Have you suffered an injury in an accident with a recreational vehicle in Austin, TX? You may have a claim for compensation against the at-fault party for your lost wages, pain and suffering, medical bills, and out-of-pocket expenses, just to name a few examples.
The Austin recreational vehicle accident lawyers with FVF Law can help you explore your legal options from start to finish. Our personal injury attorneys have over 80 years of combined experience practicing law. Since it was founded in 2014, our law firm has already collected millions of dollars on behalf of personal injury victims throughout the greater Austin area. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so it won’t cost you anything upfront to hire us.
For more information, reach out to us by phone at (512) 817-1558. or contact us by sending us a message online. We offer a free consultation to help explain your rights and review the facts of your case.
Recreational vehicles (RVs) are more prone to accidents than many people may realize. These vehicles can approach the size of a big-rig truck, but those trucks require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive and operate. RVs require a special license in Texas, assuming the vehicle is above a certain weight, but it is relatively easy to obtain. As a result, many RV owners lack the skill necessary to safely maneuver such a large vehicle.
You probably know this all too well if you’ve been in an accident with a recreational vehicle in Austin, Texas. Fortunately, Texas law affords you the ability to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. FVF Law is just the personal injury law firm to help you in that pursuit. We’re a values-driven law firm that cares about our clients on a personal level. You won’t be a number on a spreadsheet to us like you might at a larger firm. When you hire us to represent you, we can help by:
Contact our Austin personal injury lawyers today to learn more about how we can help you recover from the harm you’ve suffered. We’re here to provide legal advice and guidance during this difficult time.
Texas does not publish statistics specifically on recreational vehicle accidents in the state. However, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) makes data available on motor vehicle accidents as a whole. TxDOT reports that in 2021, there were 4,489 traffic fatalities in the state. This represents an increase of more than 15% relative to the year prior.
TxDOT also notes that based on the number of fatal accidents in 2021, one person is killed every two hours on the state’s roadways, on average. When considering nonfatal injury crashes, one person is injured approximately every 2 minutes and 12 seconds in Texas. And one reportable accident takes place roughly every 57 seconds.
There are many factors that help determine the value of a recreational vehicle accident case in Austin; no two cases are alike. Some of these factors include:
These are just a few examples of considerations that could influence the worth of your claim. Reach out to our personal injury accident attorneys in Austin if you have any questions about how valuable your case might be. Once we’ve had the chance to learn about the facts involved in your case, we’ll be able to provide you with more personalized insight.
RV accident victims in Austin, Texas, can pursue economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages may also be available, but only in rare cases.
Economic damages represent your financial losses. Examples include:
Non-economic damages represent your other losses. Examples include:
Punitive damages are of a different category from economic and non-economic damages. These damages are meant to “punish” the defendant for how they have acted and deter others from acting in that same way. They may be available in cases where the defendant acted especially recklessly.
Recreational vehicle accidents tend to be more serious than the average car accident due to their sheer size and force. Some of the more common injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:
The types of injuries sustained may also depend on the type of RV involved in the crash. Motorhomes and other similar types of vehicles are general thought of as RVs, as are vehicles like ATVs. Reach out to our Austin RV accident lawyers if you’ve suffered an injury after a crash, whether or not it is listed above. We can inform you of your legal options when you reach out to us for assistance.
You can, but only up to a point. Texas has adopted a modified comparative negligence doctrine with a 51% bar to recovery.
Under this doctrine, you will be assigned a percentage of fault. You cannot recover damages if that percentage is 51% or more. If it is 50% or less, you may still recover damages, but your financial award could be reduced relative to that percentage.
As an example, if you’re awarded $500,000 but are found to be 10% at fault, your compensation could be reduced to $450,000, or the full amount after your percentage of fault has been subtracted.
RV accidents in Austin are usually caused by human error, though not always. Regular RVs are difficult enough to drive, but it can be equally difficult to operate an ATV. Common causes are:
Texas is a popular place to own a recreational vehicle, and Austin is no exception. If you’ve been involved in a wreck, FVF Law can help you understand your rights and pathways to compensation.
The vast majority of RV cases are based on proving that the at-fault driver was negligent. Negligence means something akin to “carelessness.” It occurs when a person owes a duty of care to another, violates that duty of care, and causes harm to them as a result. Indeed, those are the four legal elements required to prove negligence:
Not all of these elements will be at issue in every RV case, but one or more likely will. As the personal injury victim, you’ll have the burden of proof of asserting each element by a preponderance of the evidence. With 80 years of experience practicing law, our attorneys are more than capable of proving even the most complex of negligence claims.
Texas, along with every other state, has a statute of limitations that sets the deadlines for when lawsuits must be filed. You’ll lose your ability to pursue compensation if you file your lawsuit too late, so it’s critical to adhere to the statute of limitations.
For most personal injury cases, including most recreational vehicle cases, you’ll have two years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. Sometimes this deadline could be longer, however, such as when the party you intend to sue has fled the state. In other cases, it could be shorter, such as when you intend to sue a governmental entity.
Because of this nuance, we recommend contacting our law office if you aren’t sure how the statute of limitations applies to your case. We can let you know during your initial consultation with us.
You and your family don’t have to go through the aftermath of a recreational vehicle accident in Austin, TX, alone. When you hire us, you’ll be able to put your focus where it needs to be: on your health and recovery.
In the meantime, we’ll explore your legal options and will pursue compensation on your behalf. Our Austin recreational vehicle accident lawyers are some of the most experienced and compassionate advocates in the area.
We’d be more than happy to meet with you and discuss your legal rights. Your initial consultation is completely free, and there’s no obligation to hire us once it’s over. Reach out today for more information.
After an RV accident, prioritize your safety and health. Call 911 to report the accident and get medical help if needed. Gather information from other drivers, take photos of the scene, and collect contact information from witnesses. Consulting with an experienced RV accident lawyer soon after the accident can help protect your rights.
Liability in an RV accident depends on the circumstances. Potentially liable parties can include the RV driver, the RV owner, manufacturers (if a defect caused the accident), or even a rental company if they failed to maintain the vehicle properly. Your lawyer will investigate to determine who should be held responsible.
If you’ve been injured in an RV accident, you may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. An attorney can help calculate the full scope of damages you’re entitled to.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after an RV accident is typically two years from the date of the accident. It’s essential to file within this timeframe to protect your right to seek compensation.
RV accidents involving multiple vehicles can be particularly complex. Liability may be shared among several parties, and it may take time to establish who was responsible. An experienced attorney can help sort through the evidence, identify responsible parties, and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
To begin your RV accident claim, reach out to a qualified RV accident lawyer who can evaluate your case. They will guide you on gathering the necessary documentation, including medical records, accident reports, and witness statements. Contact our team at (512) 982-9328 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options.