Although collisions with commercial drivers may seem cut-and-dry, the reality is that trucking accidents require special investigation. You need to engage experienced truck accident lawyers right away. Our office has the track record, the tools, and the resources to undertake the kind of thorough investigation necessary to effectively pursue a trucking accident claim to find out exactly what compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been in a trucking accident in Plano, our lawyers can get you the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses associated with your injury.
Did you know that the average weight of an eighteen-wheeler is 80,000 pounds, whereas the average weight of a passenger vehicle is only 4,000 to 5,000 pounds? If you’re hit by a 40-ton semi, even a “fender bender” can result in catastrophic injuries. In addition to the physical differences between car accidents and trucking accidents, there are legal differences too because truckers have to follow additional “rules of the road” that don’t apply to car drivers.
If you or a loved one has been injured because of a truck driver’s negligence, there are some basic things you should know if you’re thinking about making a personal injury claim. Also, we encourage you to contact us today for a free consultation with our knowledgeable injury lawyers.
Because crashes involving trucks with passenger cars often involve more serious injuries than auto accidents and because large trucks are difficult to drive, several federal and state laws and regulations govern the trucking industry. These laws establish certain standards that trucking companies, owners, and drivers must meet, and these regulations can help determine who is responsible for a trucking accident. Some examples include:
All of these regulations are in place to ensure the safety of everyone on the roads and highways. When trucking companies or truck drivers violate any of these laws, it can result in serious crashes, injuries, or even fatalities. Everyone in the trucking industry should be well aware of the safety requirements under the law, and they should be liable for any harm they cause due to violations or other negligence.
Each truck accident is a unique incident with its own cause, type of vehicles involved, and type of collision between the vehicles. All of these factors can determine the nature and severity of injuries involved, the extent of losses incurred, and other aspects of the claim.
First, many different types of commercial trucks can crash, including:
Different types of trucks have different risks that can make accidents more serious. For example, tanker trucks might be carrying hazardous materials (HazMat), which can spill if the trailer is compromised. Such materials can cause fires, explosions, toxic exposure, and other problems.
Flatbed trucks also carry heavy cargo that might not be secured well enough to keep it on the trailer in a crash, and this cargo can fall off the trailer and cause additional damage to vehicles in the vicinity. This might include lumber, vehicles, and other cargo that might crush other vehicles or motorists.
Delivery and garbage trucks have unique risks, as they regularly travel through our residential neighborhoods. This increases the chances of collisions when these trucks are making turns, backing up, and more. These trucks can also be involved in pedestrian or bicycle accidents more often.
In addition to different types of vehicles, the actual collisions can happen in different ways, such as:
All of these injuries require emergency trauma care to stabilize the victim. Then, a victim might face lengthy hospitalization or an ICU stay, surgical procedures, rehabilitative therapy, home health support, and more. Many catastrophic injuries require ongoing medical care for years, and these injuries can result in impairments that completely change the life of a victim and their loved ones.
Because of the severity of many truck accident injuries and the related losses, anyone injured should seek legal help in seeking compensation. This process can be complicated, and it begins by determining the cause of the crash and potentially liable parties.
Because suing multiple companies is complex, it is important to hire a trucking accident lawyer immediately after your accident.
Some of these losses are easier to prove than others. For example, you can calculate your past medical expenses by adding up the totals on all of your bills. However, how do you prove what your future medical expenses will be? Our law firm utilizes medical experts and other resources to estimate the costs of the treatment your medical providers believe you will need in the future.
If you can no longer work due to your injury or have to take a lower-paying job, economic and occupational experts can help determine the future earnings you lost because of the accident. Too many people undervalue their claims and end up with out-of-pocket costs and losses in the future. Our truck accident lawyers make sure we seek the full amount you deserve.
In our experience, insurance companies and their adjusters oftentimes try to low-ball how much they will pay for your medical expenses, your lost wages, and other damages. In other words, many insurance companies are more focused on protecting their own bottom lines by undervaluing your claim instead of paying you what you deserve.
We know that when you are facing medical expenses, you can’t work, and you are feeling financially pressured, you may be tempted to take the first offer that an insurance company makes. Before you accept a quick settlement offer, it is in your best interest to discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney. Our lawyers know the pressures you are under, and we work without delay to fight for the financial security you’ll need now and in the future.
If you’ve been harmed in an auto accident, it is very important to speak with an injury lawyer as soon as possible for two main reasons:
Your Time is Limited – First, the time to start a legal action for compensation is limited by Texas law to two years from the date of your injury. If you are in an accident involving a vehicle driven by a state or local government worker, the time to bring a claim for your injuries can be as short as 90 days from the date of the incident.
Evidence Needs to Be Preserved – Second, your lawyer needs to collect as much evidence as you can to support your claim before the evidence disappears and the witnesses forget what happened during the accident.
We know that most people can’t afford a lawyer who charges them by the hour. That’s why our injury law firm works on a contingent-fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless we collect money for you.
If you were hurt in a trucking accident, please contact our truck accident lawyers online or call us at 972-380-4444 for your free consultation.
After the initial shock of the crash wears off and your injuries are stable, you should continue to take steps to protect your rights. This includes staying on track with your medical treatment program. If you fail to keep up with treatments, the insurance company might take it as a sign that your injuries are not that serious.
You should also stay off social media as much as possible. Insurance companies can try to view your accounts while investigating your claim, and they can twist photos, posts, comments, or other information to challenge liability or the severity of your injuries.
