Accidents involving large commercial trucks are among the most hazardous collisions that occur on I-45, I-10, the Sam Houston Tollway, and other roads in and around Houston. Because of a variety of factors, they’re also some of the most complex. If you suffered injuries in an accident with an 18-wheeler, big rig, or semi-truck, you may be entitled to seek compensation through a truck accident claim.

Contact The Patel Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate Houston truck accident lawyers. We’ll review your situation and help you explore your options for seeking the compensation you need for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other losses. You pay nothing for us to get started, and there are no fees unless we win your case.

Why You Should Hire a Houston Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim

Hiring a truck accident attorney in Houston is the most effective way to maximize your compensation and reduce the stress involved with dealing with a claim against a trucking insurance company.

When you hire our firm to handle your semi-truck accident case, we can conduct a thorough investigation to identify the at-fault parties and gather the evidence necessary to hold them financially accountable. Our lawyers can also calculate the value of your case and negotiate with the insurance companies involved on your behalf to maximize your truck accident compensation.

When you work with our truck accident law firm, you’ll never be treated like just a case number. We emphasize personalized representation and close client relationships because we believe that this approach leads to the best results. We’ll keep you informed of the status of your case, and our lawyers are always available to answer your questions.

Contact us today for your free, fully confidential case review.

How We Investigate Houston Truck Accident Cases

Investigating a Houston truck accident case involves gathering various types of evidence that connect the at-fault parties to the incident and demonstrate the severity and extent of your injuries. Some of the most impactful evidence we gather when conducting our truck accident claim investigations includes the following:

  • Accident scene photographs showing the damage done to your vehicle and the road conditions at the time
  • Traffic, surveillance, or dashboard camera footage showing the accident, its aftermath, or the events immediately preceding it
  • Eyewitness statements that corroborate your version of events or provide additional information from a third-party perspective
  • Expert witness testimony, such as that from medical professionals and crash reconstruction specialists
  • Truck maintenance records, detailing what maintenance the vehicle needed and if/when the work was done
  • Truck black box recordings showing whether the driver applied the brakes before the crash, and the speed they were traveling at

What Compensation Could I Recover in a Houston Truck Accident Claim?

A truck accident lawyer in Houston can help you seek compensation for various losses you sustained due to the accident and your injuries. In most cases, you may be entitled to the following:

  • Medical expense compensation that covers all past and future surgeries, physical therapy, and other treatments related to your injuries
  • Lost wages compensation that includes both the income you lost while out of work during your recovery period and the income you will lose in the future because of how your injuries impact your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering compensation that is intended to cover the physical pain you experience and the emotional suffering your injuries cause, such as if they prevent you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed
  • Permanent disability compensation that should cover the expenses related to accommodating your disabilities, such as if you need to modify your home or vehicle to be accessible
  • Property damage compensation that should cover repairing or replacing your vehicle and other property that was damaged or lost in the accident

In fatal truck accident cases, surviving family members can seek additional compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Why Are Trucking Accidents More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Crashes?

Accidents involving big rigs are more complicated than other motor vehicle crashes due to the severity of the injuries they cause, the parties involved, and the role federal trucking regulations play.

The Impact of Severe Injuries on Trucking Accident Cases

Truck accident lawsuits can take longer to resolve than other vehicle accident cases, in part because they often involve more serious injuries, which frequently require more expensive medical treatment and longer recovery times.

When treatments are more expensive, insurance companies tend to fight harder against having to pay for them. Additionally, you should wait to resolve your case until your injuries have healed as much as possible, so there are no surprise medical expenses after you accept a settlement.

How Multiple Parties Complicate Trucking Accidents

One of the biggest causes of truck accident case complexity is the number of parties involved. There may be several injured parties seeking compensation for the same accident, and several at-fault parties attempting to shift the blame onto each other to reduce their own liability.

Generally speaking, the more parties involved in a case, the more complex the case will be and the longer it will take to resolve. However, having multiple at-fault parties isn’t always a bad thing because it can also make it easier to recover the full compensation you need.

The Role of Federal Regulations in Trucking Accidents

Having a lawyer with a strong understanding of federal trucking regulations to handle your case is essential. Understanding the intricacies of these regulations is essential for determining the liability of various parties.

The two most important sets of regulations for many cases are the hours of service and cargo securement regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces these regulations to protect motorists from the dangers of fatigued driving and improperly secured cargo.

Additionally, the FMCSA requires all commercial trucks to have between $300,000 and $5 million in liability insurance, depending on the truck’s weight and the type of cargo it carries.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Houston?

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, several parties could be held liable for your Houston truck accident injuries, including the following:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company
  • The cargo loader
  • The truck manufacturer
  • The truck maintenance provider
  • The government entity responsible for maintaining the roads
  • Other motorists whose actions contributed to the accident

Could I Recover Compensation if I’m Partly to Blame for a Truck Accident?

You can still recover compensation if you are partly to blame for a truck accident in Houston. This is because Texas follows a form of modified comparative negligence called proportionate responsibility.

Under this law, as long as you are less than 51 percent at fault for the accident, you can recover compensation through a trial award. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

For instance, suppose you’re determined to be 30 percent responsible for the crash, and the jury award is $100,000. In that case, your compensation will be reduced by 30 percent, for a total award of $70,000.

At The Patel Firm, our team knows how to protect motorists’ rights and prevent insurance companies from unfairly shifting blame or minimizing recovery after a car accident.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?

The statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Texas gives victims two years from the date of the incident. You must file your lawsuit against the at-fault parties within this period or risk the courts barring you from recovering compensation.

An experienced truck accident lawyer can file your claim within the time limit on your behalf and handle the rest of your case, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

What Are Common Types and Causes of Truck Accidents in Houston?

Some of the most common types of truck accidents seen on I-610, U.S. Route 59, Westheimer Road, and other Houston roadways include the following:

  • Jackknife Accidents – These accidents occur when the truck driver slams on the brakes while traveling at high speeds or on slick or icy surfaces, causing the trailer to swing out alongside the cab.
  • Rollover Accidents – These accidents occur when a truck flips onto its side and are typically caused by excessive speeding around turns or improperly secured cargo.
  • Underride Accidents – When trucks fail to yield the right of way and turn in front of oncoming traffic, smaller vehicles can get stuck under the trailer.
  • Head-On Collisions – Fatigued, intoxicated, and distracted truck drivers may cross the dividing line between lanes, colliding with another vehicle head-on.
  • Rear-End Collisions – Speeding and overloaded trucks take longer to come to a complete stop, which can increase the risk of a rear-end accident.
  • Falling Cargo – Cargo that hasn’t been properly secured may fall from the back of a trailer and strike another vehicle.

What Are Typical Injuries Resulting from a Truck Collision?

Truck collisions cause a wide variety of severe injuries, some of which can be fatal. Typical injuries resulting from these collisions include the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries, which may leave victims with permanent cognitive and physical disabilities
  • Spinal cord injuries, which can lead to chronic pain conditions, reduced mobility, and paralysis
  • Crushing injuries, which could require amputation, depending on the damage done to the limb
  • Fractured bones, which may require surgery to heal properly
  • Internal organ damage, which can be fatal if medical treatment isn’t received immediately

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston Today

If you sustained a truck accident injury in Houston, you need a lawyer who will stand up to the trucking industry insurance providers and fight for your right to fair compensation.

At The Patel Firm, our Houston truck accident attorneys have a solid track record of success for our clients who were accident victims throughout Texas. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case with you, and we respond to calls, messages, and emails promptly. You can leave everything to us while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

Contact The Patel Firm today to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney and take the next step toward recovery. Your initial case evaluation is free and fully confidential, and we never collect a fee unless we recover compensation for you.