What Types of Evidence Could Be Used in a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accidents may be caused by one or more factors. Commercial trucking companies may hire unqualified drivers. In other cases, drivers were impaired or exceeded their hours of service limits. Therefore, an attorney could have multiple sources of evidence to pursue while litigating a truck accident claim. During a truck accident case, an attorney may pursue multiple types of evidence that include:

• Driver logs: Commercial truck drivers are supposed to keep logs that record pre-trip inspections and hours of service compliance. Logbooks could be combined with other evidence to show fault after an accident.
• Driver records: Truck companies keep detailed information on file about their drivers. Records may show if a company hired and retained a driver that was unqualified to operate a commercial vehicle.
• Witnesses: Truck accidents can have several witnesses. An attorney can speak with these witnesses to help establish why an accident occurred. Accident reconstruction specialists or other experts could also be used.
• Drug tests: Failed drug tests may be an indicator that a driver was impaired after an accident or unqualified to operate a commercial vehicle.
• “The black box”: Commercial trucks also have “black boxes.” The electronic control module (ECM) may record speed, hard stops and driving time. These are only a few examples. What is recorded depends on the truck, but newer ECMs may record additional information.
• Cameras: Depending on where the truck accident occurs, there may be camera footage that shows what happened. Commercial trucks may also have internal cameras that record what drivers were doing before crashing.
• Social media, email or text messages: Emails, text messages or social media posts may be uncovered and used as evidence in some cases.
• Company records: Other types of company records or electronic communication could be useful during a truck accident case.

Can an Attorney Help Me File a Truck Accident Claim?

There are more examples of evidence we could include in this blog. However, these are widely known examples that might be used during a case. Truck accident claims require skilled attorneys with experience investigating these cases. If you or a loved one were hurt during a truck accident, then our attorneys could help you discover who is responsible. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file a claim for damages against the trucking company or other parties.The Texas truck accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC have experience investigating and handling truck accident claims. Our attorneys can review your claim at no cost during an initial consultation.

What Are Common Catastrophic Injuries After a Truck Accident?

Semi-trucks are the largest and heaviest vehicles on the road. When semi-trucks crash into other vehicles, they may cause multiple fatalities. However, many people also survive truck accidents with catastrophic injuries. These are permanent injuries that make it impossible to maintain gainful employment. Catastrophic injuries after a truck accident may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: Blunt force trauma from a collision can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Survivors with TBIs may have multiple health problems that complicate their lives. For example, TBIs may cause aphasia, a condition that impairs a person’s ability to speak or understand language. TBIs can also cause problems with balance, cognition, memory and behavior. In the most severe cases, TBIs may leave accident survivors in a vegetative state.
• Burn injuries: Truck accidents can also cause burn injuries, which have varying levels of severity. Third degree burns can destroy the deep layers of tissue and could cause disfigurement. The consequences of fourth-degree burns are even more severe.
• Amputations: Limbs may suffer severe trauma during a truck accident. In some cases, amputations may be medically necessary. Open wounds and severe burns could also become infected and require amputations.
• Spinal cord injuries: Blunt force trauma from a truck accident can damage the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries may cause a partial or total loss of function below the injury site. Some individuals with these injuries may be unable to move one or more limbs. The severity and effects of spinal cord injuries vary.

The traumatic nature of a surviving a truck accident may also lead to severe psychological issues. Truck accident survivors can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating mental health condition that may severely reduce the quality of life. PTSD symptoms include flashbacks, insomnia, panic attacks and severe depression. Accident survivors with PTSD may become withdrawn and unable to provide for themselves or their families.

Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Survivors with Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries are financially costly for truck accident survivors and their families. Some individuals with these injuries may require home modifications and rehabilitation services. They will lose their ability to provide income for themselves or their families. When injured motorists or their families file lawsuits after truck accidents, they may be able to secure damages from the responsible parties. Damages from a lawsuit could help pay for lost income, medical expenses, and other costs associated with a catastrophic injury.The Texas truck accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are experienced at litigating truck accident cases. We can discuss the details of your situation to help you determine whether you could bring a successful claim against a trucking company or other parties.

Beware of Dog: Not All Dogs are Man’s Best Friend

In 2014, KFC was accused of asking the family of a disfigured 3-year-old girl to leave the restaurant. Three months prior to this incident, the girl had been attacked by three Pit Bulls while visiting her grandfather. Although the girl survived the attack, she lost sight in one eye and can no longer move the right side of her face. Her parents described how she could no longer look at herself in the mirror and did not want to be seen in public. This story is an example of how dog attacks can leave victims physically and emotionally scarred.Dog attacks are common in the US. According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, 800,000 people in the US receive medical attention for dog bites each year. Statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that during 2015, more than 28,000 people in the US required reconstructive surgery after being attacked by dogs. Children are more likely to suffer severe injuries, such as disfigurement, after an attack.Even minor dog bites can cause severe health complications. Centers of Disease Control (CDC) statistics published in 2015 show that there is an average of 4.5 million dog bites in the US each year. Roughly one in five of these bites become infected. Although many of these bites result in minor infections, some bites transmit MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA infections are more difficult to treat because this type of bacteria is resistant to antibiotics.Attacks can also be fatal. Some organizations, such as Dogbites.org, keep a running tally of the yearly deaths caused by dog attacks.

Are Owners Responsible for Dog Bites?

Dog owners may be liable for injuries or deaths caused by their pets. It would depend on the circumstances.In Texas, a dog owner may be liable for an attack if he or she knew the dog was dangerous and it attacks someone. For example, the owner may have been aware that the dog had a history of aggressive tendencies. The owner may also be liable if they do not properly restrain the dog and it attacks someone. In these cases, it may be possible for victims or their family members to file lawsuits for damages.The type of breed is an important factor for determining damages during a dog bite lawsuit. Although there are certainly many Pit Bull fans in the US, these dogs are more physically capable of causing significant harm to a person than smaller dogs, such as a Pomeranian.If you or a loved one were attacked, then an attorney could help determine whether the owner is liable. There are nuances to dog bite statutes in Texas, so it is important to discuss your situation with an experienced personal injury attorney. Damages from a dog bite lawsuit could help pay for medical bills, reconstructive surgery or funeral expenses. Pain and suffering damages, also called noneconomic damages, may be included in cases that involve disfigurement or psychological trauma.If you or a loved one were attacked by a dog, the Texas personal injury lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can investigate your eligibility for filing a lawsuit.

What Are Six Common Auto Insurance Mistakes?

After a car accident, you may assume that your insurance company has your back and will provide the compensation that you or a loved one will need to recover. Unfortunately, this is often not the case because insurance companies are primarily concerned with making a profit. It is a common mistake to blindly rely on insurance providers after a car crash. However, there are other auto insurance mistakes that include:

1. Lacking UM/UIM coverage: Uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage can help pay your medical bills and other crash-related expenses after being hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. Without this coverage, you may not receive what you need to recover physically and financially from the crash.
2. Neglecting PIP coverage: Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage can help pay for medical and rehabilitation expenses after a crash. It can also help cover funeral costs and some lost income. In Texas, insurers are required to offer PIP coverage to policyholders. However, you can reject PIP coverage in writing. Insurance companies may promise you lower payments if you forgo this coverage. You should always ensure that your policy has PIP coverage.
3. Not knowing who is covered: You should know who is covered by your insurance policy. If you live in a family where multiple people are using the same vehicle, then you should know whether they are considered permissive drivers by your policy. This is just one example of why you should know who is covered.
4. Buying the bare minimum: In Texas, the minimum liability limit for an auto insurance policy is $30,000 for each injured person. You should never buy a policy with the bare minimum in coverage. Catastrophic injuries from car accidents, such as a spinal cord injury, could incur millions of dollars in expenses depending on the severity.
5. Using your vehicle for commercial purposes: Many insurance policies have a clause that prevents you from using your vehicle for commercial purposes. If you are using your vehicle for commercial purposes and get into a wreck, you may not be covered.
6. Choosing Med Pay over PIP Med Pay coverage has certain weaknesses that could end up costing you after an accident. If your policy has Med Pay coverage, then hospital bills would be covered after an accident. However, Med Pay does not cover lost income from your injuries or hospitalization. It is also subject to subrogation, meaning that whatever Med Pay covers could be taken out of your eventual settlement.

Can A Car Accident Attorney Help Me Avoid Auto Insurance Mistakes?

These are mistakes that you could be at risk of making with your own insurance provider. However, there are also mistakes that you could make after a car accident with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Talking with an insurance adjuster from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider could be a huge mistake. If an adjuster does call you after an accident, they will likely ask for your permission to record the phone call. Whatever you say to that adjuster could be used against you at a later date to reduce compensation from your settlement.You should hire an attorney after an accident to facilitate communication with insurance adjusters working for your and the at-fault driver’s providers. The attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can also review the details of your insurance policy and could help protect your interests after a car accident.

Do I Need an Attorney After a Tractor-Trailer Accident?

Statistics collected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that there are more than 3,000 fatal truck accidents in the US each year. Even when these massive vehicles are driving at or below the posted speed limit, they are still capable of widespread destruction if they crash.There are instances where truck drivers or their employers could be held liable for a crash. In some cases, victims of these accidents or their family members may be unaware that they could file a claim against the responsible parties. If you are reading this blog because you or a loved one were recently harmed during a truck accident, then it is important to understand how an attorney can help your situation.

1. An attorney can investigate what happened. First, an attorney could investigate the merits of your claim to inform you of eligibility for filing a lawsuit. During the discovery phase of a lawsuit, an attorney will attempt to obtain evidence from multiple sources. They may request internal documents from the company who employed the driver that caused your crash. In addition, they could also request data from the truck’s electronic control module (also called the black box). An attorney could help determine all of the parties who may be liable for your accident.
2. Trucking companies will fight your claim. Large trucking companies or equipment manufacturers may have access to powerful financial and legal resources. Filing a claim against a commercial trucking company does not guarantee you will receive the resources you need to recover from a catastrophic injury or loss. An attorney with experience handling truck accident cases has experience fighting these business interests.
3. An attorney can help with insurance adjusters. Adjusters from your and the trucking company’s insurance provider are likely to contact you after the accident. These individuals may play on your ignorance of the law and desperation to ensure you receive as little as possible for your claim. An attorney can negotiate with insurance adjusters to help you receive the maximum amount from your claim.

Attorney Mike Love operated a commercial trucking business before opening his Lufkin personal injury law firm. Our attorneys not only have firsthand experience working in the trucking industry, we also have experience helping victims of tractor-trailer accidents. You can call our law firm for a free initial consultation with a truck accident attorney that may explain your rights and possible legal options.