Car Hit by an 18-Wheeler in Texas? We Can Help.

Was your car hit by an 18-wheeler or another commercial truck in Texas? You are likely hurting, worried about bills, and unsure what comes next. We can help. Attorney Greg Baumgartner has fought for people hit by big trucks since 1985, and our team has never lost a truck accident case. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win money for you. Call us any time at (281) 893-0760.

Why a Crash With a Big Truck Is Different

A loaded 18-wheeler can weigh 80,000 pounds. That is about 20 times the weight of your car. When that much steel hits a passenger vehicle, the people in the car almost always take the worst of it. Injuries are often severe: brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and burns. Sadly, some crashes are fatal.

These cases are also different under the law. Trucking is a regulated industry. Truck drivers and their companies must follow federal safety rules. For example, the FMCSA hours-of-service rules limit how long a driver can stay behind the wheel. When a company pushes a tired driver to keep going, and that driver slams into your car, those broken rules become powerful proof in your case.

Commercial trucks also carry much larger insurance policies than regular drivers. That sounds like good news. In practice, it means the trucking company and its insurer will fight harder. Many send investigators to the crash scene within hours. You need someone on your side just as fast.

Who Can Be Held Responsible

In a normal car wreck, you usually deal with one driver and one insurance company. A crash with a commercial truck is different. Several parties may share the blame:

• The truck driver who caused the crash.
• The trucking company that hired, trained, and supervised the driver.
• The cargo loader, if a shifting or overweight load was involved.
• The maintenance shop, if bad brakes or worn tires were a cause.
• The freight broker who arranged the shipment.

Each of these parties may have its own insurance policy. Finding every responsible party is one of the most important things we do. It can make a major difference in the value of your case.

The Evidence That Wins These Cases

Modern semi-trucks record a huge amount of data. The truck’s “black box,” called an event data recorder, stores the truck’s speed, braking, and steering in the seconds before the crash. Electronic logging devices track how long the driver had been on duty. Many trucks also have dash cameras. Driver logs, drug test results, hiring files, and inspection records matter too.

Here is the problem: this evidence can vanish. Trucking companies are only required to keep some records for a short time. That is why we act fast. We send legal notices that force the company to preserve the evidence. Then we use it to prove what really happened. The sooner you call, the more evidence we can save.

Common Types of Car vs. Truck Crashes We Handle

We handle every kind of collision between a passenger car and a commercial truck across Texas:

• Rear-end crashes — such as a semi following too closely that cannot stop in time.
• Sideswipe and lane-change crashes — big rigs have large blind spots.
• Underride crashes — when a car slides under the trailer. These are among the most severe.
• Jackknife and rollover wrecks — often caused by speeding or sudden braking.

Many of these crashes happen on busy freight routes. Learn more about truck accidents on I-45 and truck accidents on Interstate 10, two of the most dangerous corridors in the state.

What Your Case May Be Worth

Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a result. In general, you can seek money for:

• Medical bills, both past and future.
• Lost wages and lost future earning power.
• Pain and suffering.
• Physical impairment and disfigurement.
• Damage to your car.

If you lost a family member, our wrongful death truck accident lawyers can help your family seek justice. In cases with extreme misconduct, such as a drunk or drugged truck driver, Texas law may also allow punitive damages.

The Texas Deadline for Filing Your Case

Texas gives you a limited time to act. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. Some cases have shorter deadlines, especially claims involving a government vehicle. Waiting also lets evidence disappear and memories fade. Talking to a lawyer early costs you nothing and protects your rights.

What to Do After a Crash With a Commercial Truck

• Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay. Some serious injuries show up days later.
• Report the crash to the police and get a copy of the report.
• Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries if you can.
• Get witness names and phone numbers.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer, and do not sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.
• Call us. We will deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.

Why Families Across Texas Choose Our Firm

Texas roads see thousands of large-truck crashes each year. TxDOT crash statistics show how often big trucks are involved in serious wrecks. The insurance companies that defend these cases know which law firms will fight and which will settle cheaply. For more than 40 years, they have known our name.

Greg Baumgartner is a preeminent-rated trial lawyer with two law degrees, a distinction shared by less than one percent of Texas attorneys. Our truck accident law firm has recovered millions of dollars for people hit by 18-wheelers, and we remain undefeated in truck accident cases. When you hire us, you work with an experienced lawyer, not a case manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays my medical bills after a truck hit my car?

At the end of your case, the at-fault parties and their insurers should pay. Until then, we can help you find care and manage the bills while your case moves forward.

The trucking company’s insurance adjuster called me. Should I talk to them?

No. Be polite, but do not give a recorded statement or accept any offer. Adjusters are trained to save the company money. Let us speak for you.

What if I were partly at fault?

You may still have a case. Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule. You can recover money as long as you were not more than half at fault, though your share of the blame reduces your recovery.

How much does it cost to hire you?

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee. You pay us only if we win money for you, and the consultation is always free.

How long will my case take?

It depends on your injuries and whether the trucking company disputes fault. Some cases settle in months. Others take longer, especially if we need to file a lawsuit. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that is how you get full value.

What if the crash was with a delivery van or company pickup, not a semi?

We handle those, too. Any crash caused by a vehicle used for business may be subject to the same rules, and the employer may share the blame.

Free Case Review

Free Case Review

Speak with a Texas Truck Accident Attorney For Free!

Call Now- (281) 893-0760

You do not have to face a trucking company alone. Call (281) 893-0760 now for a free, no-pressure talk about your case. There is no fee unless we win. If your crash involved only passenger cars, our Houston car accident lawyers are ready to help as well.