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Austin Truck Accident Lawyer

Hurt in an 18-wheeler accident and struggling to get fairly compensated? Reach out to an Austin commercial vehicle accident lawyer for guidance after your accident. 

Commercial trucks transport the everyday goods we use, the food we eat, and the entertainment we enjoy. But that doesn’t mean truck drivers are always careful and cautious. The sheer size of trucks means these types of accidents often have catastrophic and often fatal results.

If you’ve been hurt in an Austin truck accident, your Austin commercial truck accident lawyer can help you recover. At Gibbs & Crivelli, Slingshot Law, we have the tools you need to determine who’s at fault, what your claim is worth, and your best options for recovering maximum compensation. If you’re not sure where to start, your Austin truck accident lawyer is here for you.

 

 

Liability for an Austin Truck Accident

When you’re hurt by a truck driver, you’re not dealing with a typical lawsuit. In other motor vehicle accidents, you’d typically sue the driver who caused your accident, or you’d seek a settlement through their insurance company. When the at-fault driver was on the clock, you may need to approach your claim differently.

Typically, your Austin commercial truck accident lawyer will help you file a lawsuit against the employer of the reckless truck driver. Employers are responsible for their employees’ actions. Because of this, you may be due compensation from the business, not the individual truck driver.

But what if the driver didn’t cause the accident? In some cases, the truck driver may have done all they could to avoid the accident, but something else went wrong. Sometimes another driver may have been at fault, but all drivers involved were cautious until someone lost control of their vehicle. See how complex this can be? You may need an Austin commercial truck accident lawyer to help you investigate your claim.

For example, you may have been seriously injured because the truck had a defective part that caused the accident. If the steering, brakes, or other parts failed, the manufacturer may be at fault for your injuries. In other cases, a road defect like a pothole or standing water caused the truck accident. You may need help from a lawyer to sue the Austin Transportation Department for your injuries.

What Makes Austin Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Austin drivers are often overwhelmed by their truck accident claims. It can be difficult to file a lawsuit already, and you may be devastated by the level of damage caused by the truck accident. But what makes these accidents so dangerous that you need an Austin commercial truck accident lawyer?

Truck accidents can be dangerous because commercial vehicles are massive. These vehicles are much larger in size and weight than the typical car. That means they have more forward momentum than you do. Let’s say you have to stop suddenly; the commercial truck behind you can’t stop on a dime. When they can’t stop, you and your vehicle may suffer serious injuries because of the impact.

It’s not just a matter of how big the truck is, either. Commercial trucks may be carrying dangerous cargo, such as gasoline. Fuel is highly flammable, so if one of these trucks overturns, it could start a fire or explosion that could lead to life-changing or even fatal injuries.

 

Texas Laws Affecting Your Truck Accident Claim

When you’re hurt in a truck accident, you may want to settle your claim fast and get it over with. But state laws can impact your lawsuit in ways you don’t expect. If you’re not prepared, it could have a major impact on your claim.

For example, you only have a limited time to file a lawsuit. Austin truck accident victims must file within two years of their accident. If you don’t file your lawsuit on time, your claim could be dismissed. Talking to an Austin commercial truck accident lawyer can help you prepare for your lawsuit and seek compensation for your family.

Taking the blame for the accident can also hurt your lawsuit. Let’s say you inadvertently admit to 15 percent of the blame because you were texting and driving. You may receive only 85 percent of the compensation you’re due for your injuries. Your Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyer will handle all communications with the insurer to protect your compensation.

Compensation for Austin 18-Wheeler Accident Victims

When you’re hurt in a commercial vehicle accident, you may be due compensation for your injuries. But the insurance company and at-fault party don’t want to compensate you in full. These parties want to maintain their profits, not help you recover. Because of this, you may need your lawyer to determine the value of your losses caused by the truck accident, or damages.

These damages include both economic and non-economic losses. Your economic damages will include any expenses accrued because of the accident. The at-fault party is responsible for the costs of your recovery.

But what about the emotional and mental toll of an 18-wheeler accident? These losses can be difficult to calculate because they’re intangible. You’ll need special tools your lawyer can provide to find this value based on the severity and impact of your suffering.

If you were injured in an Austin truck accident, you may be due compensation for some or all the following damages:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental distress

How an Austin Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Can Help

When you’re hurt in an Austin 18-wheeler accident, you may be worried about juggling all these parts of your claim. You’re hurt, and your injuries can’t wait. But neither can your bills, especially if you’re unable to work and earn a living for yourself and your family. Worse, you don’t have the legal resources to understand the laws guiding your claim.

A truck accident lawyer can help you tackle all these problems, no matter how overwhelming your claim may feel. For example, your lawyer can help you communicate with the insurance company. Your lawyer knows the insurance company will try to defend its profits, and they can prepare evidence for your claim.

Your commercial vehicle accident lawyer can also represent you in court. They have the tools you need for a claim, using that evidence to defend your compensation and prove the at-fault party was careless. That means more time for you to focus on your injuries and your health, and less time worrying about what you’ll say in the courtroom.

 

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Austin

When you’re injured in a truck accident, you may be overwhelmed by the suffering and debt you’ve experienced because someone was careless. Worse, you may be worried about the costs of an Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyer, or about the insurance company’s actions.

You don’t have to tackle your claim alone, and you don’t have to worry about putting yourself in debt to get help. At Gibbs & Crivelli, Slingshot Law, we don’t get paid unless your Austin truck accident lawyer wins your claim. We even offer free consultations, so you can get answers specific to your claim before you get started. Ready to get started? Reach out by calling 800-488-7840 or by completing an online contact form.

Austin Truck Accident FAQ

If you’ve been hurt in a serious car accident, you may have more questions than answers. Worse, truck accident claims are rarely simple, which means your questions won’t be either. If you’re not sure where to begin, check out our frequently asked questions below, or give us a call to get answers specific to your claim.

How do I determine who’s at fault for my truck accident?

After a serious truck accident, you may be unsure not just who’s at fault for your injuries, but also how to identify the at-fault party. The easiest way to identify the at-fault party is by taking advantage of a truck accident lawyer’s resources. They have the resources you need to determine what caused the accident—from driver error to defective parts and more—and identify who’s responsible for it.

 

   

My loved one was killed in a truck accident. What can I do to recover compensation?

If you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. A fatal truck accident can be expensive, so reach out to a lawyer for the help you need to get the maximum compensation for your grieving family.

What if the truck driver was drunk at the time of the accident?

If a truck driver was over the .04 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit, that driver wasn’t just careless; they were breaking the law. Because of that, they may face a criminal trial before you’re able to sue in civil court. Luckily, your lawyer can use evidence from the criminal trial to boost your civil lawsuit.

Can I just settle with the insurance company?

Insurance companies are supposed to provide the compensation you need after your truck accident. But that doesn’t mean you’ll receive the settlement offer you’re due. Insurance companies want to make a profit, and paying for an expensive truck accident could mean losing profits. Your lawyer can review your settlement offer, help you request a higher settlement, and take your claim to court if the company refuses to settle.

 

What can I do if multiple cars were involved in the truck accident?

When something as big as a commercial truck crashes, multiple vehicles may be involved. Worse, it’s not always obvious who’s at fault in these situations. Because of this, you may need a truck accident attorney to help you gather evidence and determine who’s at fault for your injuries. They can determine what caused the accident and pinpoint the at-fault party.

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