When you are in an accident with a commercial vehicle in Laredo, Texas, the legal landscape changes somewhat. What would typically be an individual with personal insurance becomes a driver, company, and commercial auto policy. Liability differs; the commercial vehicle owner may have more legal resources than the victim. The best thing to do is hire an experienced lawyer to help you seek compensation for your injuries.
The Laredo commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw want to help you avoid the mistakes commercial vehicle accident victims make that can hinder their personal injury cases. We want to minimize the stress of your legal journey, so we offer our services on a contingency-fee-basis, so you don’t have to worry about upfront legal costs because you don’t pay unless we win. Call our toll-free number at 1-800-862-1260 to schedule your free consultation today.
Mistake #1: Failure to Mitigate DamagesAfter a Laredo TX commercial vehicle accident, injured parties must take reasonable actions to prevent additional harm or worsened injuries. This may be true even if it costs the plaintiff a reasonable amount.
Examples of failures to mitigate damage include:
The damages you seek in a personal injury claim should be those related to the accident and not your failure to mitigate damages. This is a subjective notion, and your lawyer will help you to prove that you did everything possible to mitigate damages in your unique case.
Mistake #2: Discarding DocumentationA second mistake victims might make after a commercial vehicle accident in Laredo TX is discarding important documentation that can serve as evidence. This evidence is now available in electronic media and, therefore, recoverable. However, it may be valuable to keep signed invoices or handwritten evidence.
Keeping paper records of everything related to your case ensures that your attorney has the evidence to represent you. It can be challenging to track down every item that has evidentiary value if you don’t do your part to collect and keep all your paperwork. When in doubt, keep it.
Mistake #3: Failing to Report the AccidentIf your accident results in bodily injuries or a severely damaged vehicle, the Texas Transportation Code requires that you immediately contact the local police. The police must file an official crash report with TxDOT.
Not reporting the accident due to minimal damage or simple neglect negates the benefits that a formal report can have in a personal injury case. These benefits include observations from an objective party and pertinent facts gleaned at the accident scene.
Mistake #4: Admitting FaultYour Laredo accident attorney will not want you to apologize or admit fault to anyone, as the court will determine fault and liability. If you were at fault or partially at fault, the other party will only be responsible for their portion of the liability. Admitting fault upfront decreases the impact of the argument for your case and the value of the collected evidence. It allows others to assume that you accept the blame for the accident.
Mistake #5: Accepting an Initial Settlement OfficerFinally, it is a mistake to accept an initial settlement offer quickly. If you determine it is a fair offer, you must accept it or risk paying the defendant’s litigation costs. However, initial offers are often low, attempting to reduce the overall cost of the accident. Your legal team will prepare an argument to maximize your benefits and negotiate a fair settlement.
Call the Expert Attorneys in Laredo, Texas, at Carabin Shaw Today & Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation!
At Carabin Shaw, we understand that mistakes happen, and our team will do everything we can to help prevent you from making any in your commercial accident case. Our client reviews show how we support clients in enhancing their legal experience. Call our office today to start your journey to compensation. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff available to speak with you 24/7
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