Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer
How Parker Law Firm Can Help Truck Accident Victims in Ft. Worth
Safety organization, Road Safe America, releases annual statistics of fatal truck crashes across the nation. Texas consistently has the greatest numbers, followed distantly by California. In Tarrant and Dallas counties in 2020, there were more than 6,000 crashes involving 18-wheelers killing more than 60 people and injuring thousands more.
Trucking accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, from negligent driving behavior to equipment failure to hazardous road conditions. Here are some of the main causes of trucking accidents in Texas:
Tips for Sharing Fort Worth Roadways Safely with Big Rigs
Trucks Have Several Large Blind Spots 
You may not be aware that big rig drivers have several large blind spots around their trucks. A truck driver has a blind spot on his immediate left where he cannot see a smaller car. On his right, he has an even larger area where you cannot be seen. Remember, if you are traveling on either side of a big rig, you are more than likely invisible to the driver. Try not to travel for long on either side, but avoid dangerously passing as well. Think of this: If you cannot see the driver’s mirror, he cannot see you either. This places you in a very vulnerable position that could end with you or someone you love becoming seriously injured or killed.
Following Too Closely Behind Any Vehicle is Very Dangerous
If you drive right up on the tail of a large truck, you cannot see the road ahead. If the truck suddenly braked, you would have no time to react and possibly end up slamming into the truck. You are completely invisible to the truck driver when your car is directly following an 18-wheeler.
Avoid Cutting in Front of an 18-Wheeler or Big-Rig Truck
Though you may be able to come to a screeching halt in your small vehicle, large trucks cannot abruptly brake. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation:
“…when traveling at a speed of 55 miles per hour, it takes a fully-loaded tractor-trailer the length of a football field to come to a complete stop.”
Do Not Attempt to Pass a Large Semi When it is Making a Turn
Big rigs must swing out wide when they turn to ensure their back tires make the turn without going over a curb. If you try to pass while they are executing a turn, you will probably collide with the truck. If you come to a complete stop behind a large semi, you need to give yourself some extra space. Large trucks often roll backward when stopped on an incline before they move forward.
The Dangers of an Overloaded Trailer
Weight regulations for tractor trailers are in place for a reason: the safety of everyone sharing the roadways. If a semi-truck has an overloaded trailer, numerous dangers may arise that could injure the driver or the other drivers around the vehicle.
Handling Troubles: An overloaded trailer will decrease the responsiveness of the truck overall, making turning and handling all the more difficult. In certain situations, axles directly under an overloaded portion of the trailer may fail entirely.
Tipping Over: Trailers are typically loaded with vertically stacked pallets. If it is overloaded, the excess weight could cause the trailer to become top-heavy, making it tip onto its side with even slight steering adjustments.
Stopping Distance: Sometimes the truck driver is not aware that the trailer has been overloaded by the warehouse crew. If this is the case, in an emergency braking situation, the semi may require far more space than is available to come to a full stop, possibly injuring any drivers nearby.
What Can You Be Compensated for Following a Truck Accident
If you have been involved in a truck accident in Fort Worth, you may be eligible for compensation for any of the following:
Medical Expenses
You are entitled to recover all out-of-pocket medical expenses that you or your loved one incur, as well as the amounts paid by any type of medical insurance plan, including Medicare and Medicaid. You are also entitled to any future medical expenses that you are likely to incur in the future based on reasonable medical probability.
Lost Wages/Loss of Earning Capacity
If you miss work as a result of your injuries, the law provides that you may recover any lost wages. The law also provides that, in the event your injuries result in your inability to earn as much in the future as you did in the past, a claim for loss of future earning capacity can be made.
Impairment
You can pursue a claim for impairment if the injuries you sustained result in either temporary or permanent impairment.
Disfigurement
These are damages awarded due to scarring, amputation, or other physical injuries leaving a long-term and usually permanent change to physical being or look.
Physical Pain & Suffering
Pain associated with an injury can range from minor and rather temporary to severe and long-lasting. This type of recovery is very subjective and can vary widely from one person to the next. Nonetheless, the law allows recovery for the pain you suffer, and the amount compensated is determined by the jury on a purely subjective basis.
Mental Anguish
These types of damages are also very subjective and are often met with extreme skepticism by juries. Texas courts have determined that, in order to recover mental anguish damages, there must be evidence of the degree, nature, extent, duration, and severity of the person’s mental anguish. There must have been a relatively high degree of mental pain and distress which is more than mere disappointment, anger, resentment, or embarrassment, although it may include all of these.
Property Damage
When there is damage caused to property such as a car, then you are entitled to recover for the repairs to or replacement of the property. Often, you are also entitled to damages for the loss of use of the automobile.
10 Things You Need to Keep in Mind Following a Fort Worth Truck Accident
1. Everyone’s Safety
After any sort of dangerous collision, safety must come first and foremost. Before you start trying to collect information, ensure everyone is in good condition and react appropriately. If you are physically able, try and follow the remaining tips.
2. Do Not Accept Fault
Many truck accidents can be laid directly at the feet of the trucker’s own negligence, rather than the smaller vehicles they often collide with. Do not say you are to blame, and do not even apologize, as this will shift liability back towards you.
3. Truck Information
Information used to identify a truck and its driver may be wholly dissimilar from the information you gather after a car accident. Be sure to get all the data and documentation you can, including the often-forgotten trailer number (usually six digits on the side or back of the trailer). There should be a number on the tractor door or fender which you should get as well. If you have a camera, take pictures of everything.
4. Who Else Was Involved
Was your truck accident something that involved multiple cars in a chaotic pileup? If so, you will want to get information from everyone. Each person could be a key to you receiving a fair settlement.
5. Where the Accident Happened
It seems obvious but take detailed notes about the location of your truck accident. If the area is prone to collisions, or if the same trucking company has had a crash there before, it could be beneficial to your case.
6. When the Accident Happened
As with “where,” “when” your truck accident occurred is more important than you might realize. If it happened late at night or early in the morning, it could be a huge indicator that truck driver fatigue was at play.
7. Who Can be Held Accountable
Sometimes a truck accident is not exactly the fault of the trucker, but rather a maintenance issue is the primary source. Perhaps even their parent company told them to disobey speed limits to make a delivery on time. Before you file a lawsuit, let a professional personal injury attorney examine your case.
8. See a Doctor
In case you didn’t see a doctor immediately after the accident, you really should visit one as soon as you can. Just a slight soreness could indicate an underlying health issue, especially for pain in your neck or back. Plus, a doctor’s statement is a powerful piece of evidence for your claims.
9. Value of Your Claim
Speaking of which, an insurance company might come out of the blue to offer you a settlement. Do not accept it without consulting with your lawyer first. Otherwise, you could be taking only a fraction of what they ultimately could owe you for their negligence.
10. Who Can Help You
So, who can support you during this time? The Fort Worth truck accident attorneys from Parker Law Firm can! Since 1985, Brad Parker has been standing up for the rights of ordinary people caught in unfortunate situations that were outside of their control.
It is essential that you retain the representation of an attorney who can aggressively pursue the highest level of compensation for your case. When you work with our firm, we take the time to get to know you and help determine who is responsible for your injuries. Our truck accident attorneys defend the rights of injured Texans statewide, and we always aggressively pursue the highest level of compensation available for each client.
Why Choose Parker Law Firm?
Trying to find the right personal injury lawyer in Fort Worth, can be very complicated and frustrating. After all, most personal injury websites look the same and recite the same promises like “no fee unless we recover” and “no cost consultation” — when in reality, these should be no-brainers, not unique selling points. Parker Law Firm, of course, offers no cost consultations and works on a contingency basis so that we don’t get paid unless you do. But we take it all a step further. We offer free information in brochures and books, we guarantee you will always put more money in your pocket than we do, each client receives Brad’s personal cell phone number and we offer a 30-day guarantee. That is just the beginning. Contact our office to learn more about how Parker Law Firm can help you.
Further Benefits of Working with Parker Law Firm:
- “People Matter” is not a metaphor. It is a fundamental belief at Parker Law Firm. You will work with a team of people who firmly believe helping others and seeking justice is a “calling” NOT a “job.” Our staff cares about what you and your family are going through, and we all work hard to help you at every step along the way.
- You will no longer have to deal with payment collection calls from medical providers.
- You and your case will NOT be just a number. We are very selective in the cases we take, thereby allowing absolute attention to detail and one-on-one service—you will know without a doubt that “You Matter.”
- You will get straightforward, open, and honest communications at all times.
- Your calls will be returned the same day or within 24 hours. Mr. Parker also gives every one of his clients his personal cell phone number.
- Brad Parker’s passion is “Seeking Justice.” He pursues Justice not only in the Courtroom but also at the Legislature, working as an unpaid lobbyist to protect the rights of Texas families. All of this gives him a unique insight into the law that few possess, and he frequently speaks at State Bar of Texas seminars to share his knowledge with other attorneys.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Area Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one was injured in a commercial truck accident in Texas, our experienced truck accident lawyers are ready to help right away. Contact us online, or call our Fort Worth, Texas office directly at 817.510.9400 to schedule your free consultation.
At Parker Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers believe people matter. We are committed to our clients, not case numbers, and we believe in the power of the civil justice system. With years spent both representing accident victims and participating in the state legislative process, our founder, Brad Parker, has developed a deep understanding of the law and gained unique experience that helps him get results for his clients.
Our experience with you and your team was our first lawsuit experience. After 21 months of working with your firm, we wanted to thank you for a phenomenal and outstanding overall experience. Claire and your entire team were excellent, professional, and we felt you had our family’s best interests in mind throughout the process. As always, Claire went above and
beyond by dropping off the final documents in person at our house yesterday.You raised the bar so high with the fantastic experience you delivered. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with your firm. Best wishes for continuous success to your entire team and your firm. Thanks again.