As an integral part of our country’s economy, most industries heavily rely on the trucking industry to transport goods and raw materials across different regions. Trucks are often secure and accommodate many goods in one sitting. Without them, many industries would be out of business.
Unfortunately, not all trips are successful. Like other vehicles, trucks are prone to crashes that often result in catastrophic injuries and deaths. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that at least 4,119 people were killed in truck-related crashes in the United States in 2019. Of these figures, 69% were occupants of other vehicles, while 15% were motorcyclists, pedestrians, or cyclists. If you suffered harm in similar circumstances, a Brownsville truck accident lawyer may explain your legal options for compensation. Our personal injury attorneys could help you recover the compensation you need.
Why You Need a Brownsville Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident cases are handled similarly to other personal injury claims, but there is often more to it. Claims resulting from a truck accident may involve different insurance companies, investigators, and legal teams. This is mainly attributed to varying structures in truck ownership, insurance coverage, state and federal trucking laws, and the companies involved. This wide variety of players makes it difficult for an average victim to self-litigate, let alone negotiate a settlement.
There is also the crucial aspect of liability. Often, different parties will shift blame, even when the fault is straightforward. The injured victim may admit liability unknowingly or get duped into accepting lowball settlement offers from selfish insurance adjusters. But with a knowledgeable truck collision attorney, your rights are protected. For example, your lawyer may access critical empirical data from the truck’s black box to piece together the circumstances around the crash. They may also speak to eyewitnesses and also retain experts such as accident reconstructionists.
Other common reasons why you need a skilled lawyer are:
- Negotiating fair settlement with insurance companies
- Proceeding to trial
- Collecting evidence from the scene & recording witness testimonials
- Providing you with legal counsel about your claim
When retaining an attorney, you must make background checks on their legal practice. A good lawyer has provable experience handling similar truck accident cases.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Brownsville, call (832) 449-8230
Knowledge of Trucking Laws & Regulations
For the safety of truck drivers and other road users, the trucking industry is heavily regulated by the federal and state governments. These regulations ensure that they operate within a baseline code that guarantees their safety, the safety of goods in transit, and the general public. Suppose you strongly believe that any of the following regulations were disregarded by the driver or trucking company, you should contact a skilled truck wreck lawyer as soon as possible.
Brownsville Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (832) 449-8230
Drug & Alcohol Testing
Anyone using public roadways in Texas is prohibited from drug and substance abuse, including truck drivers. Given the long hours they cover each day, truck operators may be tempted to indulge in alcohol and other drugs to keep them awake. Unfortunately, this results in adverse mental and health effects that often cloud their judgment on the road, increasing the likelihood of a fatal crash.
Through the Omnibus Employee Testing Act, all employers must subject their employees to regular and intensive drug abuse tests. A resourceful tractor-trailer accident attorney may work with medical experts to determine the driver’s level of intoxication.
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Insurance Coverage & Truck Maintenance
All trucking companies must have proper insurance coverage for their vehicles. Large vehicles have more extensive insurance coverage than smaller vehicles due to their high likelihood of causing severe damage. An average truck should have a minimum range of $750,000, but most companies are insured for at least $1,000,000. On top of that, these trucks must be regularly maintained to determine their roadworthiness. It’s a requirement that trucking companies subject their trucks to inspection every 90 days.
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Hours of Service & Log Book Rules
Because truck drivers work within strict deadlines, they are forced to drive for long without enough breaks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) restricts the number of consecutive hours a truck driver should operate. With these breaks, driver fatigue is significantly reduced. The FMCSA requires all drivers to record their operating hours in Electronic Logging Devices (ELDS) to guarantee compliance with these operating rules.
Contact Our Skilled Truck Accident Attorneys
Maneuvering through the complex process of filing a truck accident claim can be challenging, more so when you have suffered insurmountable harm. Our firm’s Brownsville truck accident lawyers are ready to hold the parties responsible accountable for your losses. To get started, call us today.
Call or text (832) 449-8230 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form