Fort Worth Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Employers are required to ensure that their drivers obey the rules of the road and that they show care for the safety of others. Unfortunately, both companies and their employees often fail to follow these requirements. When a commercial vehicle causes an accident then both the employer and the employee may be responsible for the victim’s injuries. As these types of matters involve multiple parties, they can quickly become more complicated than the typical car accident. Retaining a qualified attorney can be crucial to ensuring that all potential parties are named and that the case is handled correctly. Noteboom – The Law Firm has been serving the area for decades and we practice solely in the field of personal injury law. If you need assistance then call today to speak with a Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident lawyer.

Fort Worth personal injury lawyers handling commercial vehicle accidents

Employers are considered as being responsible for the acts of their employees. This means that when the driver of a commercial vehicle causes an accident then both the employee, the employer, and additional parties may be liable. There are several common examples of “commercial vehicles” which can be involved in an accident. These examples include:

• Amazon delivery vans
• UPS delivery trucks
• FedEX delivery vehicles
• Delivery drivers for food chains

There are many other types of smaller employers, however, which can also have drivers on the road. These can include construction company pickup trucks, local runner services, cement trucks, street sweepers, and more. The larger the company then the greater the chance an injury case will involve numerous parties.

When a commercial vehicle causes an accident then the driver will be liable for negligence, as will their employer. The employer may also face liability for negligent hiring and supervision if they failed to check their employee’s background or to properly train and supervise them. Moreover, if a third-party knowingly utilizes a service with known safety issues then they may face liability as well. Depending on the circumstances, employers may also face personal liability for the company’s actions if they have failed to follow certain corporate formalities. Naming all of the potential parties can be crucial to gaining a victim the full level of compensation which they deserve.

The first step which an attorney will take in such a case will be to begin identifying the potentially responsible parties. Counsel will then contact the various entities involved and inform them that the victim is represented. Once the victim’s long-term chances of recovery (or lack thereof) are known then a payment demand will be sent to the insurers for each of the defendants. Counsel will engage in back and forth settlement negotiations with these insurers. If a settlement is not reached then the matter will proceed to litigation. During the litigation process, the Plaintiff’s attorney will obtain evidence regarding the employer’s hiring practices and steps they took to ensure that their drivers conducted themselves responsibly. Expert witnesses may also be utilized to discuss industry standards in regard to hiring and supervising drivers. If a settlement is not reached then the jury will decide the fault of each party as well as the damages to be awarded. This process can be highly complicated and having a qualified attorney can be essential.

Noteboom – The Law Firm practices exclusively in the area of personal injury law. Our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers handle car accidents and wrecks which involve commercial vehicles. Once retained, our on-staff investigator will immediately begin the work of identifying all responsible parties. We will contact those entities and begin the process of dealing with their insurance carriers. If a fair settlement offer is not made then we are prepared to initiate a lawsuit against all relevant entities. Our firm has the experience and resources necessary to deal with large defendants and their insurance companies. If you require assistance then contact us online or by telephone to schedule a consultation.

In addition to Texas’ greater DFW area, we also handle matters in Arlington, Austin, Denton, Frisco, Irving, Lufkin, Garland, Houston, McKinney, Richardson, San Antonio, and the rest of the state.

Board certified attorneys in Personal Injury Law by Texas Board of Legal Specialization assisting those injured in an accident

We take pride in the level of experience and resources which we bring to each and every case we handle. Two of our attorneys are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. As mentioned above, we also employ an on-staff investigator and our firm has the financial resources necessary to retain any needed experts and to see the case through to completion. Chuck Noteboom founded our firm on the belief that the rights of people should be protected over those of companies. We apply this belief to every case our firm takes.

Common questions regarding commercial vehicle accident cases

How long does it take to settle a commercial vehicle accident case?

As with other forms of litigation, the amount of time it takes to settle any matter will always depend on the facts. A victim should generally not settle, however, until their chances of recovering are reasonably known. Accepting a “quick settlement” may result in one receiving less than they deserve if their recovery fails.

Can I receive punitive damages after being in a commercial vehicle accident?

Punitive damages are typically only awarded if the defendants engaged in intentional or reckless conduct. With that said, if an employer was knowingly endangering the public through their practices then such an award may be possible. An example of this could include an employer who knowingly lets their delivery driver operate a commercial vehicle while drunk on a regular basis.

How do I choose a commercial vehicle accident attorney?

Choosing the right attorney can be crucial in any personal injury case. When choosing counsel, many people often search for an “attorney near me.” Proximity, however, may not be the best criteria for choosing representation. In a case that is likely to involve multiple defendants and require experts, as do many commercial vehicle accidents, it is prudent to choose a firm with experience in such matters and with substantial financial resources.