The major highways surrounding the Dallas Metroplex are regularly troubled by commercial truck accidents. While truck drivers undergo special training and have strict regulations they must follow, they are sometimes negligent, and victims can suffer personal injuries as a result.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a careless trucker, you must speak with a qualified Dallas truck accident attorney right away. At Le & Le, PLLC, our team is ready to listen to your story and help you build a strong case for your personal injury claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our Dallas truck accident lawyers.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
While sometimes accidents are not anyone’s fault, this is rarely the case for truck accidents. Drivers in the trucking industry are under pressure to meet quotas and delivery times, which causes them to cut corners on maintenance or breaks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires regular rest periods, and when a driver breaks these rules, disaster can result.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Dallas are:
- Driver fatigue: Without enough rest, drivers are at almost as much risk as if they are intoxicated, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
- Substance abuse: Alcohol and drugs top the list of causes for truck accidents, but drivers can also overuse caffeine, energy drinks, and prescription medications in an effort to stay awake.
- Failure to follow traffic laws: Not yielding the right of way, riding in the left lane, failure to stop at signs or stoplights, and other traffic violations can lead to vehicle accidents.
- Distracted driving: Paying attention to a cellphone, GPS device, or other distraction takes the truck driver’s focus off the road.
- Reckless driving: Speeding, aggressive driving, and driving without regard for weather conditions put everyone at risk when commercial vehicles have an accident.
Large trucks are much heavier than passenger vehicles. When they hit cars or smaller trucks, the damage they cause is severe. Victims suffer serious injuries or even death. They can be left with astronomical medical bills and months of recovery, and some may never return to the life they knew before a negligent driver caused their crash.
Consequences of Truck Accidents
A truck accident brings devastating consequences for those involved. They often experience serious injuries requiring emergency medical treatment and surgeries. Victims will have a long list of damages that deserve full compensation, which could include:
- All medical bills, including ER, ICU, and surgical care
- Amputation
- Auto repair or replacement
- Lost income when they cannot work
- Chronic pain or numbness
- Loss of hearing, speech, or vision
- Pain and suffering
- Paralysis
- Physical and mental therapy costs
There may be other losses you have overlooked. If so, your Dallas truck accident attorney at Le & Le, PLLC can use their experience and knowledge to help you develop a full list of demands for the insurance company. You can even claim your travel expenses for receiving medical treatment, as well as the cost of in-home nursing care.
When a catastrophic crash happens and someone dies, the surviving family can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault parties. Although money cannot bring back the lost loved ones, it allows the family to adjust to the loss of companionship, income, and emotional support the deceased provided.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
After a truck accident, you will be focused on healing from your injuries and getting your vehicle repaired. You will have little time to fight with insurance adjusters who want to minimize or deny your claim. However, you will find they are reluctant to process your settlement quickly and will do anything they can to delay giving you fair compensation.
In Texas, insurance claims are handled on an at-fault basis, meaning the driver who caused your accident is responsible for your damages. Trucking companies often have very large policies worth millions to cover accidents their drivers cause. Going up against these large corporations can be intimidating, but your truck accident lawyer in Dallas from Le & Le, PLLC will not back down.
Other law firms may tell you to take the first settlement you get, but we know the insurance providers make lowball offers to get you to close the claim. We push back by providing evidence and documentation showing liability on the trucking company and / or truck driver’s part. This lets us negotiate the best settlement for you and develop the most successful case for trial, if needed.
Proving Negligence in Dallas Truck Accidents
To successfully receive compensation for your damages, your truck accident lawyer in Dallas must demonstrate four elements of negligence to the insurance company or in court. These elements are:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care on the road.
- The defendant failed to uphold their duty.
- You suffered injuries as a direct result of their failure.
- You have expenses related to your injuries.
Numerous parties besides the driver and trucking company may be found liable for your damages. For example, suppose the loading company failed to properly secure or balance the load, causing the truck to roll over. In that case, you could include them in your personal injury lawsuit when the cargo made you crash.
Other parties include truck part manufacturers, maintenance crews, and inspection personnel. You may even have a claim against a driver who caused the accident but was not involved, such as a pickup truck hauling a mattress that blew onto the highway.
By carefully examining all the evidence, your attorney will be able to identify all potential at-fault parties and bring legal action against them. We will not leave any stone unturned to ensure you get the maximum compensation available.
Legal Advice and Support in the State of Texas
After a truck wreck, you have legal options if filing an insurance claim does not resolve the situation. When an insurance provider does not meet our demands, we prepare your case for court. Your personal injury attorney at Le & Le, PLLC will file the necessary paperwork and build the case on your behalf.
After your initial consultation, we begin a thorough investigation of your 18-wheeler accident, gathering photos, video, black box data, cell phone records, witness statements, and expert testimony to demonstrate negligence. We hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions which led to your accident and injuries.
We will also collaborate with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure any relevant information is brought to light concerning the driver’s behavior or company violations. We do not rest until we use every strategy available to secure the compensation and justice you deserve.
Why Choose Le & Le, PLLC
The Dallas truck accident lawyers at Le & Le, PLLC are committed to managing your claim with integrity, experience, and skill. We know that victims of truck accidents often have their world turned upside down and need compassionate legal representation for their personal injury cases.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck accident, you can increase your chances of obtaining the financial relief you need by speaking with an experienced truck accident attorney. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay our fees until we settle or otherwise resolve your case.
Scheduling a free consultation at our law office is as easy as using our online form. We proudly serve all areas surrounding Dallas and Fort Worth. Contact us to arrange a meeting today.