While all motor vehicle accidents are stressful and inconvenient, collisions with commercial trucks can be especially traumatizing. Tractor-trailer collisions are among the most severe types of wrecks, leaving motorists with life-threatening or fatal injuries. The massive size and weight of trucks can make these crashes especially dangerous.
Therefore, federal and state laws and regulations truckers and the companies that employ them to a higher standard of care. When you are hurt in a crash with a negligent truck driver, a dedicated personal injury attorney could help you collect fair compensation to cover your damages. Call an experienced McAllen truck accident lawyer for help with a case.
What Laws Are Truckers Required to Follow?
Hours of service are the maximum allowable time that tractor-trailer drivers can stay behind the wheel during a shift. The regulations also establish the number and length of breaks semi operators must take to comply with commercial trucking laws. While some exceptions to these rules exist, truckers must adhere to specific requirements under the Texas Administrative Code § 4.12,
Abiding by these regulations, truckers cannot drive for more than 10 hours without resting and must take a break for at least 30 minutes after driving for eight hours. A hardworking lawyer in McAllen could investigate a tractor-trailer collision to determine if the driver complied with safety rules and regulations. A legal representative could also request a truck operator’s driving log to find evidence of liability.
Speaking With Insurance Agencies After a Truck Crash
Truckers and the companies they work for have insurance agencies and attorneys in their corner, fighting to prove they did not cause a crash. Furthermore, insurance companies working for trucking businesses commonly reach out to the other involved drivers after a crash to get their account of what happened during the wreck. However, while these insurance adjusters might appear helpful, it is usually a bad idea to speak with them; it is their job to try to minimize the settlement for damages. In many cases, insurance adjusters will record an individual’s statement and use a plaintiff’s comments against them to prove they share liability for a collision.
A knowledgeable McAllen attorney could handle all communication and negotiations on an injured semi crash victim’s behalf and fight for a fair settlement amount. If legal representatives cannot reach a fair settlement agreement, they can take a case to civil court.
Damages in Truck Accident Claims
While there is no definitive settlement an injured person can collect after a semi accident, attorneys in McAllen can measure a victim’s losses to determine an appropriate award amount. Because victims of truck collisions typically suffer severe injuries and property damages, compensation is usually significant. A settlement could cover the following expenses:
- Medical care, including future healthcare costs
- Lost pay and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Losing the enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
Courts often break awards into economic damages, which cover out-of-pocket costs, and non-economic damages, which reimburse plaintiffs for non-monetary losses.
Schedule a Consultation With a Seasoned Truck Accident Attorney in McAllen
Truck drivers have a challenging job and are held to a higher standard of care. Therefore, courts hold them financially accountable when their negligent behavior causes collisions.
A capable McAllen truck accident lawyer could help navigate the civil claims process and advocate on your behalf. Call today to schedule a good time to meet and begin working on your case this week.