Big Rig Catastrophes: Understanding the Complexities of Truck Accident Litigation

Accidents involving trucks are particularly dangerous because of their size and weight. Truck accidents have many causes, such as loss of cargo, tire blowouts, and jackknifing.

Regardless of the cause, victims of truck accidents may be able to recover financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Working with truck accident attorneys who have the expertise to handle all the details of such a case will allow you to concentrate on getting well while your lawyer handles your case.

If you're thinking about submitting a claim after a truck accident in Texas, you may want to educate yourself with a few state rules and guidelines in the Texas civil court system and get in touch with a qualified attorney. During the last few decades, our truck accident lawyers in Dallas at the Rasansky Law Firm have built a phenomenal track record and pride ourselves on defending the legal rights of victims left with long-term injuries, financial hardships, and more after a crash. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing until we win your case and you get compensation. If we don't win, you owe nothing. Don't hesitate to contact our team if you have questions or concerns regarding your Dallas truck accident claim.

Common Causes Behind Truck Accidents

There are several potential contributors to truck crashes, including but not limited to the following:

• Sharp turns and swerving
• Problems with cargo loading or unsecured freight
• Locked or frozen brakes
• Inadequate braking or a failure to brake on the part of the truck driver
• Inclement weather
• Large trucks hitting debris from a prior crash
• Speeding

Unfortunately, regardless of the cause, the resulting injuries and property loss after a truck accident are almost always devastating.

Reporting a Truck Accident in Texas

First and foremost, all drivers must notify authorities immediately if any type of collision occurs within a Texas municipality. In addition, it is standard practice for trucking companies and conglomerates to require drivers to report incidents to their contracting businesses.

What's more, in the event that an accident occurs outside of city limits in Texas, drivers are obligated by law to notify the local sheriff's department. In the case of a serious truck collision, it is imperative to notify the authorities if anyone is hurt or if any vehicles are damaged beyond the point where they could be driven away safely.

No regulation in Texas mandates policyholders to notify their auto insurance company after being involved in a truck collision. However, every auto insurance policy still requires that an accident be reported as soon as possible. Insurance companies are better able to investigate and defend claims if they are notified immediately following an incident.

Additionally, keep in mind that commercial truck drivers are generally required to carry their own insurance in addition to the company's policy. Truckers are mandated to have their own liability insurance in Texas if they are considered independent contractors.

Determining Liability in a Truck Accident

In most cases, the party that suffers damages in a truck collision will have to prove that the other party was at fault. Approximately a dozen states follow a no-fault rule, meaning that drivers can claim to their insurance company for compensation without regard to fault after a collision.

By contrast, Texas observes modified comparative fault. In essence, if you are hurt in a truck accident in Texas, you have a number of options. You could file a claim with the truck driver's insurance company or the insurance provider that represents their contractor if they were at fault for the accident. You can also file a lawsuit against the other driver.

Companies that employ truck drivers are legally required to provide adequate training. Accidents are more likely to occur if a driver is put on the road without first acquiring the necessary skills and experience. That said, truck accidents can also be caused by faulty vehicle components. An exploding tire, for instance, might cause a truck to veer suddenly and jackknife.

Moreover, another driver could cause a collision, meaning that the driver of the truck isn't always at fault. No matter the suspected cause of your crash, it's important to consult an attorney to organize the facts of your case and determine the party or parties ultimately liable for your accident. Your lawyer can make sure everyone who had a hand in causing the accident is held responsible.

How to Prevent Truck Accidents in Texas

Even though these incidents aren't always preventable, understanding the warning signs of a truck crash might help you avoid a collision:

• Keep your distance from large trucks: Maintaining a proper following distance is a crucial part of driving safely. If you're following a vehicle too closely, you may find it difficult to avoid being involved in a crash.
• Take extra safety precautions during inclement weather: Drive with extreme caution in bad weather. When driving in adverse conditions, such as snow or heavy rain, drivers need to drive slowly and steadily to avoid hydroplaning or skidding. Conditions may rapidly deteriorate in bad weather, increasing the likelihood of having an accident for a commercial truck.
• Avoid speeding: Don't go above the speed limit or break any rules of the road in general. In a collision involving a truck, driving faster than the authorized speed limit or violating other traffic regulations might increase the risk to you and other motorists.
• Never brake suddenly: When driving near heavy, sizable commercial vehicles, it is extremely dangerous to brake suddenly. Also, it's difficult to prevent a truck collision if you have to slam on your brakes because you are driving too closely to the truck.

Call a Truck Accident Lawyer at Rasansky Law Firm

If you've been involved in a serious collision involving a commercial truck and are interested in pursuing compensation, contact a Dallas truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Here at the Rasansky Law Firm, our seasoned team has several decades of experience, meaning that our clientele receives trustworthy legal counsel from a group of well-versed and well-regarded attorneys.

Contact our attorneys at the Rasansky Law Firm by calling (214) 651-6100 for a free case evaluation at any time if you were injured in a truck accident in Texas. We are available to take your call around the clock and are ready to safeguard your legal rights today.