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Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Houston, call 713-222-7211 today or click here to schedule a free consultation with one of Texas’s most trusted personal injury firms. Decades fighting for Texas truck accident victims. Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner have recovered billions for clients hurt by 18-wheelers and commercial trucks
Our Houston truck accident attorneys are recognized leaders in this field. Our partners, Benny Agosto Jr., Mo Aziz, Brant Stogner, Jennifer Stogner, Karl Long, and Lena Laurenzo have each secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in cases involving catastrophic trucking collisions. They’ve been repeatedly recognized by Texas Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and the American Board of Trial Advocates for their outstanding work in high-stakes injury litigation.
We understand how to navigate the complex regulations that govern commercial trucking companies and we’ve gone toe-to-toe with some of the largest carriers and insurers in the country. Whether the case involves driver fatigue, improper maintenance, or violations of federal safety laws, we know how to build a winning case.
Our attorneys are trial-tested and unafraid to go to court when trucking companies and insurers refuse fair compensation. In fact, our courtroom reputation often leads to higher settlements before trial even begins. Several of our lawyers, Benny Agosto, Mo Aziz, Brant Stogner, Jonathan Sneed, Kim Spurlock, and Brandy Voss, are board certified, a distinction held by less than 10% of Texas attorneys. This elite credential signals substantial trial experience, proven expertise, and a commitment to the highest standards of legal practice.
At Abraham Watkins, we maintain a rapid-response investigation team that allows us to act quickly after an accident. Preserving evidence like black box data, driver logs, and crash scene photos is critical in truck accident cases, and we’re equipped to begin building your case the moment you contact us.
We only take on serious trucking accident cases involving severe injury or wrongful death, and we do so on a contingency fee basis— so you don’t pay unless we win.
Why Commercial Truck Accidents Are So Common in Houston and Throughout Texas
Houston, Texas, serves as a major transportation hub for not only the state but also the nation. There is an extensive highway system in Houston that includes the 610 loop, US Route 59, I-45, and I-10, serving as a main channel for freight transport in commercial trucks. Furthermore, Houston’s rail lines and port system make it a strategic place for interstate commercial trucking, which results in notable traffic of commercial vehicles.
This means that thousands of commercial trucks, including freight vehicles, semi-trucks, and 18 wheelers, pass through the Houston area each day, escalating the risk of getting in a catastrophic trucking accident.
Cross-Border Trucking Issues
As Houston is relatively close to Mexico, there is a high volume of trucking across the border. With the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the number of trucks with goods has increased across borders, with some companies failing to comply with the stringent safety and maintenance measures required by the United States government. Problems like overloaded cargo, inadequate maintenance of vehicles, and driver fatigue can heighten the risk of a trucking accident.
International trucking companies that are sending their truckers for the long haul into the United States might not be used to the same federal trucking safety regulations as companies based in the United States. This can result in inexperienced drivers, mechanical failures, lack of proper insurance, and other issues that can exacerbate the complexity of a personal injury claim post-accident, necessitating a knowledgeable Houston truck accident lawyer.
The Oil and Gas Industry’s Impact on Trucking Safety
Houston serves as one of the energy capitals of the world, pushing significant amounts of oil and gas throughout the country. As the economy in the region is heavily reliant on flatbeds, specialized freight carriers, tanker trucks, and other commercial vehicles for the transportation of hazardous materials like natural gas and crude oil, catastrophic accidents are inevitable.
Considering the high risks of chemical spills, explosions, and fatigue among oil field truck drivers, it’s important to work with an attorney on your commercial trucking accident case who understands industry-specific risks. A Houston truck accident attorney from Abraham Watkins has a reputation for handling oil field trucking accidents, working to hold negligent trucking companies and their insurers accountable for their actions.
Infrastructure and Poor Road Conditions
Unfortunately, Houston’s infrastructure is continuing to age without being adequately repaired. This, in addition to significant traffic congestion, brings great risks for trucking accidents. Hazardous intersections, inadequately maintained roadways, and construction zones on highways pose further risks to commercial truck drivers and other motorists.
Our firm can bring justice for your case if you are the victim of a commercial trucking accident caused by poor road conditions.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Houston
Trucking accidents commonly happen due to a mix of mechanical failure, dangerous road conditions, and negligent driving. Some of the more common causes of commercial truck accidents are:
- Distracted driving. Drivers who are on the phone, using a GPS, eating, or otherwise distracted in their cab can lose sight of the road, causing a catastrophic crash.
- Driver fatigue. As truckers are commonly pressured by companies to meet unrealistic deadlines, this can cause them to skip breaks or not sleep enough, making them fatigued and dangerous on the road.
- Reckless driving. As commercial trucks need more distance before they can come to a full stop, this increases the danger of high-speed collisions because of reckless driving behavior like speeding.
- Inadequate maintenance. If a tire blows out, brakes are broken, or the transmission fails, it can lead to a harmful or even deadly truck accident.
- Cargo issues. If cargo is not adequately secured or if it is overloaded, it can potentially cause rollovers and jackknife accidents.
- Drunk driving. The use of alcohol and drugs among commerical truck drivers can seriously increase the risk of getting in an accident.
If you have been in a commercial trucking accident that was caused by any of these common factors, it’s crucial to work with a skilled and compassionate commercial trucking accident lawyer.
Notable Houston Trucking Companies
There are several major trucking companies that operate in and around the Houston area, such as Swift Transportation, Schneider, Knight Transportation, J.B. Hunt Transport, UPS Freight, FedEx Freight, and Werner Enterprises.
If your loved one has been involved in a truck accident owned by one of these companies or another trucking company, a Houston truck accident attorney from our team can launch an in-depth investigation into your case, determine liability, and hold responsible parties liable for their actions.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
As commercial truck accident cases are very complicated, working with a dedicated Houston truck accident lawyer can make all the difference. Specifically, an empathetic and hardworking attorney from our team can help you with the following:
- Accident investigation. We can investigate the details of your case by collecting video footage, black box data, driver logs, witness statements, and accident reports. Furthermore, we can work with our network of accident reconstruction professionals to understand exactly what happened, as well as review trucking company maintenance logs and compliance with regulations.
- Determining liable parties. After collecting all the evidence, we can help determine liability. Potentially liable parties could be trucking manufacturers, third-party contractors, like maintenance providers or cargo loaders, the trucking company, and the truck driver.
- Dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies of large trucking companies commonly try to minimize their payouts for an accident or blame the crash on the victim to maximize their bottom line. Fortunately, our firm can negotiate aggressively on your behalf to obtain a settlement that truly reflects all you have lost.
- Determining your claim value. A truck accident can lead to devastating amounts of lost income and medical expenses. We can fully evaluate your situation, accounting for medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation and therapy costs, lost income, future earning potential, pain and suffering, damages, and wrongful death damages.
- Taking your case to trial. If we cannot secure an optimal settlement on your behalf outside of the courtroom, we can help you pursue litigation. Our Houston truck accident attorney can help you bring forward robust arguments backed by evidence to get you a compensation package that fully reflects your damages.
Houston Truck Accident Statistics (Harris County)
Compared to the state and the nation, Harris County experiences a notable number of annual truck accidents, bringing light to the significant hazards posed by commercial vehicles on the road in Houston. According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s crash report for 2023, there were 6,113 commercial vehicle crashes, with 38 of them being fatal, resulting in 40 deaths.
Of all the crashes reported, 121 of them were suspected to be serious, with a predicted 149 serious injuries. The estimated number of possible injury-related crashes was 949, meaning that there were an estimated 1,487 possible injuries in 2023 caused by commercial truck accidents.
These high numbers show just how risky Houston’s roads are when it comes to truck accidents, as well as the large number of associated fatalities and injuries. It is crucial to work with a dedicated 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Houston who can help you get compensation for damages like lost income, pain and suffering, and medical expenses.
Our Firm’s Success in Truck Accident Cases
Our fierce team of litigators has demonstrated a strong history of helping secure justice for victims of truck accidents. Some notable cases include:
- $60 million for a client in a commercial vehicle accident case.
- $36.80+ million for a settlement involving another motor vehicle case.
- $22 million settlement for a family who lost a loved one in a commercial auto accident.
View more of our case results here.
Firm News: Recent Truck Accident Cases and Legal Insights
At Abraham Watkins, we commit to keeping our clients informed about developments in truck accident litigation and safety. Recent updates include:
- Abraham Watkins Files Lawsuit Against Trucking Company Responsible for Fatally Striking Grandmother in Channelview.
- The Family of Houston Cyclist Killed by Republic Dump Truck Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit.
- Victims of Multi-Vehicle Collision File Suit Against Trucking Company PGE Transport Inc. After 18 wheeler Fire.
What to Do If You’ve Been in a Trucking Accident in Houston
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident in the Houston area, you can work towards safeguarding your legal rights, health, and access to compensation by taking the right steps. While each case is unique, it is generally recommended to:
- Prioritize your safety. Directly after the accident, you should check to see if you or others have been injured. If it’s possible to move to a safe location, do so, but do not flee the scene of the accident. As soon as possible, call 911 to report that the accident happened and request medical assistance if needed.
- Get immediate medical attention. Even if you are feeling okay, an injury from a truck accident, like a concussion or internal bleeding, may not be immediately detectable. You should go to your nearest physician to get a checkup or go to a hospital.
- Gather evidence. If it’s possible to do so, you should take both photos and videos of all the damage associated with the crash, including apparent injuries and vehicle damage. Furthermore, be sure to fully highlight any skid marks or road conditions, as well as traffic signs and signals. Collect the information of witnesses, and if they’re willing to provide a statement, ask them to do so.
- Exchange information. Get the name and contact information of the truck driver, as well as their trucking company and insurance details. Take their license plate and truck registration number. Share your information with them as well. If possible, get the contact information for any potential witnesses to the accident.
At the site of the crash, it is crucial to avoid saying sorry or admitting any fault. Any statements you make at the scene of the crash could be held against you later. Do not give any recorded statements or accept a deal without speaking to an attorney first.
Why Work With a Houston Truck Accident Attorney From Our Firm?
The dedicated Houston personal injury team at Abraham Watkins has demonstrated our commitment to those who have been dramatically hurt in accidents, including commercial trucking accidents. Our firm was founded over 75 years ago, giving us an outstanding amount of experience and knowledge that we apply to each new case to help our clients win.
Over the years, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our truck accident victim clients due to our innovative team and aggressive negotiation and litigation tactics. We have a thorough understanding of the local legal systems and are here to help our clients hold large trucking companies and their insurance companies accountable.
Choose Abraham Watkins for Your Trucking Accident Case
Abraham Watkins is one of the longest-standing personal injury firms in Texas, being over 75 years old. We have recovered over $300 million for truck accident victims across Texas and are eager to help you right away. If you’ve been in a truck crash, don’t suffer alone. Contact us today to start discussing the details of your case.
We represent truck accident clients in many areas across Texas, including Houston, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, El Paso, Galveston, McAllen, Brownsville, Katy, San Antonio, Austin, Midland, Odessa, Fort Stockton, San Marcos, Victoria, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, San Angelo and surrounding areas.
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