Semi Trailer Accidents Attorney
Semi trailers frequently travel our Texas roads hauling freight to various parts of the country. In fact, Texas sees more semi trailers than most other states because more truck drivers are employed in Texas than any other state. While that is good for our trucking employment numbers, it may not be as good for passenger vehicles that share the roads with these semi trailers. Trucking is a dangerous industry and accidents with large trucks can cause grave injuries and even death. A Dallas semi trailer accidents attorney offers a free consultation after one of these devastating accidents.
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety’s 2016 fatal large truck accident report, 17% of fatalities were large truck occupants and 82% of the fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Last year in Texas there was a total of 24,784 large truck accidents. 3,758 of those accidents caused injuries and fatalities according to the Texas Department of Transportation. So what do these statistics show us? There are a lot of large truck accidents in Texas that cause injuries and fatalities to mostly non-truck occupants involved in the accidents.
How do Texas courts and juries feel about large truck accidents?
Recent cases have seen plaintiff verdicts for upwards of $90M against large truck defendants. Semi trailer drivers are in charge of extremely large vehicles that can be death traps if not operated with extreme caution and care. Passenger vehicles that usually weigh between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds don’t stand a chance against semi trailers that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. As a result, injuries to passenger vehicle occupants can be extremely severe or deadly. These recent cases show that juries want to see large truck defendants take responsibility for their actions and they want Texas truck accident plaintiffs to be well compensated for their injuries.
Modified comparative fault
Texas is what is known as a modified comparative fault state. This means that a plaintiff is entitled to recover for injuries and damages sustained in a motor vehicle accident so long as he or she is not 51% or more at fault for the accident. The portion of fault allocated to him or her will reduce a plaintiff’s recovery by that portion. For example, if your damages and injuries are $200,000 and you are found to be 20% at fault, your recovery will be reduced by 20% to $160,000. This means that even if you were found to be 20% at fault, you will still recover 80% of your injuries and damages which could still be a significant amount.
Whom should you trust? Consult with a Semi Trailer Accidents Attorney Today
Insurance companies are professionals when it comes to handling car accidents and interviewing other parties. Their goal will likely be to settle quickly, for as little as possible. They will probably call you soon after the accident, maybe even before you and your loved one/s know the extent of injuries incurred. Do not try to settle a semi trailer accident by yourself. Contact a Dallas truck accident attorney at the Law Office of Dorothy Hyde who will go to work to see that you are fully compensated for your damages and injuries.