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.
Office Location: 1500 N Main St #140, Fort Worth, TX 76164
Thompson Law NO COBRA HONORARIOS a menos que obtengamos un acuerdo para su caso. Hemos puesto más de $1.9 mil millones en acuerdos en efectivo en los bolsillos de nuestros clientes. Contáctenos hoy para una consulta gratuita y sin compromiso para hablar sobre su accidente, obtener respuestas a sus preguntas y comprender sus opciones legales.
La ley estatal limita el tiempo que tiene para presentar una reclamación después de un accidente con lesiones, así que llame hoy.