Getting hit in a commercial truck accident can result in severe injuries — from traumatic brain or spinal cord damage to multiple broken bones.
These injuries often lead to crushing medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care costs that can overwhelm even the most prepared families.
But you don’t have to bear the cost of someone else’s negligence. It helps to know what your rights are and what you can do to get compensated.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through common truck accident injuries in Texas, outline who can be held liable, and reveal how a personal injury lawyer can help secure fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Here’s a look at some common truck accident injuries in Texas:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): High-impact collisions often cause TBIs, which may lead to lasting cognitive issues.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Rollover or side-impact crashes can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing paralysis or permanent disability.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: These occur frequently in rear-end or side-impact collisions and may require extensive treatment.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs can happen even with little external damage, making prompt medical care essential.
- Amputations (Loss of Limbs): In violent truck accidents, limbs may be so badly injured that surgical amputation becomes necessary.
- Burns and Lacerations: Fires, explosions, or shattered glass can result in severe burns and deep cuts.
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims might experience PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Even lower-speed impacts can cause whiplash, which might be underestimated but can lead to ongoing pain.
All of these injuries come with a significant financial burden, but that doesn't mean that burden has to fall onto you. It will fall on the person or entity that is held liable for the accident.
Determining liability in a large truck accident is often more complex than in a typical auto accident, as multiple parties may share fault based on the circumstances.
Parties who may be held liable for a trucking accident include:
- The commercial truck driver who was operating the vehicle and was involved in the crash is primarily responsible.
- The victim may also be held partially at fault if they ignored traffic rules, in accordance with Texas’ at-fault system.
- The trucking company (carrier) can be held accountable for failing to ensure that their truck drivers adhere to safety standards and regulations.
- The truck or trailer's lessor could be held responsible if their oversight or leasing practices contributed to the accident.
- A truck parts manufacturer may be held accountable if a defect in the vehicle’s components caused or worsened the truck crash.
- Repair and maintenance crews can be held accountable if negligent service or repairs led to mechanical failures at the time of the accident.
- Shippers or loaders of the truck’s cargo may face liability if improper loading or unsecured cargo caused instability.
- Government entities responsible for road upkeep can be held accountable if poor road conditions or inadequate signage contributed to the collision.
- Other motorists in pile-up crashes may also be held liable if their negligent driving contributed to the accident.
Having so many parties involved who all may share a portion of the liability, a truck accident case is incredibly complex. Fortunately, you don’t have to sort it all out on your own.
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident, having a specialized attorney can be invaluable—especially when complexities like disputed liability or multiple-part involvement come into play.
For example, No Bull Law attorneys have years of experience navigating Texas truck accident law and will work relentlessly to secure the compensation your case warrants.
We can assist you in various ways:
- Collect vital evidence—from police reports to photos—to build a robust case.
- Pinpoint all responsible parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and more.
- Assess your losses, covering both immediate expenses and future costs.
- Handle challenging negotiations and kick back lowball settlement offers.
- Devise a solid legal plan and take your case to court if needed, protecting your rights every step of the way.
Don’t settle for less.
Reach out to No Bull Law today and let our truck accident attorneys fight to get you every dollar you’re owed.
Now, you may be wondering…
Here’s a clear breakdown of the types of compensation you may be entitled to after commercial truck accidents in Texas:
A. Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses: Covers current and future medical bills, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: If a truck crash prohibits you from going to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and potential future earnings.
- Property Damage: Reimburses the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other damaged property.
B. Non-Economic Damages
- Disfigurement and Physical Impairment: Compensation for permanent scars, disabilities, or loss of bodily function.
- Loss of Consortium: Damages for the impact on your relationship with your spouse or family.
- Pain and Suffering: Covers the physical and emotional distress caused by the truck accident.
- Punitive Damages: Awarded in cases of gross negligence, such as a drunk truck driver or a company knowingly using faulty brakes. Texas law caps punitive damages at the greater of $200,000 or two times the economic damages plus up to $750,000 of non-economic damages.
The complexity of truck accident claims—with multiple liable parties, insurers determined to minimize payouts, and intricate federal regulations—often prevents victims from securing the full compensation they deserve.
An experienced Texas truck accident lawyer not only understands these challenges but also knows how Texas laws directly influence your ability to recover damages.
Five key Texas laws directly impact your truck accident claim's success, value, and timeline:
- Texas' At-Fault System: Texas follows an at-fault system for accidents, meaning the person who caused the crash is responsible for covering the damages. This requires you to prove another party's negligence caused your injuries, unlike no-fault states where your own insurance covers you regardless of who caused the accident.
- Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule): It allows you to recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault. If you bear more than 50% of the blame, you cannot claim any compensation. This rule makes it critical to clearly establish the other party’s negligence.
- Truck-Specific Safety Regulations: Commercial trucks must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations covering driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo loading. Violations of these rules can establish negligence in your case and strengthen your claim for compensation.
- Statute of Limitations: You typically have only two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. Miss this deadline, and you lose your right to compensation, no matter how strong your case may be.
- Insurance Requirements for Trucks: Commercial trucks must carry much higher insurance limits compared to regular cars because of the potential for massive damage. FMCSA sets specific conditions for truck accident insurance. For example, interstate trucking companies must carry at least $750,000, and often $1 million or more, in coverage to ensure sufficient funds for claims.
Let’s answer some common queries Texas truck accident victims may have:
1. What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Texas?
Here’s a quick checklist an accident victim should follow after a trucking accident:
- Call 911 to get police and medical help on the scene.
- Seek medical attention; some injuries, like traumatic brain injury, may not show symptoms right away.
- If possible, document the scene with photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, and road conditions.
- Gather witness contact information for statements later.
- Report the accident to local law enforcement or the nearest Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas DPS). Also, obtain a crash report from TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation)—it can be crucial evidence for your claim.
- Contact a Texas truck accident lawyer before speaking to insurers—they’ll help protect your rights and guide you through the process.
A truck accident typically involves a loaded or semi-loaded 18-wheeler vehicle that can weigh up to 40 tons, delivering catastrophic force in crashes.
Passenger vehicles are no match for a large truck, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
Moreover, large trucks sit higher off the ground, causing underride accidents where cars slide beneath the trailer, often crushing occupants.
3. Can Truck Accident Injuries Have Long-Term Effects on Victims?
Yes, a severe injury from a truck accident can have lasting consequences. Beyond immediate harm like broken bones or head trauma, you may experience chronic pain, lasting neurological damage, or permanent disability.
A truck accident victim with severe injuries may require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation, which can affect their quality of life and future earning potential.
4. How Are Truck Accident Claims Different From Car Accident Claims?
Truck accident claims are more complex and high-stakes than car or motorcycle accident claims. Liability may involve multiple parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, parts manufacturers, and others.
These cases often require navigating federal safety regulations and relying on expert testimony. Additionally, they often rely on specialized evidence, such as data from the truck’s black box and compliance with FMCSA.
This complexity, combined with the severity of injuries, means you must work with a truck accident lawyer experienced in handling your claims.
5. The Trucking Company’s Insurer Is Offering Me a Quick Settlement. Should I Take It?
It’s not a good idea since these quick settlements often undervalue your claim, covering only immediate expenses, not future needs.
Insurers aim to minimize payouts, leaving a truck accident victim shortchanged.
Consult a personal injury lawyer to evaluate your truck accident case and ensure you receive fair compensation for both current and future losses.
Yes, Texas law allows you to recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault.
Under the modified comparative negligence rule, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% responsible, you may recover 80% of your total damages.
However, if you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
7. What if a Family Member Was Killed in a Truck Accident in Texas?
In the event of a fatal truck accident, the surviving spouse, children, and parents may file a wrongful death claim under Texas law.
This claim seeks compensation for:
- Funeral expenses
- Lost financial support, and
- Emotional distress caused by the loss
The law typically gives families two years from the date of the accident to file their claim.
A truck accident attorney can help your family navigate this difficult process and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Trust No Bull Law with Your Truck Accident Case
When you need expert guidance, you won’t have to look far.
At No Bull Law, our expert attorneys are ready to support you through every step of your truck accident and wrongful death claims.
Contact No Bull Law today for a free truck accident case evaluation.
