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According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2014, 33,061 commercial motor vehicles were involved in accidents. While trucks don’t make up the majority of vehicles on the road, they contribute to a disproportionate number of fatalities and injuries every year. Over 500 people died as a result of a semi-truck or truck accident in Texas in 2014 alone. Truck accident litigation and personal injury lawsuits can sometimes be more complex than car accident lawsuits. More parties are often involved. Truck drivers, shipping companies, and their insurers could be found liable for an accident. The law requires drivers and shipping companies to abide by strict hours of work limits, equipment maintenance standards, and laws. If you’ve been in an accident, a semi-truck accident attorney will look closely at the circumstances of your accident and make a determination of which parties may be held at fault. Additionally, truck companies often hold high insurance policies to protect their bottom lines. Insurers may sometimes resist paying the money that victims deserve. A truck accident lawyer in Van Zandt, Texas can negotiate and litigate against all stakeholders to help you and your loved ones receive the best possible outcome for your case. The Cooper Law Firm understands the unique challenges individuals face in the aftermath of an accident. We work closely with families to seek justice and protect their rights.
Important Trucking Laws
Imtimadating view of the very macho looking front end of a large powerful semi truck.
If you’ve been involved in a semi-truck accident, you may be facing a range of concerns. Truck accidents often result in more serious and devastating injuries as a result of the sheer size and weights that trucks and semi-trucks carry. A truck accident personal injury attorney understands the impact that trucking laws can have on the outcome of your case. Truck drivers and their companies are required to abide by more stringent laws than the average driver. Some important laws include hours of service laws, which limit the amount of time drivers can operate a truck before resting or taking a day off.
Hours of service laws vary depending on whether a truck is carrying property or passengers. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, passenger drivers may only drive for 10 hours before getting 8 hours off, while drivers who are transporting goods must take an 8 hour break after driving 11 hours. Drivers who have had 10 hour breaks, may drive up to 14 hours if they are transporting goods, and may drive for 15 hours if they are transporting passengers. These laws are designed to protect other drivers on the road from fatigued and overworked drivers. Drivers are required to log their hours. If you’ve been in an accident and it is suspected that your driver exceeded the legal hours of work limits, your semi-truck accident lawyer can review the driver’s logs. If logs are not available, shipping schedules, arrivals, and delivery logs can also be reviewed. With proper investigation, it is often possible to discover whether a driver broke the law.
Drivers, companies, and operators are also required to abide by other important laws. Drivers must pass certain health standards and must not have health conditions that could impair their ability to drive. Drivers taking certain kinds of medication should simply not be on the road. Unfortunately, more and more drivers are found to be driving under the influence of controlled and prescription substances. Sometimes drivers use these drugs to stay awake and alert, and sometimes they use these drugs to treat ailments. Regardless of whether these drugs are legal or not, drivers, operators, and companies are responsible for ensuring that drivers who get behind the wheel are capable and safe.
Companies are required to properly maintain trucks and other equipment. Unfortunately, companies sometimes place the bottom line over safety, with tragic consequences. Your truck accident lawyer can look at records of maintenance and weight limitations on trucks to determine whether maintenance requirements were met. Companies must inspect their fleets properly and repair their fleets to ensure safety.
In addition to all these considerations, your semi-truck accident attorney will review road laws, traffic laws, and take into account any other considerations that could help you build a stronger case against a truck driver, company, operator, or insurer in Van Zandt, Texas. The Cooper Law Firm reviews all relevant facts and leaves no stone unturned when helping accident victims seek reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Getting You the Compensation You Deserve
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to money for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Your truck accident lawyer Van Zandt can review your bills and determine the amount of damages you deserve. Holding truck companies accountable for their actions not only protects you and your loved ones, but it also ensures that truck companies are punished for their negligent actions. The Cooper Law Firm is a semi-truck accident lawyer in Van Zandt, Texas who offers compassionate and caring counsel to all clients. You may have a limited amount of time to seek justice following a truck accident under Texas law. The Cooper Law Firm offers a free initial consultation. During this consultation, we’ll review your case and offer an honest assessment about whether it is appropriate to proceed. Don’t wait—seek justice today.
