Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Cases We Handle

As experienced truck accident lawyers in Houston, TX, we represent accident victims involved in all types of truck accidents, including truck accident lawsuits involving:

18-Wheelers and Tractor-Trailers

Due to their size and weight, these large commercial trucks often cause devastating collisions, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. This requires an in-depth understanding of federal trucking regulations.

Commercial Delivery Trucks

Accidents involving delivery vehicles, such as those from major retailers, can occur due to factors like driver fatigue or tight schedules, and our truck accident attorneys are skilled in investigating these incidents.

Tanker Trucks

Collisions involving trucks carrying hazardous materials pose significant risks and require specific legal knowledge regarding the transport of dangerous goods and potential environmental concerns.

Flatbed Trucks

Accidents with these trucks, often carrying heavy or unsecured loads, can result in unique challenges related to cargo securement and potential roadway debris hazards.

Accidents Involving Passenger Vehicles

We provide dedicated legal support to those injured or families who have lost loved ones in collisions where large commercial vehicles impact smaller passenger vehicles.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

With the average weight of a loaded 18-wheeler topping off at 80,000 pounds, crashes involving these vehicles can be extremely violent and devastating, resulting in catastrophic injuries that our Houston truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling, including:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

From concussions to severe brain damage, traumatic brain injuries from truck crashes can cause permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, memory loss, and other life-altering consequences requiring extensive rehabilitation and long-term care.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord in a truck accident can result in partial or complete paralysis, significantly altering a victim's quality of life and necessitating modifications to living spaces, specialized medical equipment, and ongoing care.

Broken Bones

The tremendous force in truck collisions with passenger vehicles often causes multiple fractures requiring surgical intervention, metal plates or screws, and extended physical therapy for recovery. These injuries usually result in significant lost wages, which we include in your personal injury claim.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons in a semi-truck accident can cause chronic pain and mobility limitations, often requiring ongoing pain management and rehabilitation that insurance companies frequently try to minimize in truck accident claims.

Neck and Back Injuries

From herniated or bulging discs to cervical sprains, these injuries, common in commercial vehicle accidents, can cause debilitating pain and nerve damage, potentially leading to chronic conditions requiring surgical intervention that experienced truck accident attorneys will fight to have covered.

Emotional and Psychological Trauma

Many truck accident victims experience PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other psychological effects that require professional counseling and therapy alongside physical recovery. Our Houston truck accident attorneys ensure these non-physical damages are included in your personal injury lawsuit.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Our truck accident lawyer team investigates all potential causes of Texas truck accident cases. According to federal trucking regulations and our experience with truck crash investigations, these incidents commonly result from:

• Driver fatigue: Federal hours-of-service regulations are frequently violated as drivers face pressure to meet delivery deadlines. Drowsy driving significantly impairs reaction time and decision-making abilities, creating dangers similar to driving under the influence.
• Distracted driving: When truck drivers text, adjust navigation systems, or engage in other activities that take their attention from the road, the consequences can be deadly. Even a few seconds of distraction at highway speeds can lead to catastrophic collisions.
• Improper maintenance: Trucking companies that neglect regular maintenance put everyone at risk. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions are often preventable issues that lead to serious accidents.
• Speeding and reckless driving: Commercial drivers exceeding speed limits or driving aggressively in adverse weather conditions significantly increase accident risks, especially considering the extended stopping distance required for large trucks.
• Improper loading: Unbalanced or unsecured cargo can shift during transport, causing jackknife accidents, rollovers, or debris hazards for other motorists.
• Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous no matter the type of vehicle someone is driving, but with a tractor-trailer, it can be deadly.

Comparative Liability in Texas Truck Accident Cases

Texas follows a "modified comparative negligence" rule, which means you can recover damages in your Texas truck accident claim if you're found to be less than 51% responsible for the crash. However, your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you're awarded $100,000 in damages but found 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. A skilled Houston truck accident attorney can effectively counter attempts by the trucking company and its insurance company to shift blame onto you.

Why Truck Accident Claims Are Often Denied

The commercial trucking industry's insurance company often tries to reduce payouts to truck accident victims. Understanding why your truck accident claim might be denied is key to protecting your rights. As your experienced truck accident attorney in Houston, TX, we know these common denial tactics.

• Insufficient evidence: Without strong proof of the truck crash, your truck accident injuries, and damages, the trucking company's insurance may reject your personal injury claim. Our law firm thoroughly investigates every truck accident, even accessing the truck's black box.
• Policy exclusions: The insurance company for the trucker and trucking company might argue that your commercial vehicle accident isn't covered. Our qualified truck accident attorney team carefully reviews all policies to find all possible ways for accident victims to recover.
• Delayed reporting: Failing to report your Houston truck accident quickly can lead to denial. Our experienced truck accident lawyer ensures all necessary filings for your truck accident lawsuit meet Texas truck accident deadlines.
• Shared fault: Insurers often try to blame car accidents involving commercial trucks on the victims. Our Houston truck accident lawyer team builds strong cases to fight these tactics from the commercial trucking company.
• Pre-existing conditions: The insurance company frequently claims spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries existed before the semi-truck accident. We work with experts to prove the link between the serious truck accident and your current medical expenses.

How Our Houston 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Can Help You

The Omar Ochoa Law Firm provides comprehensive representation for truck accident victims. Our personal injury law team offers:

• Thorough investigation: Our semi truck accident lawyers promptly secure evidence, including the truck's black box data, truck driver logs, maintenance records of commercial trucks, and commercial trucking company policies.
• Thorough consultation: Our Houston truck accident attorneys build compelling truck accident cases that demonstrate liability of the trucker and trucking company while establishing the full extent of your damages from the truck crash.
• Maximum compensation pursuit: Our team calculates all current and future damages, including medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life for victims of both non-fatal and fatal truck accidents.
• Skilled negotiation with insurance companies: Our reputation as experienced truck accident attorneys willing and able to pursue a truck accident lawsuit often results in favorable settlements without lengthy court proceedings.
• Trial representation: If a fair settlement of your Texas truck accident claim cannot be reached, our experienced truck accident attorneys will present your personal injury claim convincingly before a jury.