How a Commercial Vehicle Accident is Different from a Car Wreck - Cibolo TX Attorneys

When an accident in Cibolo, Texas, involves a commercial motor vehicle, filing an insurance claim and getting compensation for your damages can be confusing. Affiliated companies aim to mitigate their own losses, and sometimes that comes at the expense of yours. Hiring a local lawyer with experience handling commercial vehicle accident claims will improve your chances of a full financial recovery.

After seeking safety and getting medical care in the immediate aftermath of one of these wrecks, you should call one of the Cibolo TX injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw. Our trusted team will help you collect evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and file a personal injury claim for damages. Read our law firm’s client reviews to discover how we’ve helped individuals like you navigate the complex landscape of commercial vehicle accidents and seek maximum compensation from powerful trucking and insurance companies. Then, contact us to schedule a FREE case evaluation to discuss your potential case.

The difference between commercial vehicle wrecks and car wrecks in Cibolo, Texas, is the driver’s purpose for using the vehicle. According to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a commercial motor vehicle is one used for the purpose of commerce to transport property, passengers, goods, or services. Car wrecks involve automobiles that people drive for personal reasons.

The other reason for the differentiation between a commercial vehicle accident vs a car accident is the parties involved. While a car wreck involves only the drivers and passengers of the vehicle, a commercial vehicle accident also involves the employer/owner of the commercial vehicle. They are liable for the actions of their employees through a Texas legal doctrine called respondeat superior. Your Texas lawyer will help you to understand what parties may be liable in a commercial vehicle accident, including employers and third parties.

Commercial vehicles may have the same body styles as personal vehicles, but many are larger vans, buses, or 18-wheelers used for business purposes. While negligent drivers can get into an accident in any vehicle, large commercial vehicles come with added risks. Common causes of truck accidents your lawyer may investigate include:

• Brake failure
• Fatigued driving
• Unsecured load
• Improper lane changes
• Failure to navigate turns
• Poor maintenance
• Blind spots
• Inclement weather
• Driving under the influence

Your Cibolo commercial vehicle accident attorney will locate evidence that proves the cause of your accident, allowing you to hold the driver, the company, and any other parties who contributed to the accident responsible for your injuries. Your attorney will also look for any driving violations a commercial driver may have committed, such as hours of service (HOS) violations. Evidence that proves a driver should have acted differently to avoid a wreck validates your personal injury claim.

Trucking companies are liable for their employees if they get into a wreck while performing work-related activities. However, they may not be liable for wrecks that happen while a person is driving a commercial vehicle to run personal errands. Your lawyer will have to prove that the other party was working for the employer at the time of the wreck in order to use respondeat superior.

A commercial vehicle lawyer in Cibolo TX can also hold companies liable for their own negligence in connection with the accident. This may include inadequate training, negligent hiring practices, or failure to maintain and inspect a vehicle. At Carabin Shaw, we offer a free case review during your first appointment, so you can identify liable parties and consider all your legal options.

Hiring an attorney for your commercial vehicle accident claim is essential when you’re up against commercial insurance and large trucking companies. These corporations have access to many legal resources, and an experienced lawyer helps to increase fairness in the legal system. At Carabin Shaw, we offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so there are no financial barriers to hiring skilled legal services.

Call the legal professionals at Carabin Shaw to get the information you need to seek compensation for your commercial vehicle accident injuries. Our toll-free number is 800-862-1260, and we have English- and Spanish-speaking staff available 24/7.

For more information:

• Texas Statutes 72
• Cornell Law
• FMCSA