The country’s economy depends on trucks and those who drive them. Customers expect on-time deliveries of the goods they order, and establishments ranging from supermarkets to pet stores need regular shipments to keep their stores making a profit. This means that, at any given time, there are a lot of trucks on the road.
Unfortunately, this high demand has paved the way for accidents, with truck drivers often being pushed to work to meet deadlines. At Anderson Injury Lawyers, our team of Dallas truck accident lawyers advocates for the rights of injured victims.
Here is everything you need to know about how tired truck drivers cause accidents in Dallas, TX, and what our team can do to defend your interests. For help, contact our law office or call us at (214) 327-8000 to schedule a free case review.
How Anderson Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Truck Accident in Dallas, TX
Trucks are huge vehicles that can exert a lot of force against a passenger car. Being in an accident with one can leave you battling catastrophic injuries that could impact you for the rest of your life. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys can help you secure compensation so that you can obtain the resources you need for your recovery.
Our team offers services that include:
- A free consultation to discuss your case
- An investigation of your claim, where we gather the necessary evidence
- Negotiations with insurance providers
- Litigation in court if insurers refuse to cooperate
At Anderson Injury Lawyers, we have been protecting accident victims throughout Texas for over 15 years. In that time, we’ve helped clients win hundreds of millions in settlement and jury awards. If you’ve experienced losses in a truck accident, contact our personal injury lawyers in Dallas, Texas, to learn more about the process.
Why Tired Truck Drivers Are Such a Danger
It’s not a coincidence that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a number of hours of service regulations in place that clearly state how long truck drivers can be on duty. The administration recognizes how dangerous a tired driver can be, especially behind the wheel of a commercial truck.
Driving while tired is similar to driving while intoxicated. The trucker’s reflexes will be much slower than usual, and they can be distracted while trying to stay awake. They may fiddle with the radio or read billboards along the highway to keep their eyes from closing. Doing any of this takes their attention off the road and could easily lead to accidents.
In the most severe cases, a truck driver can fall asleep behind the wheel and lose control of the vehicle. An out-of-control truck can mean catastrophic injuries and even deaths.
To help prevent these dangers, the FMCSA requires truckers to get a certain amount of rest between shifts, but that’s not always what happens. Often, truckers push themselves past what’s legal so that they can meet deadlines.
Employers may incentivize those actions, too. They might offer bonuses to truckers who make the most deliveries, knowing full well that the only way to do so is to violate federal regulations. Although they’re not officially telling truckers to break the law, their actions speak louder than words.
Who Could Be Liable For a Truck Accident Caused By a Tired Driver in Dallas?
Because Texas is an at-fault state in regards to traffic accidents, it’s essential to establish who was to blame for the collision. If the truck driver was fatigued and didn’t react as they needed to, they can be held liable. In some instances, however, you may also hold their employer responsible.
If the trucker is their employee and they encouraged them in any way to break regulations to drive for longer hours, it could be possible to file a claim against the trucking company, too. To do this, you’ll need experienced lawyers to represent you.
You never want to go against a trucking company on your own. Commercial businesses typically have many lawyers at their disposal who can fight to defend the company’s business interests, so it’s important to have a lawyer of your own as well.
That’s the case when pursuing a claim just against the trucker, too. Because they may have their commercial license on the line, they may hire attorneys to try to prove that you were to blame for the accident. When you have an attorney on your side, you can ensure you don’t miss out on the compensation you deserve, whether the employer or the driver is at fault.
Contact Our Dallas Truck Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation To Discuss Your Claim
Being in a truck accident can be a traumatic experience. You could be left with broken bones, a brain injury, and many other long-term issues that impact your life. If the accident occurred because of a truck driver’s negligent conduct, it’s critical to contact a Dallas personal injury lawyer for representation.
At Anderson Injury Lawyers, our team can fight for your rights and help you recover compensation after a collision. Contact our experienced Texas truck accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.