Frequently Asked Questions About Being Involved in an Accident With a Semi-Truck or Tractor Trailer

If you or a family member was injured in an accident with a trucker, you may be entitled to damages for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Medical records will be required as evidence of your injuries. The trucker’s insurance company may contact you to obtain permission to get your medical records. However, you need to be careful about what you authorize the insurance company to receive to protect your case and your privacy.

How to Handle an Insurance Adjuster’s Request for Medical Records

Records from the hospital, your doctor, physical therapists, and other medical providers can help prove what injury you suffered, the pain you experienced, the treatment you received, and any long-term problems you will face. The trucker’s insurance company will need these medical records to settle your claim. However, this does not mean they are entitled to all of your medical records. Some general considerations in giving an insurance adjuster access to your records include:

Do not sign a general release.

The trucker’s insurance company only needs the medical records relating to the injuries you suffered in the crash caused by the truck driver. The adjuster may request additional medical records to try to find information he can use to deny your claim or reduce your damages.

Providing a doctor’s report.

Sometimes your medical records may not show your prognosis or some other important information that your doctor told you regarding your medical condition. The insurance company may want a report from your doctor. Do not allow the adjuster to speak to your doctor. You should contact your doctor yourself and find out if he will write a favorable report.

It is important to review any written request for medical records carefully before signing it to be certain you only provide the documents related to your injury and to protect your medical privacy. It is best to contact an attorney for legal advice before providing any documents.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

Related Links: Crashes Caused by Fraudulently-Licensed Truck Drivers Bam! Screech! Crunch! Common Truck Crash Scenarios How to Find the Best Semi-Truck Crash Lawyer

Riding next to a commercial truck is intimidating for most drivers. After all, these massive vehicles tower over standard cars, trucks, and vans, and have the potential to cause serious damage.

Crashes occur for a variety of reasons. Truck driver fatigue is a common cause of crashes, as truckers often work long hours, despite hours of service regulations. Distractions and drug or alcohol use are also major contributors to 18-wheeler crashes.

Will You Become the Victim of a Commercial Truck Accident Today?

The next time you drive near a truck on SH 26 or any other road in the Colleyville area, knowing what your chances are of becoming involved in a crash may prompt you to drive with more awareness and do what you can to stay safe.

• In 2013, 29,356 crashes occurred in Texas that involved commercial trucks.
• Unfortunately, 453 fatal crashes took place, with a total of 531 fatalities.
• A total of 4,125 serious-injury crashes occurred, and caused 5,798 injuries.
• Driver fatigue is responsible for about 30 percent of commercial truck crashes.
• About 98 percent of all commercial truck crashes have at least one fatality.
• For every 100 million miles driven on U.S. roadways, 2.3 deaths and 60.5 injuries are caused by big rigs.
• About 75 percent of commercial truck accidents are caused by drivers of smaller vehicles, not the truck drivers.

Are You Prepared to Fight for Your Rights?

If you are involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, chances are high that you’ll have to receive treatment at Baylor Emergency Medical Center or another emergency room in the area. Are you able to pay for those medical bills, and do you feel that you should have to?

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

Related Links: What to Do When the Truck in Front of You Loses Control Common Commercial Truck Crash Injuries Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Crashes

You hate driving on the highway at night, but your sons begged you to let them stay at their play date for a few extra hours. So, being the good dad that you are, you told them you’d pick them up at sundown. Now, as the sun goes down, you gather your tuckered out kids, and you’re forced to enter the truck-laden highway.

You’re about halfway to your exit when you notice it. The truck in front of you keeps erratically adjusting his speed and veering in and out the lanes. You take your foot off the gas to put a little more space between the two of you just to be safe, but he suddenly drifts onto the shoulder of the road and slams on his brakes. You’re about 15 feet from crashing into his trailer. What do you do?

What can you do? How do you protect your kids and avoid a tragic crash?  

Taking Control of the Situation

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that truck drivers are 10 times more likely to cause truck crashes than any other determining factor. They suggest that when a trucker loses control of his rig—for whatever reason—it is extremely difficult for that trucker to regain control. This leads to many crashes, be it a collision with other motorists, a rollover, or multi-car pile ups.

Since trucks can be extremely dangerous when control is lost, it is extremely important to know how to react when you notice conditions for a truck crash. To help protect your family, learn these following safety tips to help you avoid getting caught up in a trucker’s mistake.

When You Notice Signs That a Truck May Be Out of Control

Increase your distance.

You should always have at least two car lengths between your car and a truck; however, if a truck begins to behave erratically, increase that distance to six, seven, or eight car lengths to increase your safety net for braking and maneuvering.

Change lanes.

If possible, try to avoid being directly behind or in front of a distressed truck. You never know if it might suddenly brake, speed up, tip, or rollover, so it’s best to stay out of its path.

Don’t pass.

Although your first reaction may be to get away from the offensive vehicle, passing it is a dangerous move. The trucker may not be paying attention to his blind spots as he’s trying to regain control. In addition, the truck may rollover or tip. Therefore, it’s best to stay out of the truck’s crumple zones.

Get away from the truck.

As soon as you’re safely able to, get off the highway, turn down another road, or pull into a parking lot. If you’re not near the truck, you can’t be harmed.

Call for help.

Once you’re away from the truck, call the police or traffic control to warn them of the potential hazard. They will hopefully be able to stop the trucker before a crash occurs.

Controlling the Outcome of Your Family’s Injuries and Future

Knowing what to do in a crash situation, and actually being able to remember and perform those actions during a crisis, are regrettably two very different things. Although you may take the proper precautions while driving, stay alert to potential problems, and try to be as safe as possible—accidents still happen. That is why we’re here to help.

When a truck loses control and hurts your family, we can help you take back the control you lost. Contact us today for a free consultation and review of your case. You and your family could be eligible for injury compensation and treatment costs. Don’t allow someone else’s loss of control to affect your family’s future.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

Related Links: Signs a Fatigued Trucker May Cause an 18-Wheeler Crash Bam! Screech! Crunch!: Common Truck Crash Scenarios Identifying Truck Crash Warning Signs Can Save Your Life

 

Related Links: Talk to an Attorney If the Insurance Company Is Pressuring You Why the Insurance Company Isn't Offering You Enough Money Determining Fault After a Semi-Truck Crash

There are a few specific warning signs we can tell you about, but before we do, consider this: trucking companies exist to make money. Insurance companies for trucking companies exist to make money. They are not in business because they want to pay you anything. Therefore, nearly everything they say or do following your truck accident will be rooted in the fact that they want to get away with paying you as little as possible, no matter how injured you are.

Whether you are at the stage where you are trying to negotiate a settlement, or you can't reach a settlement and are considering legal action, the trucker, their employer, and the employer's insurance company are doing everything they can to delay. Delaying may come in the form of:

• The blame game. Each person who could potentially be at fault for the crash blames another person, and then that person blames another person. It's a seemingly never-ending circle of blame that delays the justice you are seeking.
• Saying someone they need in order to move forward (like a lawyer or witness) is unavailable for some reason. Saying such things as “they're on vacation” or have prior work commitments they need to be present for.
• Asking for more time because they are still collecting information and evidence to build their case.

If it seems like a truck company is purposely ignoring you or trying to delay some type of resolution—they probably are. You likely do not have experience dealing with what happens in the aftermath of a truck accident, but you do have common sense and that gut feeling when things don't seem right.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

Related Links: The Four Mistakes That Wreck Victims’ Injury Claims After Texas Truck Crashes An Overview of Types of Truck Drivers and Associated Crash Risks in Texas Why North Texas Large Truck Crashes Are Never a Surprise

Collecting driver information, witness reports, and photographs at the scene of a tractor-trailer crash can help you strengthen your Texas injury claim and protect your rights. But what happens when you or a family member has been so severely injured that collecting information at the scene isn’t an option?

Medical attention should always be the first priority, whether you are transported by ambulance or following up in the emergency room on your own after initial treatment at the scene. Our Dallas legal team understands that victims may be severely injured—or even killed—in tractor-trailer crashes, and it’s just not always possible to take some of the simple actions that can protect your legal rights. If you have been seriously injured and can’t collect information at the scene, here are a few things you can do in the meantime:

• Report the accident as soon as you are able. Although police are generally called to the scene of major crashes in Texas, it’s worth taking the steps to make sure a crash was reported and obtain a copy of the police report.
• Enlist a friend or family member. If you are able to communicate after your wreck, try to have a loved one talk to witnesses, gather information, and arrange to get a copy of the police report. These small steps can make a big difference, and it’s often comforting for loved ones to have a concrete “thing” they can do to help you after a tragedy.
• Talk to an attorney. Our Dallas legal team can immediately head to the scene of an accident to collect evidence for you, while you and your family focus on your immediate medical needs and initial recovery.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

Related Links: The Scary Truth About Passengers Involved in 18-Wheeler Crashes Head Trauma After a Crash Alcohol Testing Leads to Fewer Truck Wrecks

When it’s a battle between an 18-wheeler and a standard vehicle, the 18-wheeler usually wins. Typical cars and trucks don’t stand a chance against the size and wieght of a tractor-trailer and unfortunately—neither do the occupants. Walking away from an 18-wheeler crash without any injuries is hardly ever heard of, and some are more common than others.

Common 18 Wheeler Accident Injuries:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

One of the most common ailments suffered from a collision with an 18-wheeler is a traumatic brain injury. This problem occurs when a blow to the head causes the brain to move inside the skull or damages the skull. The results can be catastrophic—potentially causing physical disabilities, behavioral changes, or even comas.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries occur when a person experiences a sudden impact to that area. The trauma can cause damage to this vital, and sensitive, place on the body, resulting in paralysis and other devastating injuries.

Disfigurement and Burns

Shattering glass, blunt force trauma, and gasoline can cause victims of 18-wheeler crashes to experience disfigurement or severe burns. When a tractor-trailer crashes into a vehicle, many objects come rushing towards the occupants, which can cause serious problems when they make contact. Additionally, if a gas tank experiences a leak because of the impact, it can touch a hot surface and cause a fire—possibly burning those inside the vehicle.

No one ever imagines he or she will become the victim of an 18-wheeler accident, but unfortunately, it can happen and result in debilitating injuries. The treatment for these ailments is extremely expensive, and the costs could become the victim’s responsibility—which isn’t fair.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

It has plenty to do with the truck drivers that share our roads. Sleep apnea is a condition where the upper airway is narrow or closed, causing a disruption to your sleep throughout the night. You may then suffer from drowsiness during the day due to a lack of continual night sleep. For a truck driver, this is bad news.

Our personal injury attorneys have seen enough truck accidents to know that drowsy driving is a significant contributing factor. Avoid a potential collision by knowing the signs of sleep apnea so you can seek medical treatment:

Signs of Sleep Apnea

• Daytime drowsiness
• Unable to stay awake or sleeping at inopportune times
• Loud snoring
• Diminished sex drive
• Irritable
• Depression
• Headaches in the morning
• Getting up to use the restroom numerous times during the night
• Unable to concentrate
• Poor memory

Imagine how difficult it would be for a truck driver to drive several hundred miles each day after his sleep suffers from the above symptoms. If these symptoms seem familiar to you, please seek help. Sleep apnea is a treatable condition. Your decision to seek treatment today could be the answer to preventing a potential Grapevine truck accident.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.

Truck drivers and their tendency to suffer from sleep apnea has been all over the news, but exactly how does the condition affect a truckers ability to drive?

 

The issue is not that most drivers with the sleeping disorder are falling asleep at the wheel, it's that sleep apnea prevents them from getting the deep, restorative sleep they need to perform their jobs. Sufferers of sleep apnea wake up tired and stay that way all day. A lack of deep sleep can cause:

 

• A diminished ability to focus or concentrate on a task

• Daytime drowsiness

• Slower reaction times

• Irritability and moodiness

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

 

Sleep Apnea in Texas Truck Drivers Creates the "Perfect Storm"

Because so many truck drivers—up to 75 percent—suffer from sleep apnea, the disorder has a serious impact on truck crash rates. When a truck driver is tired, unable to focus on the road, and is getting increasingly angry at the drivers around him, it is only a matter of time until his actions and slowed reaction times cause an accident.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.380.4888 to schedule your free consultation.

There are many ways in which government agencies, concerned citizens and safety advocates are pushing for better regulation of sleep apnea in truck drivers. In Texas and across the nation, trucking companies are quickly becoming more proactive in preventing truck drivers with obstructive sleep apnea from getting behind the wheel. Lawsuits Help Encourage Change in the Trucking Industry While some believe that the only reason for filing a lawsuit after a Texas semi-truck accident is to pay the crash victim for their injuries and losses, the truth is that lawsuits do much more. In addition to helping the family recover financially, a lawsuit can change the way a trucking company does business. By holding the company responsible for hiring drivers known to have conditions such as sleep apnea, crash victims and their attorneys send a distinct message to trucking companies: Allow dangerous drivers being the wheel and you will pay. It forces them to change policies and prevent dangers drivers from operating large trucks on Texas highways. The experienced Bedford truck crash lawyers at the Hart Law Firm have seen the powerful changes legal action can produce. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one during a collision with a semi-truck in Bedford or anywhere it North Texas, contact an attorney who cares. At the Hart Law Firm, our goal is to help you recover from your injuries and prevent future crashes. Please call 817.380.4888 today to schedule your free consultation. Together we can make a difference.

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.380.4888 to schedule your free consultation.

Yes. Some of the weight-related health issues that cause semi-truck crashes in Bedford and across Texas include:
 

• Hypertension/high blood pressure (can contribute to heart attack)
• Sleep apnea (causes daytime drowsiness)
• Diabetes (can cause diabetic a seizure)

Increasingly, researchers are finding that sleep apnea is having a serious affect on truck drivers. Obesity dramatically increases a person’s risk of developing sleep apnea. Given that over 80 percent of truck drivers are obese, too many are suffering from the effects of the sleep disorder. Sleep apnea causes the sufferer to get poor sleep and remain tired throughout the day. In truck drivers, this tiredness contributes to hundreds of crashes each year.

While the trucking industry has made inroads in combating obesity among truck drivers, a lot will have to be done to fully address the issue and reduce health related trucking accidents.
 

Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?

If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.