Hit by a Company Vehicle in Texas? What You Need to Know

Texas Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers

In Texas, company vehicles are essential for delivering products, transporting staff, and providing services across the state. But with more inexperienced drivers on the road than ever before, the risk of being hit by a commercial motor vehicle has never been higher.

A company vehicle accident is far more complex than a typical car accident. These incidents often involve multiple at-fault parties and massive companies backed by insurers and legal teams who will stop at nothing to discredit you and pay your family as little as possible to protect their bottom line.

When a company’s recklessness causes you harm, you have the right to hold them accountable. And you deserve a legal team with the expertise to secure the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and losses.

At Zehl & Associates, our undefeated Houston Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers have a proven track record of taking on the largest corporations in the world — and not just winning, but setting records.

If you or a loved one were hit by a company vehicle in Texas, contact us today for a free consultation. And read on to learn more about your legal rights and options following a company vehicle accident.

What is a Company Vehicle?

A “company vehicle” refers to any car, truck, or motor vehicle used by a company, corporation, or business entity for work-related purposes. This includes vehicles that are company-owned, employee-owned, or even rented by a company for business activities.

Examples of company vehicles include:

• Large trucks and 18-wheelers
• Delivery vans and trucks
• Amazon vans and trucks
• FedEx and UPS trucks
• Cargo trucks
• Tow trucks
• Taxi cabs
• Construction vehicles
• Utility trucks
• Employee-owned vehicles used for business purposes
• Multi-passenger vehicles, such as buses or shuttles
• Unmarked passenger vehicles within a company fleet
• Vehicles rented by a company for business trips or other work-related activities
• Vehicles used by sales representatives for business travel

Who Is at Fault for a Company Vehicle Accident in TX?

In Texas, multiple parties can be held accountable for injuries or a wrongful death resulting from a company vehicle accident, depending on the specifics of the incident. Understanding who might be at fault is crucial for seeking appropriate compensation.

At-fault parties may include : 

The Employer: Under Texas law, employers are generally responsible for the negligent actions of their employees while they are performing work duties. If an employee’s reckless driving or another form of negligence led to the accident, the employer could be held responsible. Additionally, if the employer’s own negligence, such as inadequate driver training, contributed to the accident, they may also be held responsible for your injuries and losses.

The Driver: If the company vehicle driver was not performing work-related tasks at the time of the accident (for instance, if they were using the vehicle for personal reasons), they may be held personally liable for the damages resulting from the accident.

A Third Party: Sometimes, other parties may share fault in the accident. This could include other drivers, vehicle manufacturers (in the case of a defect), or even entities responsible for road maintenance whose negligence or actions contributed to the accident.

Concerned you are partially to blame for the accident? Texas adheres to a modified comparative fault rule. So even if you are blamed for a car or truck accident, you can recover compensation as long as you are 50% or less responsible. If you are 51% or more responsible for the crash, you cannot recover anything. 

Proving Fault Is Critical — You Need the Best Legal Team

Proving fault in a company vehicle accident is crucial to securing the compensation you deserve. But the process is complex, even for lawyers, requiring a thorough investigation, the collection of compelling evidence, a deep understanding of Texas law and liability, and specialized expertise in recovering maximum compensation for commercial motor vehicle accident victims. 

This is where having the best legal team on your side becomes essential. An experienced attorney builds the strongest case, ensuring that all liable parties are held accountable and that your rights are fully protected. 

Here’s how we do it at Zehl & Associates:

• Immediate Action: We immediately assemble a team of top-rated lawyers, engineers, and safety experts to independently investigate the accident and uncover the truth about what really happened.
• Thorough Evidence Collection: Our team obtains and analyzes police reports, crash reports, and other critical evidence gathered by law enforcement during their investigation. We leave no stone unturned.
• Regulatory Scrutiny: We determine if the driver violated federal safety regulations or state transportation laws, holding them accountable to the fullest extent possible.
• Uncovering Hidden Evidence: We dig deep to find crucial evidence that the company’s lawyers don’t want us to see—such as dash cam footage, black box and ECM data, and driver’s logbooks—and use it to prove how the accident could and should have been prevented.
• Tireless Pursuit of Justice: We work longer and harder than our opponents and cannot be outworked, outmaneuvered, or intimidated — no matter what.

Without the best legal representation on your side, you risk losing out on the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Don’t leave your future in the hands of those who caused your harm — contact us today.

Why Are Company Vehicle Accidents More Complicated Than Car Accidents?

Company vehicle accidents are often more complex than standard car accidents due to several factors, including the involvement of businesses, multiple insurance policies, and various at-fault parties with potentially conflicting interests. These complexities can significantly impact the damages you are able to recover.  

Here’s why these cases are more complex:

1. Multiple parties are typically involved: Company vehicle accidents often involve numerous parties, including the employer and the employee. Proving whether the employee was acting within the scope of their employment or if the employer’s negligence contributed to the accident requires thorough investigation.
2. Insurance policies are complex: Commercial auto insurance policies are typically more intricate than personal auto insurance. Negotiating with these insurers can be challenging, as they often employ tactics to discredit victims and minimize payouts.
3. Proving liability is tricky: To prove who was at-fault, a lawyer must assess whether the employee’s actions were work-related or personal. Was the driver off-duty? They may be liable, rather than the employer. Additionally, proving employer negligence, such as inadequate training or maintenance, requires detailed evidence and investigation.
4. Each accident requires a detailed case analysis: Handling a company vehicle accident requires a comprehensive case analysis. Only an experienced law firm with the resources to assemble a team of experts, including the best accident reconstructionists and safety specialists, can evaluate the accident, identify contributing factors, pinpoint responsible parties, and hold them accountable.
5. An accurate case valuation takes time and experience: Calculating the value of your case involves more than just adding up medical expenses and lost wages. A skilled attorney will assess the full impact of the accident on your life, including pain and suffering. This personalized approach is crucial— no online calculator can capture the nuances of your individual situation.
6. Few attorneys know how to recover full compensation: Interacting with commercial insurers or personal liability insurers is difficult. These companies only want to pay you as little as possible, which is why you need an experienced team that can quickly stand up, fight, and win. Unlike other law firms, our results demonstrate that we are committed to securing the maximum compensation possible and never settle for less.
7. Fewer still prepare every case for trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, taking your case to trial may be necessary. This involves collecting evidence, preparing witnesses, and presenting a compelling case in court to ensure you recover the full compensation you are entitled to. At Zehl & Associates, we prepare every case for trial. All of our lawyers are top-rated trial attorneys who are undefeated in the courtroom.

Only a seasoned legal team can effectively navigate these complexities.  That’s why choosing the right lawyer is crucial — it can mean the difference between securing a substantial recovery or pennies on the dollar.

What Should I Do After an Accident With a Company Vehicle in TX?

Your well-being is the top priority. It’s critical that you act as quickly as possible to seek medical attention, protect your legal rights, and start your road to recovery.

It’s also important to know that from the moment of impact, the company and its insurers will immediately get to work attempting to avoid responsibility, going as far as to hide evidence or even blame you for your own injuries.

Take the following actions to protect your rights and your future:

• Call 911. State law requires drivers to report the accident to 911 if it involves injury, death, or significant property damage. Law enforcement and EMS (if necessary for medical care) will be dispatched to the scene. And a police officer will complete an investigation and accident report containing details about the crash. This police report is vital evidence for your case.
• Gather evidence from the scene, if possible. If you are able to, collect the names and contact information of any witnesses and the other driver(s) at the scene of the accident. Take photos of the vehicles’ damage, your injuries, and the scene. Record video footage, too, if you can.
• Seek medical attention. It is a good idea to see a doctor right after after your accident — even if you don’t think you are hurt. You may have injuries that don’t seem serious at first, but, if left untreated, could quickly become worse over time.
• Follow your doctors’ recommendations and attend all doctor’s appointments and physical therapy sessions. This speeds up your physical recovery, and shows you did everything possible to recover, making it more difficult for the insurance company to downplay the severity of your injuries.
• Do NOT talk to the other party’s insurance company without consulting a lawyer first. No matter what the company or its adjuster promise, they’re not on your side and are only interested in avoiding responsibility for your injuries and losses.
• Do NOT talk to anyone about the accident other than your attorney. Never post to social media about the accident, or even text your friends, as the at-fault party can (and will) use what you say against you. You should also be cautious speaking with the police. Never speculate on the cause of the accident; only provide brief, factual answers.   
• Contact our Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyers for a free case review. We’ll answer your questions, explain the process of filing a lawsuit, and provide you with the information you need to do what’s best for you and your family.

Keep in mind, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you have two years to file a lawsuit from the date of your company car accident. Otherwise, you may sacrifice your right to compensation. However, you will want to begin the process as soon as you can because the longer you wait, the more opportunity a company has to deny responsibility — and the harder it becomes to find key evidence and prove your case.

How Zehl & Associates Can Help if You Were Injured in a Company Vehicle in TX

In the wake of a catastrophic car or truck accident, there’s nothing a company won’t do to avoid responsibility. Only the best law firm can quickly level the playing field and demand the full compensation you deserve.

At Zehl & Associates, we have successfully represented thousands of commercial motor vehicle accident victims in Texas and across the U.S., recovering Billions on behalf of our clients against the largest companies in the world.

How we go above and beyond for our clients:

• Make sure you access the nation’s top doctors and specialists for your injuries
• Help cover medical bills and reasonable living while your case in pending
• Work with the top expert witnesses in their fields to strengthen the evidence proving your claim
• Handle all matters related to insurance claims and claims filed against the company and third parties
• Recover the maximum compensation possible — we NEVER settle for less
• Prepare your case for trial and take it to the courtroom, if necessary, where we remain undefeated
• Assist with financial planning and creating trusts once your case is resolved

As our track record confirms, our commercial motor vehicle accident lawyers know how to win. Once hired, our award-winning legal team will stop at nothing to fight for you and your family.

Undefeated Company Truck Accident Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult

With Billions, including the largest truck and 18-wheeler accident settlements in history, our undefeated company vehicle crash attorneys have consistently demonstrated that we don’t just win for accident victims – we set records.

If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in a company vehicle accident, call our legal team at 1-888-603-3636, use the chat feature on our website, or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.

We’ll answer all your questions, explain your rights and options, and provide you with all the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.

All consultations are free, and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.