Austin Truck Accident Lawyer

Due to the size, weight, and velocity of tractor-trailers, anyone who drives these vehicles has a heightened duty to navigate safely. If a truck driver gets distracted or takes their attention away from the road for even a second, the results could be devastating. Any accident caused by negligence could impact your health and your financial well-being.

Thankfully, depending on the details of the commercial vehicle wreck, you might be able to acquire financial compensation through filing a detailed personal injury claim. If you are unsure about how to do this, an experienced Austin truck accident lawyer can take over your case and seek justice on your behalf. You do not have to resolve your claim without legal representation, and you boost your chances of a positive case outcome when you work with our legal team.

Typical Causes of Truck Accidents

After a tractor trailer accident, one of the most important aspects of a case involves transparently concluding what caused the crash. In many situations, multiple factors might cause a commercial vehicle driver to lose control. Some of the most common truck accident causes include but are not limited to:

  • Improper truck maintenance
  • Distracted driving
  • Use of defective parts or tires
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Speeding or reckless behavior
  • Operating a tractor-trailer under the influence of alcohol
  • Tailgating or following too closely
  • Failure to signal when changing lanes

All of these situations become incredibly dangerous when a bulky and heavy commercial vehicle gets involved. Even the best driver might not be able to react to hazards in time, resulting in a crash that leaves other innocent drivers severely injured. Fortunately, a hardworking Austin attorney can assess the cause of the truck accident to facilitate filing a claim.

Who is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Generally speaking, financial liability for a truck accident usually falls upon one of three parties: a commercial vehicle driver, their employer, or the manufacturer of the truck’s parts.

Driver Liability

An individual truck driver is responsible for following traffic laws and operating their commercial vehicle safely. Failure to adhere to local regulations could automatically make a trucker negligent in the event of an accident.

Unfortunately, when a lone truck operator needs to assume liability for a crash, they might not actually have enough financial resources to cover all of the accident’s expenses. Thankfully, if this happens, a plaintiff seeking justice might be able to instead target the commercial vehicle driver’s insurance company through their civil claim. A legal concept known as vicarious liability theory makes this possible.

Corporate Liability

Meanwhile, according to another legal doctrine called respondeat superior, a commercial vehicle corporation might sometimes need to assume responsibility for the negligent actions of their drivers. These situations are ideal for an injured plaintiff since they might be able to acquire more damages than they would have if they only targeted one trucker.

A tractor-trailer company might need to assume liability if they fail to:

  • Safely load a trailer
  • Properly maintain their vehicles
  • Hire experienced drivers
  • Regulate how long their employees stay on the road

These cases can be a bit more difficult to prove, but legal representation is up to the challenge.

Assuming Responsibility for Broken Truck Parts

Finally, a defective part on a truck, like broken brakes or faulty tires, could cause a devastating crash. If this happens, Texas Statutes Chapter 82 permit an injured motorist to file a claim against a commercial vehicle manufacturer. A seasoned lawyer in Austin can help someone pursue this form of justice after a severe truck accident.

Speak With an Austin Truck Accident Lawyer to Learn More

After a serious truck accident, you should not delay in seeking the guidance of an experienced legal representative. The sooner you approach an attorney, the stronger your case could be. The longer you wait to collect evidence, assess the crash, and negotiate with a commercial vehicle company, the more overwhelming the legal processes might be. Fortunately, an Austin truck accident lawyer can represent your best interests at every stage of your case. Call today to get started.

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