FREE CASE EVALUATION (817) 476-1797
Close

What to Do if You Get into a Truck Accident on Interstate 35W

I-35W is one of the largest highways serving the Fort Worth area.  As one of the main hubs between Fort Worth and the suburbs, and one of the highways that connect to many of Texas’ airports, it is a heavily trafficked route for cars and trucks alike.  Some of the many shipping lanes that pass through Texas meet up with I-35W, meaning there are often many tractor-trailers sharing the road with cars.  If one of these truck’s drivers makes a mistake, it could mean serious injury or death for the drivers or passengers of other cars.

If or you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in Texas, call the Texas truck accident attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm, P.C.  We represent truck accident victims in Arlington, Fort Worth, Dallas, and throughout the surrounding areas.

Dangers of the Trucking Industry

Whether you call them big-rigs, tractor-trailers, or 18-wheelers, large trucks are a special danger on the highway.  These trucks are so large that they may take up to 20-times the stopping distance of a typical car.  They can also weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is over 20 times the weight of a small sedan.  Plus, if the truck is overloaded and overweight, it could be even heavier.  The huge size and length also creates dangerous blind spots in front of the truck, behind the trailer, and to the sides of the trailer.  Driving in these blind spots could mean a truck driver cannot see you.

Trucks and truck drivers have special rules to help keep others on the road safe from the risks of trucking.  “Hours of Service” rules help to ensure that truck drivers limit their time on the road.  This keeps them alert and well-rested, preventing the mistakes of tired driving.  Truckers must also be medically fit to drive and free of drugs and alcohol.  The trucks themselves must be properly maintained and safe.  This includes rules for tires, lighting, and more.  Trailers must also be loaded properly.  The truck and cargo cannot weigh more than 80,000 pounds, total, and the cargo must be evenly loaded to prevent the truck from fishtailing or losing control.

Sometimes, truck drivers or their employer trucking companies will ignore these rules and regulations to make more money.  Drivers may need overtime pay to support their families, leading them to falsify drivers logs and work extra hours.  Trucking companies may also want to make more money, overloading trucks and overworking drivers.  It is not unheard of for trucking companies to require drivers to be overworked and denied a paycheck unless they falsify their logs.

When drivers and trucking companies violate these rules, people get hurt.  Tired driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving.  Overweight trucks can be hard to control and easy to crash.  If the driver or trucking company that caused your injuries violated trucking regulations, you might be entitled to additional damages in your truck accident lawsuit.

Compensation for Truck Accident Injuries

The attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm have helped hundreds of clients receive compensation for their truck accident injuries.  If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, do not rely on insurance.  Insurance companies may be willing to pay for only small portions of what you might be entitled to.  Lastly, do not trust the trucking companies to look out for your best interests.  Their legal teams may work to shut down your case or reduce what they have to pay you.  Talk to an attorney before accepting any money from insurance or the trucking company that caused your injuries.

You may be entitled to high compensation for serious truck accident injuries.  First, a truck accident lawsuit can pay for your medical bills.  Emergency treatment, surgeries, MRIs, and rehabilitation may be quite expensive.  You may be entitled to full compensation for all of your medical expenses.  Second, if you missed work or are unable to return to work because of your injuries, you could have your lost wages reimbursed.  This can include wages you already missed and future wages you will miss.

You may also be entitled to substantial compensation for your physical pain and mental suffering.  Texas, unlike other states, has no limitations on how much you may be able to receive for your pain.

Lastly, if trucking companies violated trucking regulations, a court may award you extra money to punish them.  These “punitive” or “exemplary” damages can be quite high, on top of your other compensation.

Call Our Truck Accident Attorneys

The Fort Worth truck accident attorneys at The Queenan Law Firm represent injured truck accident victims throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Our principal attorney, Kevin Queenan, has worked numerous truck accident cases and previously worked in the trucking industry, so our attorneys know truck accident cases inside and out.  For a free consultation on your case and to see what your injuries may be worth, call (817) 476-1797 today.