Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucking companies deploy accident response teams within hours. Black box data is often overwritten within days. If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you need an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer who knows how to maximize your recovery.
Harris County logged 6,313 commercial vehicle crashes in 2024, with 41 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries. With so many large commercial trucks in tow, it stands to reason that accidents are simply inevitable. Though cargo carriers are a huge part of our state’s economy, their size and prevalence create the potential for very serious 18-wheeler accidents. Our Houston truck accident attorneys have secured over $60 million on behalf of victims since 2020.
Commercial vehicles and drivers are subject to numerous state and federal regulations that must be followed to operate safely on Texas roadways. The failure to comply with these state and federal regulations generally does not become apparent until an experienced accident attorney has an opportunity to investigate.
We handle truck accident insurance claims on a contingency fee basis. Victims don’t pay unless we win.
Call 832-916-2526 for a free consultation.
Why Houston Truck Accident Cases are Different Than Standard Vehicle Accidents
There are a few main differences between 18-wheeler accidents and more typical car accidents:
- Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to federal and state regulations that don’t apply to other motor vehicles.
- Several parties that may be liable for an 18-wheeler accident aren’t normally liable in other motor vehicle accidents.
Houston is a National Freight Corridor
Houston serves as one of the energy capitals of the world, pushing significant amounts of oil and gas throughout the country. Flatbeds, tanker trucks, and specialized carriers for hazardous materials create a serious accident risk. Harris County is home to major carriers, such as Swift, Schneider, J.B. Hunt, FedEx Freight, Werner, and more.
Texas Truck Drivers Compliance and Federal Law Governing Injury Cases
Truck drivers and trucking companies in Texas must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as well as other state laws. These laws address everything from cargo weight to the number of hours a truck driver can drive per week.
If a truck driver or trucking company violates these laws and an accident occurs, proving liability becomes much easier.
Contract Trucks Complicate Liability
A truck driver doesn’t always own his own truck. There may be a contracting company that hires the driver or a cargo company that pays the driver’s employer.
In some cases, multiple parties might be at fault for the accident. Texas follows the comparative fault rule. What this means is that the degree to which you can recover damages is limited to your own degree of fault.
For instance, if you are 30% at-fault and the truck driver is 70% at-fault, you may only be able to recover 70% of the possible damages.
What To Do After a Truck Accident in Houston, TX
- At the Scene: Call 911, document everything, don’t give recorded statements
- In the Days After:
- Seek medical care immediately (even if you “feel fine”)
- Do not speak to the trucking company’s insurer
- Preserve your own evidence: photos, dash cam, witness contacts, etc.
- Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Immediately: Our legal team will file a spoliation demand letter. This stops the trucking company from losing or rewriting critical evidence.
What Are The Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in Houston?
The size of an 18-wheeler makes it prone to several different kinds of accidents. The most common of these accidents include:
- Rear-end accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents
- Unsecured load accidents
- Tire blowout accidents
- Fatal truck accidents
Our Houston truck accident lawyers handle claims for the following and more:
- Amazon truck accidents
- UPS truck accidents
- FedEx truck accidents
- USPS truck accidents
- Delivery truck accidents and sprinter van cases
- 18-wheeler and semi-truck accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Flatbed truck accidents
- Garbage truck accidents
- Cement truck accidents
- Dump truck accidents
- Road construction fleet cases
- Oilfield truck accidents: water haulers, frac sand trucks, pipe transport rigs, chemical transport units
- Tow truck collisions
- Municipal and utility service truck cases
- Food and service truck crashes
Common Causes of Houston 18-Wheeler Accidents
There are many factors that contribute to 18-wheeler accidents. Some of the most common contributing factors include:
- Driver fatigue and Hours of Service Violations
- Driver error
- Distracted driving, texting and driving, cell phone use
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Overloaded trucks and unsecured cargo
- Inexperienced or unqualified truck drivers
- Improper maintenance, brake failure, and truck tire blowouts
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Road defect
- Hazardous material spills
Unfortunately, lack of proper supervision is a huge contributing factor to 18-wheeler accidents. Many trucking companies may even encourage their drivers to drive longer than they should, even when this is illegal.
Who is Responsible When an 18-Wheeler Crashes in Houston?
Several parties may be at-fault. Our Houston truck accident lawyer group will investigate the following and more:
- truck driver
- trucking company (vicarious liability, negligent hiring/retention)
- cargo loading company
- truck or parts manufacturer
- maintenance contractors
- brokers and freight forwarders
In tractor-trailer accidents, the truck and trailer are typically owned by two separate corporations and insured by different insurance companies. This means multiple parties and multiple insurance policies may be in play.
What Damages Can I Recover From an 18 Wheeler Accident in Houston?
In a personal injury case, you can recover damages for your lost wages, medical bills, as well as less tangible “pain and suffering” damages.
Recoverable damages in an oilfield or oil rig accident include:
- Past lost wages
- Future loss of earning capacity
- Past and future mental anguish
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Past and future medical expenses
- Personal or household expenses as a result of your injuries
What is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
The amount of damages you recover will be a combination of medical bills and other expenses, as well as wages you may have earned while you are recovering. However, as you can see, there are also potential damages that are more difficult to calculate.
It’s impossible, really, to put a price tag on pain and suffering. For this reason, if you are seeking compensation in a personal injury claim, it is essential that you have an attorney experienced in personal injury.
You can still recover damages even if partially at fault, as long as your fault is 50% or less under the Texas modified comparative fault rule.
An experienced attorney like Trey Barton can use his personal experience and knowledge to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation, call 832-916-2526 or fill out the case review today!
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Our experienced Houston personal injury attorneys want to get to know you and understand your unique situation. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. You don’t pay unless your case is won.
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No Fee Unless You Win
Trey Barton understands the hardships injured people and their loved ones face as they try to heal from their accident. Every case is prepared as if it is going to trial. This gives you the best opportunity to obtain a fair recovery for your case, and ensures I am positioned to take the case to trial if the insurance company does not give you the money you deserve.