Large truck accidents involving big rigs and 18-wheelers happen often on the congested highways of Houston, Texas. These collisions can be devastating, causing extensive damage, serious injuries, and even fatalities. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you need experienced legal assistance to help you recover compensation for your losses.

To get help immediately, contact our Houston truck accident lawyers online or give us a call today at 281-643-2000 for a free consultation!

It’s important for victims to determine their options for pursuing compensation, included by working with our truck accident lawyers in Houston, TX to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent truck driver or trucking company. A truck driver’s recklessness can have serious consequences, and if it were the cause of a collision, Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec will work diligently to hold responsible parties accountable.

In 2021, new changes in Texas law regarding truck injury claims make it even more important to have lawyers representing you. Due to the complex factors and legal issues involved in truck wrecks, it is important for victims to work with an attorney who has experience with these types of cases.

What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?

A truck accident lawyer in Houston plays a crucial role in helping victims seek justice and financial recovery after a collision. These attorneys specialize in handling cases involving commercial trucks, navigating complex federal and state trucking laws, gathering crucial evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies. Their goal is to ensure victims receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

How Can a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

Truck accident lawyers provide a range of legal services, including:

  • Investigating the accident scene and gathering evidence such as truck logs, black box data, and surveillance footage
  • Identifying liable parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and manufacturers
  • Negotiating with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation
  • Filing lawsuits and representing clients in court when necessary
  • Ensuring compliance with Texas and federal trucking regulations

If you have been injured in a truck wreck in Houston, TX contact our Houston truck accident lawyers for a free consultation today. Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec is here to help defend your rights and help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to.

What are Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents?

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Harris County Texas include driver fatigue and error, and equipment failure. During our investigation into your case, we will determine the cause of the accident and establish liability for the injuries and damages you have suffered. We will then work diligently to hold the responsible party or parties accountable.

  • Driver fatigue – Truck drivers spend lengthy amounts of time behind the wheel, and they may become drowsy during a long driving shift. Even when drivers follow regulations related to hours of service and breaks for sleep between shifts, they may suffer from sleep deprivation or other issues that affect their ability to remain alert. Even a momentary lapse in concentration due to drowsiness or fatigue can have deadly results.
  • Driver error – Truck drivers may commit multiple violations of traffic laws or trucking regulations, and these actions can increase the chances of a dangerous collision. Speeding, illegal turns or lane changes, or following too closely behind other vehicles can cause truck drivers to be unable to avoid an accident. Other types of errors that may be made by truck drivers include failing to account for weather conditions that have affected their ability to control their vehicle or failing to respond correctly to dangerous road conditions such as potholes or construction. Drivers may also commit errors due to drug or alcohol use.
  • Equipment failure – Federal and state laws require constant inspection and maintenance of truck equipment. However, not every trucking company or supervisor closely adheres to these regulations. Truck wrecks may occur because of issues such as tire blowouts, brake failure, decoupled trailers, lack of adequate lighting, or problems with engines or steering systems.
  • Dropped or shifting cargo – If cargo is not loaded correctly on a truck, it can affect a driver’s ability to control the vehicle. Overloaded trucks may not be able to stop in time, especially on steep downgrades. Top-heavy rigs can roll over on sharp turns. Cargo that is not secured correctly may shift during transit, leading to an unbalanced load that may cause the driver to lose control. Unsecured cargo may fall from a truck and land on other vehicles, inflicting serious injuries on drivers and passengers, or it may create obstacles in the road that lead to dangerous collisions.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?

Determining liability in a truck accident case can be complex, as multiple parties may be responsible. Potentially liable parties include:

  • The truck driver – If the driver was speeding, fatigued, or otherwise negligent
  • The trucking company – If they failed to enforce safety regulations or encouraged unsafe driving practices
  • The truck manufacturer – If defective vehicle parts contributed to the accident
  • The cargo loading company – If improper loading caused the crash
  • Government entities – If poor road maintenance or hazardous road conditions played a role

Commercial Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents involve vehicles used for business purposes, including semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and delivery trucks, like Amazon Driver accidents. These accidents can be particularly devastating due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. Common types of commercial truck accidents include jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions, and rollovers, often caused by factors such as driver fatigue, improper loading, and mechanical failures.

Private Truck Accidents

Private truck accidents involve trucks not used for commercial purposes but still significant in size, such as large rental moving trucks. These accidents can occur due to inexperienced drivers unfamiliar with handling larger vehicles, inadequate maintenance, or overloaded vehicles. Types of private large truck accidents often mirror those seen in commercial accidents, including side-impact collisions and rollovers.

Wrongful Death From a Large Truck Accident

The loss of a loved one in a large truck accident is a devastating event that can leave families facing not only emotional turmoil but also financial uncertainty. Hiring an attorney in the wake of such a tragedy is crucial. A skilled wrongful death attorney can help families navigate the legal process, ensuring that they receive compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, lost future income, and the loss of companionship. An attorney can also hold the responsible parties accountable, providing a sense of justice to the grieving family.

How Common Are Truck Fatalities in Texas?

Fatalities in truck accidents are a significant concern in Texas, where the vast network of highways and the high volume of commercial truck traffic increase the risk of deadly collisions. These accidents often result in more severe outcomes due to the disparity in size and weight between trucks and passenger vehicles, underscoring the importance of stringent safety regulations and driver vigilance.

What Are The Most Fatal Types of Large Trucks To Be in a Wreck With?

The most fatal types of large trucks to be involved in a wreck with are semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, due to their immense size, weight, and the difficulty of maneuvering them quickly in emergency situations. Tanker trucks, carrying hazardous or flammable materials, also pose a significant risk in the event of a collision, as they can lead to explosions or fires. Understanding the increased dangers associated with these types of trucks can highlight the need for extra caution and strict adherence to safety protocols by all drivers on the road.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Houston

If you are involved in a truck accident, taking the right steps can protect your legal rights:

  • Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine
  • Report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the accident report
  • Gather evidence, including photos of the scene, witness statements, and driver information
  • Avoid discussing fault with the trucking company’s insurance representatives
  • Contact a truck accident attorney in Houston to discuss your legal options

How Much Compensation Can You Receive for a Truck Accident Claim?

The amount of compensation you may receive depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, and emotional suffering. A skilled Texas truck accident lawyer can evaluate your case and help maximize your settlement.

Why Choose Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec for Your Truck Accident Case?

Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec has a proven track record of successfully representing truck accident victims in Houston. With years of experience handling complex personal injury cases, our legal team is dedicated to securing the best possible outcome for our clients. We offer personalized attention, aggressive representation, and a commitment to justice.

Truck Accident FAQs

Answer: HB 19 lets a defendant trucking company ask for a two-phase (“bifurcated”) trial. Phase 1 decides the driver’s negligence and compensatory damages; Phase 2, held only if needed, looks at the company’s direct liability (e.g., negligent hiring) and any punitive damages. The law can limit discovery and delay exposing a carrier’s safety record, which makes early evidence preservation even more critical.

Answer: Federal rules require carriers to store ELD records of duty status, and a backup copy, for six months. After that, the data may be deleted, so your attorney should request it immediately.

Answer: Often, yes. HOS regulations limit most property-carrying drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window and mandate a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. Logs showing over-hours driving, skipped breaks, or falsified entries can support claims of negligence or punitive damages.

Answer: Yes. While most interstate carriers must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, haulers of certain hazardous materials must carry $1 million–$5 million, depending on the cargo. Higher limits can increase the pool of funds available for catastrophic injuries.

Answer: Generally, yes. Texas’s long-arm statute allows suits against non-resident defendants that commit a tort, in whole or part, inside the state, which includes collisions on Texas roads. Service can be made through the Secretary of State if the carrier lacks a registered agent here.

Answer: TxDOT recorded 549 fatal commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes causing 621 deaths in 2023, plus more than 38,000 total CMV crashes statewide. Those numbers underscore why specialized legal help matters.

Answer: For most freight, the federal minimum is $750,000 in bodily-injury/property-damage coverage; oil transporters must carry $1 million, and certain hazardous-materials carriers must carry $5 million.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston Today!

If you have been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact our Houston truck accident attorneys online for a free consultation, or call 281-643-2000.