If you sustained injuries in a Corpus Christi semi truck accident, you may be able to pursue financial recovery by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit in civil court. Depending on the facts of your case, the truck driver’s employer could be financially liable for your injuries, expenses, and related losses.
Let an 18-wheeler and semi truck lawyer in Corpus Christi from D. Miller & Associates, PLLCTM evaluate your case today. We can explain the merits of your case and help you understand your rights. We offer a complimentary telephone consultation.
Liability in a Semi Truck Accident
The Port of Corpus Christi is the seventh busiest U.S. port, meaning many goods are transported into and out of Nueces County and the surrounding counties of Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio. In addition to freight trains, semi trucks move tons of items through Corpus Christi each year. There is an extensive freeway and highway system that links South Texas’ Gulf region with other areas of the state and the rest of the nation. These roads include:
- Interstate 37
- Interstate 69E
- S. Highway 77
- S. Highway 181
- Crosstown Expressway
- North Padre Island Drive/South Padre Island Drive
- Texas State Highway 35
- Texas State Highway 44
- Texas State Highway 357
- Texas State Highway 361
When a truck driver acts negligently behind the wheel, all motorists are in immediate danger. These large 18-wheelers can quickly involve other vehicles in an accident, causing serious or even life-threatening injuries to the occupants.
Liability in a semi truck accident case often works differently than most motor vehicle cases. This difference is because of a doctrine known as respondeat superior. Under this legal doctrine, a company is vicariously liable for injuries caused by their employee. This is true when the answer to these following questions is “yes.”
- At the time the accident occurred, was the driver an employee (not an independent contractor) of the company?
- At the time the accident occurred, was the driver acting in the “course and scope” of their job?
If we can gather evidence to prove both of these questions—and show the driver acted negligently and caused your accident—we can pursue financial recovery on your behalf in a truck accident case.
Reach out to D. Miller & Associates, PLLCTM now and let a member of our team serving Corpus Christi evaluate your case. Contact us today.
How did Your Semi Truck Accident Happen?
Accidents can happen quickly and suddenly. They are chaotic events that you could easily misremember or block from your memory. If this is the case for you, do not worry: our team can figure out the exact order of events and who is responsible for your injuries.
We have dealt with accidents with various causes, including but not limited to:
- Driver inattention
- Lack of training or other bad company policies
- Failure to stay in the correct lane
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
- Poor roadway maintenance
Using your testimony and the official police report as a guide, D. Miller & Associates, PLLCTM can reconstruct what happened to you that day. We can identify every contributing factor to determine who the liable parties are—and, therefore, who should be financially responsible for your injuries.
We May Seek Financial Recovery on Your Behalf
Since 2002, D. Miller & Associates, PLLCTM has helped accident victims seek and recover damages following 18-wheeler accidents. Our clients appreciate that we are accessible to them, available to answer their questions and address any concerns about their cases. We even hold Facebook live streams to answer some of our most common client questions.
If we represent you in your pursuit of financial recovery following a truck accident in Corpus Christi, we will:
- Identify all liable parties, whether it is the truck driver, their employer, or someone else
- Manage communication with the insurance company and others
- Protect your right to recovery
- Preserve and gather evidence to support your claim, including the evidence currently held by the trucking company
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts when needed
- Collect proof of your accident-related losses and expenses
We may be able to negotiate an out-of-court settlement in many accident cases. Sometimes, we have to take additional action and file a lawsuit in civil court. Throughout this process, we will represent your interests and ensure you understand your options every step of the way.
Call an 18-wheeler and semi truck lawyer serving Corpus Christi to get started today with a free case evaluation.
Potential Recovery in an 18-Wheeler Accident
Financial recovery in an 18-wheeler accident case depends on many factors. If we gather evidence to support your claim and are able to use the facts of your case to make a compelling argument about negligence, liability, and damages, your recovery could include a wide range of accident-related expenses and losses. These damages may include:
- Medical treatment and care, to include both short-term emergency care and permanent or long-term care you expect to need in the future
- Lost wages and benefits, if you were temporarily unable to go to work and earn your usual salary
- Reduced earning ability, to make up for the money you expected to earn throughout your career but now cannot
- Property damages, especially if your car was damaged or totaled in the truck accident
- Disability, to include both total and partial loss of use of either a physical body part or an intellectual capability (resulting from brain damage)
- Scar tissue, if your injury is serious enough to leave permanent marks on your body
- Pain and suffering, to include any negative effects the accident has on your emotional or physical wellbeing
- Wrongful death damages, if your family member passed away from their accident injuries
It is common for clients to wonder how much they can expect to receive after a truck accident. Every accident is unique, so there is no “average” truck accident settlement we can point them towards.
Instead, we promise clients that we will evaluate their cases very carefully and figure out how much they may be entitled to based on the severity of their injuries, how the accident happened, and more. We pride ourselves on providing each client with extensive personal attention.
Statute of Limitations in a Personal Injury Case
Texas law generally gives personal injury accident victims two years from their accident to file a lawsuit in civil court to pursue financial recovery.
If this time limit expires, you could lose the right to take legal action and potentially hold the liable party or parties accountable.
Evidence Is Also Time-Sensitive
In addition to legal deadlines limiting the time you have to file a case, the amount of evidence available to prove your case may diminish over time. This includes things like:
- Accident reports, which the police may delete after a certain period of time
- Receipts, bills, and other paperwork you received, which are easy to lose track of or throw out by mistake
- Digital photos and video, which may be deleted quickly (especially surveillance footage)
The liable party’s insurance company may be reluctant to offer you a fair settlement unless you can show strong evidence of their client’s culpability. Therefore, you may stand a better chance of obtaining financial recovery if you allow us to start on your case in a timely fashion.
The sooner we begin, the more evidence we may have access to, and the stronger the case we can build on your behalf.
A Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Corpus Christi Can Help with Your Case
A truck accident attorney serving Corpus Christi from D. Miller & Associates, PLLCTM can evaluate your personal injury case for free. Depending on the strength of your case, we may be able to seek financial recovery on your behalf.
A personal injury attorney serving South Texas and the Gulf region can analyze your case today. We have team members standing by who can talk to you during your complimentary consultation. Contact us and let us go to work for you.
Related Frequently Asked Questions
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