A collision with a commercial truck on a busy road like I-20 or Cooper Street changes your life instantly. An experienced Arlington truck accident lawyer can help you find the answers and fight for your recovery.
The path to financial recovery after a semi-truck crash is complex. You're not just dealing with another driver; you're up against a large trucking corporation and its team of insurance adjusters and lawyers. DFW Injury Lawyers provides the guidance you need to take confident action.
Contact us today at (972) 441-5244 for a free case evaluation.
Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Arlington Truck Accident Claim
After a commercial truck crash, you need advocates with a history of success and who know the Arlington area and its court systems. We are that team.
Rooted in the Arlington Community
Our connection to Arlington is more than just an office location. We represent our neighbors in communities from Viridian to Dalworthington Gardens.
We know the challenges of driving on major thoroughfares like the I-30 corridor near the entertainment district or dealing with traffic around The Parks at Arlington Mall.
Our local knowledge gives us an advantage when we reconstruct the details of your accident and present your case.
A Track Record of Success
We have a history of challenging large motor carriers and their aggressive insurance companies. Our Arlington truck accident lawyers prepare every case as if it will go to trial, showing the opposition that we’re ready for a serious fight.
With over half a billion dollars recovered for injured clients, our team will go above and beyond to secure the maximum compensation possible for your case.
Trusted Advisors
At DFW Injury Lawyers, we don’t just provide legal representation. We become trusted advisors to our clients. We understand your challenges and the impact of the truck accident on your life. Our team will proactively handle your personal injury case, guiding you through every step of the process and offering support and advice.
We Have the Resources for Complex Litigation
Truck accident cases aren’t simple matters; they require significant resources. We invest in your success because we believe in our clients. We forge a compelling argument based on solid evidence.
The team at DFW Injury Lawyers is ready to begin work on your case. We start with a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the specifics of your accident and explain your legal options. Call us now at (972) 441-5244 to speak with a dedicated legal professional.
Determining Liability in a Texas Commercial Truck Accident
Identifying every responsible party is a primary task for your legal team. A crash involving an 18-wheeler is rarely as simple as one driver making a mistake. Multiple parties may share financial responsibility for your injuries.
Your Arlington truck accident lawyer will launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the crash. The goal is to collect and preserve critical evidence before the trucking company can legally destroy it. This investigation often reveals a chain of negligence leading to your injuries.
Possible liable parties in a truck accident include:
- Truck Driver: Actions like speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving, or driving under the influence place direct fault on the operator.
- Trucking Company: A motor carrier is often liable for negligent hiring, poor training, or pressuring drivers to violate federal Hours-of-Service rules.
- Maintenance Company: If a third-party vendor performed faulty repairs on the truck's brakes or tires, they can be held responsible for the mechanical failure.
- Cargo Loader: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo that shifts during transit can cause the driver to lose control, making the cargo company liable.
- Manufacturer: If a defective truck part, such as a faulty steering component, caused the accident, the manufacturer is responsible.
Our attorneys work to identify all at-fault parties to give you the most opportunities for a full financial recovery. We weld pieces of evidence from different sources into a single, cohesive narrative. This approach strengthens your position when demanding compensation.
How an Arlington Truck Accident Lawyer Builds Your Claim
After identifying the responsible parties, the next step is building a case that clearly shows the extent of your losses. This process goes far beyond just totaling up your current medical bills. A strong claim documents every possible way the accident has impacted and will continue to impact your life.
An Arlington truck accident lawyer from our firm meticulously gathers and organizes this information.
Documenting Your Full Range of Damages
To build your claim, we calculate two main types of damages: economic and non-economic. We work to refine the arguments and calculations to present the strongest possible case for compensation.
Economic damages are the tangible financial losses you have suffered. Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, personal losses that don't have a clear price tag.
Common damages include:
- Medical Expenses: This payment covers everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room care to future surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription costs.
- Lost Wages: We calculate the income you've already lost from being unable to work during your recovery. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all, we seek compensation for this future lost income.
- Property Damage: This compensation covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property destroyed in the crash.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain and discomfort resulting from your crash-related injuries.
- Mental Anguish: This payment addresses the significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress, caused by the traumatic event.
- Physical Impairment: You may receive compensation for permanent limitations on your physical abilities, such as difficulty walking, lifting, or performing daily tasks.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: You may pursue compensation for your inability to participate in the hobbies, recreational activities, and life pursuits that brought you joy before the accident.
The Importance of Evidence Preservation
In order to maximize your compensation, your Arlington truck injury attorney needs to collect and use persuasive proof of negligence. However, evidence in a commercial truck case can disappear quickly.
Trucking companies are only required to keep certain records, like driver logs and maintenance reports, for a limited time. Your lawyer must act fast.
We send a spoliation letter to the trucking company as soon as you hire us. This legal notice demands that they preserve all potential evidence related to your case.
Key evidence we work to secure includes:
- Black Box Data: The truck’s event data recorder captures information about speed, braking, and steering in the moments before the crash.
- Driver Qualification File: This file contains the driver's employment history, driving record, training certifications, and drug test results.
- Hours-of-Service Logs: These logs show whether the driver complied with federal rules designed to prevent fatigued driving.
- Inspection and Maintenance Records: These documents can reveal a history of mechanical problems or skipped safety checks.
Securing this information early allows us to temper our legal strategy based on the facts we uncover.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Texas
While any motor vehicle accident can be dangerous, the sheer size and weight of a commercial truck make the outcome of a collision particularly devastating. These accidents are often caused by specific types of negligence tied to the trucking industry.
Our experience with 18-wheeler crashes shows that many accidents result from a few key factors. We investigate these possibilities from the moment we take your case. Some of the most common causes include driver fatigue and improper vehicle maintenance.
Driver Fatigue
Federal regulations limit the hours a commercial driver can be on the road without a break. Despite these rules, driver fatigue remains a leading cause of truck wrecks. Pressure from trucking companies to meet tight deadlines can lead drivers to push past their physical limits.
We investigate fatigue by carefully reviewing the driver's hours-of-service logs and cross-referencing them with fuel receipts, delivery schedules, and GPS data. Discrepancies often reveal violations. A tired driver has slower reaction times and impaired judgment, similar to an intoxicated driver.
Improper Maintenance
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Safely operating a vehicle that heavy depends on every mechanical system functioning properly. When trucking companies cut corners on maintenance, they put everyone on the road at risk.
Common maintenance-related causes of truck accidents include:
- Brake Failure: Worn or poorly adjusted brakes can significantly increase the distance a truck needs to stop, making rear-end collisions and overrides much more likely.
- Tire Blowouts: Old, worn, or underinflated tires can blow out at high speeds, causing the driver to lose control of the truck.
- Steering or Suspension Failure: Failure of these critical systems may make the truck impossible to control, leading to catastrophic accidents.
- Lighting and Signal Issues: Burnt-out headlights, taillights, or turn signals make the truck less visible, especially at night or in bad weather conditions.
FAQ for Arlington Truck Accident Lawyer
How Is a Truck Accident Case Different From a Car Accident Case?
Truck accident cases are far more complex than typical car accident claims. They involve state and federal trucking regulations, multiple potentially liable parties like the driver and the company, and much more extensive evidence, including driver logs and black box data.
The catastrophic nature of injuries also leads to higher stakes and more aggressive defense tactics from trucking company insurers, making it even more advantageous to have an Arlington truck accident lawyer on your side.
What Is the First Step I Should Take After a Commercial Truck Accident in Arlington?
After you have received medical attention, the first step you should take is to contact an experienced Arlington truck accident attorney. Don’t speak with the trucking company's insurance adjuster or provide a recorded statement before consulting an attorney.
A lawyer protects your rights, handles communications with insurers, and starts an investigation to preserve evidence and determine liability.
Who Is Responsible for a Commercial Truck Wreck in Arlington?
After an Arlington truck crash, responsibility may lie with several parties. The truck driver may be at fault for errors like speeding or distracted driving, while the trucking company may be liable for negligent hiring or pushing drivers to violate safety rules.
Other potentially responsible parties include the company that performed maintenance, the manufacturer of a faulty part, or the team that loaded the cargo improperly.
How Can an Arlington Truck Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
An Arlington truck accident attorney handles every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your recovery. This includes collecting evidence, hiring experts to establish fault and prove your damages, managing all communication with insurance companies, and negotiating a fair settlement.
If the trucking company’s insurer won’t make a fair offer, your lawyer can represent you in court to fight for the compensation you need.
What Should I Do if the Trucking Company's Insurer Contacts Me?
Politely decline to speak with them and direct them to your Arlington truck crash attorney. Insurance adjusters often ask questions designed to get you to say something that can be used to limit or deny your claim. Providing any information, even seemingly harmless details, can damage your case.
Forging Your New Path Forward
Recovering from a serious truck accident is a difficult journey, but you have the power to seek guidance and secure the resources needed for your recovery. Taking action now can shape a more stable future for you and your family.
The legal team at DFW Injury Lawyers is prepared to stand by your side. We have the knowledge and experience to hold negligent trucking companies accountable. Contact us at (972) 441-5244 for a free consultation with an Arlington personal injury lawyer.