Serious Auto and Commercial Trucking Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association's statistics for 2004, there were 42,636 traffic fatalities in the U.S. as a result of all types of motor vehicle accidents. This means that nationwide an average of 117 people died each day. In Texas an average of nine died every day.

Of special note is the number of accidents involving large trucks (those with a gross vehicle weight-rating greater than 10,000 pounds). Nationwide in 2004, one out of eight traffic fatalities resulted from a collision involving a large truck , and in Texas the statistic was slightly higher.

In fact, NHTSA reports that in 2004 (the last year for which statistics are available) 468 people died in Texas as a result of crashes involving large trucks, and thousands of others suffered injuries, many of which were life-changing.

Over the years, the Rusk Law Firm has successfully handled serious injury or death cases involving cement mixer trucks, end dump trucks, mobile home toters, refrigerator trucks, and other commercial vehicles. In 1994, we won the largest jury verdict in the history of Bee County for the parents of a teenager who died 20 days after a tractor-trailer rig carrying a mobile home collided with his pickup truck on a stretch of rainy road.

Since then, the Rusk Law Firm has continued to achieve excellent results for our clients in cases of wrongful death and serious injury resulting from traffic accidents. Experience has shown that the sooner we become involved in a case, the more successful we can be. That's because early involvement allows our team of experts to canvass the scene of the accident, preserve evidence and reconstruct the accident to show clearly what went wrong. And that puts us in the strongest possible position to negotiate a settlement or to win a jury verdict.

We work collegially with defense attorneys as we seek justice for our clients, and we find that often we can negotiate very fair settlements that compensate our clients and that result in changes to procedures and policies which will prevent future harm to others. When a settlement cannot be reached and a case goes to trial, we are prepared and passionate.

What Should You Do If You are Involved in an Accident?

At the time of the accident:

DO seek proper medical attention before doing anything else.

DO summon the police, in appropriate cases.

DO cooperate with all law enforcement and emergency personnel who respond to the scene.

DO get the license plate numbers of all other vehicles involved in car accidents and the drivers' names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information.

DO write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all potential witnesses to any accident or injury.

DO contact your health and automobile insurance companies, as appropriate.

DO take photographs of all of the following, as applicable, as soon as possible after the accident:

• The scene of the accident, from all angles
• The surrounding area
• The product that caused your injuries
• Your injuries
• Any property damage

DO contact an experienced accident and injury attorney.

DON't move your vehicle after an automobile accident, unless necessary for safety or required by law.

DON't subject yourself to further injury by standing or waiting in an area near traffic or other safety hazards.

DON't leave the scene of an accident until the police tell you it is okay to do so.

DON't throw away any potential evidence in the case, such as defective products, important documents, or torn or bloodstained clothing.

DON't engage in discussions of fault with anyone, and make sure you DON't apologize for anything — doing so can be considered evidence that you may have been legally at fault.

DON't agree to settlement terms without discussing the matter with your attorney.

After the accident:

DO TAKE NOTES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT KIND OF HARM RESULTED. These issues will arise at many stages of a personal injury case, and since complex cases can last a year or more, having a clear record to refer back to can contribute to the success of your claim. One of the best ways to make sure that you preserve every important detail of your accident or injury is to take notes as soon as possible after the incident, including what happened and the effects of your injuries on your daily life.

DO KEEP AN ONGOING WRITTEN RECORD OF CONVERSATIONS. As your claim progresses, continue to keep track of new developments by taking notes after any conversations with your insurance company, medical care providers, witnesses to the incident, and anyone else with whom you discuss important aspects of your case. Write down each person's name and contact information, the date and place of the conversation, and as much as you can remember about what was said.

DO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IF YOU FEEL YOU WERE NOT AT FAULT. We at The Rusk Law Firm will be happy to talk with you. We can help you determine whether or not you should pursue legal action. You may reach us at 512-476-7600.

Nothing contained herein should be construed as legal advice, nor is it intended to create a lawyer-client relationship. In the event you have a legal problem, you should not act upon any information herein without seeking legal representation.