Sharing the road with large trucks can be intimidating for any driver, and it’s no wonder why. In 2021, there were around 494,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks in the US. Of those crashes, 5,149 were fatal, and 110,000 caused injuries.
Each type of large truck brings different concerns and challenges—cement trucks are no exception. While categorized as large trucks, cement trucks have distinct dangers compared to commercial trucks.
If you’ve been in an accident with a cement truck, learn how a Dallas cement truck accident lawyer can give you the edge you need to receive the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Cement Truck Accidents
It’s important to know what makes cement trucks different from other large commercial vehicles and how this can impact collisions with them. The following are some of the factors that can contribute to cement truck accidents.
Speeding
While all people driving for a living have schedules, cement truck drivers must be at their destination within a couple of hours.
Cement can harden quickly, and the cement will be useless if a driver doesn’t reach their destination in time. This pressure can lead drivers to make poor decisions like speeding or running red lights to ensure they reach their destination before it’s too late.
Center of Gravity
Like any large truck, a cement truck is a dangerous vehicle to crash with partly due to its weight. A cement truck can weigh anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 pounds when filled with liquid cement.
But what makes cement trucks even more dangerous is their high center of gravity. The load of a cement truck is positioned higher than that of most other trucks and is less stable.
As a result, cement trucks are particularly prone to rollover—which increases the risk of fatalities or serious injuries. Rollover is the first harmful event in 4% of all fatal large truck crashes, compared to 2% in nonfatal crashes.
Even at slow speeds, cement trucks can roll over when turning, stopping, or randomly due to the movement within the cement drum. This means an accident can easily happen even under seemingly safe driving conditions.
Vehicle Malfunction
A cement truck works hard, and that can lead to quicker deterioration compared to other vehicles. If a cement truck isn’t properly maintained, it can lead to an accident—and make the company liable.
Driver Performance
The most common driver errors include drowsy, distracted, and reckless driving. An inexperienced driver at the wheel can also increase the risk of accidents.
If the accident was caused by driver error, then it’s crucial to have a Dallas lawyer on your side to prove that and get what you deserve.
Use our case calculator to see how much compensation you could get for your accident, or call (214) 526-7900 to talk to a Dallas truck wreck lawyer today.
The Crucial Role of a Dallas Cement Truck Accident Lawyer
Here’s why you need a Dallas cement truck accident lawyer on your side when going up against a transportation or construction company in court.
Expertise on Your Side
First and foremost, you need a lawyer because they understand and have experience with the legal process. A lawyer can offer guidance on your legal choices, what to demand of the defendant (the company), and filing all the necessary paperwork.
Additionally, they can determine who’s at fault and who to go to trial with. Is it just the driver? The company? Both?
They’ll also determine if the accident is a state or federal problem. If the crash occurred within a single state, then the company and driver must follow that state’s laws and insurance regulations. If the cement truck crossed state lines, then that’s considered interstate traveling, and the company and driver must comply with federal rules and insurance regulations.
These are some of the many ways a lawyer will ensure you get proper compensation.
Contact Angel Reyes & Associates to work with an experienced Dallas cement truck accident lawyer. We’ve helped people get millions of dollars in settlements for injuries sustained in car and truck accidents.
Professional Guidance with Evidence
Another part of a Dallas truck wreck lawyer’s job is to help you find evidence that proves the liability of the driver or company. They will go through all potential evidence to find if:
- The driver had a duty of care to safely drive the cement truck
- The driver breached their duty of care
- The crash caused your injuries
Gathering evidence can be overwhelming to do on your own. Common pieces of evidence include:
- Any form of surveillance footage
- Hospital documents
- Police reports
- The driver’s electronic logging device (ELD) and event data recorder (EDR)
- The driver’s safety reports
- Trucking company personnel records
- Witness accounts
The driver or company may not be willing to share certain pieces of evidence, so you need a commercial vehicle lawyer to legally force them to share them with you.
A Trusted Advocate by Your Side
When you’re in a cement truck accident, you’re most likely going up against an entire company instead of the individual driver. This can be daunting since it’s you against a team of lawyers—which is why you need an experienced Dallas cement truck accident lawyer.
Angel Reyes & Associates will be able to dispute any claims the company tries to use to eliminate its liability for the accident. We’ll ensure that the company properly compensates you for any injuries you or your loved one sustained in the accident.
Expertise in the Trucking Industry
When deciding on a lawyer, it’s important to pick one familiar with the trucking industry so they have all the knowledge you need on your side. For example, a Dallas cement truck accident lawyer would know that companies and drivers conducting short-haul operations need to follow the relevant rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA).
These rules include:
- A driver must have at least 10 consecutive hours off duty, separating each 14 hours on duty.
- A driver must return to the work reporting location and be released from work within 14 consecutive hours.
- A ready-mixed concrete delivery vehicle driver must have a 30-minute rest break.
- A driver must work within a 150-air-mile radius of the work reporting location.
- Construction materials and equipment drivers can work 7 or 8 consecutive days but must have 24 hours or more off-duty.
- The company that hired the driver must have 6 months of accurate records.
The FMCSA also states that every motor company must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles. Additionally, they must keep up-to-date maintenance and inspection records of their vehicles.
Skilled Communicator
Another part of a lawyer’s advocacy is handling communication with the insurance company, hospital, and any other involved party, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Dealing with the insurance company is especially important because navigating its policies can complicate the legal process. You need to be in touch with both your and the defendant’s insurance company; every company has its own specific policies.
The last thing you want when you or a loved one is injured in a cement truck accident is to deal with paperwork. Call 877-914-8729 to have Angel Reyes & Associates do it for you.
Make Angel Reyes & Associates Your Dallas Cement Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in a cement truck accident in Dallas, Angel Reyes & Associates can help you. Whether the case is for you or a loved one, we’ll guide you through each step of the legal process.
With over 40,000 cases won, $1 billion in settlements, and 24/7 availability, we’ll ensure that you have the best chance to get proper compensation. Best of all, we don’t charge a fee unless you win.
