When a truck accident turns your life upside down, JCJ Law Group is here to fight for what’s rightfully yours. We take on the tough battles against big insurers ensuring you get what you deserve. Don’t settle for anything less than total compensation. Contact our trucking accident injury lawyers in Houston for a free case evaluation.
Common reasons for truck accidents in Texas:
Driver fatigue
Truck drivers often face grueling schedules and tight deadlines, leading to long hours behind the wheel without adequate rest. Fatigue impairs reaction times, decision-making, and overall driving ability. In such situations, the trucking company can be held accountable for enforcing unrealistic schedules or failing to monitor compliance with rest regulations. Contact our trucking accident injury lawyers in Houston to see if you have a case.
Improper maintenance
A poorly maintained truck is a hazard on wheels. Commercial trucks require regular maintenance to ensure safety. Neglecting routine checks and repairs can lead to brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues. In this situation. the trucking company or the maintenance provider can be liable for neglecting necessary maintenance and repairs.
Overloaded cargo
Overloading a truck beyond its weight capacity can make it unstable and difficult to control. Overloaded trucks are more prone to tipping over, especially during sharp turns or sudden stops. In such situations, the cargo loading company or the trucking company can be held responsible for exceeding weight limits or improperly securing the cargo.
Reckless driving
Reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and ignoring traffic signals, significantly increase the risk of accidents, and the size of the truck amplifies the impact of collision. The driver can be held directly accountable for reckless behaviors, and the trucking company may share liability if it encouraged or ignored such actions. Our trucking accident injury lawyers in Houston will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve.
Distracted driving
Distractions like texting, eating, or using a GPS can take a driver’s attention away from the road. For truck drivers, even a momentary lapse in attention can result in catastrophic accidents due to the size and weight of their vehicles. Distracted driving is a leading cause of preventable accidents. In such situations, the driver is primarily responsible for maintaining focus.
Poor weather conditions
Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, fog, ice, and snow, create hazardous driving environments. Trucks require longer stopping distances and can easily skid or lose control on slick roads. In most cases, the driver is responsible for failing to adjust to weather conditions. However, the trucking company may share liability if it requires travel in unsafe weather.
Inadequate training
Operating a large commercial truck requires specialized skills and knowledge. Inadequately trained drivers may lack the ability to handle their vehicles safely, particularly in challenging driving conditions. The trucking company is responsible for ensuring its drivers receive adequate training and can be held liable if a lack of training leads to an accident. Contact our trucking accident injury lawyers in Houston for a free case evaluation.
Steps to take immediately after a truck accident in Houston:
- Ensure safety by moving to a safe location if possible and turning on hazard lights.
- Check for injuries and call 911 for medical assistance, even if injuries seem minor.
- Report the accident to the police and provide them with accurate details.
- Collect information from all parties involved, including names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers.
- Document the scene by taking photos of the vehicles, damages, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Gather witness statements and contact information for anyone who saw the accident.
- Avoid admitting fault or making statements about the accident to anyone except the police.
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Notify your insurance company about the accident and provide all necessary information.
- Consult with our trucking accident injury lawyers in Houston to understand your rights.
What Will Our Truck Accident Attorneys Do If You've Been Injured?
If you’ve been involved in a trucking accident in Houston, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you’ve incurred and any damage to your property. Here’s what hiring an attorney at JCJ Law Group in Houston will do to help your case:
- Investigate the accident by gathering all evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and accident scene photos.
- Analyze the truck’s maintenance records, driver’s logbooks, and company compliance with safety regulations.
- Collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause and fault of the accident.
- Communicate with medical professionals to understand the extent of your injuries and obtain detailed medical reports.
- Calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement that covers all your losses.
- Prepare to take your case to trial if the insurer refuses to offer a reasonable settlement.
- Advocate for you in court to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
- Update you regularly on the progress of your case and address any concerns you have.
Get A Free Case Evaluation
How To Find Liability In A Truck Accident
Finding liability in a truck accident isn’t just about pointing fingers; it’s about proving who pays. When 80,000 pounds of steel wipes someone out, there’s always a fight about responsibility. Insurance companies will do everything they can to deny, delay, and deflect.
That’s why figuring out liability is the most important step in getting paid. If you don’t lock down who’s at fault, you don’t get a dime. And in truck accidents, there’s rarely just one party involved. You’ve got drivers, companies, maintenance crews, and cargo shippers pointing at each other while you’re stuck with the bills and mounting expenses. Here’s how the real pros get it done.
Start with the truck driver’s actions
Was the driver speeding? Texting? Nodding off behind the wheel? Every move the trucker made in the minutes (and hours) before the crash matters. We dig into driver logs, black box data, and the Hours of Service records to find violations. If the driver was over their time limit or ignoring federal rest rules, it’s a smoking gun. And if they were drunk, that’s a liability jackpot.
Examine the trucking company’s safety practices
The company behind the wheel has blood on its hands more often than you think. Did they hire a driver with a terrible record? Skip basic training? Ignore red-flag maintenance issues? If the company cut corners to save a buck and someone got hurt, they’re on the hook.
Investigate the truck’s maintenance
Bald tires, bad brakes, busted signals: any one of these can turn an 80,000-pound rig into a guided missile. Maintenance records can help prove liability. If the company skipped inspections or pushed trucks out of the yard knowing they weren’t road-safe, they’re liable.
Look at third parties like cargo loaders
Sometimes it’s not the driver or the company; it’s the guy who overloaded the trailer or didn’t secure the cargo. Improper loading causes rollovers, jackknifes, and deadly spills. These third parties aren’t off-limits. If they played a role in the wreck, we drag them into court too.
Launch your own investigation
Police reports are a start. Insurance adjusters are a joke. If you want real answers, you need your own legal team on the ground ASAP. We’re talking accident reconstruction, expert witnesses, and on-scene inspections. This is how you build liability that sticks and wins.
Truck accidents FAQs
Who can be held responsible for a truck accident?
Responsibility for a truck accident can fall on various parties:
- Truck Driver: For reckless driving, fatigue, or distraction.
- Trucking Company: For unrealistic schedules, lack of maintenance, or poor driver training.
- Maintenance Provider: For failing to service the truck properly.
- Cargo Loading Company: For overloading or improperly securing the cargo.
- Truck Manufacturer: For defects in the truck or its components.
Contact our trucking accident injury lawyers in Houston for a free case evaluation.
What types of compensation can I receive after a truck accident?
- Medical Expenses: Covers current and future medical bills related to the accident.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to inability to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for repairs or replacement of damaged property.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for loss of companionship or support from a loved one.
- Punitive Damages: Additional compensation if the truck driver or company’s behavior was particularly reckless or egregious.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Acting quickly is essential to preserve evidence and ensure your case is filed within this timeframe.
What evidence do I need to collect for a truck accident case?
If you’ve been hit by a semi-truck, don’t expect the trucking company or their insurance adjuster to hand you the evidence that proves your case. They’re already working overtime to cover their ass and minimize what they owe you. In a truck accident case, the burden is on you, or more accurately, your attorney, to gather the proof. Without solid evidence, your claim is just another complaint they can ignore. Here’s the evidence that actually moves the needle in court.
Photos and video from the scene
Visual evidence is powerful. If you’re physically able after the crash, take pictures or video of everything: vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, weather, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. The more angles and details, the better. If you can’t do it, a good lawyer will send an investigator immediately. You need to act fast to ensure all possible evidence is preserved.
The truck’s “black box” data
Most commercial trucks are equipped with an electronic logging device (ELD), aka the “black box.” It records speed, braking, steering, hours driven, and more. This can prove the trucker was speeding, fatigued, or didn’t react properly before the crash. But here’s the catch: they don’t have to save it forever. If you don’t act fast and get a court order to preserve it, it’s gone.
Driver logs and maintenance records
Federal law requires drivers to keep logs of their hours behind the wheel. It also requires the company to keep records of maintenance. If a driver was over their hours or the truck had a known defect that went unfixed, that’s gold. It shows negligence and liability.
Witness statements and police reports
Independent witnesses can make or break your case. Their account can confirm how the crash happened and who was at fault. Always get their contact info if possible. Police reports are also useful, especially if the officer cited the truck driver or noted any violations. But don’t assume the report tells the full story. Your legal team must dig deeper and verify everything.
What do I do if I'm partly at fault for the truck accident?
If you think you’re partially at fault in a truck accident, don’t panic, and definitely don’t admit it to anyone. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. But your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame. So if you’re 30% responsible, you’d get 70% of the total payout.
Here’s what you need to do, step by step:
- Don’t admit fault to anyone: Not to the truck driver, not to the cop, and absolutely not to the insurance adjuster. Even saying “I’m sorry” can get twisted into an admission of liability.
- Document everything: Take photos of the scene, your injuries, the damage, road conditions—everything. The more evidence you have, the better chance you have of showing that the truck driver or company bears most of the blame.
- Get witness info: Third-party witnesses can help prove what really happened. Their testimony can shift fault away from you and onto the trucker, where it belongs.
- Hire an attorney immediately: This isn’t the time for DIY. You need a lawyer who knows how to fight comparative fault arguments and minimize your percentage of blame.
- Let your lawyer do the talking: Don’t deal with the insurance companies yourself. We know their games, and we shut them down.
Contact Us for a
Free Case Evaluation
