Truck Accidents Attorney in Dallas, Texas

Accidents involving semi-trucks are much more dangerous than regular motor vehicle accidents. There are many reasons for this, but mostly because commercial trucks are disproportionately larger and heavier than standard passenger vehicles. Even though truck drivers are required to obtain training in the safe operation of commercial vehicles, maintain specific driver's licenses, and follow several laws and regulations, they may still become involved in accidents with other vehicles. These collisions are likely to inflict serious injuries on people in other cars or trucks. As a result, victims can sometimes struggle to establish liability for these accidents and receive compensation that addresses their injuries and damages.

My firm, M. Mathew Law Firm PLLC, believes in protecting the rights of injury victims and providing strong and effective representation in cases involving truck accidents. Also, I can seek to review your circumstances and guide you through your options. I proudly serve clients in Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding area, including Richardson, Lewisville, Irving, Farmers Branch, Grand Prairie, Garland, and Mesquite, Texas.

Texas Law and Truck Accidents

The law governing truck drivers is well established on state and federal levels.

The relevant federal laws can be found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, also known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The following regulations cover these specific topics:

• Driver qualifications

• Truck operation

• Vehicle repairs and maintenance

• Minimum insurance coverage

• Weigh stations

• Roadside inspections

• Compliance reviews

• Complaint investigations

• Trucking terminal audits

In addition to the federal laws, commercial truck drivers in Texas must comply with various state laws. These laws can be found in Title 7 of the Texas Transportation Code and cover many of the same topics as the federal law.

Another crucial aspect of a truck accident in Texas involves the statute of limitations, which is the amount of time an injured party can make a claim. In Texas, injured parties in truck accidents have two years to file a claim. If two years pass, the person cannot file a lawsuit, no matter how severe the injuries or damages were.

Truck Accident Liability

Whenever there is a truck accident, establishing liability is very important. Truck accidents differ from regular car accidents; truck drivers usually do not own the vehicle they are driving. Therefore, after an accident, you will be dealing with the insurance carrier of the trucking company. Victims and their families have several legal options after a truck accident. However, determining who is responsible for an accident can become complicated, especially when more than one party may be legally liable for the injuries in your truck accident claim in Texas.

A truck accident attorney can help to identify all the potential parties that may be held liable, such as:

• The truck driver

• The truck company

• Manufacturers whose defective parts contributed to the accident

• The company that leased the truck or the trailer

• Shippers or loaders of the truck's cargo

• Maintenance personnel that worked on the truck

There are other factors in determining liability during a truck accident, usually involving negligence on the part of the driver:

• Driving while under the influence of drugs

• Driving while extremely fatigued

• Speeding or driving too aggressively for the road conditions

• Road rage

• Eating, texting, or engaging in other distracting activities while driving

Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Texas

The most pressing matter after a truck accident is the health of the injured person. Once on the road to recovery, the next item will be filing a lawsuit. However, truck accident lawsuits are complex, there are a few reasons for this, which is why hiring an experienced attorney is essential to a successful outcome in your case:

• The case may involve more than one defendant, including the trucker, their employer, the maker of a part on the rig, and possibly others

• Multiple insurance companies will be involved, all of them trying to pay you as little as possible

• Truck drivers are subject to federal regulations as well as state and local laws so multiple agencies, each with their own policies and procedures, are likely to be involved are likely to be involved

• Injuries in truck accidents tend to be much more extensive than they are in car crashes

Truck Accidents Attorney Serving Dallas, Texas

As mentioned above, the most important thing to focus on after a truck accident is physical and emotional recovery. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed, it is vital to hire a personal injury attorney right away. My firm, M. Mathew Law Firm, PLLC, can provide relief and support to you, so if you've been injured in an accident and need help, contact my Dallas office today. I proudly serve clients in Richardson, Lewisville, Irving, Farmers Branch, Grand Prairie, Garland, and Mesquite, Texas.