Truck drivers need countless hours of training and special licensing to learn the skills to operate 18-wheelers safely on Texas’s interstates. Even so, no amount of training can account for a driver’s in-the-moment negligence.
Truck drivers who are distracted, under the influence, or careless, can endanger others and cause accidents. Should you find yourself in the aftermath of a truck accident, you can work with an Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyer to address your losses.
Zinda Law Group has the courtroom experience to present your case and advocate for your right to the damages you need to cover your losses. Contact our Austin truck accident lawyers today for support throughout your recovery.
Do You Qualify for Damages After an 18-Wheeler Collision?
If a lawyer proves someone else caused the crash due to carelessness, you might get compensation after a commercial truck accident. Our team can assess the actions of 18-wheeler drivers and trucking companies to identify all negligent parties.
An Austin personal injury lawyer can review your unique situation and help determine if you qualify to file a claim. We will also identify the liable party, reviewing the actions of the 18-wheeler operator and other motorists.
What Compensation Can You Get After a Crash?
The responsible party may have to cover all your expenses after a commercial vehicle accident. In this situation, you may qualify for funds for your:
Medical Bills
Truck accident victims may need medical treatment for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries (SCIs), broken bones, and other catastrophic injuries. An experienced attorney can help you secure compensation to cover your:
- Emergency medical care and transport to a hospital
- Diagnostic tests to identify your injuries
- Medical procedures (including surgeries)
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
An Austin truck accident lawyer can track all the costs of recovering severe injury on your behalf.
Lost Wages
Our team can also help you seek fair compensation for loss of income if you need time off work after your truck-related accident.
You might get money to help with lost income if an accident caused a disability that affects your ability to work. You can discuss this option with an 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Austin, TX.
Property Damage
Collisions with commercial trucks often total passenger vehicles. In this situation, liable parties may have to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your car.
Non-Economic Damages
Not all of your losses need to be physical. You can ask for money if you have been emotionally hurt, in pain, lost joy in life, or are mentally suffering. An experienced attorney can calculate the value of these losses on your behalf.
Punitive Damages
Sometimes, the court will issue punitive damages against the negligent party. These damages serve to penalize the at-fault party. Not all cases get this compensation from the court, but you can talk to your lawyer about if you qualify.
How Much Compensation do You Get for Your Losses?
The value of your claim will depend on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries and your total financial losses.
We’ll track all of these expenses on your behalf, giving you peace of mind as you move through the legal process following a commercial truck accident in Travis County.
How Can You Recover Funds After an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident?
You can recover from an 18-wheeler truck accident by either pursuing a personal injury claim yourself or requesting that a personal representative do so for you.
Whether you decide to represent yourself or a deceased loved one, you can request that an 18-wheeler accident attorney in Austin, TX, help you file your claim and represent your best interests. Depending on your situation, we may recommend:
Settling Out of Court
Our legal team often negotiates with insurance companies after 18-wheeler crashes. We can push for a fair settlement that allows you to get compensation without a lawsuit. We know how to assess all deals made by the insurance company and come prepared to fight for your best interests.
Filing a Lawsuit
Sometimes, insurance companies won’t treat you fairly. In this situation, our team of truck accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. We believe in representing truck accident victims before a judge and jury when necessary in Travis County.
Why Hire Us After an 18-Wheeler Accident?
At Zinda Law Group, we care about your needs. We offer personalized legal assistance to every client who comes to us for help. With 15 years of experience and over 10,000 clients served, we have the expertise to help you.
We have a reputation for successfully resolving claims, recently bringing a client $3,600,000 after a truck accident. You can review other examples of our work by checking out our case results.
We value honesty, integrity, and great communication. We offer 24/7 help and prioritize each client’s needs. You can reach out to us now for a risk-free assessment of your legal situation.
What do We Charge to Handle an 18-Wheeler Crash?
We handle 18-wheeler claims on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid for legal fees if we win your case. We’ll receive a percentage of your final damages as payment for our legal representation.
What Information Should You Include in an Austin 18-Wheeler Truck Crash Claim?
The personal injury claim you bring forward after an 18-wheeler collision needs to be comprehensive if you want to win the right to argue for compensation in civil court. You need to work with an attorney to discuss in detail when outlining:
- Who or what party caused your accident
- The losses you endured in that accident
- The economic value of your accident’s losses is
- The evidence you have of liability and your losses’ values
An attorney must look into your accident scene to find evidence for proving negligence and determining the worth of your case.
Evidence of negligence in an 18-wheeler truck collision can include the truck’s black box data, the driver’s cell phone data, bystander input, and opinions from expert witnesses in an attorney’s professional network.
You can count on an Austin 18-wheeler accident attorney to gather this data on your behalf and compose an analysis to include in your formal complaint. We can then format your complaint to meet state standards before submitting it before your statute of limitations expires.
Who Has to Cover Your Expenses After an 18-Wheeler Crash?
Determining who to hold responsible after an 18-wheeler accident can sometimes prove challenging. The evidence from your accident, be it the black box data or bystander statements, may make one claim about negligence and fault. However, the contracts tying a driver to a client or employer may say another.
No one wants to make you learn contract law to pursue compensation for your losses. You can instead put that responsibility on an attorney’s shoulders. Once an attorney examines the contracts between a driver and a relevant corporation, they can more effectively tell you who to hold liable for your losses.
An Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyer may help you file a claim against:
A Truck Driver
Today, most trucking companies and private corporations prefer to hire truck drivers as independent contractors, not employees. Independent contractors consider trucking agencies and corporations to be clients.
As such, those agencies and corporations don’t have to provide their drivers with legal protection or certain benefits. If the person who caused your 18-wheeler accident works as an independent contractor, you may hold that individual liable for the losses you endured due to their negligence.
These cases are relatively straightforward; you likely won’t have to interact with a corporate legal team or insurance provider.
Trucking Corporations
Matters change if trucking agencies or corporations categorize an at-fault truck driver as an employee. These companies must give their employees legal help and insurance if they work under a specific contract.
If you have an accident with an employee (not an independent contractor), you can potentially hold their employer responsible for your losses. Therefore, you may end up taking a corporation to civil court.
Fortunately, our Austin 18-wheeler accident attorneys have a record of going up against corporations and know how to make this experience as stress-free as possible for you. Let us use our combined experience to help you during this difficult time.
Can a Lawyer Help After a Fatal 18-Wheeler Accident?
Experienced truck accident lawyers can help after fatal accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our team understands the tremendous impact these collisions can have on your family and stands ready to assist with all your legal needs.
We’ll find the at-fault party and provide you with compassionate advice throughout the legal process. You can get legal representation from an Austin wrongful death lawyer with a record of success by contacting our firm.
If a loved one passes in a truck crash, you can request support for their wrongful death as well as the cost of a funeral and long-term familial care.
What’s the Deadline to File an 18-Wheeler Accident Claim?
If you choose to move forward, you must submit your claim within the deadline set by the state of Texas’s deadline. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.003 allows truck accident survivors and their representatives up to two years to file a personal injury claim.
If you miss that deadline, you waive your right to fight for compensation in Texas civil courts. A personal injury lawyer can help you keep track of deadlines for your claim. They ensure you have enough time to hold trucking companies accountable.
What Should You Do After an 18-Wheeler Crash?
Personal injury attorneys recommend that you take a few steps at the scene of a collision. If possible, ensure that you:
Contact the Police
Reporting any accident resulting in injuries, property damage, or a fatality to the police is essential. Officers can come to the scene, assess what happened, and file an official police report. Your attorney may use the information in the report when building your claim.
Get Evidence
You may have a chance to collect evidence from the scene of your accident if you take pictures of:
- Your injuries
- The damage to your vehicle
- Hazards that contributed to the crash
We also recommend getting contact information from all eyewitnesses and the 18-wheeler driver. Your lawyer may use the details you provide to quickly find and interview everyone who saw your collision.
Seek Medical Care
We know that trucking accident victims often require extensive medical treatment. Make sure you visit a healthcare facility quickly after an accident. Getting prompt treatment can establish that the collision directly caused your injuries and medical bills.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney
A personal injury law firm can help you determine your next steps after a crash. Attorneys will answer your questions and take charge of the legal process, giving you more time and energy to focus on your recovery. We’re standing by to take on your claim.
What Causes 18-Wheeler Crashes?
Many forms of negligent driving can cause 18-wheeler collisions. An Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you after a crash caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued driving
Not following traffic rules can lead to accidents, especially in bad weather or heavy traffic. Unsecured cargo and improper maintenance can also lead to a collision. Drivers who ignore their blind spots may also crash into your vehicle.
We can help you seek financial compensation regardless of the causes of your collision. Discuss your legal claim with our professional team today. We help with any type of accident.
Zinda Law Represents People Injured in 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents
If you sustain injuries in a crash with an 18-wheeler, a negligent driver may permanently change your life. Negligent truck drivers may even, under the worst of circumstances, prove liable for the untimely death of someone you care about.
What can you do in the wake of an accident with an 18-wheeler? Call Zinda Law Group. An Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you take action after a collision. Our team advocates for your right to compensation based on the losses an 18-wheeler accident brought into your life.
You can schedule a case consultation through Zinda Law Group’s online contact form or contact our office today.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationNeil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation