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Texas Truck Accident Lawyers

Texas Truck Accident Lawyers

Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in an accident involving a large truck, you could be entitled to substantial compensation.

Our undefeated Texas truck accident attorneys at Zehl & Associates have won Billions and consistently secured the largest truck and 18-wheeler accident recoveries in history on behalf of truck accident victims across Texas. With an experienced truck accident attorney by your side, you have the best chance of holding the trucking company accountable and recovering full compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Our award-winning trial lawyers have a proven track record of taking on the largest trucking companies in the United States and not just winning – but setting records. In the past 15 years alone, we’ve recovered Billions, including the largest truck and 18-wheeler accident settlements and verdicts in Texas, enabling our clients to care for themselves and their families for the rest of their lives.

Contact our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today at (888) 603-3636. We are available 24/7.

How the Record-Setting Team at Zehl & Associates Can Help After a Truck Accident

How the Record-Setting Team at Zehl & Associates Can Help After a Truck Accident

Our Truck and 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers are known for securing the #1 largest recoveries in history for Truck and 18 Wheeler Accident victims across the State of Texas.

In addition to being Undefeated, our 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers have won Billions and repeatedly set records with our verdicts and settlements, including:

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Trucking companies know that once our Truck Accident Attorneys are involved, they only have two choices: offer a settlement that fully compensates our clients and their families for all their injuries and damages or risk a record-setting verdict at trial.

Table of Contents

How Common Are Accidents Involving Semi-Trucks in Texas?

The trucking industry is vital to the Texas economy. Annually, the trucking industry creates 1.1 million jobs and creates $91.6 billion in Gross State Product. Unfortunately, commercial truck accidents are relatively common.

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) research, 19,425 car accidents involving large trucks were reported in Texas in 2022. 10,544 people were injured, and sadly, 803 people were killed.  

Preliminary data shows that truck accidents in the Lone Star State were no less common in 2023. In the first eight months of 2023 alone, 12,651 trucking accidents were reported. 7,209 people were injured in those truck wrecks, and another 429 died.

How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

The value of your case depends on the specific circumstances of your accident and injury.

While many factors can impact your case value, the following tend to be the most important:

  • The nature and severity of your injuries
  • Your prospects for making a full medical recovery
  • Your medical treatment costs
  • The physical pain you are enduring
  • How your ability to work and earn a living has changed
  • The long-term impact of the injury on your earnings, quality of life, and future 
  • The emotional trauma you have suffered
  • Insurance policy limits
  • Whether the insurance company can prove you share responsibility for the trucking accident

Trucking companies buy commercial insurance to protect themselves after an accident. These insurance policies often have higher coverage limits. Rather than work in your favor, however, that generally means the insurer will fight much harder to downplay your losses.

Our Texas truck accident attorneys have a 100% success rate in injury cases involving commercial vehicles. We’ve obtained record-setting awards by knowing precisely how much our client’s damages are worth — and rejecting lowball valuations and settlement offers. We will help you calculate the value of your claim and maximize the amount of compensation you receive from it.

Call us to discuss the factors involved in your claim and the best path forward.

What Kinds of Damages Can Accident Victims Recover By Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

You can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, also known as compensatory damages.

Your economic damages award should cover all financial expenses you’ve incurred due to the accident, including:

  • Past and future medical expenses, including ER visits, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, medications, etc.
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Nursing care
  • Rehabilitation 
  • Vehicle repair costs and other property damage

You can also pursue compensation for the physical pain and mental and emotional trauma and you have experienced due to the accident.

Common examples of non-economic damages include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression 
  • PTSD
  • Diminished enjoyment of life
  • Shame and embarrassment 
  • Disfigurement or scarring
  • Loss of consortium

Courts in Texas hesitate to award punitive damages. Punitive damages are only available if the defendant’s acts were intentional or amounted to malicious misconduct.

Do I Need an Attorney in a Semi-Truck Accident Case?

Of all personal injury claims, truck accident victims may benefit the most from an experienced attorney. Substantial insurance policies come into play, with millions of dollars of insurance coverage at stake. Trucking companies and their insurers will devote whatever it takes to fighting these claims, employing armies of attorneys, investigators, adjusters, and others to challenge your right to compensation.

They will try to get you to make mistakes that could hurt your case. They may ask you for a recorded or written statement that they can use against you later. They may request that you sign a medical records release to search for pre-existing injuries that could justify a lower claim payout. They may even blame you for your accident.

You don’t want to go up against these corporations alone. 

When you hire a truck accident lawyer, they will assist you by:

  • Explaining your rights and legal options throughout the process
  • Investigating the accident to gather evidence and identify liable parties
  • Locating all insurance policies that apply to your claim
  • Tracking and calculating the value of your damages so you know the amount to demand from the insurer
  • Working with leading experts in many fields, including medicine, trucking, and accident reconstruction, to demonstrate how the crash occurred and how it affected you
  • Handling all communications and negotiations with the trucking company 
  • Taking your case to trial to win a life-changing verdict if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement

Zehl & Associates has gotten a settlement or verdict in 100% of the truck accident cases we’ve handled. More than that, we’ve won some of our clients’ largest awards in Texas history.

Call us today or contact us online to learn more about how our attorneys can help you win your semi-truck accident claim and the process involved.

How To Find The Right Truck Accident Lawyer

How To Find The Right Truck Accident Lawyer

There are lots of personal injury attorneys who claim to specialize in truck accident cases in Texas. But there are less than a handful that regularly take these matters to trial and consistently win the largest verdicts and settlements in history. 

It’s crucial to hire a lawyer who specializes in personal injury and truck accident claims — and who has a track record of success to prove it. 

You can use the following strategies to search for a qualified truck accident lawyer:

Your choice of a lawyer will have a major impact on the amount of compensation you receive from your claim. It’s critical to get it right.

At Zehl & Associates, we have a 100% success rate in truck accident cases. We’ve won some of the largest monetary awards in history — and we frequently obtain seven- and even eight-figure amounts. 

Our track record is unmatched. We’re ready to put our skills, experience, and reputation behind your case to win you the compensation you deserve. We’ve already won billions for the clients who trusted us with their complex cases.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Most trucking accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning their recovery of attorney fees is contingent upon the result in your case. If your lawyer fails to obtain a settlement or verdict for you, you won’t owe them anything. If your legal team is successful, they will take a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your monetary award. 

Contingency fees ensure that quality legal representation is accessible for accident victims at a time when they need it most. Most injury attorneys also offer free consultations, making the financial risk of seeking legal help minimal. 

Our team is undefeated in truck accident cases. We have secured numerous record-breaking awards for our clients, so you can trust we know how to maximize the value of your case. Call us today to learn how we can help you and your family get the compensation you deserve.

What Happens if I’m Partially At Fault for a Truck Accident?

Texas has a modified comparative negligence law for cases that involve more than one at–fault party. Under these rules, you can recover compensation so long as you’re less than 51 percent at fault for the commercial vehicle crash. 

For example, suppose a court or jury determines that you are 20% at fault for a trucking accident and awards $1,000,000 in damages. In this case, your verdict will be reduced by 20% (to $800,000). 

Insurance companies frequently use these rules to limit their liability and minimize the payouts they owe to truck accident victims. They may blame you even if you bear 0% of the responsibility for the crash. That’s why it’s so important to hire a top-rated Texas truck wreck lawyer to protect your rights.

Zehl & Associates has a 100% success rate in personal injury cases. We won’t let trucking companies and their insurers get away with blaming you for your accident. We will hold them accountable for every penny they owe you. We’ve done it for decades — recovering record-breaking settlements and verdicts along the way.

Our Undefeated Trucking Accident Lawyers Will Fight to Recover Compensation for Your Injuries

Truck accident victims often suffer severe, catastrophic, and even fatal injuries. A large commercial vehicle can weigh up to 80,000 lbs or more. Passenger cars cannot withstand the size, force, and impact of a crash with such massive vehicles.

Victims of these collisions frequently sustain the following injuries:

The more serious your injuries, the more important it is to get the compensation you need for medical treatment and other expenses. Our record-breaking truck accident attorneys have the experience, resources, and winning track record you want behind your claim. We will obtain every cent of the compensation you deserve for your injuries so you have the resources to care and provide for yourself and your family for the rest of your lives.

What Causes Most Trucking Accidents in Texas?

Like any motor vehicle accident, most truck crashes occur because of driver error. Your accident may have more than one cause. To prove your truck accident claim, it’s essential to determine each factor that contributed to your crash.

Some key causes of commercial vehicle crashes include:

  • Failing to yield the right-of-way 
  • Tailgating 
  • Speeding
  • Texting while driving
  • Other types of distracted driving
  • Fatigued truck drivers and violation of FMCSA hours-of-service rules
  • Failing to follow other regulations
  • Aggressive driving
  • Weaving between lanes
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Wide turns 
  • Failing to account for the 18-wheeler’s longer stopping times
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Impaired driving
  • Improperly secured cargo
  • Road hazards 
  • Defective safety equipment and car parts

Mechanical failures, tire blowouts, and other problems that occur because of negligent vehicle maintenance can also cause truck wrecks.

We conduct exhaustive investigations into our clients’ truck accidents. We frequently consult with top experts in commercial trucking, medicine, and accident reconstruction to help us evaluate the factors involved in the accident.

We’ll do the same for you, and we’ll acquire the compensation you need to move forward after your crash. Call us to speak more about the process.

Trucking Regulations in Texas

Commercial vehicles and trucking companies are subject to a large body of state and federal regulations designed to keep roads safe in the presence of large trucks. Many of these rules are promulgated and enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The following laws frequently come into play during truck crash claims:

  • Texas requires truck drivers to possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
  • Trucking companies and drivers must obtain minimum amounts of liability insurance. In Texas, trucks that carry household goods and have a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 lbs must have a minimum of $70,000 in liability coverage.. The policy minimums are even larger for trucks that transport hazardous materials. 
  • Trucks that travel across state lines must purchase an MCS endorsement 
  • Trucking companies must comply with cargo weight limits (typically 80,000 lbs) and properly secure cargo.
  • Truck drivers must observe hours-of-service rules that restrict the number of hours they can drive daily or weekly. These rules are designed to prevent fatigued/drowsy driving. As part of these rules, drivers must keep adequate records of driving and rest periods.
  • Trucking companies must adequately vet and train their drivers and avoid hiring unqualified drivers.

Of course, trucking companies must also keep their trucks in good condition, perform adequate maintenance, and keep thorough maintenance records.

It’s important to understand the trucking regulations involved in your case. Violations of these laws may form the basis of a negligence lawsuit against the driver and the trucking company. 

At Zehl & Associates, we know the complex regulations that pertain to trucking companies and drivers. When we investigate your accident, we’ll pinpoint each law they didn’t follow and how it contributed to your car crash. 

How Do I Establish Fault After a Truck Accident?

Negligence is the root cause of most truck accidents and is a failure to exercise reasonable caution to prevent accidents and injuries. To prove negligence, you will need to satisfy four elements.

  • Duty. The truck driver or trucking company owed you a duty of reasonable care. Duties typically come from the law. 
  • Breach. You’ll have to show that the truck driver or trucking company breached their legal duty by failing to act reasonably under the circumstances.
  • Causation. You must show that your accident wouldn’t have happened but for the defendant’s actions and that your injuries and damages were foreseeable. 
  • Damages. You must have suffered damages as a result of the conduct.

You cannot win your case if you fail to satisfy just one element.

Negligence Per Se

Negligence per se is a common way of proving liability in truck accident matters. It can be applied if (1) the truck driver/company violated a safety statute and (2) the violation of the safety statute caused the car accident. 

If the at-fault party in your case failed to follow one of the numerous transportation regulations that affect the trucking industry, you may be able to utilize negligence per se.

This doctrine is extremely useful because mere proof of legal violations satisfies the duty and breach elements of your negligence claim. In other words, you won’t have to have proof as to how the truck driver/company failed to use prudent care; you will only attempt to demonstrate that they violated a safety law and thereby caused the crash.

What Evidence Can Help Me Prove My Case?

Evidence proving negligence might include:

  • The truck’s electronic recording device, which contains information about speed and other conditions at the time of the crash
  • Medical records
  • Police reports and citations
  • Eyewitnesses to the crash
  • Video surveillance footage from dash cams and traffic lights
  • The hours-of-service log
  • The truck driver’s qualifications
  • Police drug and alcohol test results
  • The truck company’s maintenance and inspection records
  • Evidence of past safety violations
  • Road maintenance records

Remember, the trucking companies will also be searching for evidence after a crash.  They’ll be searching for evidence to assert that you were negligent and caused the accident.  

While you heal, our top-rated legal team will gather the best evidence to prove your case. During our investigation, we will locate all parties who contributed to your accident — and we’ll demand fair monetary compensation from each one. 

The parties in your case might include:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company, as the driver’s employer
  • Maintenance companies
  • Government entities responsible for licensing, oversight, and road safety
  • Manufacturers of defective truck and vehicle parts
  • Companies responsible for truck cargo
  • Third-party motorists

Multiple parties can be liable for the same crash. Even if the trucker’s error caused the commercial vehicle accident, others can share liability. Call us to speak about your commercial vehicle wreck.

Filing a Wrongful Death Case After a Trucking Accident

Unfortunately, many truck collisions result in fatal injuries. Texas law provides the surviving family members the right to file a wrongful death case against the truck driver or trucking company responsible for their loved one’s fatal crash.

The right to file is reserved for the following parties:

  • Spouse
  • Children
  • Parents

If the victim doesn’t have close relatives, the executor of their estate may be able to bring a claim on behalf of beneficiaries. The damages recovered in the lawsuit would be distributed according to the deceased’s will or Texas intestate laws. 

A wrongful death claim offers unique damages not available in general injury claims. They include:

  • The victim’s medical expenses before death
  • The cost of the deceased’s funeral and burial 
  • Loss of inheritance
  • Lost financial support
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of companionship, guidance, support, and love

Our team of wrongful death lawyers have achieved the largest verdicts and settlements in Texas. You can count on us to provide the compassionate and zealous representation you need as we pursue justice for you and your family.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Texas?

The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Texas is two years. Statutes of limitation ensure that injured victims file cases when evidence and witness recollection are fresh. 

Typically, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of your truck accident. If you fail to initiate your case by the deadline, you will be barred from recovering compensation in court.

We Handle All Types of Truck Collision Cases

Trucking accidents are complex and can happen in numerous ways. We have extensive experience handling — and winning — all kinds of truck crash cases in Texas.

We represent clients injured by:

  • Tractor-trailers/18-wheelers
  • Coal and logging trucks
  • Garbage trucks
  • Moving trucks
  • Tanker trucks
  • Tow trucks
  • UPS & FedEx delivery trucks
  • Falling debris or poorly loaded cargo
  • Oversized load accidents
  • Lost load accidents
  • Jackknife crashes
  • Tire blowout accidents
  • Blindspot truck accidents

It’s best to contact our undefeated attorneys today to discuss your case. We will recover the money you deserve — no matter the accident, no matter the defendant.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

The days and weeks after a trucking accident can be chaotic. However, there are several essential steps you should take after the accident. These actions can help you protect your health and your case.

  • Call 911. Texas law requires drivers to contact law enforcement if a car accident causes death, injury, or significant property damage. You should call 911 immediately after your crash to report the incident. The dispatcher can send EMS to provide preliminary medical care to you and/or the other driver. They can also send police officers to respond to the scene and create an accident report. This accident report will contain information related to the crash and may even record preliminary determinations of fault — making it indispensable to any claim you intend to initiate. 
  • Record evidence of the crash. You should take pictures and videos of the crash and your injuries after the accident. These items can provide important evidence for your personal injury claim.
  • Do not admit fault or give a recorded statement. At no point after the accident should you admit fault or apologize for the accident. This could be construed as an admission of liability for the crash and hurt your chances of getting compensation. Additionally, you should not agree to give a recorded statement to the insurance company. They will ask you misleading questions designed to elicit answers they can use against you later on. You should direct all inquiries to your truck accident lawyer.
  • Seek immediate medical attention. You should seek immediate medical treatment after the commercial vehicle collision — even if you think you are uninjured. You may have injuries that have yet to manifest symptoms. Seeking prompt medical care will ensure you receive treatment for all your injuries and put you on the path to the quickest physical recovery. It also provides medical documentation of your injuries and prevents other involved parties from accusing you of failing to mitigate your damages.

Last but not least, you should contact an experienced truck accident attorney for help navigating your claim. Your lawyer will handle all aspects of your claim, including negotiations with the other side. We are here to help you maximize the value of your claim. Call us today to get started.

Contact our Texas Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here

As our track-record confirms, our Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers Don’t Just Win for Truck and 18 Wheeler Accident Victims – We Set Records.

We are able to consistently achieve these unprecedented results for our clients because we have the experience and resources to take on any company—no matter how large, we know how trucking companies and their team of lawyers operate, and we refuse to settle a case unless our clients are fully compensated for ALL their injuries and damages.

Because of our continued success—both inside and outside the courtroom—a majority of our client’s claims are settled for record-setting amounts before trial.

If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in a truck or 18-wheeler accident, our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers will devote whatever time and resources are necessary to holding the trucking company accountable and ensuring that you and your family receive the compensation you deserve.

Call 1-888-603-3636, click the “live chat” button, or send us a confidential email through our Contact Form by Clicking Here.

All consultations are free—and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.

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