Side-Impact/T-Bone Truck Accidents in Hutto
Even modern vehicles with modern safety features like side airbags are not really built to withstand the forces of a t-bone on or side-impact crash. Unfortunately, this means that injuries from these accidents are usually severe, especially when a large commercial truck smashes into the side panel of a smaller vehicle.
Filing suit over side-impact/T-bone truck accidents in Hutto can be a challenging process on both legal and emotional levels, regardless of whether you are dealing with life-altering injuries or just need some help covering short-term medical bills. Either way, retaining and working with a seasoned truck accident attorney can make a huge difference in your ability to enforce your legal rights and obtain the restitution you deserve.
Establishing Fault for a T-Bone Truck Crash
Just like every other driver on the road, commercial truck drivers have a legal “duty” to obey traffic laws, watch out for nearby vehicles and obstacles, and generally act responsibly at all times while driving. Any trucker wo fails to fulfill this duty—whether by committing a traffic violation, breaking federal laws governing truck drivers, or just being reckless or careless behind the wheel can be considered legally negligent if their actions are the main and direct cause of a crash and physical injuries to another person.
Proving that an individual truck driver, their employer, and/or a third party was “negligent” is the most effective way for a Hutto claimant to seek compensation for their side-impact truck accident.
Does Comparative Negligence Apply to Side-Impact Truck Wrecks?
It is crucial to understand that people injured in a t-bone truck crash can also be found negligent if they were partially responsible for the incident. For example, if they were speeding when a truck driver ran a red light and struck them in an intersection, the defendant might argue that a plaintiff shares blame for the accident.
In a situation like this, a court could assign a plaintiff injured person a percentage of “comparative fault” for the side-impact crash and reduce the value of their final damage award. Additionally, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §33.001 prohibits anyone found more than 50 percent at fault for their own injuries from recovering any compensation at all. Thankfully, a tenacious lawyer can combat allegations of comparative fault and help a plaintiff keep their claim on track.
Recovering Comprehensively Within Filing Deadlines
Assuming there are no issues with the comparative fault system, a Hutto resident injured in a side-impact truck crash can demand restitution for every negative effect their accident has had and will have on them, including both economic and non-economic forms of harm like:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost working ability and/or income
- Personal property damage, including vehicle replacement/repair costs
- Psychological trauma and emotional distress
- Physical discomfort and pain
- Lost consortium
- Lost quality/enjoyment of life
However, according to TX Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003, a plaintiff typically needs to file their civil claim within two years of their t-bone truck crash. A proactive legal representative can help with respecting this deadline.
Consider Working with a Hutto Attorney Following a Side-Impact Truck Accident
Getting T-boned or sideswiped by a semi-truck is one of the most devastating types of accidents on the road. After a wreck as uniquely traumatic as this, understanding and enforcing your legal rights can be key to protecting your best interests and making a full recovery.
You should think twice before trying to pursue a claim over side-impact/T-bone truck accidents in Hutto by yourself. Call today to learn how our legal team could help you seek compensation for your losses.
