Austin Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer

Austin’s streets see delivery trucks at all hours, from vans dropping packages in neighborhoods to the larger trucks working through I-35 traffic. Crashes with delivery vehicles can leave people with painful injuries, a totaled car, and the financial burden of medical care and missed work.

Medical bills start to add up quickly and paychecks don’t stretch as far when you’re missing work. On top of that, there will be pressure from insurance companies before you’ve had a chance to get organized.

If a delivery truck crash in Austin upended your life with medical bills, missed shifts, and insurer calls, call Loewy Law Firm at (512) 280-0800 to speak with an Austin delivery truck accident lawyer today.

What Makes Austin Delivery Truck Cases Different

A delivery truck wreck in Austin rarely comes down to just two drivers trading insurance information. The company behind the truck is almost always involved, which means multiple insurance policies and adjusters.

Also, federal trucking rules overlap with Texas traffic law, so evidence has to be built with both sets of standards in mind.

The way delivery trucks operate in the city can add variables and complexity as well. Vans are frequently stopping near schools, apartments, and shopping centers, which means more pedestrians, parents in car lines, and shoppers who may have seen the crash. If witnesses can be tracked down quickly it can make a real difference in the strength of a case.

Evidence in Delivery Truck Cases

Some of the most important evidence in a delivery truck crash usually comes from the truck itself, including:

• Black box data
• GPS records
• electronic driver logs
• dashcam footage
• maintenance files

Speed, braking, hours on the road, and whether the vehicle was in safe condition can all be determined using this data. The problem is that records can sometimes be overwritten in days or weeks unless they’re preserved right away.

That’s why our lawyers send spoliation letters (also called preservation letters) as soon as a case begins, which require the company to save electronic data, video, and service records instead of letting them disappear. Without that step, the strongest evidence can vanish before anyone has a chance to review it.

Key Steps That Can Protect a Delivery Truck Accident Case

1. Medical treatment: Medical attention is the first priority after a crash. It protects your health, and the records created during emergency visits, follow-up exams, and diagnostic tests will form the backbone of the case. Even if symptoms weren’t obvious at the scene, the records of medical visits establish a clear link between the crash and the injuries. Follow up visits can also help link any symptoms that show up later to the accident.

2. Police report: If officers responded, their documentation will note the time, location, and road conditions, as well as any witness statements. Ideally, having the report number on hand makes it easier to reference later when dealing with insurance companies or attorneys.

3. Scene evidence: Any identifying details of the delivery vehicle (company name, license plate, USDOT number) can be quite valuable to the case. Photos and videos are helpful as well. If you or someone with you captured that information at the scene, it can help establish fault and preserve evidence that might otherwise fade quickly.

4. Insurance contact: Adjusters may already be calling to ask for recorded statements or informal details about the crash. Be aware that those conversations can work against you in favor of the insurance companies. Keep responses minimal until you’ve spoken with an attorney to help protect your case from being undercut early.

Even if some details weren’t collected at the scene, our lawyers know how to gather records, locate witnesses, and secure the information needed to move your case forward.

Liability in Delivery Truck Crashes

Delivery Driver fault: The collision may have been caused by speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment of the delivery driver.

Delivery company: Employers can be responsible for the actions of their drivers. If unsafe hiring, poor training, missed maintenance service, or unsafe dispatch schedules are found, the company may be liable for the accident.

Vehicle owner or contractor: Sometimes a truck is owned by one company but maintained by another. If mechanical issues contributed to a crash, both companies may be pulled into a case.

Cargo loader or broker: Overloaded or unsecured freight can lead to jackknifes, rollovers, or sudden loss of control. A broker that hired an unsafe carrier may also share responsibility.

Manufacturer or parts supplier: Faulty brakes, tires, or steering components can tie liability back to the companies that designed or sold faulty equipment.

Other drivers or public agencies: Multi-vehicle wrecks or poorly maintained roads sometimes extend liability beyond the trucking side.

Sorting through overlapping liability requires a focused investigation. Our delivery truck accident attorneys look beyond the driver to identify every potential source of accountability and maximize available compensation for our clients.

Comparative Fault in Texas

Texas follows a comparative negligence system where financial recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned, up to 50% fault. To illustrate, if your damages totaled $100,000, but you were found to be 20% responsible, your final recovery would be reduced to $80,000.

However, it’s important to be aware that recovery is cut off completely at 51% or more fault. No matter how severe your injuries are, you cannot recover any damages if a jury finds you to be 51% or more at fault.

Insurance companies know this can give them leverage, and they look for ways to argue for an increase in the victims share of fault to avoid paying. Even offhand comments to insurance adjusters can be used against injured people.

This is why working with a truck accident lawyer who understands delivery truck accident cases is so important. Our attorneys will work to keep your recovery intact and counter blame tactics from the insurance companies.

What Compensation May Cover

Economic losses are the easiest to document because they come with records and receipts. May include:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation: Emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and prescription costs.
  
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability: Paychecks missed during recovery and long-term impact on future income if injuries limit work.
  
• Vehicle repair or replacement: Costs tied to damage to your car or other personal property.
  
• Future medical care: Expert evaluations can project future surgeries, therapy, or long-term support tied to the crash.

Non-economic losses are harder to measure but are just as important. May include:

• Physical pain and discomfort: Lasting pain from injuries or medical treatment.
  
• Emotional or psychological strain: Anxiety, depression, or trauma connected to the accident.
  
• Permanent impairment or disfigurement: Scarring, loss of mobility, or other changes that affect daily life.
  
• Loss of companionship: When injuries disrupt a spouse’s or close family member’s relationship with the injured person.

How Commercial Insurance Affects Outcomes

Delivery truck companies carry insurance policies that are far larger than standard auto coverage. A primary policy may provide hundreds of thousands of dollars, and several million more can be added by “excess” policies. The extra layers of insurance means more money is available, but it also creates room for disputes when multiple insurers argue over who should pay and in what order.

Insurers act quickly after a crash and they usually try to make early contact with settlement offers that fall well below the true value of the case. Conversations with adjusters are designed to close files cheaply before the full extent of injuries and financial losses is documented. Avoid conversations with insurance adjusters without consulting an attorney. 

Our attorneys counter insurance tactics by using medical records, financial documents, and expert input to build an evidence-based case that, rather than getting you whatever the insurance company offers, will give you maximum recovery.

Timelines, Filings, and Recent Changes in Texas Practice

The Texas statute of limitations for injury cases states that claims need to be filed two years from the date of a crash. If this deadline is missed, it can end your case completely. There are, however, some exceptions that can shorten or extend the time granted for filing:

• Minors: If an injured person was under 18 at the time of injury, the two-year window doesn’t begin until they turn 18.
• Wrongful death: In cases where an accident resulted in a wrongful death, the window to file begins on the date of death, not the date of the accident.
• Government involvement: If the truck was owned or operated by a government entity, the time requirement is shortened, sometimes to as short as 45 to 90 days.
• Delayed discovery: In rare situations where injury isn’t immediately apparent, the clock may start when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been.

Our lawyers will work with you to understand the specifics of your case and determine what deadline requirements apply to be sure that your case is filed appropriately.

How Loewy Law Firm Builds Delivery Cases

Detailed Evidence Discovery: Delivery truck accidents can pit injured people against large corporations and multiple layers of insurers. Our firm focuses on uncovering evidence that companies and insurers would prefer kept hidden. We can trace dispatch schedules, analyze route data, and compare driver logs with company policies to expose unsafe practices.

Maximize Damages: We approach damages with this same attention to detail. We can work with specialists who make projections about the cost of long-term care, lost earnings, and the impact of changes to daily life. Your case will be built with an in-depth and evidence-based approach that will be hard for insurers to discount.

Trial Ready: From the start, we will prepare if necessary for trial. When the defense knows a case is ready for court, negotiations can be more productive. Settlement offers in this context tend to reflect the true value of the losses.

FAQ After a Delivery Truck Accident

Q: Can a company still be held responsible if the driver is a contractor or Amazon Flex driver?
Yes. Most companies have insurance that covers crashes even if the driver is a contractor. In Amazon delivery truck accident cases, records and delivery info can also show the company is still responsible.

Q: What if the police report doesn’t clearly say who was at fault?
Police sometimes just write down what they saw and do not blame one driver. That does not stop a case. Fault is decided later by looking at things like video, black box data from the truck, and witness stories.

Q: I spoke to the insurance company already. What happens now?
What you said might come up later, but it usually does not decide the case. Other proof like logs, medical records, and reports matter much more.

Q: I don’t have health insurance. How can I still get treatment?
Some doctors agree to wait for payment until the case is done, which can let you keep getting care without bills going to collections.

Q: My car was totaled. How is property damage handled while the injury case is going on?
Car claims usually finish faster than injury claims. Payment for repairs or a new car can move ahead while the injury case continues.

Accident with a Delivery Truck? Trust Loewy Law Firm

Call Loewy Law Firm today to set a clear plan of action for your delivery truck accident case. Our firm works on a contingency fee, so you won’t have to worry about upfront attorney fees. We’ll confirm your preferred contact method, schedule regular check ins, and handle insurer communications and record requests so the case keeps moving.

Call Loewy Law Firm at (512) 280-0800 to speak with an Austin delivery truck accident lawyer today and let us fight for you so that you can focus on healing and recovery.