Legal Representation for Victims of Dallas Rollover Truck Accidents
Trucking accidents are almost always catastrophic for those involved, and rollover accidents are no different. The legal weight for an 18-wheeler truck in the United States is 80,000 lb. The average car weighs around 5,000 lb. When the two collide, the truck wins every time and the driver of the car is left with catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one have been severely hurt in a rollover truck accident, you will need all the help you can get.
The Lenahan Law Firm always fights for our clients. We’re a small firm, and may not be right for everyone. But we have years of experience with catastrophic injury claims and won’t settle for anything less than what you deserve and need. Our results speak for themselves. Contact us today and see if we’re the right pick for your case. You don’t owe us a cent until your case is won.
What Are Common Causes of Rollover Accidents?
A rollover accident is exactly as it sounds. A truck rolls over onto its side or roof. There are two kinds of rollover accidents: tripped and untripped. A tripped rollover refers to when an object was the cause of the rollover. For example, if a tree fell onto a road and caused a truck to flip onto its side, then that would be considered a tripped rollover accident. An untripped accident is when the rollover is caused by a maneuver by the driver. This may happen if they turn too quickly or are speeding down a slippering road.
Tripped and untripped rollovers can be caused by any number of situations. Knowing what caused the crash you were involved in is incredibly important information that may be able to be used in your claim to determine liability. Some of the more common causes include:
- The driver sped up or slowed down too quickly
- The driver did not drive carefully on slippery or icy roads
- The driver was speeding
- The driver turned or changed lanes too quickly or at an unsafe speed
- The driver was operating the truck while drunk, fatigued, or distracted
- The truck’s cargo was loaded improperly, making the truck unbalanced
- The truck was improperly maintained causing malfunction
Whatever the cause for the accident, you or your loved one have likely been left injured, frightened, and in distress. Trucking accidents are dangerous, and those involved rarely walk away without severe injuries. That’s why you need to speak with an experienced Dallas truck accident attorney and discuss getting the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.
Consequences of Rollovers
When trucks are involved in vehicle collisions, it’s catastrophic. Cars get crushed, people are severely injured, and the families of those involved are often at a loss of what to do or who to turn to. One of the first steps when filing a claim is to know what injuries and damages need to be covered. Common injuries sustained by rollover accident victims may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken, fractured, or crushed bones
- Spine injuries
- Amputation or loss of limbs
- Disfigurements
- Burn injuries
- Internal damage
- Death
When filing a claim for a trucking accident, there are several types of damages you can claim for. Some count as economic damages, such as medical bills, loss of wages, and property damage. Others are considered non-economic damages. Those include pain and suffering, a lessened quality of life, and psychological trauma.
Whatever the damages, you deserve compensation. No one should end up drowning in medical debt because of someone else’s poor decisions or negligence. If you or a loved one have been severely injured in a rollover trucking accident, you may end up paying for it for the rest of your life, even if it wasn’t your fault.
Liability in Truck Accidents
When it comes to rollover trucking accidents, several parties could be at fault. The first, and most common, possibility is the truck driver. Truckers work long hours, and they have to be alert and able to react appropriately to any dangers on the road at all times. Those long hours can lead to some truckers becoming unfocused, fatigued, or distracted. When their reactions times slow down, they may not notice obstacles or poor weather conditions.
There is also the chance that the trucking company may be partially at fault. Companies are responsible for hiring and training drivers. If a known risky driver is hired, perhaps someone with multiple DUI’s, then it is the trucking company’s fault if that risky driver causes an accident. Trucking companies are also known to push their drivers to meet deadlines, even if that means the driver has to put off sleep and proper rest. Extreme fatigue causes drivers to become distracted and may even lead them to nod off behind the wheel. If a trucker causes an accident because their company forced them to brake regulations and drive without sleep, then the company is liable for the damages caused.
Rollover accidents are sometimes caused by faulty machinery. If the brake pads don’t work properly then a driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid an object in the road. The mechanics responsible for the maintenance of the truck can be held liable if it’s found that they overlooked obvious mechanical issues that caused the accident.
There is also the chance that you or your loved one was partially at fault for the accident. That doesn’t mean you can’t file a claim, however. Texas follows the modified comparative fault theory. So long as you are found to be less than 51% responsible then you can still recover damages. However, the compensation will be reduced by the percentage that you are found to be responsible for. For example, if it’s decided that you are 20% responsible for the accident, then the damages you receive will be reduced by 20%. If you are awarded $100,000, then you will receive $80,000.
Choosing the Right Legal Team
The Lenahan Law Firm isn’t like those giant settlement mills that take every client that contacts them. We’re a small firm because we believe that our clients should always come first. When we take on a client, we never stop fighting for them. Our goal isn’t to settle things as quickly as possible, it’s to get you the justice you deserve. Contact our Dallas truck rollover accident lawyers at (214) 295-1008 to find out if we’re the correct choice for your case.
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