Houston Commercial Vehicle Accident Legal Resource
Table of Contents
What to do Right After an Accident with a Large Commercial Vehicle
After the accident, DO NOT ADMIT FAULT. Make sure you are in a safe place and call the police immediately. If you are able to, take pictures of the scene and of any injuries you have. Do not expect the police to share any photographic evidence with you for your case. You will need your own documentation. Keep an eye on the commercial vehicle driver to make sure they do not sabotage the black box. Exchange insurance information with all the involved parties in the accident, exchange information with all witnesses, and give a statement to the police. Most importantly, see a doctor, even if you think you are not injured or your injuries are minor. Sometimes, your pain might be masked by the shock of the accident, and later develop to be more severe.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance Requirements
After the accident, DO NOT ADMIT FAULT. Make sure you are in a safe place and call the police immediately. If you are able to, take pictures of the scene and of any injuries you have. Do not expect the police to share any photographic evidence with you for your case. You will need your own documentation. Keep an eye on the commercial vehicle driver to make sure they do not sabotage the black box. Exchange insurance information with all the involved parties in the accident, exchange information with all witnesses, and give a statement to the police. Most importantly, see a doctor, even if you think you are not injured or your injuries are minor. Sometimes, your pain might be masked by the shock of the accident, and later develop to be more severe.
What Caused the Commercial Vehicle Accident?
There are many reasons why a commercial vehicle accident occurred and it most likely isn’t your fault! As stated before, never admit to fault as that is what the commercial driver, truck, and trailer owner want you to do to get out of paying what they owe you. Don’t allow yourself to get played, get an attorney and learn what caused the commercial vehicle accident.
Key Distinctions of a Commercial Vehicle Accident
Commercial vehicle accidents differ from an accident with cars for several reasons. There is usually numerous parties responsible who most likely all have their own insurance coverage. Furthermore, the liable parties have more insurance coverage than you could probably even imagine. As commercial vehicles are considerably larger than your car, the damage to both your body and property are heightened as well, with the likelihood of death increasing exponentially. Read here to learn more about the key distinctions of a commercial vehicle accident.
Understanding Possible Liable Parties
There are many people who could be at fault for a large commercial vehicle accident, and they will all try their best to avoid claiming responsibility for it. Hand-in-hand with getting the compensation you deserve is making sure the correct number of people take ownership of the accident. There could be several parties liable for the commercial vehicle accident.
Types of Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawsuits
There are many lawsuits that can be taken to trial for a semi-truck accident. The most common are going to be negligence, product liability, and wrongful death. Each lawsuit will take a tremendous amount of effort and evidence to hold up in court. Learn more about how to make a case for negligence, product liability, or wrongful death.
Stages of the Claim and Litigation Process: Information Gathering
The first step to the claim and litigation process is acquiring the needed to information to make a case. This is where our attorney will evaluate your case and get to learn about you personally and why your situation is unique. Not only will our attorney figure out what you need, but they will assess the damage to both your body and your property. Read more about how we gather information for your case.
Second Stage: Case Investigation
Once all the necessary information has been collected, it’s time to investigate your case. This is when our team will contact the responsible party(ies) to ensure they do not sabotage any evidence to prove your case. Prior to filing a lawsuit, we will undergo the detective work of investigating your case and hiring the needed experts to be able to represent you and your case as best we can. Read on about how we investigate your case.
Third Stage: Litigation, Negotiation, and Settlement
After your case has been investigated, we will be able to figure out the type(s) of lawsuit(s) that should be charged against those responsible. Here is when we can fight for your just settlement and argue the losses that you have suffered.
Fourth Stage: Trial and Judgment
Your case will only go to trial if a settlement cannot be agreed upon after the third stage. Trial is normally widely-recognized and the responsible parties will try everything in their power to avoid the spotlight of going to court. Fortunately for your, Steve Hollingsworth of Hollingsworth Law Firm has handled more cases in court than the average lawyer handles in their entire career.
Statute of Limitations
As you may be able to figure out from the name, a “statute of limitations” is a state law (meaning all fifty have their own) that puts a timeframe on how long you have to file a lawsuit. Here you can dive deeper into civil court and statute of limitations.
Legal Driving Hours for Commercial Vehicle Drivers
The allowed driving hours for commercial drivers is set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA regulates hours for both interstate and intrastate commerce, meaning they set the rules for driving within multiple states and driving within one state. This is another variable that makes deciphering a commercial vehicle accident difficult as now you are not only contending with the regulations of the FMCSA but you also have to figure out if you are working with state statutes as well. Educate yourself about rules of the FMCSA.
Types of Commercial Vehicles
Many people assume a “commercial vehicle” is a semi-truck or “18-wheeler,” but that isn’t necessarily the case. “Commercial vehicle,” is a rather broad and open-ended concept with several cargo types, whether that’s product or people. This is another wrench in the gear that will make navigating a commercial vehicle accident on your own extraordinary complex, all the more reason to hire the help of an experienced, trustworthy law firm and attorney. It is important to inform yourself with the many commercial vehicle types.
Fatality Facts
The truth about commercial vehicle accidents is that many people die every year, usually those driving smaller cars, but even pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycles. Many factors need to be taken into account, such as the amount of experience of the commercial driver, the weather and driving conditions, all the way down to the type of roadway the commercial vehicle was driving on. When working with an attorney who has been in this situation before, they will be able to supply you with the truth about the fatality facts.
The History of Commercial Vehicles
In 1898, Alexander Winton made his first sale for The Winton Motor Carriage Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The need to deliver twenty-two automobiles to customers around the United States without adding mileage on them was created. In 1899, Winton invented what he called an “automobile hauler” that would carry vehicles on a trailer. This invention became known as the first commercial vehicle in the world. Learn more about today’s commercial vehicles here.
Free Commercial Vehicle Accident Legal Consultation
The attorney you choose does make a difference; don’t get hurt twice. Our expert legal team has proven to be dedicated, compassionate, and most importantly, effective fighters for our clients. We have handled thousands of personal injury cases and recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We are with you every step of the way. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, and we never charge a fee unless we win.
Hollingsworth Law Firm is located at 1415 North Loop West, Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77008. You can call us at 713.637.4560 or fax at 713.474.9017. Our office is open Monday through Friday from seven in the morning until seven at night, closed on Saturday and Sunday. You can always send us a message on our website.
About Hollingsworth Law Firm
Our aggressive personal injury trial attorneys at the Hollingsworth Law Firm are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve. If you are the victim of an automobile accident, airplane accident, workplace injury or other catastrophic injury, you need legal advice from a personal injury attorney with proven results you can trust. Our dedicated legal team is proud to represent clients across the state of Texas. WE WILL START FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS TODAY!
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