An 80,000-pound truck can cause devastating injuries. If you were hurt, we’ll help you fight back.

Your Advocate Against Trucking Companies
  • We Fight Big Trucking Companies: We are not afraid to take them on.
  • We Know the Trucking Laws: These cases have special rules we understand.
  • We Speak English and Spanish: Our bilingual team is here for your family.
  • You Pay Us Nothing Unless We Win: There are no upfront costs for you.
Get Your Free Truck Accident Case Review

Houston Truck Accident Lawyer — 18-Wheeler & Commercial Truck Crashes

What should I do if I was hit by an 18-wheeler in Houston?

Call 911 immediately, seek medical care, photograph everything, and contact a truck accident attorney before speaking to any insurance company. Trucking companies send their own investigators to the crash scene almost immediately. In Texas you have 2 years to sue, but critical evidence like the truck’s black box can disappear within hours or days.

A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When it collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. The trucking company’s lawyers may arrive at the scene before you even have a chance to call for help. Attorney Ricardo N. González has spent over 40 years standing up to powerful trucking corporations in Texas.

URGENT: The truck’s black box can be overwritten within days. In Texas you have 2 years to sue — but in truck cases you must act within hours, not months.

Our firm handles all types of serious injury cases. Learn more about our overall approach and the experience that guides us.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different

A wreck with a semi-truck is more complicated than a normal car crash. Here’s why:

  • Very Serious Injuries: The huge size and weight of big rigs often cause life-changing injuries, like brain and spine damage.
  • More People Can Be at Fault: It might not just be the driver’s fault. The trucking company, the team that loaded the truck, or a parts maker could also be responsible.
  • Special Federal Trucking Rules: Trucking is a national industry with strict federal safety rules. If the company broke these rules, it is strong proof for your case.
  • Trucking Companies Fight Hard: They often send their own investigators to the scene right away to protect their money, not to help you.

If the truck was an interstate tractor-trailer operating under federal authority, your case also falls under FMCSA jurisdiction — meaning more regulations that may have been violated and more avenues for proving negligence. In the most tragic cases, a truck wreck can be fatal. We provide compassionate guidance for families.

If the truck that hit you was a tractor-trailer operating interstate routes, we have specific experience representing victims of these cases in Houston and the surrounding area.”

Learn about the federal agency that makes the rules for the trucking industry.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Wrecks

Most truck wrecks are not accidents; they are caused by someone being careless. We investigate all possible causes, including:

  • Tired Drivers: Many drivers are pushed to stay on the road longer than is safe.
  • Poor Truck Upkeep: The trucking company may not have done the needed safety checks or repairs on the truck’s brakes or tires.
  • Unsafe Loads: Cargo that is too heavy or not tied down correctly can cause a driver to lose control.
  • Poorly Trained Drivers: The company may have hired a driver without the right experience.
1 in 10

fatal accidents in Texas involves a commercial truck (Source: TxDOT)

80,000 lbs

maximum legal weight of a fully loaded 18-wheeler on U.S. highways

Wondering how the value of your case is determined? Read our guide on calculating ‘pain and suffering’.

If you are helping a parent or family member navigate this process, read our comprehensive caregiver’s guide to learn the best ways to support them.

Why Acting Fast to Save Evidence is So Important

In a trucking case, key evidence can be lost or destroyed very quickly. As soon as you hire us, we act fast to protect this evidence. We send a legal notice to the trucking company telling them they must save important items like:

  • The Truck’s “Black Box”: This records key data like speed and braking.
  • The Driver’s Logbooks: These show if the driver was on the road too long.
  • Repair and Inspection Records: These can show if the truck was unsafe.

Warning: Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance?

Getting this proof early can make a huge difference in your case. Learn why clients and their families trust us to act quickly on their behalf.

18-wheeler accident attorney

How does a truck accident case work in Texas?

1

Free consultation — we evaluate your case
We explain at no charge whether you have a valid claim against the driver, the trucking company, or both.

2

Legal evidence preservation notice
We immediately send a legal hold notice to the trucking company requiring them to preserve the black box, driving logs, and all recordings.

3

Deep investigation
We analyze maintenance records, the driver’s employment history, hours-of-service logs, and any violated FMCSA regulations.

4

Identify all liable parties
The driver, company, cargo loader, and parts manufacturers can each share responsibility. More defendants = more potential compensation.

5

Settlement or trial
We negotiate with all evidence on our side. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we go to trial. With 40+ years of experience, we are not afraid to fight.

How much is an 18-wheeler accident case worth in Texas?

Truck accident cases typically carry higher values than standard car accidents because of the catastrophic damage involved:

Factor
How It Affects Your Case Value

Injury severity

Spinal injuries, brain damage, and amputations in truck crashes often result in six- or seven-figure settlements

Multiple liable parties

More defendants (company, loader, manufacturer) = greater potential compensation

FMCSA violations

Evidence that the company broke federal regulations is powerful proof of negligence

Destroyed or altered records

If the company destroyed evidence, courts can impose additional sanctions

Long-term economic impact

Serious injuries affecting future work capacity significantly increase case value

Worried about the cost of care? Learn how your medical bills get paid after an accident.

A Deeper Dive into Truck Accident Liability

Understanding why a truck accident happened is the key to a successful case. It’s often more complicated than simple driver error. To help you understand these complexities, we’ve created in-depth guides on the most critical aspects of a truck accident claim.

2 years

legal deadline in Texas to sue — but act within days to preserve the black box

FMCSA

federal agency regulating hours of service, inspections, and commercial driver standards

Key terms in Texas truck accident cases

FMCSA

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — the federal agency that regulates commercial trucks. Its rules on driving hours and inspections are central to these cases.

Black box (EDR)

The Event Data Recorder captures speed, braking, and acceleration in the seconds before a crash. It is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence — and can be overwritten quickly.

Hours of Service logs

Required records showing how many hours the driver worked. Exceeding federal limits is direct evidence of company negligence.

Third-party claim

A lawsuit against someone other than your direct employer — such as the trucking company, cargo loader, or truck manufacturer.

Spoliation of evidence

The destruction or alteration of evidence after an accident. Courts can impose harsh penalties on companies that destroy black box data or driving records.

Common Questions About Truck Wrecks

You may be able to get money from more than just the driver. This can include the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and others. We look into every company that may be responsible.

Do not talk to them or sign anything. Their only goal is to pay you as little as possible. Tell them that your lawyer will call them.

These cases have special rules and powerful opponents. A lawyer who has experience fighting big trucking companies will know what to look for and how to build the strongest case for you.

Yes, absolutely. Our firm is fully bilingual. We can speak directly with your loved one in Spanish and keep you updated in English. This ensures everyone is comfortable and understands what is happening with the case.

We have created a detailed, step-by-step guide that explains the entire personal injury claim process, from the first investigation to the final settlement check. Read the guide here.

Yes, absolutely. A headache is one of the most common symptoms of a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a high-impact collission. We’ve written a detailed guide on the “hidden” symptoms of head injuries and why ignoring them is a danger to your health and your case. Read the guide here.

This is a frustrating part of the process, and you have rights. We’ve written a detailed guide that explains what a “total loss” means in Texas, how to get fair market value for your car, and how to negotiate with the adjuster. Read the guide here.

This is a situation we help clients with every day. You should not have to choose between your health and your finances. We use a legal tool called a Letter of Protection (LOP) that allows you to get the medical treatment you need now. Read our detailed guide to learn exactly how it works.

Often both. The company can be liable for negligent hiring, pushing drivers past legal hour limits, or failing to maintain the vehicle. We investigate all angles.

These cases are more complex because drivers may be independent contractors. However, the parent company may still be liable depending on the level of control they exercised.

Yes. Accidents on any Houston or Harris County roadway are actionable. The I-10 and I-45 are among the busiest and most dangerous truck routes in Texas.

You have 2 years. But in truck cases you should act within days — the black box and electronic logs can be overwritten very quickly.

Yes. In many cases the company bears primary responsibility for negligent hiring, pushing drivers past legal limits, or failing to maintain the vehicle.

Undocumented? You still have rights. If you or a family member were injured and you’re worried about your immigration status, please know this: Texas law protects your right to compensation regardless of your documentation. We never share your information with immigration authorities. Everything you tell us is completely confidential. Your status will never affect the way we fight for you.

Have more questions? Get clear, confidential answers about your case.

Contact a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Immediately

The time to act after a truck wreck is now. Your family needs to be protected, and evidence needs to be saved. Contact our law firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to you, explain your rights, and tell you how we can help. You pay nothing unless we win.

Schedule Your Free, Confidential Consultation