Our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers know that any kind of auto accident can be traumatic, but collisions with large trucks can be catastrophic. The chaotic roads, increasing amount of activity on them, and ability of these large vehicles like vans, buses, cement trucks, and garbage trucks to cause devastating injuries make these accidents particularly worrisome.
Of the 257,699 truck accidents that took place in Texas in 2019, urban settings like Fort Worth fared the worst with 59% of the serious injury crashes and 70% of these truck wrecks overall.
These accidents can be complex, with numerous parties potentially liable for the damages. For example, the truck driver may have been driving carelessly or violating traffic laws, possibly due to distractions like GPS or Instagram. The trucking company may have failed to properly maintain the vehicle, lost the keys to crucial parts, or failed to properly train the driver.
And, if the accident was caused by a defective part on the truck, the manufacturer of that part may also be held liable. Obtaining compensation in these cases can be difficult, as trucking companies have legal and insurance resources at their disposal that individuals simply do not.
That’s why you need experienced Fort Worth truck accident lawyers to fight for you. Thompson Law won 15 of the top 50 settlements in Texas in 2021 – more than any other personal injury law firm in the state of Texas. Our attorneys have the experience, expertise, and tenacity to stand up to big companies and collect your rightful compensation.
Don’t hesitate to contact Thompson Law today for a FREE CONSULTATION to receive valuable guidance and information. We will answer your questions, make suitable adjustments tailored to your unique situation, and get you the help you need.
If you are seriously injured in a truck accident, the steps below will not matter to you much. However, if you do not think you are injured, or you are physically able to follow any of these steps, they will help protect your safety, your health, and your right to compensation for the accident.
If you’re the victim of a truck wreck, call our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers for a FREE CONSULT.
You may not know all of your rights after being injured in a truck accident, but our experienced Fort Worth truck accident lawyers at Thompson Law do! We will negotiate with the insurers, monitor your behavior to ensure you’re on the right track, and protect your claim to ensure you receive the maximum value for your truck accident injuries.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you should speak to one of our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers today. We want to ensure that you and your family’s rights are protected.
Do not let insurance adjusters take advantage of you or your loved ones after a trucking accident. When you are injured, the last thing you want to deal with is an insurance adjuster trying to reduce the severity of your claim.
Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to minimize the value of an injury claim from a trucking accident. Be sure not to make any claims admitting fault to representatives from insurance companies! Even a simple apology can be used as an admission of guilt, so do not apologize to anyone involved in the crash.
Insurance companies use various tactics as a means of minimizing your claim’s value. Some of these practices include:
First and foremost, Thompson Law is a family-run, and family-oriented firm! We treat our clients as part of our family. Our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers know how to take on the insurance companies and get you the settlement you deserve.
It doesn’t matter whether you live in Fort Worth, were visiting Fort Worth, or were just passing through on your way to Dallas or San Antonio when your truck crash occurred – our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers can help. If you need a Fort Worth truck accident lawyer, call us today.
If you do not need an accident lawyer right now, save our contact card in your phone for emergencies or future instances. Studies show the average person will be involved in an auto accident once every 17.9 years.
Don’t be left searching for “truck accident lawyer fort worth tx” after a truck wreck due to dangers posed by distracted driving or hazardous environment.
The statute of limitations in Texas is 2 years in most injury auto accidents. Call us today or submit a form for a NO COST CONSULTATION with a Fort Worth truck accident lawyer at Thompson Law. Remember, timely action and knowing your location after an incident can significantly increase your chance of receiving justice.
Take action to protect your right to a full value monetary recovery. The sooner you know your options, the faster you’ll be on the path to recovery.
A semi-truck, or cab, can weigh 10,000 to 25,000 pounds depending on engine power, devices equipped and whether it is a sleeper cab. A 53-foot trailer typically weighs 10,000 pounds when empty, and up to 35,000 pounds fully loaded. Thus, large trucks like 18-wheelers (i.e., a semi-truck plus a trailer) can weigh between 35,000 to 80,000 pounds, depending on whether they are empty or fulling loaded.
The sheer size of these large trucks make them capable of causing more damaging, catastrophic collisions. Common injuries our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers see include:
If you were injured in a collision with a semi, call our Fort Worth truck accident attorneys today for a FREE, NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION. Our team is dedicated to seeking justice for clients injured by negligent truck drivers, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve.
The top three negligent actions of drivers contributed to 73% of truck accidents in Fort Worth in 2021, while the top five causes of truck accidents accounted for 84% of accidents. The five most common causes of trucking accidents in Fort Worth were, in order of highest incidence:
If you are the victim of a big rig accident, call our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers for a FREE CASE REVIEW. Always be vigilant and check the mirrors while driving to minimize your risk of a collision.
There can be many negligent parties in trucking accidents, and often multiple actions which led to the accident itself. Below are some of the most common root causes of trucking accidents:
As the data above shows, truck crashes in Fort Worth are frequently caused by speeding, changing lanes when unsafe, and generally not being attentive. Studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) show that despite these risky behaviors, 14% of truckers stated they sometimes or never wear a seatbelt. Further, 68% of truck drivers who experienced injuries not related to crashes but which did require days away from work did not report those injuries to their trucking company.
Moreover, many truckers stated they would continue driving in dangerous road conditions to meet delivery schedules. 47% of trucker respondents stated they would “sometimes” continue driving in dangerous weather, heavy traffic, when fatigued, and 24% said they “often” would do so. Given it takes a fully loaded large truck roughly twice as long as a car to stop under normal weather conditions, it is scary to think many truckers would continue driving through rain, fog, ice, and snow just to meet a deadline.
According to the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse report, there were 1,185 alcohol violations among commercial truck drivers in 2020. The legal limit for commercial drivers is .04%, which is lower than the .08% limit for non-commercial drivers. This means that even a single beer can put a CDL trucker over the limit. The Clearinghouse report also found that there were 4,824 positive drug tests among commercial truck drivers in 2020.
Trucking companies hiring unqualified or inexperienced truck drivers. In order to save on costs, some trucking companies will hire unqualified or inexperienced truck drivers, sometimes without a commercial driver’s license. These drivers may not have the necessary skills or experience to operate a large commercial vehicle safely.
The NIOSH study mentioned above found 38% of truckers believe they did not receive enough training early in their careers, potentially neglecting important aspects of care and trucking laws necessary to operate semi-trucks safely and maintain a valid driver’s license.
While many factors can contribute to a trucking accident, one of the most common is poor maintenance of the truck fleet. With an eye toward saving on costs, some trucking companies neglect to properly maintain their trucks. This can result in mechanical failures that can lead to dangerous accidents.
When commercial trucks are not properly maintained, it can lead to brake failure, tire blowouts, engine trouble, and other issues. Further, poorly maintained trucks are more likely to break down, which can also cause accidents if other drivers are not able to see the broken-down truck in time.
Cargo must be loaded properly in order for a truck to be balanced and stable on the road. If cargo is not loaded properly, it can shift during transit and cause the truck to lose control or tip over. Further, on open bed trucks the cargo must be properly secured to avoid cargo falling off the truck and onto the roadway, putting other drivers around them at grave risk. Proper securing of cargo is a shared responsibility between the trucker, the trucking company, and sometimes third-party cargo loading companies.
Truck drivers often work long hours – 60 hours per week, on average – in order to meet deadlines which are frequently very tight. Driving for long periods of time without rest can lead to fatigue, which can reduce reaction times and increase the risk of accidents.
Although truckers are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations related to hours of service, truck drivers often violate those regulations, sometimes with the trucking companies approving or simply turning a blind eye to it. Driver fatigue is a common factor in many truck accident cases and can be a vital element in a truck accident lawsuit.
Distractions such as talking on a cell phone, texting while driving, eating, or adjusting the radio can take a driver’s attention away from the road and increase the risk of an accident. FMCSA regulations restrict the use of cell phones by truckers, but these regulations are also frequently violated as long period of time on the road turns to boredom. Further, some studies show drug use – such as amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, and alcohol – is relatively common among truckers, both to combat boredom and fight fatigue.
If you are the victim of a semi-trailer accident, call our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers today for a FREE CONSULTATION. Our experienced attorneys are well-versed in handling truck accident cases and will work diligently to ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
We provide truck wreck victims with dedicated and tenacious legal representation, ensuring that you get fair value for your claim. Our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers will build a strong case with supporting evidence so that you recover the money that you deserve.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) tracks every accident involving an 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle across the entire state using police crash report data from the Fort Worth Police Department and other law enforcement divisions.
In 2021, TxDOT recorded 1,008 collisions involving large truck in Fort Worth, with 303 (30.1%) of those resulting in injuries. Broken down in terms of severity, these accidents consisted of:
According to TxDOT records, there were 2,174 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes in Tarrant County in 2021. Broken down in terms of severity, these accidents consisted of:
Source: TxDOT – Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Involved Crashes and Injuries by County.
According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 415,000 police-reported large truck and bus crashes throughout the United States in 2020. These crashes consisted of:
If you are the victim of a semi trailer accident, call our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers today for a FREE CONSULTATION.
If you are injured in any type of accident, your first priority should be to seek immediate medical attention, even if you are not certain that you are injured. Seeking immediate medical treatment does two things: 1) it ensures injuries you sustained are diagnosed and treated; and, 2) it helps eliminate any doubt by the insurance company that your injuries were caused by the accident.
Often, the shock and adrenaline of an accident can mask symptoms of injuries, so making the mistake of skipping a medical examination can have profound consequences. By seeking prompt medical treatment, you protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries with the help of your attorney.
If you were in a motor vehicle accident we have also detailed here what to do after a car accident.
A skilled personal injury lawyer is necessary to get full and fair compensation for injuries you sustained in an accident. Most defendants, whether individual drivers or commercial vehicle operators, are covered by liability insurance. Those insurance companies are not obligated to protect or take care of you. Insurance companies exist to protect the defendant (their customer) who caused the wreck.
A personal injury attorney can help you obtain compensation for every category of damages to which you are legally entitled. These damages can include things like: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain & suffering, punitive damages, loss of limb, diminished mental function, physical impairment, scarring or disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims). Further, you may be entitled to future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, and other damages in severe injury cases.
The largest factor affecting your claim’s value is the severity or magnitude of your injuries. More severe injuries typically require more medical treatment. So it is essential to have all your injuries documented properly by seeking immediate treatment with doctors or hospitals, and continuing under the care and direction of your doctors as long as necessary to heal. Without prompt and consistent medical treatment and documentation, an injury claim becomes very difficult to pursue, let alone win.
Of course, other factors an also have an impact, and each and every case is different. Were you injured in a commercial vehicle wreck or truck wreck that totaled your car, or was it a fender bender that did very little damage? Was the other driver intoxicated or drunk, or speeding? A multitude of factors may play into your claim’s overall likely value. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to visit with you and talk to you more specifically about factors which may affect your particular claim.
In Texas, you usually have two (2) years from the date of incident to file a personal injury claim before it is barred by the statute of limitations. There are exceptions to this 2-year time limit in Texas, for minors and others. Further, other states have different time limits, and the limit that applies is typically for the state in which the accident occurred.
The safest course of action for someone injured in a car wreck, truck wreck, slip and fall, or any other type of accident is to consult with a personal injury attorney. This will help ensure that you do not miss the applicable limitations period. Moreover, it will ensure the right investigations are conducted, and the proper steps are taken to preserve the evidence, photos, witness statements, and records needed to successfully pursue your claim.
If you are injured in a hit-and-run wreck (and are unable to locate the driver) or are hurt in a collision where the other driver does not have insurance, you are not necessarily out of options in terms of financial recovery. You may still be able to recover for your personal injuries if your own policy has Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). It’s a good idea to contact your insurance company to confirm what types of coverage you have on your policy before an accident, but if you have been hit be sure to ask these questions before finalizing your claim request. Even if you do not have UM or PIP, the attorneys and investigators at Thompson Law can work to track down the other driver in a hit-and-run accident. To do this, we rely on witnesses who may have captured a photo of the car or license plate and/or available surveillance camera footage that might have captured the wreck.
Typical damages you can recover in a personal injury claim include: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and in some cases even punitive damages. In severe injury cases, other damages may be recoverable, such as: future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, loss of body member or mental function, physical impairment, disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims).
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage can help save the day if you are hit by an uninsured driver or if you are the victim in a hit-and-run collision. In short, UM coverage is an add-on coverage that drivers can add to their auto insurance policies that will protect them in the event that they are in an auto accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or cannot be located. You can contact your insurance provider to confirm whether your policy includes UM. If you do not have this coverage, the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law recommend that you consider adding UM to your auto insurance policy today.
Knowing how comparative negligence works is vital if you live in a state that uses it. In simple terms, comparative negligence implies both drivers can share fault for an accident, but one driver can be more at fault than the other. For example, you are texting while driving when another driver runs a stop sign and hits your car.
A jury finds that the driver who ran the stop sign is 80 percent at fault, but they believe you would have had a better chance of avoiding the accident if you were not texting at the time. They find you 20 percent at fault. You can only collect enough compensation to cover the other driver’s fault. In this case, you would get $8,000 if the jury thinks your case is worth $10,000.
Having the police respond to the accident scene is of paramount importance. Make sure that YOU call them and insist that they come and investigate the accident. When the police arrive, they will separate the drivers and witnesses from one another and take statements from everyone involved. Be cooperative, detailed, and firm in describing the accident. The investigating officer will usually determine fault based upon these statements, and it is essential that your version of the events is heard and believed. If you think that you may be injured, make that clear to the officer. If an ambulance or other medical professionals arrive on scene, get checked out. If not, make plans to visit an emergency room or doctor soon after you leave the scene. Before you do leave for this care, the officer will provide you with a report number and their contact information. Make sure this information is safely saved, as it will be very important in any auto accident injury claim you may have.
Call an attorney. Your first instinct might be to call your insurance company, but it’s best to seek legal council first so you don’t accidentally admit guilt or take responsibility for the accident. In many cases your attorney will call the insurance company for you to prevent that from happening.
Absolutely not. It’s important to leave the investigation to the professionals. They know exactly how to work a case to determine all of the facts and details.
Typically, yes. If a family member is seriously injured or killed in an accident, or if the injured party is a minor child, then it may be appropriate under the law for a parent, spouse, relative, or legal guardian to file a claim or lawsuit on behalf of the injured or deceased party. These types of claims are complex, and usually depend on the type of relationship involved, as well as the individual facts and circumstances of the injury. Calling the experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law is step one to explore filing a legal claim on behalf of your loved one.
Even if you are partially to blame for a car accident, you may be able to recover some of your damages from the other party. Under Texas’s proportionate responsibility system (also known as comparative negligence), unless you as the claimant/plaintiff are determined more than 51% at fault, you may recover legal damages that are reduced by the percentage you are determined at fault. For example, if you are determined to be 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages from the other responsible party (you can’t recover the other 30% because that was the amount of liability that was determined to lie with you). The personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law can help you navigate this proportionate responsibility system – so reach out online or call anytime for a free consultation.
If the other vehicle involved in your crash was an 18 wheeler or another commercial vehicle, call an attorney immediately. Companies who own commercial vehicles and 18 wheelers often have their own team of investigators who will arrive on the scene immediately working on the driver’s defense case. The sooner you involve an attorney of your own, the better your chances are of receiving compensation for your injuries and damages.
Drivers of 18 wheelers and other commercial vehicles are held to a higher standard of driving. If they neglect to turn on their flashing lights when they’re on the side of the road, don’t move over far enough onto the shoulder, don’t properly secure their cargo, or don’t leave enough clearance when making a left turn, and in many other cases, the driver could be considered negligent. If you want to know if the driver of the 18 wheeler involved in your case was negligent, contact a personal injury attorney.
No. They aren’t trying to help you. They’re trying to protect their drivers and reduce their costs. That’s why they have a team of lawyers ready to flock to the scene of any accident. Don’t accept any form of compensation until you talk to your attorney. Most victims of 18 wheeler crashes sustain more injuries than victims of normal crashes, and can receive higher compensation as a result. Don’t let them fool you into accepting a smaller payout for your injuries and damages. Your injuries could require years of medications and surgeries, and the company will try everything to avoid making huge payouts. Call your attorney and let them do the negotiating on your behalf.
Many times it can be the fault of both the driver and the 18 wheeler company. Truck drivers can be at fault just like any other motorist for failing to follow the rules of the road. However, 18 wheeler companies and their employees have federal laws they are required to follow that govern things like how many consecutive hours of driving are allowable, minimum numbers of resting hours between jobs, when and how to do inspections, and so on. Also, the 18 wheeler companies have specific duties and responsibilities regarding training their drivers and supervising their work. When trucking companies refuse to follow standard rules, regulations, and practices regarding the commercial and transportation industry, people can get hurt and companies can be found at fault for contributing to or causing the collision through their irresponsible decisions. An experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer will know what violations to look for and how to hold both the driver and the company responsible for endangering the motoring public on the roads we all share.
If you or a family member are injured in an automobile accident, you cannot afford NOT to hire the very best attorney available. Thompson Law works on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that you only pay legal fees IF we win for you and AFTER your case is settled. We understand that legal fees upfront are simply too much to deal with after a serious accident where you are dealing with property damage repairs, medical bills, missed work and lost wages. The fact that you owe $0 upfront is an added bonus when you hire great legal representation at Thompson Law.
If you were injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, there is a good chance we can help you out. We will look at the facts of your accident, whether a car wreck, truck wreck, motorcycle accident, or on-the-job-injury and examine whatever reports or records are available. If we believe that you were injured and it was someone else’s fault, it is likely to be a case we can take. The more information and documentation you can give us about your accident and your injuries, the quicker we can evaluate your case and let you know. Give us a call or reach out online anytime!
The best personal injury attorney has three major characteristics: Excellent customer service, cutting edge technology, and a willingness to take cases and win at trial. Ask your potential attorney about the client experience they offer, what kind of technology they use to make your life easier, and when was the last time they took a case to jury trial. Asking these types of questions will give you guidance on what kind of experience you can expect as a client and what kind of results you can expect at the end of your case.
Thompson Law has high ratings from clients for its emphasis on customer service, and its attorneys have achieved significant results on small, large, and complex cases alike. No matter if you have been involved in a minor car wreck or are dealing with catastrophic injuries from a rarer and more devastating event like a terrible workplace accident, dog bite, or an 18 wheeler wreck, Thompson Law can assist you.
Yes! Thompson Law is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free consultations. If you have been injured in a truck wreck or car accident, hurt in a slip and fall incident, or otherwise injured from the negligence of another person or party, give us a call any time at 1-800-LION-LAW. We can speak to you over the phone, chat online through our website or social media outlets, or arrange an in-person meeting at your convenience. Our team is ready to help!
Thompson Law is available 24/7 to provide free consultations and to sign up new clients. We can sign you up over the phone or we can send one of our experienced licensed investigators to meet you at the hospital or at your home if you prefer. Whether you live in Arlington, Ft. Worth, El Paso, McAllen, or even outside of the state of Texas, we are always here to assist you and provide the resources you need at a difficult time. We do the hard work for you so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.
Let’s be honest: this isn’t a legal show on TV and your case will not settle in the next hour – or even tomorrow. The true answer is: it depends. We find that most cases settle within 6-12 months from date of incident; but the timeline in your case could be shorter or longer depending on: the facts and circumstances of the accident; the length of time it takes you to complete medical treatment; and the character of the insurance company, or companies, involved in your case. In the event that your case cannot settle pre-litigation and it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit, the litigation process alone can take 1 to 2 years due to the court system and legal process necessary to prepare for trial. But because so much of the timeline depends on the facts and circumstances of your unique case, call Thompson Law today to discuss the personal injury claims process.
Office Location: 1500 N Main St #140, Fort Worth, TX 76164
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.