Were you injured in a car accident involving a commercial vehicle in Fort Worth, TX? You may be eligible to recover compensation from the at-fault party. An experienced Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident lawyer can help. At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we know how to help you secure full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
We have over 37 years of collective experience in personal injury law. We’ve already used our skills to recover over $75 million on behalf of injury victims and their families.
Our lawyers are here to help you hold the responsible parties liable for their actions. Call our law offices in Fort Worth, Texas to schedule a free consultation today at (817) 839-3143.
How Can Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Help Me Recover Compensation After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Fort Worth, TX?
Commercial vehicles play a critical role in our modern economy. Unfortunately, serious damage can result when these large vehicles are involved in accidents.
Commercial insurance carriers know that. They know that you may be suffering with painful, long-term injuries. Still, their job is to do anything possible to avoid paying a full settlement.
An experienced Fort Worth personal injury lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you stand up and fight for a fair deal. You can count on us to use the full weight of our resources to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
That means:
- Conducting our own investigation to find out what happened
- Reviewing and analyzing the evidence to build the strongest case possible
- Working with experts when their testimony can strengthen your case
- Calculating your true case value
- Negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf
- Filing a lawsuit and fighting for you at trial
Our skilled Fort Worth personal injury attorneys deal with insurance companies every day–and we’re known for winning. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of legal representation.
How Common Are Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Fort Worth?
Today, it seems like there are commercial vehicles everywhere you look. It’s not entirely surprising that accidents involving commercial vehicles are common on Texas roadways.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 38,621 car accidents involving commercial vehicles were reported across the state of Texas in 2022. 1,643 people were seriously injured in those crashes, and at least 716 fatalities were reported. 5,339 people suffered injuries that were classified as minor.
In Tarrant County alone, at least 373 people were injured in commercial vehicle accidents in 2022. 13 fatalities were reported.
We Handle All Types of Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims in Fort Worth
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) classifies a vehicle as a commercial vehicle if it:
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is a combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport at least 8 passengers for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport at least 15 passengers, but not for compensation
- Transports hazardous materials, regardless of size
In Texas, commercial vehicles can be self-propelled or towed. The important thing to remember is that commercial vehicles are also often classified as common carriers in Texas.
At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of commercial vehicle accident cases, including those involving:
- School buses
- Trinity Metro buses
- Delivery trucks and vans, including UPS and FedEx trucks
- Semi-trucks and big-rigs
- 18-wheelers
- Dump trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Utility trucks
- Cement trucks
- Oil tankers
- Construction vehicles
- Passenger vans
If you were injured in an accident involving a large, heavy commercial vehicle, give us a call to learn about your legal options today.
What is a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case Worth in Texas?
The value of any personal injury case depends on the victim’s unique circumstances, including:
- The severity of the injuries
- Medical treatment costs
- The prognosis for making a full recovery or suffering a long-term impairment
- Estimated future costs for medical care, rehabilitation, and assistance
- Damage to the victim’s quality of life
- Whether the victim’s earnings are impacted due to the accident and injury
- The value of lost wages during recovery
- Whether shared fault is an issue
- Available insurance coverage
Commercial trucking companies carry large insurance policies. They also have teams of defense lawyers who will work hard to pay as little as possible. It’s important to work with an experienced lawyer who has the tools to properly estimate your case value.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Fort Worth, Texas?
Both economic and non-economic damages are available under Texas personal injury laws.
You can seek compensation for the full value of your economic damages, which are your financial costs.
These often include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Nursing care
- Rehabilitation
- Vehicle repairs
- Other types of property damage and out-of-pocket costs
Serious injuries also leave victims struggling with significant personal losses. These are your non-economic damages.
Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Chronic pain
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Non-economic damages can be highly subjective. Insurance companies will probably try to minimize their value. Make no mistake–these intangible losses are often some of the most devastating consequences a victim suffers. Our lawyers know how to help you fight for every dollar you deserve.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Fort Worth?
Our attorneys’ fees depend completely upon the amount of money we recover in your case. Like most personal injury lawyers in Fort Worth, we work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we secure financial compensation in your case.
What Happens to My Right to Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Texas?
Texas follows modified comparative negligence rules. Damages are reduced by your degree of blame. However, once your share of fault exceeds 50%, you lose your right to compensation.
Insurance companies often try to pin as much blame on the victim as possible. If they succeed, they can avoid paying a full settlement. They might not even have to pay a dime.
Remember that they don’t always have the evidence to back up their allegations–and an experienced attorney can help you fight back.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries
Due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, victims in smaller passenger vehicles are vulnerable to severe injuries.
Some examples of injuries commonly caused by commercial vehicles include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Deep cuts and facial lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
Some of these injuries can result in long-term disability or wrongful death. If you or a loved one were hurt, call our Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident attorneys for a free case evaluation today.
What Are the Top Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Fort Worth, Texas?
Some of the most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Violation of FMCSA hours-of-service rules
- Dangerous and wide turns
- Failure to account for the vehicle’s longer stopping times
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Failure to conduct proper pre- and post-trip inspections
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Unqualified truck drivers
- Negligent hiring practices
Accidents involving commercial vehicles can cause significant damage. Often, multiple factors play a role in the accident. Identifying every cause is critical to holding all negligent parties liable for their actions.
How Do I Establish Liability After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Texas?
In most cases, you must prove the at-fault party was negligent to recover damages.
The four legal elements of negligence are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Many types of evidence can help you establish these elements, including:
- Black box recording data
- The driver’s qualifications and hours-of-service log
- Maintenance records
- Hiring policies
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Witness statements
In commercial vehicle accident cases where a truck driver was responsible, the trucking company is typically liable for damages. Trucking companies have large insurance policies. While that can be a benefit, it also means they’ll want to see strong evidence to establish fault.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once the two-year statute of limitations passes, you cannot sue the at-fault party for damages.
Call a Seasoned Fort Worth Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Victims have the burden of proving that they deserve compensation in Texas. That’s not always easy to do–especially when you’re injured. An experienced Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident attorney can handle the legal issues. Call Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to learn more about our skills and experience today.
