Pursuing Justice When Negligence Causes Semi-Truck Crashes
Odessa, Texas, has seen a huge jump in traffic accidents recently. In fact, over the last decade, motor vehicle accidents in Odessa have surged by more than 131%. That’s what the latest statistics reveal, and it’s not the only shocking fact they highlight. They also tell us that, every day, there is an average of 8 wrecks on East Business Loop 20, SH 191, and the other busy roads in Odessa, TX.
These crashes can involve any vehicle, but tractor-trailers are commonly involved in the deadliest wrecks.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a semi-truck crash, remember, you have rights, and you may have various legal options. While the following sheds more light on victims’ rights after big rig wrecks, you can turn to an Odessa truck accident lawyer when it’s time to take the next steps with a potential claim.
Do I Have a Case After My Truck Accident in Odessa, TX?
You need to talk to an Odessa truck accident attorney to find out for sure. The reason is that several factors need to be looked at to determine:
- If you have a claim: To evaluate this, a lawyer will need to examine negligence, liability, and the statute of limitations associated with your potential claim. You may have a truck accident case if another party was primarily at fault for causing the crash, you were hurt in a wreck, and the statute of limitations (time limits for filing a claim) have not already passed.
- If so, what needs to happen next to preserve your rights to compensation: Depending on your situation, it may be necessary to take action immediately to file case documents, send spoliation letters (for evidence preservations purposes), and take other measures to put your case on track for success.
Keep in mind that determining the issues above can require follow-up investigations, along with the insight of an experienced lawyer. It’s also crucial to remember that:
- There is a 2-year statute of limitations for truck accident cases in Texas. While that 2 years counts down from the date of the big rick wreck, there are exceptions to that.
- Police reports for tractor-trailer crashes can have important details and evidence for a claim. You can request a copy of the police report for an Odessa truck accident here.
- Experts can be helpful or even essential for cases involving complex liability determinations and more extensive injuries.
- Victims are sometimes wrongly blamed for causing crashes. In other words, fault determinations made by insurance companies or police reports can get it wrong. An Odessa 18-wheeler accident lawyer can push back when that happens.
Will My Tractor-Trailer Accident Case Go to Court?
The answer to this question may not be clear until you have filed a claim and started to get a sense of whether you’ll be able to achieve a fair settlement out of court. Whenever that’s not possible, an 18-wheeler crash case can end up in court.
Generally, that happens when there are disputes over fault, the injuries, and/or the damages. Specifically, that can mean the plaintiff (victim) and the defendant (at-fault party or parties) do not see eye to eye on issues like (but not limited to):
- How liability has been assigned between defendants or even between the plaintiff and the defendant(s)
- Whether the injuries were caused by the big rig crash if there were gaps in medical treatment
- Whether the injuries are as severe as the plaintiff is alleging
- The total extent of the plaintiff’s losses and damages
Usually, it’s in plaintiffs’ and defendants’ best interests to try to settle cases out of court. It limits the risks and costs of court while helping to achieve resolutions faster. Still, it can be necessary to fight it out in court when out-of-court negotiations hit an impasse. When that happens, it can be essential to have an Odessa truck accident lawyer in your corner.
How Do I Get Odessa Truck Accident Lawyer?
Sign a retainer agreement after you talk to an attorney and get the chance to get some answers about your potential claim, the process, and what you can expect going forward.
You do NOT have to pay any fees upfront when you sign a retainer. That’s because a reputable 18-wheeler accident attorney will typically work on contingency. So, if there’s no compensation for your claim, you won’t owe any fees.