There are time limits on how long you have to file a truck wreck lawsuit against a trucking company, but not all of those limits are imposed by law.

Most states, including Texas, have laws that limit how much time can pass between the truck wreck and the time you file your lawsuit. In Texas, that statute of limitations is typically two years.

However, your insurance company — or the company that insures the truck that injured you — could have other different time limits. This is because many drivers have Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM or UIM). With these options, there may be notice provisions that place a much shorter requirement on the state’s statute of limitations in filing a lawsuit against a negligent truck driver.

Since these are considered optional kinds of coverage, the insurance policy contract has precedence over the state-established time limits for filing your lawsuit.

These two factors play a critical role in determining how long you might have to file a lawsuit against a negligent truck driver or trucking company.

This is why it is critical that you consult a law firm if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a wreck with a big rig. An experience truck wreck law firm can help you protect your rights.

A man has been awarded almost $1.4 million after his van was hit by a tractor-trailer  October 17, 2008.  He had been offered to settle the case for $350,000, but he refused.

David Brasington was driving a commercial van towards an intersection when the truck suddenly pulled onto the road according to Brasington’s attorneys. The defense claimed that Brasington had moved into the right-hand turn lane after the truck had entered the road.

A witness agreed that Brasington had moved, but a police investigation said that he was not in the turn lane.

After three days of trial, the jury awarded Brasington $1,733,184.  $1.16 million was for the pain and suffering.  The jury found that Brasington was also partly at fault and so the jury reduced the amount to $1,386,548.  The truck was driven for Horizon Tank Lines, and the company said they will not appeal.

Brasington suffered many injuries including a fractured femur, broken pelvis, broken ribs, fractured elbow, and a lacerated liver.  He showed signs of having difficulty walking and was out of work for over half a year.  He still has a few more surgeries to undergo.

Reckless truck drivers are becoming very dangerous on American roads.

Tractor-trailer drivers are often preoccupied while driving.  For example, drivers talk on their radios with other drivers, drive long hours, eat on the road to save time, and some take illegal drugs while driving.  With all of these activities going on while drivers are trying to pay attention to the road, it makes an ideal situation for an accident.

One instance of an accident of this nature occurred when a tractor-trailer drove into the back of a vehicle, which caused a chain reaction.  The accident happened in a construction zone.

A 1994 Toyota was stopped in a construction zone when the truck plowed into its back end.  The Toyota then hit a 2003 Toyota, a 2008 Chrysler, and a 1999 Ford pickup.  Seven people were injured including the truck driver.

This is just one example of a truck driver not paying attention and injuring innocent people.  The example was made even worse since it was in a construction zone when fines are doubled and accidents are looked at much harsher.  People need to be aware of all drivers including truck drivers.  An accident can happen at any time.