Fatal Truck Accidents in Grapevine

Describing the trauma of losing a loved one to a fatal truck accident is impossible. The brutality of your loved one’s injuries and their absence will likely leave you unable to go about your life as usual.

While a lawsuit is likely the last thing on your mind after your loved one’s death, pursuing one could lessen the financial strain you experience due to their untimely passing. Contact an experienced tractor-trailer crash lawyer to learn more about what you can do to obtain financial compensation following a fatal truck accident in Grapevine.

Who is Liable for a Deadly Truck Crash?

Fatal truck accidents are complex matters that require detailed investigation into who bears liability, with multiple parties often being the subject of a lawsuit. Because of the complications involved in determining the responsible parties, contacting an attorney in Grapevine after a deadly truck accident is crucial.

Truck accidents can happen for many reasons, and multiple parties can share responsibility for the wreck. For example, when a speeding trucker who did not receive proper training from their employer causes a fatal accident, the driver and the company that employs them could bear liability.

Bringing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit for a Fatal Truck Crash

No matter who the responsible parties are, the family members affected by a fatal tractor-trailer wreck can pursue a wrongful death claim. These civil claims compensate families when the negligence or unlawful act of a trucker or trucking company causes their loved one’s death.

Who Can File?

Since wrongful death claims are not criminal, a prosecutor cannot bring them against the responsible party. Instead, the Texas wrongful death statute establishes that a decedent’s spouse, children, parents, or personal representative of their estate may bring a wrongful death claim on their behalf.

Time Limits on Filing

Immediate family members have a limited time to file a wrongful death claim following a semi-truck crash. Under Texas state law, these individuals must file their lawsuit within three months of their relative’s death.

If they fail to file the claim within three months, only the personal representative of the estate can file. In this scenario, the personal representative has two years from the deceased’s death to bring the case to court.

Damages Available for Fatal Tractor-Trailer Accidents

While no amount of financial compensation can rectify losing a loved one, specific damages could help surviving family members pay for the expenses related to their death.

In Grapevine, available damages following a fatal truck crash could include the decedent’s lost wages and potential earnings. These payments compensate family members for their emotional pain and suffering. In egregious cases, families can also request punitive damages, which punish the responsible party for their negligence.

Call an Attorney in Grapevine to Discuss Fatal Truck Accidents

Recovering from losing a loved one takes time; it is an emotionally and financially debilitating experience. Contacting a hardworking legal representative is a crucial step toward alleviating the financial burden of your unexpected loss.

Allowing an attorney to handle your case could help ensure that you meet vital deadlines and request the total amount of compensation you are entitled to. Schedule an initial consultation today to learn more about fatal truck accidents in Grapevine and let our attorneys begin working on your case.