Can You Sue for Being in a Semi-Truck Accident in Wichita Falls?
As many of us have learned, driving on the roads can be dangerous, especially
when you are sharing the roads with large, powerful semi-trucks. The majority of those hurt and injured in semi-truck accidents in Wichita Falls are the people who are in the other vehicle and for those that survive, they are often left with permanent, life-altering injuries.
If you or anyone you know has been involved in a semi-truck accident in Wichita Falls, you have the option of suing the trucking company to recover for your injuries and damages. But beware that these trucking companies are often large corporations that have a lot of resources to fight your claim. Furthermore, there may be several people responsible for the accident, so it is important to know what to look for and who all to pursue.
Identifying the Responsible Parties After a Semi-Truck Accident in Wichita Falls
Our Wichita Falls semi-truck accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into your accident to determine what exactly happened, collect the necessary evidence, and figure out who all was at-fault. In semi-truck accidents, there are several potentially responsible parties:
Truck Drivers
The most obvious at-fault party may seem to be the truck driver, and that is accurate. Truck drivers are required to have exceptional training and skills in order to safely handle the large trucks they drive. Truck drivers have a duty to safely operate their semi-truck for the safety of the other drivers on the road and when they breach that duty, they should be held responsible. Below are some ways a truck driver may breach his duty and be held liable for negligence:
- Distracted driving (eating, talking on the phone, texting, watching videos, etc.)
- Reckless driving and Speeding
- Failing to adjust their driving to hazardous conditions including weather
- Driving while fatigued or drowsy. There are federal regulations for how long a truck driver can drive and they could be liable for negligence if they cause an accident when they have gone over that limit.
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Truck Companies
Another potentially responsible party is the trucking company that the truck driver drives for. The trucking companies have a large responsibility for a number of things including properly inspecting and maintaining the trucks and properly training the truck drivers. If a trucking company fails to meet any of these duties or encourages their drivers to engage in unsafe and illegal practices in order to be more productive, the trucking company can be held liable when an accident occurs.
Maintenance and Repair Companies
Because of the size and continuous operation of semi-trucks, they require frequent inspection and maintenance to ensure everything is working properly. If a inspection or maintenance company fails to perform their tasks and that failure results in an accident, they could be held responsible for that accident.
Truck Manufacturers
Semi-trucks are very large vehicles with a complex system that keeps it operating. A defective in this system can result in the operational failure of a semi-truck which could then result in an accident. When this happens, the truck manufacturer may be liable for the accident.
Shipping and Loading Companies
There are regulations and standards regarding how to properly load a semi-truck because when they are loaded in a improper manner, the truck can easily flip over and cause an accident. When this happens, the shipping and loading companies could be held responsible for the accident.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Semi-Truck Accident in Wichita Falls
Semi-truck accidents in Wichita Falls are a lot more complicated than a standard car accident. Our Wichita Falls truck accident lawyer has the knowledge and expertise to successfully pursue these types of claims. We will conduct a thorough investigation, identify all responsible parties, collect the necessary evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and if necessary, file a lawsuit in order to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Wichita Falls Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer
We understand the complexities that come along with these claims, and we are prepared to pursue them. Semi-truck accidents are serious accidents that often result in life-changing injuries. If you or anyone you know has been injured in a semi-truck accident in Wichita Falls, contact our Wichita Falls semi-truck accident lawyer. We will give you a free evaluation of your case and offer you helpful guidance for how to proceed.
We have experience handling these types of cases, and we know what it takes to get results. We will handle the entire process for you and allow you to focus on recovering from your injuries in a stress-free environment.
Contact us today at 940-569-4000 or fill out our contact form to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to get a free evaluation of your case. You can also download our free book, The Traveler’s Guide to the Universe of Personal Injury, to learn more about personal injury cases.