Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyers

Have You Been Seriously Injured in a Truck Accident in Fort Worth?

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.

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What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Fort Worth, TX?

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.

What to Do After Colliding with a Truck in Fort Worth

  1. Get Safe:  Move yourself and your car, if possible, out of the roadway. If you cannot do so, at least put on your hazard lights to notify other drivers an accident has occurred. This can help you avoid being hit by other drivers and protect your safety.
  2. Dial 911: Emergency services will be able to take your initial statement, so it is always best if you are the one calling 911 instead of the trucker. You will be able to give your version of what caused the accident first, request the police be sent to redirect traffic, and also call an ambulance if one is required. The police will also help create a Fort Worth crash report which will be one of the first pieces of evidence regarding what caused the collision with the truck.
  3. Exchange Information:  Be sure to obtain the information on the trucker’s CDL, insurance information, and get their license plate. Taking a picture of that information is also a good idea to ensure you have it recorded correctly.
  4. Take Photos:  Take pictures of the property damage to your vehicle and the truck. If multiple vehicles were involved in the accident, take pictures of them, too. The trucking company will not be obligated to share these pictures with you later and your car may be taken to a tow yard afterward, so be sure to get these photos at the accident scene.
  5. Search for Witnesses:  If any nearby pedestrians or cars witnessed the crash, be sure to ask for their contact information. Any passengers you have in your vehicle will not be able to serve as official witnesses, so any external witnesses are highly helpful. Also, look to see if cameras at nearby businesses or dash cameras on nearby cars caught the crash on film.
  6. Go to a Doctor:  Seeing a doctor is important to your physical health, as many accident injuries can occur in a delayed fashion or be masked by adrenaline immediately after an accident. Further, going to the doctor after an accident establishes a tie between the collision and your injuries.
  7. Call Our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyers: Injury claims handled by personal injury attorneys tend to result in up to a three-fold increase in compensation to accident victims, compared to claims handled by individuals. Our truck accident lawyers in Fort Worth have a long history of obtaining excellent results for our clients.

What NOT to Do After a Truck Wreck in Fort Worth

  1. DO NOT apologize for the accident. Accident victims often think they understand Texas driving laws, but liability for truck accidents can be complex. Even saying “I’m sorry” out of courtesy can be construed as an admission of guilt, and most trucking companies have cameras mounted in their vehicles to capture any evidence they can.
  2. DO NOT comment on how you feel physically. The best response if asked “Are you ok?” by the trucker or the police is “I don’t know.” Since many accident injuries require time for adrenaline to wear off and inflammation to set in, it is best to avoid providing a statement that you are not hurt.
  3. DO NOT sign any insurance company documents. We have seen adjusters ask injury victims to sign paperwork for a rental car, when in fact the paperwork also includes a bodily injury release. Do not sign anything without first consulting with an injury attorney.
  4. DO NOT allow an insurance adjuster to record your statement. Adjusters often ask to speak with you on a recorded line or to make a statement so they can get your medical bills paid for after an accident, when in reality they are trying to gather evidence to minimize your claim or disprove some injuries as being related to the accident.

If you’re the victim of a truck wreck, call our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers for a FREE CONSULT.

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(844) 308-8180

What Can Our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyers Do for You?

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.

What to Expect From Insurance Companies After A Truck Accident?

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:

  • Apology Programs:  Insurance adjusters will use phrases like “we’re sorry you got hurt” to avoid directly stating blame. They will generally follow up by trying to get you to accept a settlement.
  • Blaming You:  Contributory negligence is a concept that you want to be familiar with if you are a Texas resident. Texas follows comparative negligence common law and you can be held accountable for all or part of your truck accident expenses if they deem that you were partially responsible.
  • Claim Delays:  Insurers may attempt to delay the claims process so a San Antonio truck accident lawyer cannot take your case. The statute of limitations for filing an injury claim in Texas is 2 years after the accident.
  • Denying Claims:  Insurance companies will deny claims due to issues like policy coverage exclusions or “improper paperwork”. They use this tactic to try to make you frustrated with the process and give up the fight.
  • Attempts to Minimize Injuries:  Adjusters often try to claim that injuries were pre-existing, or the treatment was excessive.

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 Fort Worth truck accident lawyers know how to take on the insurance companies and get you the settlement you deserve.

Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyers with No Out-of-Pocket Costs

No Win No Fee for Personal Injury Case - Fort Worth truck accident lawyers

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.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

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.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Fort Worth, TX

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:

  1. Changed lane when unsafe:  161 truck crashes were caused by unsafe lane changes (28% of all truck wrecks)
  2. Speeding:  136  trucking crashes were caused by speeding (23.3% of all truck wrecks)
  3. Driver inattention:  125 truck crashes were caused by inattentive drivers (21.7% of all trucking wrecks)
  4. Backed out when unsafe:  31 truck crashes were caused by reversing in an unsafe manner (5.4% of all trucking wrecks)
  5. Failed to drive in a single lane:  30 truck crashes were caused by failing to drive in a single lane (5.4% of all trucking wrecks)

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.

Types of Negligence Involved in Trucking Accidents

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:

Reckless Driving by Truckers, Including Driving in Dangerous Conditions

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.

Drinking and Driving (DWI)

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.

Hiring Inexperienced Drivers

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.

Poor Maintenance of Trucking Vehicle Fleets

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.

Improper Loading of Cargo

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.

Truckers Working Long Hours Without Rest

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 While Driving

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.

At Thompson Law

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.

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Truck Accident Statistics in Fort Worth, TX

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.

Commercial Trucking Accident Statistics in Fort Worth, TX

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:

  • Fatal crashes:  9 fatal truck crashes in Fort Worth all of which were caused by speeding.
  • Serious injury crashes:  27 serious injury truck crashes in Fort Worth most commonly caused by failure to drive in a single lane (33.3%), with the other four causes – changing lanes when unsafe, distraction in vehicle, tailgating, and unsafe speed – each accounting for 16.7% of truck crashes.
  • Minor injury crashes:  123 minor injury truck crashes primarily caused by speeding (34.6%), with driver inattention (19.2%) and changing lanes when unsafe (16.7%) also accounting for a large portion of these trucking accidents.
  • Possibly injury crashes:  153 possible injury truck crashes primarily caused by speeding (38.2%), with changing lanes when unsafe (20%) and driver inattention (12.7%) also accounting for a large portion of these trucking accidents.

Commercial Trucking Accident Statistics in Tarrant County, TX

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:

  • Fatal crashes:  18 crashes leading to 23 fatally injured people
  • Serious injury crashes:  49 crashes leading to 66 people with suspected serious injuries
  • Minor injury crashes:  193 crashes leading to 314 people with suspected minor injuries
  • Possibly injury crashes:  294 crashes leading to 452 people with possible injuries
  • Non-injury crashes:  1,600 crashes leading to 4,968 people without any injuries
  • Unknown severity crashes:  20 crashes leading to 266 people with unknown injuries

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

Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts

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:

Fatal Crashes with Large Trucks and Buses in the US

  • 4,444 (1%) of crashes involve large trucks and buses involved fatalities.
  • Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 22% of all fatal crashes.
  • Fatal crashes occurred mostly in rural areas (54%), followed by Interstate highways (27%), then both rural and Interstate (13%).
  • 37% of fatal crashes with large trucks occurred at night (6pm-6am).
  • 72% of fatal crashes involved collision with a vehicle in transport, whereas 4% were rollover crashes, also known as overturns.
  • There were 13.49 fatal large truck crashes per million people in the US versus 10.6 per million in 2010 (an increase of 27%).
  • 83% of those killed were no drivers or passengers in the truck.
  • 90% of fatal crashes involved only one fatality, with an average of 1.12 fatalities per fatal crash.

Injury Crashes with Large Trucks and Buses in the US

  • 101,000 (24%) of crashes involve large trucks and buses involved injuries.
  • Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 16% of all injury crashes.
  • 24% of injury crashes with large trucks occurred at night (6pm-6am).
  • 81% of injury crashes involved collision with a vehicle in transport.

Property Damage Only Crashes with Large Trucks and Buses in the US

  • Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 24% of all property damage only crashes.
  • 20% of property damage only crashes with large trucks occurred at night (6pm-6am).
  • 74% of property damage only crashes involved collision with a vehicle in transport.

If you are the victim of a semi trailer accident, call our Fort Worth truck accident lawyers today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

See What Clients Say About Thompson Law

4.9
Based on 378 reviews
Tifani Ballard
Tifani Ballard
Thompson Law worked diligently to answer all questions and concerns following our accident. They promptly got us set up with doctor appointments and therapy to help our injuries.One shout out to Brian for his help in the end process. He worked hard to keep me in the... loop.Overall, the process takes time but it’s incredibly worth it in the end.read more
Syed Mohammad Abu Darda
Syed Mohammad Abu Darda
They took care of my road accident case and made sure I get all the treatment first. Although it took a bit of time for me to get the payout but Henry was always reachable and provided excellent customer service
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Office Location: 1500 N Main St #140, Fort Worth, TX 76164

Garantía de Thompson Law

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.