Austin Truck Accident Lawyer

By Greg Baumgartner

If you were seriously hurt in a truck or commercial vehicle crash in Austin, you need to know who will protect your claim. You also need to know how you will pay for help. I am Greg Baumgartner. I have handled serious Texas truck accident cases since 1985. I stay involved in the cases I accept. I prepare for trial when we can’t reach a fair settlement.

My practice serves Austin and Travis County from Houston. Your first consultation is free. You pay no attorney fee unless I recover compensation for you.

Call (281) 893-0760 or request a free case review.

On this page

Why hire Greg  |  Texas truck case results  |  Austin crashes  |  How I investigate  |  Compensation  |  Questions about your case

Why Hire Greg Baumgartner After an Austin Truck Accident

Your lawyer should help you make hard choices about your health and financial future. I limit the number of cases I accept so each client gets the time and attention a serious injury requires.

• More than 40 years of experience with serious injury and commercial vehicle cases.
• Personal attorney involvement and a selective caseload.
• Two law degrees, Trial Lawyers College training, and an AV Preeminent peer rating.
• A free consultation and no attorney fee unless we recover compensation.

During our first conversation, I want to hear what happened and how the injury has affected you. I will explain what needs to be investigated and whether my practice is a good fit. You can read more about my background and truck accident experience.

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Results in Texas Truck Accident Cases

My published Texas trucking recoveries include:

• $3.74 million for traumatic head injuries following a tractor-trailer crash.
• $3 million for neck injuries in an 18-wheeler accident.
• $5 million for a commercial vehicle crash

See additional Texas truck accident verdicts and settlements. These recoveries came from Texas trucking cases. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The facts, injuries, fault, and available insurance affect every case.

Truck and Commercial Vehicle Crashes I Handle in Austin

I review serious injury and fatal crashes involving 18-wheelers, dump trucks, tankers, box trucks, delivery vans, tow trucks, and other company vehicles. Rear-end collisions, unsafe lane changes, wide turns, rollovers, and dropped cargo can all require a close look at the business behind the driver.

Whether your crash happened on I-35, SH 130, US 183, US 290, SH 71, RM 620, or a city street, the details at that location matter. In a construction area, I want to know where the lanes and barriers were on the day of the wreck. Photos and video may show conditions that changed before an investigator arrived.

TxDOT provides updates on the I-35 Capital Express Central project. For a crash within a work zone, those project records can help identify the area and guide further investigation. They do not establish who caused your collision.

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How I Investigate an Austin Truck Accident

A truck driver may blame traffic, a sudden stop, or failed brakes. I want to know whether the evidence supports that account. Early steps may include preserving the truck and trailer before repairs change their condition and seeking records before they are lost.

Depending on the crash, I may examine:

• Available truck data showing speed, braking, and other vehicle activity.
• Dashcam footage, nearby video, witness accounts, and scene photographs.
• Driving logs, dispatch messages, training files, and the driver’s safety history.
• Brake inspections, repair records, cargo documents, and insurance policies.

Federal hours-of-service rules can help determine whether a covered driver was allowed to keep driving. The applicable rules and exceptions depend on the trip. My guide to preserving evidence after a Texas truck accident explains why early action matters.

Looking Beyond the Truck Driver

The company name painted on a truck may not tell us who owned it, employed the driver, or insured the trip. I investigate those relationships rather than assume the police report identifies everyone who may be responsible.

A case may involve negligent hiring of a truck driver, poor supervision, unsafe equipment, or a failure to address known safety problems. A cargo loader or repair contractor may also be responsible if its negligence helped cause the crash. For suspected truck brake failures, inspecting the parts and maintenance records can be critical.

The goal is to identify the parties whose conduct caused harm and the coverage available for your losses. Being connected to a truck does not, by itself, make a business liable.

Compensation for a Serious Austin Truck Crash

Your claim should cover past losses and the care you may need later. Depending on the evidence, your damages may include:

• Medical bills, future treatment, rehabilitation, and needed assistance.
• Lost pay and a reduced ability to earn a living.
• Physical pain, emotional suffering, and limits on everyday activities.
• Scarring, disfigurement, and damage to your vehicle or other property.

With serious truck accident injuries, future care and work limits often need careful medical proof. I want to understand those needs before discussing a settlement. If someone died in the crash, I can also review the claims available to the family and estate.

Steps to Take While You Recover

1. Get medical care and follow up. Keep your doctors informed about symptoms and changes in your condition.
2. Save the evidence you have. Keep photos, witness information, the truck’s company name and USDOT number, medical records, and insurance messages.
3. Get advice before signing a release or giving the trucking insurer a recorded statement. A release can end your right to seek more compensation.
4. Contact a lawyer early. You can obtain the police report through TxDOT’s crash report system, but you do not need to wait for it to ask for help.

Questions About Hiring an Austin Truck Accident Lawyer

How much does it cost to hire you?

The consultation is free, and I handle accepted injury cases on a contingency fee. You owe no attorney fee unless I recover compensation. The written agreement explains the fee and how I handle case expenses.

Do I have to travel to Houston?

No. We can start by phone and use secure remote communication when convenient. My practice is based in Houston, and I travel when a case requires it. We can discuss meeting arrangements during your consultation.

What should I bring to the free consultation?

Bring what you have: photos, insurance letters, medical information, witness details, and the police report if available. Tell me about your treatment and missed work. Missing documents should not keep you from calling.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Texas generally allows two years to file an injury lawsuit, usually measured from the crash. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003, an injury resulting in death generally has a two-year period measured from the death. Exceptions and special notice rules may apply. I recommend checking your deadline promptly.

Can I recover if the insurer says I share fault?

Possibly. Under Texas proportionate responsibility law, your share of fault generally reduces your recovery, and responsibility greater than 50 percent bars recovery. An adjuster’s accusation does not decide fault. I review the evidence before accepting an insurer’s explanation.

How much is my truck accident case worth

There is no reliable number before the facts are reviewed. Value depends on fault, your injuries, future losses, and available coverage. I can explain what we know now and what still needs to be established before evaluating an offer.

Talk With Greg Baumgartner About Your Austin Crash

If you were seriously injured in an Austin truck or commercial vehicle accident, you can talk with me about what happened and what comes next. I will explain the issues I see and whether I can help with your case.

I provide Texas truck accident representation for injured people and families statewide, including Austin and Travis County.

Call (281) 893-0760 or (866) 758-4529, or request your free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover compensation.