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to over 960,000 people, Austin has plenty of attractions that makes it a
great place to visit, work, or live as well. Nicknamed the "live Music Capital of the World",
the city also lives up to the reputation. But inside the bustle and
hustle of the city, how do you a qualified and experienced Austin truck
accident lawyer to protect your rights and get you fair compensation?
It can really get overwhelming when looking for a good Austin truck accident attorney. Similar to other areas in Texas, there are billboards everywhere, running commercials for different truck accident law firms that only add more fuel to your confusion. Well, you don’t have to worry, as we have compiled a list of the best Austin accident lawyers that have a track record of success and have established themselves as champions of justice and compensation. We also discuss the importance of hiring one and guidance on what to look out for before you put pen to paper on any agreement.
Texas Truck Accident Laws
To limit truck accidents in the United States, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a wide variety of safety regulations that it enforces on hazardous materials (hazmat) trucks, semi-trucks, tanker trucks, and many other commercially operating vehicles on an interstate basis across the United States.
In addition to the FMCSA rules, the Texas Department of Public Safety has its own Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service laws, which all vehicles traversing the Lone Star State must adhere to in order to keep lives and properties safe.
Unfortunately, the state of Texas has had the most fatal commercial vehicle accidents, more than any State across the United States, for at least 11 straight years. So let’s look at some of the most common causes of truck accidents.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
1. Alcohol and Drug Use:
The FMCSA regulations stringently ban the use of drugs and alcohol while on duty. Did you know that according to the Texas Department of Transportation, alcohol was the primary factor in almost 1,600 crashes in a single year, causing injuries to over 708 individuals? Commercial truck accidents have more severe consequences than accidents involving other vehicles, prompting the FMCSA to set a strict 0.4% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for truck drivers.
2. Speeding:
Speeding is another major culprit behind big truck crashes in San Antonio. While truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver on time, they must always observe the speed limits set by law.
3. Defective or Faulty Trucks:
Commercial trucks typically cover vast distances, so thorough inspections are a must before setting off on a journey or after coming back from one. However, some trucking companies neglect these inspections, or overlook certain issues, deeming them as "minor." But let's be clear; a faulty truck is a hazard not only to the driver but also to all other road users.
4. Distractions:
A distracted driver is an accident waiting to happen. Despite their professional obligations, truck drivers sometimes fall into the trap of distraction.
Long routes can be tedious, and truck drivers may be tempted to use their phones, adjust their radio, or snack during the drive. These seemingly minor distractions can take the driver's attention off the road for a moment — a moment long enough for an accident to happen. Did you know that truck drivers who text are 23 times more likely to cause a road accident? The FMCSA has imposed a strict ban on texting for truck drivers, with penalties reaching up to $2,750 and the potential loss of their commercial driver's license.5. Poor Road Conditions:
From missing signs to road work crews, and from poorly designed roads to lack of maintenance, all can contribute to truck accidents.
6. Incorrect Cargo Loading:
The FMCSA has implemented cargo securement rules that guide weight management. While a regular car can weigh around 4,000 pounds, a fully loaded truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When the FMCSA weight limits and protocols are ignored, the truck can become unbalanced and pose a significant threat to other road users.
Also Read: Top Apps for Assisting Truck Drivers in Preventing Accidents
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help?
An Austin accident attorney can help in several ways. These include:
Investigating the accident:
Identifying all liable parties:
Handling all Insurance claims:
Filing a lawsuit:
How Does an Austin Truck Accident Claim Work?
When you hire an accident attorney in Austin, your accident claim might progress through four stages.
1. Evidence collection:
Your attorney will gather as much data about your crash as possible to build a compelling case. This includes interviewing witnesses and reviewing police and medical reports. Photos of the crash site, injuries, or damaged vehicle can also be critical evidence.
2. Treatment:
The gravity of your injuries will be revealed through your medical treatment. This will shed light on how the crash injuries will impact your life in the coming days and years. The more severe your injuries, the higher your compensation is likely to be.
3. Negotiations:
After your treatments, you and your lawyer will estimate the damages incurred, and then your lawyer will head off to the negotiation table. During this phase, your lawyer will seek compensation covering 100% of your accident bills, property damage, and suffering. Most settlement claims are resolved at this stage. However, if the insurance and trucking company don’t reach a fair agreement, the next move is to court.
4. Litigation:
This simply means taking your case to court. Your truck accident lawyer will detail your case to the court and argue why you deserve compensation. Remember, the defendants will have their lawyers to challenge your claims. If your lawyer succeeds, you will be awarded the settlement money.
But how do you know which Austin semi-truck accident lawyer can secure the compensation you deserve? What are the things to look out for?
Find the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Texas by area:
How To Choose The Best Austin Truck Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right accident attorney in Austin, Texas, can be quite a task, especially if you are hiring one for the first time. Here are some tips and factors to help you make the right choice:
Level of experience:
Check their reputation:
Evaluate their communication skills:
Availability:
Discuss the fees:
Top Austin Truck Accident Lawyers
There are several things to consider when searching for a competent accident lawyer near you as we've discussed in this article. While having that in mind, I've put together a list of the top-rated truck accident lawyers in Austin. Consider the following firms when searching for a .
1. The Doan Law Firm, PLLC
The Doan Law Firm, PLLC is the Largest personal injury law firm in Texas. Housing the best accident attorneys in Austin, they have recovered billions for clients involved in injury accidents. The truck wreck lawyers of The Doan Law Firm, PLLC, respond to texts, emails, and calls within 1 hour and offer free consultations to potential clients.
These guys have been recognized in ABC, The New York Times, NBC and FOX as a leading authority on personal injury. Founding attorney Jimmy Doan has won record-breaking verdicts in trucks and various personal injury cases. Peers highly regard this Austin truck accident attorney as an expert in mass casualty cases. Some case results include a $3.5 million compensation to a client involved in a semi-truck accident and a $2 million settlement for a client that a big rig driver rear-ended.
2. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers
The 18-wheeler accident lawyers of this firm are known for winning the largest recoveries in history for truck and 18-wheeler accident victims across Texas and the United States. These trucking lawyers have won over $1 Billion for commercial vehicle accident victims and have consistently set records for recoveries and settlements for accident victims in the past five years.
Some of the record settlements include a $32 Million and a $23.5 Million Settlements for truck accident victims, which stands as the two largest truck settlements in the history of Texas. With several awards and recognition, including Super Lawyers, Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers, Top 100 National Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is undoubtedly a place to look if you're searching for a truck accident lawyer in Austin that can ensure maximum compensation for your case.
3. Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP
Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP was established in 1959 and is the oldest Plaintiff's personal injury law firm in Austin, Texas. They are a tried-and-true law firm with an excellent reputation for handling personal injury cases.
With over 50 years of experience, Byrd Davis
Alden & Henrichson, LLP, has won many landmark cases with practice
areas covering car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents,
pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, airplane and helicopter
accidents, bicycle accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents, among others.
These top-rated Austin personal injury attorneys are listed in Super
Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms, and the Bar Register of
Pre-eminent Lawyers. This law firm should be on your list when looking for a good accident alwyer in Austin.
4. David Komie Law
David Komie Law is an unusual law firm because the founding attorney, David Komie, sports dreadlocks and is also a rock star. He might not look like it, but this Austin trucking accident lawyer has helped several injured clients get compensation for their losses. David has recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars for his clients, including a $538,127.05 paid as compensation to an individual involved in a rear-end collision case and a $300,495.45 verdict in an auto accident case. This law firm has received awards from well-recognized institutions, including American Association for Justice, Best Lawyers and Top 100 Trial Lawyers (National Trial Lawyers).
5. Joe Lopez Law
This law firm was founded in 2015 by Attorney Joe Lopez, a native of Texas who is well conversant with the legal intricacies of the state and passionate about fighting for injury victims in Austin and across the state. This top-rated Austin truck accident attorney has recovered millions for clients and has received awards and recognition such as Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Super Lawyers Rising Star. Record cases that Joe Lopez Law has handled include a $1,000,000 settlement to a client involved in an 18-wheeler crash and a $1,000,000 net compensation paid to a client involved in an 18-wheeler collision.
Conclusion
The above mentioned Austin truck wreck attorneys have all demonstrated competence in handling truck accident cases in Austin, Texas. If you're searching for a truck wreck attorney to help with your case, consult any of the firms to ensure maximum compensation for your losses.