A collision with an 18-wheeler can change everything in seconds. Don’t face the aftermath alone.
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Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents in Houston can be catastrophic, causing severe injuries, extensive medical bills, and financial stress for victims. These collisions frequently occur on high-traffic routes such as I-10, I-45, US-59, Beltway 8, Highway 6, and Highway 290. At Juan L. Guerra, Jr. & Associates, our experienced Houston truck accident lawyers investigate every detail, uncovering causes like driver fatigue, unsafe cargo, or poor maintenance. We build strong cases to hold negligent parties accountable and fight for maximum compensation, guiding you through the complexities of trucking laws and protecting your rights every step of the way.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Houston
Houston sees thousands of commercial trucks on its highways daily, and accidents involving 18-wheelers can leave victims with serious injuries and complex insurance challenges. Acting quickly after a crash is essential to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
- Seek emergency medical care
Your health comes first, and prompt treatment also documents your injuries for legal purposes.
- Call law enforcement
Ensure an official accident report is filed, which becomes vital evidence later.
- Gather evidence at the scene
Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries if you’re able.
- Collect driver and company details
Get the truck driver’s license, employer, insurance, and DOT number.
- Obtain witness information
Statements from people who saw the crash can support your claim.
- Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters
Their goal is to minimize payouts, not protect your interests.
- Contact an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer
A lawyer can secure driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and ensure all liable parties are held accountable.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents occur in many different forms, and each type presents its own challenges in proving liability and recovering damages. Understanding the most frequent accident types helps explain why victims need an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer to guide their claims.
- Rollover Accidents: When a truck tips onto its side or roof, often due to speeding, sharp turns, or shifting cargo.
- Jackknife Accidents: Occur when the trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle to the cab, blocking multiple lanes.
- Underride Accidents: One of the deadliest types, where smaller vehicles slide underneath the truck’s trailer.
- Override Accidents: When a truck rear-ends and crushes a smaller vehicle beneath its weight.
- Rear-End Collisions: Caused by trucks’ longer stopping distances, often severe at intersections or in traffic.
- Head-On Collisions: Frequently fatal, often resulting from fatigue, distraction, or unsafe lane changes.
- T-Bone Accidents (Side-Impact): Common at intersections, where a truck hits the side of another vehicle.
- Wide-Turn Accidents: Happen when trucks swing too wide, trapping or striking nearby vehicles.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Linked to large “no-zones” around trucks that drivers fail to check.
- Tire Blowouts: Defective or poorly maintained tires can cause a driver to lose control.
- Brake Failure: When neglected maintenance or defects make stopping a fully loaded truck impossible.
- Cargo-Related Accidents: Improperly loaded or unsecured freight can spill or destabilize the vehicle.
- Hazardous Material Accidents: Involving trucks carrying fuel, chemicals, or toxins, often leading to burns or toxic exposure.
- Construction Zone Accidents: High risk in tight work zones where trucks can collide with vehicles or workers.
- Highway Merge & Lane-Change Accidents: Occur when trucks misjudge distance or fail to yield space.
- Drowsy Driving Accidents: Result from hours-of-service violations, where fatigued drivers fall asleep behind the wheel.
- Distracted Driving Accidents: Caused by texting, GPS use, or other in-cab distractions.
- Speeding & Reckless Driving Accidents: High speeds make trucks especially dangerous on Houston highways like I-45, I-69, or Beltway 8.
Types of Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents often cause life-changing or fatal injuries because of the sheer size and force of an 18-wheeler. Victims may face long recovery times, permanent disabilities, or wrongful death cases. Below are the most common injuries linked to trucking crashes:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI):
From concussions to severe brain damage, head trauma can impair memory, speech, or motor skills for life.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Often lead to partial or complete paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia.
Neck and Back Injuries
Herniated discs, whiplash, and chronic back pain are frequent in high-impact crashes.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Trucks can crush vehicles, causing complex fractures that may require surgery and metal implants.
Internal Organ Damage
Blunt-force trauma can injure the liver, kidneys, lungs, or spleen, sometimes requiring emergency surgery.
Internal Bleeding
Dangerous because it is not always immediately visible but can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Burn Injuries
Fires or hazardous materials can cause severe burns requiring skin grafts and long-term treatment.
Amputations and Crush Injuries
Limbs may be crushed in wreckage, sometimes leading to surgical amputation.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons that causes long-term mobility issues.
Disfigurement and Scarring
Permanent facial or bodily scarring may result from shattered glass, fires, or debris.
Psychological Injuries
PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common after traumatic truck collisions.
Wrongful Death
In the most tragic cases, families may pursue claims for the loss of a loved one.
How Fault Affects Your Claim
In Texas, your right to compensation after a truck accident depends on the degree of fault assigned to you under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule:
- Not at Fault
If you bear no responsibility for the crash, you can pursue full damages, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. With trucking companies backed by large insurers, Juan L. Guerra, Jr. & Associates fights to prove liability and maximize your recovery.
- Partially at Fault
Under Texas law, you can still recover compensation if you’re less than 51% at fault, though your award is reduced by your fault percentage. Insurers often try to inflate blame to cut payouts, but our team builds strong evidence to protect your rights.
- Fully at Fault
If you’re found 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover compensation. However, what appears to be your fault may stem from truck defects, poor maintenance, or company negligence. We investigate every detail to ensure blame isn’t unfairly placed on you.
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?
Unlike a simple fender bender, truck crashes often involve multiple responsible parties. Establishing liability is one of the most critical — and most complex — steps in pursuing a claim. A skilled Houston truck accident lawyer investigates every angle to hold the right parties accountable.
Potentially Liable Parties
- Truck Driver – when fatigue, distraction, or reckless driving causes the crash.
- Trucking Company – for unsafe hiring practices, poor training, or pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules.
- Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer – if a defect, such as brake failure or tire blowout, contributed to the accident.
- Cargo Loaders or Contractors – when improperly loaded or secured cargo leads to rollover or jackknife accidents.
- Maintenance Providers – if neglected inspections or faulty repairs played a role.
Common Legal Challenges
- Federal Regulations – compliance with FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) rules must be examined.
- Multiple Insurance Companies – each with lawyers trained to minimize payouts.
- Evidence Preservation – including driver logs, black box data, and maintenance records that may disappear quickly.
- Aggressive Defense – trucking companies often deploy rapid-response teams immediately after a crash to protect themselves.
Deadlines to File a Truck Accident Claim in Houston
If you’re injured in a truck accident, Texas law generally gives you two years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003). Claims involving government-owned vehicles may have deadlines as short as 90 days. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from recovering compensation. Our Houston truck accident lawyers act quickly to preserve critical evidence, meet every statutory deadline, and ensure your claim stays on track from start to finish.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Houston
Under Texas Insurance Code § 1952.101, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you if a truck crash is caused by a driver without insurance. This coverage can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages when the at-fault driver cannot. For truck accidents, where damages and injuries are often severe, having UM coverage is essential. Our Houston truck accident attorneys help you understand your policy, file claims, and maximize your recovery.
Compensation After a Truck Accident
A serious truck accident can change life in an instant. Victims often face hospital stays, rehabilitation, and months of lost income. With the help of a Houston truck accident lawyer, you can pursue compensation designed to rebuild your life and secure your future. Types of damages you may recover include:
- Medical Expenses
emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future care costs.
- Lost Wages & Future Earnings
coverage for time missed at work and reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering
for the physical and emotional impact of your injuries.
- Property Damage
repairs or replacement for your vehicle and personal property.
- Wrongful Death
support for families who have lost a loved one in a tragic crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
A truck accident lawyer investigates your crash, gathers evidence such as police reports, medical records, and truck maintenance logs, and works to hold negligent parties accountable. They negotiate with insurers and, if needed, represent you in court to maximize your compensation.
You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a truck accident, especially if there are serious injuries, disputes over fault, or complex insurance claims. Early consultation ensures evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.
Settlements vary widely depending on injury severity, fault, medical costs, lost wages, and property damage. While minor cases may settle for thousands, serious accidents involving permanent injury or wrongful death can result in settlements worth hundreds of thousands or even millions.
Houston Legal Help
JLG Law and Associates will contact you for a Free Legal Consultation
What Our Clients Say About Us
Our team has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts across personal injury and criminal defense matters. Whether it’s protecting your future or rebuilding after trauma, we deliver results that matter.
Consult an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston
Being injured in a Houston truck accident can be life-changing, leaving you with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery challenges. Commercial truck collisions often involve complex liability issues, and insurance companies may act quickly to minimize payouts or deny claims. Without the right lawyer, you risk not receiving the full compensation you deserve. At Juan L. Guerra, Jr. & Associates, we understand the tactics insurers use—from disputing fault to questioning the severity of injuries. Our team aggressively challenges lowball offers and presents strong evidence using police reports, medical records, witness statements, and accident reconstruction.
We offer a free, confidential consultation to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Whether your accident involved driver fatigue, improper cargo loading, or mechanical failure, we develop a strategy tailored to your situation. From negotiating with insurers to taking your case to trial if necessary, we fight to maximize your recovery and protect your future. When your health and finances are at stake, you need more than representation—you need a relentless Houston truck accident lawyer in your corner.
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