The terror and trauma that accompany a horrific commercial trucking accident can upend your life and make it impossible for you to move on from the experience. But when someone else is culpable, you should never be forced to cover the costs. You have already been through enough.
A respected and highly experienced Beaumont truck accident lawyer with Zinda Law Group is here to help you navigate the aftermath of your wreck.
Your Beaumont personal injury lawyer with our firm has successfully recovered $300+ million for our clients and will do everything in our power to maximize your payout. Contact our team for a free consultation and learn more about whether you have grounds for legal action and how you can make those responsible pay.
The Truck Accident Claims Process
Knowing how a truck accident case works is important to navigate the claims process and recover the compensation you deserve. The claims process generally unfolds as follows, though every case is different:
- You hire a reputable Beaumont truck accident attorney
- We investigate to determine who is liable
- We consider your legal options
- Your truck accident lawyer in Beaumont negotiates with insurers
- We proceed to trial
Keep in mind that going to court is not always necessary. If your insurance settlement is sufficient, further legal action may not be required. But if your insurance payout is lacking or the at-fault party is uninsured, expect to go to court unless the liable party settles fairly before trial.
Examining Liability in Beaumont Truck Accident Claims
Proving fault is necessary for any truck accident claim to be successful. But that does not mean it will be easy. So, who’s at fault in a commercial truck wreck: the driver or the employer?
It may be a combination of both. Truck drivers will be held accountable for any instances of unsafe or negligent driving.
This might include speeding, failure to stop or yield, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted driving, driving while fatigued, or any other type of dangerous driving. However, trucking companies are responsible for the truckers they employ.
Not only can the trucking company be sued for the actions of their truckers, but they can also be held accountable for failing to conduct necessary research before hiring a truck driver or forcing truck drivers to violate restrictions or hours of service regulations as mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
When trucking companies fail to uphold these regulations, they can share partial culpability for any damages car accident victims endure.
Beaumont Truck Accident FAQ
How Long do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
How long do you have to file a truck accident claim? The answer depends on how long it has been since your collision occurred. Generally, under Tex. Civ. Pract. & Proc. Code §16.003, personal injury and truck accident claims must be filed within two years of the accident date. Otherwise, you could be barred from pursuing your case further at trial.
Can I Get the Liable Party to Cover My Auto Repairs?
If your vehicle is not totaled, you may need to get significant body repairs. There are countless auto body shops to choose from.
However, before you take your vehicle to an auto body repair place in or around Beaumont, it is important to get several repair quotes and find out whether the insurance company has the authority to determine where your vehicle is repaired.
The at-fault party should certainly be expected to cover your personal property damages. Some of these losses will be paid for through your insurance settlement. However, any losses the liable party does not cover will need to be requested via your personal injury claim.
What do I Do if I Cannot Afford to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?
You do not need to worry about affording a Beaumont truck accident lawyer when you have a Beaumont truck accident attorney from Zinda Law Group handling your case. We work for our clients on contingency per the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
Our attorney’s fees are generally between 20% and 40%, and you only have to pay them if we win compensation for your damages.
If I Hate Hospitals, Can I Go to an Urgent Care Facility Instead?
You may initially feel as though your injuries are minor and that you don’t require medical attention. However, if your condition worsens, your situation could be far worse. If you do not want to go to a hospital, there are top-rated urgent care facilities in the area.
No matter which facility you visit, be sure to request copies of your medical records. We will need to prove that your injuries warrant the amount of compensation we are demanding, and your medical records will provide valuable insight.
You can also keep a personal journal detailing the various ways your life has been impacted by your injuries as additional supporting evidence.
What Are the FMCSA’s Hours of Service Regulations?
The FMCSA hours of service regulations determine how many hours a truck driver can work at any given time. According to 49 CFR 395, truckers must take at least 10 hours after a 14-hour shift.
Violations of these hours of service regulations are some of the top causes of commercial trucking accidents.
Meet with a Premier Truck Accident Lawyer in Beaumont, TX Today
Investigating, collecting evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and moving through the truck accident claims process can be intimidating and difficult when you are still recuperating.
Thankfully, while you recover, your dedicated truck accident attorney in Beaumont, TX, from Zinda Law Group can handle the legalities. Let our team act as your guide as you begin to pick up the pieces of your life.
Our legal team offers 24/7 case reviews and has successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars and counting for truck accident victims and injury survivors across Beaumont and throughout Texas.
We are here to serve our community and demand just compensation for those in need. Fill out our convenient contact form or call us to schedule your free consultation as soon as today.