Truck Accident FAQ
Answers you can trust from experienced Dallas truck accident lawyers
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in Texas caused by a commercial truck driver, you probably have a lot of important legal questions. How much is my truck accident worth? What are my legal options? Should I accept a settlement offer?
Finding accurate answers to such questions can be challenging. That’s why we want to help. For more than two decades, the dedicated Dallas truck accident attorneys at The Marye Law Firm have been there for injury victims in Texas when they need us most.
Based on our work, we have an in-depth understanding of how the legal system works when it comes to truck accidents. When you have our law firm on your side, you can be sure we’re working tirelessly to demand the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
What is your question?
Below, you can find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about truck accidents in Texas. Remember, this is general information, not legal advice. Every truck accident is unique. That’s why it’s critical that you talk to an attorney as soon as possible about your particular case. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation to learn more. We’re here to help you get your life back on track.
- Why are truck accidents complicated?
- What are common causes of truck accidents?
- Who investigates truck accidents?
- Who’s responsible for paying for my accident?
- How much is my case worth?
- Who decides who’s at fault?
- What if I was partially at fault?
- Should I accept a settlement offer?
- Can I ask for more money?
- Who can file a truck accident lawsuit?
- Why should I hire a truck accident lawyer?
Why are truck accidents complicated?
Truck accidents are often more complicated than other motor vehicle claims for many different reasons. Part of it has to do with the different laws that apply to commercial truck accidents. Many of these laws are federal laws, which can be found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). There’s also often more than one at-fault party when it comes to truck accidents. For these reasons and many more, it’s critical that you have an experienced attorney who understands exactly how the system works and who can be your guide through this complex legal process.
What are common causes of truck accidents?
Truck accidents caused by commercial truck drivers often occur due to mistakes made by reckless or inexperienced truck drivers. Sometimes, they’re speeding or fall asleep at the wheel. Other times, distracted driving or impaired driving is to blame.
But in some cases, it’s the trucking company that’s at fault. They might have hired an inexperienced driver or a driver without a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). Other times, trucking companies don’t maintain their trucks, resulting in a crash caused by poor truck maintenance.
Whatever the cause of your crash, an experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate your collision and find out exactly what happened. That’s an attorney’s job. And the good ones know exactly what evidence to look for in such cases.
Who investigates truck accidents?
Commercial truck accidents in Dallas are often investigated by one or more of the following local, state, and federal agencies:
Whoever’s investigating your crash, your lawyer can get a copy of your official accident report and carefully review it. The slightest mistake could impact the outcome of your legal case and your injury claim.
Who’s responsible for paying for my accident?
Texas has an at-fault insurance system. That means the at-fault party must pay for all the accident-related expenses for injury victims. What makes commercial truck accidents different is there may be more than one at-fault party. As a result, you may be able to seek compensation from several parties, including:
- The truck driver.
- The trucking company the truck driver works for.
- The company that loaded the truck.
- The company that manufactured the truck.
- Each one of their insurance companies.
The value of your settlement claim or jury verdict should add up to the total financial impact of your truck accident. This means you should be paid for all past, present, and future anticipated expenses related to your accident. This includes the cost of all your medical care, vehicle repairs, and lost income if you cannot work due to your injury. All of these expenses can easily add up to thousands of dollars or much more. The best way to know how much your case could be worth is to talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer.
You might think that it’s the police, state, or federal officials investigating your crash who decide who’s at fault. But when it comes to determining who’s responsible for compensating injury victims for their accident-related expenses, it’s the insurance companies that often have a lot to say. And the insurance company for the at-fault party often does everything they can to deny responsibility and reject your claim. That’s why you need an aggressive attorney on your side, advocating for your legal rights.
What if I was partially at fault?
Texas has an insurance system known as “modified comparative negligence” or “modified comparative fault.” Under this system, the amount of money you receive is reduced based on what percentage you were at fault, provided that the at-fault party was at least 51 percent at fault. So if you were 30 percent at fault and your truck accident claim is worth $100,000, you would only receive $70,000 since your claim would be reduced by 30 percent. This is why it’s important to have a lawyer on your side who understands how the system works in Texas and can demand the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
Should I accept a settlement offer?
Don’t be surprised if you receive a settlement offer soon after your truck accident. The trucking company’s insurance company might make you an offer to settle your case for a specific amount of money. Such an offer can be very tempting, especially if you already have bills for your medical care and vehicle repairs. You might also have less income or no income at all if you’re not working due to your injury. But it’s important to understand that if you accept their offer, that’s it. Your case is settled. You can’t ask for any additional money. And in many cases, the financial impact of a truck accident can add up significantly in the future. That’s why you need to carefully consider such an offer before you accept it. Your lawyer can review any offers you receive and advise you on whether or not you should accept an offer or ask for more money.
Yes. You have the right to demand additional compensation, as long as you have not already accepted a settlement offer. You can negotiate for additional money with the at-fault party. But doing so on your own can be very challenging. That’s why many people hire a lawyer to negotiate a better settlement offer on their behalf. Experienced attorneys understand how the legal system works and which strategies can be the most effective.
Who can file a truck accident lawsuit?
If you were injured in an accident caused by a truck driver, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If a loved one died in a fatal truck accident, surviving family members can take legal action as well. This includes the surviving spouse, any surviving parents, and children of the deceased. If you’re not sure if you have the right to take legal action in response to a truck accident, simply talk to an experienced attorney who knows how to handle these types of legal cases.
Why should I hire a truck accident lawyer?
Because the financial stakes are so high in many truck accident claims, the at-fault party or parties often has one or more attorneys working for them. Their goal is quite simple – to do everything they can to pay you as little money as possible.
When you have an experienced lawyer handling your case, you can demand the maximum financial compensation you deserve. Otherwise, you might end up having to pay for your accident-related expenses, even though you didn’t do anything wrong.
Still not sure why you should hire a truck accident lawyer? Talk to one and listen to what they have to say. Many offer a free case evaluation where you can ask questions and learn more about your legal rights.
Make your case matter. Contact us
The stakes are high when it comes to your truck accident claim. You may be entitled to receive thousands of dollars or significantly more. Demand the compensation you deserve. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Dallas truck accident attorney who gets results.
The Marye Law Firm – we’re serious about winning your case.
