If a driverless truck causes a fatal crash, surviving family members of the deceased person (decedent) may be eligible to seek compensation from any liable parties through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
An Arlington truck accident lawyer can evaluate your case and let you know if this is an option for you.
A Driverless Truck Can Cause a Fatal Crash, and the Families of Those Involved in the Incident May Suffer the Consequences
It can be emotionally devastating to lose a family member in a fatal driverless truck crash. The families of those involved in such a crash may struggle to cope with the immediate aftermath of this incident. Additionally, their financial futures may appear bleak.
As you think about what can happen if a driverless truck causes a fatal crash, remember, you have access to legal help. You may want to speak with an Arlington wrongful death lawyer about your family member’s fatal crash. Depending on the specifics of your situation, your attorney may represent and advocate for you as part of a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
The team at The Texas Law Dog empathizes with those who have lost a family member in a fatal driverless truck accident. We have years of experience and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Our attorneys can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. For more information, request a free case review.
A Driverless Truck Can Get into an Accident, and This Can Lead to a Lawsuit
You may feel helpless and alone following the loss of a family member in a fatal driverless truck collision. However, one thing that may happen if a driverless truck causes a fatal collision is that you could file a wrongful death lawsuit against any responsible parties.
According to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, in most cases, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years. Based on this, you may have up to two years to sue any parties that may be liable for your loved one’s fatal driverless truck accident, which may include a truck operator, owner, or manufacturer.
In Texas, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of a decedent may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, there are instances in which a personal representative, outside a decedent’s primary beneficiaries, may be able to sue.
A Fatal Driverless Truck Accident Can Lead to a Legal Dispute
Even if someone else may be liable for your family member’s fatal driverless truck crash, they may contest your case against them. In fact, something that could occur if a driverless truck causes a fatal crash is that an at-fault party’s insurance company may dispute your request for compensation for your loved one’s losses.
For example, you may file an insurance claim for a driverless truck accident in which you seek compensation for your family member’s funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, medical bills, and other losses. You may have accident scene photos, witness statements, and other relevant evidence to support your argument that someone else may be liable for the truck accident.
Unfortunately, your claim may be disputed or undervalued by the other party’s insurer. In either of these scenarios and many others, it helps to have a truck accident attorney on your side. Your lawyer can negotiate a settlement or, if necessary, present your case to a judge or jury.
Questions About Liability May Come Up After a Driverless Truck Causes a Fatal Accident
You may believe you deserve a truck accident settlement from anyone who may have been liable for your family member’s fatal accident. Regardless, in a situation in which a driverless truck may have caused a fatal accident, any liable parties may argue that others could be responsible for the incident.
Having a wrongful death attorney who has experience with driverless truck accident cases may help you gather and present evidence to highlight that your family member may not have been responsible for their fatal crash. Your lawyer may collect evidence after the truck accident, which could help show that someone else is responsible for the incident.
Per Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, you may be subject to modified comparative negligence in your case. With this, if you sue someone for a fatal driverless truck crash, and your loved one was found to be 1-50% liable, your damages may be reduced proportionately. Or, if your loved one is more than 50% liable, recovery may be barred.
Settlement Negotiations May Get Underway Soon After a Driverless Truck Causes a Fatal Collision
In terms of what tends to happen if a driverless truck causes a fatal collision, there are times when a responsible party may engage in settlement negotiations with the families of those who were harmed during the incident. Sadly, because these families may be emotionally distraught, the party may try to resolve your case quickly by offering a low settlement.
Losing a family member in a fatal driverless truck collision can be overwhelming, but you do not have to deal with the ramifications of this tragedy alone. Wrongful death lawyers can estimate the value of your case. They can then engage in settlement negotiations with a liable party or their insurance company and keep you updated as they try to get you compensation.
Your attorney may help you obtain a settlement that covers losses from your loved one’s fatal driverless truck accident. If no such agreement is available, your lawyer may represent you in a trial and argue your case to a judge or jury.
Get Legal Help with Your Driverless Truck Accident Case
Driverless technology is evolving, and determining liability for driverless truck accidents may be more complex than in traditional trucking crashes.
At The Texas Law Dog, we know what can happen if a driverless truck causes a deadly accident. Allow us to assist you with your driverless truck crash case. To find out more, schedule a free case consultation.
