Dallas 18 wheeler accident lawyers, Kraft & Associates, P.C., understand just how dangerous being hit in an involved in a truck wreck.
A collision with a commercial truck is exceptionally dangerous for occupants of a car, van, pickup, or other passenger vehicle.
A fully loaded semi weighs as much as 80,000 pounds, which is significantly more than an average 4,000-pound passenger car.
When a heavy truck hits a lighter vehicle, there is a very high likelihood of serious, catastrophic, or fatal injuries for the people in the passenger vehicle.
most circumstances, a typical car accident can be resolved by filing a claim with your insurance company. However, accidents involving semi-trucks or 18-wheelers are a different animal entirely. Injuries from these types of collisions are severe and, in a lot of cases, can be fatal. When dealing with these stressful situations, you need a legal team that is experienced in truck accidents and who understand the challenges you face. Our law firm has the resources to fight back against powerful insurance and truck companies.
We can thoroughly investigate the truck crash, document your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and even file a lawsuit in court if they don’t want to be fair and cooperate. With over 180 years of combined experience, our Houston based truck accident lawyers has been fighting for the rights of injured victims in big truck crashes for decades.
Cites in Texas We have Experience In
Houston
Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas. This great city stands as a giant in the realm of economic and cultural vitality, offering a rich tapestry of diversity and opportunity. As the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston is a critical node in global energy production and a major gateway for international trade. Due in large part to the Port of Houston, the Houston metropolitan area has one of the highest volumes of commercial transportation traffic anywhere in the country. This also means more opportunities for truck accidents to occur. Harris County saw roughly 6,000 crashes in 2022 with 117 being crashes involving serious injuries
Dallas
Dallas, Texas is a vibrant metropolis, serving as a bustling hub of commerce, culture, and innovation. The city attracts thousands of businesses and tourists alike. However, amidst this growth, Dallas faces the challenging reality of frequent truck accidents, largely due to its significant role in the transportation and logistics industry. Dallas County saw roughly 4,000 crashes in 2022 with 113 being crashes involving serious injuries. The city’s extensive network of highways and heavy traffic volumes contribute to these incidents.
El Paso
El Paso, Texas, uniquely positioned on the border between the United States and Mexico, thrives as a multicultural city with a strong binational economy. It serves as a critical junction for trade and cultural exchange, drawing people from across both nations. Despite its many strengths, El Paso faces a significant challenge with frequent truck accidents on its highways. El Paso County saw roughly 1,000 crashes in 2022 with 14 being crashes involving serious injuries. The city’s vital role in North American logistics, paired with heavy cross-border traffic, often leads to congested roads and heightened risks for people on the road.
What Makes a Qualified Truck Accident Lawyer?
An attorney with real world experience knows the Texas laws for liability, understands federal laws for faults in maintenance and inspections, understands different mechanical issues that may have influenced an accident, and searches if inclusions need to be made for multiple liable parties within a given lawsuit.
Most truck accident claims will never go to trial. They are typically settled through negotiation or arbitration. Our Texas truck injury lawyers have experience dealing with insurance companies and can obtain fair compensation for your injuries and ongoing healthcare.
If the insurance or truck companies don’t want to come to terms on a fair deal and your lawsuit goes to trial, you need a truck accident lawyer who knows their way around the court room. If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident and you may be unsure of how you will continue after a serious and life-changing collision, contact our knowledgeable legal team today.
For more than 35 years, our truck accident lawyers at Fleming, Nolen & Jez have worked with injured victims in order to fight for the compensation they deserve. Since we first opened our doors, our attorneys have successfully recovered verdict awards and monetary compensation for our clients, and we are committed to providing the same level of assistance to each new client we take on. When you contact us today, give us as much details of your situation as you can.
How Do Truck Accidents Happen?
According to statistics released by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT):
- Over 3,800 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks in 2015
- 84% of the people killed were either an occupant of a passenger vehicle, on a motorcycle, on a bicycle, or a pedestrian
- 87% of people killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a truck were the occupants of the passenger vehicle
- 83% of fatal truck crashes occurred on a major road, interstate or freeway
- 58% of fatal truck crashes occurred between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Types of Trucks
The different types of trucks that get into the most accidents in Texas are:
- Tractor-trailers: These are the largest and most common type of truck on the road in Texas. They are used to transport a wide variety of goods, including food, furniture, and building materials. Tractor-trailers have large blind spots, which can make it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles on the road. They also are often involved in rear-end collisions, lane changes, and rollovers.
- Tanker trucks: These trucks are used to transport hazardous materials, such as gasoline, oil, and chemicals. Tanker trucks are often involved in fires, explosions, and spills. If a tanker truck is involved in an accident, it can release hazardous materials that can cause serious injuries or death.
- Box trucks: These trucks are used to transport a variety of goods, including furniture, appliances, and construction materials. Box trucks are often involved in sideswipe collisions and rear-end collisions. They are smaller than tractor-trailers, but they can still be dangerous in accidents.
- Pickup trucks and Vans: These trucks are used for a variety of purposes, including work, recreation, and transportation. Pickup trucks are often involved in rollovers, sideswipe collisions, and rear-end collisions. Pickup trucks are often driven by young and inexperienced drivers, who may not be aware of the dangers of driving a large vehicle.
- Dump trucks: These trucks are used to transport heavy loads, and they can be dangerous if they are not properly loaded. Dump trucks are often involved in accidents when the load shifts or falls off the truck.
Main Reasons Why?
There are a number of factors that contribute to truck accidents, including:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers are often required to work long hours, which can lead to fatigue. Fatigued drivers are more likely to make mistakes, such as falling asleep at the wheel.
- Speeding: Truck drivers are also more likely to speed than other drivers. Speeding increases the risk of a crash, regardless of the type of vehicle involved.
- Distracted driving: Truck drivers are also more likely to be distracted while driving, such as by using their cell phones or eating. Distracted driving can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- Poor weather conditions: Truck accidents are more likely to occur in poor weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or fog. These conditions can make it difficult for drivers to see and control their vehicles.
- Mechanical problems: Truck accidents can also be caused by mechanical problems, such as brakes that fail or tires that blow out. Mechanical problems can make it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles, which can increase the risk of a crash.
What Should I Do After A Truck Accident?
Truck Accidents often result in life-changing injuries or even death to the passengers and drivers involved. 18-Wheeler and Semi-Truck accidents and collisions involving blowouts, unsafe loads, and driver violations are all too common in this area, often resulting in a significant number of personal injury and wrongful death claims annually. Sadly, many trucking companies train their drivers on what they should say and do after an accident in order to avoid being held responsible.
The Texas statute of limitations states that you must file a lawsuit not later than two years after the date of your trucking accident. For instances of wrongful death, the statute of limitations is also 2 years, but the date and the time for this begins after the death occurred, not after the initial accident. Subtle nuances like these are why it is essential to hire an experienced attorney to represent you and help you hold the negligent truck driver or trucking company accountable for their action.
Dallas, the roads are becoming increasingly crowded with large trucks. You’ll spot semis, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers on major highways across Texas at nearly any time of the day, engaged in constant cargo transport. Unfortunately, this heightened presence raises the likelihood of ordinary motorists encountering a truck accident involving these substantial vehicles. The consequences of such truck wrecks are consistently severe, regardless of how they occur.
Even though big truck drivers are highly trained and have to pass many tests in order to be able to drive these vehicles, that doesn’t mean that they don’t make mistakes. However, when a big truck driver makes a mistake, the resulting accident is life-altering for the victims. If you are involved in an accident with one of these big trucks in Dallas, then you deserve compensation.
To get the compensation you deserve, you need to reach out to a Dallas personal injury attorney like one of ours here at Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of accident victims and will work hard to make sure that you get every dollar of compensation you are owed after your accident. Don’t hesitate, to contact our Dallas truck accident lawyers today to set up an appointment for your consultation. Call (214) 307-8387 or reach out to us on our online form.
HOW CAN A DALLAS TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY HELP YOUR CASE?
After a truck accident accident, the last thing anyone should have to worry about is fighting a legal battle. The truth is, from the minute your accident happens, you have a limited amount of time to file your claim and make sure that you build a strong case that deserves compensation. All while dealing with your injuries, mounting medical bills, and other expenses, not to mention the mental and emotional trauma of the accident.
That’s where one of our Dallas truck accident attorneys comes in. Every member of our team is highly trained and experienced. We know how to handle truck accidents and how to win cases. We’ll help you through the entire process from filing your claim until a settlement is obtained.
We know the tricks the insurance companies will try to use, we’re familiar with the court system and the evidence process and we know how to build strong cases that win substantial settlements and judgments. Most of all, our Dallas truck accident lawyers know that everyone needs someone on their side to fight for them. Let us be the ones to fight for you while you focus on what matters most, your recovery.