Guiding Injured Truck Accident Victims Toward the Maximum Compensation
Collisions between semi-trucks and passenger vehicles tend to result in severe injuries or even death for those in the smaller car. If you or a loved one experienced this kind of devastation, you should talk to compassionate truck accident attorneys in Austin, TX to learn about your legal rights. As you’ve likely already discovered, the bills associated with the crash can be costly, and you shouldn’t have to pay them if you didn’t cause the collision.
The caring lawyers at Mike Massey Law are eager to help you and your family collect the compensation you need for your bills after a truck accident. Call our Austin, TX law firm to find out who you can hold liable and what kind of monetary damages you can seek after a commercial truck accident.
What Are Some Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents?
No matter what kind of vehicle someone is driving, they could make a mistake that results in a serious crash. However, accidents involving commercial vehicles are unique in that the truck driver is not always solely responsible for the crash, since their employer or colleagues could also be to blame. After all, they can have an impact on how safely the driver operates the truck and whether the cargo remains secure while in transit.
There are some of the most common reasons for a big rig to crash:
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Spilled cargo
- Poor driver training
- Defective vehicle parts, such as tires and brakes
- Poor semi-truck maintenance
- Safety equipment failure
While driver error – including speeding or driving while tired – is often the truck driver’s fault, sometimes other people play a part. For example, if their employer pressures the driver to arrive at their destination within an unrealistic timeframe, the driver might speed or give up sleep and drive tired to get there faster. This can cause devastating accidents for which the driver and their employer could be held liable. If the driver’s coworker loaded the cargo improperly and it spilled out on the road, causing a crash, they could also be liable.
Sometimes, a party not associated with the trucking company could be to blame. For instance, if a semi-truck part is defective and causes a wreck, the manufacturer of that part may be blamed. Similarly, if a mechanic was supposed to ensure the truck was safe to drive, yet improper maintenance led to a crash, they could be liable.
It can be hard for injured victims and their family members to determine the cause of a truck crash. Instead of trying to investigate this on your own, let us handle your case, as we know how to identify who and what was responsible for a wreck. Call us for a free consultation.
What Are the Most Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Collisions that involve commercial trucks tend to lead to severe or fatal injuries since these vehicles are so much heavier than smaller vehicles. This causes the crash impact to be much more forceful than average, especially at high rates of speed. As a result, the most common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Open wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation
- Organ damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Crush injuries
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
If you or your family member sustained severe injuries like these in a crash with an 18-wheeler, you should consult a truck accident lawyer. If the accident was not your fault, you can seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
When you pursue a truck accident case, you may even be able to collect compensation from more than one party, such as the truck driver and the trucking company. It depends on whose actions caused the crash. Contact our Austin, TX law firm to find out which insurance companies may be held liable for the truck accident that injured you.
What Damages Can You Pursue After a Truck Crash in Austin, TX?
Truck accident victims have the right to pursue financial compensation for any expenses related to the crash. When you hire skilled truck accident lawyers in Austin, TX, they will review your losses and request a fair settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Depending on the details of your truck accident lawsuit, you’ll likely be compensated for:
- Medical treatment immediately following the crash
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
In addition, if you lost a loved one in a crash with a tractor-trailer, you can pursue compensation for wrongful death. This will help you recover money to pay for your loved one’s hospital bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of any income that you were depending on. Contact our Austin personal injury law firm to learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to.
Are You Ready to Call Truck Accident Lawyers in Austin, TX?
Truck accident claims can be more complex than the average car accident case. This is because there are usually more liable parties involved, requiring communication with more than one insurance company. In addition, the crash investigation is more complex, which is why you should hire a skilled legal team to guide you through the personal injury case.
When you hire Mike Massey Law for your claim, our experienced lawyers will handle all the legal elements. This often involves requesting the truck driver’s drug test results, the truck’s black box, and the driver’s logbook to find out if they followed the FMCSA regulations while driving. These details can help determine who caused the crash so you get the maximum settlement. Call us at 512-546-6997 if you’re ready for truck accident lawyers in Austin, TX to begin working on your case.