Texas Blind Spot Accident Attorneys
Were you the victim of a blind spot trucking accident? You might be entitled to substantial financial compensation for your injury.
Every vehicle has blind spots that make it difficult to see other cars, pedestrians, or objects around the vehicle. A truck’s blind spots are much bigger, and much more dangerous, than other vehicles’ because of the enormous size of the truck.
Truck blind spot accidents often cause severe and debilitating injuries that could lead to fatalities. If a trucker fails to pay attention to their blind spots before turning, merging, or traveling through an intersection, other people can suffer the consequences.
Gibson Hill Personal Injury is prepared to take on your case and fight for the justice you deserve. Call us at (713) 659-4000 today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll fight for the maximum compensation you’re owed.
Location of Blind Spots on Commercial Trucks
For trucks, the areas with reduced visibility are:
- Directly in front of the cab
- Ahead of the cab, slightly to the right
- Most of the right side of the whole truck
- Upper left side of the truck
- Directly behind the trailer
The blind spot areas aren’t small. Some of them extend up to 20 or 30 feet. A whole passenger vehicle can remain hidden in a truck’s blind spot, putting the driver in harm’s way. When a trucker is on the road, they need to make sure they actively check all of their blind spots before making any moves. One small mistake could lead to fatal results.
Who Is Liable for Your Injury?
When you sustain an injury because of a blind spot truck crash, it’s possible to hold the trucking company, liability insurance carrier, or driver responsible. The party, or parties, you file your case against depends on the circumstances leading up to the accident.
If it’s clear that the trucker failed to check their blind spots and crashed into the side of another vehicle, you could hold him liable for the resulting injuries. However, you could also potentially pursue compensation from the trucking company for hiring an unqualified or inexperienced driver.
Texas is a fault auto insurance state, meaning that you can file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. The losses you incur after the crash become the responsibility of the person or entity that caused the accident. Most at-fault parties will cover an injured person’s expenses with their liability insurance.
Under Texas law, all vehicle owners and operators must carry liability insurance with minimum limits for bodily injury and property damage. Those limits provide compensation for the victim’s expenses. If the driver doesn’t have insurance, you can file a lawsuit or pursue payment from your auto insurance carrier.
Recovering Damages After a Blind Spot Accident
After filing an insurance claim to recover compensation for your total losses, the adjuster will review all your damages. Damages are losses incurred as a result of an accident or injury. They fall under two separate categories: economic and non-economic. In Texas, you’re allowed to claim the following damages:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional pain
- Impairment or disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
The amount of compensation depends on various factors. The truck driver could argue that you share some of the blame for the accident due to driving in one of their blind spots. If the adjuster determines you’re partly at fault, it could reduce your total settlement amount.
The modified comparative fault rule in Texas decreases an injured party’s compensation based on how much fault they share in a car accident. If you’re 20% to blame and the other driver is 80% to blame, you can still pursue compensation, but it will be 20% lower than the maximum amount you’re entitled to receive.
As an example, if your total damages equal $50,000 and the modified comparative fault rule finds that you’re 20% at fault, you can only receive up to $40,000 as compensation for your damages. The formula takes all your losses and subtracts it from your percentage of the blame.
Building a Strong Blind Spot Truck Accident Case
The blind spot accident attorneys at Gibson Hill Personal Injury will help you maximize the value of your case in several different ways. We will:
- Thoroughly investigate your case and collect evidence to show how your accident occurred, and how the other party is at fault.
- Work with experts, such as accident reconstruction experts and liability experts, to help us develop a persuasive case.
- Use the strong case we develop to negotiate firmly with insurance companies and lawyers on your behalf.
- Pursue fair, full compensation for your losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and anguish.
- Prepare your case to go to trial, if needed, to pursue the compensation you’re owed.
Texas law requires that you sue the party responsible for your injuries before the statute of limitations passes. The statute of limitations for a blind spot truck accident is two years. That means you only have two years from the date of the crash to seek compensation. Once the two-year deadline passes, you will most likely lose your right to sue.
Why It’s Important to Hire a Lawyer
The process of fighting the deep-pocketed trucking companies and their insurance agents for compensation is exceptionally challenging and stressful. Insurance companies will find any reason to not pay you, or pay you the lowest amount they can get away with.
While you’re trying to recover from your injuries, a blind spot accident lawyer from Gibson Hill Personal Injury can take care of everything for you. When you hire us, we’ll start working on your case immediately. We use our knowledge and resources to ensure we submit crucial evidence that supports your claim.
When you’re injured, out of work, and worried about paying your medical bills, you might miss a deadline, provide inaccurate information about the collision, or fail to secure the evidence needed to support your claim. Any number of factors could cause the insurance adjuster to deny your claim or offer you much less than you deserve. An experienced attorney will make sure every document is filed properly and on time, build a strong case in your favor, and ensure you receive the maximum compensation available.
Speak to a Dedicated Blind Spot Truck Accident Lawyer
Contact the Texas truck accident attorneys at Gibson Hill Personal Injury today, and we’ll schedule your free consultation. You can meet with one of our lawyers to discuss your case and get legal advice on how to proceed. To find out how you can recover compensation for your injuries after a blind spot truck accident, call (713) 659-4000.