Work vehicles are involved in hundreds of car accidents every day across the United States. Although the aftermath of these accidents can be somewhat similar to a car accident with an individual person, it is important to note major distinctions. Contacting a personal injury lawyer after an accident with a work vehicle will help in protecting your rights and strengthening your claim against the company and their insurance carrier. Personal injury attorneys are experienced in working with companies and their insurance carriers, and know what needs to be done to early on in the case to preserve evidence. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a company vehicle, a personal injury lawyer at The Patel Firm PLLC may be able to assist you in recovering financial compensation for your damages and injuries.
Insurance Coverage
One difference to note when you are involved in a work vehicle accident is insurance coverage. In a regular car accident case, most drivers carry only the minimum insurance coverage policy, which is $30,000 in Texas. However, insurance policies owned by most companies are usually much higher than the minimum amount and can be as high as $1,000,000 or more. The insurance policy is higher for company vehicles because most company vehicles are larger than standard vehicles and can cause more damage if involved in a vehicle accident.
Who gets sued?
In most civil lawsuits, both the employee driving the work vehicle and the company they work for are listed as defendants. This is done because employers are responsible for their employees during times they are working within the scope of their employment. If the employee involved in the company vehicle accident has a prior history that should have disqualified him or her from driving a work vehicle, the employer could be held responsible for negligent hiring or lack of proper training and supervision. Alternatively, in lawsuits against individuals in regular car accidents, only the driver is listed as the defendant.
Types Vehicles Considered Work Vehicles
In addition to company cars, vans, and heavy-duty cargo trucks, company vehicle accidents also include accidents with 18-wheeler tractor trailers. The big rigs and tractor trailers on the roads must meet the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which is the law that governs large trucks. The FMCSA regulations mandate 18-wheeler drivers and other commercial vehicle drivers to have insurance policy more than just a personal liability insurance. Big rig drivers are referred to as “statutory employees,” which means that whether the driver is an independent contractor or a full-time worker, the owner of the commercial vehicle can be held liable for damages.
Contact a Company Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Texas
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a work vehicle in Texas, call a commercial vehicle accident lawyer at The Patel Firm PLLC today to discuss your options. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages, medical expenses, physical and emotional pain, and lost wages. Our personal injury lawyers at The Patel Firm PLLC will aggressively fight for your right to fair compensation. Contact a personal injury lawyer in today. You can call, or email the firm at any time. 24/7/365, someone at The Patel Firm PLLC is ready and waiting to speak with you. Reach out to us today by calling us at (361) 400-2036.
