What to Do in Case of a Truck Accident in Dallas, Fort Worth
Getting into an accident with a large truck can be traumatic and overwhelming. Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, weighing 20-30 times more than a passenger car, can cause severe injuries and damage in a crash. How do you deal with a truck accident in Dallas, Fort Worth? Keep reading to find out.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The first thing to do after a truck accident is to get medical assistance. Even if you don't think you're seriously injured, the adrenaline flowing through your body after an accident can mask symptoms. Get checked out by emergency services or go to the nearest hospital to make sure you don't have any internal injuries, head trauma, or other issues.
Getting prompt medical care also documents your injuries for your insurance and personal injury claims later. The records provide proof of your medical condition after the crash. Make sure to follow up with your regular doctor as well. Some injuries, like soft tissue damage, may not be immediately apparent.
Report the Accident
Contact the police to file an official report for the accident. The officer who responds will interview you and other witnesses, examine damage to the vehicles, look for skid marks, take photos, and make a police report you can get later. Make sure to get the officer's name and contact information, police report number, and request a copy of the report.
Having an official accident report is crucial for attributing fault and liability, as well as getting compensation for your damages. Truck drivers and their insurance companies may deny or minimize the facts of the accident later, so an objective police report is key evidence.
Exchange Information
Get contact and insurance information from the truck driver. This should include their name, trucking company they work for, license plate, registration, and insurance details. Also, take down the names and contact info for any passengers or witnesses.
Take photos of damage to both vehicles, skid marks, debris on the road, and any injuries you sustained. Document the scene as thoroughly as possible. If you're able to, draw a diagram of how the accident happened while it's still fresh in your mind.
Having this documentation right away provides proof for your claim. Witnesses may be hard to track down later, memories fade, and evidence can disappear.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your auto insurance provider to alert them that you've been in an accident. Provide details about what happened and get your claim started. Your insurance may help with rental car reimbursement, medical bills, lost wages, and repairs.
However, don't rush to accept any settlement offer from your insurer. Hold off signing until you’ve spoken to an attorney, the truck driver's insurer accepts liability, and you've determined the full extent of your damages. Accepting a quick, low settlement from your insurer could prevent you from getting additional compensation later.
Consult a Truck Accident Attorney
Contact experienced truck accident lawyers Dallas Fort Worth as soon as possible after the crash. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, track down all contributing factors, determine legal options and strategies, and handle communication with the insurance companies.
With both the police report and the attorney's investigation, you can build a strong claim to recover damages for medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. An attorney levels the playing field against big trucking companies and ensures you get full and fair compensation.
Types of Compensation Available
After a commercial truck accident in the Dallas or Fort Worth area, you may be entitled to various types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses - Any current and ongoing costs like hospital bills, ambulances, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and more.
- Lost income - Wages lost due to missing work during recovery. Also, reduced earning capacity if disabilities prevent you from working the same job.
- Property damage - Repairs or replacement cost for your vehicle. May also include damage to other personal property.
- Pain and suffering - Compensation for any physical pain, discomfort, stress, emotional trauma, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment, and reduced quality of life after the accident.
- Wrongful death damages - Financial compensation to surviving family members for funeral costs, loss of companionship, wages the deceased could have earned, and other losses if the accident victim passes away.
Truck Accident Lawsuit
If negotiations with the insurance company fail or they deny responsibility, your truck accident attorneys Dallas Forth Worth may file a truck accident lawsuit to take your case to court. They will handle the litigation process while you focus on recovery.
The evidence from the police, your lawyer's investigation, and witness testimony will be presented to a judge or jury. If they decide in your favor, the truck driver and their employer will be required to pay the compensation award.
Lawsuits are time-consuming, but necessary when the insurance company refuses reasonable compensation for your losses. An attorney familiar with Texas statutes, federal regulations, case law, and litigation tactics can successfully build and argue your case.
Why Truck Accidents Are Complex
Crashes involving commercial trucks often involve more complex legal issues than typical car accidents. Some factors that make truck crash cases more complicated include:
- Multiple liable parties - The driver, trucking company, parts manufacturers, loading company, maintenance company, and others may share responsibility.
- Special regulations - Truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to federal and state commercial driving and safety regulations. Violating these rules can help establish negligence.
- More severe injuries - Large trucks can cause catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord paralysis, brain damage, amputation, internal organ damage, and wrongful death. Cases involve extensive damages and losses.
- Insurance disputes - Multiple insurance policies on the truck, trailer, driver, and shipping cargo may conflict with liability payouts. An attorney can dispute unfair denials.
The experienced Dallas Fort Worth truck accident lawyers at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys have successfully handled complex commercial truck crash cases in Dallas, Fort Worth, and other parts of Texas for years. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, contact our firm for a free case review. We'll protect your rights every step of the way toward getting the full compensation you deserve.
