident on Loop 306, North or South Bryant, or another roadway in San Angelo.
Injuries Caused by a Commercial Vehicle Accident
There are many injuries associated with a commercial vehicle accident, including:
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Deep cuts and lacerations to the face, hands, and other areas
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
Your health is important to us. Our legal team members at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ can keep you updated on your case throughout its entirety. We can also help you schedule medical appointments.
Work With a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If a commercial vehicle injured you or a loved one, you deserve to know your legal options. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers serving San Angelo, TX can protect your rights and pursue financial recovery. For a free case evaluation, call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ today.
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