In a 2019 report drafted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it was revealed that 4,761 people perished in crashes involving large trucks in 2017. Of this number, 3,450 fatalities were occupants of passenger vehicles.
Alarmingly, the report also indicated that Texas had the highest number of large truck occupant fatalities, totaling 129 for that same year.
Every truck accident case is different, but the majority of them all have a few main points that you need to know about them. The Texas truck accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns believe that by providing you with this important information, you can fight for the compensation awarded to you.
Today, we wanted to take the time to share with you what these three main areas of focus are should you ever be unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident with a commercial truck.
1. You Need to See a Medical Professional Immediately
This may seem like common sense, but oftentimes, drivers that are involved in a truck accident refuse to go to the hospital for treatment. This can be dangerous as many types of injuries do not begin to manifest until days after the accident, which can lead to serious harm if not properly treated.
Aside from obvious health problems that could arise, forgoing a trip to the hospital immediately after a truck accident is like basically forfeiting your truck accident claim should you file for one.
Waiting too long to visit the doctor about your injuries — or flat-out declining to go to a hospital — can be seen as a red flag that the injuries you sustained in this particular accident weren’t severe enough to warrant a trip to the hospital – much less a legal claim.
In order to obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve from your truck accident case, you have to see the doctor about your injuries. Not only do you have to visit a medical professional, but you must also follow their orders to the letter and complete any treatment required. This is a big determining factor in how much you will win in your case.
2. You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
At Lapeze & Johns, you get direct access to some of the best truck accident lawyers in Houston. With over 30 years of combined experienced, Keith Lapeze and Chris Johns have extensive practice in representing clients from Houston and surrounding areas who have suffered from a serious commercial truck accident.
Because truck accident cases can involve multiple parties’, complex pieces of evidence and lots of documentation, only the most experienced truck accident lawyer will do.
An experienced truck accident attorney, like the ones at Lapeze & Johns, can:
In summation, hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer can further strengthen your case, giving you the advantage you need in order to max out your potential compensation.
3. Time is of the Essence
Time is not on your side after a truck accident. Right after the accident, you need to contact local authorities and file a police report. You also need to seek out medical attention and recruit an experienced truck accident lawyer immediately because evidence can degrade over time.
You have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim against the party responsible for the accident.
Truck accident cases can take time to settle, depending on the severity of the injuries sustained. The faster you respond to the truck accident, the more compensation you may be eligible to receive.
Have you or someone you love been involved in a truck accident in Texas? Have you suffered because of it and are looking for an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve? Look no further than the experts at Lapeze & Johns.