A collision with a commercial truck on a Garland road can instantly change your life. While you focus on your physical recovery, you can file a personal injury claim to hold the at-fault parties responsible. A Garland truck accident lawyer can help you seek the full value of your damages.
You don't have to face a large trucking company and its aggressive insurance carriers alone. Your case requires a detailed investigation and a strong legal strategy from the very beginning. Contact DFW Injury Lawyers at (469) 874-1616 today to discuss your case at no cost.
Why Choose DFW Injury Lawyers for Your Truck Accident Claim
You need a team with a track record of results, a connection to your community, and the resources to challenge powerful opponents. DFW Injury Lawyers is ready to put our experience to work for you.
We Know Garland
Our firm is part of this community's fabric. We know the heavy traffic patterns on the President George Bush Turnpike and I-635 and the commercial routes along Garland Avenue and Centerville Road.
Our local presence means we’re readily available to meet with you and can quickly begin an on-site investigation of your crash scene.
A History of Success
We assemble compelling cases designed to demonstrate fault and liability clearly. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This rigorous preparation positions our clients for a fair settlement from a position of strength.
With over half a billion dollars recovered for our clients, our results speak for themselves.
We’re Not Afraid of Large Trucking Companies
Trucking companies and their insurers have vast legal and financial resources. DFW Injury Lawyers has the litigation experience and capital to stand up to these large corporations.
We frequently work with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and economic experts to fortify your claim and present a clear picture of your total losses.
We’re ready to listen to your story and explain your legal options. A dedicated Garland truck accident lawyer from our firm can provide the guidance you need. Contact DFW Injury Lawyers at (469) 874-1616 for a complimentary case evaluation.
The Complexities of Commercial Truck Accident Cases
A crash involving an 18-wheeler isn’t like a typical car accident. These cases involve complex federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and evidence that can disappear quickly. Our experienced attorneys know how to address these unique challenges.
Multiple Liable Parties
In a passenger car crash, you typically have one other driver to deal with. The list of potentially at-fault parties is much longer in a commercial truck wreck. A detailed investigation is necessary to identify everyone who may share responsibility for your injuries.
Common examples include:
- The Truck Driver: Negligence can take many forms, including speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
- The Trucking Company: A carrier may be liable for negligent hiring, poor training, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations.
- The Maintenance Company: Third-party vendors who fail to service a commercial vehicle properly can be held accountable for equipment failure.
- The Cargo Loader: Improperly loaded or secured freight can shift during transit, causing a driver to lose control.
- The Truck Manufacturer: A defect in the truck or one of its components can lead directly to a catastrophic failure and a serious collision.
Federal and State Regulations
The trucking industry is governed by a distinct set of laws from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in addition to Texas state traffic laws. These rules cover everything from how long a driver can be on the road to vehicle inspection requirements and axle weight limits.
Rapid Response and Evidence Preservation
Trucking companies often dispatch their own investigators to a crash scene within hours of a collision. Their goal is to gather evidence that protects their interests. To combat this, DFW Injury Lawyers acts just as swiftly.
We immediately send spoliation letters to demand that the trucking company preserve key items. This prevents them from destroying or altering necessary evidence that can help your claim.
How a Garland Truck Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case
Your legal team works to construct a case that leaves no doubt as to the cause of the accident and the extent of your losses. Every piece of documentation and expert opinion helps reinforce this structure.
We gather all relevant documentation to build your case for maximum value, including:
- Official Reports: We obtain the official crash report and any related citations or investigative findings.
- Trucking Company Records: We demand access to the driver’s qualification file, logs, inspection reports, and maintenance records.
- Electronic Data: We work to secure the truck's black box data, which records speed, braking, and other critical information just before the impact.
- Witness Statements: We locate and interview anyone who saw the crash to get an independent account of the events.
- Visual Evidence: We collect photos and videos from the scene, dash cams, and any nearby security cameras.
The Role of Expert Witnesses
Expert testimony helps explain technical aspects of a truck accident case to a judge and jury. We maintain a network of respected professionals who can provide clear and authoritative opinions.
This includes accident reconstructionists who can show how the crash happened and medical specialists who can detail the long-term impact of your injuries. An economist can calculate the full extent of your lost income and future earning capacity.
A vocational rehabilitation expert can testify about how your injuries affect your ability to perform your job and earn a living.
Documenting All Your Damages
Your Garland truck crash attorney helps you track all related expenses and losses to construct a complete picture of your damages. This includes medical bills for ongoing treatment, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any necessary home modifications or assistive devices.
It also includes tracking all your lost wages, from the initial time off work to any reduction in your future earning ability.
Potential Compensation After a Truck Crash in Garland
A successful claim can provide financial resources for both your current bills and your future needs. The goal is to recover compensation that accounts for the full scope of your losses, not just the easily counted expenses. The following categories are often included:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all costs related to your injuries, from the ambulance ride to future surgeries and long-term care.
- Lost Income: You may pursue compensation for the wages you have already lost and any decrease in your ability to earn a living in the future.
- Property Damage: This payment covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property destroyed in the crash.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life resulting from your injuries.
- Physical Impairment: You may seek payment for the loss of function of a body part or a permanent disability caused by the accident.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Collisions in Texas
While every crash is unique, many commercial truck accidents stem from similar patterns of negligence. Our investigation primarily focuses on identifying the specific cause of your crash. This allows us to pinpoint fault and develop a targeted legal strategy.
Some frequent causes we investigate are:
- Driver Error: Many crashes happen because of simple human error, magnified by the size and weight of an 80,000-pound vehicle.
- Driver Fatigue: Drivers who violate Hours-of-Service rules are a danger to everyone. Drowsy driving can impair judgment as much as drunk driving.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, adjusting a GPS, or eating behind the wheel diverts a driver's attention with potentially devastating consequences.
- Mechanical Failure: Bald tires, faulty brakes, or broken signal lights can turn a commercial truck into an uncontrollable hazard.
- Improper Training: Trucking companies have a duty to train their drivers on safety protocols and vehicle operation.
Improper Loading and Cargo Shifts
An overloaded or improperly secured load can have a catastrophic effect on a truck's stability. If cargo shifts suddenly in a turn or during a sudden stop, it can cause the driver to lose control, leading to a jackknife or rollover accident.
The company that loaded the freight may be a separate entity from the trucking company. If their negligence caused the load to be unstable, they can be held liable for the resulting accident. An experienced Garland truck wreck lawyer knows how to investigate the entire supply chain.
How a Garland Truck Accident Lawyer Helps Your Claim
After a serious truck wreck, trying to handle a claim on your own places you at a significant disadvantage. A Garland truck accident lawyer manages every aspect of your case so you can focus on your health and your family.
We take these burdens off your shoulders:
- Investigating the Crash: DFW Injury Lawyers launches an immediate and thorough investigation to preserve evidence and determine exactly how the accident occurred.
- Handling All Communications: We manage all phone calls, emails, and correspondence with the trucking companies, insurance adjusters, and other attorneys.
- Calculating Your Damages: Our team will meticulously assemble all of your economic and non-economic losses to present a comprehensive demand for settlement.
- Negotiating With Insurers: Your Garland semi-truck accident lawyer handles all settlement negotiations on your behalf, protecting you from lowball offers and high-pressure tactics.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we’re fully prepared to file a lawsuit and present your case in court.
FAQ for Garland Truck Accident Lawyer
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Garland?
Follow all medical advice from your doctors and attend every follow-up appointment. You should also gather any paperwork, such as the driver information exchange slip, medical discharge papers, and receipts for any accident-related costs.
Don’t provide a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurance adjuster; their goal is to limit their own liability. Instead, speak with an experienced lawyer who can explain your rights and options.
How Does a Garland Truck Crash Attorney Determine Fault?
Your attorney determines fault by gathering and analyzing evidence to see who acted negligently. This involves reviewing the police report, interviewing witnesses, and examining physical evidence from the scene.
Your lawyer also collects evidence from the trucking company, such as the driver’s logbook, the truck’s black box data, and vehicle maintenance records. Occasionally, an accident reconstruction expert may analyze the evidence and provide a scientific opinion on what caused the crash.
What if the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjuster Contacts Me?
You should be very careful when speaking to an insurance adjuster from the trucking company. Their job is to protect their company’s financial interests by minimizing or denying your claim. You can politely decline to provide a recorded statement and refer them to your Garland truck wreck attorney.
Anything you say can be used against you later, so it's best to let your legal counsel handle all communications.
Can I Still Have a Case if I Were Partially at Fault?
Texas follows a legal doctrine called proportionate responsibility, which means you may still recover damages if you’re found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident. Your percentage of fault reduces your final recovery.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim with a Garland Truck Accident Lawyer?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the accident. While that may seem like a long time, waiting to seek legal advice is a mistake. Building a strong truck accident case requires gathering evidence that can disappear quickly.
Contacting a Garland truck accident lawyer as soon as possible gives your legal team the best opportunity to secure evidence and construct a powerful case on your behalf.
A Bridge to Your Recovery
A serious truck accident can make the path forward seem uncertain and unstable. Your focus should be on healing, not fighting a complex legal battle. DFW Injury Lawyers provides the solid foundation you need to move forward confidently.
Our role is to construct a legal case that is strong, sound, and built to withstand any challenge. We assemble the evidence, secure your rights, and work to build a bridge from the uncertainty you face today to the resolution you need for your future.
Let the Garland personal injury attorneys at DFW Injury Lawyers start building that bridge for you. Call us now at (469) 874-1616 for a free, no-obligation consultation.