Truck Accident Attorney in Midland
20+ Years' Proven Service: (432) 214-8125
No one is immune to the dangers of an automobile injury. But when a truck
is involved in a collision, the injuries are catastrophic, and can even
lead to death. If you or someone you love was in an accident caused by
a negligent truck driver, you need the strong legal representation of
the Dean Law Firm.
Why Choose Our West Texas Truck Accident Lawyer?
- We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars for clients
- Attorney who works one-on-one with you
- Appointments available on evenings, weekends, and off-site
- Proven, hands-on experience in complex cases that include the BP Texas
City explosion, Paxil, and Hurricane Ike
Our Midland truck accident lawyer is dedicated to serving justice for those
who have wrongfully been injured. If you have received an injury due to
the negligence of another party, now is the time to act. We have successfully
won numerous jury verdicts for victims of truck accidents. Discover how
we can help you.
How is Liability Determined?
In many cases, truck accidents are caused by truck driver negligence of
some kind. Truck driver negligence can take many different forms, including
exceeding federal hours of service regulations, skipping vehicle inspections,
and improperly loading cargo. In order to prove this negligence, however,
an injured person in a commercial accident must be able to satisfy three
key elements.
Negligence cases revolve around the following elements:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to exercise reasonable care
- The defendant breached this duty
- The defendant’s breach of duty caused the plaintiff to suffer real damages
Defendants in truck accident claims can be more than just the truck driver.
Depending on the unique circumstances of a person’s collision, a
claim can potentially be brought against multiple defendants including
the trucking company, the truck driver, the loading company, and possibly
the manufacturer or shipper of any dangerous materials the truck may have
been carrying. Truck accident claims are often much bigger than people
initially believe as a result of these several potential defendants.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, it is imperative that
you call the police and seek medical attention as soon as possible. The
officers will create a police report of the incident and help you keep
the situation under control. Requesting a copy of this report later on
can be vital to helping you determine liability for the collision. Seeking
prompt medical help is crucial since many injuries in truck accidents
can have delayed symptoms and can worsen over time. Failing to see a doctor
can hurt your case as it can make it more difficult to prove your injuries
were a result of your collision.
If possible, get pictures of the damage and your injuries to be used later
as evidence. Do not discuss the collision with anyone except the police,
your insurance company, and your attorney. Even seemingly innocent statements
such as “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you”
can potentially be seen as admissions of fault and expose you to liability.
After it is deemed appropriate to leave the scene of the accident, it
is important you contact an attorney from our firm immediately to start
building your case.
Trucking Regulations May Strengthen Your Claim
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has put considerable
effort into creating rules and regulations that truck drivers and their
parent companies alike must follow at all times. Each rule is vital. Any
violation is nearly guaranteed to jeopardize the safety of other motorists
on the roads and highways. If our Midland truck accident lawyers can decidedly
prove that an
FMCSA violation had occurred before your collision with a big rig, it can be a monumental
advantage for your case. Additionally, the trucking company responsible
for the trucker will likely be fined by the FMCSA to deter them further;
in some situations, you can also use evidence of an FMCSA violation to
sue the trucking company.
Oilfields Put More Trucks on Highways
In the greater region of West Texas and more specifically the Midland-Odessa
region, oil and gas companies are enjoying a considerable boom in the
industry. As profits go up, so does production to get more of the precious
minerals out of the heart of Texas and to refineries around the state
and across the country. Increased production directly translates to more
oil trucks being on the highways, which, in turn, increases a motorist’s
chance of being hit by an oil tanker.
The problem of trucking accidents with oil tankers has become so widespread
throughout the area that the Texas Department of Transportation (TDoT)
has set up
task forces and campaigns in the past to try to prevent negligent truckers from hitting other motorists. Serious
legislative change may be required to actually curb the dangerous behaviors
and business practices of certain oil companies that put profits over
safety. By forcing exhausted truck drivers to work longer shifts to get
more petroleum out of their production facilities, they negligently endanger
their employees and innocent drivers on the highways.
Learn How We Can Help - Call (432) 214-8125
The aftermath of a trucking accident can be incredibly confusing and hectic.
Aside from the pain and suffering that comes from a
personal injury, you also have to deal with medical bills, insurance adjusters, and the
confusing claims process that can make everything seem overwhelming. The
Dean Law Firm is here to simplify your situation by providing compassionate
and effective legal advice from start to finish.
Common
causes of trucking accidents include:
To determine and prove who is at fault, we take time to review the details
of each case, investigate the causes of the injury, and deal directly
with the insurance companies. You deserve to focus on your recovery. Allow
our Midland injury attorney to handle all the details for you. If you
have been injured in a trucking accident, time is of the essence. You
have a limited amount of time to file a claim. Get started today.