Out of all the states in the country, Texas is the one that sees the highest frequency of truck accident deaths. Annually, an average of 810 deaths occur despite Texas (and federal) trucking regulations. And though some of the accidents behind these fatalities are the result of truck maintenance problems, others are directly caused by driver error or negligence.
With that in mind, if you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Texas that wasn’t your fault, it’s vital that you seek help from a reputable team of lawyers as soon as possible. Contact the law office of Anderson Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation with a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, call us at (817) 294-1900.
How Anderson Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Truck Accident in Fort Worth, TX
An accident that involves a truck will usually result in catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical care. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be expected to handle the related expenses alone.
Thankfully, you could be entitled to compensation for what you’ve suffered. At Anderson Injury Lawyers, located in Fort Worth, Texas, we’ll offer the guidance you need as you go through the entire process.
Our team of Fort Worth truck accident lawyers can help with the following:
- Assessing your claim
- Gathering evidence to prove you weren’t at fault
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Litigating your case in court if talks fall through
We have several decades of experience, and we’ve won millions of dollars for our clients throughout Fort Worth, TX, making us an excellent choice if you’ve been struggling in the aftermath of an accident.
Federal and State Trucking Regulations
One of the first things to keep in mind is that the federal government has jurisdiction over anything that affects commercial activity across state lines.
Specifically, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces trucking regulations at the federal level. These include things such as how cargo is loaded and secured onto trucks as well as how heavy a truck can be to be allowed on interstate highways (80,000 lbs).
The administration also requires companies to conduct drug and alcohol tests before hiring new drivers, after any crashes that occur, before any drivers return from suspension for drug or alcohol use, and randomly outside of these circumstances.
Perhaps most crucially, the FMCSA enforces hours of service regulations. Drivers cannot drive for longer than 11 hours after a 10-hour break, and they must take a 30-minute break after every eight hours of driving. In 24 hours, drivers can’t exceed a 14-hour on-duty limit. They’re also not allowed to drive more than a collective 60 hours a week.
Despite the tight supervision on the part of the federal government, the state of Texas does control some areas of trucking regulations. The first of these involves licenses. Individual states handle all testing for commercial driver’s licenses, and Texas requires both a written and road test on top of a medical examination. Texas also handles suspensions.
If a truck exceeds the allowed weight limit under federal law, a state like Texas can issue an oversized permit. Usually, obtaining such a permit means the trucking company will have to inform the state about the route the truck will take. Texas also dictates the traffic laws that the trucker has to abide by when traveling through the state.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas
Truck accidents can occur for a number of reasons, but one of the most common, especially in Texas, is fatigued driving. Even though there are regulations in place to prevent drivers from getting behind the wheel while exhausted, it still occurs. And in certain cases, it comes about because trucking companies push drivers to work more hours than they should.
Distracted driving is another concern. Around the country, approximately 391,000 injuries occur each year because of distracted driving. Everything from changing the radio station, checking their GPS, and texting or speaking on the phone can lead a trucker to look away from the road and potentially cause a serious accident.
Drivers who hold commercial driving licenses can’t exceed a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.04%, either, but intoxicated drivers still get behind the wheel, leading to accidents. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol affects coordination and reflexes.
Truck maintenance issues are also common. Trucking companies have to ensure that all vehicles are road-worthy, but if they cut corners and fail to check the truck or perform maintenance, issues can arise while on the road.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With Our Experienced Fort Worth Truck Accident Attorneys
Anyone who’s suffered injuries and other losses because of a collision with a truck can reach out to a lawyer to determine whether they can seek compensation. Turn to Anderson Injury Lawyers today to start the claims process in Fort Worth, Texas.