Truck accidents can cause you and your family very serious injuries that may affect your life and your finances for many years. The massive size and weight of these vehicles can devastate the human body, leading to destructive injuries. If you or a family member has been injured in a crash, a personal injury attorney may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Let an experienced Georgetown truck accident lawyer investigate and examine your case to decide whether you have a valid claim.
Common Injuries in Georgetown Truck Wreck Cases
The large size of tractor-trailers means they can cause massive destruction to property and people. Smaller vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists do not stand a chance against these much larger vehicles, and serious injuries can occur as a result.
Common injuries suffered in truck accident cases include, but are not limited to:
- Burns and skin damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Crush injuries
- Destruction of bodily organs
- Whiplash and traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Death
These types of injuries and potentially many more can forever alter a plaintiff’s life, as well as the life of their family. Fortunately, when negligence was the cause of the injuries, the plaintiff may be entitled to financial compensation.
Legal and Financial Responsibility in Tractor-Trailer Accident Cases
When the truck driver causes the accident, they are financially liable for the injury if the plaintiff can prove the truck driver’s negligence caused the harm. When a trucker fails to use ordinary and reasonable care and causes the plaintiff’s injuries, the truck driver could be responsible for the accident and its consequences.
Many truckers work long hours and are forced to drive while tired. This makes them at higher risk of causing a major accident. A Georgetown attorney could help determine whether the truck driver was at fault for a particular collision.
When Trucking Companies Are Responsible
While the driver of the truck caused the accident, their employer may also be liable for the plaintiff’s injuries. The doctrine of
respondeat superior may allow a plaintiff to seek financial compensation from the defendant’s employer. If the truck driver was working at the time of the accident, most employers will be financially liable for their actions.
Companies may also be responsible when they fail to properly maintain their trucks, use defective parts, hire unqualified drivers, or force their workers to driver over the approved number of hours. These situations and more may result in liability on the part of the truck driver and trucking company.
The Statute of Limitations
A qualified attorney may help a plaintiff ensure they file their claim within the statute of limitations period set by
Texas Statute Section 16.003. This generally requires that plaintiffs file their personal injury claims for truck accidents within two years of the date that the crash occurred.
Exceptions to the statute of limitations exist, but they are rare. If a plaintiff has questions about their case, they should schedule a consultation with a Georgetown truck wreck attorney as soon as possible following an accident.
Discuss Your Case with a Truck Accident Attorney in Georgetown
Truck accidents can leave you with serious injuries. When these injuries were caused by a truck driver, their employer, or another’s negligence, you could be entitled to financial compensation.
An experienced Georgetown truck accident lawyer is here to help you understand your rights and seek financial compensation.
Schedule a no-obligation consultation today.