If you or a loved one were injured in a tractor-trailer collision due to a negligent trucker, you could hold them accountable in court. A dedicated Grapevine personal injury lawyer from The Texas Law Dog can carefully review the facts surrounding your truck accident and advise you of your legal rights. Depending on the cause of the crash, you may be entitled to monetary compensation.
Your truck accident lawyer in Grapevine can assist you in holding the negligent truck driver accountable. We work to protect your rights and are committed to helping victims pursue the compensation they deserve. With a background in the insurance industry, we also understand how insurers operate and use that knowledge to protect victims. We don’t just bark. We bite.
Our Grapevine Commercial Truck Collision Attorneys Work on Contingency to Support You Better
At The Texas Law Dog, we believe that everyone deserves access to skilled legal representation after a commercial truck accident, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why our Grapevine commercial truck collision lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay any upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees to hire us. Instead, our fees are only paid if we win your case and recover compensation for you.
With this approach, you owe us nothing if we don’t secure a settlement or verdict. By working on contingency, we take on the financial risk so you can focus on your recovery without the added stress of legal costs. Our team is fully committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve, and we won’t get paid until you do.
When taking on your case, we provide you with high-quality service that keeps the focus on what you need. We demonstrate our commitment to you through every action we take on your behalf and make sure that your rights are protected throughout your case. We help with case logistics and management, as well as negotiations, so you receive a fair settlement.
Truck Drivers and Companies Must Follow Federal and State Regulations
The factors that contribute to truck accidents are similar to those that cause car accidents. The type of negligent driving that results in a crash is the same, regardless of vehicle type. However, there are trucking laws and regulations that truck operators must comply with that don’t apply to non-commercial drivers. A court could rely on violations as evidence of negligence. Some common ones include:
- Weight restrictions under Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines
- Vehicle inspection requirements under 49 CFR 396.11
- Commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements under 49 CFR 383.23
- Cargo securement rules under 49 CFR 393.100
- Alcohol and drug testing requirements under 49 CFR 382.303
If a trucking company or driver violated any of these laws, they may be held responsible for your injuries. Like with other drivers, truck operators could also face civil liability if they cause a crash due to negligence. Any of these actions could result in civil liability for injuries that occurred.
Failing to Follow Trucking Regulations Can Be Used As Evidence of Negligence
Regulations for commercial trucks can also serve as evidence of negligence. One of the most common examples is a violation of the hours of service (HOS) rule. These rules limit the number of hours a truck operator can be on the road without taking a break. Violating these rules could increase the likelihood of an accident. There are also federal regulations regarding the weight of a truck or the length of a trailer.
Failure to comply with any of these regulations could have a direct impact on the cause of an accident. Even if the truck operator was not issued a citation, it’s possible to establish that a violation occurred. A skilled attorney can investigate the nature of a truck accident and do everything in their power to determine who should be sued for your damages.
Grapevine Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The injuries that come with a truck accident can be devastating. The size, weight, and force of impact involved exacerbate its effects and can have long-lasting ramifications. In some cases, these injuries may even be fatal. Some common injuries in a truck accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Amputations
- Back injuries
- Ligament and tendon injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
These injuries can have permanent consequences in many cases. Treating these injuries is often costly, especially when they result in the need for long-term care. Your skilled truck accident attorney in Grapevine could assist you with filing a Grapevine truck accident claim so you can seek monetary compensation for these injuries.
Insurance Companies are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies don’t exist to help you. Adjusters may dispute liability, slow down the process in hopes you’ll accept a lower offer, or use technicalities to deny your claim. Their goal is to protect their bottom line rather than pay you what you’re entitled to.
Hiring a lawyer helps reduce pushback from the insurance company, so they have a harder time disputing your claim. Acting quickly after a truck accident helps protect the information needed to build your case. A Grapevine truck accident attorney will take steps to preserve evidence, calculate damages, show long-term medical needs, establish pain and suffering, and implement effective negotiation tactics.
Truck accident lawyers in Grapevine work tirelessly to acquire all the evidence, documentation, and expert witnesses needed to have a strong chance of winning on your behalf. They are prepared for the objections insurance companies raise and use their legal skills to protect you when you’ve been harmed and maximize your compensation.
How to maximize your claim
If you hope to maximize the compensation you recover in your truck accident claim, a good first step is to hire a reputable legal advocate before filing your claim. While they will use various strategies and negotiation tactics, you should be prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit if you truly hope to get the most out of your truck accident claim.
When you go to court, you have the right to be made whole or reimbursed for all compensatory damages. Keep in mind, however, that there may be caps on the amount of compensation you can recover depending on the type of accident you were involved in under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §104.001.
Your Rights As an 18-Wheeler Accident Victim
Many people are not fully aware of their rights after an 18-wheeler accident, which is why so many people receive inadequate compensation after serious accidents. What you don’t know can hurt you, which is why having a Grapevine truck accident lawyer by your side is beneficial. As an accident victim, you have the right to:
- Seek compensation that goes beyond your direct financial losses.
- Refuse any early settlement offers. Indeed, you should, since these are usually less than you deserve.
- Hire an attorney to represent you, who can handle all communication regarding the accident on your behalf.
- Fight your case in court if you are not satisfied with the fairness of settlement offers.
- Receive fair treatment and prompt payment once a settlement is determined.
Your Grapevine 18–wheeler accident attorney is there to ensure that your rights are protected. With us representing and advising you, you can have confidence that we will make it our mission to do everything in our power to ensure you are treated fairly.
Parties That May Be Liable for a Truck Accident in Grapevine
Commercial truck accidents can be complicated because multiple parties may share responsibility. Our lawyers work to hold all liable parties accountable. Depending on the circumstances, those responsible for the accident may include:
- Truck drivers: Truck drivers can be held liable when their negligent actions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving while fatigued, contribute to an accident.
- Trucking companies: Employers are responsible when they fail to properly train drivers, enforce critical safety protocols, or maintain their fleet in a safe operating condition.
- Manufacturers: Companies that produce defective truck parts, such as faulty brakes, tires, or other critical components, can also be held accountable if these defects cause an accident.
- Third parties: Other parties, such as maintenance providers, cargo loaders, or contractors, may share liability if their negligence creates unsafe conditions that lead to a crash.
We will carefully evaluate police reports, photos, black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and so much more as we investigate the accident. These and other forms of evidence can provide clarity on who is at fault, as well as provide documentation you can use to support your claim.
A Grapevine Truck Accident Attorney Establishes Liability to Hold At-Fault Parties Accountable
To hold the correct party responsible for their actions, you and your lawyer will have to provide concrete evidence and establish liability in truck accidents. The purpose of this is to make sure that your claim is not a case of he-said, she-said, but is based on fact. As such, your lawyer will use the documentation and data they’ve collected to build an argument that demonstrates the following elements:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party was obligated to uphold trucking regulations and the rules of the road to ensure safety.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party violated their obligation to safety by acting negligently.
- Causation: The at-fault party’s actions were the cause of the accident, and the effect of it led to your harm.
- Damages: The at-fault party must pay for the damage they caused you so you can recover your losses.
When this process is satisfactorily completed, trucking personnel can be held truly liable. This means that they are responsible for the consequences that come with it. Your lawyer will continue to negotiate for you throughout this process so that your compensation is enough to cover the losses you sustained.
How The Texas Proportionate Responsibility Laws Impact Your Claim
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, you may be able to recover losses in your lawsuit despite sharing blame as long as your liability percentage isn’t greater than 50%. Your proportionate responsibility is taken out of your settlement.
For example, if you’re 20% liable for the crash, then you would only receive 80% of your settlement. Lawyers can help minimize your liability.
How Much You Can Recover in a Truck Accident Claim
To determine how much your truck accident damages are worth, we will need to evaluate your various economic and non-economic damages carefully. You are entitled to the full value of your compensatory damages. A lawyer can negotiate for you and help you with settling a truck accident case. Some of the most common types of recoverable damages in commercial truck accident claims include:
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of employer-provided benefits
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Professional reputational damage
- Increased insurance premiums
- Truck or vehicle repairs
- The cost of a rental car
- Medical bills and equipment
- Future healthcare expenses
You can also find out whether exemplary damages should be awarded in your case. Per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.003, punitive relief will not apply in all truck accident or personal injury claims. Instead, they apply when the defendant intended to cause injuries, was grossly negligent, or was maliciously harmful.
How Much Time You Have to File a Claim Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
The statute of limitations will generally expire two years from the date of your truck accident, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003.
However, the deadline could be extended further from the date you were diagnosed with injuries if you’re dealing with a delayed diagnosis situation. If you don’t file your claim in time, you may miss out on compensation you could have otherwise recovered.
Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney in Grapevine as Soon as Possible
Truck collisions routinely lead to devastating personal injuries, and The Texas Law Dog is ready to help you recover your losses. If you’re living with the consequences of a truck accident, you could be entitled to monetary compensation from the party that caused the wreck.
Contact a Grapevine truck accident lawyer immediately to schedule a free consultation, learn more about us, and discuss your options.
