Truck accidents are on the rise and becoming a serious issue in Austin, the capital of Texas.
In 2022, 122 people in Austin lost their lives in a truck accident. This is a very concerning number of deaths that should be addressed immediately.
The victims of truck accidents will sustain serious losses. They can recover some of these losses by filing a truck accident claim. Speaking with an attorney before filing a claim is important. For instance, consulting the Austin truck accident attorneys at DC Law can give you a clear understanding of your case and what you need to do to win.
Even if you are not a victim of a truck accident, learning about truck accidents is important. This knowledge can come in handy when you or a loved one is involved in a truck accident.
This blog post answers the eight frequently asked questions regarding truck accidents. Read on.
- What should I do in the event of a truck accident?
Here are some things you need to do in the event of a truck accident:
- Keep calm, and if you are able to, move to a secure location away from the accident site
- Call 911 and inform them about the accident. Do not leave the scene until the police arrive
- Take pictures and videos of the accident site, the damage to your property, and your injuries
- Collect the contact information of the at-fault party and witnesses
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not getting medical attention is a grave mistake that you will regret later
- Inform your insurance agency about the accident
- Consult a lawyer and file a truck accident claim
- What should I do when the insurance company makes an offer?
It is highly likely that the at-fault party's insurance company will reach you almost immediately after the accident. They will make an offer.
The plan is to make you agree to that offer since you cannot file a claim again once you accept it. They make this offer immediately after the accident because you won’t know the full extent of your losses.
In addition, you will have multiple bills to pay, so you are more likely to settle. Do not make that mistake.
Never agree to a settlement without speaking with your lawyer first.
- Who are the common liable parties for truck accidents?
Like every other accident, truck accidents too have a list of usual suspects. Contrary to popular belief, truck drivers are not always responsible for truck accidents. The following are the common liable parties for truck accidents:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Truck manufacturer
- Truck mechanic
- The cargo loading company
- What are the common causes of truck accidents?
The common causes of truck accidents are:
- Defective parts
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Violating hours of service rules
- Improper cargo loading
- Do I need a lawyer?
The short answer is yes. Hiring a lawyer following a truck accident is mandatory if you intend to win your case.
Cheating victims who don’t have a lawyer by their side is child’s play for insurance companies. Experienced truck accident lawyers can protect you from insurance companies and their cheap strategies.
They can help you in the following ways:
- Investigate and gather evidence
- Determine the liable party for your accident
- Negotiate with the insurance company and reach a favorable settlement
- Take your case to court if the insurance company is too stubborn
These benefits make hiring a lawyer a necessity.
- What are the losses I can recover?
In a truck accident case, you can recover two types of losses:
- Economic losses
- Non-economic losses
Economic losses are the financial expenses the victim has incurred as a result of the accident. These losses are easy to calculate.
Non-economic losses are the emotional losses of the victim. These losses are hard to calculate as they are personal to the victim.
- Can I afford a lawyer?
Many seem to think that they can’t afford a lawyer. In reality, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. It means the lawyers take a portion of your compensation as their fee.
In this arrangement, there is no upfront fee, and you pay only if the lawyer wins your case. So you can afford to hire a lawyer.
- What is the statute of limitations for truck accidents?
The statute of limitations for truck accidents in Texas is two years. The victim cannot file a claim if the statute of limitations has expired. This is why you should take immediate action.
Final thoughts
Hope this blog post answered the questions that were on your mind. Remember, no number of blog posts can replace a lawyer. So never opt out of hiring a lawyer if you find yourself involved in a truck accident.
