You can Count on our Experience after your Commercial Vehicle Accident
Many “jack of all trades” law firms will take your truck accident case. But, how many of them can honestly say that they have proven experience in handling a large number of 18-wheeler and other commercial vehicle accident cases?
Conversely, the experienced, specialized Killeen, Temple and Fort Hood Texas commercial vehicle and truck accident lawyers with Grossman Law Offices have been practicing truck accident litigation for the past 20 years and have won hundreds of these cases.
Commercial vehicles come in many forms. We have successfully litigated personal injury and/or wrongful death claims against rock haulers, dump trucks, box trucks, a wide variety of construction vehicles, moving vans, buses, tankers, and numerous other types and configurations of commercial vehicles here in Texas. Despite the wide variety of commercial vehicles, these types of cases often have a few common denominators:
- The vehicles are generally larger and can inflict much more damage and physical harm than passenger cars.
- They are governed by different laws than are passenger vehicles.
- Lastly, and most importantly, they are owned by valuable corporate or municipal government entities that will mount an aggressive defense aimed at denying plaintiffs fair compensation.
We believe in fighting fire with fire and are not intimidated by these powerful defendants. In order for your Killeen truck accident case to have the best chance of success, you must retain a law firm that has deep experience, resources, knowledge, and above all else, the reputation to beat your opponents at trial or to force them into a fair settlement that they would otherwise exert great expense and effort in order to avoid paying your rightful damages.
When you choose Grossman Law Offices to represent you in your commercial vehicle accident case, you have the advantage of over two decades of experience from attorneys who have won favorable judgments in hundreds of truck accident victories (and have thousands of successful personal injury cases under their belts).
Below, you will find a wealth of information that explains the case-flow process of an 18-wheeler truck accident civil claim or case, and outlines some of the major obstacles to a successful recovery.
Killeen Truck Accident Attorney
Injured in an Accident with a Commercial Vehicle in Killeen, Ft Hood, Belton or Temple? Call Grossman Law Offices P.C.
It only takes one time for someone to watch an over sized commercial truck slide out of control causing a rush hour traffic jam to realize the potential dangers that come with mixing these bulky trucks with regular-sized passenger vehicles.
Even on a typically hot day with no rain in the forecast any good driver knows it’s not a good idea to pull in front of a moving semi-truck unless you’re speeding away to put distance between your vehicle and the truck. In fact, it’s a bad idea. Just look at the many videos simulated rear end collisions by a commercial truck and it’s easy to see the amount of property damage and the potential loss of life.
If you or somebody in your family or close circle has been left hurt in a Killeen 18-wheeler accident, call the attorneys Grossman Law Offices. Call 1-855-596-3462 for your free initial consultation by telephone, email or in person. It’s your choice.
Commercial vehicles are easy to identify on the roadways. Usually they are wider than the lane they’re traveling in, the cargo they carry extends beyond the boundaries of the truck and other drivers try to speed by to avoid ending up in the truck’s blind spots. No one can argue they are a necessary evil, after all they transport needed products to all corners of America. They play a part in the chain of transportation, involving ships, trains, planes and yes, commercial automobiles. The empty trucks can weigh as little as 20,000 pounds. Add a load of cargo and these trucks are carrying up to 80,000 pounds. In the Killeen-Fort Hood area there are dozens of commercial truck accidents every year, and there are a myriad of reasons why they occur. So if you or a family member were involved in a Killeen accident with a large truck, you should consult the Temple truck accident attorneys at Grossman Law Offices today.
The Federal Highway Safety Administration reported that ten percent of all traffic accidents involve commercial trucks across the country. Ten percent of those trucks that are involved in crashes are registered in Texas, more than any state in the country. It might explain why Texas has the number two record for fatal commercial truck accidents in the United States.
- Most of the trucks that crash were hauling 10,000 pounds or more.
- Research shows that commercial truck accidents claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people. Close to 90,000 were hurt.
- Of all the fatalities, nearly 85% were not in the commercial vehicle, but were in passenger vehicles, on bicycles or walking.
- Deadly wrecks which involve large commercial trucks also have drunken truck drivers at the wheel two (2%) percent of time. One-quarter of the drunk commercial truck drivers have previous DWI offenses.
- Weekday rush hours are the most deadly because of all the traffic that is on the roadways at the same time.
The demand for more products makes the presence of big rigs a must. Company vehicles aren’t going away, instead the number of them will continue to grow. Unfortunately that mans the deadly data will increase too. State and federal guidelines are in place to insure the safety of everyone involved. Still if you were hurt in an accident with an 18-wheeler truck you should seek the help of a Fort Hood truck accident law firm to help you reach a viable legal outcome. Plaintiffs can sue to collect damages to help them heal physically and emotionally.
But time can be a hindrance or it can help when it comes to facing a trucking company. That’s because businesses have to maintain accurate travel logs of the mileage and the truck’s whereabouts for at least 24 hours. So if you plan to sue them it’s in your best interest to obtain the travel log of the truck in questions before it mysteriously is erased.
Who is to Blame?
If you want to sue a commercial trucking company the first thing to do is find out who is liable for your injuries. Sometimes it is not the most likely person. It might even be more than one person. Texas businesses which employ CDL drivers share liability in wrecks where their drivers are responsible. And that’s not all. The company which mapped the route or the one that loaded the truck also might be held liable. Instead of trying to figure out alone who is at fault you should leave the assessment to a truck accident attorney, because the variables can be many. Call our Killeen truck accident attorneys at Grossman Law Offices to help you bring the responsible people to justice.
Fighting Big Business
For some people it’s all they can do to get over the possible near-death experience of colliding with an 18-wheeler it’s challenging enough to heal from. Although it is not mandatory for you to hire an attorney to represent you, this kind of case is so complex that you might be overwhelmed if you try to represent yourself. Even lawyers who are not experienced in these kinds of cases might not be victorious. So a non-attorney doesn’t stand a chance. These complex procedures should be handled by trained professionals with the experience to come away victorious.
Federal regulations dictate that trucking businesses must have insurance coverage that protects against accidents. But that doesn’t mean that insurance companies will acknowledge your claims and play fair. If it was that easy there would be no need for personal injury attorneys. But the truth is that insurance companies do not care about playing fair or helping you. They are out to make money. Insurance companies charge large monthly premiums then they try to never have to pay out on any policies. It’s how they make their money. Insurance adjusters live pay out as little money as possible. That’s why you need an experienced Killeen Texas truck accident law firm on your side with attorneys who know how to operate an investigation, file the correct paperwork and present your case in a court of law. As the victim of an 18-wheeler truck accident, it is up to you to prove who is at fault and what personal injuries and property damage you have sustained as a result of the accident.
If the truck accident is the fault of the truck driver, an attorney will know what to do to establish the driver’s carelessness or whether a mechanical mishap caused the collision. In some cases the shipment might not have been positioned properly. And if that happens, it could cause the trailer to jackknife and cause a serious accident.
Insurance Company Specialists
Insurance companies never would go into court without having proper legal representation. And they often have their team of investigators at the scene trying to build a case as soon as possible. If you don’t hire your own Temple truck accident attorney it probably will be one of the many things you will regret about your lawsuit.
Our law firm works off a contingency-fee agreement. That’s where the client agrees to pay a predetermined percentage of the settlement after damages have been awarded. Even much needed medical attention can be had by our medical partners who agree to be paid for their services out of your settlement on the back end. So don’t let your lack of funds keep you from getting the medical attention you need following a personal injury accident.
The Truck Driver Who Hit You Shouldn’t be Trusted
Even if every witness account and other evidence points the finger of guilt at the truck driver, chances are that person won’t admit guilt. If he does he could be fired. So don’ expect the driver to put the truth above saving his job.
Self-insured can be the Least Cooperative
Although some companies designate a portion of their profits to be those inevitable insurance claims, it is naive to think the company will agree to pay insurance claims without fighting tooth and nail to keep their money right where it is. That’s because these self-insured companies are not federally regulated such as other companies that carry traditional liability insurance. Self-insured companies don’t have insurance adjusters as liaisons between themselves and the plaintiffs. So if they choose not to negotiate, as they often do not, there is nobody a part of the process to keep negotiations going.
Your Temple Texas truck accident attorney at Grossman Law Offices has an extended record of wins. Insurance companies know their reputation of making them pay a fair settlement. Insurance companies have no fear of non-lawyers or even novice attorneys; they fear skill and experience. When our lawyers threaten a lawsuit, the insurance companies get the checkbook ready.
What Can You Do?
If victims do not stand up for their rights nobody will. Hire a truck accident attorney as soon as possible, so the investigation can start today.
Grossman Law Offices of Killeen, Fort Hood, and Temple will inspect your case from ever corner. We measure skid marks. We talk to witnesses, inspect vehicles and scan ever piece of evidence. Call the Killeen 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys at Grossman Law Offices if you or a loved one has been involved in a serious accident. Your initial consultation is free at 1-855-596-3462 (toll free).
An airline pilot suffered a shoulder injury resulting in surgery when he was sideswiped by an 18-wheeler. The case was resolved through litigation, as establishing liability was a contentious matter. The defendants claimed that the plaintiff made an illegal passing maneuver, but the evidence showed that the defendant made a sweeping turn and intruded upon our client's right of way.
$475,000.00
$158,333.00
$5,000.00
The mother of a young man hired our firm to investigate the death of her son following a fatal car accident. The incident occurred as one of the two vehicles involved ran a red light and drive into the path of the other. The defendant was driving a work vehicle for a construction company. The defendant survived the accident and stated to police that the decedent caused the accident. The police could not conclusively determine who was at fault, yet the police report strongly implied that the decedent was likely at fault based on the statement provided by the defendant.
The plaintiff's mother was not convinced. Through a thorough investigation, we ultimately determined that the stoplight that the defendant claimed that our client ran, in fact, worked on a timer whereby the light was always green between certain hours unless a vehicle traveling on the intersecting road had been stopped at the right light for more than 30 seconds. Based on an analysis of the vehicles and tire markings, it was conclusively determined that both vehicles were traveling at the speed limit, which clearly indicates that the defendant driver had not accelerated from stop, rather, he was traveling at the speed limit, which would not have triggered a green light for the defendant.
The logical implications of this information is that the light could not have been red for the plaintiff, and it certainly would have been red for the defendant. As a consequence of this information, the case was resolved through litigation.
$335,000.00
$134,000.00
$63,000.00
Recovery for client who suffered nerve damage and required steroid injections as a result of a car accident.
$150,000.00
$50,000.00
$4,800.00
(policy limits) A young mother was killed in an accident involving two commercial vehicles, one an 18-wheeler. The accident occurred as the young woman was a passenger in a vehicle that was traveling down a highway in the early morning hours. Without warning, the vehicle in which she was a passenger collided with a stalled 18-wheeler that parked in the right of way, resulting in catastrophic injuries that claimed the young woman's life soon thereafter.
The authorities initially faulted the driver of the vehicle in which the victim was a passenger, stating that he was using an electronic device rather than paying full attention to the roadway. However, the 18-wheeler was indeed blocking the roadway and plaintiff alleged that the vehicle did not follow the requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act in regard to providing adequate reflective or laminated warning at specific intervals. Further, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendant failed to remove his vehicle from the roadway when he first noticed signs of mechanical failure.
Had he simply moved to the shoulder of the road, plaintiffs argued, his lack of adequate warning signs would have been inconsequential. An initial settlement has been obtained in this case, yet litigation has commenced in full against the remaining defendant, and is currently ongoing.
$250,000.00
$78,000.00
$370.00
Recovery for motorcyclist who suffered a back injury in an 18-wheeler accident.
$200,000.00
$80,000.00
$5,709.00
Recovery for worker who suffered soft tissue injuries when his fork lift was struck by a delivery truck.
$75,000.00
$25,000.00
$350.00
Recovery for client who suffered soft tissue back injuries when he was rear ended by a delivery truck.
$75,000.00
$25,000.00
$100.00
Recovered for client who suffered soft-tissue back injuries and leg contusions in an 18-wheeler accident.
$90,000.00
$30,000.00
$562.00
Recovered for client suffered soft-tissue injuries when her car was side-swiped by a dump truck.
$41,000.00
$13,666.00
$50.00
(policy limits) A husband and father of three was killed when the driver of an 18-wheeler veered into oncoming traffic, striking the young man's vehicle and several others. The defendant was employed by a small construction company that operated only a single 18-wheeler. As such, the defendants were largely underinsured and were not financially solvent.
Furthermore, the defendants had an eroding insurance policy and numerous other parties were intent upon filing claims of their own since the 18-wheeler struck multiple other vehicles. This created the need for an aggressive and rapid response before the other claimants could erode the policy.
Defense counsel made it clear that they wished to litigate the case despite the insurmountable liability arguments that our attorneys presented. They intended to designate a third party as a responsible defendant since the accident happened in a construction zone, even though it was abundantly clear that the construction zone played no role in the crash.
Additonally, the defendants made it clear that they wished to downplay the extent of the damages by virtue of a character assasination on the decedent. Fortunately for our clients, our firm has successfully litigated against the defendant's insurer in nearly a dozen cases, so the carrier was quite aware of our courtroom capabilities. We presented a sample lawsuit to the defendant's insurance carrier and informed them that the lawsuit was to be filed the moment that they refused to settle.
Additionally, our attorneys submitted a Stowers' Demand with a brief window of time for the defendants to respond. We made it abundantly clear that we intended to seek punitive damages and that we would assert the full limits of the carrier's exposure under the Stowers' Demand should the carrier not offer policy limits.
The defendant's attorney adamantly persuaded the carrier to litigate, however, our attorney's threats of litigation, past track record, and incredibly aggressive pre-litigation actions convinced the insurance carrier to disregard their own attorney's advice and to settle the case, lest they face our attorneys in court.
Had our clients been represented by virtually any other firm who did not have our specific track record or who would have not recognized that this case required special and immediate attention coupled with an abnormally aggressive stance, the client's would have certainly been tied up in litigation for years, with the limited supply of funds rapidly depleting since the other claimants who did not need to litigate would have essentially had right of first refusal.
$1,000,000.00
$333,333.00
$0.00