There is no typical settlement amount for a rear-end collision in Texas. Case results can vary widely, from injuries and treatment to insurance policies and liability. Some claims may be straightforward. Others can become more complicated, such as when long-term treatment is necessary, or fault is contested. However, it is difficult to provide a precise estimate without examining the specific facts of a case. After reviewing a victim’s claim, an attorney can offer a more accurate estimation.
Austin Rear-End Truck Accident Lawyer
Rear-End Truck Accident Attorney in Austin, TX
Truck rear-end collisions can involve massive force, even at low speeds, and they may result in catastrophic injuries that can change victims’ lives forever. An experienced Austin rear-end truck accident lawyer can safeguard your rights from the beginning of your case. They can make sure your injuries receive correct documentation while holding every responsible party accountable for their actions.
Rear-end crashes involving commercial vehicles also often leave victims with severe financial challenges. These crashes may happen on busy Austin roadways such as I-35, MoPac, the tech corridors surrounding The Domain, and other locations.
About The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC
At The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, our practice is focused on representing those Texans who have been injured in catastrophic accidents. With many years of personal injury law experience, we’re here 24/7, we’re bilingual, and we don’t charge a fee unless we win.
Our founding attorney, Stephen W. Stewart, is proud to be included among the Texas Super Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. We provide knowledgeable, compassionate, and results-oriented legal representation to victims of rear-end truck accidents in Austin and Central Texas.
The Nature of Rear-End Truck Accidents
A rear-end truck crash in Austin is not your typical fender-bender. When a 10,000-pound tractor-trailer collides with a smaller vehicle in front of it, the energy of that collision moves into the occupants of your car. These kinds of accidents can occur at any point while driving in heavy traffic, at stoplights along South Lamar or Burnet Road, or when vehicles unexpectedly slow down in Austin’s downtown construction zones.
Austin roads tend to become clogged at seemingly random times. Truck drivers should make sure to keep a safe distance from other vehicles, be alert, and drive defensively. When truck drivers fail to maintain safe practices, the accidents that result can be devastating.
Victims can suffer:
- Whiplash
- Back injuries
- Concussions
- Herniated discs
- Long-term issues with mobility
In addition, an 18-wheeler, delivery truck, dump truck, or other commercial vehicle rear-ending a car in Austin often causes a multi-car pileup as well, especially during Austin’s rush hour traffic.
Rear-End Truck Accident Laws
Rear-end truck accident claims in Texas are governed by state civil law and federal trucking regulations. A plaintiff seeking compensation must:
- Establish negligence.
- Show how the truck driver or employer did not exercise reasonable care.
- Connect this failure directly to the crash and injuries.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, allowing a claimant to recover compensation if they are 50% or less at fault, though the award is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Federal FMCSA regulations also control commercial operations, hours-of-service limits, vehicle maintenance standards, driver qualifications, and other requirements. Violations of these standards can be compelling evidence of negligence in a rear-end truck crash claim. Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a crash.
According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, one in five large truck crashes is a rear-end crash. Of these crashes that involve heavy trucks, 4.8% of them were fatal or resulted in serious injury, which is a higher percentage than the 1.8% of overall rear-end crashes.
Compensation Available in a Rear-End Truck Accident Claim
If a person is injured in a rear-end truck incident, they may be entitled to compensation. This compensation is meant to reimburse the victim for injuries and other losses sustained from the accident. These could include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Any future medical care needed
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle damage
- Property damage or loss
- Diminished quality of life
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy
Gathering relevant records, such as medical bills and doctors’ notes, can strengthen your claim against the liable parties.
Hire a Rear-End Truck Accident Lawyer
Prompt representation from The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, can keep you from being victimized further by aggressive insurance adjusters, who may try to minimize your injuries or place the blame on you. A lawyer can manage all communications, investigations, and deadlines. This can allow you to focus on your recovery.
FAQs
Contact The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC
It is important that you hire a rear-end truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Time-sensitive evidence from rear-end truck accidents, such as event data recorders and maintenance records, may disappear if not secured quickly.
If you were injured in a rear-end truck incident, The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, can seek your financial recovery so you can focus on your physical recovery. Contact us today for a consultation.
