Austin percentage of 18 wheelers traveling through Austin and Travis County is astronomical. Austin drivers can be seriously injured or killed in an accident with a 18 wheeler. People are killed every day on Texas highways from accidents with 18 wheelers. If you are injured during an accident with a negligent 18 wheeler driver, you can be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, loss of use of your vehicle, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. If an 18 wheeler lawsuit is successful, loss of consortium allows the spouse of the victim to recover damages for loss of companionship, affection, comfort, etc. – benefits of marital rights.
What Should You DoNever leave the scene of the accident. Call 911 so law enforcement can file a police and/or accident report. You should obtain a copy of these reports for any future legal action on your behalf. The police officer will file a police report of all the parties involved. The official record police report will be filed and you should obtain a copy of the report. An accident report is used by insurance companies to confirm the events and assess who’s at fault. Insurance companies have attorneys who represent them as well. Without a police, the entire set of circumstances surrounding the accident can be denied by the at-fault party. Many insurance companies are starting to require a police or accident report because of the number of fraudulent claims made by car owners. Gather as much information from all the parties involved at the scene of the accident such as names, addresses, phone numbers, Email address, insurance company, policy number, drivers license, license plates, name of witness’s, and their contact information. Lastly, you should use a camera or cell phone to take pictures. Take pictures of the accident scene like what caused the accident, damage to your vehicle, pictures of skid marks on road, and in the medium. Pictures can be worth a thousand words and protect you during a dispute over who was at fault. No matter how minor you think the accident was; it is possible that you may have suffered some type of injury. You should at the very least get a physical examination as soon as possible after the accident with a licensed medical practitioner. Make sure the doctor documents your medical records and make copies to give to your attorney. You should immediately employ the services a qualified experienced 18 wheeler accident attorney anytime you are involved in an 18 wheeler accident. This is one of the most important things you should do. 18 wheeler companies have attorneys on their payroll to limit their liability and protect their interest. You should do the same.
Economic and Non-Economic DamagesVictims involved in 18 wheeler accidents have the right to recover economic (monetary) and non-economic damages. Economic damages, also known as compensatory or special damages. Common economic damages awarded in 18 wheeler law suit are past medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages in 18 wheeler accidents award victims for non-financial losses and are usually harder to quantify but usually include pain and suffering. Mental anguish is another form of non-economic damage which compensates the victim for the emotional distress they have suffered as a result of the accident.
Legal RightsIf you are a victim and have suffered injuries in an accident with an 18 wheeler, you should hire or retain the services of a qualified 18 wheeler accident attorney. Texas law has a 2 year statute of limitations on these type of cases.
IF YOU OR LOVED ONE HAS SUFFERED AN INJURY OR SERIOUS LOSS AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT, CALL CARABIN SHAW, DAY OR NIGHT. THE CONSULTATION IS FREE 800-862-1260.