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An accident involving an 18-wheeler can forever change your life. Catastrophic injuries can leave you facing long-term medical treatment while unable to work. The physical, emotional, and financial toll can be overwhelming. If you were injured in a truck accident caused by a negligent driver, trucking company, or another party in Dallas, you shouldn’t have to face these burdens alone. The Dallas truck accident attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm can help.
One of the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Dallas
With decades of experience and a commitment to outstanding service, our attorneys are ready to step in immediately and help you demand the full and fair compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review. You don’t pay for our services unless we recover payment for you.
How Do You Know If You Have a
Truck Accident Claim?
Determining liability and seeking compensation after an accident involving two passenger vehicles can be challenging. Pursuing compensation after a truck accident claim can be exponentially more complicated. To determine whether you have a valid personal injury claim, you will need to secure evidence showing that another party was negligent and that negligence led to your crash. The other party could be a truck driver, trucking company, cargo loading company, third-party maintenance entity, truck parts manufacturer, or many others.
You will also have to show that you were injured and suffered other losses as a direct result of the crash. This includes both economic and non-economic losses.
If these elements exist in your case, you could be eligible to seek compensation from the at-fault party or parties. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys can review your case for free and explain your legal options.
Why Are Truck Accidents More Complex Than Other Types of Crashes?
Truck accident cases in Dallas are often more complex because of the unique nature of commercial motor vehicles and the trucking industry. Some of the reasons these cases are so complicated include:
- More serious injuries and losses – Because a fully-loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, the injuries it can cause in a collision are often catastrophic. Victims often need expensive medical treatment and suffer other losses that have a ripple effect across their entire lives.
- Trucks are complex vehicles – Trucks are also highly sophisticated vehicles with systems that require specialized skills to inspect and maintain. Truck accident victims need knowledgeable injury attorneys who understand how commercial motor vehicles operate and how to investigate these cases.
- Unique rules and regulations – Truck drivers must also adhere to state and federal regulations regarding the number of hours they can work and when they need to take breaks for rest. As part of a truck accident claim, attorneys must investigate how the crash happened and whether these rules and regulations were broken.
- Multiple insurance policies might be in play – More layers of insurance may be available to compensate victims of semi-truck accidents. In a typical car accident, the other party’s insurance policy would likely be the only source of compensation available. When a truck accident occurs involving multiple liable parties, there could be multiple sources of compensation (multiple insurance companies) to pursue.
Truck Accident FAQs
Remain calm and identify the person you are speaking with. Don’t allow them to record you and don’t provide a statement. Do not furnish the adjuster with any details about the accident or your injuries.
If they offer you a quick settlement, don’t take it. It may be tempting, but you should consult with an attorney first. An attorney will negotiate for a full and fair settlement that considers all your current and future losses relating to the accident.
Our attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm have a long track record of taking on trucking companies and big insurers. We know the tactics they will use to try to deny or diminish your injury claim. We will work to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Texas is a “modified comparative negligence” state. In Texas, you can still claim damages for a truck accident if you, the plaintiff, are not 51 percent or more at fault than the other party or parties. So, for instance, if you were found to be 30 percent at fault, and the truck driver was 70 percent at fault, then you would still be able to recover damages. However, you would receive only 70 percent of the damages you could have received if you were not to blame at all for the crash.
You should never accept a truck accident settlement without first consulting with a Dallas truck accident attorney. Insurance companies will often offer a quick settlement that may seem generous, but it is likely far less than you deserve and need. If you accept a settlement right off the bat, you could end up paying for some expenses out of pocket down the line. Always speak with an attorney before accepting a settlement.
Our truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, The Wilhite Law Firm will not charge you anything unless we win your case.
Why Do You Need a Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer to Handle Your Case?
Accident victims often make the mistake of assuming that a truck crash can be handled in the same way as the average passenger vehicle accident. However, these wrecks are far more complex. An experienced truck accident attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm will have the resources necessary to investigate an 18-wheeler accident and aggressively pursue the full compensation you need.
When you work with us, we will:
- Identify all liable parties
- Work quickly to gather and preserve evidence before it is lost or destroyed
- Document and calculate the full extent of the damages you are owed
- Work with top-tier experts to present a strong case on your behalf
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit and seek compensation in court if a settlement cannot be reached
Our firm also has extensive knowledge of all the state and federal laws that apply to your particular case. Having qualified legal counsel by your side means that you can rest easier knowing that your case is in good hands while you focus on your recovery.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Accident in Texas?
There are many parties involved in getting a truck on the road. After an accident, those who could be held liable include:
- The truck driver – Truck accidents are commonly caused by truck driver negligence. Distracted driving (such as texting), driving under the influence, drowsy driving, speeding, and tailgating are all examples of negligent behavior.
- The trucking company – Sometimes, the truck company may share fault with the driver. For instance, the truck company may have pushed the driver to exceed hours of service limits set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which led the driver to doze off and cause an accident.
- The maintenance company – Third-party truck maintenance companies can also be held liable for an accident if they neglect to inspect the truck properly or fail to maintain it. If the truck company does its own maintenance, it could be held liable, too, if a maintenance issue caused the crash.
- Cargo loaders – If a truck’s cargo was improperly loaded or cargo loaders failed to secure it properly, and then shifting or falling cargo caused an accident, the cargo loaders could be held liable.
- Truck parts manufacturers – If a defective truck part that was badly designed or poorly manufactured causes an accident, then the manufacturer of that truck part could be held responsible.
How Much Is Your Truck Accident
Claim Worth?
Every accident is unique, and the amount of compensation you may qualify for will depend on many factors, including the nature and severity of your injuries. Through a personal injury claim, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future care needs
- Lost wages if you are unable to work
- Reduced earning capacity for the future
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering caused by the accident
- Punitive damages, in rare cases
If your loved one was killed in a truck accident caused by negligence on the part of the driver or other entities, you might be entitled to file a wrongful death action. Your family might be eligible to claim compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of household income
- Loss of inheritance
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Mental distress
Legally Reviewed By
Robert Wilhite
Partner
Colorado & Texas
A Texas native, Rob is the firm’s Managing Partner in charge of Litigation, overseeing all the firm’s cases. He has guided numerous cases to noteworthy conclusions for his clients, including a $9 million recovery for a defective product.
How Is Fault Determined in a Truck Wreck in Dallas?
To determine fault in a truck accident, your attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm will seek out extensive evidence to prove that the driver (or another entity) was negligent in causing the wreck. Some types of evidence that can be used to prove fault include:
- Event data recorder (EDR) information
- Driver logs
- Blackbox recorders
- Truck cameras
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Truck company records
- Reports from responding law enforcement agencies
- Any evidence collected from a National Transportation Safety Board investigation
- Accident reconstruction analysis
- Bystander testimony
- Surveillance and traffic cam footage
How Long Do You Have to File a Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
All personal injury cases have what’s known as a statute of limitations, or time limit for filing a lawsuit seeking compensation. In Texas, the statute of limitations on truck accidents is two years from the date the crash occurs. If you do not take action within that period, the court will be barred from hearing your case.
Because these cases take time to investigate and prepare, it is crucial to begin working with a trusted attorney as soon as possible.
Legally Reviewed By
Robert Wilhite
Partner
Colorado & Texas
A Texas native, Rob is the firm’s Managing Partner in charge of Litigation, overseeing all the firm’s cases. He has guided numerous cases to noteworthy conclusions for his clients, including a $9 million recovery for a defective product.
Get Help from a Dallas Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a collision in Dallas, contact an experienced truck accident attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm today for a free consultation. We know how devastating these accidents can be and the impact your injuries can have on your life. Let us help you demand answers and justice. Contact us for a free consultation by calling our office or reaching out to us online. We have some of the best personal injury lawyers in Dallas.