A Fort Worth truck accident can be a very traumatic experience for all those involved. Because a truck is so much larger than a passenger car, when the two collide, those in the passenger vehicle are likely to suffer serious—even catastrophic—injuries or death. Those who survive a Fort Worth truck accident are likely to find themselves drowning in medical expenses, perhaps unable to work and make a living, and facing a very uncertain future. A Fort Worth semi-truck accident attorney from Noteboom—The Law Firm can take over the legal aspects of your truck accident, allowing you the time you need to heal. We will fight every step of the way for the compensation you need and deserve, and are never afraid to step into a courtroom and litigate your claim.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, fatalities involving large truck accidents have surged. On December 22, 2021, commuters on a stretch of the expressway along Loop 820’s westbound lanes witnessed a collision between a fuel tanker and a truck hauling animal waste, resulting in a massive blaze that burned for almost four hours. One driver from the accident died, with injuries to two others. While Texas traffic experts are engaged in ongoing efforts to make travel in the Dallas-Fort Worth areas safer, the booming growth in the area has resulted in a high rate of truck accidents. Some experts believe that with more space on the roadways when the pandemic first began, drivers—especially truck drivers—drove faster and more aggressively.
Now, traffic has surpassed pre-pandemic levels around Fort Worth—while the congestion is back, the aggressive or reckless driving behaviors have not subsided. Furthermore, Texas DOT director of engineering and safety operations, Lance Simmons, says he is seeing much more anger on the roadways as well, with drivers taking more risks than normal. Since retailers are clamoring for products, truck drivers are in a constant rush to get their loads delivered quickly which can translate into less safety on the roadways.
Simmons also noted that when drivers are working the maximum number of allowed hours, something known as “road hypnosis” begins to set in, causing an almost trance-like state that is dangerous to all those sharing the road. The unprecedented driver shortage is pushing all truck drivers to their limits, with corners being cut and numbers being fudged. All of these issues come together to create a near-perfect storm for truck accidents in Fort Worth and Dallas.
How Do I Choose A Fort Worth, Texas Truck Accident Attorney?
As noted, injuries from Fort Worth truck accidents are likely to be severe, with the most common type of truck accident injury being to the head and brain. Traumatic brain injuries include concussions, blunt head trauma, and lacerations. Traumatic brain injury is a physical injury to the brain which causes physical, neurological, and emotional symptoms. While many traumatic brain injuries are invisible to others, they can forever change a person’s life.
Symptoms of a relatively minor TBI can include chronic headaches, memory and mood issues, personality changes, difficulty sleeping, vertigo, and trouble concentrating. More serious TBIs can lead to serious neurological problems, along with personality issues that can cause distress both to the victim, as well as for his or her family members. Other common injuries from truck accidents can include:
According to Fort Worth Culture Map, the section of Interstate 20 that runs through the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is considered the second-most dangerous highway in the United States on a per-mile basis. I-35, which is notoriously always under construction, is considered the fifth-most dangerous highway in the U.S. on a per-mile basis. In 2019, the portion of I-20 that goes through the Dallas-Fort Worth area recorded 13.52 traffic deaths per 100 miles, while I-35 recorded 12.56 traffic deaths per 100 miles. The intersection of Western Center Blvd. and North Beach Street is also a busy, dangerous area in Fort Worth, as is State Highway 199 and West Weatherford Street. Two turn lanes and two through lanes make the West Vickery Blvd. and Bryant Irvin Road intersection a danger to cars and trucks alike. There are many other roadways in Fort Worth that see more than their fair share of truck accidents.
Perhaps the two most common factors in truck accidents in Fort Worth and across the nation are fatigue and distracted driving. Truck drivers are well-known for being overly fatigued, leading to slower reactions times. In fact, research has shown that there are significant similarities between drivers who are overly fatigued and those who are impaired. In fact, a truck driver that has been away for 24 hours straight performs at roughly the same level as a person with a 0.10 BAC (over the legal 0.08 limit).
Distracted driving is a problem for truck drivers in the same way it is for virtually every driver across the United States. We eat entire meals while driving, adjust the vehicle controls, set the GPS, talk on our cell phone, read texts, talk to passengers, turn around to see what the children are doing in the back seat, or simply “zone out” while we drive. Any one of these distracted driving behaviors can result in a serious accident. Since truck drivers drive very long stretches of roadways, they are at particular risk of driving while distracted.
Other common causes of truck accidents include poorly loaded cargo, poor maintenance to the truck, impaired drivers, inclement weather, poorly trained truck drivers, road hazards, and the inability of a large commercial truck to stop quickly or to see smaller vehicles that are in the trucker’s blind zone. Click here for more information about the different types of trucking accidents.
Because there can be a number of defendants in a truck driving accident, it is particularly important that you speak to an experienced Fort Worth semi-truck accident attorney from Noteboom—The Law Firm. The truck driver may have been driving recklessly, driving fatigued, driving while distracted, or impaired. The trucking company could be responsible if they put an inexperienced truck driver on the road or neglected to do a thorough background check. If the accident was the result of a poorly maintained truck, the truck maintenance company could be found liable, or if the accident was the result of poorly loaded cargo, the loading company could be responsible.
If there was a manufacturing defect on the truck that resulted in an accident, the truck manufacturer could be held responsible. The highly skilled Fort Worth truck accident attorneys at Noteboom—The Law Firm can hold all the defendants liable for your injuries. We will help you get the medical attention you need while fighting for your rights and your future. Contact Noteboom—The Law Firm today.