Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
A collision with an 18-wheeler is not like other accidents. The size and weight of commercial trucks mean the damage is rarely minor, and when something goes wrong at highway speed, the consequences for people in smaller vehicles can be permanent. Injured victims often face months of medical treatment, lost income, and the reality of dealing with a trucking company that has already dispatched its own investigators to the scene.
The Buzbee Law Firm represents truck accident victims across Texas and pursues claims against drivers, trucking companies, and other responsible parties. Contact us online or call our Houston truck accident team at (713) 223-5393 for a free consultation.
How The Buzbee Law Firm Takes on Trucking Companies
Trucking companies and their insurers move quickly after a serious crash to document the scene, pull electronic logging data, and position the evidence in their favor. Getting a fair outcome means having a team that moves just as fast.
The Buzbee Law Firm has recovered more than $10 billion for clients across Texas. The New York Times Magazine has described Tony Buzbee as one of “the most successful trial lawyers in the country,” a record built by going up against large corporate defendants and refusing to accept low offers when the facts support a stronger result.
For truck accident cases, that means:
- Immediate evidence preservation: Electronic logging devices, onboard cameras, driver qualification files, and inspection records must be secured quickly before they are altered or lost.
- Full liability investigation: A single crash can involve the driver, the trucking company, a maintenance contractor, a cargo loader, or a manufacturer. We identify all of them.
- Expert-backed case development: We bring in accident reconstruction specialists, trucking regulation experts, and economic professionals to document what happened and what the injury has cost.
We handle these cases on contingency, meaning there is no fee unless we win. We are loud, proud, and prepared to take a trucking company to trial if that is what it takes.
Common Causes and Liability in Houston Truck Accident Claims
Truck accidents typically involve driver error and other failures. Federal safety regulations govern commercial trucking, and violations of those rules are often central to proving liability. Common causes of these catastrophic accidents include:
- Driver fatigue: FMCSA hours-of-service rules cap how long a commercial driver can operate without rest. When those limits are violated, the risk of a serious crash rises significantly.
- Distracted driving: Use of a mobile device or in-cab technology pulls a driver’s attention from traffic. At the speeds and weights involved in commercial trucking, even a brief lapse can be catastrophic.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Unsecured cargo can shift during transit, affecting vehicle stability and triggering rollovers or jackknife incidents at highway speeds.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Worn brakes, tire failures, or malfunctioning safety systems reduce a driver’s ability to stop or maneuver, with responsibility falling on the company, a maintenance contractor, or both.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: Commercial trucks require far greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles. Excessive speed or unsafe lane changes in Houston traffic magnify both the likelihood and severity of a crash.
- Negligent hiring or supervision: When a trucking company puts a driver with a documented history of violations on the road, or fails to enforce its own safety policies, it may bear direct liability independent of the driver’s conduct.
These are only some examples of the many factors that might contribute to a commercial truck crash and life-changing injuries.
What Is Your Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Texas law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for the full range of losses a crash causes. Recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future care costs tied to the injury.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity: Wages lost during recovery and, where injuries permanently limit work ability, compensation for the long-term difference in earning potential.
- Pain and physical suffering: Damages for chronic pain, limited mobility, and permanent impairment.
- Emotional impact: Lasting psychological effects, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress, are compensable losses.
- Wrongful death damages: When a crash is fatal, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death compensation for lost financial support, loss of companionship, and related costs.
The specific facts of each case shape what is recoverable. Our team uses medical records, employment history, and expert evaluations to make sure nothing is overlooked.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash, including claims against the driver, the trucking company, and any third parties involved. If a government entity is implicated, written notice must be submitted within six months of the incident under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 101.101.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Houston?
Seek medical attention immediately, even without obvious injury. Document the scene if possible, collect contact and insurance information, and avoid discussing fault with any insurer before speaking with a lawyer. Trucking companies often have investigators heading to the scene within hours. The sooner you have representation, the better positioned you are.
What If I Was Partly at Fault for the Truck Accident?
You may still recover compensation. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, if your share of responsibility is not more than 50%, you can still pursue damages, though your recovery is reduced proportionally. If you are more than 50% responsible, recovery is barred entirely. Trucking companies routinely try to shift blame onto injured victims to avoid or limit liability, which is exactly why a thorough investigation matters.
Can I Sue the Trucking Company Even if the Driver Caused the Crash?
Generally, yes. Employers can be held liable for their drivers’ actions when the crash occurs within the scope of employment. The trucking company may also bear independent liability for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or failure to maintain the vehicle. In many cases, the most significant recovery comes from the company, not just the driver.
The Other Side Is Already Building Their Case
Trucking companies do not wait, and neither do we. The Buzbee Law Firm is ready to fight for your family and pursue every avenue of accountability under Texas law. Call (713) 223-5393 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.