Development along the I-10 corridor through Boerne is on the rise, which means higher amounts of traffic for residents to contend with. A fair amount of the vehicles are 18-wheelers which pose a risk to regular passenger vehicles and motorcycles. If you’re involved in an accident with one of these large commercial tractor trailers, chances are you’re going to be injured. If that happens it’s vital to know who can be held liable in an 18-wheeler accident.
Every state varies on how they assign liability or fault to those who can be held liable in an 18-wheeler accident. The key is determining who is negligent and by how much, and how that affects the accident.
The state of Texas is what is known as a comparative negligence state. Comparative negligence allows for a percentage of fault to be placed upon each person involved in an accident. Those investigating the accident will look to determine the approximate cause for the wreck, as well as other factors that contributed to it. If it is determined that someone is more than 50% at fault for an accident, then they cannot recover any monetary compensation.
It’s important to note, however, that even if a driver is not the majority at fault for an accident in Boerne, he or she may not recover the full amount of his damages. For example, if you are deemed to have contributed 30% to the accident, then the amount you recover can be reduced by your contribution.
This broadens those who can be held liable in an 18-wheeler accident to anyone involved. But there is more to understand about liability, and this is where an experienced attorney can help.
Most of the 18-wheelers you see traveling the road and highways through Boerne are owned by companies. If one of these trucks is liable for an accident, not only can the driver be held accountable, but the corporation that owns the truck may also be considered liable. But these large companies aren’t always easy to work with. The company may be out of state, and it will likely have a team of lawyers whose job is to protect the interests of the company.
This is an intimidating prospect for most people. They may not have the personal resources nor the time to deal with a large, out-of-town company. Many of these corporations may try to make a quick settlement offer without allowing time for you to full think through what you deserve. Many victims inadvertently give up their rights as an injured party to the allure of a quick and seemingly easy settlement.
The lawyers of Carabin Shaw encourage otherwise. We believe everyone involved in a Boerne 18-wheeler accident deserves to have an advocate working on their behalf, someone who will stand up to the large corporations and insurance companies and not be intimidated or pushed into a quick settlement. Our attorneys are here to give people a voice in the legal system.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Boerne and would like to speak to an experienced, caring attorney, call the law offices of Carabin Shaw today. We will schedule a free initial consultation with you to assess the details of your accident. Even after you decide to let us work on your behalf, we don’t charge any fees until we win your case.
Don’t try to work through your accident with a commercial truck alone. Let one of our Boerne 18-wheeler accident attorneys work for you. To schedule your free consultation in Boerne, call us today toll-free at 800-862-1260.