Trucks are needed to transport various materials and items between hundreds of locations. Truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver shipments to their destination on time. However, in the course of accomplishing their job, there is a lot that could go wrong and lead to a truck accident.
Injuries from truck accidents are usually severe and often far worse than those sustained in typical car accidents. Catastrophic injuries like brain damage, severe fractures, and crushing injuries are common. A lawyer can help you recover compensation for your economic and non-economic injuries and damages. Truck accidents are often caused by trucker negligence, although numerous other factors might have played a role in your case. When we sue the truck driver for causing the crash, we should also include their employer, the truck company, and they might be vicariously liable for their employee. Beginning a lawsuit is more complex than many people realize, and finding a skilled lawyer with experience with truck accident claims is wise.
To set up an appointment for a free, confidential case review with our truck accident attorneys, call the Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797.
Injuries Often Sustained in Truck Accidents in Denton, TX
When a passenger vehicle collides with a truck, it is practically inevitable that the victim will leave the scene with at least one injury; in some cases, the injury may even prove to be fatal. The reason that many victims sustain injuries in truck accidents is due to the differences in weight, size, and strength between cars and trucks.
For example, a commercial truck could weigh over 20,000 pounds, whereas a passenger vehicle would typically weigh around 4,000 pounds. As a result, a crash between the two could mean the passenger car is easily destroyed, and the driver and others in the vehicle are in great danger.
Here is a list of some common injuries that are linked to truck accidents:
Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones are highly common during truck accidents because the impact of the crash creates too much force against the victim’s body. The truck collision may also push the victim around the car and cause them to hit multiple surfaces, which could cause a bone fracture. For instance, if a victim’s hand slams into the steering wheel during the crash, they may fracture various bones.
Crushing Injuries
As mentioned, the weight of a truck far exceeds that of a car. As a result, when a truck crashes into a car, the occupants of the car may be crushed under the truck or between the truck and another object. Under these circumstances, the victim may have a crushed hand or other crushed extremities if they were pinned inside the vehicle during the crash.
Brain Injuries
A truck accident victim may also develop a brain injury if their head hits objects in the car or is struck by debris. Brain or head injuries are especially dangerous because they could cause memory loss, hemorrhaging, and even paralysis.
A victim could also sustain one or more of the following injuries:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Spine injuries
- Sprains and strains
Speak with our team of legal professionals about your injuries and how you could receive damages for them.
Recovering Damages Related to Your Truck Accident Injuries in Denton, TX
Since truck accidents are typically very severe accidents, it should come as no surprise that plaintiffs often claim significant damages. Your injuries might be very serious, and you likely need extensive medical care, leading to big hospital bills, among other expenses. Our truck accident attorneys can help you review the various costs, injuries, and painful experiences related to the accident to accurately assess your damages.
Damages are often measured in one of two ways: money and personal experience. Damages related to money, often called economic damages, are often found in the various bills and costs of the accident. As mentioned, your medical bills might be very high and likely are a major contributor to your overall economic damages. You should also claim the cost of replacing damaged property (e.g., your vehicle and personal belongings). If you can no longer work after the accident, you can claim the value of lost income and future income as well.
Damages unrelated to money, or non-economic damages, are rooted in your personal experiences from the accident. Often summed up as “pain and suffering,” these damages are so much more. Your physical pain from your bodily injuries may be factored into these damages, along with any mental anguish or psychological trauma.
Since non-economic damages are so subjective, we might not place an actual dollar value on them. Instead, jurors are tasked with assessing these damages and making the final decision as to what they are worth. As such, it is crucial that we have strong evidence showing how severe your non-economic injuries are.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Denton, TX
There are a plethora of reasons why a truck driver may negligently cause an accident. If you believe any of the following scenarios apply to your truck accident case, contact a lawyer to explore your legal options.
Driving Under the Influence
No person should be behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated. This recklessness is especially dangerous for truck drivers as they have the potential to injure many motorists on the road.
Tailgating
When a truck driver follows too close to a vehicle, also known as tailgating, they significantly increase their chances of causing a rear-end accident. Unlike cars, trucks need several feet in order to stop safely. This means that a tailgating truck would cause a collision if the vehicle they are tailgating needs to stop suddenly.
Inexperienced Truck Driver
If a truck driver is not properly trained on how to operate their vehicle, they will be prone to make a number of mistakes. For example, the truck driver may attempt to drive on a road that is too small for the vehicle to traverse safely. Under other circumstances, the truck driver may exceed the speed limit when driving in inclement weather, which could also be hazardous.
Liable Parties for a Truck Accident in Denton, TX
A plaintiff in a truck accident lawsuit could name multiple defendants in the case. For example, the truck driver that caused the collision would be an obvious party to hold liable for damages. However, there could be other defendants depending on a variety of factors.
If the truck driver was an employee of a company, the plaintiff may be able to name the company as a defendant. However, if the truck driver worked as an independent contractor, this may pose some problems to the plaintiff.
If you are not sure about what parties may be liable for your truck accident, you should contact our skilled truck accident lawyers to aid you in your pursuit of damages.
How to Begin a Lawsuit for Damages After a Truck Accident in Denton, TX
You have likely heard talk of lawsuits and how they are started, but many people do not know much about beginning a lawsuit other than it starts with a lawyer. Lawsuits are notoriously complicated and challenging, and many are hesitant to commit to such a significant endeavor. Your attorney can advise you on beginning your lawsuit and help you navigate the legal process to get compensation.
Your lawsuit begins with a complaint. The complaint is more than just an allegation of wrongdoing against the defendant. It is a detailed, formal legal document that spells out exactly how your accident occurred, what kind of relief you want, and why the defendant should be held liable. As such, we will likely spend considerable time and effort preparing the complaint before it is even filed.
To prepare the complaint, we need evidence. We must present some evidence to convince the court that your case is valid and deserves a trial. We do not need all evidence possible or even evidence that definitively proves your claims. However, we need enough to indicate that you were injured and that the defendant played a role.
We also need to have your damages assessed before we submit the complaint. This might feel a bit backward since damages are not decided and awarded until the end of a case. We must have an accurate calculation of your damages as soon as possible so the court knows exactly what kind of relief (i.e., compensation) you want. If damages are left unaccounted for, you might lose valuable compensation.
Do I Need to Hire an Attorney for My Denton, TX Truck Accident Case?
Legally speaking, courts do not require plaintiffs to be represented by lawyers. However, it would be unwise to try to handle your case alone. If you try to handle your case unrepresented, the court will ask you many questions to make sure you understand your decisions.
Your attorney can help with various aspects of your case before, during, and after the trial. Many plaintiffs are surprised by how long the judicial process can be, and an attorney should be by your side to help you through it. Before your trial, your lawyer can help you prepare evidence and testimony. You might need to testify about how the accident affected you, and your lawyer can help you prepare.
The trial itself can feel like a minefield. One false move and suddenly you are scrambling to get the jury back on your side. Our truck accident lawyers can help you handle every curveball the defendant throws our way. From making objections to handling cross-examinations, your attorney is your best resource.
Your case does not end after the trial is over. If we are successful and the jury finds in your favor, your attorney can help you make sure that the defendant pays you the compensation you rightly deserve. If full payment is not possible, your lawyer can help you arrange a settlement or payment plan with the defendant.
What You Need to Prove Your Truck Accident Claims in Court in Denton, TX
If your damages are the heart of your lawsuit, evidence is the lifeblood sustaining it. Simply having evidence is only half the equation. We must know how to use the evidence in the most effective way possible.
Our first step is to produce sufficient evidence proving that the defendant is liable for your accident and injuries. As discussed before, evidence often includes photos, videos, witness testimony, medical records, and more. Not only must we make sure we have strong evidence, but the evidence must be admissible. Rules regarding admissibility are strict, and even relevant evidence might not be allowed in court if it does not adhere to these rules.
Next, we must use the evidence to convince the jury of your claims. The tricky thing about evidence is that jurors are free to accept or disregard whatever they want. Even if we show them strong evidence, they must be convinced of its truth and validity. This means legal strategies and evidence will heavily factor into how we approach the case.
Call Our Denton, TX Truck Accident Lawyers to Discuss Your Case
For a free, private legal evaluation, call our truck accident attorneys at the Queenan Law Firm at (817) 476-1797.