Any form of negligence behind the wheel of a motor vehicle can have serious repercussions for both the at fault driver and the other parties involved. When a tractor-trailer driver acts irresponsibly, the consequences of a crash are often significantly more devastating, especially for occupants of smaller vehicles.
Recovering from injuries sustained in a commercial vehicle collision can be very challenging without support from a tenacious personal injury attorney. When you retain a Baytown truck accident lawyer, you could greatly improve your odds of collecting the compensation you deserve. A detail-oriented legal representative could help with all aspects of your case, including overcoming stressful roadblocks or procedural hurdles.
Potential Defendants in a Truck Accident Case
Just like any other driver, commercial vehicle operators might need to assume liability for injuries they cause through their own misconduct on the road. If a trucker disobeys traffic laws, drives while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or loses their concentration at the wrong moment, they could be considered legally negligent when they cause severe injuries.
However, just because a truck driver might become the primary defendant in a plaintiff’s claim does not mean that they are the only one responsible for the crash. Because truck drivers rarely have enough financial assets to cover the immense losses that a wreck can produce, it is often advisable to also hold their employer liable for negligent hiring or improper training methods.
Alternatively, fault could also apply to a commercial vehicle company that forced its workers to break federal laws in order to make more money. In other situations, blame could even lie with a third party like a careless mechanic or a supplier that did not properly secure truck cargo before transit.
A skilled attorney in Baytown could investigate the circumstances surrounding a truck accident to help a plaintiff determine who needs to assume legal responsibility.
Could Comparative Negligence Impact a Truck Wreck Claim?
While occupants of smaller commuter cars have a much higher risk of suffering grievous injuries in truck crashes compared to commercial vehicle drivers, this reality does not mean that the operators of standard cars do not need to assume responsibility for their own carelessness. If the victim of a truck accident partially caused the crash, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §33.012 allows the court overseeing a claim to reduce the plaintiff’s final compensation by the percentage of total fault they bear. For example, if a judge determines that a claimant caused 30 percent of the crash, the plaintiff will collect 30 percent less damages.
Furthermore, TX Civ. Prac. and Remedies Code §33.001 establishes that any accident victim who caused more than 50 percent of a collision cannot collect any monetary damages.
A resourceful lawyer in Baytown could offer further clarification about this comparative fault system and the impact that it could have on a plaintiff’s truck accident claim.
Consider Working with a Baytown Truck Accident Attorney
Regardless of how a tractor trailer collision occurred, the risk of life-altering injuries is rather high. The stakes could heighten if, in the aftermath of a wreck, you have trouble demanding fair compensation.
A seasoned Baytown truck accident lawyer could stand by your side and protect your integrity throughout every stage of the legal proceedings. Reach out today to schedule your first appointment.