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While any type of motor vehicle accident has the potential to be very traumatic, our Mesquite truck accident lawyers understand that accidents involving large trucks can be seriously devastating. Collisions with large trucks like 18-wheelers, cement trucks, and buses generate greater force impacts that the human body is not well equipped to absorb. The greater forces involved can lead to much more severe injuries to accident victims, often requiring more medical care over a longer period.
In addition to the greater potential for bodily injury, truck accident injury claims involve more complexity than a typical car accident claim handled by an auto accident lawyer. In car accident injury claims, negligence usually resides only with the driver of the vehicle.
In a truck crash injury claim, there can be negligence by the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, or others, and often with multiple parties. The investigations our Mesquite truck accident lawyers conduct in truck accident case are much broader, and require specialists that understand the intricacies of federal trucking regulations. Further, the insurance policies involved in trucking collision claims are larger and spread across multiple parties, so determining the degree of negligence by each party can be complicated.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck wreck, your focus needs to be on seeking medical treatment and recovering from your injuries. You can trust our Mesquite truck accident lawyers to manage everything else, such as investigating negligence, hiring experts, establishing liability, demanding a settlement with the insurance companies, and taking your case to trial, if necessary. We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS and charge NO FEE unless we win, so call us today.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) tracks every accident involving a commercial motor vehicle using police crash report data from the Mesquite Police Department and other law enforcement divisions. Our Mesquite truck accident lawyers analyzed the data from TxDOT to highlight the risks trucking accident pose to our citizens.
According to their records, there were 163 commercial vehicle crashes in Mesquite. Broken down in terms of severity, these accidents consisted of:
While much of our driving may be within the city limits of Mesquite, we also inevitably spend time driving within the broader Dallas County area in which Mesquite is located. In 2021, there were 4,125 commercial vehicle crashes in Dallas County. These accidents consisted of:
Source: Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Involved Crashes and Injuries by County.
Most collisions with large trucks in Mesquite happened on just two major highways running through the city. IH-635 and IH-30 were the locations of almost half of all trucking crashes in 2021. In fact, IH-635 was the common location of trucking accidents occurring as drivers were merging on or off IH-30 or US Highway 80.
In 2021, the most dangerous roads in Mesquite for 18-wheeler and other large truck accidents were:
As you can see from the map below from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, IH-20 and IH-30 are two of the highest volume highways for trucking in the United States. Large commercial trucks also represent a significant percentage of the traffic on these interstate highways, so it is not surprising that trucking collisions are common on these roads. Although trucks on IH-635 represent a lower percentage of traffic volume, it is a highway that is commonly used by truckers traveling to IH-20 or IH-30.
In 2021, there were 23 different causes of trucking accidents cited on crash reports in Mesquite, Texas. However, 91.4% of all truck wrecks in Mesquite were caused by one of only five negligent actions of drivers. The most common causes of trucking accidents in Mesquite were, in order of highest incidence:
If you have suffered injuries in a big rig accident, call our Mesquite truck accident lawyers for a FREE CONSULTATION.
The contributing factors which are listed on crash reports as the cause of trucking accidents show what ultimate action, omission, or truck failure resulted in a truck colliding with another motor vehicle. While the action of the trucker that caused the accident is certainly relevant in a personal injury claim, our Mesquite truck accident lawyers know it is not the only factor to be considered.
Negligence in truck wrecks often exists long before the crash occurs. Further, negligence does not always apply solely to the truck driver. Often the trucking company and other companies involved in freight transportation display negligence of their own.
The freight transportation services business can be highly competitive. Heavy competition can lead trucking companies to agree to unrealistically tight delivery timelines to win business. Pressure to meet these timelines can cause truckers to violate state and federal trucking regulations, either on their own or at the urging of their motor carrier.
Trucking regulations are extensive and designed to prevent companies from exposing other drivers to dangerous conditions. For example, truckers are only allowed to drive 11 hours in a 14-hour shift before they must take a break from driving. These hours of service regulations are protect other drivers from reckless behavior that can accompany trying to meet tight timelines. Violating these regulations can lead to:
Maintenance on commercial vehicles may be performed by the motor carrier or a third-party maintenance company. The Department of Transportation performs roadside maintenance inspections on trucks and provides reports with any areas that require maintenance. Truckers are required to share those reports with their motor carriers and perform the necessary maintenance. When a trucking company has a history of failing to perform maintenance, or a trucker does not thoroughly inspect the truck before a trip, both can be held liable for their negligence.
If you frequently drive to or through Mesquite, Texas, you are likely to encounter several 80,000-pound big rigs along the way. Most of the congestion and accidents involving large commercial trucks are along the major interstates, like IH-635 and IH-30.
These huge trucking motor vehicles, their companies, and drivers are governed nationally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and statewide by the Texas Motor Carrier Bureau (MCB). The Texas MCB is responsible for training inspectors, drivers must comply with the rules set by the FMCSA.
It is one thing to have laws, it is another to make sure they are followed and enforced. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service (CVE) is the responsible entity for making sure truckers, their carriers, and their companies are following the rules of the road.
The mission of the CVE is to prevent dangerous situations that could cause tragic accidents involving commercial trucking vehicles. Enforcement regulations applying to the organization include:
The Texas laws governing these companies and their drivers are extensive and detailed, and the potentially liable parties can be the trucker, trucking company, cargo loaders, and others. Only a legal team with experience in fighting commercial vehicle companies and their insurers can get you the maximum settlement you deserve. Call our Mesquite truck accident lawyers for a FREE CONSULTATION!
Our Mesquite truck accident lawyers suggest you take as many of these steps as possible after a collision with a truck:
Collisions involving large trucks, 18-wheelers, buses, box trucks, and other commercial vehicles can cause devastating injuries. Our Mesquite truck accident lawyers have represented clients involved in a large variety of truck wrecks with injuries such as:
Whatever injuries you have suffered in your trucking crash, our Mesquite truck accident lawyers want to help. Call us for a FREE CONSULTATION.
The best time to contact a personal injury lawyer is as soon after the truck accident as possible. We offer FREE CASE EVALUATIONS and charge NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for you. You will not incur any attorney fees or other costs, and our fee only comes out of a part of the settlement.
If you have been searching for Mesquite truck accident lawyers, call us today. If you do not need an accident lawyer or are undecided, save our contact card instead of searching “truck accident lawyers mesquite tx near me” after your wreck.
It does not matter whether you live in Mesquite, were visiting Mesquite, or were just traveling through to Dallas or Garland when your truck crash occurred – our Mesquite truck accident lawyers can help.
The statute of limitations in Texas is 2 years in most injury accidents. If you have been injured in a truck accident, call us today or submit a form for a FREE, NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION with a truck wreck lawyer at Thompson Law.
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.
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.
