Why You Need an Experienced Dallas 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney
Around 20% of all semi-truck accidents lead to the occupants of the cars getting injured. Being struck by an 18-wheeler is often a serious accident that leads to lifelong and debilitating injuries. These accidents may even lead to the death of loved ones.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler accident in Dallas, you need the legal guidance of experienced truck accident attorneys. The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. has dedicated their lives to helping injured parties and their families get the compensation they deserve after one of these terrible accidents.
From filing the initial litigation claim to presenting your case with solid evidence to ensure you get a fair and just settlement, you can rely on our attorneys to be with you every step of the way.
Expert Guidance Through the Complexities of Dallas 18-Wheeler Accidents
Since our founding in 1999, the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. has been Dallas’s trusted law firm for personal injury and truck accident cases. We understand the complexities that surround these accidents. From the sheer size of these vehicles to the involvement of numerous liable parties (driver, company, manufacturer, and insurance companies), to the strict federal regulations surrounding 18-wheelers and their usage, there is a need for specialized legal expertise to ensure that the case is handled properly. The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. thoroughly investigates the entire case, making certain to paint a clear picture of the following:
- Disparity in size and weight between the vehicles involved: Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs around 4,000 pounds. This huge difference in size often leads to catastrophic damage and injuries when an accident occurs, oftentimes with the smaller vehicle taking the brunt of the damage.
- Extensive damage of the accident: The size of the 18-wheeler creates a larger impact force, no matter how fast the vehicle was going. This often results in the occupants of the smaller car experiencing more serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. In the worst cases, these accidents result in the death of the driver or other occupants of the car.
- Multiple defendants: Unlike car accidents, 18-wheeler accidents involve multiple parties who may be held responsible. This includes the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the truck or trailer, the manufacturer of the truck, or the technician who worked on it.
- Complex federal regulations: 18-Wheeler drivers must follow additional rules to ensure the safe operation of their vehicles. These regulations, set by the federal government, apply to all entities within the trucking industry and dictate the following:
- Hours of service
- Vehicle maintenance
- Driver qualifications
- Size of load
- Additional evidence: Determining fault relies heavily on collecting and analyzing the evidence of the case. For 18-wheeler accidents, additional evidence needs collecting, including:
- Electronic logbooks
- Driver training records
- Vehicle maintenance records
Board-Certified Personal Injury Attorney
The Hernandez Law Group has a proven track record of handling 18-wheeler accidents in Dallas, Texas. Our attorneys approach each case with passion and have aided thousands of clients and recovered millions of dollars. We know that the defense is going to be aggressive, as they want to try and lowball the injured party into accepting a settlement that is less than what they deserve. We don’t let them do that.
Juan Hernandez, our lead attorney, is certified through the Texas Legal Board of Specialization for Personal Injury Law. Only 2% of Texas lawyers hold this certification. Our extensive knowledge and years of experience will protect your right to fair compensation and ensure that you get what you deserve to cover medical expenses and damages resulting from an accident. Contact our attorneys today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Dallas
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tracks data relating to truck drivers and truck accidents within the United States. According to these studies, the most common causes of semi-truck accidents in Dallas include:
- Traveling too fast in poor weather conditions: During rainstorms, snowstorms, or other poor weather conditions, all drivers should reduce their speed and drive carefully. Semi-truck drivers who fail to do so account for 23% of all truck accidents.
- Improper maintenance: Semi-trucks should be properly maintained to ensure they don’t experience mechanical problems on the roadway. When drivers or trucking companies don’t perform this maintenance, the trucks often cause accidents. Brake and tire problems account for 35% of accidents.
- Fatigue: A truck driver who goes too long without sleep experiences slowed reaction time and may even fall asleep behind the wheel. Employers of truck drivers usually cause this fatigue. In these cases, the company may be held partially or completely at fault for the accident.
- Driving under the influence: Three percent of all 18-wheeler accidents are caused by drivers under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. Another 17% of semi-truck accidents are caused by drivers who took legal, over-the-counter medicines that negatively impacted their ability to drive.
- Following too closely: Semi-trucks take longer to stop when braking than other vehicles do. For this reason, truckers must maintain a very safe following distance. Following too closely accounts for around 5% of all truck accidents.
Who Can Be Held Liable in an 18-Wheeler Accident?
Multiple parties involved in an 18-wheeler accident make these cases more complex and leave little room for error. The first and most important step in the truck accident claims process is determining the cause of the accident and who is responsible.
- The trucking company may be found at fault if:
- They forced drivers to continue to drive past the Federal Hours of Service Regulations, leading to driver fatigue.
- The driver was improperly trained or doesn’t hold the correct qualifications to operate the vehicle.
- They forced the driver to drive in unsafe road conditions, such as heavy rain or snow.
- They overloaded the trailer, leading to an imbalanced vehicle.
- The truck driver may be found at fault if:
- They performed illegal driving actions such as speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- They were distracted while driving.
- The truck or parts manufacturer may be found at fault if:
- Mechanical failure due to a defect in the truck or part caused the accident.
- Cargo loaders/shippers may be found at fault if:
- The cargo was improperly secured, and the shifting cargo contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance contractors may be found at fault if:
- The contractor was negligent in their maintenance of the truck and this negligence led to the truck’s mechanical failure which resulted in the accident.
- Government may be found at fault if:
- Poorly maintained roads caused the accident.
Compensation Available After a Dallas 18-Wheeler Accident
Both economic and non-economic damages can be recuperated in a truck accident case. These damages include the following:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages or earning capacity
- Emotional damages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death in cases of fatal accidents
How Our Dallas Truck Accident Attorneys Help You
Trucking companies and their insurance carriers are quick to investigate the cause of an accident, and unfortunately, do everything in their power to shift the blame to the injured party. They always want to protect their bottom line and pay out as little money as possible. Meanwhile, the injured party must deal with this additional strain while recovering from injuries and any other damage caused by the accident. This is where a truck accident attorney comes in.
The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. protects our clients’ right to fair compensation by ensuring that the trucking companies and their insurance carriers are not able to bully our clients into accepting a settlement that is less than they deserve. We move quickly to gather proper evidence to show the full picture of what happened, and not allow the insurance companies to twist the facts.
We work closely with our clients, ensuring that they can claim the compensation they deserve for damages and to cover medical expenses. Our truck accident attorneys know that it should not be the victim who pays for another party’s negligence. Allow our family to fight for yours and contact the Dallas truck accident attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group to schedule your free no no-obligation consultation.
FAQs:
After being involved in an 18-wheeler accident, you will want to take the following steps:
– Move vehicles to the side of the road if it is safe to do so.
– Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance.
– Check for injuries.
– Gather information:
– Name of the other driver
– Name of the trucking company
– License plate number
– Insurance information
– Phone number
– Address.
– Gather information from any witnesses:
– Name
– Phone number
– Address
– Document the scene by taking pictures:
– Vehicle damage
– Road conditions
– Any injuries you or your passengers sustained.
– Get a copy of the official police report.
– Notify your insurance company.
– Contact a trusted truck injury lawyer.
18-Wheeler accident cases are more complex than car accident cases due to the following:
– Multiple parties are involved.
– The necessity of specialized evidence, such as the Hours of Service Logs.
– Potential for more severe injuries or damages.
– Federal regulations that could require witness testimony.
The following parties could be potentially responsible for an accident involving an 18-wheeler:
– The truck driver
– The trucking company
– The truck manufacturer
– The parts manufacturer
– Maintenance team
– Cargo loaders
The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. However, it is important to submit your claim as soon as possible, as time can make evidence harder to gather.