Irving Truck Accident Lawyers

Have You Been Injured in a Truck Accident in Irving, TX?

Our Irving truck accident lawyers understand how terrifying a truck wreck can be for the victims of truck wrecks. Texas is unfortunately one of the most dangerous states for fatal trucking accidents. In 2015, it actually led the nation in number of large truck and bus fatalities per vehicle miles travelled, as well as in overall fatalities, accounting for 13.7% of the national total.

Motor vehicle accidents involving heavy automobiles can be particularly terrifying, often leaving those involved physically and emotionally traumatized. Unfortunately, trucking companies with large legal and insurance staffs have the advantage of doing whatever is necessary after a crash to avoid accepting liability and making large payouts to injury victims. While it is understandable to want personal satisfaction or justice, this may not be possible without the help of an experienced attorney. Trying to get results on your own is a difficult battle in the face of so many corporate and insurance resources focused on minimizing payouts.

Allow our legal professionals to advocate on your behalf and maximize the compensation you seek and deserve. Victims of truck wrecks need to focus their time on healing from their injuries and putting their lives back together. The Irving truck accident lawyers at Thompson Law have the experience, expertise, and tenacity to stand up to big companies and collect the maximum amount of compensation you are allowed under Texas law.

Do not call just any auto accident lawyer after your crash. Call Thompson Law today and get the help you need. We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS to truck wreck injury victims.

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Truck Accident Statistics in Irving, TX

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) tracks every accident involving commercial vehicle trucks across the entire state using police crash report data from the Irving Police Department and other law enforcement divisions. TxDOT recorded 180 truck crashes in Irving in 2021, with 52 (29%) of those wrecks resulting in injuries to 60 individuals. Broken down in terms of severity, these accidents consisted of:

  • Fatal crashes:  1 crashes leading to 1 fatally injured person
  • Serious injury crashes:  4 crashes leading to 4 people with suspected serious injuries
  • Minor injury crashes:  15 crashes leading to 18 people with suspected minor injuries
  • Possibly injury crashes:  32 crashes leading to 38 people with possible injuries
  • Non-injury crashes:  128 crashes leading to no injuries to any people

Commercial Trucking Accident Statistics in Dallas County, TX

According to their records, there were 4,125 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes in Dallas County in 2021, in which Irving is included. Broken down in terms of severity, these accidents consisted of:

  • Fatal crashes:  38 crashes leading to 40 fatally injured people
  • Serious injury crashes:  105 crashes leading to 126 people with suspected serious injuries
  • Minor injury crashes:  385 crashes leading to 489 people with suspected minor injuries
  • Possibly injury crashes:  631 crashes leading to 901 people with possible injuries
  • Non-injury crashes:  2,934 crashes leading to 9,202 people without any injuries
  • Unknown severity crashes:  32 crashes leading to 707 people with unknown injuries

Source: TxDOT –Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Involved Crashes and Injuries by County.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Irving, TX

Almost 2 out of every 3 Irving truck wrecks in 2021 were caused by one of five negligent actions of drivers. The most common causes of trucking accidents in Irving were, in order of highest incidence:

  1. Changed lane when unsafe:  38 truck crashes were caused by unsafe lane changes (21.1% of all truck wrecks)
  2. Speeding or unsafe speed:  26 trucking crashes were caused by speeding or unsafe speed (14.4% of all truck wrecks)
  3. Driver inattention:  22 truck collisions were caused by drivers not paying attention (12.2% of all trucking crashes)
  4. Failed to drive in single lane:  18 truck crashes were caused by driving in multiple lanes (10% of all trucking wrecks)
  5. Faulty evasive action:  8 truck crashes were the result of faulty evasive action (7.1% of all truck wrecks)

Most Dangerous Roadways for Trucking Accidents in Irving, TX

In 2021, more than 60% of the 180 collisions involving 18-wheelers in Irving occurred on one of four major highways. These truck wrecks occurred while truckers were traveling on or along the entrances and exits for Loop 12 (Walton Walker Freeway), Airport Freeway (SH-183), President George Bush Turnpike, or John Carpenter Freeway (SH-114). The most dangerous roadways for truck wrecks in Irving were:

  1. Loop 12: 45 trucking wrecks
  2. Airport Freeway: 29 truck wrecks
  3. John Carpenter Freeway: 19 truck wrecks
  4. President George Bush Turnpike: 17 truck wrecks

Drivers should take extra precautions when traveling on these major highways to avoid being the victim of a potentially life-threatening collision with a semi-truck in Irving, Texas. If you are the victim of a big rig accident, call our Irving truck accident lawyers for a FREE CASE REVIEW.

Trucker and Motor Carrier Negligence in Trucking Accidents

Trucks can pose hazards on the road due to their size and payload, but driver behavior is equally crucial for truck safety. Commercial truck drivers often face a dilemma: staying competitive with pricing and meeting tight delivery deadlines can push them to take unnecessary risks or work long hours with inadequate rest. This balancing act can compromise safety on the road.

Furthermore, individuals who drive trucks for personal use often neglect best practices for loading cargo or choose to haul loads that exceed their truck’s weight limits or design specifications. These behaviors contribute to unsafe conditions and heighten the risk of incidents while driving a truck.

Common forms of negligence displayed by truckers and trucking companies include:

  • Driving Despite Poor Visibility:  The size of the truck and its load can create blind spots for the driver, obstructing full visibility of surrounding vehicles.
  • Truck Driver Fatigue: Limited or irregular sleep, often following long hours and strenuous loading/unloading tasks, leads to physically and mentally exhausted drivers.
  • Cargo Loading Issues:  Overweight, unbalanced, or improperly loaded cargo can result in leaks, spills, or handling difficulties.
  • Exceeding Road Time Limits: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the hours truck drivers can spend on the road. Surprisingly, these mandated limits can be quite high, allowing property-carrying drivers to take a break only after 14 consecutive hours of driving.
  • Mechanical and Maintenance Problems:  Motor carriers are legally mandated to maintain their trucks and subject them to Department of Transportation roadside inspections. When trucking companies neglect to perform the necessary repairs, they are deemed negligent.
  • Dangerous Road Conditions:  Inclement weather, icy roads, and low visibility pose significant challenges for all vehicles, especially semis, which need much more time to stop or change direction.

Irving Truck Accident Lawyers

What Trucking Companies Do Not Want You to Know

In 2021, the trucking industry reached $875.5 billion in revenue. With such a large industry, the resources at the disposal of the largest companies are nearly limitless. To protect their interests, trucking companies typically carry very large insurance policies. In Texas, those policies are at least $1 million for interstate commerce, and $750,000 for intrastate commerce.

The size of the trucking industry is so vast for understandable reasons. Trucks moved 72.2% of all freight transported in the US, and many grocery stores would run out of food in merely 3 days if their long haul deliveries were interrupted or stopped. Almost every good consumed within the US is transported on a large truck at some point on its way to the store shelves.

Given the start-up costs are relatively small to start a trucking company, the low barriers to entry force the 1.9 million motor carriers in the US to constantly compete for experienced truck drivers. Despite the overwhelming importance and massive size of the trucking industry, it experiences a notoriously high turnover rate for truck drivers, reaching as much as 136% in recent years.

This revolving door of truckers can drain resources for appropriately vetting and training new truck drivers. As a consequence, many negligent or unsafe truck drivers continue to gain new employment, or are able to prolong their tenure at companies already suffering from turnover loss. Additionally, there are about 400,000 owner-operator truck drivers in the United States. On average, they drive vehicles that are over ten years old.

When you have been hit by one of these individuals it can be difficult to determine who the actual at-fault parties are and the sources of insurance recovery in your case. Even though a truck accident only involves one driver, there is regularly negligence on an organizational level with the trucker’s motor carrier, which also contributed to the dangerous circumstances leading to your wreck. The Irving truck accident lawyers at Thompson Law will do the work for you to make sure all those liable for your accident are held accountable.

Rules of the Road for Texas Truckers in Irving, TX

The number one cause for a trucking accident in Irving, TX is the result of a driver of an 18-wheeler switching lanes when it was unsafe to do so. Think about it. How many times have you traveled on highways in Irving, Texas along Loop 12 or 183 and see a frightening semi ahead of you?

The fear sets in as you begin to pass, all the while hoping they do not purposely or accidentally sway over into your lane while you are passing it. The reasons truckers change lanes when it is unsafe are many but right up there at the top are fatigued and tired drivers. Everyone driving something smaller than these huge trucks is white knuckled when they get within one or two car lengths from them.

What is the 70 Hour 7 Day Rule for Truckers in Texas?

In Texas, there is the 70-hour 7-day rule. Drivers of vehicles under this section are not permitted to drive more than 70 hours in a consecutive seven-day period.

Additional requirements falling under Title 37 of the Texas Administrative Code for the 70-hour, 7-day rule include:

  • A truck driver MUST take a 30-minute break prior to the end of 8 hours of continuous driving.
  • A truck driver cannot work more than 15 hours.
  • A truck driver cannot operate a truck for more than 12 hours.
  • A truck driver must take 8 hours off duty before beginning a new work.
  • A truck driver must take the required 34 hours off duty before starting a new 7 consecutive day work period.

Hiring an attorney that is familiar with all the details around the regulations surrounding the Texas trucking industry can make a significant difference in the compensation you can expect if you are ever the unfortunate victim of an accident at the fault of a tired or reckless truck driver. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, call our Irving truck accident lawyers today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Irving Truck Accident Lawyers

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Irving, TX

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Experiencing a truck accident can be a traumatic and confusing event. Knowing the appropriate steps to take immediately following the accident can help protect your rights and ensure a smoother recovery process. Here is a guideline to follow if you find yourself involved in a truck accident in Irving, TX:

  1. Ensure Safety:  The first priority is the safety of all individuals involved. If possible, move to a secure location away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
  2. Call for Help:  Dial 911 to request emergency medical services if there are injuries, and notify the police so they can document the accident. Cooperate fully with the authorities and provide an accurate account of the events.
  3. Seek Medical Attention:  Even if you feel fine, it is crucial to get a medical evaluation. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but could have long-term effects if left untreated.
  4. Document the Scene:  Collect as much information as possible. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Note down the contact details of witnesses, and exchange information with the other driver(s), including names, addresses, insurance details, and license plate numbers.
  5. Avoid Statements:  Refrain from making any statements to insurance representatives or others involved in the accident, except for the police. Do not admit fault or apologize, as these statements can be used against you later.
  6. Notify Your Insurance Company:  Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with the necessary details without admitting fault.
  7. Get Legal Assistance:  Contact a knowledgeable attorney to understand your rights and to receive guidance on filing a claim. This will help ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Taking these steps can significantly impact the outcome of your recovery and any legal proceedings that may follow. If you need assistance, call Thompson Law for a FREE CASE REVIEW. Our team of experienced Irving truck accident lawyers is here to support you through every step of the process, helping you to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can protect yourself and your interests while navigating the challenging aftermath of a truck accident. Remember, professional legal assistance is just a phone call away. Contact us to start your journey toward recovery and justice today.

Irving Truck Accident Lawyers

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck wrecks result in some of the most devastating damage that occurs in roadway accidents. Larger size vehicles can cause more damaging, catastrophic collisions, and involve multiple vehicles. Common injuries from truck wrecks include:

After a serious truck accident, prioritizing your health is paramount. At Thompson Law, we strive to ensure every client receives top-notch medical care and achieves the fullest recovery possible. We are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Please call anytime, 24/7, and grant us the opportunity to aid you and yours after the accident. Contact our Irving truck accident lawyers today for a FREE CONSULTATION!

Thompson Law Guarantee

Thompson Law charges NO FEES unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We have put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements into our clients’ pockets.

Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get answers to your questions, and understand your legal options. State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.