Hurt in a Houston Truck Wreck? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you or someone you love was hit by an 18-wheeler on a Houston highway, you’re probably scared, overwhelmed, and unsure what happens next. The injuries from truck crashes are often devastating. Medical bills pile up fast. Insurance adjusters start calling before you’ve even left the hospital.
You need a Houston truck accident lawyer who understands how these cases work and who will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. At Varghese Summersett, our personal injury team has recovered millions for truck crash victims across Texas. We know how trucking companies and their insurers operate, and we know how to hold them accountable.
Call (817) 203-2220 for a free consultation. We handle Houston truck accident cases on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different From Car Wrecks
A collision with a commercial truck is not just a “big car accident.” These cases involve federal safety regulations, multiple corporate defendants, and specialized evidence that simply don’t exist in typical auto crashes. An attorney who doesn’t understand the trucking industry will miss critical liability theories, insurance coverage, and evidence that can make or break your case.
Truck cases are built around Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules that govern everything from how long drivers can stay behind the wheel to how cargo must be secured. When trucking companies or drivers violate these regulations, it creates powerful evidence of negligence.
At Varghese Summersett, our attorneys know how to pull FMCSA SAFER data, inspection histories, audit reports, and prior enforcement actions. We use patterns of non-compliance to build negligent hiring, retention, and supervision claims that hold trucking companies responsible for putting dangerous drivers on Texas roads.
Houston Is Texas’s Truck Crash Hotspot
Houston and Harris County recorded over 7,100 commercial motor vehicle crashes in 2023, involving more than 23,000 people. That works out to roughly 19 to 20 truck-related crashes every single day in the greater Houston area.
Harris County typically reports well over 6,000 truck crashes per year, more than double the count in many other large Texas counties. In one recent year, around 40 to 50 truck-related deaths occurred in Harris County alone. That’s effectively one deadly 18-wheeler crash every week on Houston-area roads.
The numbers tell a stark story. While truck wrecks make up a small percentage of total crashes, they account for a disproportionately deadly slice of outcomes. When a fully loaded semi weighing up to 80,000 pounds collides with a passenger vehicle, the physics are brutal.
Where Houston Truck Wrecks Happen Most
Houston truck crashes concentrate on the major freight corridors: I-10, I-45, US-59/69, the 610 Loop, Beltway 8, and the large interchanges where freeways and loops meet. In 2023, TxDOT data recorded 369 commercial truck crashes at intersections, 139 speeding-related CMV crashes, and 30 truck crashes in work zones in the Houston and Harris County area.
Texas leads the nation in large-truck crashes, with 20,510 in 2023. The state’s per-capita truck death rate runs about 48% higher than the national average. Harris County sits at the center of this crisis.
Common Causes of Houston Truck Accidents
Our attorneys have investigated hundreds of truck crashes across Texas. While every case is unique, certain causes appear again and again.
Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations
Federal rules cap most interstate drivers at 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours. Texas intrastate rules are slightly more lenient, allowing 12 hours of driving within a 15-hour duty window.
Despite these rules, trucking companies under pressure to meet delivery deadlines push drivers to falsify logs and drive while exhausted. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) have made it harder to cheat, but violations still happen. When they do, we know how to find them.
Distracted and Impaired Driving
Truck drivers who text, check GPS devices, or talk on handheld phones while operating an 18-wheeler put everyone at risk. FMCSA regulations specifically prohibit these behaviors, and violations can support strong negligence claims.
Drug and alcohol use remains a serious problem in the industry. Federal rules require pre-employment screening, random testing, and immediate removal of impaired drivers. When a trucking company puts an unfit driver on the road, that carrier shares responsibility for any resulting crash.
Improper Loading and Cargo Issues
Overweight or poorly secured cargo shifts during transit, causing trucks to roll over or jackknife. Many cases turn on evidence that shippers, loaders, or brokers failed to follow federal cargo securement standards. Our investigation reaches beyond just the driver and motor carrier to identify every responsible party.
Poor Maintenance and Equipment Failures
FMCSA regulations require detailed pre-trip and post-trip inspections, timely repairs, and thorough recordkeeping. Missing inspection reports, chronic out-of-service violations, or overdue brake and tire maintenance create powerful liability evidence. We’ve seen cases where carriers ignored obvious defects for weeks or months before a catastrophic failure.
Injuries From Houston Truck Accidents
The size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles means truck crash injuries tend to be severe. Our clients have suffered traumatic brain injuries that change personalities and destroy careers. Spinal cord damage causing partial or complete paralysis. Multiple broken bones requiring surgery and lengthy rehabilitation. Internal organ damage and internal bleeding. Severe burns from fuel fires. Crush injuries requiring amputation. Post-traumatic stress disorder that makes it impossible to drive again.
These injuries often require years of medical treatment, physical therapy, and adaptive equipment. Many victims can never return to their previous jobs. Some need round-the-clock care for the rest of their lives.
When we take a truck accident case, we work with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to document the full extent of our client’s damages. Insurance companies try to minimize claims. We make sure nothing gets overlooked.
How Much Is a Houston Truck Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, and no ethical attorney can guarantee a specific result. However, truck accident settlements in Texas typically fall into these ranges based on injury severity:
Minor injuries such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, and minor fractures often settle between $25,000 and $75,000. Moderate injuries requiring surgery or extended treatment typically range from $100,000 to $500,000. Severe injuries involving permanent disability, multiple surgeries, or long-term care often reach $500,000 to $2,000,000 or more. Wrongful death cases frequently result in settlements between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 or higher.
Serious truck cases in Texas often land somewhere between $500,000 and $4.5 million, with outliers far above that when catastrophic injury, multiple claimants, or egregious corporate conduct is involved.
If you’re dealing with a serious injury from a Houston truck crash, call (817) 203-2220 to discuss your case with our team.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Houston Truck Accident?
Unlike car crashes that typically involve just two drivers, truck accidents often create claims against multiple defendants. Each party may carry separate insurance policies and hire separate defense counsel.
The Truck Driver
Drivers who violate traffic laws, FMCSA regulations, or their company’s safety policies can be held personally liable. Evidence of speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment strengthens these claims.
The Motor Carrier
Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, providing proper training, enforcing safety rules, and maintaining their vehicles. When they cut corners to save money, they can be held accountable under theories of negligent hiring, retention, supervision, and maintenance.
The Vehicle and Trailer Owners
In the trucking industry, the driver, tractor, and trailer often belong to different entities. Each owner may share responsibility for keeping their equipment safe.
Shippers and Loaders
Companies that load cargo incorrectly or overload trailers can be liable when their negligence causes a crash. Federal regulations impose specific duties on shippers regarding weight limits and cargo securement.
Freight Brokers
Brokers who negligently hire unqualified carriers or ignore red flags about safety histories may face liability. Recent court decisions have expanded broker responsibility in certain circumstances.
Maintenance Providers
Third-party shops that perform shoddy repairs or miss obvious defects can be brought into the case when their negligence contributed to an equipment failure.
Manufacturers
Defective truck components, from brake systems to tires to steering mechanisms, can trigger product liability claims against manufacturers.
Evidence Your Lawyer Must Preserve Immediately
Trucking companies and their insurers often dispatch 24/7 rapid-response teams to serious crash scenes. Lawyers, adjusters, and reconstruction experts may arrive within hours. They’re working to protect the company’s interests, not yours.
Your attorney must act just as quickly to preserve critical evidence before it disappears or gets overwritten.
Electronic Data
Modern trucks generate enormous amounts of data. ELD records show exactly when the driver was on duty and driving. Engine control module (ECM) “black box” data captures speed, braking, and other parameters in the seconds before a crash. GPS and telematics systems track the truck’s movements. Forward-facing and driver-facing cameras may have recorded the collision itself.
This data can be overwritten in days or weeks. Sending a proper preservation letter immediately is essential.
FMCSA and Safety Records
We pull the motor carrier’s complete FMCSA history, including SAFER/Company Snapshot data, inspection results, audit reports, and prior enforcement actions. A pattern of violations helps prove the company knew it had safety problems and failed to fix them.
Driver Qualification Files
Federal law requires carriers to maintain detailed files on each driver, including CDL records, medical certifications, drug and alcohol test results, training documentation, and prior employment history. These files often reveal that a carrier hired someone it shouldn’t have.
The Autonomous Truck Factor: What’s Coming to Houston Roads
Houston’s freight corridors are becoming testing grounds for autonomous trucking technology. Aurora Innovation now operates commercial driverless Class 8 trucks on routes between Dallas, Houston, and other major hubs. Bot Auto, a Houston-based company, plans driverless delivery runs on the I-10 corridor between Houston and San Antonio.
This technology shift will reshape how truck accident cases are litigated. As Level 4 autonomous trucks become common on I-10 and I-45, litigation may shift from simple driver-negligence theories to product defect, software failure, and cybersecurity claims. Plaintiffs will look beyond trucking companies to AV developers, sensor manufacturers, and their insurers.
Our attorneys stay current on these developments because tomorrow’s truck accident cases will require understanding technology that didn’t exist a few years ago.
What to Do After a Houston Truck Accident
The steps you take immediately after a crash can significantly affect your case.
Get medical attention first. Even if you feel okay, some serious injuries don’t show symptoms right away. A medical evaluation creates documentation linking your injuries to the crash.
Report the accident to police. Make sure officers create an official crash report. Get the report number before you leave the scene.
Document everything you can. If you’re able, take photos of all vehicles involved, the road conditions, traffic signs, and your visible injuries. Get contact information from witnesses.
Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies. Adjusters may contact you quickly. They’re trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. Politely decline to give statements until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
Don’t post about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor plaintiffs’ social media accounts looking for anything they can use against you.
Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner your attorney can send preservation letters and begin investigating, the better your chances of building a strong case.
Why Choose Varghese Summersett for Your Houston Truck Accident Case
Our firm brings a unique combination of experience to truck accident litigation. With more than 70 team members across offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake, we have the resources to take on well-funded trucking companies and their insurers.
We understand both sides of the courtroom. Several of our attorneys are former prosecutors who know how to build cases and present evidence persuasively. Our personal injury team has recovered millions for clients injured in commercial vehicle crashes across Texas.
We handle truck accident cases on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free, and there’s no pressure.
More than 1,100 clients have given us five-star reviews. We’ve been recognized in Best Lawyers in America and named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. But what matters most to us is getting results for people who’ve been hurt through no fault of their own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Houston Truck Accidents
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you generally must file your lawsuit within two years of the crash date. However, evidence disappears quickly in truck cases, so contacting an attorney as soon as possible is critical.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Trucking companies sometimes try to avoid liability by classifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. However, courts look at the actual relationship between the driver and company, not just what the contract says. Many carriers that claim to use independent contractors still exercise enough control to be held responsible.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can recover damages as long as you were less than 51% responsible for the crash. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you were 20% at fault and your damages totaled $500,000, you could recover $400,000.
What if the trucking company’s insurance won’t cover all my damages?
Commercial trucking policies typically provide higher coverage than standard auto policies. Federal law requires interstate carriers to maintain at least $750,000 in liability coverage, and many carry much more. We identify all available insurance coverage, including excess and umbrella policies, to maximize your recovery.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
Early settlement offers from trucking company insurers are almost always too low. They’re hoping you’ll accept before you understand the full extent of your injuries and damages. Let an experienced attorney evaluate any offer before you sign anything.
Get Help From an Experienced Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
You shouldn’t have to face trucking companies and their insurers alone. At Varghese Summersett, we fight for people who’ve been hurt by negligent drivers and the companies that put them on the road.
If you or someone you love was injured in a Houston truck accident, call us at (817) 203-2220 for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you understand what your claim may be worth. There’s no obligation, and you won’t pay anything unless we win.
The trucking company’s legal team is already working. Make sure you have experienced attorneys working just as hard for you.
