How Long Do You Have To File A Claim After A Truck Accident?

Texas is a hub for transport trucks, and they are a very important part of the state’s economy. Still, truck accidents do happen and when they do, victims sustain some of the most severe injuries. If you have been in an accident involving a truck, you deserve compensation for the high medical bills, lost wages, and other costs you will incur. To claim the compensation you are entitled to, you must file your claim within a certain period of time. Below, our San Antonio truck accident lawyer explains.

The Statute of Limitations in Truck Accident Cases

Like all other states, Texas places a statute of limitations, or time limit, on personal injury cases such as truck accident claims. Generally speaking, you must file your lawsuit within two years of the date of injury. There are some exceptions to this, but they are very limited.

It is best to file your claim right away and file your lawsuit well before the two-year deadline is approaching. The longer you wait to file your claim, the more difficult it can become to identify all responsible parties, preserve and collect evidence, and prove the extent of your damages and your injuries. To ensure that you will receive the full amount of damages you are entitled to, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after the crash to help you file your claim.

Truck Accidents Differ from Other Crashes

Truck accidents are vastly different from other crashes on the road. The injuries are not only usually much more serious, but it is also very difficult to determine who was liable for the crash. A negligent truck driver that broke the hours of service rule may be liable for the accident, while so too, can a manufacturer who created a defective part on the truck. Any company or person, like a shipper or company contracted by the shipper, who was responsible for loading and securing the cargo onto or into the trailer of the truck can also be held liable if the task was not performed properly and caused a crash.

The above factors are another reason you should speak to a truck accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in cargo loading and securement right away after a crash. Before your claim is filed, a full investigation must be conducted, and that may require the use of other experts and the collection of evidence. All of this takes a great deal of time and if you wait until the statute of limitations approaches, you may not have the time necessary to build a strong claim against all liable companies and people.

Call Our Truck Accident Lawyer in San Antonio Before Time Runs Out

If the statute of limitations runs out in your case, you will not be able to claim any of the damages you are entitled to and may be forever barred from any compensation. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our San Antonio truck accident lawyer will handle every aspect of your claim and make sure it is filed on time. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our seasoned attorney.

Sources:

statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.16.htm

fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations