Side-Impact Truck Accidents in Killeen
Even modern cars with safety features like side airbags are simply not built to withstand the force of an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer barreling into their doors or side paneling. Unfortunately, this means that even comparatively low-speed wrecks that involve a semi-truck crashing into the side of a commuter car tend to have devastating consequences.
If a commercial vehicle driver’s misconduct led to you being hurt in a side-impact truck accident in Killeen, the steps you take now to enforce your rights and demand fair financial recovery could make a tremendous difference in your future. Assistance from a skilled truck accident attorney can be key not just to maximizing the restitution you get through a successful claim, but also to getting a positive case result in the first place.
Proving Fault for a Side-Impact Truck Wreck
Just like commuter car drivers, commercial truckers have a “duty of care” under state law to obey traffic laws, watch out for other drivers and people, and generally act reasonably and rationally at all times while they are in direct control of their truck. Anyone who violates that duty and directly causes a side-impact collision through an overt traffic offense like running a red light or getting distracted behind the wheel can be considered legally “negligent” and, based on that, be held financially accountable for losses stemming directly from that accident.
Potential Compensation in a T-Bone Truck Crash
Compensable damages through a successful lawsuit or settlement demand built around a side-impact truck crash in Killeen may include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Car replacement/repair costs, plus other forms of personal property damage and related expenses
- Lost work income and/or ability to work in the long term
- Physical discomfort and pain
- Emotional and psychological suffering
- Lost overall enjoyment of life
An experienced truck accident attorney can go into further detail about what losses a particular person might be eligible to recover for during a confidential consultation.
Possible Obstacles to Effective Recovery
Importantly, Killeen residents who get hurt in side-impact truck wrecks and file suit over their accident-related injuries are not immune from being found partially liable for the crash, based on their own negligent behavior. For example, if a plaintiff was speeding at the time of the T-bone crash, they might face some liability for their own injuries.
Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §§33.001 through 33.017, no person more than 50 percent at fault for their own injuries can recover any compensation from any other partially liable party, and any lesser percentage of fault assigned to an injured plaintiff can be held against them as a proportional reduction from their final compensation award.
Furthermore, TX Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003 allows most people two years at most after actually being injured in a side-impact truck wreck to begin whatever civil litigation they ever intend to pursue. Guidance from seasoned legal counsel can be vital to navigating around these roadblocks and keeping a claim for compensation on track.
Discuss Side-Impact Truck Accidents in Killeen With a Dedicated Attorney
T-bone and sideswipe wrecks are almost always traumatic experiences, regardless of how they happen. Fortunately, after this kind of crash, you can work with an experienced legal representative to assess your damages and file a compelling civil claim.
Contacting a skilled truck accident lawyer should be a top priority in the wake of a side-impact truck accident in Killeen. Call today to get started on your case process.
