If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Texas, you’re probably dealing with medical bills, pain, and pressure from insurance companies to settle quickly. It’s natural to wonder what your case is worth.
The truth is that there is no fixed average settlement for truck accidents. Your compensation will depend on many factors, including how badly you were hurt, who’s at fault, and more.
What makes these cases complex is who you’re up against. Trucking companies are backed by aggressive legal teams who will try to minimize payouts and settle out of court. Because multiple parties can be involved (the truck driver, the company, the insurer, and the cargo owner), getting clear answers on liability and compensation won’t be easy.
You need someone who knows exactly how to deal with them and maximize your settlement.
At No Bull Law, we offer a free consultation to review your case, walk you through your options, and help you understand what your claim could be worth. We can also fight to get you the settlement you deserve.
Meanwhile, read on to understand the average truck accident settlement, how to maximize your amount, and more.
Truck accident settlements in Texas can range from the low five figures for less serious cases to several million for severe ones, especially if the accident victim later succumbs to their injuries and was a high earner.
Insurance companies estimate these amounts using a number of factors that may include medical expenses, lost income, and the degree of liability involved.
At the end of the day, the unique facts of your case will determine your compensation. A catastrophic injury with long-term impact—like a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury—will naturally result in a higher settlement than a case involving minor, short-term injuries.
Also, insurance companies will always try to undervalue your truck accident claim.
So, it is critical to work with a lawyer who knows how to investigate, calculate damages, and negotiate hard.
A mix of legal, financial, and personal factors will shape the value of your claim.
1. Liability and Fault
Who caused the accident and how clearly that can be proven play major roles in determining your settlement amount.
Texas uses the rule of modified comparative fault, which means:
- You can still recover damages if you’re less than 51% at fault.
- However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.
For example, if your total damages are calculated as $200,000 but you’re found 20% at fault, your payout would be $160,000.
Proving that the truck driver, company, or another party was mostly (or entirely) at fault strengthens your claim. If liability is unclear or disputed, expect pushback from insurers and a lower offer.
That’s why gathering strong evidence early and working with an experienced Texas truck accident lawyer is so important.
2. Damages
You could claim compensation for three kinds of damages in Texas truck accident settlements:
- Economic damages: These are tangible, documented losses.
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Non economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Punitive damages: This will apply if the trucking company or driver acted recklessly or intentionally (for example, drunk driving or ignoring safety regulations).
3. Insurance Limits and Trucking Company Policies
Even if your injuries are severe, the amount you can actually recover will depend on the insurance coverage and who holds it.
In Texas, commercial trucks are generally required to carry substantial liability coverage. Their limits depend on whether they travel interstate or intrastate, in compliance with FMCSA regulations and what they’re carrying.
It gets complicated because truck accident cases often involve multiple insurance companies—not just the trucking company’s. There may be separate policies for the truck driver, the truck owner, a third-party maintenance provider, or even the client whose cargo was being hauled.
And if the driver was an independent contractor or driving under a lease agreement, the trucking company might deny responsibility—leaving the driver’s insurance as the primary source for your claim. These cases take longer to resolve.
It's best to hire a Texas truck accident attorney who knows where to look and how to demand accountability.
4. Defendant’s Ability to Pay
Even if you have a strong claim, the amount you actually receive can depend on whether the at-fault party has the financial resources to pay.
This usually isn’t an issue for large trucking companies with robust insurance and assets. But if the responsible party is a small operator, independent driver, or underinsured, your truck accident settlements could be limited by what they can realistically pay, even if your damages are higher.
So, it is very important to dig out every possible source of compensation, including all potentially liable parties and their available coverage. Only an experienced lawyer can help you with this.
5. Quality of Evidence
The strength of your evidence can seriously affect how much you’re offered or whether you’re offered anything at all.
Strong evidence may include things like:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Photos and camera footage from nearby businesses or dashcams
- Witness statements
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data
- Driver logs and maintenance records
- Truck maintenance records
- Toxicology reports
- Expert testimonies
On the flip side, if some documentation is missing or inconsistent, the other side will absolutely use that to question your version of events or downplay your injuries.
A sharp truck accident lawyer will know exactly what evidence to collect, how to preserve it, and how to present it to insurance companies and courts in a way that gets you the compensation you deserve.
You can make six smart moves to protect your claim and increase your chances of getting the highest possible settlement.
1. Get Medical Attention Immediately
Seeing a doctor right away protects your health and helps show that your injuries were caused by the accident. Waiting too long can hurt your claim and give insurers an excuse to downplay your injuries.
2. Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Who Knows Texas Trucking Laws
A skilled attorney can:
- Launch an immediate investigation before evidence disappears.
- Bring in accident reconstruction experts.
- Calculate real damages, including future losses you haven’t even thought about.
- Deal with aggressive insurance adjusters so you don’t have to.
- Get records from the trucking company (driver logs, maintenance history, and others).
- Negotiate from a position of strength. (According to the Insurance Research Council, you could get 3-3.5x more on average settlement if you consult with an experienced Texas personal injury lawyer.)
- Hold all responsible parties accountable—no matter how big they are.
No Bull Law has a track record of standing up to trucking giants and their insurers and winning.
3. Preserve All Evidence
Preserving evidence strengthens your claim by clearly showing what happened and who was at fault.
4. Avoid Giving Statements to the Trucking Company or Their Insurer
Insurance companies are always looking for ways to minimize or deny your payout. Even a casual comment like “I’m feeling better today” or “I didn’t see the truck coming” can be twisted to reduce your claim.
So, politely decline to give a statement and let your truck accident lawyer handle all communication.
5. Don’t Settle Too Early
Insurers often make lowball offers before the full extent of your injuries is known. You only get one shot. So make sure all future costs are factored in.
Now:
Taking the right steps after a commercial vehicle accident is crucial.
But having a strong legal team like No Bull Law by your side can make all the difference in how much you actually recover.
At No Bull Law, we have decades of experience with Texas truck accident cases. We will handle everything from investigation to negotiation to trial. We also have a track record of high-value settlements and verdicts.
The best part is you pay nothing unless we win.
Here’s how we help maximize your compensation:
- We move fast. We launch an immediate investigation to preserve critical evidence like black box data, driver logs, and witness statements before they disappear.
- We know the game. Trucking companies and their insurers are aggressive. So are we. We know how to hold them accountable and won’t hesitate to take your personal injury case to trial if needed.
- We calculate what your case is really worth. That means medical bills, lost wages, future care, pain and suffering, and every dollar you’re owed.
- We find every possible source of recovery. We know how to uncover all available coverage, whether there are multiple insurance policies or layered liability.
Call No Bull Law today for a free, honest case review.
You might have more questions on truck accident settlements. Here are answers to some common ones:
Unlike a car accident, a semi truck accident or an 18 wheeler accident usually involves high stakes and high pressure—devastating injuries, massive vehicles, and big insurance companies.
- Multiple liable parties: It’s rarely just the truck driver. You might be dealing with the trucking company, the cargo loader, a third-party maintenance provider, or even the manufacturer.
- More evidence to collect and preserve: Think black box data, driver logs, dispatch records, inspection reports, dashcam footage, driver tests, and vehicle road tests, some of which can conveniently “disappear” if you don’t act fast.
- Federal and state regulations apply: Truck drivers and their employers are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules. For example, hours of service requirements, weight restrictions, and so on. Violations of these regulations can contribute to accidents, and proving non-compliance can be essential in securing a fair settlement.
- Trucking insurers are aggressive: Their legal teams are trained to minimize payouts, and they start building a defense the moment the crash happens.
- Injury severity is often greater: Unlike in a car accident, you’re dealing with 10,000-80,000-pound vehicles. These aren’t fender-benders. The medical, emotional, and financial toll can be enormous.
2. How Long Does a Truck Accident Case Take to Settle in Texas?
A truck accident case could take anywhere from a few months to years, depending on complexity.
3. Can I Still Get Fair Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes, since Texas follows a comparative fault rule, you can still recover compensation if you were less than 51% at fault. However, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
4. What If The Trucking Company is Based Out Of State?
If the trucking company is based out of state but the accident happened in Texas, Texas courts still have jurisdiction over the case. You can file your claim locally, and the company will still be legally responsible for damages under Texas law.
5. What are The Most Common Injuries in Commercial Truck Accidents?
Here are the most common injuries sustained in truck accidents:
- Head and brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), concussions, skull fractures, facial injuries
- Spinal and back injuries: Spinal cord injuries (including paralysis), herniated or slipped discs, neck and back injuries, whiplash
- Bone and orthopedic injuries: Broken bones, rib and chest injuries, amputations
- Internal injuries: Internal bleeding, organ damage of the liver, spleen, kidneys, etc.
- Burns and skin injuries: Burns (from fire or chemical spills), lacerations and deep cuts
- Soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries: Sprains and strains, torn ligaments, soft tissue injuries
- Psychological and emotional distress: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression
Don’t Settle for Less. No Bull Law’s Got Your Back.
Truck accidents can be life-altering.
The settlement process will feel just as overwhelming. Between complex liability issues, aggressive insurance companies, and high medical costs, it’s not something you should face alone.
At No Bull Law, we know what’s at stake. We’ll give you honest answers, handle the legal pressure, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Contact us now for a free case review.
