Have You Been Injured in a Truck Wreck in Dallas?
Truck accident victims can seek financial compensation if their injuries and losses result from another party’s negligence. These cases often involve a negligent truck driver or the trucking company that employs them. However, the trucking industry is comprised of numerous entities that play a role in ensuring the truck operates safely, such as maintenance providers and cargo loading companies. Any of these agencies could share the fault for the accident that injured you. Identifying who is responsible is vital to maximize your financial recovery.
An experienced truck accident attorney can file a claim against the truck driver, their employer, and any other parties who caused or contributed to the accident and pursue the justice you deserve.
About Our Truck Accident Law Firm
At Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., our legal team investigates and litigates accidents involving all types of commercial trucks, including tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, box trucks, dump trucks, delivery vans, and more. We represent victims in truck accident cases, as well as families who have lost loved ones in accidents involving commercial trucks.
We are an established and professional law firm with friendly lawyers and staff who are easy to talk to. Let our lawyers advise you about your rights after an accident caused by a negligent trucker. You should seek legal advice immediately – before you discuss the matter with an insurance adjuster and before you sign anything.
We handle truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we recover money for you.
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Why Choose Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. for Your Dallas Truck Accident Claim?
An experienced legal counsel can make a difference in the outcome of your injury claim. For decades, accident victims have turned to the Dallas truck accident lawyers from Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. for legal representation because of our:
- Experience – Our attorneys have represented accident victims throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area for over 45 years.
- Friendly approach – We maintain a caring atmosphere so you feel comfortable talking to us.
- Stability – Many of our support staff have worked with us for an average of 25 years. A team that sticks together works well together, improving the quality of services you receive.
- Professional engagement – Our lawyers hold memberships in various professional organizations in the legal industry, which shows our dedication to the legal field and skill in obtaining successful outcomes for injured people.
- Determination – We leave no stone unturned in pursuing maximum compensation for you during settlement negotiations or at trial when necessary.
- Affordability – Our firm represents truck accident victims on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident in Dallas
Truck accidents leave many victims with serious injuries that require emergency care. If you are physically able, taking specific steps at the accident scene can put you in the best position to file a personal injury claim. Immediate actions that can strengthen a truck accident case in Dallas include:
- Reporting the truck wreck to the police and getting a copy of their accident report
- Seeking immediate medical care and following your doctor’s treatment plan
- Keeping all documentation related to the trucking accident, including medical records, communication from insurers, pay stubs, vehicle repair records, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
- Consulting a truck accident attorney to learn your potential rights to compensation
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Cases in Dallas
What is the Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Dallas, TX?
Based on the Texas statute of limitations on truck accident cases typically gives victims two years to file a lawsuit against the liable party(s). If you fail to file your claim on time, you may lose your opportunity to hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm you suffered.
Getting started as soon as possible is essential for other reasons. Important evidence from the crash scene could deteriorate or get lost. In addition, truck companies are only required to keep certain records for relatively short periods. Once you hire an attorney, they can send a letter of spoliation to the truck company demanding that it preserve any relevant evidence.
Recoverable Damages in Truck Accident Cases in Dallas, TX
In a truck accident case, you can potentially recover compensation for the financial and personal losses you sustained. Your financial recovery can include money for your:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Future losses of income and employment benefits
- Reduced earning potential if you must work in a lower-paying job due to permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
You could also pursue punitive damages in some instances. Punitive damages are awarded for intentional or malicious conduct and are designed to warn others against behaving similarly in the future. For example, a commercial truck accident caused by the truck driver’s road rage could merit a punitive damages award to the injured victim.
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Determining Liability After a Truck Crash in Dallas
Your attorney must identify every liable party to maximize your compensation after an 18-wheeler accident. Evidence your lawyer might use to determine liability for a truck accident includes:
- Hours-of-service logs
- Driving history and employment records
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Cell phone records
- Cargo manifests
- Event data recorder (“black box”) logs
- Repair and maintenance records
- Post-accident vehicle inspections
- The police accident report
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Eyewitness statements
- Surveillance and traffic camera footage
- Accident reconstruction expert reports and testimony
Certain evidence can be difficult for a private individual to obtain on their own. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys can handle every aspect of your case, reducing stress and giving you space to heal.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer for a Truck Claim in Dallas?
At Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., we understand the financial challenges truck accident victims face after a crash. That is why we represent clients on a contingency fee basis. In a contingency fee arrangement, you pay nothing upfront for a truck accident attorney to take your case. We get paid only if we recover compensation for you in a settlement or at trial. We take an agreed-upon percentage of the financial recovery we secure for you. Our fee agreement will outline this percentage so you know exactly what to expect.
Need to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case? Contact Our Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Dallas, TX, the experienced truck accident attorneys at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. will manage the legal proceedings and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in Truck Accidents
Truck Accident
How Many Large Commercial Trucks Are on the Road?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are 10,659,380 registered large trucks. This compares to 8,454,939 motorcycles, 118,677,080 light trucks and 127,091,286 passenger cars
How Frequently Do Truck Accidents Occur?
NHTSA reports that 3,964 people were killed and 95,000 were injured in traffic crashes with large trucks in one recent year. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT), there were 4,950 traffic accidents involving commercial motor vehicles in Dallas and Tarrant counties alone in a single recent year.
Why Are Accidents Involving Trucks Often So Much More Serious Than Other Types of Accidents?
A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh 80,000 pounds or more. The weight of a typical passenger vehicle is only 4,000 pounds. When a commercial truck traveling at highway or freeway speeds collides with a much smaller and lighter passenger vehicle, the damage from the impact can be devastating for the passenger vehicle occupants.
Texas collisions involving heavy trucks and lighter vehicles, the occupants of passenger vehicles often suffer serious or catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord injuries. Many of these injuries cause lifelong disabilities, and some are fatal. NHTSA reports that of the 3,964 people killed in large truck crashes in one recent year, only 691 were truck occupants, while 2,834 were occupants of other vehicles.
Do Large Truck Accident Claims Differ From Car Accident Claims?
Fatalities are more common and injuries are often more serious in accidents involving large commercial trucks. The stakes are therefore generally higher in the insurance claims and lawsuits that result from a truck accident. Another difference is that commercial trucking is under strict federal regulation. Additionally, several different parties may be liable for injuries in large truck accidents, while in passenger car accidents, usually, only the driver at fault for the accident is liable.
In What Ways Do Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Cause Accidents?
Commercial truck drivers may not have enough training in driving skills or safety. They are often motivated by compensation systems that reward longer driving hours and faster speeds. They may also be driving under pressure from the company to meet an unrealistic schedule, resulting in driver fatigue.
According to a study published by NHTSA, a number of factors, including the following, contribute to accidents involving large commercial trucks:
- Traveling too fast for conditions.
- Cargo shifts.
- Jackknifing.
- Driver loss of control.
- Poor road conditions.
Which Federal Agency Regulates Commercial Motor Vehicles?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established on Jan. 1, 2000, pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999. The agency’s purpose is to prevent fatalities and injuries in commercial motor vehicle-related accidents. Among other things, the agency is involved in commercial driver licensing and regulatory compliance and enforcement. FMCSA’s hours of service regulations set driving time limits, establish minimum rest periods and restrict hours of duty in any given week for commercial drivers.
Who is Liable for Injuries in a Commercial Truck Accident in Dallas?
Each case is different, and it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney if you have been injured in an accident with a large commercial truck. Potentially liable parties may include the:
- Truck driver.
- Trucking company.
- Company that owns or leases the trailer.
- Shipping company.
- Truck manufacturer.
- Truck repair shop.
- Parties responsible for road maintenance.
How Soon After a Large Truck Accident Should I File a Claim?
The sooner you consult with a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Dallas, the better. Evidence needed to build your case is more likely to be available soon after the accident, and witnesses’ statements should be taken while the facts and circumstances are still fresh in their minds. You should also bear in mind that there is a statute of limitations – a time limit imposed by law – within which to file an injury claim in Texas.