If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a large commercial truck in Dallas, TX, an experienced Dallas truck accident lawyer at Anderson Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more. Call us today at (214) 327-8000.
Our trusted legal team is led by an attorney with over 30 years of experience fighting for accident victims like you. Over the years, we’ve won over 100 million to help our injured clients move on with their lives.
It’s always a good idea to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later. To get started, contact us online or visit our main law offices in Dallas, Texas, to schedule a free consultation.
If more convenient, you can also visit our law offices in Lakewood.
How Anderson Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in Dallas
The last thing you need is a lengthy battle with the insurance company if you’ve been seriously injured in Dallas, Texas. Commercial liability insurance companies know the stakes are high, and they’ll fight you any way they can, but Anderson Injury Lawyers can help.
When you hire us, you can count on our Dallas truck accident attorneys to:
- Immediately launch an investigation into your accident
- Hire experts and specialists when needed to strengthen your personal injury claim
- Protect you if you’re blamed for the accident
- Identify all of your damages and assess your case value
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Take your case to trial if the insurer refuses to offer an acceptable settlement
Our attorneys are committed to protecting your financial interests while you recover. To learn more about creating an attorney-client relationship with a respected Dallas personal injury attorney, call for a free initial consultation today.
What Should I Do After a Dallas Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, you should take specific steps to protect your health and your legal rights. You should:
- Stay at or as close as possible to the scene: Don’t leave the accident scene. If it is not safe to remain where the accident happened, stay available and nearby.
- Check yourself and others for injuries: Prioritize safety. Quickly assess your condition and check on passengers and others involved in the accident.
- Call the authorities: Call 911 and report the accident–make sure to request medical services if necessary.
- Exchange information: Get the names, contact information, and insurance information of anyone involved in the collision. You will also want to get contact information for any witnesses to the accident.
- Document the scene: Take photos and videos of all vehicles, damages, and injuries involved.
- Seek medical help: Even if you feel fine, it is still in your best interest to seek medical help. Symptoms can be delayed or masked by adrenaline after an accident.
After you have taken the above steps, don’t forget what is perhaps the most important step of all–contacting an attorney. An attorney will be able to guide you through the process of gathering evidence, proving your case, and recovering compensation.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in Dallas, TX?
The Texas Department of Transportation publishes reports on motor vehicle accidents each year. According to their data, at least 443 fatal crashes involved a truck-trailer or semi-trailer in Texas in 2023. In Dallas County alone, at least 3,871 accidents involving commercial motor vehicles were reported.
Out of the 3,871 accidents in Dallas:
- 43 people were killed
- 118 people were suspected to have sustained serious injuries
- 555 people were suspected to have sustained non-incapacitating injuries
Thousands of other car accident victims suffered injuries in crashes involving big rigs, semi-trucks, and tractor-trailers.
What is My Dallas Truck Accident Case Worth?
Before we estimate your case value, our lawyers will carefully examine all the facts. In other words, it’s impossible to know how much your personal injury case is worth without understanding the details.
However, some factors tend to be relevant in any truck accident claim, including:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The cost of your past medical treatment and anticipated future medical care
- The value of your lost wages and out-of-pocket costs
- Whether you’ll be able to return to work in the same capacity
- Your emotional distress and ongoing mental health issues, including PTSD
- Any damage to your quality of life or lifestyle changes
- The strength of your negligence case
Accidents involving large trucks tend to cause more serious injuries than other auto accidents. You may be facing sky-high medical bills and an uncertain future. That makes it especially important to ensure that you’re getting the full compensation you deserve.
Once you accept a settlement offer, you’ll be barred from seeking further compensation. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys are here to help assess the fair value of your claim. Before you sign any offer, call our law firm to schedule a free case review. We’re here to help you rest assured that you’re getting the full amount you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?
Texas personal injury laws classify damages based on whether they compensate a victim for financial or non-financial losses.
All personal injury victims are entitled to seek compensation for their financial expenses, or economic damages, including:
- Current medical costs
- Anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care, in-home assistance, and other specialized care
- Medications and medical devices
- Property damage
A serious truck wreck can also cause significant non-financial losses.
Examples of the types of non-economic damages that may be available include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Chronic pain
- Mental health disorders, including anxiety, severe depression, and PTSD
- Loss of consortium
If you lost a loved one in a fatal truck collision, our wrongful death lawyers in Dallas can help you pursue compensation for funeral expenses, burial costs, and other damages to compensate for your loss.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Truck Accident in Texas?
Possibly–but it’s always important to seek legal advice if someone is blaming you for causing your accident. Under Texas modified comparative negligence rules, you could lose your right to compensation entirely if you’re more than 50% liable for the crash.
If you’re less than 51% responsible, your settlement can be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. So, if you were 20% liable, you’re only entitled to 80% of your awarded compensation.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
It’s no surprise that a serious truck accident can cause more severe injuries. After all, truck crashes occurred at alarming rates in recent years due to these vehicles’ sheer size and weight.
At Anderson Injury Lawyers, we often represent clients who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries in Dallas
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
Many victims require immediate medical treatment, and ongoing care is often necessary. It may take weeks or months to recover from your injuries; some injuries may be permanent. Your medical records will play a crucial role in documenting the full extent of your physical harm and emotional trauma. Regardless of your situation, you can trust our team to fight for every dollar you deserve.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Dallas, Texas?
Truck accidents often happen because someone was negligent. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently conducted a Large Truck Crash Causation Study. According to their research, about 87% of all truck crashes in the United States happen because of negligence and human error.
Some of the most common causes we see include:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long shifts and may exceed federal hours-of-service limits. Fatigue slows reaction times and impairs judgment, making tired drivers more likely to cause serious accidents.
- Improper lane changes/unsafe lane changes: Due to their size and limited visibility, trucks require ample time and space to change lanes safely. When they fail to take precautions, sideswipe accidents are possible.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Commercial trucks require regular inspections and maintenance to stay road-safe. Failing to follow maintenance requirements can lead to mechanical failure.
- Distracted driving: Driving distracted is particularly dangerous for truck drivers due to the size and weight of large trucks. Even a moment of distraction can lead to catastrophic accidents.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drugs can impair the ability to make decisions and react quickly.
- Inexperienced and poorly trained truck drivers: Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are properly licensed and adequately trained. Inexperienced drivers may lack the skills to handle emergency situations, navigate difficult road conditions, or operate their vehicles safely under pressure.
More specifically, some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Violation of FMCSA hours-of-service rules
- Speeding
- Drugged driving
- Reckless driving
- Unfamiliarity with the roadways
- Brake problems
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Failure to account for the truck’s longer stopping time
- Failure to properly secure cargo
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Mechanical failures
No matter what caused your truck accident, we can help.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Accident in Texas?
To prove negligence, you’ll have to establish four basic elements:
- The defendant’s legal duty of care
- A breach of duty
- Causation
- The damages you suffered
You’ll need evidence to prove these elements. When we conduct our investigation, our lawyers will search for:
- The truck’s black box recording device
- Video surveillance footage
- Police reports
- The trucking company’s safety record
- The truck driver’s hours-of-service log
- The truck company’s inspection and maintenance records
- Witness statements
- Data from the crash scene
The truck company will send agents to investigate the crash quickly. Our legal team is ready to help you level the playing field, so call for a free initial consultation today.
Truck Accident FAQ
Who is Responsible for My Damages After a Truck Accident?
Establishing liability after a truck accident can be more difficult than in typical car accident cases. In the trucking industry, determining liability often involves analyzing whether the truck driver, the trucking company’s insurance, or even a passenger vehicle was the at fault party.
Examples of potentially responsible parties include:
- The trucking company
- Maintenance companies and mechanics
- Cargo loading companies
- Inspection companies
- Third-party drivers
- Government agencies
Remember, liability is divided between all responsible parties after a trucking accident in Texas, and there might be multiple liable parties involved. On top of that, federal and state laws governing the trucking sector can play a major role in determining liability, which makes it essential to conduct a thorough investigation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Texas?
The statute of limitations in the state of Texas typically gives accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. After the two-year anniversary of the crash passes, you’ll lose your right to seek compensation.
How Long Does It Take To Resolve a Truck Accident Case?
The timeline for resolving a truck accident case varies based on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of your damages, how many parties are involved, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. A cooperative defendant and a skilled lawyer with good negotiating skills can help speed up the process, but complex cases may still take months or even years. The best way to estimate how long your case might take is to consult an experienced truck accident attorney.
How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?
The first key difference lies in the massive size and weight of commercial trucks, which significantly increases the likelihood of causing severe or even fatal injuries in a collision. Additionally, the trucking industry is governed by a complex set of state and federal regulations designed to ensure safety on the roads. These include rules on driver hours, maintenance requirements, and cargo loading procedures. Furthermore, truck accidents often involve multiple possibly liable parties, making investigating the accident and pursuing compensation particularly difficult.
Contact a Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Were you or a family member hurt in a serious accident involving commercial vehicles? Dallas truck accident victims often suffer severe injuries that can have life-altering consequences. It’s never too early to seek legal advice, especially when truck accident lawsuits can help you pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
Contact Anderson Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled Dallas truck accident lawyer. Our firm is located near you. Find our office at 408 W Eighth St #202, Dallas, TX 75208, or find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.74787811914961, -96.82866444073441. We’ll help investigate the accident scene, determine if someone else’s negligence was to blame, and protect your rights every step of the way.