When You Need Truck Accidents Attorneys After a Devastating Collision

When a massive 18-wheeler crashes into your vehicle on I-35 or MoPac, your life changes in an instant. Truck accidents attorneys are specialized legal professionals who handle the complex litigation that follows these devastating collisions, fighting insurance companies and trucking corporations to secure fair compensation for victims.

Unlike car accident cases, truck accident claims involve specialized knowledge of federal trucking regulations, access to industry experts, and experience with corporate insurance policies. Attorneys must know how to preserve critical evidence like driver logs and black box data to pursue higher damage awards for severe injuries.

The stakes are dramatically higher when you’re hit by an 80,000-pound semi-truck. In Texas, these accidents are tragically common and disproportionately fatal for the occupants of smaller cars. Austin-area victims often face immediate pressure from trucking company response teams and their lawyers, who work to minimize liability before you’ve even left the hospital. While you’re dealing with catastrophic injuries and mounting medical bills, their insurance adjusters will pressure you to accept lowball settlements.

These cases require attorneys who understand the trucking industry inside and out. Without specialized legal representation, victims often receive far less compensation than they deserve.

Quick look at truck accidents attorneys:

Why 18-Wheeler Wrecks Are More Complex Than Car Crashes

The difference between a fender bender in Cedar Park and a collision with an 18-wheeler on I-35 near Round Rock is immense. Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and when they collide with smaller vehicles, the consequences are often catastrophic for the car’s occupants. This leads to complex legal battles against well-funded trucking corporations and their aggressive insurers.

Here’s a quick look at why truck accident claims are in a league of their own:

Feature	Car Accident Claim	Truck Accident Claim
Injury Severity	Often minor to moderate	Frequently severe, catastrophic, or fatal
Liable Parties	Usually one or two drivers	Multiple potential parties: driver, trucking company, owner, cargo loader, maintenance provider, manufacturer
Regulations	State traffic laws	State traffic laws PLUS complex federal (FMCSA) and state trucking regulations
Insurance Policies	Standard auto insurance limits	High-limit commercial liability policies
Investigation	Simpler, focused on driver actions	Highly complex; involves black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, expert reconstructionists
Corporate Involvement	Rare	Standard; companies deploy immediate response teams to limit liability

The Role of Federal and Texas State Regulations

The trucking industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which sets strict rules for everything from driver hours to vehicle maintenance. A violation of these rules, such as a driver exceeding the legal hours-of-service to combat fatigue, can be powerful proof of negligence. Similarly, if a truck’s brakes failed due to poor maintenance, the trucking company can be held responsible. Our truck accidents attorneys are intimately familiar with both federal regulations and the Texas Transportation Code, and we know how to use violations to build a strong case for you, whether your accident was in Killeen or Austin. For more, see: Legal Implications of Driver Negligence: Austin Truck Wreck Attorney.

Identifying All Liable Parties

Unlike a car crash, a truck accident can involve a whole cast of responsible parties. Identifying every one is critical to maximizing your compensation. Beyond the driver, we investigate:

The Trucking Company: For negligent hiring, training, or pressuring drivers to violate safety rules.
The Truck/Trailer Owner: May be a separate entity from the trucking company.
The Cargo Loader: If improperly secured cargo caused the accident.
Maintenance Contractors: For faulty repairs.
Vehicle Manufacturers: For defective parts.

Each of these parties may have their own insurance, providing additional avenues for compensation. Untangling this web is a key job for experienced truck accidents attorneys. Learn more here: Suing a Trucking Company.

How Trucking Companies Fight Back

Trucking companies and their insurers are not your friends. They immediately go on the defensive, dispatching “immediate response teams” of lawyers and investigators to the scene to collect evidence that protects their interests. They may try to get you to make statements, sign releases, or accept a quick, lowball settlement offer before you understand the true cost of your injuries. This aggressive approach is why you need your own experienced team to counteract their every move. For more reasons why specialized legal help is crucial, read: 5 Reasons to Hire an Austin Truck Wreck Attorney.

Common Causes and Consequences of Truck Accidents in Texas

Truck accidents are a harsh reality on Texas roads. In our practice areas, from Pflugerville to San Marcos, we see the tragic results of these collisions, which often stem from specific, preventable causes.

Leading Causes of Commercial Truck Collisions

Our investigations often reveal a combination of factors leading to a crash. Here are some of the most common culprits:

Driver Fatigue: Despite federal hours-of-service rules, many drivers are pushed beyond safe limits, a major cause of accidents.
Distracted Driving: Using cell phones, GPS, or other distractions can be catastrophic in an 80,000-pound vehicle.
Speeding: Tight deadlines often lead drivers to speed, reducing stopping distance and increasing crash severity.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Impaired driving from alcohol or drugs remains a serious problem.
Improper Cargo Loading: Unsecured cargo can shift, causing the truck to become unstable and roll over.
Poor Truck Maintenance: Neglected brakes, worn tires, and other mechanical failures are common causes.
Inadequate Training: Companies sometimes hire drivers without the proper qualifications or training.
Blind Spots: Trucks have massive blind spots (no-zones) that can lead to collisions during lane changes.

For a deeper dive into a primary cause, see: Truck Driver Fatigue: A Leading Cause of Accidents.

Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Death

Due to the immense force involved, injuries sustained by occupants of smaller vehicles are often severe, life-altering, or fatal. We’ve seen the devastating impact on families in communities from Harker Heights to Temple.

Common catastrophic injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Can result in long-term cognitive and physical disability.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Often lead to partial or complete paralysis.
Amputations, Severe Burns, and Internal Injuries: Life-threatening injuries requiring extensive medical care.
Orthopedic Injuries: Multiple and complex bone fractures.
Psychological Trauma: Victims often suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Sadly, many truck accidents result in wrongful death. Texas law allows close family members to file a claim to seek compensation for their immense loss. For more details, visit: Common Truck Accident Injuries.

Why You Need Specialized Truck Accidents Attorneys for Your Texas Case

After a devastating truck accident on Highway 183 near Austin, you’ll likely get a call from the trucking company’s insurance adjuster offering a quick settlement. They are trained to minimize payouts and know you probably don’t understand the true value of your case. This is why you need truck accidents attorneys who specialize in these complex claims.

When you’re up against billion-dollar trucking companies, you need legal warriors who live and breathe truck accident law. At Gibbs & Crivelli, we fight for families across Central Texas—from Cedar Park to San Marcos. We know the local courts and how trucking companies operate here. The complexity of these cases, involving federal regulations and intricate liability, demands specialized knowledge that a general practice lawyer may not possess.

The Role of Truck Accidents Attorneys in Proving Negligence

Proving negligence requires immediate and thorough investigation. The moment we take your case, we work to preserve evidence that trucking companies would rather you never see. We send a spoliation letter, a legal demand to prevent the destruction of crucial evidence like:

Event data recorders (the truck’s black box)
Driver logs (to check for hours-of-service violations)
Maintenance records (which may reveal dangerous cost-cutting)

We’ve handled cases in Georgetown where brake failure was due to skipped maintenance and in Round Rock where a driver was on the road for 16 straight hours. We also hire accident reconstruction experts to recreate the crash scene, determining factors like speed and driver reaction time. This thorough investigation often uncovers multiple forms of negligence, strengthening your case. Learn more at Negligence: Austin Truck Wreck Attorney.

How Experienced Truck Accidents Attorneys Maximize Your Compensation

An insurance company’s initial offer rarely covers the full extent of your losses. Our job is to calculate all your damages, including those you might not have considered.

We account for all medical bills, both current and future, including surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care. We also calculate lost wages and, more importantly, your lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous career. For a 35-year-old construction worker from Killeen, this could amount to millions over a lifetime.

We also fight for compensation for your pain and suffering, which is very real even if it’s hard to quantify. In cases of extreme recklessness, we pursue punitive damages (called exemplary damages in Texas) to punish the wrongdoer. We prepare every case for trial, which gives us the leverage to negotiate maximum compensation for you.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in the Austin Area

Being in a truck accident on a busy Texas roadway like I-35 in Austin or US-190 in Killeen is terrifying. What you do in the immediate aftermath can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation.

Immediate Actions at the Scene

Ensure Safety: If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.
Call 911: Report the accident and request emergency medical services. A police report is vital.
Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the priority. Get checked out even if you feel fine, as some serious injuries aren’t immediately apparent.
Document Everything: If you are able, take photos and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, the truck’s USDOT number, and any visible injuries.
Exchange Information: Get the truck driver’s name, contact info, insurance details, and their employer’s information. Get contact info from any witnesses.
Avoid Admitting Fault: Do not apologize or say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault.
Decline to Speak: Politely decline to speak with any representatives from the trucking company or their insurer. Direct them to your attorney.

For a comprehensive guide, refer to: What to Do After a Truck Accident.

The Legal Process and Texas Statute of Limitations

After the accident, the legal process begins. It’s critical to know that in Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to seek compensation forever.

Texas also follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. This is why contacting experienced truck accidents attorneys as soon as possible is so important. For a detailed walkthrough, see: Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Austin.

Frequently Asked Questions about Texas Truck Accident Claims

After a devastating truck accident in Austin or Round Rock, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and have questions. Here are answers to the most common questions we hear.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident attorney?

Hiring our truck accidents attorneys costs you nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we cover all case expenses, from investigation to expert witness fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you through a settlement or verdict. Our fee is a percentage of that recovery, which we explain clearly from the start. This arrangement allows you to focus on healing without any financial risk.

How much is my truck accident claim worth?

There is no magic number or “average” settlement, as every case is unique. The value of your claim depends on several factors our truck accidents attorneys will evaluate, including:

Severity of your injuries and the cost of past and future medical care.
Economic damages like lost wages and reduced future earning capacity.
Non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Liability percentage, as Texas’s comparative fault rule can affect your final award.

We conduct a thorough investigation and work with experts to accurately assess the full value of your damages.

How long will my truck accident lawsuit take?

The timeline varies significantly based on the case’s complexity. A straightforward case might settle in several months, but more complex cases involving catastrophic injuries or disputed liability can take one to two years or longer. Factors affecting the duration include the investigation phase, negotiations with insurers, and the potential for litigation and trial. While we work efficiently, our priority is to never rush a settlement that doesn’t fully compensate you for your losses. Your family’s financial security is worth fighting for, no matter how long it takes.

Get the Justice You Deserve After a Devastating Truck Wreck

When an 18-wheeler crashes into your world, you are suddenly thrust into a complex legal battle against a multi-billion dollar industry. The complexities—from federal trucking regulations to multiple liable parties and aggressive insurance tactics—are why you can’t afford to go it alone.

Trucking companies have immediate response teams and unlimited resources. You need a team that is just as prepared to fight for you.

At Gibbs & Crivelli, we’ve built our practice on fighting for Texans. Whether your accident happened in Austin, Cedar Park, Harker Heights, or Georgetown, we know these roads, courts, and tactics. We’re not just your truck accidents attorneys; we’re your neighbors, and when trucking companies try to steamroll Texas families, it’s personal to us.

The importance of specialized legal help cannot be overstated. Protecting your future means ensuring you have the resources for ongoing medical care and that negligent companies face real consequences.

The clock is ticking. Evidence disappears, and trucking companies are already working to limit their liability. You don’t have to figure this out alone. From San Marcos to Killeen, we’ve helped countless families steer this exact situation.

Contact an Austin Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation today. Let us shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery. The justice you deserve is waiting, and we’re here to help you get it.

Hit by a Semi? Find the Best Truck Accident Attorneys Now