Can I Handle My Truck Accident Claim Myself?

 Posted on August 22, 2024 in Truck Accidents

Texas leads the country when it comes to the number of commercial truck drivers, cargo and container traffic volume, and the largest highway network. Unfortunately, Texas also ranks as the worst state for truck crashes. In 2023, there were 18,814 truck accidents in the state which injured 11,327 people and led to 746 fatalities.

If someone else’s negligence led to your truck collision, you may be entitled to compensation. Truck accident claims are typically more complicated than those involving other kinds of motor vehicles, making it challenging to get as much compensation as you deserve. Working with an experienced lawyer from Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. can increase the chances of you seeing a satisfactory resolution.

How Do You Win a Truck Accident Claim?

If you try to handle your claim alone, you may not know how to deal with the many potential challenges. This lack of knowledge may mean you will not receive as much of a settlement as you should. People who work with a skilled attorney usually obtain significantly more compensation.

Identifying All Liable Parties

When a commercial truck is involved in a crash, you would think the driver is the at-fault party. While this is sometimes true, other parties are also potentially liable:

• Trucking companies may require drivers to work longer than hours-of-service regulations allow or provide unsafe trucks for them to operate.

• Cargo loaders must balance loads to enhance a trailer’s stability and the driver’s control of the vehicle. They must also secure loads properly to prevent shifting during transit. When loaders fail at these tasks, collisions may occur.

• In addition to providing routine maintenance, truck maintenance companies should identify and address safety hazards, such as worn tires or brakes, and make repairs promptly. Tire blowouts and brake failure, for instance, can cause drivers to lose control of their rigs.

• Parts manufacturers may supply defective parts that cause truck crashes when they fail.

• Government agencies responsible for road maintenance may be liable if unrepaired road damage or design flaws contribute to causing a truck collision.

You need to investigate your collision to identify who is responsible for causing it.

What Evidence Do You Need? 

Once you know who the liable parties are, you need evidence of that liability to obtain compensation. Knowing where to look and finding the right kinds of evidence is crucial to the outcome of your case. Your legal team from Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. will investigate your accident, identify the at-fault parties, and gather the evidence you need to hold them accountable.

Do You Share Fault?

You may share a portion of the blame for causing your truck crash. If you do, Texas’s modified comparative negligence laws determine whether you can collect compensation and how much you can receive. Being assigned a disproportionate amount of fault can reduce your settlement or disqualify you from getting one.

Do You Have to Negotiate with Insurance Companies? 

Insurance companies routinely use various tactics to avoid paying truck accident claims. They may deny your claim, blame you for causing the crash, offer low settlement amounts, or trick you into signing damaging documents. At Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., we will handle all communications with these insurers to ensure they do not take advantage of you.

Call Us Today To Speak With Our Skilled Dallas, TX Truck Accident Lawyer

You need to focus on recovering from your injuries, not the many possible challenges of your accident claim. Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. will deal with your case, so you do not have to. Call 214-221-5800 now for your free consultation with our experienced Irving, TX personal injury attorney.