In the realm of transportation, commercial vehicles play a pivotal role in various industries. Businesses and individuals must understand what constitutes a commercial vehicle, its types, regulations, and importance. This comprehensive guide by an experienced Houston commercial vehicle accident lawyer delves deep into the world of commercial vehicles accidents to provide valuable insights.
What is a Commercial Vehicle?
At its core, a commercial vehicle is any motor vehicle utilized for transporting goods, passengers, or property for compensation. These vehicles serve various purposes across different sectors, including transportation, logistics, construction, etc. Commercial vehicles come in diverse shapes and sizes to cater to specific needs, from delivery trucks to semi-trailer trucks to buses and vans.
How to Handle an Accident with a Commercial Vehicle
Commercial vehicle accidents almost always involve commercial insurance policies with higher-level liability limits. The steps you take after an accident with a commercial vehicle can impact the compensation you receive for your injuries.
Here is a list of things to consider doing to protect your rights in making a claim for compensation or filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Report the Crash
In Texas, you must report an accident if there is more than minor property damage. The important thing to know is that reporting an accident and having the crash investigated by police can be a vital step in documenting the accident for personal injury claims. When reporting the accident, be truthful and concise with the investigating officer. A crash report can serve as vital evidence and help prevent defendants from changing their story later.
Here is where to obtain a crash report in Texas.
TX DOT Crash Report Purchase System
Get The Necessary Medical Treatment
always get the medical care that is needed after an accident. Even if you do not believe your injuries are significant, getting checked out documents your physical condition and is helpful for insurance claims.
Document the Scene
Taking photographs of the crash scene can also be vital evidence. Photographs or video taken from a cell phone can help prove how the accident happened and who may be at fault.
Consult an Attorney Regarding an Insurance Claim
Insurance claims with commercial vehicles can be complicated. Issues about the employment of the driver, who is covered under the policy, and the different benefits that may be available can be hard to understand for many people.
Taking advantage of a free consultation with a commercial vehicle accident attorney near you can be very helpful in learning about your rights and options after a crash.
Read More: What are my Rights After Getting Hurt in an Accident with a Commercial Vehicle?
Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
commercial vehicle crashes have unique circumstances that may impact liability for causing an accident. Common causes of commercial vehicle crashes include:
- Long hours cause driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Improperly maintained vehicles
- Inexperienced truck drivers
- Violations of traffic laws
Things To Do After a Commercial Vehicle Crash
The most important thing to do after an accident is to ensure the health and safety of those involved. Commercial vehicle crashes are no different. Ensuring the safety of others while protecting your rights is vitally important.
It is recommended that you:
- prioritize your safety and move to a safe place
- contact the police
- document the seen and vehicles
- consult with the personal injury attorney
Read More: What to Do After a Delivery Truck Crash
Types of Commercial Vehicles:
1. Trucks: Trucks form the backbone of commercial transportation, ranging from light-duty pickups to heavy-duty tractor-trailers. These vehicles are designed to carry varying payloads, making them indispensable for freight transportation.
2. Buses: Buses are commonly used for passenger transportation, whether for public transit, charter services, or school buses. They come in different configurations to accommodate different passenger capacities and routes.
3. Vans: Vans like Amazon delivery vehicles are versatile commercial vehicles for many purposes, such as delivery services, utility maintenance, and passenger transport for smaller groups. UPS trucks and FedEx are also common delivery vans.
4. Specialty Vehicles: Certain industries require specialized commercial vehicles tailored to their needs. Examples include refrigerated trucks for transporting perishable goods, construction vehicles for heavy-duty tasks, and emergency vehicles for medical or rescue operations.
Texas Regulations Governing Commercial Vehicles:
Operating commercial vehicles entails adherence to stringent regulations imposed by Texas government authorities for some vehicles to ensure safety and compliance. These regulations include vehicle specifications, driver qualifications, maintenance standards, and transportation laws.
Importance of Commercial Vehicles:
Commercial vehicles serve as the lifeblood of countless industries, facilitating the efficient movement of goods and people across vast distances. Businesses rely on these vehicles to deliver products to customers, transport raw materials to manufacturing facilities, and facilitate trade on a global scale. Moreover, public transportation systems heavily rely on commercial buses to provide essential mobility services to communities.
Damages After an Injury Accident
Personal injury damages in Texas can include a variety of claims. Some of the most common claims personal injury victims are making after an accident with the commercial vehicle include:
- pain and suffering.
- loss of enjoyment of life
- disability
- disfigurement
- lost wages and earning capacity.
- medical expenses
- wrongful death damages
Our Houston Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Collision
If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle, 18-wheeler, or delivery van, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer for guidance on your claim and rights and options. Baumgartner Law Firm is experienced in fighting for maximum compensation for personal injury claims. Call us for a free consultation with the Houston truck accident lawyer who is ready to help you and your family.
About Our Law Firm
Baumgartner Law Firm is a Houston personal injury law firm headed by Greg Baumgartner.
Our firm was established in 1985 and has helped thousands of injury victims get maximum compensation for their cases. If you have been injured in an accident in Houston, TX, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. (281) 587-1111.
Since 1985, Baumgartner Law Firm has limited our law practice to serious personal injury cases. Our legal team has won maximum compensation for thousands of accident victims and recovered millions of dollars for real people like you. The practice areas we focus on are the following:
· Auto & Car Accidents
· Catastrophic and Severe Injuries
· Construction Site Accidents
· Daycare Negligence & Child Injury
· Dram Shop Lawsuits
· Drunk Driving Accidents
· Lyft Accidents
· Motorcycle Accidents
· Personal Injury
· Truck Accidents
· Uber Accidents
· Work Injury
· Wrongful Death
Helping these areas around Houston
Houston, Sugar Land, Conroe, The Woodlands, Cypress, Spring, Humble, Katy, Atascocita, Kingwood and Tomball.
Related Resources:
Essential Guide to Obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License in Texas
