Trucking Companies and Insurance Carriers | Should I Settle?

Trucking accidents in Dallas can often have serious consequences. Of all deaths on the road involving passenger vehicles, 74% are caused by a large truck. This unsettling statistic is due to the fact that trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles. A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 lbs or more, while the average passenger vehicle is approximately 4,000 lbs. When vehicles with such a discrepancy in size collide at high speeds, the passenger vehicle takes the brunt of the impact.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident with a large truck, you need an Texas 18 wheeler accident attorney on your side. At Carabin Shaw, we know how to make trucking companies pay for the damage they’ve caused.

Why Truck Accidents are Different Than Auto Accidents

Not only are truck accidents in Dallas more dangerous than an accident between two passenger vehicles, but they’re also more legally complicated for two reasons:

1. Federal and state regulations - Truckers and trucking companies have to abide by different rules and regulations than most cars. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), for example, sets standards for things like driver qualifications and working hour limits for truckers on the road.
   Truckers driving across state lines are only allowed to drive for eleven consecutive hours before they must take a break. Drivers driving within Texas, however, are allowed to drive for fifteen consecutive hours. These differing laws mean it’s in your best interest to consult a Dallas personal injury attorney if you’ve been involved in a trucking accident.
2. Multiple potentially liable parties - Another way that truck accidents differ from normal car accidents is that multiple parties could be responsible for your damages depending on the circumstances of your case. Knowing who is responsible and why is important for your case, and this task is best left to a Dallas truck accident lawyer with experience. Here are the potentially liable parties in a truck accident case:

• Truck driver
• Trucking company
• Truck owner
• Cargo company
• Most recent mechanic
• Parts manufacturer

Potential Damages

In a trucking accident case, you may be entitled to large compensation for your damages. Trucking companies and insurance carriers know this possibility, so they will do everything in their power to settle with you for less than you deserve. It’s important for you to know what damages you may be able to be compensated for, so you can begin to understand the potential worth of your case:

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Funerary costs

Find an 18 wheeler accident attorney near me who can evaluate your case. They’ll be able to advise you on whether or not you should settle based on your potential damages.

Why You Shouldn’t Take the Deal

In an ideal world, it’d be safe to assume that insurers have your best interest in mind. The truth is, they don’t. Insurance agencies, like all companies, are profit driven. The less money they settle with you for, the more money they get to put in their pockets. Too often, our Dallas truck accident lawyers see people take the first offer from insurance agencies, and they end up getting much less than they deserve.

From our experience, you should avoid talking to insurance agencies until you’ve spoken with a seasoned attorney who can negotiate with insurers on your behalf to make sure you get what you’re rightfully owed.

The Lawyers Who are Here For You, Offering a Free Initial Consultation

If you’ve been injured in an 18 wheeler accident, you need justice. Our team at Carabin Shaw can help. As a law firm, we’ve been serving Texans for nearly three decades, and we’ve won over $1 billion and counting for our clients. To get what you truly deserve, you need a Dallas personal injury attorney from our team on your side.

Call us today at 1-800-862-1260 for a free case review.

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