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Due to the sheer size and momentum of trucks, truck accidents can be deadly or result in severe injuries. If you were hurt in a Corpus Christi truck accident or lost a loved one in this type of accident, an experienced and dedicated Corpus Christi truck accident attorney from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is here to represent your case.
We can work to understand the details of your case and help you pursue an optimal amount of compensation to support recovery.
Understanding Corpus Christi Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Corpus Christi tend to be complex due to the significant amount of damages usually associated with them, in addition to the various stakeholders involved in such crashes. When it comes to pursuing compensation for your Corpus Christi truck accident, it is important to take the following factors into account:
- The various parties involved. In truck accidents, several parties can be liable, including the truck driver, the person who loaded the truck, the trucking company, mechanics or repair companies, and parts manufacturers. An experienced lawyer can help you understand the various parties involved in a truck accident and the liability that they may have for causing the accident.
- The extent of the injuries. As truck accidents typically involve more hefty collisions, accidents that involve one or more trucks can commonly lead to catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or even death. Truck accident cases that involve more severe injuries tend to yield greater settlement amounts.
- Federal regulations. Drivers of vehicles in Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas are subject to local and federal traffic laws and regulations. Such regulations not only regulate the amount of time a truck driver can spend behind the wheel but also the amount of cargo that can be loaded into a truck.
A knowledgeable lawyer can ensure that all parties involved in the accident were compliant with these regulations at the time of the crash.
As Corpus Christi truck accidents are complex, it is critical to work with a knowledgeable lawyer who has experience handling similar cases. An experienced lawyer can evaluate the details of your case and help determine how much compensation you may be entitled to based on your injuries and damages. Furthermore, they can help determine who may be liable for paying out your compensation based on state liability and traffic laws.
Potential Liable Parties in a Corpus Christi Truck Accident
Truck accidents tend to be more complex than other types of accidents involving motor vehicles, as it is often unclear who is liable for the accident. As truck accidents commonly involve multiple parties, there may be many people involved who could potentially be liable in your case. A Corpus Christi truck accident attorney can help you understand whether one or more of the following people may be liable for causing the crash:
- Trucking companies. In many cases, a trucking company may be held liable for the actions of their drivers. In certain cases, such as if they did not follow hiring procedures accordingly, did not adequately maintain the truck, or did not hold their drivers to certain standards, they could bear responsibility for the accident.
- Truck drivers. The truck driver themselves could be considered responsible for the accident, depending on their actions leading up to the accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can work to prove negligent or wrongful behavior, such as by showing they violated traffic laws or that they were distracted or exhausted when they got behind the wheel.
- Truck parts manufacturers. If it is found that certain truck parts were defective, such as the motor, tires, or brakes, the designer or manufacturer of these parts could be accountable for the accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help uncover critical evidence to show the manufacturer did not follow critical rules and regulations, which led to a faulty part that caused your truck accident and your subsequent damages.
- Cargo loaders. Cargo that is improperly loaded or overloaded can lead to serious loss of control of a vehicle that causes truck accidents. A lawyer can help you dig up evidence to show that individuals in a company who were responsible for the truck loading did not do their job adequately, leading to an imbalance in the vehicle, which caused the accident.
- Maintenance companies. Companies that do not maintain or repair their trucks adequately can be a serious threat to individuals on the road in Corpus Christi. If a third-party company had the responsibility of keeping a truck maintained and did not do so adequately, leading to the accident, they can be held liable for their negligence.
Determining liability in a truck accident case involves deep knowledge and experience with handling similar cases. An experienced lawyer from our firm has an in-depth understanding of traffic and liability laws at the local and state levels. We can help you hold the right people accountable and get the recompense you deserve.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Corpus Christi?
There are various factors that can lead to the occurrence of a truck accident in the Corpus Christi area. Unfortunately, many of the causes of truck accidents are preventable or due to neglectful or wrongful behavior. At Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, some of the most common causes of truck accidents that we see include the following:
- Distracted drivers. Distracted driving continues to be a leading threat to other people on the roads in Corpus Christi. Distractions, including eating, looking at navigation, responding to text messages, and speaking with passengers, can cause unforeseen crashes. As trucks are much larger in size, even failing to pay attention for a brief moment can lead to a serious accident.
- Exhausted drivers. Many truck drivers are under serious pressure to deliver their orders on time, causing them to drive long hours without taking breaks. This can cause them to be extremely exhausted, which in turn increases the risk of truck accidents. Although driving hours are highly regulated in Texas and the United States, fatigue of truck drivers tends to be a main cause of truck accidents.
- Cargo that is poorly loaded. Trucks that have too much cargo or cargo that has not been properly secured to the vehicle can be more difficult to adequately control, leading to accidents. Individuals who have improperly loaded cargo can be accountable for their negligent actions. Trucks that are improperly loaded can lead to loss of control, jackknifing and rollovers.
- Trucks that are not properly maintained. Although trucking companies are required to keep their vehicles to certain maintenance standards, some fail to do it properly. Certain companies may choose to forego certain maintenance procedures to save money and time. Problems with the vehicle, such as worn down tires, failing breaks, and other mechanical breakdowns, can lead to serious crashes.
- Driving out of control. Although the majority of truck drivers follow strict regulations that limit the speed trucks can go, as well as aggressive driving behaviors, some may choose to engage in behavior that is disruptive and dangerous. Aggressive driving can cause serious accidents, leading to damages and individuals getting harmed.
- Poor truck part design. In some cases, designers or manufacturers of truck parts may be accountable for a truck accident. If it is found that a truck accident can be linked to truck parts that were poorly designed, manufactured, or labeled, the responsible parties can be accountable for their negligence.
- Poor infrastructure. In some cases, truck accidents may be caused by poor design or maintenance of public infrastructure. Truck accident victims can work with a Corpus Christi truck accident attorney to determine whether they can sue the government or other public agencies for their failure to properly design or maintain critical public infrastructure.
There are multiple factors that can lead to truck accidents. A dedicated and experienced Corpus Christi truck accident attorney from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is here to work closely with you to investigate the details of your accident.
They can deeply analyze the situation before, during, and after your accident to determine the parties who could potentially be at fault for the crash. They can present strong evidence to hold them accountable for their actions.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Corpus Christi Truck Accident?
If you find yourself in a truck accident, it is critical to take certain steps to ensure your physical safety and improve your chances of achieving a positive outcome in your personal injury case. While each truck accident case is unique, the general steps you can take include the following:
- Get somewhere safe. As truck accidents can commonly involve fires, explosions, and flammable or hazardous materials, it is critical to ensure that you get somewhere safe directly after the collision occurs. If it is possible, pull your car to the side of the road away from oncoming traffic.
- Call Corpus Christi law enforcement. Call the police right away to inform them the accident occurred. If anyone is seriously injured, inform them so that they can dispatch an adequate paramedic team. After the police arrive, provide them with a clear and accurate account of what happened without admitting fault or making speculations. The police report can be a critical piece of evidence to use in your personal injury case.
- Exchange contact information. Get the contact information of the drivers involved in your truck accident, as well as their insurance information. Be sure to collect the contact information of the truck driver’s company — if they are not independent drivers.
Additionally, collect the license plate, vehicle make, model and year of all the vehicles that were in the crash. Be sure to get the contact information of any witnesses, as they may be able to testify on your behalf later.
- Collect evidence of the crash. Before authorities begin to start cleaning up the scene of the crash, it is critical to collect photos and video of the entire crash scene. Make sure you can clearly see all the damages, including physical injuries and property damage.
Critical footage of skid marks can also provide insight for those with knowledge of accident reconstruction to prove the other parties were at fault for the crash later on. Also, take note of any surveillance cameras near the area.
- Take detailed notes. In addition to collecting evidence, it is important to write down a detailed account of what happened before, during, and after the accident. Take note of the time, date, and place of the crash as well. By making detailed notes while the accident is still fresh in your mind, you can work to preserve critical evidence to help you recover the recompense you are entitled to later.
- Avoid self-incriminating language. When interacting with witnesses and other parties that were in the accident, avoid any language that admits fault or potentially speculates. Work with a personal injury attorney so they can represent you and ensure you do not carry out any potentially self-incriminating behavior. Do not speak to an insurance company without your lawyer present.
- Consult with a Corpus Christi truck accident attorney. As truck accidents are extremely complex, you will need a legal representative who understands how intricate these cases can be. A Corpus Christi truck accident attorney can walk you through the legal process, ensuring your rights are protected and that you receive the recompense you are entitled to.
If you have recently been in a truck accident, it is critical to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Take note of the advice they gave you regarding communicating with insurance companies and other stakeholders involved in the crash, and be sure to follow these guidelines closely. By working with a truck accident lawyer, you can gather the evidence required to prove the other party’s liability and set your case up for positive outcomes.
Get Critical Coverage for Your Truck Accident Damages and Injuries
Falling victim to a truck accident in the Corpus Christi area can be devastating. As these types of accidents tend to be more complex and severe, the resulting damages can be emotional, physical, and financial, lasting decades or even the rest of the victim’s life.
Our compassionate and experienced personal injury legal team at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is here to fight to get you the recompense you deserve. Contact us today to start planning your legal strategy.
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