Every day, many accidents involving trucks affect people and families nationwide. Unfortunately, In Texas, truck accident deaths are higher than in any other state. These accidents usually happen because the truck driver is tired or because truck companies do not train their drivers well enough.
Shortage of truck drivers
There are not enough truck drivers in Texas, which means longer hours and longer distances for employed truck drivers. The long hours and driving distances lead to dangerous driving conditions for truck drivers, directly impacting all other drivers on the road.
Accidents between a private vehicle and a commercial vehicle or truck
Being in an accident with a commercial vehicle or a truck is scary for anyone involved, and many people may not know what to do in those instances. It is normal not to know what to do, so providing information for you to be informed and prepared in the event of an accident is essential.
What is the legal process after an accident with a truck?
The first step is always determining who was at fault in the accident. The legal term for fault in an accident is liability. In this process, attorneys want to find out who was responsible for the crash and why it happened. The truck driver is at fault most of the time because they are either distracted or tired. Truck drivers usually work for a trucking or cargo company.
Under the law, specifically, there is a legal theory called respondeat superior, which allows a person who is involved in a car accident where the truck driver is at fault to hold the trucking company responsible for the driver’s mistakes, lack of training, or whatever other reason they have for causing the accident.
What happens if both me and the truck driver are at fault?
In Texas, you are not entitled to compensation if you are more than 50% responsible for the accident.
What to do after a truck accident
To achieve the best possible outcome for yourself, there are steps you can take immediately after the accident, including:
- Get medical attention immediately and follow your doctor’s orders.
- If possible, collect evidence. Nowadays, everyone has phones equipped with photo and video cameras, making collecting evidence on the scene easier.
- File a police report as soon as possible and get the contact information from anyone involved or present in the accident or on the scene.
After doing these three things, you should contact a personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case and its merits based on the information you have and the evidence they can acquire from the other party.
Car accidents are serious, especially when dealing with trucks. Many of these accidents result in severe injuries or death. It is critical to be aware of the seriousness of the consequences so you can be prepared to act if you are ever involved in one.