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McAllen Truck Accident Lawyer
When a passenger vehicle is involved in a motor vehicle collision with an 18-wheeler, the results can be devastating. In many cases, the occupants in the passenger vehicle will sustain life-changing or fatal injuries. If you were involved in a big rig accident in McAllen, it’s important to take legal action as soon as possible. At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, a McAllen truck accident lawyer on our legal team can help you pursue compensation from liable parties. These might include the truck driver, the company that employs them, or someone else.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help?
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help?
The days and weeks after a collision with a large truck can be filled with stress and frustration. You might be struggling to cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of a collision. You might also struggle to complete the process of pursuing your case for compensation.
Fortunately, you do not need to take on the party responsible for your injuries alone. Your truck accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins may be able to help you build a claim for financial compensation in McAllen by:
- Obtaining and reviewing your crash report for important details
- Calculating the cost of your medical bills
- Collecting photos of the accident scene and of your injuries
- Hiring accident reconstruction experts to testify on your behalf
- Identifying, locating, and interviewing bystanders who witnessed the accident
- Strategically assigning a monetary value to your compensation claim
- Negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company
- Ensuring your lawsuit complies with the state’s timeline
Loncar Lyon Jenkins can also handle all communications on your behalf, giving you space from the legal proceedings to concentrate on your recovery. We want to be involved with your case, too, though. Expect us to stay in touch with you and provide regular case updates as we go through the claims and legal processes.
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Each year, Loncar Lyon Jenkins represents over 7,000 clients all over Texas and will travel to any city or town within the Lone Star state.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in McAllen, Texas?
If another party’s negligence caused your accident, they might be liable for your injuries. A truck accident may be the result of negligent actions from several parties, including:
Truck Drivers
The driver in your truck accident could be negligent by:
- Driving while drunk or intoxicated
- Driving while distracted
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Violating a traffic law
- Driving recklessly
If the driver privately owned the truck, they may be liable for any accident their negligence causes. Your accident could have been caused by a commercial truck when the driver was on the job, though. In this case, the trucking company may be liable for your injuries. This could be your situation because of the legal principle of vicarious liability.
Trucking Companies
As mentioned, a commercial trucking company may be liable for an accident if their drivers caused an accident while working. A trucking company may also be liable if any of the following negligent actions (or inaction) contributed to your accident:
- Failure to screen, train, and license truck drivers
- Failure to safely maintain trucks
- Pressuring truck drivers to work shifts beyond the limits allowed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Cargo Loading Company
The company responsible for loading and unloading the cargo can also be held responsible if it’s found that an unbalanced load or loose cargo caused or contributed to the accident.
Mechanics or Manufacturers
Sometimes a truck accident is caused by a mechanical failure. This could be due to a truck mechanic failing to properly maintain or install a safety system. A mechanical failure could also be due to a defective truck component.
These could include the tire or axle failing on the road and causing an accident. A negligent component manufacturer may be liable for this type of accident.
Your truck accident lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can investigate your accident and identify the liable party when we represent you. We are not intimidated by complex cases or large corporations that may be liable for your injuries.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in McAllen?
At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, our truck accident lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning our clients do not pay us attorney’s fees unless and until they recover compensation in a settlement offer or from court awards.
What Types Of Damages Can I Pursue After a Big Rig Accident?
The following damages may be recoverable in a truck accident lawsuit:
Emergency and Ongoing Medical Expenses
Your accident could have resulted in severe injuries you needed to attend to right away. You might have had to take an ambulance ride to the emergency room, for instance. Maybe you were able to travel there yourself from the accident scene.
Estimated Future Costs of All Medical Care
Your losses might result in an extended recovery period. The accident could have even resulted in a lost limb, paraplegia, or a worsened condition. You might have to purchase a wheelchair, add a ramp to your home, and attend physical therapy appointments.
You might have needed several surgeries and treatments.
Current and Future Loss of Employment Income
You might be unable to work at the job you had before the accident. You might have needed to take a few weeks off to recover or care for a loved one. Either way, your loss of income could entitle you to damages.
Property Damage
A truck’s weight and speed can cause severe accidents. A negligent trucking company might have overloaded the cargo on the truck, as well. This can make the situation worse. Smaller passenger vehicles, motorcyclists, and pedestrians are no match for these vehicles.
Pain and Suffering and Mental Anguish or Distress
Your injuries and any psychological effects caused by the accident can serve as opportunities to collect an award. For instance, you might be suffering from:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Such losses are quantifiable. Your truck accident lawyer can evaluate your economic damages and the effects the accident and your injuries have had on your life to come to a figure.
Wrongful Death Damages
Tragically, truck accidents claim the lives of their victims. If you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit, the following damages may be available to your family:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical bills related to the accident prior to death
- Loss of income and benefits previously provided by the deceased
- Loss of protection, companionship, or consortium
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Do not wait too long if you are considering legal action for your truck accident. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 imposes a statute of limitations. Victims and families typically have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
If you allow this legal deadline to pass before taking legal action, you lose your chance to recover compensation in a lawsuit. Your lawyer can discuss what specific deadlines pertain to your case. We can ensure you complete and file your lawsuit on time when we represent you.
What are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accident victims can suffer various severe injuries following a commercial truck accident, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Fractures or broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
- Neck or back injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Burns
- Cuts and bruises
Some catastrophic injuries, like TBIs, may not manifest symptoms until days after a truck accident, so it’s crucial that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. In addition, prompt care provides a link between the crash and your injuries, giving the insurance company less of a reason to challenge your truck accident claims.
Should the adjuster still try to delay, devalue, or deny your right to fair compensation, our truck accident attorneys can present evidence and build a robust case to establish they owe you.
Author
clay jenkins
Clay Jenkins started his personal injury practice in 1989 after clerking for the Texas Supreme Court. He co-counseled some of Brian Loncar’s biggest cases for 25 years before purchasing an interest in the firm. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Advocates for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and previously served as President of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. Learn More
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Contact Us Today!
If you were injured or your family member passed in a truck accident in McAllen, Loncar Lyon Jenkins may be able to help you. A truck accident lawyer from our firm may be able to manage your case while you concentrate on your recovery or take time to grieve. Contact us today to schedule a free legal consultation with a knowledgeable, experienced truck accident attorney.
