Truck Accident Lawyer in Texas
According to Texas traffic data, crashes involving large trucks continue to impact drivers across the state each year. In 2024 alone, there were more than 18,800 crashes involving commercial vehicles in Texas, including 645 fatal crashes that resulted in 712 deaths. These accidents also led to over 11,000 reported injuries. Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions with passenger vehicles can result in especially serious consequences.
Successfully bringing legal action after suffering an injury in a commercial truck accident can be a complex process, often requiring detailed investigation and expert analysis. Our Texas truck accident lawyers at Bailey & Galyen represent individuals involved in these types of cases. Let us help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
Schedule A Free AppointmentTruck Accident Lawyers Serving Clients Throughout the Lone Star State
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we have provided comprehensive legal counsel to personal injury victims across Texas for almost 40 years, including people injured in large truck accidents. We are known and respected by judges, lawyers, and clients for our consistent ability to get positive results. Since the founding of our practice, we have recovered more than $500 million for our clients. Schedule a free initial consultation today!
What Makes Truck Accident Cases More Complex Than Car Accidents?
Truck accident cases are often more complex than typical car accident claims. This is often due to the number of parties and the amount of evidence involved.
Some common challenges include:
- Disputes over fault: Different parties may disagree about how the accident happened and who is responsible.
- Multiple insurance companies involved: Several insurers may be part of the claim, which can affect how the case is reviewed and handled.
- Delays in gathering records: Important documents such as driver logs or maintenance records may take time to obtain.
- Detailed investigations: These cases may require a closer review of evidence, including company records and safety procedures.
Understanding these challenges can help you better prepare for the claims process.
Who Can Be Liable in a Texas Truck Accident?
A truck accident may involve more than one responsible party, depending on how the accident happened.
In a standard car accident, liability is usually limited to one or two drivers. In a truck accident, responsibility may extend beyond the driver.
Other parties may include:
- The trucking company: The company may be responsible if it failed to properly train drivers, enforce safety rules, or maintain its vehicles.
- The company that owns or leases the truck: In some cases, the vehicle owner may be liable if the truck was not properly maintained or was unsafe to operate.
- Maintenance providers: A third-party company may be responsible if poor repairs or missed inspections led to a mechanical failure.
- Cargo loading companies: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transport and cause a loss of control or rollover.
- Manufacturers of defective parts: If a defective part, such as brakes or tires, contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held responsible.
Each of these parties may play a role in how the accident happened. Identifying who is responsible requires a careful review of records, logs, and evidence.
Federal and State Trucking Regulations
Commercial trucks are subject to strict safety rules that do not apply to regular passenger vehicles. These rules are designed to reduce accidents and keep drivers and others on the road safe. Many of these regulations are set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and apply across Texas and the rest of the country. In addition, Texas has its own laws that may apply to commercial trucking operations.
Key areas these rules cover include:
- Hours of service limits: These rules restrict how long a driver can be on the road without rest. They are meant to reduce fatigue and prevent accidents caused by tired driving.
- Vehicle maintenance and inspections: Trucking companies are required to regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles. Poor maintenance can lead to brake failure, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues.
- Cargo loading and weight limits: Cargo must be properly secured and within legal weight limits. Improper loading can cause a truck to become unstable or harder to control.
- Driver qualifications and training: Drivers must meet specific requirements, including proper licensing and training. Failure to meet these standards can increase the risk of unsafe driving.
When these rules are not followed, it can increase the risk of a serious crash. Violations may also help explain what went wrong and who may be responsible. Documents like driver logs, inspection reports, and company records are often reviewed to check for compliance.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Large Truck Crashes?
A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found several factors that regularly contribute to commercial truck accidents:
- Driver fatigue: Because most drivers are paid by the mile, there's an incentive to spend long hours on the roads. State and federal law limit this, but some drivers ignore or intentionally flaunt the rules.
- Mechanical failure: Drivers and trucking companies are required to perform routine maintenance and keep logs, but they can be falsified or ignored.
- Distracted driving: Drivers may take their eyes off the road to use a handheld device, adjust the radio, grab food or beverages, or talk to someone else in the vehicle.
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs: Alcohol or drugs can affect judgment, coordination, and reaction time. This increases the risk of losing control of a large vehicle.
- Failure to follow traffic laws: Speeding, failing to yield, running signals, or making unsafe lane changes can all lead to crashes, especially when large trucks are involved.
- Unfamiliarity with roads: Drivers who are not familiar with local roads may miss exits, make sudden turns, or have difficulty navigating traffic patterns, which can increase the chance of an accident.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Texas?
Taking the right steps after a truck accident can help protect your health and your ability to move forward with a claim.
- Call the police (911): Report the accident to law enforcement so an official report can be created. This report can help document what happened and may be useful later.
- Get medical care right away: Your health should come first. Visit a hospital, urgent care, or your doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries may not show right away, so it is important to get checked.
- Document the accident scene: If you are able, take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Include road conditions, weather, traffic signs, and any visible damage or skid marks.
- Collect contact information: Get names and contact details from everyone involved, including witnesses. This can help clarify what happened.
- Keep detailed medical records: Tell your doctor about all symptoms, even minor ones. Keep copies of medical records, bills, and treatment notes.
- Consider speaking with a Texas truck accident lawyer: A lawyer can help review your situation, preserve evidence, and explain your options moving forward.
Taking these steps early can help protect important information and make it easier to understand your next steps after an accident.
Schedule A Free AppointmentCommon Injuries in a Truck Accident
Truck accidents often lead to more serious injuries than standard car accidents due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Even a low-speed crash involving a large truck can cause lasting harm.
Common injuries in a Texas truck accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): A strong impact can cause a concussion or a more serious brain injury. Symptoms may include headaches, memory issues, or confusion.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine can affect movement and sensation. In severe cases, this may lead to partial or complete paralysis.
- Back and neck injuries: These injuries can range from muscle strain to more serious disc damage. They may affect mobility and daily activities.
- Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or hips are common in high-impact crashes and may require surgery and recovery time.
- Internal injuries: Damage to internal organs may not be visible right away. These injuries can be serious and require immediate medical attention.
- Burn injuries: In some truck accidents, fires or explosions may occur, leading to burns that require long-term treatment.
- Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass and debris can cause deep cuts that may result in scarring.
Some injuries may not show symptoms right away. It is important to seek medical care after any truck accident and follow up if new symptoms appear.
What Compensation Can I Pursue After a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, compensation is meant to help cover the financial and personal impact of your injuries. The type and amount of compensation depend on the facts of your case.
Compensation is generally divided into two categories:
Economic Compensation
These are losses with a clear financial cost:
- Medical expenses: This includes hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any ongoing treatment related to your injuries.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may seek compensation for lost income. This may also include reduced earning ability if you cannot return to the same type of work.
- Property damage: This includes costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal items damaged in the accident.
- Other related expenses: This may include costs such as transportation to medical appointments, in-home assistance, or other needs during recovery.
Non-Economic Compensation
These relate to the personal effects of the accident:
- Pain and discomfort: You can recover compensation for the physical pain caused by your injuries.
- Emotional distress: This may include anxiety, stress, or trauma related to the accident.
- Loss of companionship: In some cases, injuries may affect relationships with a spouse or family members.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries limit your ability to take part in daily activities or hobbies, you can recover damages for that loss.
Understanding the types of compensation available can help you better evaluate your situation and next steps.
Contact Bailey & Galyen About Your Truck Accident Case
When you or a loved one is hurt in an accident involving a big rig, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, semi, or other commercial truck, you may benefit from speaking with a lawyer about your situation. The proven personal injury attorneys at Bailey & Galyen offer a free initial consultation. We handle all truck accident lawsuits on a contingent-fee basis.
To schedule an appointment, contact us online. Hablamos español en nuestra oficina.
Schedule A Free AppointmentWe offer proven counsel in auto accident claims across Texas, including Arlington, Bedford, Burleson, Carrollton, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, Mansfield, Mesquite, Midland/Odessa, Plano, Sugar Land, Texarkana, and Weatherford.
Verdicts and Settlements
- Motor Vehicle Accident: A collision resulting in the death of a 40-year-old woman after a truck driver ran a red light while on his cell phone. Pre-trial settlement of $7,500,000. Net to clients after legal fees and litigation expenses: $4,473,372.
- Motor Vehicle Accident: A collision involving a commercial delivery truck resulted in traumatic brain injury to a 50+ year old woman. Jury verdict after a three-week trial of $5,185,000. Net to client after legal fees and litigation expenses: $3,073,000.00.
- Truck Wreck: Plaintiff had a very serious injury – temporary paraplegia. Settlement net to client after expenses and fees: $850,000.00.
- Motorcycle/Truck Accident: This case involved a wrongful death claim and reached a confidential settlement. Net to client: $789,714.00.
- 18-Wheeler Accident: Settlement net to clients after expenses and fees: $473,510.76.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different and depends on its specific facts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Truck Accident Claims
Trucking companies or their insurers might reach out soon after the accident, often to gather info or push for a quick settlement. Be cautious. Don't share details or admit fault until you've talked to your own lawyer. It's easy to say something that could hurt your case later.
Truck accident claims in Texas often involve big rigs like 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, tanker trucks, or other commercial vehicles. The truck's type is important because it influences the investigation, from brake systems to load regulations.
These cases can drag on because they require digging into driver logs, company records, black box data, and sometimes multiple parties (like the driver, company, and manufacturers). It takes time to piece together exactly what went wrong and prove fault.
Key evidence includes photos of the scene and damage, witness statements, police reports, driver logs, maintenance records, and electronic data (like from the truck's black box). Gathering evidence early can help document what happened and support your claim.
You generally have two years from the accident date under the Texas statute of limitations (Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003). Exceptions can apply, like for minors or government vehicles. You may consider speaking with a lawyer about your situation.
Truck evidence like driver logs, maintenance files, and electronic data can vanish or get overwritten quickly. Jumping on it early locks in the details before they disappear, giving you a way to help support your claim.
No, many settle through negotiations or insurance talks. If there are delays or a lower settlement offer, a case might head to court to resolve the claim based on the facts of the case.