Side-Impact Truck Accidents in Southlake
Your involvement in a side-impact truck crash can cause serious damage to you and your loved ones through physical injury. The size and weight of semis can make collisions especially dangerous. The reasons behind side-impact truck accidents in Southlake could allow you to file a claim for financial compensation against those who have liability for causing it. Reach out to our truck crash attorneys to learn what steps to take after a wreck and better understand how injury laws could impact the outcome of your case.
Possible Causes of Side-Impact Truck Accidents
Many different circumstances and actions in Southlake can cause a side-impact truck accident, including the actions of truck drivers and the driving environment. The following factors could relate to the possible cause:
- Not checking blind spots
- Fishtailing cargo boxes
- Not signaling before changing lanes
- Driving distracted
- Driving through stop signs and stop lights
- Not adjusting driving for icy, rainy, or windy weather conditions
- Poorly loaded trucks that cause rollovers
- Driving drunk
Knowing the cause of a truck accident at the time of the collision can be difficult because of the speed and unexpectedness of the accident. The professional guidance of an attorney could be useful in these cases to identify the cause and who could have liability.
What to Do After a Side-Impact Truck Crash
The exact steps to take after a Southlake side-impact truck accident could vary from case to case, depending on the unique setting of the collision and needs of the people involved. However, the process may begin with getting yourself and others to a safe location that is out of the way of oncoming traffic or the effects of the wreck. This can be important in the context of a truck accident where the cargo could be hazardous or create an increased risk of a fire or an explosion.
The next step could be to contact emergency responders, including police and paramedic crews, to report the accident and get medical treatment. If possible, take photos of the scene, write down any important details about the events leading up to the accident, and gather necessary contact information from the involved drivers. Consider getting a full medical evaluation at the nearest hospital to document potential injuries and begin treatment.
Who Could Be Liable for a T-Bone Truck Collision?
Several parties in Southlake could be liable for the losses after a side-impact truck wreck when their wrongful actions contributed to the cause. These liable parties could include the commercial truck driver, their employer, the drivers of other cars, truck manufacturers or repair shops, or government agencies that failed to maintain roadways.
In some cases, an injured person could also have responsibility for causing the collision. An injured person with contributory fault for a truck accident can recover compensation through a civil lawsuit, but the court reduces their recovery in proportion to their percentage of fault. For example, a person with 20 percent fault could only recover $80,000 of their $100,000 total damages. When the injured person’s fault is greater than 50 percent, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001 prohibits recovery for their damages entirely.
Call an Attorney After Side-Impact Truck Accidents in Southlake
Texas has a two-year limitation period that applies to the filing of injury lawsuits, which includes actions involving side-impact truck accidents in Southlake. An injured person must file their claim within two years from the date of the accident to preserve their right to seek compensation. Failure to follow this rule could limit their attempt to recover for their damages and cause a dismissal of their case from court. For help understanding your filing deadline and navigating the other aspects of injury laws, meet with a lawyer today.