Do You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Whether you are an experienced truck driver or a newbie, you will need to know the law if you are involved in an accident with a truck. While the laws regarding trucking accidents are similar to those for car accidents, there are certain differences. You should know your rights so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
Texas truck accident laws are similar to people who are driving cars
Whether you are a truck driver or you’ve been in a crash, there are many laws you should be familiar with to protect yourself. If you are not, you might be subject to a personal injury lawsuit. Fortunately, there are attorneys in Texas to assist you. They are typically willing to work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay anything up front.
It is also worth noting that the Texas trucking industry isn’t without its share of accidents. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,761 people were killed in truck crashes in 2017. Of those, only about 10% were nonoccupants. It isn’t uncommon for people in cars to engage in risky maneuvers around tractor trailers. This can lead to catastrophic injuries.
If you are in the unfortunate position of being in a crash, you should speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will be able to provide you with information on your legal rights, as well as the appropriate course of action. This can include a claim against your at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy.
The most common type of accident in Texas is a rear-end collision. These typically occur when a car hits a vehicle ahead of it. Typically, the truck driver is at fault for this type of accident, but in many cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will pay out to cover the costs of the claimant’s damages.
Comparative negligence vs contributory negligence
Whether or not you need a Houston truck accident lawyer is largely dependent on your degree of fault in the crash. The percentage of fault is crucial for determining who will be liable for an accident and how much you will be awarded in damages.
Some states follow a pure contributory negligence system, while others use a modified comparative negligence system. Both are used to determine fault in personal injury lawsuits. However, the pure contributory negligence system is more harsh.
Pure contributory negligence states that a plaintiff can’t recover damages even if he or she is 1% at fault. This system is used in only five states and has been called a “cruel” and unnecessary doctrine.
A modified comparative negligence system, on the other hand, only bars plaintiffs from recovering damages when they are more than half at fault. It also permits reduced compensation when the plaintiff shares the blame with the defendant.
When it comes to car accidents, most states use a comparative negligence system to determine fault. Each driver is assigned a percentage of fault in a typical car crash. If the defendant is assigned more than 50% of the fault, he or she cannot recover insurance coverage for medical bills or other damages.
In Texas, a modified comparative negligence system allows plaintiffs to recover damages even if they are partially at fault for an accident. This is because a court has to determine if the plaintiff was at least partially responsible for the accident.
Keeping a log with the truck
Keeping a log with the truck when hiring a Houston truck accident lawyer may not be the first thing on your mind, but it’s actually an important task to do. You need to record certain information about your truck and the driver so you can prove your case. You should also take pictures of the accident, the truck and the driver. You should also try to save the receipts you receive. This will help your attorney prove his case later on.
You should also take advantage of the “black box” that’s built into the truck to record important information. The “black box” is not only a great way to record information, it also shows what happened leading up to the accident. You should also take a video of the accident.
It’s also important to keep track of your insurance information. You should try to exchange contact details with the other driver, as well as his insurance company. You may also need to exchange information with the police to make sure you get the right type of accident report. You should also get the names and badge numbers of the police officers who were at the scene of the accident. This will help you gather statements from the witnesses.
If you’re involved in a trucking accident, you should get a lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced Houston truck accident lawyer can help you collect the most important information and prove your case.
Staying at the scene of the accident
Leaving the scene of the accident can lead to a charge of hit and run. In addition to this, failure to stop after a minor car accident is a violation of Texas state law. You can receive a ticket and if you are found guilty, you may face jail time.
You should not leave the scene of an accident until you call the police. After you call the police, you will receive a police report that contains important information. These reports can help you gather statements from witnesses. In addition, you will want to exchange insurance information with the other driver.
The police report will contain details about the crash. You will also want to collect names and badge numbers from the officers at the scene. You should also collect photographs and videos of the scene. This will help you in defending your case.
The accident may have been caused by several different parties, so you may be able to collect compensation from many of them. However, you should not discuss the details of the crash until you have consulted with an attorney. This can be a problem in a future legal case, because you may inadvertently admit fault.
You will also want to gather receipts and bills for hospital and doctor’s bills, car rental, and other expenses. Your truck accident lawyer can help you with this.
Suing if a loved one is incapacitated
Having a loved one incapitated can lead to a number of problems. The victim may be unable to make health or financial decisions, or they may not be able to communicate their wishes. Depending on the situation, it may be in the best interest of the victim to seek legal advice.
When a person is incapacitated, their family members may file a personal injury claim on their behalf. This can help provide much-needed funds for the victim and their family. It is important to have a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer to investigate the crash and possible liable parties.
In the event that the victim is an adult, a legal guardian may be appointed to oversee the person’s affairs. The legal guardian will have the authority to make financial and medical decisions for the incapacitated person. A hearing will confirm that the victim is incapable of making decisions.
A person with dementia or Alzheimers may also need help filing legal claims. If a family member or friend was in a semi-truck crash and suffered a serious injury, they may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. Depending on the nature of the injury, it may be appropriate to sue the driver of the truck, the company that hired the driver, or anyone else who contributed to the crash.
If a family member has been injured in a trucking accident, it is best to contact an attorney immediately. A truck accident lawyer will be able to investigate the crash and possible liable parties, interview witnesses, and help you pursue a personal injury claim.