Maximizing Compensation for Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries

Your Complete Guide to Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Texas

Have you noticed that there are a lot of company vehicles on the roads recently? No, you’re not imagining it.

American consumers love to get their shopping delivered right to their door. In response to this, almost every grocery store, restaurant, and retailer across Texas offers delivery services now, leading to a spike in the number of company vehicles you’re sharing the road with. Even if the business doesn’t directly offer delivery, it will partner with DoorDash, Instacart, Postmates, Uber Eats, and other third-party delivery companies.

These vehicles are usually larger, and their bulky size combined with narrow lanes can be a recipe for a bad accident.

If you or a family member are hit by a company vehicle and injured as the driver, passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or cyclist, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Our team at Carabin Shaw can help you find out at 800-862-1260 or via the live chat.

What Counts as a Commercial Vehicle in Texas?

There are so many different kinds and sizes of vehicles crowding the roads of San Antonio. Trucks, minivans, Teslas, SUVs – the list goes on and on. All of these vehicle types can be used by businesses, especially with third-party delivery companies where contract workers use their personal vehicles.

So, how can you tell if you’ve been in a commercial vehicle accident?

The Difference Between Commercial Vs. Non-Commerical Vehicles

In simple terms, the difference between commercial and non-commercial vehicles is their purpose. A commercial vehicle’s purpose is to conduct business.

A non-commercial vehicle is one that is used for personal reasons outside of work.

When you think of a company vehicle, you probably think of a box truck, a large van, or an 18-wheeler. While all of these would count as commercial vehicles, Texas law defines commercial vehicles more broadly than that, including:

• A vehicle other than a motorcycle used for the transportation of property or delivery purposes;
• A self-propelled or towed vehicle used to transport passengers or cargo on a public highway;
• A vehicle used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and
• A vehicle used to transport hazardous materials.

Any vehicle that meets these criteria is a commercial vehicle. This means that any vehicle driving for third-party delivery companies, Amazon vehicles, FedEx vehicles, H-E-B vehicles, and Walmart vehicles, regardless of make and model, count as commercial vehicles in San Antonio.

Why Do Company Vehicle Accidents Happen?

Like many other kinds of auto accidents, there are common reasons why company vehicles get into accidents. Mounting pressure to deliver faster than the competition can cause drivers to make reckless mistakes, like:

• Speeding – Nearly 25,000 accidents per year in Texas involve excessive speeding. Speeding is also responsible for 33% of all traffic fatalities in Texas.
• Reckless Driving – Sudden lane changes, ignoring stop signs, running red lights, not using their turn signal, etc.
• Distracted Driving – Checking delivery instructions, messaging customers, looking at directions, or watching their timer are common distractions faced by delivery drivers.
• Driver Exhaustion – Companies often push employees to take multiple runs or completely book their day without scheduling proper downtime.
• Vehicle Malfunctions – These company vehicles are driven far more than average vehicles, and they need to be regularly maintained. When companies fail to do that, the faulty vehicles can cause accidents.
• Lack of Training – When companies are facing high demand, they often slack on training to get boots on the ground as fast as possible. This inevitably leads to poorly trained drivers behind the wheel.
• Drunk/Impaired Driving – While this is less common among professional drivers, it still happens.

All of these common reasons are completely avoidable. Accidents like this should never happen – yet they do happen, and thousands of innocent people pay the price.

Were you hit by a company vehicle in San Antonio? We can help. Call 800-862-1260 or use the live chat to find out if you have a case free of charge.

Most Common Injuries in Company Vehicle Accidents

Company vehicles are often larger and heavier than your average passenger vehicle. This means that victims are often more seriously injured than in a normal auto accident.

Common injuries include:

• Broken Bones,
• Whiplash,
• Internal Injuries (Organ Damage, Internal Bleeding, Internal Bruising, etc.).
• Fractures,
• Spinal Cord Injury,
• Back Injuries,
• Head Injuries,
• TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury),
• Seatbelt/Airbag Injuries,
• Neck and Shoulder Injuries,
• Burns,
• Disfigurement,
• PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression.

Depending on the severity of the injury, it could take years to recover from a commercial vehicle accident injury. Victims often miss work or lose their jobs because their injuries make going back to their profession impossible.

Who is Liable for a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

Texas is an at-fault State. That means that the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying for the damage they caused.

In commercial vehicle accidents, there can be more than one party responsible. Liable parties can include:

• The Driver – If the driver was negligent (texting, reckless driving, drowsy driving, etc.) and caused the accident, they will be held responsible for the accident.
• The Company – The company the driver was working for may also be partially responsible for the accident. If they did not properly train employees, if they were negligent in hiring practices, or if they encouraged drivers to take unnecessary risks, they could held responsible for the accident as well.
• Maintenance Companies – If the maintenance company didn’t properly maintain the vehicles or missed a major defect while servicing the vehicle, they could be held responsible if the mistake contributed to the accident.
• Manufacturing Companies – If the company that manufactured the vehicle created or missed a major defect and the defect contributed to the accident, they can be held partially responsible.
• Government – If Construction debris obstructing the road, broken street lights, and poorly maintained roads contribute to the accident, the Government may be held accountable for the accident.

These kinds of accidents can quickly become complicated because of how many factors are involved in commercial vehicles.

Hit by a commercial vehicle? Get expert advice on what your case is worth for free at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat for immediate help.

Hit by a Commercial Vehicle: Navigating the Aftermath

Were you hit by a commercial vehicle? Here’s what to do:

1. Check for Injuries – Asses yourself, your passengers, and the occupants of the other vehicle for injuries. If anyone is hurt, including pedestrians, call 9-1-1 immediately or ask a bystander to do so.
2. Move your Vehicle – It’s best to exit the highway and move to a nearby parking lot if you can. If not, move your vehicle to the shoulder and turn on your hazard lights.
3. Asses and Record – Asses the damage to both vehicles and take photos of the accident scene. Look for any nearby cameras that may have recorded the accident, if applicable.
4. Call the Police – If anyone is injured or there is vehicle damage exceeding $1,000, you are required by law to report the accident. Even if the accident doesn’t meet these requirements, call the police anyway. They are valuable witnesses, and it is often required for insurance claims that you have a police report of the accident.
5. Exchange Information – Get the other driver’s contact and insurance information. This includes:
   1. Names,
   2. Phone Numbers,
   3. Driver’s Licenses,
   4. Addresses,
   5. Vehicle make and model,
   6. License plate,
   7. Company name,
   8. And insurance information
6. Contact Your Insurance – As soon as you are able to do so, contact your insurance company and report the accident. They will provide instructions for submitting a claim.
7. Get Evaluated by a Medical Professional – Even if you don’t think you were hurt, you should still see a doctor after an accident. Serious injuries are sometimes not immediately apparent, especially with head injuries.
8. Call Carabin Shaw Injury Attorneys – Commercial Vehicle liability is complicated, and companies will have teams of lawyers backing them up. Don’t fight alone.

Do I Need an Attorney for a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

If you were hurt in an accident caused by a commercial vehicle, you need a commercial vehicle accident attorney.

Commercial vehicles are owned by companies with whole teams dedicated to protecting them from liability. They will work around the clock to find any evidence they can that the company is not to blame. They’ll call you with a lowball offer to make your case go away quietly and for far less than you’re worth.

Why would you try to face them alone while you’re struggling with recovery, mounting medical bills, and missed work?

Compassionate Guidance, Powerful Advocacy: Leading Legal Support for Commercial Vehicle Accident Victims in San Antonio.

Carabin Shaw can help you with your commercial vehicle accident claim.

When you take on a big company, you start at a disadvantage. When you hire Carabin Shaw, you level the playing field.

Our firm has represented commercial vehicle accident cases in San Antonio for over 30 years. We’re a trusted name in personal injury law because we consistently put our clients first. Our team of investigators, paralegals, and attorneys will work diligently on your behalf to ensure you get the full legal compensation that big companies don’t want to give you.

Clients First: A Different Kind of Practice

There is more to a full recovery after a commercial vehicle accident than just financial compensation. That’s why we go the extra mile and offer additional help to our clients, like:

• Rental Vehicles
• Help Getting Medical Care With No Insurance
• Emergency Family Needs Loans
• Complimentary Property Damage Claims
• Complimentary No-Obligation Initial Consultations
• Emergency 24/7 Service

Don’t face the wrath of major companies alone – they have support, and so can you. Our team of dedicated legal experts is ready and waiting to provide unwavering support, expert guidance, and powerful advocacy for your commercial vehicle accident case. That’s what we mean when we say clients first.

With years of proven experience, a commitment to personalized service, and a track record of success, we are your trusted partners on the road to recovery. We are with you at every step, from securing rightful compensation to guiding you through every legal detail.

Your justice, your peace of mind – that's our priority. Choose Carabin Shaw, and let us drive your case to the resolution you deserve.

Contact Us

Let us answer your legal questions and connect you to an attorney who can help. Call us for immediate assistance at 800-862-1260. We’re available to help 24/7.

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Looking for more information first? Fill out our contact form, and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

Scheduling a consultation with a Carabin Shaw attorney is free of charge and does not require you to work with our firm. We look forward to serving you.

Helpful Information

Learn how to prepare for your initial consultation from our blog.

Find out how much it costs to work with a Carabin Shaw attorney.

Learn the three most commonly raised defenses to a personal injury claim and how an attorney can help you.

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