Dallas Improper Backing Up Lawyer

Driving a vehicle in Dallas is a privilege, not a right. Everyone who holds a driver’s license must follow state driving laws—including laws on correctly backing up a vehicle. If another driver backed their vehicle up in an illegal way that caused your accident, contact a Dallas improper backing up lawyer for help.

Our Dallas car accident lawyers are here to assist you. We know what it takes to win these types of cases and get our clients the recovery they deserve. Plus, we do not charge a fee unless we win your case, so there is no risk to get started.

For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with the best lawyer for your needs, call us at (469) 998-4069 or contact us online today.

Texas Laws Regarding Backing Up a Vehicle

Laws that cover backing up a vehicle are less well-known than other traffic laws. However, that doesn’t make backing vehicle laws any less critical.

According to Texas Transportation Code Section 545.415:

A driver should not back up their vehicle unless they can do so safely and without traffic interference.
A driver should not back up their vehicle on a limited-access or controlled-access highway’s shoulder or roadway.

Right-of-way laws are not always clear and straightforward. In general, though, drivers who are backing up must yield to other traffic. If a driver is pulling out of a parking spot in a public or private parking lot, they must yield to oncoming drivers. Once traffic is clear, the driver can back their vehicle out of the spot and begin driving.

Determining Fault After Improper Backing Up

A driver backing out of a spot is probably at fault if they crash into another driver’s vehicle. The first driver is especially likely to be at fault if they performed an improper backup.

Sometimes, two cars might collide as both are backing up from a parking spot. Liability, in this case, will depend on the details. The courts might find one of the drivers to be at fault, or both drivers might share a portion of the liability.

Proportionate Responsibility in Texas Accidents

Under Texas’s proportionate responsibility laws, you can still recover compensation from a Dallas accident if you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident. While you can still recover damages, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.012, if you are not greater than 50% at fault, the courts will reduce your recovery by the percentage of your responsibility. The same applies to the other driver(s) involved in your accident.

Determining fault in a car or truck accident is not easy. We recommend working with a Dallas improper backing up lawyer from the beginning, so you know your rights and avoid getting blamed for something you did not do. To discuss your legal options during a FREE consultation, call (469) 998-4069 or contact us online.

Improper Backing Up Leads to Truck Accidents

Most people think of truck accidents as high-speed highway collisions where the truck is turning or going forward. A surprising number of truck crashes happen when the trucker is backing up—and these accidents can be as dangerous as other types.

Truck improper backing up accidents happen when a truck going in reverse backs into another vehicle, bicyclist, motorcyclist, pedestrian, or another else in the truck’s path. There is one main reason this type of accident happens: The driver is unable to see what’s behind their truck.

Trucks have a large blind spot right behind them and truckers cannot see this area even with their side or rearview mirrors. The more people on the road, the higher the risk of a truck backing up accident. Driver negligence is the reason for most of these accidents, although there are exceptions.

Texas Backing Up Safety Tips

Improper backing up techniques are responsible for about a fourth of vehicle accidents. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) provides the following “backing up safety” tips to help prevent backing accidents:

Get familiar with a vehicle’s blind spots and never assume that mirrors offer full visibility.
Think before backing up.
Choose easy-exit, uncrowded parking spots, and park in the center of the parking space.
If it’s legally allowed, back into an alley before parking so that you can pull forward out of it when leaving.
Walk around the vehicle and check for any hazards and clearance issues before backing up.
Use a spotter to provide hand signals and help you back up safely.

Drivers should utilize these safety measures even in areas where they have parked and backed up many times. Conditions can change at any time.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure truck drivers to move their cargo as fast as possible to meet deadlines. This pressure can cause the driver to rush every action on the job, including backing up and getting back on the road. Truck drivers have to ensure they back up safely; otherwise, they can cause serious accidents.

What to Do After a Backing Up Accident in Dallas

If an accident happens because another driver backed into you, there are things you can do to gather information. First, though, make sure you are physically well. If you have severe or life-threatening injuries, get emergency medical attention right away.

See a Doctor

Even if you don’t need emergency treatment, you should see a doctor as soon as possible afterward. If you wait too long, the other driver’s insurance company will probably try to use it against you.

Call the Police

If the accident causes injuries or property damage, be sure to call 911 to report the accident. Calling the police will lead officers to create an accident report that is necessary for your case.

Exchange Information

Exchange the following information with the other driver:

Full names
Contact information
Insurance information
Driver’s license numbers
License plate numbers

Take Pictures

Use your phone or another camera to take pictures of your injuries, your vehicle damage, and the entire accident scene. These pictures can act as vital evidence of the accident and your losses.

Contact a Dallas Improper Backing Up Lawyer

A lawyer can help you with all of the above and more. Reach out to an experienced law firm that can help you get started on your case as soon as possible.

Get a Free Consultation with a Dallas Improper Backing Up Lawyer Today

Our Dallas car accident lawyers do not charge a fee unless we win you compensation. We always start with a FREE, no-obligation consultation to get to know you and your needs. Communication is critical for us; we are ready to listen and help.

To schedule a FREE consultation today, call us at (469) 998-4069 or contact us online.