An accident involving an 18-wheeler is much more complex than a standard car crash, involving federal regulations and powerful corporate defendants. The choices you make right now will define your ability to secure your future. A Dallas truck accident lawyer provides the focused legal help you need.
If you have urgent questions and need clear, direct answers, a dedicated attorney from DFW Injury Lawyers can provide them. Call us at (972) 440-2320 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Truck Accident Claim
When you face the resources of a large trucking company, you need a legal advocate with specific knowledge and a strong local presence. We build powerful cases for individuals and families in our community. Our concentrated focus on personal injury gives our clients a distinct advantage.
We Know Dallas
Our lawyers have deep roots in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. We know the commercial arteries where devastating wrecks happen, from I-20 and the Stemmons Freeway to the surface streets around Dallas's industrial parks and distribution centers.
Whether your accident occurred near Klyde Warren Park downtown or further out in the suburbs, our familiarity with the area allows us to investigate with speed and precision.
We Refine Complex Information
The key to a successful truck accident claim lies in the details. We work swiftly to preserve evidence like driver logbooks, black box data, maintenance records, and company hiring files. We extract the most critical facts from this mountain of information.
This process allows us to isolate the core issues of negligence and build a compelling case based on the facts.
Driven To Get Results
Our track record of achieving favorable outcomes for our clients demonstrates our commitment. We prepare every single case for the demands of a trial, a strategy that strengthens our position in any settlement negotiation.
We dedicate our full resources to pursuing the maximum compensation for your injuries. Let a Dallas truck accident lawyer from our firm fight for you. Call us today.
A Dallas Truck Wreck Isn’t a Simple Car Accident Case
You cannot approach a semi-truck accident claim the same way you would a minor fender-bender. Our Dallas commercial truck attorneys tailor our strategy specifically for your case.
Strict Federal Safety Rules Apply
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes a long list of detailed rules on trucking companies and their drivers. These laws control driver work hours, vehicle maintenance schedules, cargo loading procedures, and drug and alcohol testing.
When a company or driver violates these rules and an accident occurs, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence. We methodically review records to identify every broken safety rule.
Multiple Parties May Share the Blame
A typical car crash involves one other driver. A commercial truck wreck can involve numerous defendants, each sharing a portion of the liability for your injuries. Our detailed investigation helps us identify every responsible party and maximize the resources available for compensation.
Potential at-fault parties include:
- The Truck Driver: Many accidents are caused by driver errors, like speeding, distracted driving, or driving while fatigued.
- The Motor Carrier (Trucking Company): Companies may be liable for negligent hiring, poor training, pressuring drivers to break rules, or failing to maintain their fleet.
- The Cargo Shipper: If an improperly loaded or overweight trailer caused the truck to lose control, the company that loaded the cargo shares the blame.
- The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: Defects in crucial components like brakes, tires, or steering systems can lead to catastrophic equipment failure on the highway.
- A Third-Party Maintenance Vendor: Mechanics and shops performing shoddy repair work may be liable if their failures contribute to a crash.
Dealing With Corporate Insurance Policies
Trucking corporations protect themselves with large insurance policies handled by teams of specialized adjusters. Their primary job is to protect the company’s bottom line by limiting or denying your claim. They often begin their investigation right at the accident scene.
An insurer may push for a quick, lowball settlement or try to get you to provide a recorded statement that they can twist to their advantage. Let your attorney manage all communications with these representatives.
Unraveling the Truth of Your Dallas Truck Accident
Evidence from a crash disappears, and corporate records can be challenging to secure without legal action. A positive outcome depends on an immediate and strategic investigation. The team at DFW Injury Lawyers moves quickly to obtain the proof needed to support your claim.
We aim to clarify the chain of events that caused your injuries and hold all negligent parties fully accountable.
Our comprehensive investigative process includes steps such as:
- Securing Critical Data: Your Dallas truck accident lawyer immediately issues legal notices to the trucking company to preserve the vehicle’s black box recorder, driver work logs, and all maintenance and inspection records.
- Analyzing the Scene: Our team may hire accident reconstruction experts to visit the collision site to document physical evidence and analyze road conditions.
- Interviewing Witnesses: We identify and interview anyone who saw the crash to secure independent accounts that can support your case.
- Engaging Professionals: We consult with medical, economic, and trucking safety experts to document your damages and to officially identify failures to follow industry safety standards.
How a Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer Calculates Your Claim
Calculating the true value of your claim means accounting for every single loss the accident has caused. We work to secure a financial recovery that addresses your immediate needs and ensures your family’s long-term stability.
Our Dallas truck accident lawyers pursue compensation for both tangible financial losses and intangible personal harm.
Common damages include:
- Medical Expenses: This payment covers all your bills for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any anticipated future medical needs.
- Lost Income: You may pursue compensation for the wages and benefits you lost while unable to work during your recovery.
- Diminished Earning Capacity: If your injuries are long-term or permanent, this compensation accounts for the loss of your ability to earn at the same level as before the accident.
- Physical Pain: This payment addresses the physical pain and discomfort you have experienced because of your injuries.
- Emotional Anguish: You may receive compensation for the serious emotional and psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.
- Permanent Disfigurement: This compensates you for permanent scarring, amputations, or other lasting changes to your physical appearance.
- Loss of Life's Pleasures: This payment accounts for losing your ability to enjoy your hobbies, activities, and daily life as before you were injured.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Wrecks in Dallas
Many factors can contribute to a crash, but our firm often finds the same patterns of negligence repeatedly. The pressure to meet deadlines and maximize profits can cause some trucking companies to compromise on safety.
The Dallas truck accident attorneys at DFW Injury Lawyers have the experience and resources to expose these hazardous practices.
Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Driver Fatigue: The paid-by-the-mile system may pressure some drivers to violate federal Hours-of-Service rules, leading to drowsy driving and slowed reaction times.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who use cell phones, program a GPS, or otherwise take their attention off the road for even a few seconds can cause a catastrophe.
- Excessive Speed: A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and requires the length of a football field to stop; speeding makes a collision much more likely and severe.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering problems are often traced back to a company's failure to perform required inspections and repairs.
- Inadequate Driver Screening: Some carriers fail to conduct proper background checks, allowing drivers with a history of recklessness or substance abuse to get behind the wheel.
A skilled commercial truck accident attorney in Dallas can extract the evidence needed to prove exactly what caused your collision. We can isolate the key facts to present a clear case for liability.
Key Texas Laws That Impact Your Claim
Two specific Texas laws directly influence your ability to file a claim and the amount of compensation you can receive. These rules involve the strict deadline for filing your case and how financial responsibility is assigned if an insurer argues you were partially at fault for the crash.
The Texas Statute of Limitations
Texas law sets a firm deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. For most truck accident cases, you have two years from the crash to file your claim. This law is known as the statute of limitations. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this two-year window, the court will almost certainly reject your case.
If a government truck were involved, then a shorter deadline applies. Acting quickly helps protect your rights and gives your legal team enough time to build the strongest possible case.
Proportionate Responsibility
Texas law states that you can still recover damages as long as you’re found 50% or less at fault for the accident. Your percentage of fault simply reduces your final damage award.
For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but are found 5% responsible for the accident, your final recovery would be reduced by 5% to $95,000. You cannot recover any compensation if you’re 51% or more responsible for the crash.
FAQ for Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer
Will My Texas Truck Accident Case Go to Trial?
The vast majority of truck accident cases resolve through a negotiated settlement before they ever reach a courtroom. Trials can be expensive and unpredictable, so trucking companies and insurers have a strong incentive to settle a valid claim.
However, our firm prepares every single case as if it’s going to trial. Our thorough preparation and readiness to fight in court give us the leverage to negotiate a fair and just settlement for you.
What if I Had a Pre-Existing Condition Before the Commercial Truck Crash?
You may still pursue a claim even if you had a pre-existing injury or medical condition. Under Texas law, a negligent defendant is responsible for aggravating a pre-existing condition.
While you cannot be compensated for your condition as it existed before the crash, you may pursue compensation to address how the accident made it worse.
For example, if you had a manageable back problem that now requires surgery because of the wreck, the at-fault party is responsible for those new costs and increased pain.
What Evidence Helps My Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer?
The most crucial evidence often includes the truck’s black box data recorder, the driver's electronic logs showing their work hours, post-crash toxicology reports, and the vehicle's full maintenance history.
Additionally, the trucking company’s own records on hiring and safety compliance can be powerful evidence. We work to secure all of this proof and more to build your claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident in Dallas?
Truck drivers are often liable for their direct actions, and trucking companies may be liable for negligent practices such as poor driver training or maintenance failures. Other entities can include the company that loaded the trailer if the cargo shifted, or the manufacturer of a defective part that failed on the road.
What Should I Do Following a Truck Crash in Dallas?
Prioritize your medical treatment by attending all follow-up appointments and following your doctor's orders. This not only aids your recovery but also creates an official record of your injuries. Next, begin to gather and organize all documents related to the accident.
Obtain a copy of the official crash report, and keep a file for every medical bill, receipt, and communication from your healthcare providers. Keeping a simple journal detailing your pain levels and how your injuries impact your daily activities is also very helpful.
Finally, don’t provide the trucking company’s insurance adjuster with a recorded statement. Politely decline their requests and direct them to your attorney.
How much does it cost to hire a Dallas truck accident lawyer?
We handle all truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs or attorneys' fees. We only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or a court verdict. Our payment comes from a percentage of the final amount we win on your behalf.
What if the trucking company’s insurer calls me?
You should not speak to them or provide a recorded statement. Their job is to minimize the amount their company has to pay. Anything you say, even a simple apology, they may try to use against you. Politely decline to speak and tell them your lawyer will contact them.
How is the damage to my vehicle handled?
While our primary focus is on your physical injuries, your property damage claim is also important. We can advise you on how to handle the vehicle claim or manage it as part of your overall case to ensure you receive a fair value for your vehicle's repair or replacement.
How long will my truck accident case take to resolve?
The timeline depends on the complexity of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Your lawyer will resolve your case as efficiently as possible without sacrificing the compensation you deserve.
Distilling the Truth for a Clearer Future
A serious truck accident creates a complex mixture of confusion, financial pressure, and legal hurdles. Our purpose is to bring clarity to your situation. Let us handle the legal process so you can dedicate your energy to healing.
Contact a Dallas personal injury attorney at DFW Injury Lawyers to schedule your free, confidential consultation. Call us today at (972) 440-2320.
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Areas We Serve in Dallas, TX
Downtown Dallas, Uptown, Deep Ellum, Oak Lawn, Bishop Arts District, Lakewood, Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, Knox/Henderson, Victory Park, and its surrounding areas.