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Key Takeaways
- Your claim isn’t just against the driver – the company that owns the vehicle is usually liable too, which means access to much bigger insurance policies
- Companies often settle faster than individuals because they want to avoid bad publicity and drawn-out legal battles
- You’ve got two years in Texas to file, but waiting even a few weeks can seriously hurt your case as evidence disappears
- Commercial vehicle accidents in Dallas and Keller typically involve multiple insurance policies worth millions, not the $30K limits you see with personal cars
- The first settlement offer is almost always lowball – companies count on you not knowing what your injuries are actually worth
Picture this: you’re sitting at a red light on Highway 377 in Keller, minding your own business, when BAM – some FedEx truck plows into your back bumper. Your neck hurts, your car’s wrecked, and you’ve got a company logo staring at you in your rearview mirror.
Now what?
Most people think they just file a claim like any other fender bender. Wrong. Getting hit by a company vehicle is completely different from your typical car accident, and honestly? It could work out way better for you if you play your cards right.
Here’s Why Company Vehicles Change Everything
When your neighbor rear-ends you in his beat-up Corolla, you’re dealing with whatever cheap insurance he has. In Texas, that’s usually around $30,000. Great for a bumper, not for $50,000 in medical bills.
But a company vehicle? Whole different story.
These businesses carry commercial auto insurance that goes into the millions. Real money that can cover hospital stays, lost paychecks, physical therapy – all of it. You’re not just going after some broke driver. You’re filing against a business with assets.
The company doesn’t want this dragging out. Bad press, potential lawsuits – it’s a nightmare. They’re often motivated to settle quick.
The Law That Makes Companies Pay
Texas uses this legal concept called “respondeat superior.” It means if someone causes an accident while working, their boss has to pay for the damage.
That Amazon driver who sideswiped you on Main Street in Dallas wasn’t out there for fun. They were making deliveries, following company routes, doing their job. Amazon makes money off that work, so when things go wrong, they share the blame.
This applies whether the driver was delivering packages, driving between job sites, or heading to a client meeting. As long as they were doing something for their employer, the company’s liable.
Companies will try every trick to say the driver wasn’t really working or claim they’re just a contractor. Texas courts look at who controlled the work, not what the company wants to call it.
What You Can Actually Recover
When you file a car accident claim against a company, you’re looking at:
- All your medical costs – emergency room, surgery, rehab, medications, future treatment.
- Lost wages – days you missed plus future income if you can’t work the same way.
- Pain and suffering – the physical pain, mental stress, and life changes from your injuries.
- Property damage – your car, personal items, rental costs.
Texas doesn’t cap these damages in most personal injury cases. Serious injuries could mean six or seven-figure settlements.
The 48-Hour Window That Makes or Breaks Your Case
Right after the accident, you’ve got maybe 48 hours where everything matters. After that? Evidence starts disappearing.
Security footage gets deleted. Witnesses forget details. The company’s lawyers start building their defense.
Here’s what you need immediately: Photos of everything – vehicles, company logo, injuries, the intersection. Get the driver’s info and commercial license if they have one. Write down what happened while it’s fresh.
Then see a doctor. I don’t care if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain, and insurance companies love arguing that delayed treatment means you weren’t really hurt.
And don’t post on social media. That photo of you smiling at your kid’s game will become “proof” you’re not injured.
Why Companies Settle Differently
Companies often settle faster and for more money than individuals.
Why? Reputation matters. A big company getting dragged through court for hurting someone is terrible PR. They’d rather write a check and move on.
Their insurance companies know fighting costs money in legal fees. With solid evidence and real injuries, they’ll usually make an actual offer.
But “actual offer” to them might still be way less than you deserve. They’re counting on you not knowing better. Don’t take the first offer.
The Delivery Service Mess
Amazon, UPS, DoorDash – these companies set up complicated contractor arrangements to avoid liability.
You might think you’re dealing with Amazon, but really there’s Amazon, a delivery partner who owns the van, and the driver who’s technically a contractor. Three parties, three insurance policies, everyone blaming someone else.
This is where most people give up. Don’t. A good truck accident attorney knows how to go after everyone who’s liable.
The Clock Is Ticking
You’ve got two years from your accident date to file in Texas. Sounds like forever, but it’s not.
Cases take time to build. Evidence disappears. Medical records become harder to get. And companies know the longer you wait, the more desperate you get for any settlement.
What Actually Happens When You File
Most claims settle within four to six months if everything’s straightforward.
First month: gathering evidence and documenting injuries. Months two through four: your attorney sends a demand letter and negotiating starts.
If the insurance company’s being reasonable, you settle in this window. If they’re difficult, your lawyer files a lawsuit to show you’re serious – often enough to get them moving on a real settlement.
The Mistakes That Kill Good Cases
- Don’t talk to the company’s insurance without a lawyer. Everything you say gets twisted against you.
- Don’t accept the first lowball offer. Settling for $10,000 when your case is worth $100,000 isn’t smart.
- Don’t wait to see a doctor. Go immediately, even if you feel okay.
- Don’t try handling this yourself. Most injury lawyers work on contingency – you don’t pay unless you win.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
+What if the company says the driver was a contractor?
+Can I still file if the driver blamed me?
+Should I accept their first offer?
+Will hiring a lawyer make them fight harder?
Stop Leaving Money on the Table
Getting hit by a company vehicle doesn’t have to wreck your finances on top of wrecking your car. These companies have serious insurance coverage, and Texas law says they’re responsible when their drivers cause accidents.
But you’ve got to move fast. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Insurance companies start building their defense immediately.
If you got hit by a company vehicle anywhere in Dallas, Keller, or the surrounding area, call Francis Injury at 817-329-9001. We’ve recovered millions for people in commercial vehicle accidents, and we know exactly how to deal with corporate insurance carriers who try to lowball settlements.
Free case review. No fees unless we win. Let’s talk about what your case is actually worth.
