Have you been injured in a truck accident? If so, then call the Austin truck accident lawyers at FVF Law at (512) 982-9328.
Accidents between a car and a commercial truck like an 18-wheeler or semi-truck are some of the most serious types of collisions, often resulting in death, life-altering injuries with a permanent loss of quality of life, and high damages.
What’s more, commercial truck accidents are often quite complex because they may involve several different liable parties. Not uncommonly, motor carrier negligence or even intentional mismanagement and dangerous policies are contributing factors to the collision.
Contact our Austin law firm today for a free consultation.
The advice of a lawyer is a valuable asset for many truck accident victims. However, FVF Law stands out among truck accident lawyers due to our strong commitment to ethical counsel and compassion for truck accident victims.
More specifically, here’s how we can help you during this difficult phase of your life.
At FVF Law, we believe that it is every truck accident victim’s right to be as informed as possible. That’s why we invite Austin truck accident victims to contact our experts for a free initial case evaluation.
Our team will help you through this difficult time so you can begin putting your life back together.
Hiring a lawyer may not be the right decision for every accident victim, but it is wise to at least consult with a lawyer so that you can make the most informed choices about your truck accident case.
A lawyer offers incredible value to personal injury cases, providing support and education for collision victims.
The advice of a truck accident lawyer can significantly alter your case outcome, helping you receive reasonable compensation for your injuries and losses.
More specifically, here’s how speaking to an ethical and qualified personal injury can help your case.
First and foremost, a truck accident lawyer should be an educational resource as you navigate your insurance claim, medical bill payments, and settlement. Not only can a truck accident lawyer advise you on your rights, he or she can also help you pursue medical treatment and identify ways to pay for procedures and doctors’ visits.
A lawyer will also help you identify which parties may be liable for your tractor-trailer truck accident, understand what you are entitled to under the law, and investigate and settle hospital liens, among other things.
As you can see from the factors above, some truck accidents are more “accidental” than others. Proving that negligence or recklessness was a factor in your case takes experience, patience, and commitment.
A good Austin truck accident lawyer is not afraid to delve into the details surrounding your case, obtaining evidence that proves liability.
Negotiating with insurance companies by yourself can be extremely difficult, as insurance employees are trained to exploit a collision victim’s ignorance of their rights and options.
An expert personal injury law firm understands how to protect your case in the face of these tactics. They will help you pinpoint who is liable and what damages the law allows for in your case.
A truck accident lawyer has the incentive to pursue the best commercial vehicle settlement outcomes possible for their clients. Most personal injury attorneys accept cases on a contingency basis, which means they do not collect payment unless the client receives compensation.
At FVF, we pride ourselves on our willingness and dedication to positive semi-truck accident trial outcomes rather than solely relying on insurance company settlement offers. Jurors often understand the impact egregious employer behavior can have on everyday life. A highly reputable firm will be committed to helping clients be successful in their case with the highest degree of ethical integrity and transparency.
The aftermath of a collision is a difficult time, especially if you or someone you love has sustained serious, life-changing injuries. A compassionate legal advisor, like those at Austin’s FVF Law, will assume the role of negotiating and communicating with at-fault insurance providers, truck drivers, and motor carriers so you can focus on taking care of yourself or your loved one.
Accidents and their resulting injuries and losses are not only emotionally draining but also a burden on your financial well-being, causing permanent or temporary loss of income and high medical bills. The right attorney will be a financial resource, helping you seek out and pay for medical treatment, as well as attend to household finances, in the period following an accident.
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If you’ve been in an accident with an 18-wheeler truck in Austin, hiring an attorney may be helpful, as the lawyers and insurers that represent trucking companies may do their best to limit their responsibility.
That means that the compensation they offer you may fall short of what you need. An experienced attorney can do their best to prove liability and get you the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Every trucking accident is different, so settlement amounts are highly individualized. Factors that impact your settlement amount include the severity of your injuries, who was involved, how badly your vehicle was damaged, and more.
An attorney with experience in helping trucking accident victims can review all factors that apply to your case to come up with a settlement amount that makes sense for you.
Trucking crashes are often more complicated than a wreck between two cars. The weight and size of these vehicles can have a significant impact on the severity of injuries.
Additionally, due to the involvement of commercial motor carriers, multiple insurance providers, and the likelihood of higher damage amounts than accidents involving non-commercial vehicles, identifying and proving liability can be quite complex. These are just a few things to consider as you begin to resolve your case.
Here are some additional circumstances that may factor into your truck accident case.
Commercial drivers are responsible for inspecting and noting vehicle maintenance when necessary, while commercial carriers have a duty to carry out the required repairs and upkeep.
If either party fails to do so, and that failure is proven to be a contributing factor in your accident, these parties can be held responsible for negligence.
Truck accidents in Austin frequently occur when drivers fail to distribute loads adequately or do not secure freight properly. While professional truck drivers are trained on this process, the drivers of smaller trucks — such as certain construction vehicles — may not take the time to learn how to secure equipment and loads properly.
Further, some professional drivers may fail to load freight correctly, particularly if the motor carrier offers inadequate training on this practice. This behavior might be classified as negligence if it is proven to have partially or fully caused your accident.
Motor vehicle and truck carriers frequently encourage truck drivers to work long hours, often without adequate rest. In fact, trucking companies may go as far as training drivers to falsify records documenting rest periods. Stress is another factor, and many truck drivers involved in accidents cite work stress as a contributing factor.
When motor carriers mismanage drivers — or worse, train truck drivers to ignore federal regulations — they can be held responsible for these negligent practices.
Unsafe driving causes a huge portion of trucking accidents in general, and it is often a factor in trucking accidents. Commercial truck drivers work long hours and may be in a rush to reach their next destination, causing them to speed, tailgate, change lanes unsafely, and otherwise engage in reckless driving.
Additionally, because drivers spend so much time on the road, they frequently engage in distracted driving, using their phones or eating while behind the wheel. An experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to determine whether the driver’s poor decision-making played a role in your accident, and will help you prove that these behaviors contributed to the accident if necessary.
Truck-related accidents more frequently result in serious injuries and fatalities than other types of collisions, which in turn cause high damages, particularly medical bills, or in some cases, permanent physical impairment or fatality.
When there are a significant amount of losses or damages at stake, insurance providers and commercial carriers will fight harder to lower your settlement.
A committed truck accident lawyer will stand up for your rights against these parties and will look out for your best interest as you navigate your case.
When motor carriers mismanage employees, neglect vehicle maintenance, or institute harmful company policies, those practices may contribute to accidents on the road. Particularly unscrupulous commercial vehicle carriers may even falsify or destroy records that could be pertinent to your case.
Investigating motor vehicle practices like these takes the assistance of a dedicated Austin personal injury lawyer — one who is willing to dig deeply into a company’s history and management practices.
Fatalities are an unfortunate reality of many truck accidents. In Texas, for instance, there were over 550 truck accident fatalities in 2017. When truck accidents result in death, survivors must attend to the deceased’s final details, including settling the estate.
Additionally, in Austin (and all of Texas), surviving relatives have the right to sue trucking companies to seek compensation for losses on behalf of the deceased, loss of companionship, loss of household income, medical bills, and other damages. For more help, contact an Austin wrongful death lawyer at FVF Law.
Litigating for these losses and navigating the probate process is a complex and confusing process — one of the reasons why it’s a good idea to consult with a truck accident lawyer.
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Big rigs have black boxes, also known as electronic control modules (ECM). These devices can reveal critical details, including the truck’s speed at the time of the accident, the direction in which the truck was traveling, and any sudden changes in velocity. Your attorney can use such details to build a favorable case on your behalf.
Victims of accidents involving trucks can seek compensation for their economic and non-economic damages, such as:
We understand how much damage a truck accident can do, not just to your vehicle and body, but also to all parts of your life, and we’re here to help ensure you have what you need to get back to your life.
Potential parties who could be held liable for Austin truck accidents include the driver, the trucking company, the cargo company, the maintenance crew, and the truck manufacturer. It’ll really come down to looking at other factors, such as what caused the accident. An experienced attorney can help you determine responsibility as an early step in filing a suit on your behalf.
Many trucking companies will try to claim that they are not responsible for truck accidents because their drivers are independent contractors who don’t actually work for their company. However, federal regulations are in place to protect you from that false claim.
Even if someone’s negligence is the cause of your accident, you’re still responsible for paying your medical bills. A truck accident settlement will hopefully help you recover most, if not all, of the medical expenses.
Some insurers may also cover the costs, as long as the victim pays them back out of the settlement they receive. This is something that the attorneys at FVF law can help with, so you can focus on recovering.
There are many common causes of 18-wheeler collisions in Austin, including:
A trucking accident can be a jarring, life-altering event, so it can be difficult for the victim of such an accident to assess the cause on the scene. An experienced attorney may be able to help identify the cause by seeking out evidence and evaluating it while you focus on your recovery.
Simply because of their sheer size, 18-wheelers can do a lot more damage than your average vehicle. As a result, accidents involving 18-wheelers typically result in higher damages than standard passenger vehicle accidents, both to those involved and to their vehicles.
Insurance companies for trucking companies often try to minimize responsibility, liability, and damages. After all, they are in the business of protecting their bottom lines. If you’ve been offered a settlement, it may be helpful to discuss your case with an attorney who can evaluate whether the settlement is sufficient or not.
Remember, even if you walk away from an accident with a truck, internal injuries may become apparent later on, so it’s rather important to ensure that the responsible party provides enough coverage to help you fully recover.
In Texas, which is a comparative negligence state, even if a victim is somewhat responsible for their accident, they can still recover damages as long as they are less than 50% responsible. An experienced attorney like those at FVF Law can help with that calculation.
According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, in 2020 there were nearly 600 commercial vehicle crashes in Travis County alone. Out of those accidents, more than 15 fatalities and almost 140 suspected injuries occurred.
If you were in a truck accident, you are likely feeling overwhelmed. FVF Injury Law can help ease your burden. Our goal is to educate you on your rights and explain your options for holding the truck driver and trucking company responsible for your injuries.
Our Austin truck accident attorneys have over 80 years of combined experience helping injury victims. We have won millions of dollars for our clients and helped them hold insurers and corporations accountable for their losses.
Contact our law office to schedule a free, no-pressure consultation to learn more about your case. We work on contingency. Therefore, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you first. Call us today at (512) 982-9328.
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