Texas Truck Accident Lawyer

Hurt in a Truck Accident Anywhere in Texas? We’re Ready to Fight for You

Representing Victims of 18-Wheeler, Tractor Trailer, and Big Rig Collisions Across Texas – From Dallas to the Rio Grande Valley

Accidents involving large commercial trucks happen with alarming frequency across Texas. Highways stretching from Houston to Dallas, San Antonio to El Paso, see thousands of 18-wheeler and big rig trips every day. Unfortunately, Texas consistently leads the nation in truck accident numbers and fatalities. Each year, there are tens of thousands of crashes involving big trucks on Texas roads, and hundreds of people lose their lives in these collisions. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) data and reports from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) confirm that our state sees a disproportionately high share of serious truck accidents.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident anywhere in Texas, you need a skilled attorney who understands the complexities of these cases. The Adley Law Firm is based in Houston but handles truck accident cases throughout Texas – including major cities like Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, and the Rio Grande Valley. We know how devastating a tractor-trailer crash can be, and we are committed to helping accident victims statewide pursue justice and fair compensation.

Read More:

• Common Types of Truck Accidents
• Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
• Insurance & Liability Issues
• Our Approach to Truck Accident Cases
• Texas Truck Accident FAQs
• Free Consultation & Contact

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Texas

Truck accidents can happen in many different ways. Some of the most common types of 18-wheeler accidents we see in Texas include:

• Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out of alignment and forms an “L” shape with the cab, often due to hard braking or slick roads. This kind of crash can easily involve multiple other vehicles.
• Rollover Crashes: Large trucks have a high center of gravity. Taking a turn or curve too fast, or sudden swerving, can cause a truck to tip over onto its side or roof.
• Underride Collisions: In an underride accident, a smaller vehicle ends up forced under the trailer of a truck, often shearing off the top of the car. Underride crashes are among the most deadly. They typically occur when a truck stops abruptly or when a car slides under a trailer from behind or the side.
• Cargo Spills and Lost Loads: If cargo is not properly secured, it can spill onto the road or directly onto other vehicles, leading to multi-vehicle accidents and serious injuries. Sudden spills of heavy goods or hazardous materials are especially dangerous.

Each type of accident may have different causes and legal implications. For instance, a jackknife might point to driver error or improper maintenance, whereas a cargo spill could indicate negligence by the loading company. A knowledgeable Texas truck accident lawyer will investigate the specific circumstances of your crash to determine exactly what happened and who is responsible.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

A collision with an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck is a frightening experience. In the aftermath, your actions can significantly impact your health and your legal claim. Here are the key steps to take if you’re involved in a truck accident in Texas:

1. Call 911 immediately. Report the accident to emergency services so that police and medical responders come to the scene. Having an official police report is very important for any future claim. Tell the dispatcher your location as precisely as possible (for example, use highway mile markers or the nearest town if you’re on a rural road).
2. Seek medical attention. Allow paramedics to evaluate you and others for injuries. If you are seriously hurt, you’ll likely be taken to the hospital. Even if you feel “okay,” get a medical checkup as soon as you can after the crash. Some injuries, like internal injuries or concussions, may not be obvious right away. Medical records linking your injuries to the accident are crucial evidence for your claim.
3. Document the scene if you can. If you are able and it’s safe to do so, take photos or video of the accident scene. Get pictures of the vehicle damage (both your car and the truck), skid marks, road conditions, and any relevant traffic signs or signals. Also, get contact information from witnesses and note the trucking company’s name and the truck’s license or unit numbers if possible. This evidence can be very valuable later.
4. Do NOT admit fault or apologize. In the shock of an accident, people sometimes say “I’m sorry” or assume they might be to blame. Avoid making any comments about fault – to the truck driver, witnesses, or the police. Even a polite apology could be twisted by insurance companies as an admission of liability. It’s best to stick to the facts when speaking with the police.
5. Consult a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Trucking companies and their insurers often deploy their own investigators immediately after a crash. You need someone on your side to protect your interests. An experienced Texas truck accident attorney will advise you on your rights, deal with the insurance companies for you, and start investigating the crash right away. Don’t worry about the cost – reputable truck accident lawyers (including The Adley Law Firm) work on contingency, so it costs you nothing upfront to get legal help.

Insurance & Liability Issues in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident claims are more complex than typical car accident cases, largely due to the number of potential parties involved and the higher stakes. In a Texas truck accident, the following parties might bear liability:

• Truck Driver: If the trucker was negligent (e.g., speeding, distracted, or fatigued), they can be held responsible for the crash. Truck drivers must follow special regulations, such as limits on hours of driving without rest. Violations of these rules (or driving under the influence) can clearly establish the driver’s negligence.
• Trucking Company: The company that employs the driver (or owns the truck) can often be held liable for the actions of its driver under Texas law. Companies are also responsible for properly training drivers, maintaining their fleet, and following all safety regulations. If the company pushed the driver to meet unrealistic delivery schedules or failed to enforce safety rules, it may be a big factor in your case.
• Truck Owner or Maintenance Provider: Some trucks are owned by one company and leased to another, or maintained by a third-party service. If poor maintenance (such as worn brakes or bald tires) contributed to the crash, the party responsible for the truck’s upkeep could share fault for the accident.

With so many parties potentially involved, determining liability in a truck accident requires a thorough investigation. It also means there may be multiple insurance policies in play. A single truck might have multiple insurance policies (for the truck, the trailer, and even the cargo). These insurance companies often fight hard to reduce or deny claims – sometimes by pointing fingers at each other or even blaming the victim. This makes it crucial to have a skilled attorney to navigate the insurance maze on your behalf.

Proving negligence in a truck crash can involve piecing together a lot of evidence. This may include the truck’s electronic logging device data (to see if the driver broke hours-of-service rules), GPS records of the truck’s route and speed, the driver’s hiring and training records, results from post-accident drug/alcohol tests, and more. An experienced attorney will know how to obtain and interpret these records to prove negligence and hold all at-fault parties accountable.

Our Approach to Truck Accident Cases in Texas

The Adley Law Firm has a proven record of handling truck accident cases across the state of Texas. When you hire our firm, you are getting a team that knows how to take on big trucking companies and win. Here’s how we approach truck accident injury cases for our clients:

• Proven Experience & Resources: Our legal team focuses on serious accident cases, including 18-wheeler and commercial truck crashes. We have successfully represented clients in complex truck accident claims and secured substantial settlements and verdicts. We also have the resources to investigate your crash thoroughly and gather evidence (using experts when needed). We prepare each case as if it will go to trial, which often pressures the opposition to offer a fair settlement.
• Personalized Attention: We give each client compassionate, one-on-one attention. You will be kept informed about your case, and if you prefer to communicate in Spanish, se habla español – our team can accommodate that.
• No Win, No Fee Promise: Like most personal injury firms, The Adley Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. We do not charge any upfront fees. In fact, you pay nothing at all unless and until we recover money for you. Our payment is a percentage of the settlement or award, and we only get paid when you get paid. This means you can hire the best Texas truck accident lawyers without worrying about costs.

We handle the legal heavy lifting and fight for your rights every step of the way. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you – so that you receive fair compensation and can move forward after the accident.

Texas Truck Accident FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions from people across Texas who have been involved in accidents with big rigs and commercial trucks.

Q: Who can be held liable for a truck accident in Texas?

A: Potentially many parties. The truck driver is an obvious one if they were negligent. The trucking company can also be held liable for its driver’s actions (and for any negligent hiring, training, or maintenance). Other liable parties might include the truck’s owner (if different from the operating company), a cargo loading company (if shifting or spilled cargo caused the wreck), or a manufacturer of a defective part on the truck. An experienced lawyer will investigate all angles to identify every party that contributed to the accident.

Q: Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?

A: Possibly, yes. Texas follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, any compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault. In practical terms, if you were 20% at fault, your final award would be 20% less. But if you are found 51% or more at fault, you would be barred from recovering anything. Insurance companies often try to exaggerate a victim’s share of blame to reduce their payout, so having a lawyer to defend you against unfair blame is very important.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a Texas truck accident lawyer?

A: It usually costs nothing upfront. Truck accident attorneys like ours work on a contingency fee basis. That means the lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the money recovered for you, and if no money is recovered, you owe no attorney’s fee. At The Adley Law Firm, we also offer a free initial consultation. This way, you can discuss your case with us at no cost and no risk. Our clients pay nothing out of pocket to get us started on their case – we only get paid after we win compensation in a settlement or trial.

Free Consultation & Contact

A serious truck accident can turn your life upside down, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The Adley Law Firm is ready to help truck accident victims anywhere in Texas. We offer a FREE consultation to evaluate your case and answer your questions. There’s no obligation – it’s simply an opportunity to understand your rights and what steps you can take, and if you decide to hire us, remember that we charge no fees upfront and no fees at all unless we win your case. This “no win, no fee” promise means you can get top-quality legal representation immediately without worrying about costs. Our interests align with yours – we only get paid when you get paid.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Evidence can fade over time, so the sooner you have an attorney working for you, the better. Contact us today at (713) 999-8669 or send us a message online to set up your free consultation with an experienced Texas truck accident attorney. Hablamos Español. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.