Skilled Denton Truck Accident Attorney Ready To Assist You
Every motorist is familiar with the fear of driving alongside a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle. We’ve all wondered what would happen if a truck driver lost control. Would you be able to avoid the collision? Who would take care of your family if you were unable to work? Is there anything you could do to hold the negligent truck driver accountable?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, the Denton truck accident lawyers at the Hartley Law Firm is here to help. Attorney Austin Hartley is a dedicated personal injury legal practitioner with hands-on experience with some of the most complex and high-stakes accident cases. He provides each of his many clients with the skillful, compassionate representation they deserve.
Truck Accident Statistics
Texas is the deadliest state when it comes to truck accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, out of the 3,870 fatal truck accidents in the United States in 2019, 517 occurred in the Lone Star State. This means more than 13% of all fatal truck accidents in the country occurred in Texas.
Due to Denton’s location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the city sees a high volume of truck traffic. Not surprisingly, each year, there are many Denton truck accidents. In fact, according to the most recent data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were more than 900 truck accidents in 2019.
Holding Negligent Truck Drivers and Their Employers Accountable
After an accident, it is common to wonder where to turn for help. You may have spent days or weeks in the hospital, missed work and time with your family, and are now facing the endless inflow of medical bills. It is an overwhelming time. Understandably, your first thought after a Denton truck accident may not be filing a lawsuit.
However, filing a truck accident claim can provide you and your family with much-needed financial compensation after an accident. Depending on the nature of the accident and the extent of your injuries, you may recover damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, decrease in earning capacity, and any pain and suffering you endured due to the accident.
In most motor vehicle accident cases, an injured motorist files a claim against the driver they believe was responsible for causing the accident. However, when it comes to truck accident cases, it is important to also consider naming the truck driver’s employer as a defendant in the case. Under the Texas vicarious liability law, employers are responsible for their employee’s negligent acts, provided the employee was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident.
It is important that you reach out to a Denton, TX truck accident lawyer as soon as you are ready, as there are strict timelines that apply in personal injury cases. Under Texas law, you generally have just two years to file a claim after a truck accident. However, the sooner you reach out to a lawyer, the better.
Causes of Denton Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are supposed to be “professional” drivers. However, too often, truck drivers get comfortable behind the wheel and take liberties—liberties that place other drivers at risk. For example, the following are the most common causes of Denton truck accidents:
- Drowsy driving,
- Intoxicated driving,
- Aggressive driving,
- Equipment malfunction,
- Improperly loaded cargo,
- Distracted driving, and
- Fatigued driving.
Truck drivers owe a duty of care to everyone else on the road. This duty requires truckers to operate their rig safely and responsibly. When a truck driver’s negligent actions result in another’s injury, they can be held financially accountable. However, don’t expect truck drivers and their employers to see things the same way you do. Truck accident cases often hinge on complex legal theories and should be handled by an experienced personal injury legal practitioner.
Contact Attorney Austin Harley for Assistance with Your Truck Accident Case
At Hartley Law Firm, we accept injury cases involving:
If you or a loved one was recently injured in a truck accident, the Denton truck accident attorneys at the Hartley Law Firm is here to help. We provide aggressive, client-centered representation to accident victims and their families in all types of truck accident cases. With our help, you can hold the negligent truck driver responsible for your injuries financially accountable, so you can begin to move on with your life after the accident. We offer all truck accident victims a free, no-obligation consultation in which we can answer any questions and explain the process to you in understandable terms. To learn more, give us a call or contact us through our online form.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you sustained serious injuries in a truck accident, you need an experienced Denton injury attorney on your side. Hartley Law Firm offers a no-cost, no-obligation consultation for injury accident victims. During your consultation, we will analyze your case and help you explore your options for pursuing a legal claim.
Meanwhile, we hope these FAQs will provide the basic information you need to take the next step.
How Is Liability Determined in a Truck Accident Case?
To establish liability for your damages, you (or your attorney) must identify all parties that caused or contributed to your accident. You must then demonstrate that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care and then subsequently breached that duty through reckless, negligent, or wrongful actions. Once you can demonstrate that this breach caused your injury accident, you can establish liability for your injuries and other damages.
The complex nature of trucking accidents can make it harder to prove liability. The sooner you can get an attorney on board, the better. After even a few days, critical evidence can disappear. Witnesses might not remember the incident as clearly. Contact an attorney as soon as possible so they can begin the investigation and documentation process.
How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Truck Accident Injury?
Typically, you can pursue compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial damages. This could include your current and future medical treatment costs, current and future lost income, pain and suffering, and more. You could also be entitled to compensation for any permanent damage or disability you sustained as well as diminished earning capacity and lost life’s enjoyment. An attorney can provide a more accurate estimate of what your case value might be.
What Is the Average Denton Truck Accident Settlement Amount?
The injuries and other damages you suffered are unlike those of any other accident victim. This makes it impossible to estimate any possible average truck accident settlement in Denton. However, the nature of truck accidents tends to be more serious than many other types of motor vehicle collisions. Talking to an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer is the best way to determine what your claim value might be.
How Long Will It Take to Get a Settlement for My Truck Accident Injury Claim?
Unfortunately, we cannot establish any average time for a Denton truck accident case to settle. Every injury accident victim’s situation is unique. Two factors that can affect your case include the nature and extent of your injuries and how they will affect your life in the future. The details of the accident can also affect the time it takes to resolve your claim.
In most cases, we successfully negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, because truck accident claims can involve multiple parties—potentially including the truck driver, the shipper, the trucking company, etc.—these cases tend to be more complex. As a result, they may take longer to resolve.
If the insurance company will not settle, we might have to pursue your case through a civil suit. If we do take your case to court, the time required to resolve it will take longer than it otherwise might.
The best way to get more accurate estimates of your claim’s potential value and how long it could take to resolve is to contact a truck accident lawyers from the Hartley Law Firm today. You don’t have to face this challenging situation alone. Contact us now to schedule your free case review.
