If a commercial truck hits you, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation.
But a truck accident lawsuit in Texas can be complex, as they often involve multiple liable parties, severe injuries, and large insurance companies working hard to minimize compensation.
You probably have a lot of questions, but understand first that every case is different.
We’ll offer some general advice below, but the best way to get answers about your specific case is to book a free consultation with one of our attorneys. (There’s no obligation to hire).
After that, keep reading to learn about the factors that affect compensation. We’ll also explore how the legal process works, and tips to maximize your payout.
Commercial truck accidents can vary immensely in compensation, depending on numerous factors specific to your case. So, a responsible law firm wouldn’t necessarily offer an average figure, as it can distort the truck accident victim’s expectations.
To give you some idea, though, we can look at the total compensation range.
A commercial truck accident lawsuit can range from a low four or five figures in compensation for less serious accidents to millions for severe and catastrophic cases.
Why such a huge range?
Let’s look at some of the factors that can influence how much your Texas truck accident settlement might be worth:
1. Types of Compensation that Apply
There are three types of compensation you might get as part of your lawsuit:
- Economic Damages: The total of your financial losses, including medical bills, legal fees, property damage, and lost wages.
- Non-economic Damages: Factors like pain and suffering, emotional damages, and loss of quality of life don’t have financial costs, but you can be compensated for them based on the severity.
- Punitive Damages: If the driver or trucking company committed criminal negligence, you may be entitled to additional punitive damages.
2. Extent of Damages and Injuries
In general, the more severe the accident, the higher the damages, both economic and non-economic. Severe injuries could justify substantial compensation due to long-term medical needs, emotional trauma, and loss of earning capacity.
However, higher damages don’t necessarily translate into higher settlements. Many factors can affect the final amount, such as strength of evidence or disputes over liability (which we’ll touch on next.)
Injuries that appear minor at first can also lead to high settlement payouts depending on the circumstances.
Ultimately, each case is fact-specific, and the actual settlement outcomes vary widely.
3. Fault and Liability
Whose fault was your trucking accident?
The answer may be less clear-cut than you’d think.
You see, Texas law uses modified comparative negligence, which means:
- You can recover compensation if you’re less than 51% at fault for an accident.
- You can claim compensation from anyone more at fault than you.
- As a truck accident victim, your compensation can be reduced by your share of fault (e.g., 20% fault = 20% reduction).
If a case is taken to trial, fault is typically assigned by a jury. Otherwise, it’s negotiated by lawyers and insurers in a settlement.
The bottom line is: Your compensation will be higher if you shared minimal fault in the accident.
But there’s another complication — fault and liability are different. Fault refers to causing an accident, while liability is a legal obligation to pay for damages.
Because trucks are often part of commercial fleets, the driver and the trucking company may be liable for certain acts of negligence under state and federal laws.
Claimants can name multiple liable parties in a lawsuit to maximize compensation, including:
- The truck driver (e.g., for violating traffic laws)
- The trucking company (e.g., for improper training, maintenance, and safety protocols)
- Other entities like vehicle manufacturers (e.g., for defects or road hazards)
4. Legal Representation
If you want to file a claim or lawsuit, you’re going to need a lawyer.
Truck accident cases involve powerful commercial insurers, corporate legal teams, and a web of federal and state regulations.
Your personal injury lawyer will guide you through every stage of the legal process. They build your case from the ground up, negotiating on your behalf and getting ready to present an airtight case in court if needed, all while giving you peace of mind to focus on healing.
The proof is in the pudding: According to the Insurance Research Council, claimants get 3-3.5x more compensation on average in settlements when they have a lawyer.
But who you hire matters.
For your best chance at full compensation, you need a reputable attorney who’s well-versed in 18-wheeler accident cases and gives your case the attention you deserve. That’s exactly what you get with No Bull Law: Passionate, experienced representation that’s fully committed to getting you results.
You can start by booking a free consultation here.
5. Insurance Limits
In a truck accident lawsuit, most compensation comes from commercial insurance policies. These have coverage limits, typically setting the maximum amount an insurer will pay out for damages.
Texas law sets minimum insurance coverage for trucks operating in-state, while Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations apply to those crossing state lines.
Because truck insurance requirements are typically higher than for normal vehicles, the ceiling for compensation in a commercial vehicle accident is also higher.
In some cases — especially involving larger trucking companies — there may be additional layers of insurance beyond the primary policy. These extra levels of coverage can significantly increase the total available compensation.
In the event your damages exceed the defendants’ policy limits, you can pursue money and assets directly from the trucking company. But this is harder to do, especially if the company can’t afford to pay or files for bankruptcy.
6. Cause of the Accident
Your compensation often depends on the types of negligence and actions that could have prevented the truck accident. You can get more compensation if you can prove that the truck driver or trucking company failed to follow safety protocols or violated FMCSA regulations.
For example, common causes of truck accidents include:
- Truck drivers violating traffic laws (e.g., speeding, DUI, ignoring road signs)
- Driver fatigue from long hours, sometimes due to pressure from trucking companies to meet unrealistic deadlines
- Lack of training or experience, especially when handling a commercial truck in difficult traffic or weather conditions
- Skipping pre-trip inspections
- Improperly loaded cargo or unsecured freight
- Violations of FMCSA regulations, including driving hour limits and required vehicle maintenance
When truck drivers or trucking companies cut corners on safety, the results can be catastrophic. Below are some of the most common truck wreck types that occur when proper protocols aren’t followed:
- Jackknifing: The trailer swings out and folds the truck. It’s often caused by speeding, slippery roads, improperly loaded cargo, or a lack of driver training.
- Rollover accidents: The truck falls over because of its high center of gravity, often caused by overloading or careless turning.
- Wide-turn collisions: The driver hits another road user while making a turn, especially a right-hand turn. Failing to check blind spots, rushing a turn, or underestimating the space needed can all lead to collisions with vehicles in adjacent lanes.
- Underride crashes: A smaller vehicle collides the trailer and slides under. They can result from poor visibility, lack of underride guards, or abrupt braking without warning.
- Cargo accidents: Unsecured or poorly balanced cargo can fall into the roadway. These accidents often point to violations in loading procedures.
- Tire blowouts: When trucking companies or drivers neglect maintenance, worn or overinflated tires can explode, leading to sudden swerving or loss of control.
With all these moving parts impacting your case, your truck accident lawyer will be your closest ally as you figure out your next steps. Let’s walk through how the Texas truck accident lawsuit process works from start to finish.
We have worked with countless accident victims and know how scary and stressful the prospect of a truck accident lawsuit may seem, especially when you don't know what you're stepping into.
It's why we usually take our clients through the steps and what they can expect to happen.
Here’s what the process looks like when you have an experienced truck accident lawyer on the case:
- First, you’ll work with your lawyer to file a truck accident claim with the relevant insurance company, submitting all your evidence.
The insurance adjuster will assess the evidence from both sides, make fault determinations, and give a settlement offer. However, they may try to undervalue your truck accident claim in an attempt to pay you less.
- In many cases, a skilled lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurance company for a fair fault assessment and settlement offer.
But if negotiations fail or your damages exceed what the insurance company can offer, you can file a lawsuit against the liable party (or parties). You must file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, which is two years from the accident date.
- Once you file a lawsuit, your Texas truck accident case will proceed as follows:
- Discovery Phase: Both legal teams work to build their cases and gather evidence. All evidence must be exchanged by all parties.
- Mediation Phase: Many Texas courts will require the claimant and plaintiff to attempt to resolve the matter through mediation before going to trial. Both sides will meet to negotiate once again with a neutral third-party mediator. The court might appoint a mediator or ask the parties to mutually agree on a mediator and submit the name to the court for approval.
- Trial Phase: If you still can’t reach a settlement agreement out of court, the case will proceed to trial, where both sides present their accident cases to a judge and jury for a final verdict.
During this process, your truck accident attorney handles your paperwork, gathers evidence, negotiates with insurers, represents you in court, and helps you avoid costly mistakes. The sooner you hire one, the better prepared they’ll be for mediation or trial.
So, don’t wait — Start the process of hiring a top-notch Texas truck accident attorney now by booking a free case consultation with No Bull Law. We’ll help you get the compensation you deserve.
But although your lawyer handles the legal heavy lifting, there are steps you can take to help them maximize your compensation.
Below is our advice for what you should do following a truck wreck to avoid harming your chances at full compensation.
If you think you may have made mistakes on any of these points, be honest with your attorney about it so they can prepare to remedy the situation.
- At the accident scene:
- Call the police (and emergency medical response if required).
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene before moving your vehicles. Be sure to include the other driver’s license, license plate, USDOT number, and any identifying logos or markings on their vehicle.
- Stay at the scene and collect contact information from the other driver and witnesses.
- Don’t admit fault or apologize.
- Don’t discuss your injuries with the truck driver.
- Don’t sign anything (e.g., written agreements about how to handle compensation).
- After the accident:
- Seek medical attention and follow all medical advice carefully.
- Keep all relevant evidence and documentation.
- Don’t speak publicly about the accident or post about it on social media.
- Don’t speak to any insurance representatives without a lawyer.
- Don’t accept settlement terms, or cash any checks without consulting a lawyer.
No Bull Law is a personal injury law firm experienced in fighting hard for people hurt in Texas truck accidents. When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a lawyer — you’re gaining an ally who’s committed to making sure you feel empowered, protected, and valued every step of the way.
Here’s how our process works:
- Get a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions and explain your options with zero obligations.
- We review your case thoroughly behind the scenes.
- If we take your case, we go all-in to build a strong case, handle all legal legwork, and fight aggressively to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
And yes, we work on contingency — that means no payment unless we win, no upfront costs, and no hidden fees.
Truck accident cases can leave you with more questions than answers, especially when you're dealing with injuries, insurance companies, financial concerns, and legal complexities all at once. To help you move forward with clarity, we’ve addressed some of the most common concerns people have after a truck crash:
1. How Long Do Truck Accident Lawsuits Take to Resolve?
A truck accident lawsuit can take anywhere from a few months to several years to resolve, depending on the complexity of the case and whether it goes to trial.
Accident cases that settle out of court typically move faster, while those that go to trial – especially complex ones involving serious injuries or multiple parties – often take longer.
Every case is different, so the best way to get a realistic timeline is to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer (like us at No Bull Law) who can evaluate the specifics of your situation.
2. Who Pays Your Medical Bills While The Case Is Ongoing?
You are generally responsible for your own medical bills while your truck accident case is in progress. But that doesn’t have to mean financial stress and out-of-pocket costs.
Your Texas truck accident attorney can explain your options for managing costs.
3. What Happens if You’re in an Accident with an Out-of-State Truck Driver?
If you’re in a crash with an out-of-state truck driver while in Texas, Texas truck accident law still applies. Truck accident settlements and lawsuits will proceed as outlined above. Your lawyer will play a pivotal role in ensuring that out-of-state insurers and lawyers follow Texas law.
However, if you had an accident with a truck while you were driving in another state, that state’s truck accident law will apply to your case. This can complicate things as US states differ on fault and liability. A skilled Texas truck accident lawyer will be able to keep things on track and fight for your compensation.
4. What if Multiple Vehicles Were Involved in the Truck Crash?
When multiple vehicles are involved in a trucking accident, you may need to file claims against several parties, and others may file claims of their own. Additionally, multiple insurance companies often get involved, which can lead to coverage disputes and delays in payouts.
A skilled personal injury lawyer is a must in this situation to clarify and simplify things for you.
Moving Forward with Confidence After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents can turn your life upside down, but understanding your rights, the legal process, and what factors affect your compensation can make a big difference in how you recover — both physically and financially.
But you can’t do it alone. Legal representation is a non-negotiable for lawsuits. Fortunately, hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer for your truck accident case will give you peace of mind and maximize your compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident, No Bull Law is here to help. We fight hard for our clients, offering straightforward legal guidance and relentless representation with no upfront costs and no fees unless we win.
Reach out to No Bull Law today for your free consultation.
