Dallas Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck Accidents and the Dangers of Commercial Vehicles

Many truck drivers are hard-working individuals who are trained to do their jobs and do their best every day to deliver goods to our stores and front doors in time. Unfortunately, when truck companies put their bottom lines first, accidents and injuries can happen. Truck companies may not always provide their drivers with the training they need to operate equipment properly. Even though truck companies are required to perform regular maintenance on their vehicles, sometimes companies cut corners and fail to perform required maintenance, or take shortcuts in the maintenance they perform, resulting in accidents and equipment failures. Drivers are also required to pass regular medical exams, but if companies fail to ensure that drivers are receiving regular check-ups and if companies fail to vet their drivers and look closely at a driver’s history, sometimes companies hire underqualified or unqualified drivers for the job.

Truck drivers and truck companies are required to abide by strict federal and local regulations. When these laws are broken, accidents can happen, and truck companies can be held liable. The Dallas semi-truck accident lawyers at Begum Law Group Injury lawyers investigate companies involved in accidents to look at their track record when it comes to following federal and local regulations. If the law was broken or if shortcuts were taken, the truck companies could be held responsible for the accident, and victims may be entitled to receive compensation.

Aside from the dangers and damage caused by accidents, there are also legal issues created when a commercial vehicle driver is involved in a collision. Semi-truck accident lawyers in Dallas often have to file cases against drivers or their employers on a client’s behalf for causing various kinds of losses and problems. These are usually related to the person’s ability to make a living following an injury, as well as the specific amount of their medical bills. In most cases, a company that employs the driver will be liable for these costs rather than the individual driver. This is different from standard car accidents where an individual driver and their insurance coverage will be liable for the damage.

Because companies, federal laws, insurance companies, and other interests are often involved in truck accident personal injury claims, these claims can be more complicated than car accident claims, but these claims can also involve higher value payouts to victims because truck accidents can also be more serious given the sheer size and weight of the vehicles involved. The Dallas semi-truck accident attorneys at the Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers are committed to helping victims and their families fight these big companies and are committed to holding these companies accountable when they cut corners and fail to follow federal laws.

Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding truck accidents and the legal process that follows.

Trucks that Carry Hazardous Materials

Some tanker trucks are given the job of transporting things like chemicals, fuels, and explosives. Even though special permits are required to do this kind of work, trucks that carry hazardous materials pose unique and substantial dangers to both human health and the environment. These dangers stem from the potential for accidents, leaks, and spills that can result in devastating consequences to both the environment and the individuals harmed during the crash.

Here are some specific hazards related to trucks transporting hazardous materials:

• Chemical Exposure: Hazardous materials can include toxic chemicals, flammable substances, corrosive materials, and radioactive substances. In the event of an accident or a breach in containment, these materials can expose nearby individuals to harmful fumes, burns, or radiation, leading to acute health problems or long-term illnesses. Communities affected by toxic spills due to major trucking accidents may have the right to seek damages for pollution to their water and land.
• Explosions and Fires: Many hazardous materials are highly flammable or combustible. A collision, puncture, or even static electricity can ignite these materials, leading to explosive fires that can be extremely difficult to control, especially when combined with other dangerous cargo.Burn injuries can result in disfigurement and can be among the most painful injuries a person can experience. Victims and their families may be entitled to seek compensation not only for their medical expenses, but also for pain and suffering resulting from these kinds of injuries and accidents.
• Environmental Contamination: Spills of hazardous materials can contaminate soil, water bodies, and the air. This pollution can have long-lasting effects on ecosystems, killing wildlife, damaging vegetation, and disrupting aquatic habitats. Cleanup can be complex, time-consuming, and costly.. Farmers, landowners, homeowners, and communities impacted by environmental contamination stemming from a truck accident may have the right to seek compensation for losses.
• Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place: Accidents involving hazardous materials often require nearby residents to evacuate their homes or shelter in place to avoid exposure. This disrupts daily life, poses risks to vulnerable populations, and places a burden on emergency services.
• Transportation Accidents: Trucks carrying hazardous materials can be involved in accidents due to factors like driver error, equipment failure, adverse weather conditions, or road hazards. These accidents can lead to spills, leaks, or fires that endanger the truck occupants and those nearby.
• Security Concerns: The transportation of hazardous materials also presents security risks. These materials could be targeted by terrorists or criminals seeking to exploit their dangerous properties for nefarious purposes.
• Regulatory Compliance: Trucks transporting hazardous materials must adhere to strict regulations and safety protocols. Non-compliance can lead to fines, penalties, and legal consequences, adding an extra layer of complexity for trucking companies and drivers. If these regulations were not followed closely by a trucker and their employer, this can also be used as evidence of negligence during the course of a lawsuit.

In light of these specific dangers, there are stringent regulations in place to govern the transportation of hazardous materials. These regulations cover everything from proper labeling and packaging to driver training and emergency response procedures. Ensuring strict adherence to these regulations is crucial to mitigating the risks associated with trucks carrying hazardous materials and protecting the safety of both people and the environment.

The Dallas truck accident lawyers at Begum Law Group have specific experience dealing with commercial vehicles and hazardous materials. Call 469-759-1323 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

How a Dallas Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You

If you’ve been in a truck accident, your family’s focus should be on healing. Families face additional challenges, which can include unexpected medical expenses, lost wages if a loved one can no longer work, and added strain if a serious injury resulted in a loved one’s permanent disability. Truck accident claims can be complicated. Adjusters may require added documentation and even push back on some high-value insurance claims. Insurance companies may even offer victims and their families what may on the surface appear to be an attractive settlement, but families may not realize that their truck accident claim might be worth far more money. Because truck accident claims often involve companies, drivers, and even other service providers, there are far more potentially responsible parties involved. A Dallas truck accident lawyer can help you and your family navigate the complexities of the truck accident claim process, while negotiating with insurance companies, so that you and your family can focus on what matters—healing and moving forward.

Here are some key ways a Dallas truck accident lawyer can help:

• Estimating the value of your claim. Did you know that you and your family might be entitled to seek compensation not only for medical expenses incurred right after an accident, but for ongoing medical expenses and rehabilitation costs? If you or someone you love was permanently disabled, these costs can add up over the years. A Dallas semi-truck accident lawyer at Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers can speak to medical experts and others to properly estimate the value of your claim.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies. Insurance companies may hire their own lawyers to protect their bottom lines for major claims. Having your own Dallas semi-truck accident attorney on your side can even the playing field and result in a fairer negotiation when it comes to looking at the fine print of an insurance policy and determining what should be covered.
• Identifying all Stakeholders. Truck accident claims can be complicated because multiple stakeholders might be responsible for your injuries. Truck companies, truck drivers, maintenance personnel, even equipment manufacturers may have a role to play in your truck accident and could potentially be found liable. A Dallas truck accident lawyer at Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers can help identify all negligent parties involved.
• Navigating the Claims Process. The Dallas truck accident attorneys at Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers stand beside you every step of the way. Many truck accident claims can be settled outside of court, but we are not afraid to fight companies and insurance adjusters in court if needed. When you need serious legal representation for serious injuries, you need Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers.

These are just some of the ways the Dallas truck accident lawyers at Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers can help. We only get paid if you win and offer clients a free initial consultation. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation for an honest assessment of your claim.