Can I Sue A Trucking Company Without A Lawyer?

Call (888) 988-7063 To Speak With One Of Our Zinda Law Group Truck Accident Attorneys Today

Trucks often cause significant injuries and damages when involved in an accident due to their sheer size and weight.. To recover compensation, you may sue the truck driver, his insurer, or the truck company that employs him, without a lawyer. Self-representation (“pro se”) in accident and injury cases is quite complicated. For this reason, an attorney can be crucial in proving liability and securing the compensation you may be entitled to.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a commercial truck and need to seek compensation, you do not have to go through the process alone. Call the attorneys at Zinda Law Group at (888) 281-6991 for a free case evaluation. Should we do not reach a favorable result in your case, you will not owe us anything.

Can You Sue A Trucking Company Without a Lawyer?

You should consider taking the following steps following a commercial truck accident:

1. Report Your Accident 

You should report your accident by notifying local law enforcement. The authorities will arrive on the scene and investigate your accident. They will question the truck driver, interview any witnesses, and file an accident report summarizing their findings.

2. Document Your Accident 

It is very important for you to document everything related to your accident. Photograph the scene of the accident and record contact information from any witnesses.  Document any available evidence pertaining to any injuries you may have suffered and vehicle damage.  Note such details about the accident as the truck driver’s condition, road conditions, and other factors.

3. Immediately Seek Medical Attention for Any Possible Injuries 

If you have been hit by a commercial truck, you should immediately seek medical attention to treat any potential injuries. Even if you do not feel hurt, you should still seek medical treatment. You may have suffered less obvious injuries. In seeking immediate medical attention, you can also provide evidence that your injuries were caused by the accident, as well as the extent of those injuries. You should take care to document your injuries and treatment as thoroughly as possible.

4. Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have been hit by a commercial truck in Texas, you should contact an experienced Texas truck accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options. While you can seek compensation from the truck driver, or trucking company, without a lawyer, it may be an overwhelming task.  A trucking company, or its insurer, will employ many lawyers whose only job is to advocate for the company to pay victims as little compensation as possible. However, an experienced lawyer can help you seek the appropriate compensation you may be entitled to.

A complex aspect of trucking accident cases can arise if the trucking company tries to portray the truck drivers as independent contractors. In doing so, the company aims to create a shield from liability by claiming the company does not own the trucks and does not directly employ the drivers. The company’s lawyers may try to show that they did not directly control the specific manner and means by which the work of the independent contractor was to be performed.  The company may require drivers to furnish their own gas, insurance, and repairs. However, trucking companies can often still be found liable if the truck is represented as belonging to the trucking company.  An experienced truck accident attorney can help you navigate these complexities.

When Can You Sue a Trucking Company?

In Texas, you must file any claim for being hit by a truck within a certain time frame – the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for a personal injury case in Texas is two (2) years from the date that the truck accident occurred. If you do not file your claim within this two-year period, you could be prevented from seeking compensation.

Texas does, however, have an exception to this two-year statute of limitations for minors who are under the age of 18 when involved in a trucking accident. If a minor under the age of 18 was injured in the trucking accident, the statute of limitations on the child’s claim for compensation will not begin until the child reaches the age of 18. Upon reaching age 18, the statute of limitations will begin. The young accident victim will then have two (2) years from their 18th birthday to file a claim seeking compensation against the truck driver, trucking company and any insurers.

What Happens After You Decide to Sue a Trucking Company?

 1. Speaking with a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer 

If you have been hit by a truck, it is crucial that you immediately contact a Texas attorney with experience in truck accidents.  Do not give a recorded statement without legal representation.  Your attorney will properly investigate your accident – and the truck driver who hit you.  Your attorney will guide you through the legal process of filing a successful claim to seek all appropriate compensation for your accident.

2. Investigation 

An experienced attorney will investigate the accident and search for potential causes that may have caused the truck driver to hit you. Your attorney will also interview any witnesses to the accident, thoroughly examine the scene, collect any available evidence proving the truck driver’s liability for the accident, and determine to what extent the driver’s employer or trucking company may also be liable for the accident. This thorough investigation is instrumental to firmly establish your case and recover the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries and damages.

3. Negotiation 

After investigation and a thorough assessment of your case, your attorney can begin negotiations with the opposing party(ies) by presenting your claim – and an offer to settle your claim. This settlement offer is based on the financial amount needed to compensate you for your injuries (including any possible future medical care plan) and damages caused by the truck accident. The “defending” party(ies) may negotiate with your attorney, by making counteroffers and demands as both sides work towards an agreement for settlement. 

4. Trial 

If negotiation is unsuccessful, your lawyer will take your case to trial to seek proper compensation. In a trial, your attorneys present any evidence proving the truck driver is liable for hitting you, as well as any evidence proving the liability of the trucking company or insurer. 

Need Help? Contact Zinda Law Group Today

A commercial truck accident can leave you in a financial bind. Your injury could leave you unable to work and result in lost wages and overwhelming medical bills.  Rehabilitation costs add up. If the accident results in the death of a passenger, psychological distress can be devastating. The stress of dealing with these problems takes a toll. You don’t need to take on the complicated burden of attempting to sue the trucking company on your own.

Our truck injury lawyers will investigate your accident and determine if it was due to disregard of regulations, truck driver error, or if the trucking company is at fault. If you were harmed due to someone else’s negligence, we will fight aggressively to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

If you have been hurt in a commercial truck accident, consult with a truck injury attorney at Zinda Law Group today. Our team of experienced truck accident lawyers can advise and handle the legal aspects of your case for you so you can focus on what is most important – your recovery.

Call (888) 281-6991 for a free case evaluation with an experienced attorney.

Meetings with attorneys are by appointment only.