How Can Dallas Truck Accident Attorneys Get You Justice?
Trucking companies that fail to abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) dramatically increase the chances of truck collisions. If you have been a victim of a life-threatening crash, refer to a Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer that can help you in obtaining a fair settlement for your damages.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Dallas
To prevent truck wrecks, it is wise to be aware of the various causes of truck collisions. Some common causes of truck collisions include:
- Drowsy or Drunk Driving
The FMCSA recommends truck drivers take breaks while driving for long hours, as this can prevent fatigue and drowsiness. This rule is also restated by federal and state laws. However, many truck drivers face the pressure of driving long hours to make tight deadlines.
Consequently, they can become fatigued and nod off behind the wheel of the truck. Drunk driving falls under negligence because being impaired on the road breaches other drivers’ safety.
- Distracted driving
Smartphones were not as ubiquitous as today when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) researched the major causes of truck crashes. In the modern world, almost everyone has a smartphone. However, drivers are under a duty to not be distracted by their phones while driving – this includes texting, talking on the phone, or watching videos.
Distracted driving has always been one of the most common causes of truck driver accidents. According to FMCSA, accidents resulting from distracted driving are increasing. Truckers engaged in making a phone call, scrolling photos, or using apps are also contributing factors to causing a truck collision.
If you or a loved one suffered devastating injuries as a result of a distracted truck driver, get help from a Dallas personal injury lawyer who can seek the compensation you deserve.
Which Are Potential Parties Liable In Dallas Truck Collisions?
Determining liability in truck accident cases could be complicated if there are many attributing causes at play. There may even be multiple liable parties in a truck crash. Potential parties that could be liable in a truck collision claim include:
- Trucking company
- Truck driver
- Truck manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
- Maintenance Company
- Shipping company (responsible for loading the cargo)
It can be exceedingly difficult to prevail on a claim, however, without knowing your different legal options. Accidents that result in traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and other severe injuries require treatment that could be very expensive in your already stressful recovery.
How Can You Gain Recovery After A Dallas Truck Accident?
When injured victims lose their lives due to the result of various injuries, you are entitled to fair compensation. A Dallas truck accident lawyer can act as your ally and help you get reimbursement. Some common damages include:
- Medical bills for doctor appointments, surgery, hospitalization, and various treatments
- Lost earning capacity for victims who are left permanently impaired
- Mental anguish, as well as pain and suffering
- Disfigurements
- Long-term costs related to therapy, rehabilitation, and medication
- Lost income related to taking time off for appointments and recovery.
In the cases where the injured victim dies, you can file a wrongful death claim. The reimbursement also includes funeral costs, loss of consortium, burial service fees, and others.
How Much Time Do You Have To File A Truck Wreck Claim?
It is always a good option to gather evidence, including photos, after a truck crash. Further, seeking medical attention and reporting the incident to law enforcement authorities is a good option. Along with this, you must also keep in mind the statute of limitations for filing an injury claim.
In Texas, the time frame within which you must file a lawsuit is 2 years from the date when the accident happened. However, it’s best to pursue compensation as soon as possible so that your case does not weaken. A competent Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer can help you do this.
Why Are Dallas Commercial Truck Accidents So Severe?
If we take a look at an 18-wheeler truck, big rigs, and semi-trucks that are fully loaded, they will weigh nearly 4,000 pounds. Therefore, when a commercial truck collides with another vehicle on the road, a much smaller vehicle, the impact of damage will be more dangerous for the passengers in the other vehicles.
When a large, heavy truck collides with other vehicles, the passengers can experience catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, other disabilities, and sometimes wrongful death.
How Do Truck Crash Claims Differ From Car Accident Claims?
Accidents that involve large commercial trucks are more severe, and the injuries caused are more fatal. This increases the risk and the severity of the damages. Therefore, the insurance claims are higher in comparison to car accident claims. Apart from this, there is one major difference.
The federal regulations for trucking companies are stricter than others. In truck wrecks, the parties that are liable for the injuries can be multiple. Whereas, in a Dallas car accident, the at-fault driver is responsible for the damages.
if you or a loved one is a truck accident victim, a Dallas Truck Accident attorney can fight for you to help you obtain compensation for your losses.
Potential Reasons Why Truck Collisions Occur
Some of the factors that could contribute to a dangerous truck crash are inexperienced, untrained drivers operating trucks, aggressive driving, the driver following a vehicle too closely, improperly loaded cargo, poor truck maintenance, and defective truck parts.
Prescription drug use: Thinking of drugs that cause accidents may only remind us of alcohol and illegal drugs. However, a high number of truck wrecks according to the FMCSA is the use of prescription drugs. Medications used to treat sleep disorders and anxiety cause slowed reaction time and might affect the decision-making of the truck driver.
Breaking traffic rules: Even a violation of a minor traffic rule could result in severe consequences while driving trucks or any other vehicle. When a truck driver fails to turn on the signal or runs a red light at a busy intersection, the result could lead to dire consequences for everyone involved.
Over-the-counter Medications: In addition to prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications that are used incorrectly could cause truck collisions. Drowsiness is a common side effect of over-the-counter medication that will impair a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, especially a large truck. As a result, fatal injuries could occur to the passengers in the car or any other vehicle in which the collision occurred.
A Glimpse At Truck Collisions in Dallas
Truck collisions are very common. In 2015, there were twenty-seven (27) fatalities due to truck collisions recorded in Dallas according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Additionally, eighty-one (81) individuals suffered from devastating injuries, and four hundred five (405) individuals suffered from less-severe injuries.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019 the number of large trucks that were reported to police is 538,000. The number of people who were killed due to truck wrecks was approximately 5,005.
Among these 10% of people were killed due to collisions with large trucks. The total number of people who got injured in 2019 due to truck crashes was nearly 159,000.
Need Legal Advice? Contact An Experienced Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer At Khattar Law, PC
It is important to understand that many truck accidents are preventable, meaning that you are more likely to have a negligence case than a typical car accident. Remember that you have options available to you to assist in your recovery.
A well-educated legal professional can negotiate with aggressive insurance companies with ease on your behalf, so your main focus is on your recovery. Schedule a free case consultation with us to get reputable professionals to fight for your case.