Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Get a Top-Rated Truck Accident Lawyer In Houston for Your Case!

Texas has more fatal truck accidents than any other state. The number of people hurt in collisions with commercial vehicles in Houston is the highest in the state. Crashes between a car and a large truck almost always involve serious injury at highway speeds. Hurt in an accident with an 18-wheeler or big truck?  Perhaps you were hit by an 18-wheeler on I 45. Or rear-ended by a big rig on Katy Freeway or Interstate 10?  Baumgartner Law Firm is nationally recognized as one of the country’s best truck accident law firms. We have won personal injury and wrongful death cases against truck drivers and trucking companies for over 35 years and have never lost a truck accident lawsuit.

Call our Houston truck accident attorneys at (281) 587-1111 and discuss your case with Houston’s leading truck accident lawyer.

 How We Protect Your Rights After Getting Hit by a Semi?

The most important thing you can do to protect your right is to hire the most experienced truck accident attorneys. It is challenging to act when severely injured or grieving from losing a loved one. Yet that is when you should hire the right personal injury lawyer. Look for a truck accident attorney near me with a winning record. Act to get the quality representation you deserve as early as possible. A truck accident injury or a wrongful death case can be like a war with the adjusters. They will fight tooth and nail to pay out as little as possible and hire the best defense attorneys.

A truck accident lawsuit is never easy or quick when maximizing your compensation. Finding the best truck accident lawyer near me should be done ASAP. Delay favors the trucking company. The sooner you act, the better. When your accident investigation begins early, the better for your case.

Let our semi truck accident attorneys prove your case and be your spokesperson to get you the compensation you deserve. Auto and truck accident attorneys should begin the investigation right away.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Attorney from Baumgartner Law Firm?

When you get hit by a commercial vehicle or lose a family member, it isn’t easy to know what you should do to protect your rights. We are here to help!

Our founder Greg Baumgartner is one of the top 1% of attorneys who hold not one but two law degrees and has been preeminent rated by peer review for decades. Also, a graduate of Trial Lawyers College, Mr. Baumgartner has been recognized with awards from SuperLawyers, America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Lawyers, Top 10 Truck Accident Lawyers, Lead Counsel, and many others. Many other lawyers refer truck accident cases to our personal injury law firm due to our over 35 years of expertise in truck accident litigation against truck drivers and trucking companies. 

Our catastrophic truck accident injury attorney has the track record of winning big cases and the resources to fight the trucking companies to get you the compensation you deserve.

• We are recognized as one of the nation’s best firms for truck accident litigation.
• Our Texas truck accident attorneys know how to maximize your compensation.
• We have represented hundreds of truck wreck victims in Houston and Texas for over 35 years and have never lost a truck accident case.
• Have countless multi-million-dollar results in truck accident cases! 
• We know the trucking regulations and are skilled at finding violations to prove your case.
• We use a quick response team for severe injury or wrongful death trucking accident cases.
• We will give you the personal service you deserve.

Put our experienced truck accident attorneys to work on your truck accident claim. Call us at (281) 587-1111. 

How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help You After Your Accident?

We will provide you with the personal attention you deserve. Here is what we will do to get you fair compensation for your injuries.

• Dealing with the other drivers’ insurance company on your behalf.
• Analyzing how the crash occurred.
• Negotiating with your own insurance company.
• Doing the legwork on your case.
• Helping you get medical care or physical therapy.
• Evaluating the case and getting evidence.
• Obtaining your medical records and bills.
• Getting information from the local police department or law enforcement agencies.
• Negotiating fair compensation for your injuries.
• Retaining experts to win your case.
• Filing a lawsuit to hold the other driver and the trucking company accountable when necessary.

Contact a Leading Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Right Away.

The sooner you contact our Houston truck accident lawyers, the better. We will fight for justice for you! Investigate the Texas trucking injury lawyers you are considering hiring. Before signing paperwork with that firm. Find the most experienced and successful lawyer for your Houston truck injury case. Our auto and truck accident attorney has the experience and proven results that speak for themselves.

What does a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer do?

Big rig accident fact-finding is more complicated than a car accident involving only drivers in their vehicles. It takes more time to get evidence and go through all the data related to a truck accident claim. Finding experienced trucking accident lawyers for a truck accident lawsuit is vital. Here is what commercial truck accidents include:

Evaluate How Truck Accidents Happen?

The first thing most attorneys will look at is the accident. What led to the accident, and which driver is responsible for the incident? Look at the police report, assess camera footage, or consider witness statements. Experienced Texas truck accident lawyers can obtain and evaluate the facts needed to prove your case.

Was the Condition of the Truck a Factor?

Big trucks require regular maintenance. Federal regulations cover maintaining the big trucks. Those regulations ensure that trucks remain in working order and that their drivers can safely use them on the road. A lawyer may look at the truck and the trailer. And the company’s maintenance records determine who caused your accident. The attorney wants to know if the large commercial truck received the maintenance needed and if the vehicle played a part in the collision.

Did the Driver Violate Regulations?

In addition to mandating the maintenance required for big trucks, Federal law also sets driving hours. The rules limit the hours a driver can spend on the road each day and throughout a workweek. An experienced truck wreck lawyer will use the regulations to prove negligence.

What does the Computer or Black Box Crash Data say?

Many trucks, like airplanes, contain “black boxes” that help record information about the truck’s path. These black boxes or Event Data Recorders provide critical evidence after a severe accident. Provide valuable information about the force in the crash, braking, and even evasive actions. Black box data can help determine the truck’s speed at the incident and verify data included in the driver’s logbook. Our tractor-trailer collision attorneys have caught many drivers with false logbooks by cross-checking evidence.

Are the Cargo Records Consistent with the Logbooks?

In some accidents, a big truck’s cargo is looked at if it may have contributed to the wreck. Improperly loaded cargo can even cause an accident. Flatbed truck drivers must properly secure loads to prevent falling or shifting load accidents. Cargo that isn’t appropriately secured can pose a potential hazard. Shifting cargo can increase the risk of jackknife or rollover accidents.

Has the Trucking Company Complied with Hiring Requirements?

• The trucking industry is notorious for putting inexperienced drivers behind the wheel. Our 18-wheeler lawyers want to look at the company’s hiring records. Questions asked to include: 
• Did the trucking company screen the driver’s history before hiring?
• Was the driver qualified to drive?
• Did the driver have prior accidents?

These questions are part of a personal injury attorney’s review of the driver’s qualification files.

Early Investigation Imperative

No one is prepared to lose a loved one unexpectedly in a wrongful death accident. Coping with grief can be overwhelming and exhausting for everyone. Yet, in this time of sorrow, actions should be taken to protect those left behind.

After a fatal truck accident, steps must be taken to obtain and preserve vital evidence. More frequently than ever, video evidence from other vehicles, nearby businesses, and others may be available if the appropriate steps are taken to obtain such evidence before it is destroyed or automatically deleted.

Also, critical evidence on the condition of the big rig or 18-wheeler should be obtained before the vehicle is placed back in service or destroyed as a total loss.

We maintain a quick response team for truck accident investigations to act fast to give you the edge in protecting your family’s financial future. Hiring the best truck accident lawyer is your first step!

What to Do at the Scene of a Semi-Truck Accident?

We suggest doing the following at the scene if you were hit by a large truck:

* Call the police if you are able

* Cooperate with the police officer

* Exchange Information with the other driver

* Identify witnesses

* Take photos or a video of the scene and vehicles

* If injured, report it to first responders

* If necessary, take the ambulance to the hospital.

Call an Experienced Law Firm for a Collision with a Commercial Vehicle.

Our Houston truck accident lawyers have over three decades of experience getting top damages in tractor-trailer crash cases. We have protected Texan’s financial interests from an accident with a commercial vehicle for more than 35 years. We handle all commercial vehicle accidents, like company vehicles, bus accidents, and 18-wheeler accidents or Amazon vans.

Talk with a truck accident lawyer by calling (281) 587-1111. Or fill out an online consultation request for a FREE consultation.

What Compensation Can I Get for My Injuries?

Texas damages for truck accident victims can include the following:

* Reasonable and necessary medical expenses, both past and future

* Physical pain and mental anguish, both past and future

* Lost earning capacity, both past and future

* Physical Impairment * Disability and Disfigurement

* Exemplary or punitive damages in some cases

* Wrongful death and survival damages.

The settlement value of a semi-truck crash will vary depending on the facts of your case. An 18-wheeler truck accident attorney at Baumgartner Law Firm will evaluate your case for free. It costs nothing to have a skilled lawyer from Baumgartner Law Firm evaluate your damages from a large truck claim. We will advise you on protecting your rights and the next steps.

How Much are Truck Accident Settlements?

Compensation and settlements from a commercial vehicle accident will vary from case to case. Cases with minor injuries can settle for thousands of dollars, while severe injuries or fatal crashes may bring multi-million-dollar results.

Each case is evaluated individually. We will be happy to assess your case.

We evaluate each case based on three factors in our decades of expertise in semi-truck accident personal injury claims. The three factors are

1. Liability

2. Damages, and

3. The ability to get paid and other factors should also be considered. People injured or families who have lost a loved one have trusted our top-rated truck accident lawyers for over three decades.

Questions to answer when considering how much an injury case is worth:

• Are their enhanced liability facts? Things like multiple rule violations? Or drug or alcohol use?
• How bad did your car look after the crash? Was the vehicle repairable or a total loss?
• When was your first medical care? Were you admitted to the hospital? What was the extent of your medical care?
• Did you have any positive medical testing? Such as an MRI or CT scan?
• Did your injury require a specialist? Like an Orthopedic or a Neurologist?
• Did you require surgery?
• Do you expect future medical expenses from injuries caused by the crash?
• Where is the venue for a lawsuit?
• Who did you hire for your case?

Our truck accident attorneys have handled hundreds of big truck injury and wrongful death cases in Houston and across Texas. Commercial vehicle collisions are valued higher than car-to-car accidents. The driver of a semi-truck must be professional and follow the safety rules. Violations of the safety rules are compelling evidence in Texas and can enhance your damages.

Jurors in Texas tend to look skeptically at professional drivers’ excuses after an 18-wheeler accident. Because a big rig can weigh 80,000 pounds, the impacts are usually severe and substantial injuries. Your damages can reflect carelessness if the driver or company knowingly violated the regulations. We have years of experience maximizing compensation after a severe injury or fatal truck wreck. Don’t just hire a car accident lawyer. Let our expert trucking law firm help you!

Our Recent Truck Accident Victories

In over 35 years, our truck accident attorneys have never lost a truck accident case.  We help families after a serious injury accident with a commercial vehicle.

Representing the truck driver who lost control and jackknifed across the road, killing two innocent victims

• We represented a truck driver.  Our client died after he lost control of his semi and jackknifed across the roadway, killing two innocent people.

The family of the two victims filed a lawsuit against our client and his company, and we counter-sued our truck driver’s employer and the maintenance company. After many depositions, we dug up safety violations of the trucking company. We recovered millions of dollars for the truck driver’s family. And got much more money than the other “truck accident attorneys” obtained for the two innocent people killed when our client jackknifed across the road.

The big rig backed across the roadway, and the defense lawyer was at the scene talking with officers within one hour.

• Another recent wrongful death truck accident case we won involved the defense attorney on-site in an hour.

An 18-wheeler driver backed across the roadway into a business. Our client hit the truck broadside and died. The defense lawyer spoke with officers at the scene and documented the crash with video and photographs. The trucking company denied liability and blamed our client for the accident. Our experienced truck accident lawyers filed a lawsuit and obtained a multimillion-dollar settlement for the family before trial. The payment was a record -the highest ever paid by the trucking company—another example of our expertise in truck crash litigation paying off for our clients.

18-Wheeler driver loses control and jackknifed across the roadway, killing a woman

• We fought a trucking company after its driver jackknifed across the road, killing a wonderful woman.

Our law firm filed a wrongful death lawsuit. And we took many depositions uncovering numerous safety violations, including an unqualified truck driver.  The insurance company then paid our demand for a record multi-million-dollar settlement to avoid trial. It was the largest settlement ever paid by the trucking company. The driver retired from commercial truck driving.

Blind spot truck crash

• We represented a woman who was hit while in the blind spot of a semi-truck. The company denied responsibility.

But once our 18-wheeler accident lawyers got hired, the case settled for a substantial sum before litigation. Our client was thrilled with the money she received. And she got the money less than six months after recovery.

Rear-end commercial vehicle accident with brain injury

• Our accident lawyers in Houston represented a young man with a brain injury from getting hit from the rear.

The initial offer by the insurance company was a joke. We filed a lawsuit. And won the case. Our client knew he would not worry about medical care or money for the rest of his life. We secured a multi-million-dollar settlement. The award was so large that the company demanded a confidentiality clause to prevent others from learning how much they had to pay our client.

How Our Lawyers Use the Safety Regulations to Win Your Case?

Truck drivers and truck companies must follow safety laws. The rules are in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and adopted by the state of Texas. We have used these laws for decades to win cases against trucking companies. Here are some of the significant regulations we use in lawsuits:

What are Hours of Service Rules?

One rule limits when a commercial vehicle driver can be behind the wheel or on the clock. The hours-of-service regulations for commercial drivers specify when a truck driver can drive. The regulations require • 14-hour duty limit (minimum 10 hours of rest after 14 hours on duty) • 11-hour driving limit (minimum 10 hours rest after 11 total driving hours) • 60/70-hour duty limit Proof of violations helps us make the company pay fair compensation to people injured. At Baumgartner Law Firm, we are skilled at finding law violations. Our Texas law firm reviews logbooks, cell phone records, and cross-references load to discover rule violations.

What is Required in Commercial Driver Training?

Truck drivers must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Some trucking companies simply turn drivers loose on the highways to deliver the loads. At the Baumgartner Law Firm, we believe that merely having a CDL is insufficient safety training. Extra training is necessary for a commercial driver operating a vehicle weighing 80,000 pounds. Motor carriers must ensure that their drivers are adequately trained and manage the safety of the drivers and vehicles. Ongoing safety training must be a part of all motor carrier operations. We have expertise in evaluating the safety programs of motor carriers and using the evidence to win cases.

What Inspections are Required of Truck Drivers?

Further, the regulations require truck drivers to check the semi-truck before beginning any trip. The truck driver must inspect air lines and compressor brakes, fuel systems, lights, steering, safety equipment, axles coupling devices, wheels and tires, and other equipment. When the trip ends, the commercial vehicle driver must re-examine the truck. And each item is covered in their driver’s daily vehicle inspection reports. Not following safety regulations can cause accidents. All dangerous conditions or defects must be in such reports. The driver must report it to the motor carrier before taking the big rig on another trip. Failure to inspect or act on inspections can be significant evidence of negligence. We have won many lawsuits where we proved a violation of the safety regulations.

 About Recent Changes to Truck Accident Law in Texas?

Texas law regarding truck accident injury lawsuits has just changed. More than ever, the changes in Texas law require you to get a lawyer with expertise in commercial vehicle accidents for your personal injury claim. Attorneys who do not focus on truck crash litigation are not well prepared to develop your case.

Where do Truck Accidents happen in Houston?

Houston has four major interstate highways. These interstates in Houston serve as a gateway through Texas for 18-wheelers and big rigs. Houston also has numerous state highways filled with semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles. Many 18-wheeler trucks on the interstates and highways serving Harris County are why Houston has so many truck accidents.

Last year, according to Texas DOT, Harris County had 24 fatal crashes on interstates, 31 fatal accidents on US or State Highways, 41 fatalities on Farm to Market Roads, and 83 people killed on County Roads. Beaumont 18-wheeler accident attorneys often see wrecks on Interstate 10. 

Here is a list of the major highways where most truck accidents near Houston occur.

• I-10 (Interstate 10) Katy Freeway
• I-45 (Interstate 45)
• I-69 (Interstate 59 or 69) 
• I-610/610 Loop
• U.S. Route 59 (North of Houston)
• Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway)
• Highway 6 (State Highway-6)
• Highway 225
• US-90A
• State Highway 288
• State Highway 290
• State Highway 249

How Long Does a Truck Accident Case Take?

Truck accident Lawsuits can last from 6 months to 2 years or more. It is difficult to predict how long an 18-wheeler settlement will take without knowing the facts and the cause of the truck crash. When liability is contested, the case will take longer. Semi collisions are more complex and involve more issues than a simple car wreck. If responsibility is clear, cases that do not involve severe injury might be resolved as soon as six months after medical care is completed.

But truck crashes involving severe injury or a fatality will take more time to maximize your compensation. One to two years can be a general guideline for a serious injury or wrongful death case. But how long depends on the lawyers, courts, and facts. The truth is the more money at stake, the longer your case will take. Put a lawyer with over 35 years of experience at Baumgartner Law Firm to work on your injury accident.

Texas Fatal Truck Accident Statistics?

What Causes Most Truck Crashes in Texas?

Several factors lead to truck accidents in Texas. Texas has the most fatal and serious commercial vehicle accidents in the USA.  Our Houston truck accident lawyers have found the most common causes include:

Truck Driver Fatigue?

Driver fatigue is a serious problem. Fatigue accounts for one-quarter of fatal and severe accidents each year. Most commercial truck drivers work under hectic and tight schedules that put them under immense pressure. Failure to deliver the loads on time can get reprimands from their employers. Unreasonable schedules push most drivers to work longer hours than permitted under regulations. Without adequate sleep, the driver is much more likely to crash. Over the years, we have found many instances of truckers cheating on log books to earn more money.

Excess Speed and Following too Closely 

Speeding causes many severe crashes. Large trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, about 20 times more than an average car. Speeding with such massive weight makes the trucks challenging to control or stop in traffic. A big rig takes one-third longer to stop than a car or pickup. Add in speed, and the stopping problem for 18-wheelers gets worse. Truckers know they must allow more space between their truck and vehicles ahead.  We have won lawsuits where the failure to maintain an assured clear distance and control the speed were a cause of a crash.

Overloaded Cargo?

Truck overloading is not only a safety concern but also a cost concern. Commercial trucks must carry loads up to specific limits. An overloaded vehicle poses a safety risk. Truck overloading is not only a safety concern but also a cost concern. Commercial trucks must carry loads up to specific limits. An overloaded vehicle poses a safety risk. Our law firm has represented both truck drivers and other motorists when an improperly loaded big rig causes an accident.

Mechanical Defects 

The main defective condition that our trucking accident firm sees is where the brakes are not properly operating, leading to a rear-end crash. Other things such as defective seat belts and deficient tires can cause injury or an accident.

Truckers Under the Influence 

DWI accounts for up to 28 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. When a truck driver is drunk, the consequences can be devastating. Alcohol or drug use by a CDL holder can lead to punitive damages after a commercial vehicle crash. 

Who Can Be at Fault in a Trucking Accident?

Determining liability in trucking accidents is not as easy as it might first seem. Contact an experienced trucking accident attorney at Baumgartner Law Firm if you have been hit by a semi or other commercial vehicle. Baumgartner Law Firm has been recognized as among Texas’s best truck accident lawyers. We will help investigate the crash and determine the parties to be held responsible for your injuries. Some of the possible parties we have won lawsuits against include:

• The driver
• The employer – the trucking company
• A truck manufacturer
• A shipping or loading company
• Truck maintenance company
• A passenger vehicle driver

Talk with us about your accident with a commercial vehicle; the initial consultation is free! Call (281) 587-1111 or request a consultation.

What Is the Statute of Limitation for a Personal Injury Case in Texas?

Texas has a general two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. The deadline clock starts ticking from the date of the accident. The sooner you make your claim, the better. Never wait until the last minute to hire a truck accident attorney. Generally, the earlier you get an experienced law firm, the better.