Truck Accident Attorneys in Dallas
The attorneys at Kraft & Associates, P.C. in Dallas know how risky it is to be involved in a collision with a large vehicle.
Vehicles with passenger compartments are in grave danger in the event of a collision with a commercial truck.
The typical passenger vehicle weighs around 4,000 pounds, whereas a fully loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
Passengers in a smaller car are much more likely to sustain life-threatening injuries or die in a collision with a large truck.
About Our Truck Accident Law Firm
Accidents involving tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, box trucks, dump trucks, and delivery vans are just some of the cases that Kraft & Associates, P.C. investigates and litigates. We represent people injured or whose loved ones were killed in accidents involving commercial trucks.
Contact Kraft & Associates, P.C. to discuss your legal options following a truck-related accident caused by another party’s carelessness. You should obtain legal assistance immediately – before you discuss the subject with an insurance adjuster and before you sign anything.
We are a reputable law firm staffed by approachable attorneys and support staff. Help with your truck accident case is just a phone call away.
Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and Social Security Disability cases.
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE EXPERTS HERE
Gathering Evidence After a Commercial Truck Accident
An experienced truck accident attorney can investigate the cause of an accident involving a large truck by consulting with subject matter experts and accident reconstructionists. Truck accidents tend to be extremely intricate. Truck drivers and their employers are subject to unique laws and guidelines. Accident blame may be assigned to those who disobey these regulations.
For instance, hours-of-service regulations cap the amount of time a truck driver can spend on the road without resting. This means that the logbooks of truck drivers are often crucial in determining the cause of an accident suspected to have been brought on by driver weariness. Due to the possibility of fabricated records, investigators may consider alternative means of determining a driver’s total time behind the wheel. Things like cell phone records, gas receipts, and toll tickets are examples of this.
Similar to the “black boxes” frequently mentioned after airplane disasters, many tractor-trailers have data recorders installed. The data retrieved from these black boxes could be crucial in determining what caused a truck collision. There could be hints in the truck’s actual physical state. These details might quickly disappear, so it’s important to get in touch with a lawyer after an accident as soon as possible so that an impartial investigation can get underway.
Determining Liability After a Truck Accident in Texas, Details Here
After a truck collision, damages may need to be paid by several different entities. The trucking business, the truck manufacturer, the maintenance company, the shipper of the cargo, and maybe others may be liable depending on the circumstances. Every person who might be held accountable in a truck accident lawsuit will have lawyers battling for them because of the higher stakes involved. You require legal representation that will aggressively defend your interests.
One of the most important steps in getting compensated for all of your losses is figuring out who was at fault for the accident. When it comes to researching truck accidents, our firm has extensive experience and access to reliable expert resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a collision with a huge commercial truck, passenger vehicle occupants are likely to incur serious injuries because of the contrasts in the weight and size of the two types of vehicles. Injuries sustained in truck accidents are often severe, and there are often several individuals who could be held accountable for the event.
The best thing to do if you or a loved one has been hurt in a Dallas truck accident involving a tractor trailer or other large truck is to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Before signing anything or speaking with the insurance company’s adjuster, you should consult an attorney.
Some questions regarding truck collisions and their causes have been answered below. Get in touch with us today for a no-cost consultation and analysis of your claim and answers to your specific issues.
How many large commercial trucks are on the road?
There are currently 10,659,380 big rigs on the road, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How frequently do truck accidents occur?
NHTSA states that 3,964 persons were killed and 95,000 were injured in traffic crashes with heavy trucks in one recent year. There were 4,950 traffic accidents involving commercial motor vehicles in Dallas and Tarrant counties in a single recent year, as reported by the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT).
Why are accidents involving trucks often so much more serious than other types of accidents?
The total weight of a fully loaded 18-wheeler can easily exceed 80,000 pounds. An average passenger car weighs only around 4 tons. The occupants of a considerably smaller and lighter passenger vehicle can suffer catastrophic injuries in the event of a collision with a commercial truck going at highway or freeway speeds.
Passenger vehicle occupants in Texas accidents involving semi-trucks and lighter vehicles frequently sustain significant or catastrophic injuries, include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord paralysis. Some victims lose their lives, while others are left permanently disabled. NHTSA estimates that among the 3,964 people killed in heavy truck crashes in one recent year, just 691 were truck occupants, while 2,834 were occupants of other vehicles.
Do large truck accident claims differ from car accident claims?
When large commercial trucks are involved in collisions, the number of fatalities and severity of injuries tend to rise. Insurance claims and lawsuits stemming from truck accidents typically involve larger stakes as a result. Commercial trucking is also different because it is heavily regulated by the federal government. Accidents involving huge trucks are more complex than those involving passenger vehicles because multiple parties may share responsibility for damages.
In what ways do commercial motor vehicle drivers cause accidents?
Drivers of commercial trucks may not receive adequate instruction in safe driving practices. Compensation structures that incentivize drivers to log more hours behind the wheel and increase their average speed are common. It’s possible that they’re overworked because the employer expects them to stick to an impossible schedule.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the following contribute to incidents involving large commercial trucks:
- Traveling too fast for conditions.
- Cargo shifts.
- Jackknifing.
- Driver loss of control.
- Poor road conditions.
Which federal agency regulates commercial motor vehicles?
On January 1, 2000, per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, the FMCSA officially came into existence. The mission of the agency is to reduce the number of people killed and injured in crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. The department’s responsibilities include commercial driver licensing and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has restrictions in place to limit commercial drivers’ time on the road, mandate minimum rest breaks, and cap the number of hours they can work in a week.
Who is liable for injuries in a commercial truck accident in Dallas?
If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving a semi or other large commercial vehicle, you should talk to a personal injury attorney who has experience with cases like yours. The following entities or individuals may be held liable:
- Truck driver.
- Trucking company.
- Company that owns or leases the trailer.
- Shipping company.
- Truck manufacturer.
- Truck repair shop.
- Parties responsible for road maintenance.
How soon after a large truck accident should I file a claim?
The sooner you speak with an experienced Dallas truck accident lawyer, the better. As quickly as possible after an accident, testimonies from witnesses should be collected while the details are still fresh in their minds and evidence can be gathered. You should also bear in mind that there is a statute of limitations – a time restriction imposed by law – within which to bring an injury claim in Texas.
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