El Paso Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck accidents in El Paso often lead to severe injuries, overwhelming medical bills, emotional trauma, and significant property damage. Understanding your legal rights after such an incident is critical. Whether you were a driver, passenger, or pedestrian involved in a truck accident, learning about the legal process can help you pursue compensation for your losses.
At Flores Mendez Law, our skilled El Paso truck accident lawyers are committed to helping truck accident victims seek justice. With extensive experience in these cases and compassionate support, we provide the legal support necessary to recover damages.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents in El Paso?
Truck accidents often result from driver fatigue, distracted driving, improper truck maintenance, and overloaded cargo. These issues and reckless driving or speeding can lead to serious accidents. Truck drivers must follow strict regulations, but violations—like exceeding hours of service limits—often contribute to collisions. Weather conditions and road hazards may also increase the likelihood of an accident.
Proper investigation of a truck accident is key to determining its cause. It may reveal negligence by the driver, the trucking company, or another party, which can impact the legal case.
How Do Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents?
Truck accidents differ from car accidents for several reasons:
- Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, often causing much more significant damage in collisions with smaller vehicles. As a result, truck accident injuries are usually more severe.
- Truck accidents involve a more complex legal framework. Federal regulations govern truck drivers and companies, while state laws apply to typical car accidents.
- Multiple parties may be liable in truck accidents, including the driver, trucking company, and maintenance crew. Establishing responsibility can become quite complicated, with so many involved.
- Insurance policies for commercial trucks typically have higher coverage limits, which can lead to more aggressive defenses by insurance companies.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Truck Accidents?
Common truck crash injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries. Many accident survivors require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and costly medications. They might be unable to return to work temporarily, permanently, or in their previous capacity. Psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is also common. The severity of these injuries directly impacts the compensation sought. Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical care are typical components of a truck accident claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Liability in a truck accident can extend beyond the driver. The trucking company may be responsible if improper maintenance or unsafe hiring practices contributed to the accident. Additionally, the maintenance company or part manufacturer could be held accountable if a mechanical failure occurred. Cargo loaders might also share liability if the truck was improperly loaded.
Establishing liability is critical to any truck accident case, as it affects the compensation you may receive for your injuries and damages. Our El Paso truck accident lawyers can make this focus central to your case.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident in El Paso?
After a truck accident, your health should be the priority. Call 911 and request medical attention, even if you do not think your injuries are severe; some injuries can worsen over time without immediate treatment. Ask the responding officers about obtaining a police report, which can serve as evidence in any legal claim.
Gather evidence at the scene, including photos of the accident, witness contact information, and details about the truck company and driver. Avoid admitting fault, offering opinions, or speaking with the truck driver’s insurance company, as doing so could impact your claim. It is important to contact our El Paso truck accident Lawyers as soon as possible to protect your rights and start building a strong case.
How Can an El Paso Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
A truck accident lawyer can be vital in investigating the accident, gathering evidence, and identifying liable parties. Lawyers with experience in truck accidents understand federal regulations and can use this knowledge to strengthen your case. They also handle negotiations with insurance companies to work towards a fair settlement.
Your lawyer can represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached. Attorneys also calculate the full extent of your damages, including economic and non-economic losses, to help determine fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in El Paso?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file your claim within this timeframe, you risk losing the ability to seek compensation. Building a strong case takes time, so consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after the accident is recommended.
Certain exceptions to the statute of limitations may apply, such as when the injured party is a minor or when the injury is not immediately discovered. We can advise you on specific deadlines and help file your claim on time.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?
Compensation for a truck accident claim depends on the severity of the injuries and losses:
- Economic damages may cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future medical care. If injuries are permanent or debilitating, compensation for long-term care and loss of earning capacity may also be pursued.
- Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress, may also be awarded, although these are harder to quantify. Our El Paso Truck Accident Lawyers can help you calculate these damages and fight for fair compensation for your injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With the El Paso Truck Accident Lawyers at Flores Mendez Law
If you have been injured in a truck accident, legal advice is crucial in pursuing fair compensation. The experienced El Paso truck accident lawyers at Flores Mendez Law are ready to help. Contact us today at 915-308-9999 or online to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can assist in your pursuit of justice. Located in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.