CALL (800) 863-5312 to talk to grand prairie truck accident lawyers
Motorists can typically rely on truck drivers to practice reasonable care while driving, but the consequences of a negligent truck driver are devastating because of the size of trucks along with the speed of the vehicles involved in the accident. A semi-truck with an empty trailer weighs around 8.5 times more than the average car, and high speeds increase the impact of the vehicles. Most of the time, such accidents are preventable. So, when the truck driver who causes any motor vehicle accident is found to have been negligent while driving in Grand Prairie, TX, then it is prudent for the victims of that accident to speak with Grand Prairie truck accident attorneys. Experienced Grand Prairie truck accident lawyers can ease a victim’s navigation through the legal system.
If you were hit by a truck, call our Zinda Law Group Grand Prairie truck accident lawyers at (800) 863-5312 to receive a free case evaluation.
Common causes of truck accidents
Our Grand Prairie truck accident lawyers have seen many kinds of truck accidents, caused by a variety of things. However, the following common causes of truck accidents involve the negligence of either the truck driver or the trucking company. Regardless of which of these entities is at fault, you might be able to sue the trucking company due to the relationship between the company and the employee.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDriver Fatigue
Texas law states that truck drivers driving intrastate (staying within Texas state lines) must have rest periods of 8 consecutive hours before beginning a shift and may only stay on the road for 12 consecutive hours. No intrastate truck driver may work more than 70 hours within 7 consecutive days.
Federal law applies to truck drivers driving through more than one state. It orders that interstate drivers must have rest periods of 10 consecutive hours before starting a shift and may only stay on the road for 14 consecutive hours. No interstate driver may work more than 70 hours within 8 consecutive days.
Trucking companies often disregard these laws so that they can earn more profit by condensing the amount of time it takes to deliver goods. A fatigued driver is a dangerous driver: He or she will become exhausted, stressed, and inattentive—all conditions which can easily lead to collisions with other vehicles. Grand Prairie truck accident lawyers know how to hold trucking companies responsible for overworking employees and creating dangerous conditions.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDrugs or Alcohol
It is illegal in all 50 states to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Penalties for driving while intoxicated in Texas can include a fine, jail time, and loss of a driver’s license. Truck drivers in particular may resort to drug use in order to keep themselves awake over long driving periods.
Even though trucking companies drug test drivers both before hiring them and randomly throughout employment, they cannot predict when a driver will decide to illegally take drugs or alcohol while on the job. An experienced injury lawyer in Grand Prairie can help determine whether the company’s drug testing policy complies with Texas and federal laws.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationImproper Loading of the Truck
A driver who improperly loads the truck, drives an overweight truck, or improperly secures the load takes a number of risks. Improper loading may cause trailer sway or whipping, which makes the load much more difficult to control and dangerous for the truck driver and other drivers on the road.
All states have laws regarding the weight of a loaded 18-wheeler. Driving an overweight truck is dangerous because it is more difficult for the driver to correct trailer sway and whipping. An improperly secured load poses the risk of not only trailer sway but also the risk of cargo falling out and hitting motorists.
A Grand Prairie, TX, lawyer can help you gather and evaluate evidence regarding the way the trailer was loaded. From there, the attorney has access to a network of experts who can determine whether the improper loading of the truck led to your accident.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDriving in Severe Weather
All drivers must mitigate poor weather conditions by driving slowly, turning on their lights or even their caution lights, or refraining from driving at all until it is safe. Commercial truck drivers have even more of a responsibility to make allowances for bad weather by way of their occupation. They know that the size of their vehicle makes them more likely to cause serious damage if they are in an accident, and they spend far more time driving than most other people on the road, so a truck driver who ignores severe weather could be negligently putting other drivers in danger.
Poor Inspection Practices
Trucking companies that do not adhere to regular inspection and maintenance schedules put their drivers as well as other roadway drivers in danger. We have already discussed how the weight of the truck and trailer make accidents much worse for the other drivers involved: If a truck’s brakes fail at a red light, the driver of the stopped sedan in front of the truck suffers a bleak fate. Similarly, if the mechanism that keeps the trailer doors closed fails, the car following the truck can be struck by the trailer’s cargo.
A Grand Prairie truck accident attorney can help you access the driver or trucking company’s inspection schedule and see if sufficient and timely inspections were conducted before the accident. Investigating these and other important company documents is something our attorneys have the resources and knowledge to do, usually better than someone who may not be familiar with the regulations and procedures expected to be followed by those in the trucking industry.
Driver Disobeying Traffic Safety Laws
Finally, there is the possibility that the accident was caused by the driver’s failure to adhere to traffic safety laws. Think about how many people you know with speeding tickets who are not truck drivers. Now imagine the driving record of a person who spends roughly 8 times the amount of time driving that the average person spends.
Even though those driving for trucking companies are on the road quite a bit, that does not mean they do not take liberties with speeding and failing to signal. An 18-wheeler takes a longer time over a greater distance to come to a complete stop compared to passenger vehicles; with proper training and experience they should constantly be aware of this fact. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect all truck drivers to take extra care to avoid accidents; they should be held liable when they fail to do so.
What to do if you have been in a truck accident near Grand Prairie, TX
The order in which you should take the following steps after being in an accident with a truck will vary upon the extent of your injury. Since semi accidents can cause such severe injuries to the victim, you might not be able to personally complete many of these steps if you are in critical condition. Hiring a personal injury lawyer near you can help you cover all the bases.
- Call the police to report the accident and provide the investigating officer with the information requested of you.
- Keep a personal record of the accident, including the truck driver’s name and company and the contact information of witnesses to the accident.
- Seek medical attention and keep a record of your injuries, medical expenses, doctor visits, and time off of work.
Considerations for hiring a Grand Prairie, TX, attorney
No one enjoys handling a legal claim when oneself or a loved one is injured and focused on physically recovering. Trying to familiarize yourself with the legal system well enough to get compensation for your injuries adds a lot of pressure to an already difficult situation. An attorney can help at all stages of your claim in order to get you the maximum compensation available based on the injuries you suffered.
Legal Process
First, the lawyer will want to evaluate the strength of your claim before ensuring that you file your claim correctly and in the right court; next, a lawyer can help you gather evidence to legally prove that the accident was the truck driver’s fault. In Texas, you can recover compensation as long as you are found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident. Perhaps most helpfully, an attorney can negotiate with the insurance companies to get you the largest amount of compensation possible.
Compensation
If your case is successful, you will be entitled to compensation for past, present, and future medical expenses associated with the accident. The judge awarding the amount also considers your pain and suffering, loss of livelihood, and the degree to which the truck accident has impacted your ability to enjoy life.
CASE RESULTS
Talk to Zinda Law Group Grand prairie truck accident lawyers
You should not have to pay for an accident that you did not cause, and you deserve to be compensated for the injuries that you are enduring as a result of someone else’s negligence. If you have been hit by a truck and need an injury attorney in Grand Prairie, reach out to a Zinda Law Group Grand Prairie, TX, attorney at (800) 863-5312 to schedule a free case evaluation with your initial consultation.
Our attorneys have obtained favorable settlements for victims of commercial truck crashes, and we may be able to do the same for you. An experienced Grand Prairie truck accident lawyer will evaluate your case and let you know if you have a reasonable chance of winning a personal injury lawsuit against the truck driver.
Our Grand Prairie truck accident lawyers want to help make you whole by guiding you through your legal recovery. We offer our clients a No Win, No Fee Guarantee, which means that you do not pay us unless we win your case for you.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
