Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer

Causes of Large Truck Wrecks in Fort Worth, TX

Truck accident lawyers know the causes of semi-truck crashes are numerous and varied. Any collision involving an 18-wheeler requires a thorough investigation to determine liability. This often involves examining the actions of multiple parties along the chain, from loading cargo to truck inspection to vehicle maintenance to the driver’s behavior behind the wheel. Even other motorists sharing the highway can play a role in a truck wreck.

Your Fort Worth truck accident may have involved one or more of the common truck accident causes described below.

Truck Driver Error

A truck driver who fails to uphold a high standard of care while driving may directly cause a truck crash through their actions or inactions. Some of the most common types of truck driver error include:

• Driver Fatigue. Even though there are federal regulations in place to prevent drivers from spending too much time at the wheel during long hauls, that doesn’t mean driver fatigue doesn’t happen. Whether the driver made a choice to keep going when they knew they were overfatigued, or the trucking company forced them to adhere to an unreasonable schedule, fatigued driving is a serious issue that causes thousands of Texas truck accidents.
• Failure To Check Blind Spots. A trucker is handicapped by blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle. Making sudden lane changes, not using blinkers, braking too abruptly, and carelessness in turning or merging can all cause large trucks to collide with other motorists.
• Distracted Driving. Just like passenger vehicle drivers, truckers can give in to distractions that impair their ability to drive safely. Cell phone use is one of the biggest distractions to drivers of both semi-trucks and passenger vehicles.
• Intoxicated Driving. Substance abuse is a tragically widespread issue in the commercial trucking sector. Alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines and other stimulants, and even non-recreational prescription drugs can severely hinder a driver’s ability to anticipate and react to highway hazards.
• Speeding. Driving over the speed limit or too fast for conditions is even more dangerous in a giant truck with a high center of gravity and long braking distances. Truck drivers who choose to drive too fast risk dropping cargo, rolling over, losing control of the vehicle, and putting excessive strain on the truck—strain that can lead to a parts failure or tire blowout.
• Aggressive Driving. Recklessness like tailgating, swerving, and speeding is a cause of serious collisions that are always preventable.

Truck Malfunction

Auto part malfunction is a factor in a high number of Fort Worth truck accident cases. A breakdown can be the result of:

Trucking Company Negligence

Trucking companies are responsible for hiring, training, and managing truck drivers, as well as for providing the necessary resources to make safe driving possible. Trucking companies may be negligent by:

Types of Truck Accidents

Large trucks are vulnerable to a number of specific types of accidents. Some of the most dangerous are:

• Jackknife accident – when the tractor and trailer form an “L” or “V” shape
• Override accident – when the semi-truck drives over a smaller vehicle
• Underride accident – when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped under the truck
• Rollover accident – when the truck loses balance and rolls onto its side or roof

In addition to these accidents that are usually seen only among tractor-trailers, an accident involving a commercial truck could fall under the category of:

Common Truck Accident Injuries in Fort Worth

Truck wreck victims rarely walk away from an accident scene unharmed. Any vehicles involved in a crash with a big rig are likely to be severely damaged, causing considerable injury or death to those inside.

Injuries sustained in Fort Worth truck accident cases may include:

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Claim?

Collisions with commercial trucks can be devastating, especially when caused by wrongdoing. There are many potential parties that could be held accountable through a truck accident claim, such as:

An experienced truck accident lawyer will explore every possibility to determine what caused your truck wreck. We understand that sometimes what seems like the most obvious party isn’t actually the party responsible for the crash.

For example, while it may appear that the trucker was clearly at fault, your crash could have been caused by a trucking company that failed to inspect or fix a vehicle, a parts manufacturer that sold a defective product, or a government agency that neglected to repair a dangerous road.

Your Fort Worth, TX truck accident attorney will determine exactly who caused your tractor-trailer wreck and how you can best recover damages.

Recovering Damages After Truck Accident Injuries

The injuries and damages you sustained in a large truck accident caused by another party’s negligence shouldn’t be your financial responsibility. A truck accident attorney from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm can help you handle the legal matters of your case while you focus on your physical and emotional healing.

Typically, economic and noneconomic damages are recoverable through a personal injury claim.

What Are Economic Damages?

Economic damages are the actual costs that you incurred. These generally include medical bills, lost wages, repair bills, transportation costs, and future medical treatment.

What Are Noneconomic Damages?

Noneconomic damages are less physical and more abstract. They’re not as obvious or easy to prove as the economic damages, which is why you’ll need the help of an attorney to ensure you obtain a full recovery. Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, emotional anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life could all be part of your compensation.

What Are Punitive Damages?

In more rare cases, you might be eligible for punitive damages. These punish the responsible party for especially wrongful behavior that should have never been allowed to happen.

After analyzing the details of your case, your Fort Worth, TX truck accident attorney will be able to help you recover all damages that you are entitled to receive.

Time Limits for Recovering Compensation After a Texas Truck Accident

Texas law limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after injury. The clock usually begins the minute you were injured in your Fort Worth truck crash. Most cases only allow you two years. This is a short amount of time when you consider how long it takes to seek medical treatment, build a case, gather evidence, and calculate fair compensation for current and future damages.

If you wait too long to begin this process, you risk losing out on the compensation you are legally eligible for. Contact a lawyer right away. Don’t let a concern about legal fees stand in your way. Many law firms like ours take cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no fees unless your case is won.

What To Do After a Fort Worth, TX Trucking Accident

If you were injured in a Fort Worth, TX truck collision, there are a few steps you can take to protect your health, safety, and legal rights.

Keep Yourself and Others Safe

Your safety is the most important thing to consider after a serious collision. As much as possible, try to:

Gather Available Evidence

If your condition allows, take the opportunity to gather evidence while it is still available. Ask a friend or family member for help if you need to.

• Take pictures of property damage and injuries
• Get the trucker’s name, contact, and company information
• Talk to eyewitnesses and ask for their contact information
• Take videos of the accident scene
• Keep a record of all doctor’s visits, physician’s notes, and medical bills

Get Legal Help

The insurance company isn’t going to give you a fair settlement unless you demand it. Reach out as soon as you can to schedule a case consultation with a trucking accident attorney who can inform you of your rights and legal options.

A Truck Accident Lawyer From Buckingham & Vega Is Here for You

We invite you to contact Buckingham & Vega Law Firm for a no-obligation free case evaluation. Our attorneys have advocated for many people just like you, victims of accidents that never should have happened in the first place.

To learn more about how our compassionate and skilled legal representatives can help you, reach out by phone or online.