When a box truck is involved in an accident in Texas, the collision can inflict a significant level of damage on the smaller motor vehicle. In this situation, it is important for victims to understand their rights in terms of bringing a claim against the owner or company responsible for the box truck. One or multiple parties may be liable, or financially responsible, for the wreck. Make sure to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer in San Antonio.
What Is a Box Truck?
Box trucks or cube trucks are used by many companies to transport and deliver goods and cargo. Because they are smaller than tractor-trailers, they are a good choice for small to medium-sized commercial enterprises. There are also rentable box trucks available for movers by companies such as U-Haul and Penske. In Texas, commercial driver’s licenses are generally not required to operate box trucks that weigh 26,000 pounds or less.
What Causes Box Truck Accidents in Texas?
Operating a box truck can be difficult due to the nature of these vehicles. They have large blind spots, for example, and do not have rearview mirrors, limiting the driver’s view of the surrounding roadway. Furthermore, these large and tall vehicles handle differently from passenger cars, with wider turns and the potential for rollovers if curves are taken too quickly.
If a box truck driver is not properly trained or licensed to drive the truck, this increases the odds of a truck accident. Even if a driver is adequately prepared, negligence behind the wheel can result in collisions. Common examples include distracted driving, texting and driving, driver fatigue, speeding, reckless driving, and drunk driving. Breaking traffic laws and running red lights are also common causes of box truck accidents.
Aside from driver error, another common cause is vehicle breakdowns and equipment failures. If a box truck is not properly maintained by the owner or maintenance crew, it can suffer malfunctions on the road that lead to accidents. Examples include brake failure, tire blowouts, electrical problems and lost cargo loads.
Who Pays for a Box Truck Accident in Texas?
Texas is a fault state, not a no-fault state. Under this insurance law, the person or party responsible for causing a box truck accident must pay for bodily injuries and property damage caused. Since box trucks that travel through Texas are often owned by companies and operated by hired workers, liability will look different than in a standard car accident case. Speak with a car accident lawyer in San Antonio for guidance.
The company responsible for the box truck or its driver can often be held vicariously liable for an accident. Vicarious liability is a legal doctrine that holds employers accountable for the actions of their on-duty employees. Even if a box truck driver is working as an independent contractor, the company that hired the driver can most likely be held responsible.
A company may also absorb direct liability if it caused or contributed to the accident, such as by hiring an unqualified driver, failing to properly train delivery drivers or ignoring box truck maintenance needs. A box truck accident case may also involve the liability of various third parties, including the manufacturer of a faulty truck part or the government responsible for roadway conditions.
What to Do After a Texas Box Truck Accident
If you get injured in an accident involving a food truck, vendor truck, delivery truck, garbage truck or another type of box truck in Texas, try to stay calm and get to safety. Check yourself for injuries and receive medical attention without delay. Gather evidence and information at the crash scene, but do not admit fault. Take photographs before you leave.
Before you file a claim and initiate the insurance process, contact an experienced San Antonio personal injury attorney at Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation. We will help you understand your legal options and fight for the financial outcome you deserve as a box truck accident victim. Contact us today.