Dallas Car Accident Attorneys & Truck Accident Lawyers

 

Get Legal Help for Your Car Wreck Today

We drive without a second thought, but getting behind the wheel is the most dangerous thing we do in our day-to-day lives. Substance abuse, distracted driving, vehicle malfunctions, weather, and many other conditions can put you in a less-than-ideal situation. Even if you are a defensive driver, you may wind up in an accident through no fault of your own. After a crash like this, you may be wondering what comes next. Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP is here to help.

What to Do Immediately After a Crash

The medical and financial consequences of a car accident last long after the actual impact occurs. There are some immediate things you can do after a crash to take care of your needs and prepare for a future legal case:

  • Document the scene. If you are able, document the scene of the car crash as soon as possible. This means taking notes on a spare piece of paper or your phone, taking photos of both vehicles, and calling the police. This way, the other party will have a harder time disputing the facts.
  • Seek medical attention. Getting medical treatment at the closest hospital or clinic will ensure that your injuries are assessed and treated. Even if you feel fine, a doctor may discover injuries that aren’t yet exhibiting symptoms. Receiving medical treatment is also a way to document your injuries and expenses to prove to the insurance companies that they exist later down the line.
  • Don’t give a statement to any insurance company. You may begin receiving calls from insurance companies more quickly than you think. These representatives may try to get an official statement from you that they can use against you in the event of legal action. Don’t give them this opportunity. Decline to speak on the matter without an attorney present.
  • Contact an experienced Dallas car accident attorney. Even if liability for the accident seems cut and dry, you may still have a dispute on your hands if the other driver or insurance company denies fault. An experienced personal injury attorney will support you throughout the legal process and will work to prove that the other party was at fault.

Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP has recovered more than $110,000,000 in damages on behalf of clients. Our team works with experts in many different fields to maximize your recovery. Contact our Dallas personal injury attorneys for immediate assistance.

What If You Need Medical Treatment But Can’t Afford It?

Although you have the right to recover the costs of all reasonable and necessary medical expenses from the at-fault party, the opposing insurance company has no obligation to pay for the expenses as they are incurred. This may put you in a bind if you have no health or injury protection insurance of any kind. However tempting it may be, do NOT settle for less than you deserve. Instead, contact us for advice on deferred payment plans or other paths to medical treatment. During the life of your case, Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP will work to make sure that your medical bills are paid.

How Do You Prove Liability After a Dallas Car Accident?

In an ideal world, the at-fault party’s insurance company would gladly hand over full and fair compensation for all of the damages that resulted from the crash. After all, it is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, insurance companies tend to put profits ahead of doing what’s right.

You may be completely certain that an accident was the other party’s fault, but will still have to prove that they were liable in order to receive a settlement or win a case. We use all the available evidence, including police and medical reports, witness statements, photos of the accident scene and injuries, and expert testimony, to support your position. This is why it is important to document the scene and seek medical attention immediately after an accident.

With your lawyer’s help, you may be entitled to:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Wages lost during recovery
  • Property damage to your vehicle and items in it
  • Pain and suffering
  • Impairment
  • Disfigurement
  • Punitive damages

If the other party was at fault but you share some of the blame, your case would follow Texas’s modified comparative fault rule. In this situation, your damages would be reduced by the amount that you are at fault. For example, if you were 10% at fault because you were speeding, your damages may be reduced from $100,000 to $90,000.

Injured in a Car Accident with an Underinsured or Uninsured Driver?

In Texas, all drivers are required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. This is to protect you in the event that you are in an accident with someone with no insurance, or whose insurance policy is not adequate to fully cover your losses. However, your insurance policy limits may also fall short of covering your losses, or your insurance company may not be willing give the compensation you deserve. In either case, you need to contact an experienced vehicle accident lawyer. Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP can do two things to help you: we can bring suit against the at-fault driver and recover for your losses from his or her assets. We can also sue your own insurance company for adequate compensation.

Uninsured motorist claims can also be made in the event of a hit-and-run accident. Because of the current dispute over what constitutes not just a hit-and-run, but what qualifies as an uninsured driver, it is important that you contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights and your insurance policy. A Texas Supreme Court decision in 2006 dramatically changed how these claims are handled. It is important that you do not sign anything from the insurance company until you speak with a lawyer.

What About a Wrongful Death Crash?

It may take a fraction of a second for a fatal car accident to take place, but the repercussions last a lifetime. You want justice from the party responsible for the crash; however, mourning your loved one is at the forefront of your thoughts. It’s hard to focus on daily tasks, much less handle a complex lawsuit. Let Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP pursue justice for you.

In a wrongful death lawsuit, you may be able to recover what are known as actual damages and exemplary damages. Actual damages include:

  • Financial losses, such as loss of earning capacity, maintenance, services, support, advice, and counsel.
  • Mental anguish, emotional distress, and suffering that result from the death of your loved one.
  • Loss of comfort, companionship, and society.
  • Loss of potential inheritance.

Exemplary damages are awarded in cases in which the defendant committed a willful act or a gross act of negligence. Either way, these damages are well-deserved if someone else recklessly caused your loved one’s death.

Dallas Lawyers Ready to Fight for Your Rights

You may trust your driving abilities, but you can’t trust the driving abilities of others. Negligence is the most common cause of motor vehicle accidents in Texas. This includes driving while intoxicated, driving in a reckless manner, or distracted driving. After a collision, the victims of such negligence have the right to bring legal action against the offending party.

Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP has over 25 years of personal injury experience, and we are skilled negotiators who never submit to less-than-adequate settlement offers. When negotiations fail, we do not hesitate to take matters to trial. Our law firm has recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. We operate on a no-coverage, no-fee basis, so you won’t have to worry about paying attorney fees if we somehow lose your case.

If you would like to discuss your claim with a member of our team, don’t hesitate to call us at (214) 231-0555. During your free consultation, we will walk you through what to expect. If you can’t come to our location, one of our attorneys will come to you. Get started on the road to recovery today.

Texas Vehicle Accident Case Results

  • $500,000 Verdict – Automobile accident case with only $29,000 in medical bills

Click here to see more case results.

Get Legal Help After a Big Rig Crash

Commercial drivers carry tons of materials, equipment, and products on our nation’s roadways. Most of the time, they share the roads safely with passenger vehicles. But accidents happen. And when those accidents involve a large commercial truck and a relatively small personal vehicle, the driver and passengers of the vehicle often bear the brunt of the impact and suffer devastating injuries.

When it comes to truck accidents, time is of the essence. There are a number of people who will try to suppress or erase evidence that could be used in a personal injury case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash, the sooner you contact Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP , the sooner we can begin our investigation. Call (214) 231-0555 to set up your free consultation.

You Can’t Wait to Call a Lawyer After a Truck Accident

Even the delay of one day can make a difference after a tractor-trailer crash. In that time, one of the following parties can harm your case:

  • The trucking company’s “rapid response team”: Usually, within 24 hours, the at-fault company will have deployed a team of investigators, insurance agents, and other representatives to begin their own research. This gives them a sizeable leg-up when it comes to defending the incident. Under extreme circumstances, these company-men have been known to tamper with the scene itself, creating a false impression of what really occurred.
  • Emergency crews & other motorists: Whether by deliberate or indirect action, the accident scene can be drastically altered by those who are trying to help. By moving even one piece of the collision, they may be painting an incorrect picture of the accident scene.
  • Mother Nature: Depending on the environmental conditions during the time of your wreck, clear indicators of what occurred and who may be responsible can be washed away by the weather. Even the most thorough police investigation may miss clues that could otherwise be spotted by our team if we get there quickly.

Our primary goals are developing a cohesive understanding of how the accident occurred and building an airtight case against the at-fault party. From the moment you contact our office, we will employ every resource and specialist at our disposal to collect evidence. You can rest assured that, so long as we have enough time, we will find the truth and bring it to light.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can happen in any number of ways – jackknife accidents, rollovers, runaway trailers, and underride situations, to name a few. Causes can include:

Driver error. Truckers cause about 88% of truck accidents. This means those drivers are ten times more likely to be the cause of an accident compared to outside factors like weather and poor vehicle conditions. Because truck drivers are on the road for extensive periods, the most common reason they cause accidents is fatigue. Exhausted drivers lack a keen sense of awareness and can fall asleep behind the wheel, losing control and driving off the road or into oncoming traffic. Other factors, such as speeding, distractions, and the use of over-the-counter drugs, also play a role in these accidents.

Intoxicated or impaired drivers are a serious concern. Drugs and alcohol slow a driver’s response time, judgment, and overall perceptions and awareness. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol makes a driver unsafe.

Equipment problems. Faulty truck parts also play a key role in truck accidents. Just like cars or planes, trucks encounter failures in pieces of equipment from time to time that can affect the driver’s control of the vehicle. Most of the time, these accidents can be prevented by a thorough inspection and frequent maintenance of all equipment. Some examples of equipment failures include:

  • Tire blowouts
  • Improper trailer attachment
  • Transmission failure
  • Inadequate steering ability
  • Dysfunctional brakes

Depending on the nature of the accident and the facts and circumstances, liability may rest on the shoulders of any one of the possible responsible parties.

Who Is At Fault for a Truck Wreck in Dallas?

It is often more difficult to decipher the cause of a trucking accident than a typical car accident. Numerous factors come into play, tracing back to the driver, the trucking company, or even the owner of the cargo. We make sure to evaluate every piece of information, at every level, in our effort to uncover any negligent acts. Those at fault include:

  • Trucking companies. Like so many industries today, the shipping and hauling business is a competitive one, with profits being the driving force behind most decisions. When it comes to a company’s bottom line, it is all about keeping costs low and returns high. Many trucking entities have been known to skimp on training, maintenance, guidelines, and appropriate deadlines in order to keep the books in the black.
  • Drivers. Like the company they drive for, truck drivers face serious competition when it comes to job security. Often working as independent contractors, it is up to a driver to make sure his business is running smoothly, efficiently, and profitably. Failure to do so can mean loss of employment. However, in order to stay one step ahead of fellow drivers, some shippers will resort to staying up too long, speeding, or taking unnecessary risks.
  • Cargo companies. In some instances, trouble originates at the port or warehouse where the shipment was picked up. Cargo companies are sometimes guilty of overloading or improperly handling containers, all in the name of speed and profit.

What Truck Laws and Regulations Apply?

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulate truck driving by setting federal guidelines that companies and drivers must follow. The regulations prescribe the standards that commercial drivers are required to meet, governing:

  • Hours of service: The time limits of driving shifts and the time between driving jobs. Commercial drivers are required to follow these rules to prevent fatigued or sleep-deprived driving.
  • Drug and alcohol testing: A serious issue for commercial drivers is driving under the influence. To manage truck drivers more carefully, there are mandated drug and alcohol testing policies.
  • Insurance requirements: Commercial vehicle drivers are required to maintain specific insurance limits above those for personal vehicles.
  • Vehicle maintenance: A set schedule for required maintenance and repairs for commercial vehicles.
  • Cellphone ban: All commercial drivers are precluded from using cellphones in their trucks without a hands-free option.

A driver’s logs and black box data can be used as evidence to identify any failures to obey these regulations as well as evidence of other negligent behavior. When you’re involved in a trucking accident, this vital data can prove your legal case – a trucker who ignored federal regulations is certainly liable for damages that he caused!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If I was injured in a truck accident, what should I do first?

A: Obviously, the first thing you should do is get help. Call 911 for anyone needing emergency medical attention. If you are in danger, move your vehicle out of the way. Attempt to gather as much information as your physical condition allows. For maximum protection, reach out to an experienced truck accident attorney.

Q: What evidence is needed to prove liability in a truck accident claim?

A: Evidence from the scene of the accident that shows exactly what happened. Photographs, witness statements, and accident reconstruction experts can help show this. In addition, driver logs and truck maintenance records, the driver’s experience and driving record, recorded speeds (if any), and information on the weather, traffic conditions, and other relevant facts will be very useful in proving fault.

Q: Do I need an attorney after a truck accident?

A: The trucking company’s insurance carrier will try to convince you to settle your case as quickly and inexpensively as possible. An attorney can help you determine whether a settlement offer is fair, or whether you deserve more. While you are recovering from your injuries, you should trust your advocacy to someone objective who understands the law and cares about your plight.

Q: What compensation is available?

A: Depending on the circumstances of your individual case, you may be entitled to recover both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are the monetary costs you incur, such as current and future medical and rehabilitative expenses, lost wages, and lost job opportunities. Noneconomic damages are intangible losses related to human suffering, such as the experience of pain, disfigurement, and emotional trauma.

Q: Does it matter who I hire for a truck accident case?

A: Absolutely. After a truck crash, there are many potentially liable parties. No one can guarantee you a result or a certain amount for your recovery. However, choosing an attorney who understands the facts, has experience dealing with insurance and trucking companies, and knows how to present a strong case is the best choice you can make.

Contact Our Dallas Truck Accident Attorneys Today

For over 25 years, Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP has helped victims obtain the kind of settlement that can help them move forward. We do so by collecting all the evidence we can find and getting to the bottom of what occurred the moments before and after the collision. Often, we’ll find there’s more to the accident than one mechanic, or one driver, who was lax in their duties. In most cases, it is a series of unfortunate and entirely preventable issues, beginning at the top of the corporate chain and extending all the way down, which led to the disaster.

Contact us at (214) 231-0555 or toll-free (214) 231-0555 for a free case evaluation.

Counsel from a Proven Denton County DWI Defense Attorney

If you were arrested or charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Denton or Collin County, you are probably worried about what this will mean for your future. The Denton County DWI attorneys at The Law Offices of Dallas, can help you face DWI charges by defensively standing at your side throughout the legal process.

Depending on the details of your case, our Denton DWI lawyers may be able to help you walk away with a reduction of charges by challenging field sobriety tests and police testimonies. Our Denton attorneys may even be able to prove that you were unlawfully pulled over by police, which could result in a case dismissal.

What is a DWI?

A DWI stands for “Driving While Impaired” or “Driving While Intoxicated,” and it is a criminal offense that refers to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to the extent that one’s normal faculties are impaired. The specific terminology and legal definitions can vary from one jurisdiction to another, but DWI generally refers to the same offense as DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in some states.

In a DWI case, law enforcement typically measures a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to determine if they are operating a vehicle while impaired. The legal BAC limit varies by jurisdiction, but it is usually set at 0.08% in many places. If a driver’s BAC is at or above this limit, they may be charged with DWI.

Penalties for DWI convictions can include fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs, probation, and in some cases, even imprisonment. The severity of penalties often depends on factors such as the driver’s BAC, prior DWI convictions, and whether the impaired driving resulted in accidents or injuries.

It’s important to note that laws and penalties related to DWI can vary significantly from state to state and country to country. Therefore, it’s crucial to be aware of and understand the specific laws in your jurisdiction if you’re concerned about DWI or DUI offenses. Driving while impaired is not only illegal but also poses serious risks to public safety, and it’s generally advisable to avoid operating a vehicle if you’re impaired by alcohol or drugs.

DWI Penalties in Texas

At the Law Offices of Tim Powers, we understand the harsh penalties that individuals face after being convicted of a DWI in Texas. These consequences can be lifelong reminders of a mistake you made. Our goal is to help you avoid conviction, and the associated penalties. We work to the best of our abilities to guide you through the entire legal process, providing the representation you need to obtain favorable results.

DWI, 1st Offense: Class B Misdemeanor in Texas

Penalties include:

  • Fine – A fine not to exceed $2,000.
  • Jail – Confinement in the county jail for a term of no less the 72 hours or more than six (6) months. If there was an open container of alcohol in your car when arrested, the minimum term of confinement is six (6) days in the county jail.
  • Community service – Texas judges typically order no less than 24 hours or more than 200 hours.

​​​​​​Absent unusual facts, most persons convicted of a first offense DWI are granted community supervision (probation) of any confinement ordered. The general length of DWI probation is from 1-2 years. There are also conditions of community supervision ordered that are fairly standard in most courts.

Typical conditions imposed are:

  • Drug / alcohol evaluation – A person convicted of DWI will be required to submit to evaluation for probability of committing DWI in the future and / or to disclose a potential problem with alcohol or drug abuse. If a problem is detected, additional terms and conditions of probation are ordered to be administered through the Community Supervision Department.
  • Attend and complete an approved DWI Education class within 180 days from the date of conviction (Satisfying this requirement will avoid the one (1) year driver’s license suspension, unless if you were a minor (under 21 years of age) at the time of the offense).
  • Attend and complete a Victim Impact Panel. This is a forum that presents victims of drunk drivers to address persons convicted of DWI and warn of the dangers and perils of driving while intoxicated.
  • Work faithfully at suitable employment, commit no other crimes, remain at the same residence and employment unless notification is given to the community supervision officer, report monthly to the supervision office, and pay all fines and costs in a timely manner.
  • Pay a monthly supervisory fee. Perform a specified number of hours of community or volunteer service.

DWI, Second Offense: Class A Misdemeanor Special Condition for Jail Release on Bond

Whiskey and car keys - DWI Penalties in Texas​It is important to note that if arrested and accused of a DWI second or greater offense, Texas law now requires the court to order as a condition of release from jail on bond, that the person install and maintain a deep lung air device on the car that the person intends to drive and operate while charges are pending. The device requires a breath sample before it will allow you to start your car. They also require periodic breaths while driving to monitor and ensure sobriety. New technology has made these devices “user sensitive” so that someone else cannot blow into the device for the driver.

Although this provision seems to run afoul of the presumption of innocence, Texas courts have consistently held that such condition is necessary to protect a legitimate governmental interest in making public roadways safe for the motoring public.

Penalties include:

  • Fine – A fine not to exceed $4,000.00.
  • Jail – Confinement in the county jail for a term of no less than 72 hours or more than one (1) year.
  • Community service – Texas law mandates that a judge order no less than 80 hours or more than 200 hours.
  • Deep lung air device – Typically deep lung devices are required for all DWI second offenders during probation.
  • Suspension of driver’s license – A person convicted of DWI, second may have their driving privilege suspended for no less than 180 days or more than two (2) years.

DWI, Third Offense (or Greater): Third Degree Felony

Penalties include:

  • Fine – A fine not to exceed $10,000.00.
  • Jail – Confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division (penitentiary) for a term of no less than 2 years or more than 10 years.
  • Deep lung air device – Deep lung air devices are generally ordered on all persons convicted of three or more DWI’s both as conditions of bond and as conditions of any occupational or provisional licenses that may be awarded after conviction.
  • Community service – Texas law mandates that a judge order no less than 140 hours or more than 800 hours.
  • Suspension of driver’s license – A person convicted of DWI, Second may have their driving privilege suspended for no less than 180 days or more than two (2) years.
  • Other – A third conviction for DWI indicates a significant problem with alcohol to the court or jury assessing punishment. Some type of rehabilitative treatment is therefore mandated in punishment if confinement in the penitentiary is to be avoided. In some cases an in-patient, incarceration program (Substance Abuse Felony Probation, SAFP) is ordered. This program requires confinement in a state facility for alcohol rehabilitation. After successful completion of the SAFP program, the person is then released and placed on probation for a term not to exceed 10 years. Another popular condition for habitual DWI offenders is a prescription for a drug named Antabuse. This drug will make a person violently ill if any alcohol is consumed. The alcohol can be contained in mouthwash or marinated food and will still have the same effect on the user. If a person has any type of liver problems, this drug can cause liver failure and death.

Texas law does not provide for any increased punishment after DWI, third offense. If a person presents a DWI, fourth offense or beyond, the typical punishment is confinement in the penitentiary from two (2) to ten (10) years without probation being granted. In some cases, SAFP may be granted upon proper request and showing that it is appropriate.

Texas ALR Hearings

DWI cases in Denton County are time-sensitive. You only have only 15 days to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Department of Public Safety. If you do not request this meeting, your license could be automatically suspended. Don’t let this happen to you. Being unable to drive could severely affect your ability to go to work and school.

At the Law Offices of Dallas, our experienced Denton DWI lawyers can petition for a DPS hearing on your behalf and represent you in an effort to save your driving privileges. Has your license already been suspended? If so, we may be able to help you obtain an occupational driver’s license so that you can continue driving.

Our Denton County DWI defense lawyer handles the following DWI cases:

  • BWI (Boating While Intoxicated)
  • DWI Traffic Stops
  • License Suspensions
  • Multiple DWI Offenses
  • Occupational License
  • and more!

Denton County DWI Resources

When you’re arrested for a DWI, you may need more help than just the legal side of things. Here are a few resources that may be beneficial in getting you the help you need:

  1. Denton County Probation Department: This department oversees the supervision of DWI offenders who have been placed on probation. They can provide information on community service, counseling, and treatment options.
  2. Denton County Court Services: This department provides supervision and monitoring of DWI offenders who have been ordered to complete probation. They can also provide information on treatment programs and community resources.
  3. Denton County Substance Abuse Center: This center offers outpatient treatment programs for DWI offenders who need help with substance abuse issues. They also offer counseling and other support services.
  4. North Texas Addiction Counseling and Education: This organization provides counseling and education services for DWI offenders who need help with alcohol or drug abuse. They also offer group therapy and other support services.
  5. Denton County Friends of the Family: This organization offers counseling and support services for victims of domestic violence, including those who have been affected by a DWI incident.
  6. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – North Texas: This organization provides support for victims of drunk driving incidents and their families. They also offer educational programs and advocacy services to prevent drunk driving.

It’s important to note that the availability of resources may vary, and it’s always best to contact these organizations directly to confirm their services and eligibility requirements.

Safeguard your driving rights! Contact our Denton County criminal defense lawyers today.

As with most criminal matters, early legal intervention is essential. The sooner you reach out to our Denton County DWI attorneys for help, the sooner we can get started defending you against DWI charges and the potential negative consequences of a conviction. Our clients are our top priority, so you can be sure that your case will be in good hands when you choose to work with the Law Offices of Dallas.

Additional Information About Car Wrecks