Next Steps After Experiencing an 18 Wheeler Accident

If you’ve lived in Floresville for any amount of time, you know the roads and highways running through our town carry a lot of traffic. A good number of the vehicles making their way through are 18-wheelers, making the potential for an accident with these large vehicles greater than normal. It’s also far more likely that an accident with an 18-wheeler is going to result in serious injury. What are the next steps after experiencing an 18-wheeler accident that victims should take in Floresville?

In some ways, an accident with an 18-wheeler is much like any auto accident. The insurance company will want to inspect your damages, and a claims adjuster will likely want to speak with you to get a written or recorded statement of what happened. But there are also a few significant differences between this kind of auto accident and a wreck with another passenger vehicle.

The next steps after experiencing an 18-wheeler accident are to:

• Make sure your vehicle is secured. If it is not drivable, have it towed to a shop of your choice.
• If you’ve been hurt, seek medical attention right away.
• Call police and emergency medical services if the accident or injuries are serious.
• Get the 18-wheeler driver’s CDL license number, any identification numbers on the truck, as well as the company or companies they are driving under.
• Exchange information with any witnesses present
• Call your insurance company to report the accident. Give them only the facts; do not attempt to cast blame or recount what your think the cause might have been.
• Then, call our offices to schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers.

The 18-wheelers you see on the highway are owned by large companies with a wealth of resources at their disposal. Because their trucks pose such a high risk, they often have attorneys working for them for the eventuality that one of their trucks is involved in an accident resulting in injury. For this reason, we strongly urge you to contact a skilled Floresville 18-wheeler accident attorney for help.

Many drivers involved in accidents in Floresville are unaware that Texas is a comparative negligence state, which means that each driver may be assessed a certain percentage of contribution to the collision based on their actions. Any driver deemed 51% or greater at fault is disqualified from recovering any compensation from other parties. It’s also important to note that, even if your contribution is less than 51%, what you are allowed to recover may be reduced by your level of negligence. Defending your innocence can be difficult against these companies and is a major reason why getting an attorney working for you is so important.

Commercial transportation companies that own 18-wheelers will look for ways to lower their costs after an injury accident. This is why they retain their own attorneys working for them to protect their interests. This can be intimidating and causes many people to sign settlements or releases prematurely. We recommend having no contact with the commercial trucking insurance company until after you’ve had the opportunity to speak with a lawyer of your own.

At Carabin Shaw, we understand what it’s like to be hurt in an accident, and we know that many feel intimidated at the prospect of talking with an insurance company or lawyer representing a large trucking organization. That’s why we’ve committed ourselves to fighting for the rights of people just like you.

Our lawyers have a thorough knowledge of negligence laws in Texas and how they apply to Floresville 18-wheeler accidents. We are committed to making sure your rights and interests are fully protected and that you have an advocate in the legal system.

First, a Carabin Shaw attorney will meet with you for an initial consultation to understand the details of your accident. This first visit is free of charge to you. Once you ask us to represent you, we will conduct a thorough investigation and make sure that the party responsible for your injuries is held fully accountable, and we will never ask you to pay any fees until after we win your case.

Your next steps after experiencing an 18-wheeler accident should confuse you. Give us a call and let us work on your behalf. To speak to a Carabin Shaw representative in Floresville, call us today at 830.393.8822.