Houston Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims

Collisions with Delivery Vans, Buses, Taxis, Rideshare Vehicles, Cement Trucks & Other Commercial Vehicles

Many types of vehicles are used for business purposes. Whether they transport people or products, commercial vehicles appear all over roadways throughout Houston and other parts of the country.

In many cases, these vehicles require special training and licensure to operate, and driving them takes additional care. Unfortunately, the pressures of business often make drivers behave recklessly and make companies cut corners, resulting in a higher risk of accidents.

Helping the victims of semi truck accidents is a significant part of our practice, but 18-wheelers are not the only commercial vehicle that can cause serious injury or death when they crash. Other examples of commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Delivery van accidents
• Bus accidents
• Taxi cab accident
• Rideshare accidents
• Cement truck accidents

Patrick Daniel Law has extensive experience serving clients in a wide range of claims involving accidents with commercial vehicles. For a free case review, please call (713) 999-6666 today. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers serve clients in Houston, Texas, and nationwide.

Delivery Van Accidents

From Fedex to Amazon, you probably see delivery vans on the road every day. The drivers of these vehicles face enormous pressure to deliver goods on time. In order to maintain the oftentimes unrealistic schedules set by their employers, delivery drivers often commit errors that put other drivers and pedestrians at risk.

Some of the most common causes of delivery van accidents include:

• Speeding
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failure to yield
• Fatigued driving
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Another major factor in these cases, however, is lack of training and experience. Although most delivery trucks meet the weight requirements for drivers to need a commercial driver’s license to operate them, delivery vans generally do not. As a result, many delivery van drivers have the same training as the average motorist.

Amazon, for example, does not require its delivery van drivers to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

This means that a lot of unqualified drivers are expected to operate like long-haul truckers, despite not having the education or experience. The vehicles are significantly smaller than 18-wheelers, but delivery vans can still cause serious injury or death in the event of a crash.

In addition to the careless driver, his or her employer may be at fault in a delivery van accident. Patrick Daniel Law will fully investigate the involvement of all parties in the crash and pursue compensation on your behalf.

Bus Accidents

Buses come in many forms, from public transit and school buses to sleeper coaches and charter buses. Regardless of the purpose, most buses are massive vehicles. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles and the lack of restraints for passengers, catastrophic injury and death are not uncommon in bus accidents.

Like truck accident claims, liability in bus accident cases is often complicated. Some of the parties that may be at fault for the crash include:

• The driver of the bus
• The company that owns and operates the bus
• The company responsible for hiring and training drivers
• The company that services the bus
• The manufacturer of a defective part on the bus
• The driver of another vehicle that causes the bus to crash

Some bus accidents are investigated by local and state authorities, while others may involve investigation by federal agencies like the National Transportation Safety Board. In any case, you need an experienced transport accident lawyer to investigate the crash on your behalf.

The attorneys at Patrick Daniel Law will strategically build your claim, meticulously investigate the accident, and mercilessly pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Taxi Cab Accidents

Whether you’re going to and from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport or riding around downtown Houston, cabs are a common means of transportation. Taxi drivers know that timing is everything when transporting fares, which makes speeding and reckless or aggressive driving a factor in many accidents involving cabs.

Texas law considers buses and taxis as common carriers. Because they are paid to transport people safely, cab drivers and bus drivers – and their employers – must uphold a higher standard of care to their passengers. Unfortunately, the drivers of these vehicles and the companies that hire them often put safety second to making more money.

If you have been injured in a taxi accident, Patrick Daniel Law will rigorously investigate to determine who is at fault in your case. We will examine key facts such as:

• The driver’s behavior leading up to the crash
• His or her driving record, drug test results, and employment screenings
• The driver’s license and medallion (a permit signifying that he or she can operate the taxi)
• The vehicle inspection record for the cab
• The practices of the company that owns or leases the taxi

Taxi companies are required to carry a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage, but the insurer will almost certainly try to offer you less than what your case is worth. It is in your best interest to hire a lawyer with a reputation for ruthlessly pursuing all of the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Rideshare Accidents

The popularity of services like Uber and Lyft has exploded in recent years, creating options for passengers outside of the usual choices for public and private transportation. Rideshare drivers qualify as common carriers under Texas law, but the people behind the wheel are just motorists who have downloaded an app.

Accidents involving rideshare vehicles have increased in tandem with the number of drivers who have little to no experience driving others. In some cases, unfamiliarity with local roads has resulted in head-on collisions in wrong-way accidents. Speeding, distracted driving, and drowsy driving are also leading factors in rideshare accidents.

Emerging litigation in rideshare accidents is complicated because of the way Uber, Lyft, and similar services classify their drivers. Drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees. As a result, rideshare companies often argue that they are not legally responsible for injuries caused by a driver.

Because of the complexity of these cases, choosing the right attorney is crucial. The rideshare accident lawyers at Patrick Daniel Law are strategic and meticulous in preparing each case, and we are merciless in our efforts to obtain the compensation you deserve from negligent drivers, their employers, and other parties.

In addition to drivers and pedestrians who have been injured in a crash with a rideshare vehicle, our lawyers also represent passengers who were riding in an Uber or Lyft when an accident occurred.  

Cement Truck Accidents

Any semi truck can be dangerous when it isn’t handled responsibly, but few big rigs provide less margin for error than cement trucks. Unlike cargo that is secured in a trailer, the contents that cement trucks haul is innately unstable.

The drum containing the cement and other materials continues to rotate as the truck travels, keeping the concrete mixed and ready to pour when it reaches the destination. This creates the potential for several types of accidents:

• Rollover accidents: The spinning motion of the drum makes one side of the truck heavier than the other. If the weight shifts or the driver fails to compensate for the weight distribution, the truck can tip over on its side.
• Lane drift accidents: Drivers of cement trucks must be attentive behind the wheel to maintain control of the rig. Issues such as distracted driving or a failure to account for instability of the concrete can cause the truck to cross over into another lane, potentially into a nearby vehicle.
• Concrete leaks onto the road: Wet concrete creates a hazard that drivers traveling behind a cement truck may be unable to avoid. If they drive over the concrete or take evasive action, the driver may lose control and crash.

As in the other commercial vehicle accident cases above, liability may rest with multiple parties in crashes involving cement trucks. The driver may be at fault, but responsibility could also lie with his or her employer or the manufacturer of the truck.

Compensation in Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases

Depending on the size of the vehicles and the force of the crash, the injuries in commercial vehicle accidents are often serious. No matter the extent of your injuries, you should not have to bear the costs associated with the collision on your own.

Patrick Daniel Law will meticulously investigate how the accident has impacted your life and the life of your family. We will then build a strategy to pursue the compensation you and your loved ones deserve.

You may be able to recover compensation for damages such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Diminished ability to work
• Impairment and disability
• Emotional anguish
• Loss of consortium

If your loved one was killed in an accident involving a bus, taxi, rideshare vehicle, or other commercial transport, Patrick Daniel Law can pursue compensation on your family’s behalf in a wrongful death lawsuit. You and your loved ones may be eligible for compensation for damages including:

• The cost of funeral services
• The cost of burial or cremation
• The loss of income your loved one provided
• The loss of household services and support provide by your loved one
• Loss of consortium and parental guidance

In both injury and wrongful death cases involving a commercial vehicle accident, you also may be eligible for exemplary damages. This compensation is not tied to your economic or noneconomic losses but awarded as a way to make an example of the defendant or defendants for egregious negligence or misconduct.

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Vehicle Claims

Contact Our Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Today

At Patrick Daniel Law, our commercial vehicle accident lawyers are passionate about leveling the playing field for injury victims who are forced to face major corporations and large insurance companies. Commercial vehicle accident cases are often complicated, but our team has the experience, skill, and dedication to pursue the optimal result for your claim.

Please call (713) 999-6666 or contact us online for a FREE case evaluation. Patrick Daniel Law serves clients throughout the greater Houston area and all of Texas, as well as nationwide.