Dallas Truck Accident Lawyers
The truck accident lawyers in Dallas, Texas at The Ledger Law Firm are here to help if you or someone you love was seriously or catastrophically injured in a truck accident. The trucking industry makes billions of dollars every year. Despite these high revenues and record profits, thousands of people die in truck accidents every year, and thousands more suffer serious and catastrophic injury. There are few other industries that gross such high revenues and yet pose such a major risk to the public. Imagine if thousands of people died in airplane crashes every year. It would be as if several Jumbo jets just dropped out of the sky on a yearly basis. There would be a major public outcry! Yet, we take it as a matter of doing business that truck accidents will occur. And when trucks get into accidents, they can sometimes involve other vehicles, meaning innocent drivers and innocent families’ lives can be shattered in an instant. The sheer weight and size of these vehicles increases the risk of catastrophic injury and death for all involved.
While truck drivers are hard-working individuals who log long hours on the road to keep America running, they also sometimes face pressure from companies to deliver goods faster. Because of the long hours they are seated, they are also more likely to suffer from health complications that can affect their ability to drive safely. Companies are always looking for ways to cut their costs, and unfortunately, sometimes these cuts can also result in cuts in safety. Truck companies and their drivers are required to abide by strict federal and local safety standards and rules, but sometimes truck companies and drivers cut corners. When this happens, accidents can occur.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident in Dallas, Texas, you are not alone. The Dallas truck accident attorneys at The Ledger Law Firm are here to help. Our semi-truck accident lawyers can fight truck companies and their insurers to help you, and your family, receive the best possible settlement permitted under the law.
What Happens in the Aftermath of a Truck Accident?
The aftermath of a truck accident can be a very stressful time for victims and their families. If you have been seriously injured, you could be facing major surgeries or a long course of rehabilitation. You might find yourself disabled, and unable to return to work. You may also be wondering how you’ll pay for all these new expenses.
Truck companies are required to hold high-limit insurance policies because of the sheer risk of serious and catastrophic injuries after a truck accident. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, truck insurance adjusters will likely become involved. Sometimes, after a catastrophic injury, truck company insurance adjusters offer victims settlements that might appear significant. It can be tempting to accept the settlement, especially if you’re struggling financially and have bills to pay right away. Sometimes adjusters play upon financial insecurity to try to encourage families to settle quickly, but this may not always be in your best interest.
Here’s why you shouldn’t just accept the first settlement offered to you before you speak to a truck accident lawyer in Dallas, Texas: truck insurance adjusters have a responsibility to save their insurance company money, and they will try to offer you the lowest possible reasonable settlement. This settlement might not always cover all your losses. Or, the settlement may cover your current bills, but might not factor in the lifetime costs of disability or catastrophic injury. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, and have been seriously injured, much is on the line. Before you accept a settlement from insurance companies, you might want to speak to a truck accident lawyer in Dallas, Texas at The Ledger Law Firm. The truck accident attorneys in Dallas at The Ledger Law Firm can review your injuries, look at your medical expenses, take a closer look at the severity of your injuries, and estimate the value of your case. We can then negotiate with insurance adjusters to help you get the best possible settlement permitted under the law.
In the aftermath of a truck accident, insurance adjusters may call you asking you to make a statement. Anything you say can be used against you later if your lawsuit ends up in court. If an insurance adjuster is asking you to sign anything, you always have the right to tell the insurance adjuster that you want to speak to your truck accident attorney first. You can also ask the adjuster to send any correspondence or requests in writing. This way your truck accident attorney in Dallas, Texas can review requests before you respond. Your Dallas truck accident attorney can help you present the facts to the insurance company in a straightforward manner.
In the aftermath of an accident, your truck accident lawyer can also hold truck companies responsible for your losses. Insurance may not always pay the full amount your settlement might be worth. In this case, it might be necessary to pursue a truck accident claim against the truck company.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, this time might be stressful, and you might find yourself facing new and unexpected challenges. One challenge you don’t have to navigate on your own is the truck accident personal injury claim process. The Ledger Law Firm is a truck accident law firm in Dallas, Texas that can help you and your family navigate insurance claims and take next steps.
Who is Responsible After a Truck Accident in Dallas?
One of the things that make truck accident claims so complicated is identifying stakeholders after a crash. In the aftermath of a car accident, the people at fault are usually just the drivers involved. Yet, after a truck accident, the truck driver might not be the only one to blame. Truck companies can also be held accountable. Truck companies are required to follow strict federal and state trucking laws. They may be required to perform regular maintenance on vehicles, may be required to meet strict loading limits, may be held responsible for their hiring practices, and for their policies on drug and alcohol testing or medical testing of drivers. If companies fail to take steps to keep their operations safe, they can be held liable for a truck accident.
Some situations where a truck company can be held liable include:
- Failure of the truck company to train or property vet drivers before they are hired.
- Failure of the truck company to test drivers for drug and alcohol use.
- Failure of truck companies to properly maintain vehicles.
- Truck companies that put pressure on drivers to meet unrealistic delivery expectations.
- Failure of the truck company to properly load their vehicles.
These are just some of the situations where a truck company could be held liable after a truck accident. Truck regulations are complex and a truck accident lawyer in Dallas, Texas at The Ledger Law Firm can help you navigate the web of laws and regulations that govern the truck industry to hold truck companies and their drivers accountable when they violate the law. Contact our truck accident lawyers in Dallas today to learn more.
What are Some Important Trucking Laws?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets strict limits on how many hours a truck driver can be behind the wheel. Fatigued driving can, in some instances, be just as dangerous as drunk driving. The FMCSA restricts the number of hours a driver can work. Drivers are required to keep logs of their hours of service and take breaks when required by law. Unfortunately, sometimes drivers falsify logs and sometimes companies put pressure on drivers to meet unreasonable delivery expectations. When this happens, truck drivers can be fatigued, and accidents can happen. A truck accident lawyer in Dallas at The Ledger Law Firm can evaluate trucking logs, shipping schedules, and other facts to determine if hours of service laws were violated in your case.
Another important trucking law involves driver qualifications. Drivers must pass medical tests and must not be taking medications or drugs that can impact their alertness or ability to drive. Some medications can impact a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Some illnesses and conditions, if they go untreated, can lead to unsafe situations. One example of this is sleep apnea. If a driver is diagnosed with sleep apnea but fails to use a CPAP machine, an accident could happen due to increased driver fatigue. Some drivers may even try to avoid reporting certain medical conditions, so they don’t have to stop driving. Drug abuse or abuse of medication can be another issue that can lead to accidents. A truck accident lawyer in Dallas, Texas can review truck company policies regarding driver’s medical testing and reporting.
Truck companies are also required to perform regular maintenance on their vehicles. Failed brake systems or even a tire blowout can lead to catastrophic accidents. There are also additional rules when it comes to maintenance. For example, truck companies can’t replace worn tires with used tires. Unfortunately, when truck companies cut corners, serious accident can take place.
Truck drivers are also required to follow strict laws when it comes to the use of drugs and alcohol on the job. It might seem obvious that drivers should be sober when they get behind the wheel, but many truck driving accidents are caused by drunk driving and drugged driving. A truck accident lawyer in Dallas can investigate your accident to determine whether drugs or alcohol may have been a factor. A driver’s history of accidents could also be indicative of a problem. Truck companies have a responsibility to review drivers’ records for a history of drunk driving or accidents before they hire a driver to work for their company. When truck companies fail to vet drivers, accidents can take place.
These are just some of the laws that truck companies are required to follow. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident, a Dallas, Texas truck accident lawyer at The Ledger Law Firm can investigate your case and help you take steps to protect your rights. Truck companies and drivers may sometimes try to hide when they violated the law. A skilled truck accident lawyer in Dallas can dig deeper to determine if laws or regulations were broken, leading to your accident.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
A truck accident lawyer can help you navigate all aspects of the truck accident claims process. Our attorneys can review your medical bills and medical records, help you seek second opinions from doctors when required, and when needed help you receive the rehabilitation you may need. We can investigate the truck company to see if they violated any safety laws, and hold them accountable. We can also help you navigate the insurance claims process, so you never end up having to make a statement to insurance adjusters or find yourself questioning whether a settlement being offered is fair. We can negotiate with responsible parties outside of court to help you get the best possible settlement, but we aren’t afraid to take your case to trial if needed. The aftermath of a truck accident can be stressful for victims and their families, but you don’t need to navigate the process alone. The Ledger Law Firm is a truck accident law firm in Dallas, Texas that is here for you.
How Can I Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Dallas?
The truck accident lawyers in Dallas, Texas at The Ledger Law Firm can be reached at 888-846-9778. Our attorneys are here to review your case, and help you take the next steps. If you’ve been seriously injured in a truck accident in Dallas, you and your family might be entitled to receive compensation from truck companies, their insurers, and drivers, but you may only have a limited time to make a claim. Contact our truck accident lawyers in Dallas, Texas today. Time is of the essence.
