Moving trucks can make relocating much easier for people who do not have a sufficiently-sized vehicle to carry all of their belongings from one place to the next. While these vehicles are convenient, they pose certain risks, mainly if the driver is unaccustomed to operating a large vehicle.
If you suffered injuries in an accident involving a moving truck, our Corpus Christi moving truck accident lawyers can handle the pursuit of compensation. The truck accident lawyers with Loncar Lyon Jenkins can investigate the accident, gather evidence of negligence, and fight for what you deserve.
Seeking Compensation After a Moving Truck Accident
Any type of accident can lead to severe injuries, but when trucks are involved, your losses can be even worse. You may face mounting medical bills, lost income, and other accident-related expenses.
Our Corpus Christi moving truck accident team can review your damages and seek awards for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income, including benefits and paid time off
- Reduced earning capacity
- Scarring and disfigurement
Our wrongful death lawyers can also help your family cope if a moving truck accident claimed your loved one’s life. We can seek compensation for funeral arrangements, loss of income, and your loved one’s medical bills. You deserve to grieve your family member in peace. We can handle the legal process while you honor their memory.
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Potential Moving Truck Accident Injuries
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), rented moving vans and light trucks are rarely involved in crashes. It is much more common for heavier commercial vehicles, like semi-trucks, to crash. In either case, traffic accidents, particularly those involving large vehicles, can cause significant injuries and damage. Examples of injuries in these types of accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
If you have suffered severe injuries, you may be preoccupied with the overwhelming stress of mounting medical bills and lost wages. You may also worry about how you will access the medical care you need.
If you were injured in a moving truck accident in Corpus Christi, our lawyers could help you seek financial compensation for your losses. In the weeks and months after an accident, you should be able to rest and focus on your recovery.
Why Choose Our Corpus Christi Moving Truck Accident Attorneys
The team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins is here to support you through this difficult time. Since 1988, our firm has served Texans, providing legal advocacy for victims of traffic accidents and other personal injuries. During a free consultation, we can discuss how one of our Corpus Christi moving truck accident lawyers can help you pursue the monetary awards you need and deserve.
877-239-4878Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
Determining Liability in a Moving Truck Accident
Before seeking compensation for your losses, including injuries and vehicle damage, our lawyers must prove liability. This means establishing who was at fault for the accident and who is responsible for paying for the resulting harm.
When a Driver Rents a Truck
Moving trucks and vans require special handling and have a slower stopping time (and a broader turn radius) than commuter vehicles. This, combined with other driver errors like distraction or fatigue, can lead to accidents.
In many traffic accidents, the driver that caused the crash is the one liable for compensating victims. This is sometimes the case with moving truck crashes, mainly if the truck driver is not an employee but an independent party renting the truck for a moving day.
Generally, when a person rents a moving truck, they must sign a waiver indicating that the rental company is not responsible for any damage the renter incurs while driving. If the truck driver purchased insurance, you might request compensation from the insurance provider.
When a Driver Works for a Moving Company
However, if the driver is an employee of a moving company, their employer may be liable. Employers usually have insurance policies that extend to their employees. This means you may be able to pursue compensation from the trucking company’s insurance provider.
A trucking company may have a team of defense attorneys at its disposal. You don’t have to deal with your case alone, though. Our legal team can represent you and handle all of the communications with the liable party and its insurance company.
When a Truck Malfunctions
In some cases, the truck’s manufacturer may be to blame. For instance, if the truck malfunctioned due to a faulty part. In this situation, you may need to pursue compensation from the part’s manufacturer. This process may be even more complicated than those listed above.
A Corpus Christi moving truck accident lawyer can help you determine who was at fault for the crash and gather the necessary evidence to prove causation and liability.
Negligence as a Factor in Moving Truck Crashes
Regardless of who is liable, moving truck accidents often involve negligence. According to the Legal Information Institute (LII), negligence is the “failure to exercise the level of prudence an individual would ordinarily exercise under certain circumstances.” It can also include omissions or failure to act when it is one’s duty to do so.
Some examples of negligent actions that lead to moving truck accidents include:
Speeding
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is a leading cause of all traffic accidents. Large vehicles, such as moving trucks and vans, take longer to stop because of their weight. For this reason, speeding is particularly hazardous. Because people often speed when they are in a rush, drivers who speed are also more likely to engage in other irresponsible and unsafe behaviors, such as making improper passes or lane changes.
Distracted Driving
Driving while distracted is another leading cause of accidents nationwide. This can include any activity that diverts drivers’ attention away from the road. One form of distraction is texting or using a phone for other purposes. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that texting while driving is actually illegal statewide.
Other forms of distracted driving include talking to passengers, talking on the phone, eating, looking at a GPS device, or reaching down to grab something from the floor or glove compartment. Distracted driving can cause the driver to miss unexpected occurrences and delay their response time.
Driver Impairment
Another leading cause of traffic accidents and fatalities nationwide is intoxicated driving. This includes operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While illicit substances contribute to many intoxicated driving incidents, prescription drugs can cause issues too, particularly those that make a driver drowsy or impair cognition.
Fatigue
Exhaustion can mimic intoxication symptoms, inhibiting a person’s ability to think clearly and respond to hazards. Because of this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established rules to mandate commercial drivers’ use of electronic logging devices (ELDs) to log how much rest they have during the day and how many hours they drive. These devices also allow companies to observe their drivers via video.
However, individuals who rent a moving truck for the day are not required to use ELDs. And even with ELDs and 11-hour driving limits in place, some drivers may get behind the wheel fatigued.
You Have a Limited Time to Take Action in Your Corpus Christi Moving Truck Accident Case
In the aftermath of a traumatic event, like a moving truck accident, you will likely have a lot on your mind. Understandably, you may not wish to think about finances at this time. It is essential to remember that you do not have unlimited time to seek compensation for your losses. Your already high medical bills may become higher as you incur more long-term costs as you put off seeking action.
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit. For a wrongful death lawsuit, your deadline begins counting down from the day of the accident, not the day of your loved one’s demise, as well. Our personal injury attorneys can help you meet these deadlines and work to streamline your case.
Work with a Corpus Christi Moving Truck Accident Lawyer
The legal team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins is prepared to support you in pursuing fair compensation so that you can recuperate and move forward after trauma. Call us to discuss your case and what we can do for you.
