Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney in Austin, TX
A crash caused by a commercial truck, delivery van, utility vehicle, or company fleet car on one of Austin’s busy thoroughfares can instantly change victims’ lives. Complex liability issues, multiple responsible parties, layers of insurance policies, and corporate defense attorneys who aggressively fight claims are common in these cases. An Austin commercial vehicle accident lawyer can build a case that accurately represents your damages.
Your accident may have occurred on I-35, MoPac, FM 2222, or one of the downtown arteries near Barton Creek Square. In any of these cases, you need experienced legal support from day one to press your commercial vehicle accident case.
About The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC
At The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, our focus is on getting injured Texans their lives back after life-changing accidents. Our experience with personal injury cases extends over multiple decades, and our commitment to clients includes 24/7 availability, bilingual services, and never charging a fee unless we win.
Stephen W. Stewart is a seasoned Austin-based personal injury and Austin commercial vehicle accident attorney. He is proud to be named to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Texas Super Lawyers. If you were hurt in a crash with a commercial vehicle in Austin, you can count on The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, to provide the attention and top-tier legal services you deserve.
Understanding Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Commercial vehicles fuel Austin’s economy each day, from the delivery trucks that service South Lamar businesses to construction vehicles that rumble through The Domain’s growth corridors. These vehicles’ sheer size, weight, and operational demands make any crash with a commercial vehicle more likely to result in catastrophic injury, however.
Commercial vehicle accidents draw in a larger network of responsible entities compared to standard passenger car incidents. The driver is just one link in the chain. Responsibility may also lie with the driver’s employer, a contracted maintenance company, a freight loader, or even a vehicle manufacturer.
Austin’s growth has created more delivery routes, more rideshare pickups, and more freight coursing through the city. The accompanying risk of accidents resulting from driver fatigue, aggressive delivery schedules, improperly loaded vehicles, poor maintenance, and negligent hiring is correspondingly greater. Each of these factors must be investigated for a robust commercial vehicle accident case.
Relevant Laws in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim
Commercial vehicle accident cases in Texas are influenced by a myriad of state and federal regulations, which control how the vehicles are driven, maintained, and insured. As an example, commercial carriers are required to adhere to FMCSA rules, which place limits on the number of hours a person can drive and put protocols into place for recordkeeping, driver qualification, vehicle maintenance, and inspections.
When determining liability in a commercial vehicle accident case, employers and drivers are measured against these standards. Texas civil law permits crash victims to initiate legal action against the driver who acted negligently, as well as their employer or any other responsible parties. To establish liability and recover damages, the victim must show that another party’s failure to exercise a reasonable standard of care directly caused the accident.
Texas also follows a modified comparative fault rule that reduces a victim’s recovery by their share of fault if they are found to be partially responsible for the accident. The victim may still recover as long as their share of liability is less than 51 percent. All these laws are important in filing a viable claim against the negligent parties in a commercial vehicle collision case.
In 2023, there were 9,244 commercial vehicle crashes in Texas. Of these, 1.43% resulted in fatalities. Additionally, 37.7% of these accidents happened between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.
Hire a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Hiring a commercial vehicle accident lawyer matters in every aspect of your case. Our firm offers extensive knowledge of commercial insurance policies, business liability, and intricate injury claims. We know Austin’s courts, roads, and the distinct struggles victims endure after a commercial driver hits them. More importantly, we pursue every case with the intent of securing the maximum recovery and resources our clients require to recover.
FAQs
The value of commercial vehicle accident settlements varies widely. Factors include:
- The injury’s severity
- The extent of medical bills
- The degree of lost income and benefits
- Whether there is permanent disability
- The limits of available commercial insurance
Tens of thousands to low six-figure dollar amounts are common, but catastrophic and permanent-injury cases often settle in the high six figures or beyond. Because of higher commercial trucking policy limits, such limits are often the major factor in the ultimate result.
Yes, the accident may impact insurance premiums for the driver and their company. Commercial insurers consider risk factors such as accident history, driver safety records, and the severity of the collision. A single crash can result in increased premiums or policy reassessments, particularly if the driver was at fault. A collision can result in more liabilities for employers and demands for compliance with additional regulations.
The likelihood of success in a car accident claim is contingent on:
- The evidence’s strength
- Clarity of fault
- The witness statements’ credibility
- The quality of legal representation
- Cases that involve commercial vehicles or multiple parties often become more complex.
When liability is established and injuries are well-documented, plaintiffs typically have a favorable chance of success. Disputed-fault cases or those with limited evidence can be more challenging, but they remain winnable with skilled legal counsel.
If you get into a crash with a commercial vehicle, the matter is more complicated because the driver, employer, or another party may also be at fault. Exchanging information, filing a police report, and contacting insurance companies are the next steps. In some cases, the commercial carrier will engage their lawyers, and the legal process may soon start.
Contact The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, Today
If you were involved in a commercial vehicle accident, hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer at The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC, right away. We can secure the compensation you need for your injuries. Contact us today to learn more.
