Since 1985, our 18-wheeler accident lawyers at the Texas Truck Accident Lawyer have served victims of truck accidents in Houston. We have won large personal injury settlements and claims. Our legal team has a remarkable track record in holding trucking companies and drivers accountable for fatal and severe truck accidents.
Greg Baumgartner is the leader of the team. Mr. Baumgartner, an 18-wheeler accident lawyer, is nationally recognized. Two law degrees have been earned by Mr. Baumgartner, and he has the highest lawyer rating.
We are often referred by defense attorneys to friends and relatives who have been injured in a truck accident. We are one of very few truck accident law firms that has a fast response team.
The 18-wheeler accident representation we offer is restricted to cases in which the victim of a truck accident has suffered severe injuries, or when a loved one has died. Our clients have received numerous multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
Call us 24/7 to discuss your rights and options - (281) 993 03760
What Causes 18-Wheeler Car Accidents?
Trucking companies make money when their shipments arrive on time. Any delay could have a major impact on their revenues. Truckers are known to value speed more than safety in order to make more money. This can expose other motorists to the danger of being injured or killed by large truck accidents.
Truck drivers must undergo safety training and adhere to traffic regulations in order to maintain a safe driving environment for the company and driver. Both drivers and companies often cut corners in order to make more profit, even though it puts lives at risk.
Sometimes the driver will drive the 18-wheeler vehicle for longer than the hours allowed. This dangerous behavior can result in tired driving.
Some tractor-trailer accidents happen because the driver doesn't follow the rules of the road. Others occur because of violations to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
What are the Top Causes of Big Truck Wrecks
Trucking accidents can also be caused by negligence on the part of truck drivers and trucking companies.
Speeding: trucks run differently to conventional vehicles. Trucks are hard to control at high speeds and should only be driven by qualified professionals. It doesn't matter if you are speeding in a truck or an average car, it is illegal and unacceptable.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Driving under the influence of prescription or non-prescription drugs can have disastrous consequences.
Poor maintenance and equipment failure:Defective brakes, trailer attachment problems, steering issues, tire blowouts and transmission failures are all possible causes of fatal truck accidents.
Inexperience The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations establish safety rules. These rules are not always followed by trucking companies. Despite the danger of truck accidents, many trucking companies allow inexperienced drivers behind the wheel.
No matter what the reason for your truck accident, it is smart to contact a Houston Truck Accident Attorney as soon as you have experienced an incident.
What about medical care after a truck accident?
Treatment for Medical Injuries: A victim in an accident with a commercial truck should seek medical attention immediately to determine the extent of their injuries.
Care and Follow-up Testing: For those who survived an accident involving an 18 wheeler vehicle, you should start with the discharge process. You will be given instructions about how to go for follow-up treatment. The victim should be given the highest priority when seeking proper medical attention after being admitted for both the testing and treatment.
What if I don't have health insurance?
We will accept your case and work with you to get you the medical care that you need, even if you don't have insurance.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your insurance coverage, or are seeking out options to get the necessary medical treatment even if you don't have insurance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Call (281) 893-370.
How long do truck accident lawsuits take?
This is a brief overview of the trucking claims process.
Investigation:As soon as the trucking company and claims department are informed about the accident, they immediately dispatch a team to collect evidence and interview witnesses. This is done to defend any wrongful-death claim against them.
An 18-wheeler accident lawyer should be contacted immediately by the victim to help them counter the insurance company's efforts and preserve any evidence the victim may have.
The victim of a truck accident or anyone involved should not tell the insurance investigators until they have had the opportunity to discuss the matter with their 18 wheeler accident lawyer.
Negotiation.Studies show that insurance companies won't treat victims of truck accident without an 18-wheeler accident lawyer in the same manner as people with lawyers. It happens all the time to the detriment the public. In the event of a serious truck accident, the insurance company will often contact the family to seek a settlement. They hope to make a few dollars.
Insurance adjustors often use a common tactic to convince victims or injured parties that they accept responsibility. This is often false as the insurance company is doing their best to make it seem like they are willing to pay reasonable compensation.
Insurers are simply trying to avoid paying more than they should. Insurance companies won't hire skilled truck wreck attorneys to represent the victim. It is important to make the right decision when hiring an 18-wheeler accident lawyer to represent you.
Lawsuit Cases of serious injury or death caused by 18-wheeler accidents often end in litigation to seek fair and full compensation. Many insurers are motivated to reevaluate the injuries of the injured party when they are in a trial setting. Truck wreck cases are settled by truck company defendants, who prefer to avoid a jury.
Truck accident lawsuits can be very long if certain parts of the case, such as liability or damages, are contested.
To maximize the value of your case, make sure that the truck accident lawyer you choose has experience in commercial vehicles.
What does the Trucking Regulations have to do with my case?
Large rigs can reach 80,000 pounds. Due to their size and weight, and the potential to wipe out entire families within a matter of seconds, truck drivers and trucking firms are subject to safety rules set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
These regulations address many safety concerns. The rules ensure professional truck drivers and trucking companies perform at a minimum level.
These are some of the most important rules that both a truck driver or a motor carrier should follow:
Hours of Service
Hours of service regulations restrict the hours that a truck driver can drive without stopping. These rules stipulate that truck drivers must wait a certain time before they can drive a large rig. Hours of service regulations are intended to prevent drunk drivers from driving on the roads.
Truck drivers often feel under immense pressure to get their loads delivered on time and collect the next load. This is why hours of service rules are ignored. The analysis of truck accident cases will include determining whether there are any violations of these rules.
Inspection, Maintenance, Repair
The truck that is operated under the company's banner is the responsibility of the company. Safety rules stipulate that the vehicle must be reasonably safe. The trucking company must also ensure that the vehicle remains in service. Truck drivers are required to report any unsafe conditions to their trucking company. They also need to inspect the truck before and during each trip.
Qualifications for Drivers
A commercial driver's license is not enough to drive a large rig. Trucking companies must take reasonable steps in order to ensure that their truck driver is qualified and safe to drive. It is not uncommon for trucking companies to cut corners when there are driver shortages.
Special Training
When longer vehicles are involved or dangerous cargo is involved, special training is necessary. These rules and regulations are well-known to experienced attorneys who have handled 18-wheeler collisions. They can be used as evidence in a truck accident case.
You must fully understand the truck accident lawyer you choose.
Houston's Best 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
It is essential to choose the right 18-wheeler accident lawyer in order to protect your financial future and that of your family.
These are some tips to help you find the best 18-wheeler accident lawyer for your case:
Experience:It is essential to find a truck accident lawyer who has extensive trucking litigation experience for the best results. Do not work with someone who views your case as a "learning experience". You want the best. You don't want an inexperienced associate once you have signed on to the law firm of choice.
For over 35 years, our Texas Truck Accident Lawyers have won top settlements in truck wreck lawsuits. This remarkable winning record is a testament to the depth of our experience.
ResultsAnother way to see the performance of a lawyer in semi-truck accident cases is to look at their past results and the experience they bring to the table.
Trustworthy:Do your research so that you can choose a trustworthy and honest attorney before signing any paperwork. Many people call us after having retained legal counsel, but it is often too late.
It is important to research your options before you sign any contracts. Also, make sure to choose the right truck accident lawyer to represent your case. We are a local business that has been operating in NW Houston for more than 35 years. Our BBB rating is an "A+".
We Will Investigate Quickly
The Texas Truck Accident Lawyer is one of few law firms that can provide a fast response team to help you investigate your accident.
Our legal team is connected to trucking regulation specialists and accident reconstruction professionals, so you can compete with the insurance company that defends the truck driver.
We take great pride in providing personal attention to our clients so that they get the best medical care possible.
We use medical experts and treating physicians to present our case to jurors regarding the truck driver's damages and that of the company. Sometimes we use life care planners, who are experts in documenting future medical costs for the victim.
We know how to get maximum compensation for truck accidents
Our winning strategy has been proven to be successful as we have not lost one truck accident case in 35 year! Our multi-million-dollar results speak volumes. Our past clients have awarded us numerous accolades.
We are well-known by insurance carriers from top trucking companies. This recognition allows us to quickly settle cases and fight for the highest value for our clients. Truck crash injuries cases are often referred to us by other lawyers.
Enjoy Decades of Expertise on Your 18-Wheeler Insurance
There is a huge difference between trucking accident lawyers and trucking attorneys. Truck accidents are different from car-to-car collisions because of many factors.
The truck's massive size means that the damage incurred in a truck accident is almost always substantial. The truck driver and company must adhere to additional safety regulations. This can be a compelling evidence in a lawsuit for commercial vehicle accidents.
After most of the 18-wheeler accidents cases were resolved, the trucking company demanded the substantial amount they paid to remain confidential. This is so that no one else will find out how much our clients had to settle with the insurance company.
Types of truck accidents we handle
Visit our Truck Accident Pages:
Bus Accidents
FedEx truck crashes
Garbage truck accidents
Towtruck crashes
Dump Truck wrecks
Jack Knife accidents
Tanker Truck crashes
Call 281-993-0376 for a free consultation on any truck accident injury case.
Common Injuries Resulting from an Accident with a Large Rig
Due to its size, an 18-wheeler truck accident is more likely than a car-to-car collision. These are the most common injuries that we have seen in truck accident cases over our 30 years of experience representing victims.
Spinal cord injury can occur as a result of herniations, fractures or other injuries. These often require surgery.
Traumatic brain injury or head injuries that involve fractures of the skull.
Injuries to the shoulders
Leg injuries
Fractures and dislocations
Wrongful death
A truck accident lawyer is crucial to your claim's success. An experienced attorney in truck wreck cases will increase your chances of maximizing compensation and protecting your financial future.
How to Choose a Truck Accident Attorney
It is important to do thorough research before choosing a top-rated commercial truck accident lawyer to represent you. This should be done as soon as possible after the accident.
These are the areas that you should know when seeking legal counsel in your truck accident case.
Do not choose a law firm that will hand your case over to a novice lawyer. This could affect the outcome. A law firm must promise to handle your case by providing an experienced lawyer who is familiar with big-rig vehicle accident cases.
Do not choose a law office that handles a lot of cases. They may give your case to inexperienced lawyers or legal assistants. Your case may suffer.
Don't deal with lawyers who are too busy to speak with you, or who refuse to give you honest and open responses.
Do not hire personal injury lawyers without extensive truck litigation experience. Check out the results, particularly regarding commercial vehicle accidents.
Your results can be affected by the attorney you choose. Before you make a decision to hire a lawyer, take the time to investigate them. Although you have the option to change your lawyer, it can be a difficult process and could impact your bottom line. It is better to do your research before you hire an attorney than to try to change them after they have been hired.
Get in touch with us about your accident with an 18-wheeler
To discuss your case, contact our Truck Accident Lawyers in Houston today. No fee is charged for an initial consultation regarding your truck accident injury case.
If you agree to take your case, you won't have to pay anything unless you get money. To provide the best representation possible for our clients, we limit the cases that we accept.
Take a look at our multi-million-dollar 18-wheeler truck case results and contact us for a free consultation.
This post was written in 21 MAY 2022