Vehicle accidents are not uncommon in and around San Antonio. However, getting into an accident involving a company vehicle can be complicated. Not only does it increase the number of potential defendants, but the process of filing a claim is far from straightforward. When you’re trying to recover from painful injuries, the stress and hassle of dealing with a claim can be too much to handle.
At the Texas Law Guns, Injury & Accident Lawyers, our San Antonio company vehicle accident attorneys are ready to help if you have been injured. We will investigate your crash, handle the insurance companies, and work to secure the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today for your complimentary consultation.
When working to secure compensation after an accident with a company vehicle, turn to the trusted team at the Texas Law Guns, Injury & Accident Lawyers.
A company vehicle is a car, bus, truck, or van owned and operated by a business. An employee can use these vehicles for a number of purposes, including transportation of goods, passengers, work tools, and materials. Common examples of company vehicles in and around San Antonio, Texas include:
There are numerous causes for company vehicle accidents, but most of them fall into one of two categories: human error and road conditions. The most common causes of commercial vehicle collisions in San Antonio include:
If you believe that another driver’s negligence contributed to your accident, you should contact a San Antonio personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney with a background in investigating company vehicle accidents will look for evidence of an overly tight schedule, poor training, impairment behind the wheel, and other indicators that the driver and/or their employer are responsible for the crash.
If you find yourself in a car crash in your job’s vehicle, you have not only your job but your health and safety to worry about. Even when another driver is negligent, you still have to worry about your employer’s reaction to the crash. Normal car crashes can be complicated. Adding a company vehicle to the mix only serves to make determining who is liable more difficult. So how do you figure it all out? The first step is to find a personal injury attorney. In most cases, there are three potential parties that may be liable.
If you are involved in a car crash with a driver who acted negligently, they are likely responsible for causing the collision. Negligence could including violating traffic laws. Things like speeding, driving under the influence or ignoring traffic signs. Getting a police report of the incident can be helpful in proving the other party is responsible for the crash. It could also help show your employer that you did all you could to avoid the crash.
Safety tests are required before selling any vehicle in the United States. If a manufacturer failed to do perform appropriate and adequate testing, they could be responsible for the injuries caused by these failures. They could also be held responsible for not informing the vehicle owner of any open recalls in a reasonable amount of time. Third-party manufacturers have the potential to be liable as well. If your crash was caused by a tire that should have been recalled, or your airbag did not deploy, the makers of these products could be liable for your damages.
Local governments are usually responsible for maintaining roadways and traffic signals. Cities and counties are responsible for ensuring their roadways are safe for everyone to drive on. If your crash was caused because the roads were not properly maintained, the local government in charge may be liable. However, keep in mind that the government has laws in place to protect them from certain claims. Work with your lawyer to help determine who is responsible or if recovering damages from the government is possible for your case.
During the latest reporting year in San Antonio, the Texas Department of Transportation says that there were 2,420 total crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in the city. Out of these, there were more than a dozen fatalities and several hundred injuries. Company vehicles are larger and weigh more than traditional passenger vehicles, resulting in severe injuries to motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
What makes many of these cases extra complicated is that these vehicles are not always easy to identify: while most company vehicles are clearly marked, some have no markings at all and are indistinguishable from regular passenger vehicles. This can make identifying the liable parties more difficult, especially in hit-and-run cases.
Every accident is different, so the liable party or parties can vary. In many cases, you can sue the driver personally for negligent actions like speeding or DUI and/or file a claim against their insurer. The company that owns and operates the vehicle may be liable as well, especially if they failed to maintain their vehicles to a safe standard or give drivers adequate training before sending them on the road. Their insurance provider can be an important source of financial recovery.
If substandard road conditions contributed to the crash, you may be able to sue the municipality. If this is the case, there are special rules involved: under the Texas Tort Claims Act, you must first notify the governmental entity of your intent to sue.
When you’ve been injured by a company vehicle driver, you may be dealing with multiple defendants, insurance companies, and their legal teams. Your San Antonio company vehicle accident lawyer will have the resources and experience necessary to thoroughly investigate your case. Your attorney will:
No two cases are exactly alike, so there is no average settlement for personal injury claims involving company vehicles. The severity of your injuries, your financial losses, and the future impact of the accident are all taken into account when determining a fair settlement amount.
At the Texas Law Guns, Injury & Accident Lawyers, our qualified and experienced team will investigate all aspects of the incident and work to secure full compensation for your accident-related expenses. This can include:
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident involving a company vehicle, seek legal assistance today.
Motor vehicle accident injuries can be debilitating and require months and even years of medical care. Our caring and experienced personal injury lawyers will investigate your accident, file your claim, and deal with the insurers so you can take time to recover.
When you need legal help after a San Antonio accident, we’re here for you. If we do not win your case, you will not pay any fees. You can contact us online any time for a free consultation, or call us at (210) 800-0000. We look forward to helping you achieve a better future.
