HOUSTON TRUCK
ACCIDENT LAWYER

Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Texas has more fatal truck accidents than any other state. The number of people hurt in collisions with commercial vehicles is also very high. Crashes between a car and a large truck almost always involve serious injury when at highway speeds. With a difference in weight between the car and semi, it’s no mystery who gets hurt.

Hurt in a commercial vehicle accident? Send us an email to request a case consultation. Or call us at (281) 587-1111 and talk with an experienced truck accident attorney.

What to Do to Protect My Rights After a Truck Accident in Texas?

The most important thing that you can do to protect your right is to hire the most experienced truck accident attorneys. It is challenging to act quickly when you are severely injured or grieving from losing a loved one. Yet that is when you should take action in hiring the right personal injury lawyer.

Act to get the quality of representation you deserve as early as possible. A severe injury claim or wrongful death case can be like a war with an adverse insurance company. The insurance companies will fight tooth and nail to pay out as little as possible. And hire the best defense attorneys.

Delay favors the trucking company and the insurance carriers. The sooner you act the better. When your accident investigation begins early, the better for your case. Let us prove your case. And be your spokesperson with the insurance adjusters.

Why Hire Our Experienced Houston Truck Accident Lawyers?

When you’ve been hit by a commercial vehicle, it is difficult to know what you should do to protect your rights. Our law firm knows how to maximize your settlement. We have been doing so for over three decades. Compensation for an accident with a semi can vary greatly. Put our experience to work for your case.

We are undefeated in truck accident cases. And have countless multi-million-dollar results!

Commercial policies

Truckers carry commercial policies that protect the company. From driver negligence claims for personal injury or wrongful death. These insurance policies are commercial policies. So the stakes are substantial for the insurance carrier. This exposure makes the insurance carrier fight harder to protect their money. The company will hire top defense attorneys. Hire our law firm to protect your rights!

You need our truck crash case experience

You will need a personal injury attorney who has won truck crash lawsuits for decades. Our attorneys are experienced in helping truck accident victims get maximum compensation. We can help you too!

We know the trucking rules

Retaining our experienced tractor-trailer accident attorneys is the right move. The law that applies to professional drivers and motor carriers contains hundreds of regulations. Our lawyers know how to win big rig crash lawsuits. We have been finding trucking companies at fault for trucking accident victims for over three decades.

Contact us early

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 law firm. Find the most experienced and successful lawyer for your truck injury case. Our experience and proven results speak for themselves.

What is the Cost of Getting an Attorney for a Truck Wreck?

People worry about the cost of hiring a skilled commercial vehicle accident attorney to represent them after an injury accident.

Our lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis. Meaning there is no upfront cost for you to hire us. We are only compensated out of money recovered for you. And our interests are aligned. The more money we get you the more we get paid!

If we don’t get you money, we don’t get paid!

Know that there are no upfront costs to hire us to help you. We advance all case expenses and only get paid if you get money in your pocket. Our goal is to maximize your compensation, and we are exceptional at it! Our legal fee starts at 33% of the money recovered.

What Lawyers Look for After a Truck Accident?

Truck accident fact-finding is more complicated than simple a car accident. Involving only drivers in their personal vehicles. Big truck drivers have much higher-value insurance policies. That influences the way the insurance company handles the claim. It takes more time to go through all the data related to a truck accident. Getting an experienced trucking accident lawyer is vital.

1. How did the Accident Happen?

The first thing most attorneys will look at is the accident. What led to the accident and, as a result, which driver is responsible for the incident? Looking at the police report, assessing camera footage, or considering witness statements. Researching the crash is not as simple as believing. An experienced attorney can evaluate the facts. Which helps prove fault and maximize compensation.

2. Was the Condition of the Truck a Factor?

Big trucks require more regular maintenance than the average passenger vehicle. Federal regulations cover maintaining the big trucks. Those regulations ensure that trucks remain in working order and that their drivers can safely use them out on the road.

A lawyer may look at the truck itself. And the maintenance records kept by the company in determining who caused your accident. Not only does the attorney want to know if the truck received the maintenance it needed.

A truck accident attorney will want to know if mechanical failure contributed to the accident. In some cases, the truck’s manufacturer may be liable for the accident. A lawyer’s scrutiny can help uncover that information.

3. Did the Driver Violate Regulations?

In addition to mandating the maintenance required for big trucks, Federal law also sets driving hours. The number of hours a driver can spend on the road, both over the course of each day and over the course of a workweek.

Truck drivers can only spend eleven hours out of a fourteen-hour shift on the road. After which they must take a break–eight hours. With at least enough time to sleep–before getting back on the road again. A driver’s logbook can help show whether that driver may have spent excessive hours on the road.

A driver’s logbook can also help establish whether he took adequate breaks over the course of his shift. And whether he may have driven at excessive speeds. The logbook shows how far the truck traveled. Maybe the truck driver traveled too many miles over the course of his shift. The experienced lawyers will compare GPS and cell records to catch a driver with violations.

4. What does the Computer or Black Box 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.

Black box data can help determine the truck’s speed at the time of the incident. Provide valuable information about the force in the crash, braking, and even evasive actions. Computer data is used to verify data included in the driver’s logbook. Our tractor-trailer collision attorneys have caught many drivers with false logbooks. By verifying different records.

5. Are the Cargo Records Consistent with the Logbooks?

A big truck’s cargo is looked at in some accidents 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 secured properly can pose a potential hazard. Shifting cargo can increase the risk of jackknife or rollover accidents.

6. Has the Trucking Company Complied with Hiring Requirements?

An 18-wheeler lawyer may want to look at the company’s hiring records. Did the trucking company screen the driver’s history before hiring? What about after the driver is hired? Was the driver qualified to drive? Did the driver have prior accidents? All these questions are part of a review of the driver’s qualification files.

Employment records contain information about the driver’s past accident history. Drug screens, and tickets or citations he may have received. Those hiring and employment records are vital to establishing whether the trucking company follows the law. And monitors its employees.

7. What do Your Medical Records Show?

Finally, a truck accident lawyer will want to look at your medical records. Your medical records from the accident are important to establish damages like pain and suffering. Records help establish what injuries you suffered, what treatments you needed, and when the injuries occurred. Doctors’ reports also establish the effects of your injuries on you. Your medical bills will help prove how much you have spent on medical costs. Both billing and medical records are used to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Why is Early Investigation is Important?

An investigation soon after a commercial vehicle accident is important. After a truck wreck, vital evidence should be saved. This evidence would include things like:
* Evidence from the scene of the wreck.
* Damage to the vehicles, debris, or skid marks on the highway.
* Computer data (Black Box) from the big rig.
* Paperwork about the Driver and Company. This important evidence can help prove negligence and the cause of the crash.

Do I Need a Quick Response Team for My Houston Truck Wreck?

Our experienced trucking accident attorneys maintain a quick response team. The team works on severe injury or wrongful death cases. Our team gets vital evidence to win your case before it is lost or destroyed.

Putting our preeminent-rated Houston truck accident law firm to work soon after the crash helps your case. Examining your crash early, we can combat some of the insurance carriers and the trucking company tactics.

Recent truck wreck cases we have handled had defense lawyers at the crash site in hours. Well before the tractor-trailer was even moved. The insurance company often gets a head start because the driver reports the collision and the insurance company acts to protect its money.

Getting data such as scene measurements, interviewing witnesses, and preserving the big truck for inspection are often crucial steps.

The sooner you call one of the best Houston truck accident law firms, the better!

Will the Police Investigation be Adequate?

With catastrophic injuries or wrongful death crashes, an officer will usually examine the scene. However, do not assume all the evidence you need will be obtained by the authorities.

Important evidence is not always included in the crash report or the police investigation. Often, it is only after we file a personal injury lawsuit that we learn of regulation violations by the driver or his company.

Put our truck accident law firm in Houston in your corner. We have been handling truck accident cases for over thirty years.

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

How do Defense Lawyers try to Shift the Blame in Trucking Accident Lawsuits?

Defense lawyers always try to shift the blame for an accident. Commonly claiming that your injuries are preexisting or unrelated. or your medical care excessive. Or that you were to blame for the collision. Folks without an attorney have a difficult time with these tactics.

Documenting the scene with photographs can help combat blame-shifting. Reporting all your injuries to your doctors helps document they were part of the crash.

Good lawyers will take steps to get the evidence to prove your case and maximize your compensation.

What are Things to Do in the Days After the Collision with a Semi-truck?

Why Preserving Your Car is Important?

With severe injury preserving your vehicle can be important. If your car may have had a product defect that contributed to the accident or your injuries. Saving your vehicle can combat the defense on specific issues like speed, braking, or evasive maneuvers, all of which may be part of the onboard computer data.

Also, damage to your vehicle may be essential to help determine how the accident occurred.

Always talk with an 18-wheeler accident lawyer before your car is totaled or repaired if you have a catastrophic injury.

Why Follow Up Medical Care is Vital?

It is important to document your case and medical treatment. Toughing it out or not getting proper medical treatment can hurt your personal injury case.

Following your doctor’s orders is vital for both your recovery and case. Use medical specialists when appropriate.

Why Keep a Record of Your Out-of-Pocket Expenses?

Save all paperwork from the hospital and doctors. Keeping a record and all paperwork can help prepare for making an insurance claim for your injuries.

If you have health insurance save all letters from your insurer. If you do not have health insurance call us to see if we can help you get needed medical care.

Why Call an Experienced Law Firm for a Collision with a Commercial Vehicle?

Our skilled team has decades of experience in 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.

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

Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston?

Yes, if you were hospitalized or seriously injured. Maybe not if the accident was minor or you were not seriously injured.

Either way, you may have questions. We are happy to talk with you about your rights and options or the claims process. Call our trucking accident law firm in Houston at Baumgartner Law Firm for a free consultation.

What Compensation Is Available 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. Call us for a FREE consultation- (281) 587-1111.

How Much are Truck Accident Settlements?

Compensation and settlements from a commercial vehicle accident will vary from case to case. In our decades of expertise in semi-truck accident personal injury claims, we evaluate each case based upon three factors. The three factors are:
1. Liability
2. Damages, and
3. Insurance coverage.

Other factors should also be considered when appropriate. Questions to ask when considering how much a case is worth:

• Are their enhanced liability facts? Things like multiple rules 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 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. 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 the injuries substantial. If the driver or company knowingly violated the regulations, your damages can reflect carelessness.

We have years of experience in maximizing compensation after a severe injury or fatal truck wreck. Let our experts help you!

What Steps Do I Take to Maximize Compensation From a Truck Accident?

Get an Experienced Lawyer For a Houston Accident

The first step in maximizing the compensation is to hire an 18-wheeler attorney with substantial experience in getting maximum compensation in similar cases.

Call us for a free case evaluation- (281) 587-1111.

Follow Up with Medical Care 

The next step in ensuring you get fair damages is to follow your doctor’s orders to the letter. Many personal injury victims have reasons why they couldn’t follow up with medical care. Juries accept almost none of the excuses.

Failing to follow up with recommended treatment will hurt your case. Finding specialists to treat you will not only speed up your recovery but also improve your case.

Keep Track of Expenses and Losses

Keeping track of your lost wages and other out-of-pocket expenses can be helpful for your attorney and your case. Out-of-pocket medical care can add up quickly, even with health insurance. Do not leave money on the table! Keep a list of all your expenses.

If you missed work while recovering from injury, keep a record of the days missed and the lost wages.

Stop Posting to Social Media

Finally, avoid social media posts during your recovery. Recent cases in Texas have allowed defense attorneys to get your social media. Including Facebook and other social media posts. A skilled insurance defense attorney will use even innocent social media posts against you. A defense attorney can twist your posts to infer you are faking or not hurt as badly as you were.

Call us with Questions on How to Help Your Truck Wreck Injury Case

If you have questions about what to do to help your case, call us. (281) 587-1111!

Some of Our Recent Truck Accident Cases

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.

Here are a few examples of some recent cases we have won:

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

Lawsuits were filed by the family of the two victims and we sued the trucking company for the driver and other defendants, including the maintenance company. After many depositions, we dug up safety violations of the trucking company and others. We recovered millions of dollars for the truck driver’s family. And got much more money than the other “truck accident attorneys” got for the two innocent people killed in that accident.

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

The defense lawyer was able to speak with officers at the scene and document the crash with video and photographs. The trucking company denied liability and blamed our client for the accident. We filed a lawsuit and were able to obtain a multimillion-dollar settlement for the family before trial. The settlement 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.

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

Our law firm filed a 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.

• 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 was compensated in less than 6 months after recovery.

• We 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 that 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 the company required the amount they had to pay our client not be disclosed to prevent others from learning how much Baumgartner Law Firm forced them to pay!

Why Defendants Want Confidential Settlements?

We hold trucking companies accountable. Most of our multi-million-dollar wins are confidential by the requirement of the trucking company. The insurance companies want to prevent others from finding out how much they were forced to pay our clients. Don’t settle for less! Call us today!

You can view a few of our recent victories by visiting our results page. Hurt in an accident with a commercial truck? Don’t just hire a car accident lawyer. Call an experienced truck accident lawyer for a collision with an 18-wheeler.

How 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Use the Safety Regulations?

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

What are Hours of Service?

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

Driver fatigue causes a lot of accidents. It can occur for truck drivers who do not follow the safety regulations and even those who follow the law.

Professional drivers are often pressured to deliver the load quickly. Violations can happen when pressed by the company or when the driver works extra hours to earn more money.

At Baumgartner Law Firm we are skilled at finding violations of the law.  Out Texas law firm reviews logbooks and even cell phone records and cross-references loads to discover rules violations. Proof of violations helps us make the company pay fair compensation to people injured.

It is important that the law firm you select has substantial experience in investigating driver fatigue and uncovering violations of federal regulations.

What Maintenance Requirements Must the Company Follow?

Trucking companies must keep their trucks safe. The safety regulations have set rules regarding truck conditions and maintenance requirements. Many truck wrecks happen because the truck was unsafe or “out of service” while on the road.

Our 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys inspect the tractor-trailer after a crash when needed. We look for rules violations and evidence that shows why the wreck occurred.

Discovering safety violations helps the attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm win your case.

What The Attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm Look For After a Collision?

Our investigation after a tractor-trailer crash can include:
• Logbooks
• Black box or computer event data
• Documents evidencing the load and prior deliveries
• Inspection of the tractor-trailer
• Assessment of the accident scene
• Poor training
• Defective rigs
• Cell Phone Use

What is Required in Driver Training?

Truck drivers must have a commercial driver’s license. 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. For a commercial driver operating a vehicle that can weigh 80,000 pounds extra training is necessary.

Motor carriers must ensure that their drivers are adequately trained. And also 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.

What Inspections are Required of Truck Drivers?

Further, the Federal Regulations require truck drivers to check the semi-truck before beginning any trip. The truck driver must inspect:

Air Lines and compressor
Brakes
Fuel system
Lights
Steering
Safety equipment
Axles
Coupling devices
Wheels and tires
Numerous 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 out on another trip. Failure to inspect or act on inspections can be significant evidence of negligence.

What are Recent Changes to Truck Accident Law in Texas?

Texas law regarding truck accident injury lawsuits has just changed. The changes now more than ever require you to get a lawyer with expertise in commercial vehicle accidents for your personal injury claim.

Our Attorneys will Investigate your Accident

An investigation after a fatal truck or injury accident is a needed part of a personal injury case. If our injuries are serious, or you have lost a family member, an early investigation is important for your case.

Call us for a FREE consultation after your truck collision case. Speak with a nationally recognized truck accident lawyer with more than 35 years of truck accident experience! Call Baumgartner Law Firm at (281) 587-1111.

How Long Does a Truck Accident Case Take?

It is difficult to predict how long an 18-Wheeler settlement will take without knowing 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 almost always take more time to maximize your compensation.

For a serious injury or wrongful death case, one to two years can be a general guideline. But much depends on the lawyers, courts, and facts of the collision.
The truth is the more money at stake, the longer your case will take.

Put the experienced lawyer at Baumgartner Law Firm to work on your injury accident.

Why does Texas Have the Most Fatal Truck Accidents?

Texas records the highest number of truck accidents in the US. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) keeps statistics. They say Texas had a total of 581 fatalities from a truck accident last year. Truck accidents lead to devastating injuries, massive property damage, and a high fatality rate.

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident in Texas, contact a top-rated personal injury attorney. Call Baumgartner Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers to discuss your case.

Here are the latest facts about fatal truck crashes in Texas.

What are Common Causes of Trucking Crashes in Texas?

Several factors can cause severe trucking accidents on Texas roadways. Common causes and contributing factors of truck accidents include:

What is 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 their consignments on time results in penalties from their employers.

Unreasonable schedules push most drivers to work for long hours. Without adequate sleep, the driver is much more likely to crash.

Fatigue increases reaction time and leads to a loss of concentration and reduction of coordination.

Studies reveal that most drivers’ average time to react to a risky situation on the road is 1.5 seconds. A fatigued motorist takes up to three seconds to respond. That can lead to a truck crash.

How Excess Speed and Following too Closely Cause Wrecks?

Large trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is about 20 times more than an average car. Speeding with such massive weight makes the trucks challenging to control or stop in traffic. Speeding causes many severe crashes.

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.

A truck driver traveling at high speeds makes reacting harder. Speeding increases the risk of rear-end accidents or losing vehicle control because trucks at high speeds are challenging to maneuver.

What are the Issues with Overloaded Cargo?

Truck overloading is not only a safety concern but also a cost concern. Commercial trucks must carry loads up to a specific limit only, both in terms of weight and volume. An overloaded vehicle poses the following safety risks:
• Instability: Overloaded trucks are less stable and quite difficult to steer. And take longer to stop, leading to accidents.
• Tire Failure: A tire blowout is one of the leading causes of accidents in Texas. Overloaded trucks cause tires to overheat and wear out rapidly. Which increases the risk of blowouts.
• Malfunctioning brakes: An overloaded truck’s brakes must work harder to bring the semi-truck to a stop. Brakes tend to overheat faster and lose their effectiveness when stopping an overloaded truck.

Why Mechanical Defects with the Semi Matter?

Some of Texas’ serious truck crashes are caused by mechanical issues that the truck owner should have fixed.

Mechanical problems are overlooked as a factor in many auto accidents. Mechanical defects can cause a crash or create issues contributing to a crash involving large trucks.

Some of the typical mechanical failures that cause accidents include:
* Worn Out Tires: Up to 35 percent of road crashes in the US are due to tire blowouts or worn tires.
* Faulty Brakes: Faulty brakes cause up to 22 percent of big rig accidents. Rear-end collisions from faulty brakes make it difficult for truck drivers to stop in time.
* Steering Suspension: Steering and suspension problems cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Leading to a collision with other motorists or a crash into an object or property.
* Windshield Wipers: Faulty wipers can diminish the driver’s vision during rainy or foggy conditions. Defective wipers may be due to worn-out blades or a wiper system.
* Headlights and taillights: A truck with faulty lights is at a higher risk of causing 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.

Drunk drivers can also become drowsy or fall asleep while driving, leading to head-on collisions or jack-knife crashes. Alcohol reduces a motorist’s ability to read and comprehend traffic signs and signals. And makes it difficult to understand the actions of the other drivers.

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. If you have been involved in a trucking accident, contact an experienced trucking accident attorney at Baumgartner Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers.

We will help investigate the crash and determine the fault party to be held liable for your injuries. Some of the possible parties to blame for trucking accidents include:

• The truck driver
• His 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 and without obligation!

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

Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitation. For filing a lawsuit related to personal injuries that occurred in a car accident. It is important to keep in mind that 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.

Where Do Fatal Houston Truck Accidents Take Place? [Interactive Map]

The map below shows where fatal truck accidents have taken place in Houston. Most of the fatal truck accidents in Texas happen in the cities of Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. In this map of 18-wheeler accidents in Houston, we see most crashes occur on:
* Interstate 45 (I 45)
* Interstate 10 (I 10)
* US 59 (Katy Freeway)
* Beltway 8
* US 290
* 610

This is because semi-trucks use the freeways and, on the interstates, more than driving around the city itself.