Galveston Truck Accident Lawyer

A serious truck crash can change a family in seconds. I am Greg Baumgartner. I have handled 18-wheeler and truck cases for more than 40 years. If you were badly hurt in Galveston, I can help. The same is true if your family lost a loved one. My first job is to learn what happened and protect the evidence.

My Texas truck accident practice is based in Houston and serves clients across Texas. That includes Galveston and Galveston County. I take a limited number of serious cases. This lets me stay involved in each one. The consultation is free. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.

• 40+ years handling truck and commercial vehicle cases
• Undefeated record in truck accident cases
• Direct access to Greg Baumgartner
• Selective caseload focused on serious injury and wrongful death
• No attorney fee unless we recover money for you

Written and legally reviewed by Greg Baumgartner, a Texas attorney licensed since 1984. Updated September 2026.

Why Early Investigation Matters After a Galveston Truck Crash

Truck cases can turn on evidence that does not exist in an ordinary car wreck. Driver logs, electronic logging data, engine-control information, dash-camera video, dispatch records, inspection files, maintenance records, and company safety documents can help show why the crash happened. Some of that information can be overwritten or become harder to obtain with time.

That is why I first focus on the cause of the crash. I also look for proof that supports it. Our truck accident quick-response investigation is built around that goal. We identify the people and companies involved. We also take action to preserve key records before they are lost.

Greg Baumgartner’s Take on Galveston Truck Cases

In a Galveston truck case, I want to know the route. Where did the truck come from? Where was it going? Was the driver under time pressure? A tractor-trailer headed to the port may leave a different trail of proof than a delivery truck on Broadway. GPS records, dispatch messages, shipping papers, logs, and onboard data may help rebuild the trip.

Federal safety rules may also matter. The FMCSA hours-of-service rules limit driving and work time for many truck drivers. Breaking a rule does not prove a case on its own. Still, logs, work schedules, and signs of fatigue may be important. Our federal trucking regulations guide explains other rules that may apply.

Galveston Truck Traffic: I-45, the Causeway and the Port

Galveston is both a tourist destination and a working port city. The Port of Galveston reports almost 4 million cruise passenger movements a year and about 3 million tons of cargo. In 2026, the port forecast about 3.9 million passenger movements and continued cargo growth. That activity adds commercial vehicles, service trucks, buses, delivery traffic, and visitors unfamiliar with local roads.

For an injured driver or passenger, the exact location can matter because it may help identify cameras, witnesses, employers, or commercial operations connected to the trip. Areas we pay close attention to include:

• The I-45 Causeway — the main freeway connection between Galveston Island and the mainland.
• Harborside Drive — a major route serving port, cruise, cargo, and waterfront activity.
• Broadway — a heavily traveled island corridor carrying local, visitor, and commercial traffic.
• Seawall Boulevard — where tourist traffic, pedestrians, deliveries, and commercial vehicles mix.

Crashes on or near the Causeway may also involve evidence tied to the broader I-45 truck corridor.

Truck traffic also moves through the mainland road network. TxDOT identifies the I-45/SH 146/SH 6 interchange at the Texas City Wye on the I-45 route toward the Causeway. A truck headed to or from the island may leave useful proof far from the crash scene. For more on this route, see our I-45 truck accident lawyer page.

Galveston County Commercial Vehicle Crash Data

The latest county-level commercial motor vehicle data we can verify from the Texas Department of Transportation is for 2024. TxDOT reported 229 commercial motor vehicle crashes in Galveston County. Those crashes included one fatal crash, two suspected serious injuries, 29 suspected minor injuries, 30 possible injuries, and nine injuries of unknown severity.

The point is not that every commercial crash is caused by the truck driver. Truck traffic is a recurring part of Galveston County’s crash picture, and serious cases deserve an investigation based on facts rather than assumptions. For statewide context, see our Texas truck accident statistics.

Truck Accident Cases I Handle in Galveston

I focus on serious injury and fatal truck cases. The type of truck can point us toward different proof. Cases may involve:

• 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers on I-45 and local freight routes.
• Tanker truck accidents involving fuel, chemicals, or other liquid cargo.
• Jackknife crashes involving braking, speed, road conditions, cargo, or equipment.
• Underride collisions involving the side or rear of a trailer.
• Delivery trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, buses, and other commercial fleets.
• Truck brake failures or other equipment problems tied to inspection or repair.
• Improperly loaded trucks when weight, balance, or cargo securement contributes to loss of control.

What I Look for in a Galveston Truck Accident Investigation

A strong truck case isn’t built by asking for every record the company owns. It is built by finding the proof tied to this crash. I may look for:

• Police reports, scene photographs, measurements, skid marks, and witness statements
• Electronic logging device records, driver logs, dispatch messages, GPS data, and trip records
• Dash camera, business surveillance, traffic camera, or nearby vehicle video
• Inspection, maintenance, brake, tire, and repair records
• The driver’s qualification, training, and safety history
• Cargo and loading records when weight or securement may have contributed
• Cell phone or other distraction evidence when the facts justify obtaining it

If bad equipment may be involved, truck maintenance records and repair history can matter. If hiring or safety practices are in question, negligent hiring evidence may become part of the case.

Who May Be Responsible for a Galveston Truck Crash?

Fault depends on the proof. A serious truck case may involve more than the driver. But I do not name a company just because it touched the load. The goal is to identify each person or business that helped cause the crash.

• The truck driver for speeding, distraction, fatigue, unsafe turns, following too closely, or other driving errors.
• The motor carrier or employer for conduct such as unsafe hiring, training, supervision, scheduling, or safety practices when the evidence supports it.
• A truck or trailer owner, maintenance company, or repair provider when unsafe equipment contributed to the wreck.
• A shipper, loader, or cargo company when improper loading, securement, or weight distribution played a role.
• A manufacturer when a defective truck, trailer, tire, brake part, coupling system, or other component contributed.

Read more about who can be responsible for a truck accident.

Compensation After a Serious Truck Accident

There is no honest average value for a Galveston truck accident case. The value depends on the injuries, future medical needs, lost income, available insurance, strength of the liability evidence, and how the crash changed the person’s life. A claim may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, physical pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, property damage, and other losses supported by the evidence.

If a family member was killed, Texas law may allow wrongful death and survival claims. Our fatal truck accident page explains those claims in more detail.

Texas Deadlines and Fault Rules

Texas generally gives an injured person two years to file suit. The same basic two-year period applies to many wrongful death claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Exceptions can change that date. A lawyer should review the deadline for the specific case. Also, do not wait just because two years remain. Video, truck data, and vehicle proof can be lost much sooner.

Texas also uses a shared-fault rule. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, a claimant cannot recover if more than 50% at fault. If the claimant is 50% or less at fault, the recovery is reduced by that share of fault.

If a Lawsuit Is Filed in Galveston County

Venue depends on the facts and Texas law, so not every Galveston-area crash is automatically filed in Galveston County. When a civil case is properly filed there, the Galveston County District Clerk’s Civil Division maintains records for personal injury and other civil cases.

Why I Keep My Truck Accident Caseload Limited

I have handled serious injury cases since the mid-1980s. I hold a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws degree. I also graduated from the Trial Lawyers College and have an AV Preeminent peer-review rating. Those credentials matter, but they are not why I limit my caseload.

Truck cases take time. They may need vehicle inspections, experts, depositions, company records, truck data, and medical proof. I would rather handle fewer serious cases and stay involved. I do not want clients passed through a high-volume system. You can read more about my background and approach.

Results in Serious Texas Truck Accident Cases

A truck case is not proven by a large demand letter. It is proven with evidence that can withstand the trucking company’s defenses. My record includes multi-million-dollar recoveries in serious commercial vehicle cases. Representative results include:

Review more Texas truck accident verdicts and settlements. Past results do not guarantee the same outcome. Every case depends on its own facts, proof, law, insurance, injuries, and damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Galveston truck accident lawyer cost?

The consultation is free. I handle accepted cases on a contingency fee. That means the attorney fee is paid only if we recover money for you. I explain the fee and case costs before you sign anything.

How much is a Galveston truck accident case worth?

There is no honest average settlement for every truck case. Value depends on the injury, future care, lost income, fault, available insurance, and the strength of the proof.

What should I do after an 18-wheeler accident on I-45 in Galveston?

Get medical help first. If it is safe, take photos of the vehicles, road, debris, company markings, and visible injuries. Get witness names and phone numbers. Keep medical and wage records. Do not sign a release before you know what you are giving up. In a serious case, protect the truck data early.

Can I sue the trucking company as well as the truck driver?

Yes, if the driver was on the job at the time of the wreck. Another company may also share fault if its own conduct helped cause the crash.

What if I was partly at fault?

Being partly at fault does not always end a Texas claim. Recovery is generally barred only if the claimant is more than 50% at fault. At 50% or less, the recovery is reduced by that share of fault.

Should I give the trucking company’s insurer a recorded statement?

Be careful. An adjuster may ask questions before you know how badly you are hurt. The truck proof may not have been reviewed yet. You can get legal advice before giving a recorded statement or signing a broad medical release.

Speak With a Galveston Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member was badly hurt in a Galveston truck crash, I am available to talk. My office is in Houston, and I handle serious truck cases across Texas.

Call (281) 893-0760 or request a free, confidential consultation online. There is no obligation. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.

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