When to Consult a Lawyer for a Truck Accident
Following a truck accident, victims often find themselves in survival mode. Visiting doctors–or hospitalized–dealing with physical pain and emotional trauma and adjusting to the total disruption of their lives demands every ounce of energy. Though making another appointment may be the last they want to do, victims should consult with a Fort Worth truck accident lawyer right away.
The team at the Texas Law Dog is ready to take that call–and then take on the victim’s fight for justice and compensation. Matthew E. Aulsbrook, the Texas Law Dog, is Texas-born and raised and dedicated to making the lives of injured Texans better. Schedule a consultation today for the chance to see your own post-accident life changed for the better.
The Statute of Limitations Explained
Texas maintains a two-year statute of limitations, as per Chapter 16 of the Civil Code and Remedies, for filing personal injury claims. A statute of limitations is a legal deadline. Truck accident victims hurt because of someone else’s negligence must file an injury claim with the court before that deadline passes to ensure they preserve their day in court and the opportunity to secure compensation for their losses.
If you are a truck accident victim and are afraid you have missed the statute of limitations, do not automatically give up on your quest for justice. Some injury cases warrant exceptions. Your Texas truck accident lawyer will review your case with care, and if it presents grounds to argue for an extension, will fight to get it.
Your accident may have occurred with a government-owned truck or municipal sanitation vehicle, for example. In this situation, your claim would be against the government.
Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, you are allowed to file, but your legal window for filing is 6 months from the date of the accident, a shorter deadline than afforded by the typical statute of limitations.
How a Prompt Legal Partnership with a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Helps Your Case
Your best course of action after experiencing a truck accident is to connect with a truck accident lawyer in Texas as soon as you can. This way, whether your case is against a private individual or company or against the government, your attorney will have time to investigate and file within the relevant deadline. A prompt partnership also allows for a more productive accident investigation.
Solid cases are built on a foundation of strong evidence. Evidence can come from the accident scene, nearby traffic or security cameras or dash cams, witnesses, the truck’s black box–Event Data Recorder (EDR) –or other sources. Fast access to your case gives your attorney the opportunity to secure and gather evidence while it is still available and before it gets lost accidentally or intentionally.
One way your attorney can secure evidence is through evidence preservation demands. For example, your lawyer can send a demand to the trucking company to ensure they keep potentially valuable black-box data and do not alter or repair the truck involved in your accident before your legal team has had a chance to examine those elements.
With prompt access to your case, your lawyer can also speak to accident witnesses, getting specific information before their memories fade.
Truck Accident Complications Make a Fast Legal Partnership Necessary
There are unique aspects to Fort Worth Truck Accidents–and truck accidents in general–that also make a fast legal partnership critical to your case’s success. Truck accidents involve a variety of potential at-fault parties, and determining that party accurately is essential to a favorable outcome as you must prove that party’s negligence. If you file against the wrong party, your case will be unprovable, and you lose the chance to collect compensation.
When you have an accident with another privately owned motor vehicle, it is usually easier to determine fault as the individuals involved are the main possibilities. However, tractor-trailers, construction trucks, and delivery trucks are often company-owned or under company oversight. The potential at-fault parties in a truck accident can include one or more of the following entities, among others:
- The driver
- The truck company
- Mechanics–private or employed by the truck company
- Inspectors–private or employed by the truck company
- Another driver
- A truck-part manufacturer or installer–several complex systems allow the truck to operate properly
- A government agency responsible for the truck, road or traffic signals involved in the accident
No party wants to be found negligent and held accountable for paying you damages. The long list of possible at-fault parties can provide opportunities for finger-pointing among those bearing culpability, and as they fight among themselves, you are left without the financial justice you deserve and need to move on with your life.
The sooner you put your case in the hands of a Texas truck accident attorney, the sooner they can gather and present evidence to determine culpability and get your case moving.
A Delayed Legal Partnership Can Delay Compensation
The personal injury process takes time, so to reduce the wait to receive damages, start the process as soon as possible. Many claims are settled through negotiations, and settlements typically come through more quickly than trial verdicts. The Texas Law Dog is a fierce negotiator and will work to settle your case swiftly.
That said, the at-fault party may use stall tactics or otherwise drag out negotiations. Or, they may refuse to cooperate, never making a fair offer, and you may opt to fight for damages in court. Your truck accident attorney in Texas will provide powerful representation at all trial proceedings, continuing the fight for justice.
Collecting Fort Worth truck accident damages, or damages for truck accidents anywhere in Texas, makes a tremendous, positive difference to your recovery and your life.
Your lawyer will demand compensation for your medical costs, income loss, property damage, and other accident-caused expenses, as well as financial justice for your pain and suffering. By consulting with a lawyer soon after your accident, you shorten the time it takes to see those damages.
Reach Out Now
If you have been in a truck accident, the best time to consult with a Texas truck accident lawyer is right now. The Texas Law Dog is ready to get to work. Forming a timely legal partnership is an important first step toward securing maximum compensation for your many losses. And while sooner is better, it is never too late to reach out.
Our team is prepared to meet whatever challenges your case presents. Put our experience, tenacity, and legal skills to work for you.