Dallas Trailer Truck Accidents Attorney
Trailer truck accidents are incredibly dangerous and can cause catastrophic injuries including permanent impairment or even death. Chances are, the vehicle you regularly travel in is much smaller than a trailer truck. Trailer trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and are designed to haul freight long distances, but they are not designed to stop quickly or maneuver efficiently in emergency situations. On top of that, it is not uncommon for trailer trucks to haul hazardous materials that can cause additional injuries in the event of an accident.
Here in Texas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are more large truck drivers employed in our state than any other state. The 2017 report found 182,370 truck drivers employed in the state of Texas, so it is no wonder that Texas sees more large truck accidents regularly occurring on our roads than most other states.In 2017 alone,there were 24,784 accidents involving at least one big rig in Texas.
What to do if you are involved in an accident
The most important step is seeing that you seek necessary medical treatment for injuries sustained in the accident. The second priority is gathering as much information and evidence as possible. You will need to get the truck driver’s information, his or her employer, and insurance information. If possible, you should take photos and get contact information for witnesses. Finally, you should write down everything about the accident that you recall. Be sure to note all of the accident details including events that took place immediately prior to the accident and everything that happened afterwards, especially statements made by the truck driver and other witnesses.
In the event that the truck driver’s insurance company contacts you, you should be aware of two potential dangers to your case: 1. The insurance company will try to find any fault that can be attributed to you and anything you say to them in an interview may be used to do just that. 2. Insurance companies usually want to settle quickly for the least amount of money possible. It is probably not in your best interest to agree to their settlement offer without any negotiations. This is where a Dallas truck accident attorney’s expertise will be extremely beneficial. Our expert truck accident team at the Law Office of Dorothy Hyde understands the ins and outs of negotiating with insurance companies and we will see that any settlement agreement fully and fairly compensates you for your injuries and damages.
Fact gathering investigation
In order to recover for damages and injuries sustained in a trailer truck accident, you will have to prove that the other driver’s fault caused the accident. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys will help you gather the evidence you need to prove the defendant’s fault. We will investigate all avenues that may lead to evidence of fault by taking the following steps:
- Request driver data consisting of time logs, distance traveled, and how many/which days worked prior to the accident.
- Seek to obtain any existing video of the accident from the trailer truck, other vehicles on the road at the time of the accident, and local businesses.
- Review defendant’s driving history for prior accident involvement and citations received.
Contact the Law Office of Dorothy Hyde to set up a consultation. We will explore your damages and injuries and all legal avenues to see that you are fully compensated.