Texas is one of the biggest major trucking and freight hauling hubs in the country. Big rigs and tractor trailers are just a part of everyday life. We ordinarily don’t pay too much attention to the trucks on the road until there is an accident.
The size and weight of semi trucks contribute to the severity of these accidents and the injuries involved. These extreme events can wreak havoc on the victims physically, mentally, and financially. When a truck accident causes injuries, it disrupts your entire life.
The Fort Worth truck accident attorneys from Buzbee Law Firm have built their careers standing up to big industries that do not want to take responsibility. They fight aggressively for the rights of injury victims and may be able to aid you in your claim.
Semi-Truck Accident Attorney FAQ
It’s common to have many questions after an accident, and it can be difficult to know what to do next. To help you determine your next steps, we have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions.
What are the Recoverable Damages in a Semi-truck Accident Case?
How are Semi-truck Accident Lawyers Paid?
What Kinds of Injuries Are Common in Semi-truck Accident Claims?
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas?
Who Will Pay for My Injuries and Damages After a Fort Worth Truck Accident?
What Evidence Can an Attorney Gather to Build My Case?
What are the Recoverable Damages in a Semi-truck Accident Case?
Every claim and every injury victim will have unique circumstances, so the exact damages you may collect will depend upon a number of factors. A semi-truck accident lawyer in Ft. Worth can perform a comprehensive evaluation to provide you with an estimated case value. Your lawyer will consider everything from the income you lost to the future costs you may incur from your injuries.
In most personal injury cases, the recoverable damages are:
For a free legal consultation with a semi-truck accidents lawyer serving Fort Worth, call 844-349-9196
Your Medical Bills
All costs associated with the treatment of your injuries will be assessed. The expenses can include treatment for future complications, medical devices, rehabilitation therapy, mobility aids, and continuing care costs. Transportation to and from medical appointments can be a factor.
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Your Lost Wages
These damages are nearly always considered. The loss of income from work due to your injuries and the ongoing treatment can be included. If you are severely injured and can’t return to work in a normal capacity, the cost of vocational rehab, loss of benefits, loss of retirement, and loss of earning potential or future earnings will be considered.
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Your Property Damage
The repair or replacement cost of your vehicle and the contents that became damaged in the accident are included in the calculations of the value of a case. Things like phones and computers can cost a significant amount to replace, and you should not have to pay for their repair or replacement.
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Your Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages in a semi-truck accident are those things that don’t have a monetary value. The emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and other psychological harm you suffered were a very real result of the accident, and they can have a significant impact on your life.
Since there is no way to undo the losses you experienced or the pain you felt, the legal system allows you to pursue these damages in the form of monetary compensation.
Loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, or loss of services or society could be considered. In general terms, the extent to which your life has been disrupted will have a significant impact on the value of your non-economic damages.
A Fort Worth lawyer with experience handling truck accident claims can consult with medical experts, accident scene reconstructionists, and other specialists to help determine the value of your claim. Considering the value of past cases with similar circumstances can also provide insight.
How are Semi-truck Accident Lawyers Paid?
Personal injury lawyers, such as those involved in commercial truck crash cases, will generally accept a case on contingency. This means that if the attorney doesn’t win or settle your claim, you don’t pay. This is common practice and allows the injury victim access to legal representation.
Contingency-based claims will usually involve a predetermined percentage of a settlement or award that is paid to the lawyer after the case has been resolved. Depending on the complexity of the case, the attorney usually charges between 33–43%.
This type of fee structure is beneficial for injury victims because they aren’t required to pay monthly bills or retainer fees. It’s also to the client’s advantage because the attorney will be additionally motivated to maximize your recovery.
What Kinds of Injuries Are Common in Semi-truck Accident Claims?
The injuries in a commercial truck accident case can be extreme and often the victim will be faced with multiple injuries.
A Fort Worth Truck accident lawyer should have experience with multiple injuries and have a solid understanding of the pain involved in the injury itself and the treatment, as well as the complications that can be expected. The lawyer can use this knowledge to validate the severity and impact of your injuries.
We have represented clients with many different types of injuries in truck accident lawsuits including:
- Coup-contrecoup injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Brain contusions
- Organ damage, organ failure
- Herniated disc
- Internal injuries/bleeding
- Penetrating brain injuries
- Whiplash/neck injuries
- Concussions
- Hip injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Dog bites and complications
- Broken or fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burn injuries
- Back injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Diffuse axonal injuries
These injuries can lead to future complications, some of which require a lifetime of care. It’s important to have a lawyer evaluate the facts of your case to ensure you are pursuing the full value of your damages. A semi-truck accident lawyer in Fort Worth can help you to avoid accepting an undervalued settlement.
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas?
According to CDC motor vehicle crash facts, over a third of long-haul truck operators will be involved in a serious accident over the course of their careers. They go on to state that the number of trucks on the road and the number of miles driven are on the increase.
The demand for drivers has grown, but the number of drivers has decreased in recent years, and this has resulted in a loss of experienced, qualified semi-truck drivers.
Some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents include:
- Fatigued driver
- Prescription or over-the-counter drug use
- Over-the-counter drug use
- Hauling too big of a load
- Traveling too fast for road or weather conditions
- Not maintaining proper driving distance
- Roadway obstructions
- Alcohol use, drunk driver
- Fail to stop for a traffic signal or stop sign
- Congestion, previous crash on the road
- Unfamiliar with roadway
- Distracted driver
- Failure to perform safety checks
- Brake failure, tire failure, steering failure, or defective vehicle parts
- Cargo improperly loaded or secured
Semi-truck accidents are the cause of devastating injuries, and altered lives, and often result in fatalities. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you should not be left to bear the financial burden.
If you lost a loved one in a semi-truck accident, our wrongful death attorneys may be able to help you pursue a wrongful death claim.
Who Will Pay for My Injuries and Damages After a Fort Worth Truck Accident?
Numerous companies and entities are involved in the operation of a single semi-truck, even if it is owner operated. This means that there can be many defendants involved in a truck accident case and multiple parties may be responsible for sharing the liability in a claim.
Usually, the insurance companies of the negligent parties will pay the award or settlement package. In order to determine the at-fault parties, all available evidence will be considered by your semi-truck accident attorney in Fort Worth to ensure that all liable parties are identified.
Your attorney may find that one or more of the following parties can be held liable for your accident:
Freight and Trucking Companies
Some companies will attempt to make up for the driver deficit by hiring inexperienced drivers, reducing the intensity of the training, or forcing drivers to work longer than is legally permitted. They can also fail in their duties to submit to federal and state safety requirements and inspections. These actions or inactions can be considered negligence.
The Truck’s Owners
Some trucking companies don’t own their own trucks and lease them from another company which may be responsible for maintaining, licensing, and upkeep of the truck. If the owner of the truck involved in the crash failed to have the truck properly serviced or inspected, they could be liable.
Manufacturers
If the parts of the truck are found to be defective, the maker of the truck or the individual part manufacturers can be held liable for the defective products they produced. Brake failures, tire blowouts, or fuel line ruptures can lead to truck crashes and severe injuries.
Cargo Handlers and Loading Services
It’s critical that the cargo on the truck is loaded properly. The weight must be distributed in such a way that the truck does not flip over or jackknife. If the cargo is loaded incorrectly or leaves the bay without being secured, the load can shift and cause an accident.
Truck Drivers
When drivers don’t take the personal responsibility necessary to operate an 80,000 lb. machine, they can definitely be held liable for the accidents they cause. Reckless driving, driving under the influence, or failing to obey traffic laws are common reasons for semi-truck accidents.
Trucking companies and their insurance providers will have lawyers working to identify and reduce sources of liability immediately after a semi-truck accident. They may even look for ways to place some of the blame on you. Hiring a lawyer can protect your interests and help to combat any allegations made against you.
What Evidence Can an Attorney Gather to Build My Case?
Working with a lawyer can provide you with easier access to critical evidence to prove your case. If you are depending on the insurance companies to be transparent and honest about their liability in an accident, it will not turn out in your favor.
A lawyer will specifically look for evidence that may not be obvious or apparent to everyone. They will have the legal authority and the resources to access the information and evidence needed for a successful case. Some examples of the evidence a lawyer may gather include:
Some evidence we can secure:
- Truck Inspection records, driver log books
- Electronic data recorder (EDR) Black Box data
- Evidence from the scene of the crash
- Witness statements
- Records of the trucking company’s previous violations
- Truck driver toxicology test results
- Video footage and images from witnesses, cell phones, dash cams, and traffic cameras
- Cell phone activity of the other drivers
- Driving records of the truck driver
Evidence is key to proving your claim. A Fort Worth truck accident attorney can help you to secure the evidence that is needed to build a solid legal case.
Schedule a Consultation With a Fort Worth Semi-truck Accident Attorney Today
Commercial trucking accident cases can involve the corporate legal teams of multiple defendants. The laws in such cases can be complex and require specialized legal knowledge to navigate.
The potential for missteps is great, and any delay or missed deadline can put your right to claim at risk. The Buzbee Law Firm can handle your case and significantly reduce these risks to ensure your claim is handled in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Let us put our experience to work for you. Contact us today for a case evaluation with no obligation at no cost to you.
Call or text 844-349-9196 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form