Dallas Truck Accident Lawyers

Experienced Dallas Truck Accident Attorneys Ready To Serve You

Representing Truck Accident Victims in Carrollton, Denton, Grapevine, Lewisville, McKinney, and Southlake

Truck accident scene in Dallas to be handled by a skilled attorneys.

Accidents involving large trucks are terrifying. If you are lucky enough to survive, you could be left with debilitating injuries for the rest of your life. There are numerous safety concerns with these large trucks, which is why there are special federal laws that govern their activities, including how many hours they can drive. If you were injured by a commercial vehicle or semi-truck, you will need a Dallas truck accident lawyer who cares about your case to seek compensation on your behalf.

At the Hartley Law Firm, we work hard to achieve a successful result for every client. We have years of experience representing clients just like you with all their Dallas personal injury needs. Give our office a call today at (469) 289-6063 or submit a contact form to schedule a free in-person consultation.

Main Reasons for Dallas Truck Accidents

The most common causes that cause truck accidents are:

Mistakes of drivers: This includes illness, drowsiness, inattention, a banal inability to normally control a large vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
Breakage: This includes the lack of proper maintenance, critical wear of the units, and simply unfortunate coincidences of circumstances lead to the failure of the steering, braking, and other truck systems;
Defective vehicles or equipment: Even truck drivers who are careful and conduct regular maintenance can have instances of defective equipment, such as faulty brakes;
The condition of roads: Speed and a broken / icy road are mixed poorly, and this also often leads to accidents; and
Carried cargo: If the truck is overloaded, the load is poorly secured or the vehicle is not suitable for its transportation, this can have unfortunate consequences.

It’s not uncommon for large truck accidents to have multiple causes. A driver could be drowsy or distracted and speeding when a defective tire blows, causing them to lose control.

“This was my first time ever making a claim for an incident. Austin was very helpful and had great communication by keeping me informed throughout the whole process. I would definitely recommend him to family and friends.”
– Jesse B.

Who Is Liable in a Dallas Truck Accident?

If you are in a Dallas truck accident, you want to know who will pay for your damages. Depending on the circumstances, you might have multiple defendants that are responsible for your damages. You may have a claim against the driver and their employer—the trucking company—in some cases. In accidents involving a defective vehicle or equipment, you might have a claim against a truck manufacturer as well.

Before you can collect any damages, you need to prove liability against one or more defendants. Texas is a comparative negligence state. Even if you have a small percentage of fault, you could collect a portion of your damages. However, you cannot be more than 50% at fault. If you are, you will receive nothing from the truck driver.

Common Types of Injuries in Dallas Truck Accidents

Truck accident victim talking to his lawyer in Dallas.

Truck accidents can result in a wide variety of injuries. Some of the most common injuries we see in Dallas truck accidents include:

Whiplash,
Other neck injuries,
Back injuries,
Broken bones,
Internal organ damage,
Traumatic brain injury,
Spinal cord injuries,
Amputations,
Crush injuries,
Lacerations,
Burns,
Paralysis, and
Psychological injuries.

Severe and catastrophic injuries are not uncommon in large truck accidents. The size and weight difference of an 18-wheeler truck versus a compact vehicle can be devastating in a collision. Unfortunately, fatalities are also common in large truck accidents. If your loved one passed away from injuries sustained in a Dallas truck accident, you might be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim.

Damages Available in a Dallas Truck Accident Claim

When you pursue a claim for damages, you could be entitled to receive financial compensation for your:

Medical bills to date,
Future medical bills,
Lost wages to date,
Loss of earning capacity,
Disability, disfigurement, and scarring,
Loss of enjoyment of life,
Physical pain and suffering, and
Emotional distress.

In some instances, you might be able to get punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to “punish” the defendant and prevent them from acting similarly again. For example, if you have a truck driver who was driving under the influence at the time, the court might award punitive damages. Cases involving intentional or egregious acts are the only ones that qualify for punitive damages.

When your loved one dies from their injuries, you might be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Surviving spouses, children, and parents can pursue claims for their own losses in connection to their family member’s death. Examples of possible damages include loss of consortium, loss of inheritance, loss of earning capacity, and more.

Reasons to Hire a Dallas Truck Accident Attorneys

Following an accident with a large truck, you may be confused about what to do. Speaking with an experienced Dallas truck accident lawyers can help. You should not begin negotiating your claim with the truck driver’s insurance or employer without consulting with a lawyer first. Large truck accidents tend to be complicated. You run the risk of jeopardizing your possible settlement by attempting negotiations without legal representation.

Insurance companies and trucking companies know that you don’t have experience with claims. They use that to their advantage and will typically offer less than your claim is worth, or they might even deny it outright by trying to place more than 50% fault on you. Your legal team will protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

When you retain Hartley Law Firm, we will also conduct a thorough independent investigation. We will gather documents, order records, and visit the accident scene. If you have photos from the accident scene, we can use them in the investigation. In some cases, it might be necessary to hire a medical expert or an accident reconstructionist to testify on your behalf.

If your case has disputed liability, it’s more important to hire an attorney. Without representation, you will be responsible for all court costs and fees upfront if you have to file a lawsuit. Most personal injury legal team works on a contingency basis. That means they don’t bill you hourly. Instead, they will take a percentage of whatever settlement or jury award received in your case. Therefore, you have nothing to lose by meeting with our Dallas truck accident lawyers to learn how we can help.

Contact Hartley Law Firm online or by calling 469-289-6063.

Statute of Limitations on Texas Truck Accident Claims

You have only a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit with the court after a truck accident. In most truck accident claims, you’ll have two years from the date of the accident to file.

If you miss the statute of limitations deadline, the court could throw your case out entirely. That means even if you are in negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance and the deadline has passed, they are under no obligation to pay you anything for your claim. For example, if they offered you $20,000 before the deadline but you hadn’t yet reached an agreement, they don’t have to keep negotiating with you.

When you have an experienced Dallas truck accident attorney representing you, we will file the lawsuit prior to the deadline. You don’t have to worry whether or not your filing is within the allotted window.

What to Do If You Become a Victim of a Truck Accident

If you were injured by a commercial vehicle or semi-truck, you will need an experienced Dallas truck accident attorney to seek compensation on your behalf. At Hartley Law Firm, we work hard to achieve a successful result for every client.

Contact us today at (469) 289-6063 or submit our online form to schedule a free in-person consultation. Let us protect your rights and help you fight for the compensation you deserve after a truck accident in Texas.

Hartley Law Firm handles other types of cases as well, including: