Grapevine Truck Accident Lawyer – Protecting Victims of Commercial Truck Crashes
If you were involved in an accident with a commercial truck, semi, 18-wheeler, or large rig in Grapevine, TX, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer who understands the unique challenges of these cases. At Francis Injury Law, we specialize in truck accident claims and work tirelessly to secure maximum compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.
Call now at (817) 329-9001 or fill out our free consultation form to speak with an attorney immediately.
How Are Commercial Truck Accident Cases Different From Car Accident Cases?
Truck accidents are not the same as car collisions. Large commercial trucks weigh thousands of pounds, making even minor accidents potentially fatal. Handling truck accident claims requires:
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Knowledge of federal and state trucking regulations
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Experience with multiple insurance policies and corporate defendants
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Understanding of commercial liability and employer responsibilities
Many personal injury firms do not have an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney that recognizes the differences in how truck accident cases must be prosecuted and tried.
Grapevine personal injury lawyer at Francis Injury advocates for victims, securing compensation and justice after serious truck collisions.
Commercial Trucking Regulations
Commercial truck drivers are professional drivers that operate under additional rules and regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) apply to any commercial vehicle companies and drivers that operate across state lines.
Texas adopted the FMCSA into its own motor vehicle laws by reference. The Texas Department of Transportation publishes the Texas Motor Carrier’s Guide to Highway Safety, a guide to commercial trucking regulations and consequences for violations.
Under the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service program enforces its Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for commercial trucking equipment based on the FMCSA.
Examples of commercial vehicle and driver regulations that your big rig accident attorney needs to be aware of include:
- Limitations on the amount of hours a driver can spend driving
- Regular medical exams for drivers
- Post accident alcohol and drug testing
- Restrictions on size and weight
- Companies’ responsibility to vet their employees and hire only qualified and competent drivers.
A general personal injury attorney that does not have sufficient experience litigating commercial truck accident cases may not be aware of or understand all these regulations.
What Is a Commercial Vehicle?
Not every commercial truck is a giant 18-wheeler or semi, though that’s what immediately comes to mind. Smaller moving trucks or box trucks qualify as commercial vehicles as well.
Even a pickup truck hauling a trailer that exceeds a certain weight will have to abide by federal regulations.
A qualified Grapevine truck accident lawyer will understand the cases that should be tried as commercial, where a regular personal injury attorney may not.
Normal personal injury cases for car accidents usually involve only the other driver’s insurance company or your own insurance company’s underinsured motorist policy. Injured plaintiffs’ damages in these cases are generally restricted by the defendants’ abilities to pay the judgments.
Commercial cases, however, involve companies’ liability policies, which are generally much larger than personal coverage. Failing to try commercial trucking cases under the correct statutes may severely limit your chances of recovery.
Multiple Defendants and Insurance Companies
Litigating a commercial truck accident case goes beyond just establishing the driver’s negligence. Qualified Grapevine truck accident lawyers know that these cases might also involve investigating the trucking company policies and practices and any negligence by the employer.
Your Grapevine truck accident attorney will also know that multiple insurance companies and policies are likely involved, depending on the specific circumstances.
For example, one truck accident may involve not only the driver and their company but also the shipper, broker, or trailer owner. If your personal injury attorney fails to rope in all these parties, they could be irreparably damaging your chances of a full financial recovery.
Litigation and Settlement for Truck Accidents
Most personal injury cases settle out of court. Trucking accident claims are no different. However, your Grapevine truck accident lawyer must be willing to litigate in court and have the experience to do so.
Trucking companies and their insurance companies will have their own experienced counsel to defend their interests. They do not want to pay you and will make every effort to reduce their own liability.
You must have an attorney who is willing to go to bat for you and litigate aggressively if necessary.
An experienced commercial truck accident attorney will do the following on your behalf:
- Investigate the incident and company and collect evidence, including witness testimony
- Determine which parties should be brought into the case as defendants
- Communicate your intent to file a claim against the defendants
- Help you calculate the costs of your losses and future expenses
- Present the relevant information to the defendants to demonstrate the case as they would present it to a jury
- Provide proof of your losses
- Negotiate on your behalf
Grapevine truck accident attorneys that have the necessary commercial truck accident experience know that they must prepare and act as though the case is going to end up in court, whether you intend to settle or not.
Determining the Value of a Commercial Truck Accident Case
The value of your damages depends upon the circumstances of the accident and the limits of the defendants’ insurance policies. Factors affecting your settlement amount include:
- Past and future medical bills related to the accident;
- Past and future loss income because of your injuries;
- Other expenses such as property damage and travel expenses to go to your doctors’ appointments;
- Non-economic losses (e.g. pain and suffering or physical impairment); and
- The egregiousness of the driver’s conduct.
Your Grapevine truck accident lawyer will help you determine the possible worth of your case.
Why Choose Francis Injury for Your Truck Accident Case?
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Experience: Michael Francis previously represented large trucking companies and now uses that expertise for victims.
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Proven Results: Millions recovered for clients injured in truck accidents.
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Local Knowledge: Serving Grapevine, Fort Worth, Dallas, and surrounding Texas areas.
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Contingency-Based: No fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Question
Q1: What does a Grapevine truck accident lawyer do?
They investigate truck collisions, identify liable parties, negotiate with insurers, and represent clients in court if needed.
Q2: How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?
Typically two years from the date of the accident. Acting quickly preserves evidence and witness testimony.
Q3: Can I sue a trucking company for a commercial truck accident?
Yes. Trucking companies can be held liable for driver negligence, FMCSA violations, and company policies that contributed to the crash.
Q4: What compensation can I recover after a truck accident in Grapevine?
You may recover medical expenses, lost wages, future care, property damage, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages if applicable.
Q5: What if the truck driver was partially at fault?
Under Texas comparative negligence, you may still recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of fault (cannot exceed 50%).
Q6: Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident case?
Yes. Trucking accidents are complex, often involving multiple parties, federal regulations, and large insurance policies. A lawyer ensures you are fully compensated.
Q7: What should I do immediately after a truck accident?
Get medical attention, preserve evidence, collect witness info, and contact a qualified truck accident lawyer before speaking to insurance adjusters.
Contact a Grapevine Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Francis Injury is a personal injury firm in Southlake, Texas, that focuses specifically on truck and auto accidents and related wrongful death claims.
Attorney Michael Francis previously represented many of the largest truck companies in the country for almost a decade, and now he uses that experience to represent local trucking accident victims.
Francis Injury has recovered millions of dollars for its clients that were injured in trucking accidents and has a proven track record of success. We serve clients in Fort Worth, Dallas, and surrounding areas.
You can view some of our results on our website.
Your consultation is free, and we do not get paid unless your claim is successful. Please contact us today to discuss your case.
