Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney in Houston

Taking specific actions to safeguard your legal rights and well-being following a commercial vehicle accident is crucial. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Prioritize Your Health: Your well-being is paramount. Seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries appear minor. It is crucial to have a medical professional assess your condition and document your injuries accurately.
2. Report the Accident: Notify law enforcement and ensure an official accident report is made. This report will be vital for insurance claims and any legal proceedings that may arise.
3. Gather Information: Collect contact details, insurance information, and vehicle details from all parties involved in the accident. This documentation includes the commercial vehicle driver, employer, and other drivers.
4. Document the Scene: Take photographs of the accident scene, capturing vehicle damage, road conditions, and relevant traffic signs or signals. It is also important to document the license plates of all vehicles involved. If possible, photograph your injuries as well.
5. Obtain Witness Information: Get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Their statements may provide valuable support for your version of events.
6. Refrain from Admitting Fault: Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt or fault. Share objective facts only when discussing the accident with law enforcement, other parties, or insurance representatives.
7. Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company promptly and provide them with accurate and timely information about the incident.
8. Be Cautious with Insurance Adjusters: If the trucking company or another party’s insurance company contacts you, exercise caution when providing recorded statements without consulting your attorney. Use extra caution when discussing truck accident injuries, especially before you know the extent of the injuries. It is advisable to speak with legal counsel before engaging with these individuals.
9. Preserve Evidence: Safeguard any evidence relevant to the accident, such as medical records, photographs, and receipts for medical expenses and vehicle repairs.
10. Continue or Complete Medical Treatment: Adhere to the recommended treatment plan provided by your healthcare provider. Attend all necessary medical appointments and keep thorough documentation of your injuries and the treatment you receive.
11. Maintain a Record: Keep a record of all communications related to the accident, including emails, letters, and phone calls. This record can be valuable for reference purposes and for ensuring accurate documentation of your interactions.
12. Consult a Personal Injury Attorney: Seek guidance from a personal injury attorney specializing in handling commercial vehicle accident cases. They have the expertise to protect your rights, navigate the legal process on your behalf, and assist you in pursuing the appropriate compensation you deserve.

Notifying your insurance company promptly and providing accurate information about the incident is crucial for several reasons. First, by reporting the accident to your insurance company quickly, you allow them to initiate the claims process and address any potential damages or losses as soon as possible. Reporting also ensures that you can receive the necessary support and coverage promptly.

Second, providing accurate information about the incident is vital for the insurance company to assess the situation properly. Precise details about what occurred, when, and any parties involved allow the insurer to make an informed decision regarding your claim. Inaccurate or incomplete information could lead to delays or potential complications in the claims process.

Finally, even if the other driver’s fault was the accident, you may have benefits like PIP coverage under your auto policy.

When discussing the accident with the police, other parties, or insurance representatives, it is important to avoid admitting fault or making statements that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Instead, stick to the facts and avoid providing information that may incriminate you. Think about getting an experienced attorney to handle your truck accident claim.

Thoroughly documenting the accident scene, including vehicle damage and road conditions, is crucial. Properly capturing this information through photographs and notes is of the utmost importance. Documenting the scene helps establish an accurate incident record and provides valuable evidence for insurance claims, legal proceedings, and future investigations.

By taking detailed photos of the accident scene, including the extent of vehicle damage, the condition of the road, and any relevant traffic signs or signals, you can provide irrefutable evidence to avoid any potential disputes or conflicting accounts. Additionally, documenting license plates of all vehicles involved ensures accurate identification. Furthermore, capturing photographs of any injuries sustained in the accident, if possible, serves as a visual record that can support medical claims and provide a more holistic understanding of the incident. Therefore, documenting the accident scene, including vehicle damage and road conditions, is significant and should not be overlooked.

• Full names, addresses, and phone numbers of everyone involved
• The insurance carrier’s name and policy number of everyone involved
• Make and model and license plates of all vehicles involved
• Registration details of all vehicles involved
• Relevant parties such as employers of commercial vehicle drivers or additional drivers present at the scene.

If the other driver were on the job at the crash, their employer would also be responsible for the driver’s negligence in the course and scope of his employment. If the crash involved a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, the trucking company might bear responsibility for the truck accident or the driver’s negligence, even if he was an independent contractor.

Other parties may bear responsibility for a commercial vehicle accident, such as maintenance companies, vehicle manufacturers in the event of a defectively designed product, and even companies that loaded the vehicle if the loading was possibly A cause of the crash.

Commercial vehicle accidents are much more complex than a simple car accident case. Expertise and experience are necessary to maximize your compensation after an injury accident. A law firm specializing in commercial vehicle accidents should be your first choice. Be wary of law firms and attorneys you see on billboards or advertising heavily to attract clients. You don’t want to be a claim number to your attorney. People injured in commercial truck accidents deserve an attorney who can devote the time and attention to their case to maximize compensation.

Experienced truck accident lawyers understand federal regulations governing the trucking industry and play a crucial role in evaluating the specifics of a case, gathering evidence, and determining fair settlement offers.

A driver who is required to have a commercial driver’s license and driving a commercial vehicle is absolutely held to a higher standard of safety. The federal motor carrier safety regulations adopted in Texas provide stringent rules that trucking companies and truck drivers must comply with to protect the public’s safety. Selecting an attorney with expertise in commercial vehicle crashes is essential for your case’s best result.

All cases we accept are handled on a contingency fee basis. We charge a percentage of the total money collected on your injury case. Our fees start at 1/3 of the total recovery. You owe us no fee if we do not get you money in your pocket. In essence, our interests are aligned because the more money we get you, the more we get paid. Our fees start at one-third.

When it comes to determining an employee’s responsibility for a company vehicle accident, there are several actions that, if committed, can place full liability on the employee for injuries from a truck accident or a fatal truck accident. These actions involve negligence or misconduct, and they include:

1. Engaging in criminal activity: If an employee operates a company vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, drives at excessive speeds, fails to use their lights when necessary, or drives with a suspended license, they will be held accountable for the accident and any resulting injuries. The employee’s illegal actions directly contributed to the accident and breached their duty to operate the vehicle safely.
2. Going beyond the scope of work: An employee must use the company vehicle strictly for work-related purposes. If the employee diverts from their assigned tasks and uses the vehicle for personal errands or engages in any activities unrelated to their job responsibilities, they may be held responsible for any accidents occurring during this unauthorized use. Such actions are considered a “frolic” and exceed the boundaries of their employment.
3. Engaging in other non-business activity: Employees often have specific agreements with their employers regarding the conditions under which they are authorized to operate a company vehicle. These conditions may include restrictions on hours of operation, designated travel times and locations, and rules concerning the number of vehicle occupants.
4. Acting as an independent contractor: Employees who use their vehicle for company purposes can be responsible for obtaining insurance coverage. Or the company can provide the insurance. If an accident occurs while using their vehicle for company purposes, the insurance issues can be complex.

To mitigate the risk of accidents, employers should provide necessary training, conduct regular drug tests, obtain detailed driving histories, conduct thorough background checks on employees, and adhere to scheduled vehicle maintenance.