Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Injured in a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Dallas, TX?

It is difficult, if not impossible, to make a complete determination of the number of commercial vehicle crashes in the US every year. There are nearly half a million large truck and bus crashes alone, and that does not come close to including all types of commercial vehicles.

Taxis and rideshares (like Uber, Lyft, Alto), delivery cars and vans, vehicles owned and operated for business purposes, construction vehicles, and other industry-specific motor vehicles also contribute to devastating and deadly accidents each year, and they are not included with truck and bus crashes in comprehensive figures.

What we do know is that in Texas, year after year commercial vehicle accident fatalities have been increasing, and people need help after a dangerous or deadly crash has occurred. Thompson Law specializes in just this type of assistance.

Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers have devoted themselves to helping clients get the help they need in recovering from crash injuries, fighting the insurance companies for maximum compensation, and holding the at-fault parties responsible for their negligence.

Call our commercial vehicle accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

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What Should I Expect After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

Unfortunately, many of these accidents do result in long-term and devastating impacts – if you are lucky enough to survive them. Being hit by large, dangerous, or heavy vehicles can have long lasting effects on your body, mental health, career, personal life, and more. Thompson Law’s Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyers have helped countless individuals and families who have faced the below hurdles after their accident.

Our Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyers’ greatest desire is for our clients to have a full recovery and to receive the maximum possible compensation for their ordeal. We will be with you every step of the way if you are working to overcome any of the following obstacles and more.

Up close view of 18 wheeler front end - Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers

  • Medical Treatment for Injuries: Ambulance rides, emergency room visits, ongoing visits to doctors and specialists for treatment and therapy. The time, energy and money devoted to these matters for the victim and the network of friends and family helping through recovery can range from a minor nuisance to a complete lifestyle change.
  • Insurance Company Issues: Commercial policies typically have higher coverage, which is important in recouping your losses after the accident. However, navigating the additional corporate red tape on these policies is not easy. Insurance companies are famous for stalling and obfuscatory tactics, and this is only more prevalent on high dollar claim demands.
  • At-Fault Party Issues: Large companies that own corporate vehicles or fleets may have their own in-house legal counsel to protect them when their drivers make devastating mistakes. If a government body is at fault, processing time to bring a claim is automatically extended.
  • Employment Issues: Due to your injuries and any legal battles with the at fault parties, you may miss work, miss paychecks, or even be left with injuries that forever affect your ability to keep your career. Loss of earning potential is extremely important to factor into insurance claim demands.
  • Pain and Suffering: Last on this list, but certainly not least, is the hardship you face after an accident. All the above can contribute to extreme physical and mental anguish. Injuries, stress, financial hardship, and emotional impacts can be lasting and severe. You deserve justice for your suffering due to the error and negligence of another.

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Why Choose Thompson Law?

First and foremost, Thompson Law is a family-run, and family-oriented firm! We treat our clients as part of our family. Our accident lawyers know how to take on the insurance companies and get you the settlement you deserve.

Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer with No Out-of-Pocket Costs

If you need an accident lawyer, give us a call today and let us do the fighting. Hopefully, you never need a lawyer for a commercial vehicle accident in Dallas, but it never hurts to have one saved in your phone so you are not searching for “18-wheeler truck wreck lawyer” when you most need one.

It does not matter whether you live in Dallas or were just visiting Dallas when your truck accident happened – we can help.

Be aware the Texas statute of limitations limits the time to file a claim after an accident to 2 years from the date of accident in most cases. Call Thompson Law for a free case evaluation. Take action now to protect your right to a fair value monetary recovery.

 

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What is a Commercial Vehicle?

In filing an insurance claim after an accident, it is important to understand which vehicles may be categorized as commercial. While some types may be obvious like 18 wheelers or large box trucks, there are many vehicles on the road that you may not suspect are classed commercially. Classifications vary slightly by state and are not always as straightforward as you might think.

In Texas, a wide variety of vehicles operate under the commercial vehicle designation. The following list includes a wide range of vehicles that qualify by regulation and requirement as commercial vehicles:

  • Rideshare Vehicles: Taxis, limousines, and cars used for Uber, Lyft, Alto, or similar services
  • Delivery Vehicles: Cars, trucks, vans, trailers, owned by and/or used for company purposes
  • Buses: School buses, city buses, or motor coaches
  • Heavy Equipment Vehicles: Specialty vehicles for job sites like oilfields, farming, mining, or construction
  • Hazardous Materials Transports: Any vehicle carrying hazardous materials, regardless of size or weight
  • Vehicles Over 26,000 Pounds: Self-propelled or towed vehicles included
  • 15 or More Person Transport: Vehicles intended or used to transport 15 or more passengers at a time
  • Work Trucks: From pickups, to box trucks, to extended semi-trucks, this is the group that people think of most when they think of commercial vehicles. Trucks are classed by weight, with the Class of the truck increasing with weight. Classes 1-2 are light weight, 3-6 are mid weight, and 7-8 are heavy weight including the largest and heaviest tractor trailers.
    • Class 1: 0 to 6,000 pounds
    • Class 2: 6,001 to 10,000 pounds
    • Class 3: 10,001 to 14,000 pounds
    • Class 4: 14,001 to 16,000 pounds
    • Class 5: 16,001 to 19,500 pounds
    • Class 6: 19,501 to 26,000 pounds
    • Class 7: 26,001 to 33,000 pounds
    • Class 8: 33,000 pounds+

Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Tips

While some cars and trucks are obviously and automatically classed as commercial vehicles, in today’s “gig” economy it’s not always so simple. It is important to work with an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer so you have the help you need to file the appropriate claim and make the most complete demand from the insurance company.

After being hit and hurt by a commercial vehicle, you deserve justice, compensation, and the best care possible in your treatment. Call Thompson Law‘s Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyers for more information about how to move forward and get the help you need.

Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Dallas, TX

Most motor vehicle accidents can be attributed to a main cause in one of three categories: driver error accidents, mechanical failure accidents, or environmental factor accidents. An important part of a Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyer’s responsibility is to argue liability for an accident, meaning determine and build a case explaining who is completely or mostly at fault.

Driver Causes for Collisions

The most common causes of accidents are driver errors. Much of your personal injury attorney’s time and energy is spent building a case that accurately demonstrates the specific details and circumstances of the driver error that caused the wreck.

Many of the reasons for accidents involving personal cars and trucks are the same as commercial vehicles. However, due to the specialized circumstances that accompany professional driving jobs, there are special risks and dangers.

  • Distraction: Any activity that compromises the attention of the driver’s eyes, hands, or mind is a distraction. Distracted driving has become an increasing concern over the last couple of decades as phone and other device use has become more widespread, though the road has always had an array of distractions. This is particularly problematic in commercial vehicles where drivers are constantly monitoring devices for their route, their pickup and delivery information, their payment trackers, and more. From semi drivers monitoring their GPS, to Uber drivers answering their next customer’s message, anything that takes focus away from the act of driving is dangerous and potentially deadly.
  • Fatigue: Federal and state regulations exist for the amount of time a professional driver can spend working on the road, but these standards may be higher than you think. Truckers may spend 15 hours driving before a required break, and falsifying drive time logbooks is disturbingly common in the industry. Uber limits its drivers to 12 hour shifts, though the enforcement of this rule is dubious.
  • Speeding: We have all experienced the heart-racing feeling when a huge truck careens past us at a wildly fast speed. Unfortunately, tight delivery schedules with vast mileage and heavy traffic between stops is the reality professional drivers navigate every day. Many say that their routes and delivery expectations are set up in a way where they have no choice but to speed to meet their route expectations.
  • Lane Merge Error: Specialized vehicles like box trucks, delivery vans, and more usually have limited visibility compared to a standard car. Large blind spots, heavy loads and other factors can contribute to challenges when the drivers are merging. If a heavy vehicle moves into another car’s space or runs it off the road while merging, the consequences are devastating for these smaller vehicles.
  • Cargo Load Error: Interior cargo may be packed in a way that blocks the line of sight for the driver. Cargo that is strapped or attached improperly can come loose and roll or fly off toward oncoming traffic. Any cargo that is overweight or improperly balanced can contribute to dangerous vehicle handling. Whether it is a logging truck navigating curving mountain roads, or a wedding cake delivery van driving overly cautiously, commercial vehicle cargo can be a distraction and a danger to all nearby drivers on the road.

Trucks have blind spots

Mechanical Causes of Collisions

Besides the driver, other parties can be deemed liable in full or in part for an accident. Vehicle manufacturers have an obligation to produce and sell quality vehicles and equipment. Owners and other parties responsible for the vehicle’s commercial use have an obligation to keep the car or truck in good working order.

Mechanics and technicians have an obligation to repair things correctly and communicate honestly about the condition of the vehicle with their customers.

  • Mechanical: Brake failure, tire failure, airbag malfunction, or seat belt malfunction
  • Manufacturer: Failure to recall or failure to conduct adequate safety testing
  • Owner / Operator: Failure to conduct routine maintenance or failure to pass inspections

It is important to tell your personal injury attorney the details of your accident so that they can help determine whether any of the above might have been contributing factors in your wreck.

Your Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyer wants to build the strongest case possible for you to get the best possible outcome. A key factor in this endeavor is properly and fully arguing liability for all contributing factors to the collision.

Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Environmental Causes for Collisions

The last main category a Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyer evaluates when determining liability in your claim is the environmental factors that played a role in the event. These factors can be natural or man-made, but what they have in common is that they impacted the surroundings in which the accident occurred.

  • Construction: We expect our tax dollars to go toward maintenance of our infrastructure. Cities and states can be considered liable if dangerous road conditions due to lack of maintenance or faulty construction contributed to an accident. If contractor companies that are doing the construction create dangerous or non-compliant driving conditions in the course of their work, they can also be held responsible for their negligence.
  • Weather: While a thunderstorm cannot be held liable for an accident, drivers can be held responsible for their reactions to dangerous conditions. Rain, snow, sleet, ice, hail, and more can limit visibility and make road surfaces slippery. If drivers, especially commercial vehicle drivers, do not moderate their driving habits in reaction to dangerous conditions, it can contribute to their scope of liability for the accident.

At Thompson Law

We provide commercial vehicle accident victims with resolute and tenacious legal representation, ensuring that you get fair value for your claim. Our accident lawyers will build a persuasive case with supporting evidence so that you recover the money that you deserve.

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Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics in Dallas, TX

Our accident lawyers analyzed crash report data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to extract accidents with commercial designations on the report.

Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics in Dallas, TX

In Dallas in 2021, TxDOT recorded 2,897 commercial vehicle crashes, with 836 (28.9%) of those resulting in injuries or death. Broken down in terms of severity, these accidents consisted of:

  • Fatal crashes:  25 fatal crashes leading to 26 deaths, commonly caused by drinking and driving (21.2%) and speeding (15.2%).
  • Serious injury crashes:  61 crashes leading to 73 seriously injured people, commonly caused by speeding (25.8%) and unsafe speed (18.2%).
  • Minor injury crashes:  252 crashes leading to 302 minorly injured people, commonly caused by speeding (21.8%) and changing lanes when unsafe (18.9%).
  • Possibly injury crashes:  485 crashes leading to 620 possibly injured people, commonly caused by changing lanes when unsafe (27.2%) and speeding (19.5%).

Source: Crash Records Information Systems (CRIS) database.

We offer victims of commercial vehicle accidents FREE CONSULTATIONS and charge NO FEE unless we win. Call our Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyers today.

How Commercial Vehicle Accidents are Different Than a Typical Car Accident

Both professional drivers and commercial businesses are held to a higher standard when it comes to their presence on the road than an ordinary driver. First, the laws that govern their operation, and the insurance companies that cover their liability are more strenuous. Second, the types of collisions and the resulting injuries can be different from a standard car wreck.

  • Regulations: Owners and operators of commercial vehicles face more regulation on how they operate and stricter consequences for errors. In Texas, nearly all professional drivers are required to obtain a specialized drivers’ license called a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which includes Class A, Class B, or Class C designations, and which can include about half a dozen other special endorsements. In Texas only certain cities and districts have additional requirements for taxi, Uber and Lyft driver licenses. In addition, consequences are higher for professional drivers who violate traffic law. For example, errors like speeding are designated as more severe, and points may be taken on a license at a rate 1.5x that of a personal vehicle operator.
  • Insurance: Companies that own vehicles for commerce purposes are required to carry higher insurance coverage. For example, a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance must be maintained, and this amount is frequently increased if the carrier transports dangerous or valuable cargo.
  • Collision Types: Collisions may be more severe or unique. For example, the size, weight, and handling of large trucks lead to more severe impact crashes. Trailer configurations are also able to jackknife, where the trailer forms an acute angle with the towing vehicle. Rollovers of high, top-heavy vehicles are also more common. In taxis and rideshare vehicles, where passengers more frequently ride without a seat belt, and without properly stowing objects they are traveling with, the objects and even the passengers may become dangerous projectiles in the event of a crash.
  • Injuries: Injuries resulting from commercial vehicle accidents can be particularly severe considering the collision circumstances outlined above.

If you have questions after being hit by a commercial vehicle, you are certainly not alone. There are complex factors involved in filing claims against commercial insurance policies, and it is a great benefit to have an expert Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyer managing your claim process.

Your Thompson Law attorney and their team can ensure your accident is thoroughly investigated and that liability is accurately assigned. They will also bring tenacious negotiators to the table on your behalf, to win your maximum compensation. To ask questions, learn more about your options, and get started with your case, call us for a FREE CONSULTATION anytime.

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(844) 308-8180

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Call Our Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers

The good news is that you do not need to face these hardships alone. Clearly, commercial vehicle accidents come with unique challenges, and can result in uniquely devastating impacts. People who survive these events often are left with serious injuries and in great need of assistance.

While some injuries may heal with time, others may be lasting. And beyond the physical damages caused by a commercial vehicle collision, there are also significant financial, mental, and emotional impacts.

Our Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyers’ results speak for themselves when it comes to success fighting the insurance companies for our clients. We take our work serving our clients very seriously, and it is our desire that all our clients experience the best possible recovery and win their maximum rightful compensation.

After your commercial vehicle accident, call Thompson Law‘s accident lawyers!

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I was rear-ended while pregnant so the last thing I needed was to deal with insurance companies regarding my claims, Dina, Jeff and Genesis were great. They always returned my calls and answered all my questions. I really recommend Thompson Law if you find yourself in a car accident.
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Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.

State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.