When a Commercial Vehicle Crash Claims a Life: How Families Can Pursue Justice

Losing a loved one in a crash involving a commercial vehicle is one of the most devastating experiences a family can endure. These collisions often involve large trucks, delivery vans, or other business vehicles and can cause catastrophic damage. When negligence or unsafe business practices contribute to a fatal crash, families may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim to seek justice and financial support.

At Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys, our Texas wrongful death attorneys help families navigate these complex and emotionally difficult cases. We understand how commercial vehicle crashes differ from standard car accidents, and we fight to hold every responsible party accountable.

Understanding What a Wrongful Death Claim Involves

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought by the surviving family members of someone who died due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing. In Texas, these cases allow certain relatives, typically a spouse, children, or parents, to recover compensation for the financial and emotional losses caused by the death.

While criminal cases are designed to punish wrongdoing, wrongful death claims seek justice by pursuing financial compensation for the losses suffered.

These damages may include:

• Funeral and burial costs.
• Lost income and future financial support.
• Loss of companionship and emotional suffering.
• Medical expenses related to the final injury.

Because commercial vehicle crashes often involve complex liability issues and large corporate defendants, pursuing these claims requires careful investigation and legal skill.

Determining Liability in a Commercial Vehicle Crash

Commercial vehicle accidents can involve multiple responsible parties. The driver may have caused the crash through careless or reckless behavior, but liability often extends to the company that employed or managed them.

Potentially liable parties may include:

• The driver, for negligence such as speeding, fatigue, distraction, or impairment.
• The employer or trucking company, for unsafe hiring, poor training, or failure to enforce safety standards.
• A third-party maintenance provider, if mechanical failure played a role.
• The vehicle manufacturer, if defective parts contributed to the crash.

Establishing liability in these cases requires gathering extensive evidence, including driver logs, company safety records, black box data, and witness statements.

Proving Negligence and Causation

To succeed in a wrongful death claim, families must prove negligence by showing that the responsible party failed to act with reasonable care.

This includes four essential elements:

1. Duty of Care– The defendant had a legal obligation to operate safely or uphold specific standards.
2. Breach of Duty– That obligation was violated through negligent or wrongful conduct.
3. Causation– The breach directly caused the fatal crash.
4. Damages – The family suffered measurable losses because of the death.

Each of these elements must be supported by solid evidence. Our experienced attorneys know how to collect and preserve critical documentation and work with experts to build a compelling case.

The Importance of Acting Quickly

Texas law places time limits on filing a wrongful death claim, known as the statute of limitations. Generally, families have two years from the date of death to file suit. However, evidence can fade, records can be lost, and witnesses can become harder to locate over time. Acting quickly allows your attorney to begin investigating before key information disappears.

Early involvement also allows lawyers to communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring that your family’s rights are protected from the start.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles often require challenging powerful insurance companies and large corporations. These entities have teams of lawyers working to limit their financial exposure. Having an experienced attorney ensures that your family has an advocate with the resources and determination to stand up to them.

At Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys, we understand that no amount of money can replace the life of your loved one. Our goal is to help you find accountability, closure, and the financial support you need to rebuild.

If you have lost a loved one in a commercial vehicle crash, contact Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys today. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case, explain your rights, and pursue justice on your behalf. Call (512) 883-0277 or visit us online for a free consultation.