Snellings Law PLLC Attorneys are Personal Injury Trial Lawyers
Hit by a Delivery Truck During the Holiday Season?
What You Need to Know:
- The holiday season significantly increases delivery truck traffic due to heightened online shopping and holiday preparations, increasing the risk of commercial vehicle accidents.
- If you’re involved in a delivery truck accident, taking immediate action to protect your case is crucial.
- Commercial vehicle accidents often involve multiple parties and complex liability issues, so consulting with a specialized attorney who has experience in handling commercial vehicle cases is essential.
The holiday season is such a fun time of year with all the festivities and bustling activity. However, it also brings an increase in delivery truck traffic. These trucks become a common sight as online shopping peaks and holiday packages flood the streets. While we all want our holiday gifts to arrive on time, the heightened activity on the roads also escalates the risk of commercial vehicle accidents. Knowing how to navigate the aftermath is crucial if you are hit by a delivery truck during this busy time.
As personal injury attorneys, we know the complexities of commercial vehicle accidents. Therefore, we know the critical steps you need to take if you’re in a delivery truck accident during the holiday season. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge you need to protect your case and ensure a fair outcome.
The holidays should be a time of joy and celebration, not a period marked by stress and legal battles. By being prepared and informed, you can better manage the aftermath of an accident and focus on your recovery. Read on to learn more about how to navigate a commercial vehicle accident case.
Commercial Vehicles 101: What They Are and How to Recognize Them
Commercial vehicles are owned and operated by businesses. In Texas, commercial vehicles are defined as vehicles used primarily to transport goods or passengers. Commercial vehicles can come in many forms. Some examples of commercial vehicles include:
- 18-wheelers
- Delivery trucks
- Service vans
- Rideshare vehicles
- Commercial buses and shuttles
- Food trucks
If the vehicle has a logo, business name, or phone number on the side, it’s likely a commercial vehicle. However, sometimes commercial vehicles are hard to spot. Therefore, it’s important to ask questions and get a police report after you’re hit.
The Holiday Season and Commercial Vehicles: What You Need to Know About Increased Risks
As the holidays approach, people are preparing to gather with friends and family. Between ordering food, decorations, and gifts, deliveries skyrocket during this time. Because there are so many orders to fill, the risk of commercial vehicle accidents increases.
During the holiday seasons, more people tend to be on the road as they travel to holiday gatherings with friends and family. With more cars on the road, more accidents are likely to occur. Delivery drivers might feel rushed to finish their deliveries to make their own holiday parties. This pressure can lead to reckless driving, causing more accidents as well.
Often, employers put extra pressure on delivery drivers to meet tight deadlines and make more deliveries during the holidays. This can also cause drivers to rush and take more risks while driving. The pressure to meet tight deadlines is a huge factor in the increase in commercial vehicle accidents that occur during this time.
Additionally, winter months often bring harsher weather conditions. Driving a regular automobile is difficult when it’s snowing, sleeting, or foggy. So, you can imagine how difficult it would be to control a large 18-wheeler in these conditions. Distracted driving is also a common cause of commercial vehicle accidents. With holiday festivities and the harsher weather conditions, delivery drivers also may find themselves more distracted, causing more commercial vehicle accidents.
Your Post-Accident Checklist: What to Do Following a Commercial Vehicle Collision
If you’ve been hit by a commercial vehicle, it’s important to know what immediate actions you should take to help your case:
- Ensure Your Safety: After you’re hit, make sure to stay in your vehicle until the authorities arrive. Exiting the vehicle could lead to a secondary accident if the scene is not secure.
- Document the Scene: If you’re able, collect as much evidence at the scene as possible. Take pictures of the accident, including damage to your vehicle, road conditions, and visible injuries. Get contact information from the delivery driver and any witnesses at the scene.
- Seek Medical Attention: You should always seek medical attention immediately after an accident. Even if you don’t feel injured, you should still get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries are not apparent immediately, such as traumatic brain injuries and internal injuries. Getting checked out can help you spot these injuries and get treatment before they worsen.
To learn more about the next steps to take after a commercial vehicle wreck, watch our video.
3. Report the Accident: After an accident, you should call the police and get an accident report. This report can serve as crucial evidence in your case. Take caution not to admit fault, as that can damage your case and hurt your ability to receive compensation for your injuries.
4. Seek the Help of a Commercial Accident Attorney: You should also reach out to an experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney if you’ve been injured in a commercial vehicle accident. These cases are difficult to navigate. Getting assistance in your case can significantly increase the chances of a favorable outcome.
Understanding the Difficulties of Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases
Proving liability is one of the most difficult aspects of a commercial vehicle accident case. If the driver of the commercial vehicle was driving recklessly, distracted, or failed to follow traffic laws, they could be held liable for the accident. However, these vehicles are owned and operated by businesses. Therefore, there could be additional parties held liable for the accident.
The driver’s employer could also be held liable for the accident. If the delivery company put the driver on too tight of a schedule, failed to properly train the driver, or acted negligently in another way, they could be held liable under vicarious liability. Vicarious liability aims to hold employers responsible for their employees’ actions while they are working.
Sometimes, mechanical failures cause commercial vehicle accidents. If this is the case, the manufacturing company could be liable for the accident. If the accident occurred due to a maintenance issue, such as balding tires or a neglected engine, the maintenance company could be liable.
Other drivers or harsh road conditions may also have contributed to the accident. Because there are so many avenues of liability to investigate, it’s best to consult a commercial accident attorney as soon as possible. They can conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that all negligent parties are held accountable and that evidence isn’t discarded or destroyed.
The Role of a Commercial Accident Attorney: Why Legal Guidance Matters
As discussed, commercial vehicle accident cases are complex and often require thorough investigations. Evidence is key in these cases. A police report and photographs of the scene are important pieces of evidence. A commercial vehicle accident attorney can also find medical records, witness statements, and commercial vehicle driver logs to help with your case. They can also examine the truck for mechanical issues. Hiring a commercial vehicle accident attorney gives you the best chance of uncovering all necessary evidence and holding all negligence parties accountable.
If you’re injured in a commercial vehicle accident, you may be entitled to various damages. An experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney can help you recover those damages. You may be able to recover for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future damages from the accident. A knowledgeable commercial vehicle accident attorney knows the best way to present the evidence to insurance adjusters so that you can get the outcome you deserve.
Getting hit by a commercial vehicle is extremely stressful. Often, injury victims suffer catastrophic injuries from commercial vehicle wrecks. A commercial vehicle accident attorney can connect you with medical providers who will treat your injuries. That way, you can focus on healing while they take care of the rest.
Choosing the Right Attorney: Key Qualities in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
When looking for a commercial vehicle accident attorney, you want to find one with the knowledge and expertise to navigate your claim. An attorney who focuses solely on personal injury and has experience with commercial vehicle cases will know the complexities and can effectively navigate your case’s legal aspects.
Your attorney should also have experience negotiating with insurance companies. This will help you avoid hurting your case. It’s easy to fall into the traps that insurance adjusters set. Having someone on your side who knows how to effectively communicate with adjusters can help tremendously.
Finding a team that will communicate effectively with you is also important. Your attorney should know the plan of action they are going to take, and they should be able to communicate that with you. That way, you know what’s going on with your case each step of the way.
Finding a commercial vehicle accident attorney with trial experience is also helpful. If your case goes to trial, the process is smoother if you already have an attorney who can litigate. An experienced commercial vehicle accident litigator will know how to effectively present the evidence and utilize experts so that you get the resolution you deserve.
Snellings Law Attorneys Are Driven Commercial Vehicle Accident Trial Attorneys
At Snellings Law, we recognize that an injury from a delivery truck accident can deeply affect your life physically and emotionally. Accidents involving delivery trucks can be particularly complex. The holiday rush, unfortunately, only exacerbates these challenges. Understanding your rights and the steps you should take immediately after the incident is essential. Being informed can make a significant difference in your recovery process.
Our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys is committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process. Our firm is deeply rooted in our community and passionate about ensuring our clients receive the support they deserve. Focusing exclusively on personal injury law, we are driven and dedicated to helping our clients reach the full value of their cases. We work tirelessly to negotiate with insurance companies and secure the best possible outcome for you.
You don’t have to face this challenging journey alone. Allow us to stand by your side and help you heal. Reach out to us today at 214-387-0387 for a free strategy session with one of our experienced commercial vehicle accident attorneys. We are here to be your advocate and ally throughout this process. Let us help you take the first step toward recovery and justice.
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