Due to the size, height, and weight of these vehicles, accidents involving commercial trucks could have severe physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If you were hurt due to the negligence or poor conduct of a big rig driver, a truck accident lawyer in Arlington could help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
An Arlington personal injury lawyer from The Texas Law Dog, who is heavily involved in the community, could ensure that your rights are protected all the way from filing a claim to settlement negotiations. Put our team to work to protect your rights today.
The Importance of Having a Skilled Arlington Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents occur frequently, but each case is complex and presents challenges for victims to overcome. There are several reasons why this is so important:
- Insurance companies need to lower the level of compensation you are owed. They are highly skilled at doing so. This is always a detriment to your right to compensation.
- Your injuries could be substantial. These truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries and losses. The risk of not getting enough financial support in difficult situations is very high.
- More than one party is likely to be at fault. Truck drivers, along with trucking companies, vehicle owners, cargo companies, and other third parties, could all hold some responsibility for your injuries and losses.
By navigating this process with the guidance of a skilled and experienced attorney, we can help you fight back against insurance companies. You can rest assured that our legal team will remain by your side while you heal and recover. Let The Texas Law Dog go to work for you.
Compensation for Injuries Sustained in an 18-Wheeler Wreck
As experienced truck accident lawyers in Arlington, we have seen many people suffer serious injuries after these accidents. Injuries sustained by drivers involved in rig crashes are often particularly severe compared to those in other motor vehicle crashes, since trucks are significantly larger than commuter cars and can deliver far more force in a collision. Be sure to talk to an Arlington car accident lawyer.
Fortunately, injured individuals can recover compensation for such injuries if they can prove that another party is legally liable for the incident. People injured in semi-wrecks could potentially obtain compensation for physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship, medical costs, mental anguish, lost wages, and property damage.
Injured individuals should speak to a knowledgeable truck collision attorney in Arlington to learn about the exact type of damages they may be eligible to recover in their case.
Arlington Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
How Liability Is Determined in an Arlington Semi-Crash
Most trailer accidents involve such severe injuries that there is little way for an individual truck driver to cover all the costs of a verdict against them alone. In light of this, the big rig driver may not be the only liable party in an 18-wheeler collision, especially if they were driving within the scope of their job. Establishing liability against both the trucker and the parent company that employed them may be the best way to recover compensation for all eligible damages. Local law recognizes that an employee’s work primarily benefits their employer, so any negligent behavior by that employee could reflect on the employer.
This policy is reflected in the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which—in the context of commercial truck crashes—imputes a driver’s liability to the employer they are working for at the time of the incident.
Additionally, a third party, such as another driver, pedestrians, or even municipal entities responsible for maintaining the road, may also bear liability for the accident. An Arlington truck crash attorney could work to ensure that all liable parties are held accountable for their negligent actions in court or through private settlements. Doing this enables our attorneys to pursue a comprehensive and maximum claim for your losses.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
We have experience helping victims facing numerous financial complications recover damages for those accidents. Yet, some accidents result in serious and life-threatening injuries. The following are some of the most common accident injuries in these cases seen by our Arlington catastrophic injury lawyer.
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken and crushed bones
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Lacerations and gaping wounds
- Amputations
- Emotional stress and mental anguish
If you are facing these injuries, we strongly recommend seeking legal guidance from an Arlington traumatic brain injury lawyer to navigate your claim. Most of these injuries require ongoing medical care and support, even a lifetime of needed healthcare.
Why Trucks Cause Serious Injury and Loss
For truck accident victims, getting accurate estimates of their losses after a serious accident is challenging. Yet, these accidents cause life-changing outcomes. Some of the key reasons for this include:
- Their weight, up to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle, creates more force upon impact, resulting in higher injury claims.
- Hazardous materials pose a huge risk. If a truck causes an accident and contains hazardous chemicals or materials, the environmental risks are significant.
- Trucks need more time and room to stop. That is due to their much heavier weight and speed.
- The higher center of gravity makes it easier for a truck to roll over, often onto another vehicle or damage it in the process.
- Those higher trucks mean a car can pass under them, which may result in more serious injuries.
We encourage you not to wait but to contact us immediately for help. No matter how serious your injuries are, we want to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Arlington
Truck accidents can occur in various ways, each with a different potential outcome. Understanding the type of accident you have can help you pursue fair compensation under the law. Here are some examples to consider:
- Rear-end collisions: These accidents are among the leading causes of whiplash and back pain.
- Underride crashes: In an underride crash, a vehicle travels under the vehicle either behind the truck or at a 90-degree angle. This leads to a high injury rate.
- Blindspot crashes: If you cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors while you are behind them or next to them, that means the driver cannot see you. You should move out of that line of sight.
- Head-on collisions: A fatigued driver can easily lose control of their vehicle, and in some cases, such as crossing the centerline, that leads to a head-on collision.
Victims of any type of truck accident deserve fair compensation. Our legal team consistently works to protect your rights in these cases by gathering all evidence to uphold your claim and applying our proven negotiation skills. If you were hurt by a truck for any reason, even if you think you may be partially at fault, our Arlington big rig accident lawyer wants to help you.
18-Wheeler Accident in Arlington
Being on the road with an 18-wheeler can be scary, especially when you notice the driver weaving into and out of lanes or taking aggressive steps towards merging. These trucks, including semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, can carry up to 80,000 pounds, and they can be challenging to operate. Common reasons 18-wheeler accidents happen:
- Driver mistakes. Drivers must have essential skills to operate these large trucks, and when they do not, or they make mistakes due to recklessness, they put you at risk of serious injuries and losses.
- Improper cargo loading. Drivers and third-party cargo loading companies could be at fault for accidents if cargo comes loose or shifts. Even small shifts can create instability that skilled drivers cannot manage.
- Improper driving in Arlington conditions. With several steep areas, sometimes slick roads, and construction, Arlington 18-wheeler accidents often occur because drivers fail to adjust their driving when conditions change.
Our Arlington truck accident lawyer can be by your side after an 18-wheeler accident. If you were hurt, let us go to work on your case for yo
Understanding How Common Truck Accidents Are in Texas
It is not uncommon to hear of a large truck accident on I-30 or even a rollover happening along one of the region’s truck routes along I-20. These accidents are always frightening because of the number of other drivers on the road at the same time. Add to this the number of delivery trucks on today’s residential streets, and the risk of being in an accident is incredible.
The Texas Department of Transportation provides some startling facts in its annual Texas motor vehicle crash statistics about how frequently truck accidents occur in the state. Across the state, 443 people died from truck and tractor-trailer accidents in 2023, with 318 of them being in rural areas like those outside of Arlington. When you consider how worrisome this is, you have the right to be upset if you are the victim of a preventable accident.
Truck accidents occur for many reasons, including speeding, tired drivers, a lack of maintenance and upkeep on trucks, and poor safety practices. Trucking companies, the drivers, and other parties involved in the operation of that vehicle could be at fault for the losses you have suffered. As dedicated truck accident lawyers in Arlington, it is our goal to make sure anyone who caused your losses pays for it.
Damages Auto Insurance Typically Covers
An individual’s auto policy, called a personal injury protection (PIP) liability policy, is a typical minimum-limits liability policy that covers property damage caused by the insured when they cause a crash to another person.
It does not cover their own property damage; it covers bodily injury, which can include medical expenses, with a minimum limit of $30,000.00 per person. Your injuries may be much more than this, and you could be worried about those added costs.
When you compare that to the minimum limits of the trucking policy, which is $750,000.00, the minimum car policy is not required to maintain the same limits that a trucking policy has. It is recommended that uninsured and underinsured motorists be covered. A skilled Arlington personal injury lawyer could help someone understand the details of their auto insurance coverage in a big-rig wreck case.
Filing a Claim
To file a claim, we will analyze your case thoroughly to determine any damages you may be owed. That will depend on factors such as the injuries you sustained, the expected level of recovery, and the impact on your health and quality of life. We do not settle your claim until you know what your losses may be.
Common Types of Losses Suffered by Victims After Truck Accidents
We are committed to providing you with insight into the value of your case as soon as possible, and we can often offer some insight during your initial consultation. The value of your truck accident case depends on how well we can substantiate your losses. While every case is very different, some of the factors that play a role in your expected losses include the following:
- Medical costs: Immediate, current, and long-term medical needs are some of the most significant losses associated with truck accidents. They impact many people immediately and into their future due to complicated injuries, long-term recovery, and permanent losses.
- Lost time at work: Being hurt may mean you were unable to go to work or work the same hours, and you may not have earned the same amount. Some people may not be able to go back to work at all.
- Emotional suffering and pain: Pain and suffering are complex areas of loss after a truck accident, but they are also some of the most significant losses you have. Our truck accident attorney in Arlington will help you determine what these costs may be.
We can help estimate your losses by analyzing medical statements, gathering evidence of economic losses, and using similar cases to substantiate your losses. Aggressive, proven, and trusted legal representation from an Arlington motor vehicle accident lawyer is absolutely critical in maximizing your claim.
Fighting for Fair Compensation After Wrongful Death
A truck accident may cause the death of another person, and when that occurs, the immediate family may be able to seek damages for the losses. Our Arlington wrongful death lawyer may be able to offer you some peace of mind, even though we cannot ease the pain. We can help you with:
- Determine all parties at fault for the losses incurred.
- Factor in the financial losses your loved one had due to final medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of wages.
- Determine if you should receive compensation if you were an established financial dependent of the person who died.
- Fight to hold those responsible accountable.
- Seek to demonstrate the impact of this loss on your future and that of your family.
Without the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer in Arlington, you may not be able to protect your rights in these complicated matters. Insurance companies do not play fair. Yet, with our experience and dedication, we can make sure they are held accountable.
How Truck Drivers Put Others at Risk
Truck drivers are highly skilled professionals, or at least the law requires them to be. When an accident occurs, you may be unsure how it happened. Yet, often, in our experience, it is due to factors like the following, nearly all related to preventable causes:
- Driver fatigue: Drivers who work beyond regulations set by federal or state governments are less likely to operate their vehicles safely.
- Impairment: Unfortunately, some drivers may be operating after consuming alcohol or drugs.
- Vehicle failures: Many truck accidents occur each year due to tire, suspension, technology, and brake failures. These may result from poor maintenance by the owner or from inferior service by a technician.
- Driver distraction: It is not uncommon to see drivers eating while driving, texting, or even watching a video on their phones. Even when that phone is on the windshield, the video is a distraction that puts others at risk.
- Reckless driving: Truck drivers may break the law by speeding, making illegal lane changes, or following too closely. Reckless driving charges could result in license implications.
When a truck driver, trucking company, or other responsible party puts other people, especially other drivers, at risk, they are held accountable for the losses incurred. We strongly encourage you to turn to our Arlington truck accident attorney to learn how we can help you.
The Complexity of Commercial Truck Accidents
Being on the road with a commercial truck means expecting them to have control and advanced training, but that does not always occur. There are many situations in which victims face serious injuries and losses due to the reckless behavior of other drivers. There are several facts that make commercial truck accidents in Arlington challenging:
- Commercial trucking insurance companies are more aggressive. There is far more at risk. They know that, and they will do anything they can to limit the amount of compensation paid out.
- These accidents tend to involve more serious injuries and losses. That means there is more at risk in these incidents. You cannot afford not to get the type and level of support you need to support your full recovery.
- Proving your case takes accessing evidence and knowledge you may not have. That includes evidence from the trucks themselves, drivers’ medical records, and trucking company logs. Moreover, it requires understanding the complexities of federal and state trucking regulations for commercial vehicles.
For these reasons, it is beneficial to work with a trusted, experienced truck accident lawyer in Arlington. Our experience with commercial truck accidents in the area allows us to provide you with the reliable support you need in difficult situations.
Call The Texas Law Dog Today: We Don’t Just Bark, We Bite
If you or a loved one were injured in a truck collision, a dedicated attorney could be your best chance at recovering compensation from the liable party, and with legal representation, you could focus on healing while they fight for your rights and interests in court.
Scheduling a consultation with an Arlington truck accident lawyer could be the first step towards invoking your rights and securing your financial future. Call today to start exploring your options with The Texas Law Dog.
