Serious injury representation on a contingency basis, with no fees unless we recover.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Houston, an attorney experienced in commercial motor vehicle litigation can help you pursue compensation from the trucking company, the driver, and any other parties whose negligence contributed to the collision. Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, corporate defendants, and evidence that deteriorates quickly if not preserved by legal counsel.
Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers represents truck accident victims on the plaintiff side throughout Texas. Our attorneys bring more than two decades of combined trial experience to catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation and handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. If you need a Houston, TX truck accident lawyer, contact our firm for a free consultation.
Truck Accident Lawyer Houston, TX
A truck accident lawyer represents individuals and families who have been harmed in crashes involving commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, and other large vehicles operating under federal and state motor carrier regulations. The legal analysis in these cases goes beyond standard negligence. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules govern how long drivers can operate, how cargo must be loaded, how vehicles must be maintained, and what records the carrier must keep. Violations of those regulations are often at the center of truck accident liability.
Harris County records more truck crashes than any other county in Texas, more than double the next-highest county. In 2024, the Houston area recorded over 6,300 commercial vehicle crashes and 41 fatal truck collisions. Nearly one in six large truck accidents in Texas occurs in Harris County. Houston’s role as a shipping and port hub, combined with the I-10, I-45, and I-69 freight corridors that converge here, concentrates commercial truck traffic across the metropolitan area in ways that put passenger vehicle occupants, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians at risk every day.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Houston
The type of truck, the cargo it carries, and the circumstances of the crash all shape the legal strategy. A fully loaded 18-wheeler weighs up to 80,000 pounds. A passenger car weighs roughly 4,000. That 20-to-1 weight disparity explains why truck accidents produce the injuries they do.
At Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers, we handle truck accident cases including the following:
- Tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler crashes. These are the most common type of truck accident in Houston. Rear-end collisions, lane-change sideswipes, and wide-turn crashes involving fully loaded tractor-trailers cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and fatalities.
- Tanker truck accidents. Tanker trucks haul flammable liquids, chemicals, and compressed gases through Houston’s highway system daily. A ruptured tanker creates explosion and fire hazards that can cause burn injuries to occupants of nearby vehicles and bystanders.
- Delivery truck accidents. Commercial delivery vans and box trucks operated by freight carriers, retailers, and food delivery services account for a growing share of truck accident claims. These drivers often work under tight schedules that incentivize speeding and running through intersections.
- Dump truck accidents. Dump trucks carry heavy loads that shift in transit. Overloaded or improperly secured loads contribute to rollovers, and debris that falls from an uncovered bed creates hazards for trailing vehicles.
- Flatbed truck accidents. Improperly secured cargo on flatbed trailers can shift or fall, striking vehicles behind or beside the truck. Load securement violations are among the most common FMCSA infractions found in post-accident inspections.
- Jackknife accidents. When a tractor-trailer folds at the coupling point, the trailer swings across multiple lanes. Jackknife crashes are caused by hard braking, wet roads, and improper load distribution, and they frequently involve multiple vehicles.
- Underride accidents. A passenger vehicle that slides beneath the rear or side of a truck trailer sustains catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment. These collisions are among the most lethal types of truck accidents.
- Wide-turn collisions. Trucks making right turns swing wide into adjacent lanes. Drivers of passenger vehicles caught in the truck’s turning path are struck by the trailer or pinned against obstacles.
- Wrongful death. When a truck accident kills a motorist, passenger, or pedestrian, Texas law allows the surviving spouse, children, and parents to file wrongful death claims. Seventy-two percent of fatalities in large truck crashes are occupants of the other vehicle.
Why Choose Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers as My Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX?
Defense-Side CMV Experience Now Applied for Plaintiffs
Mike Streich spent nearly a decade on the defense side, representing trucking companies, insurance carriers, and Lloyd’s of London syndicate members in catastrophic injury and death cases involving commercial motor vehicles. He knows how trucking companies and their insurers respond to accident claims because he used to build those defense strategies himself. That background now works in the opposite direction. Mike graduated cum laude from the UH Law Center and has been named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers in multiple years.
Matt Greenberg has served as lead trial counsel in cases producing record-setting verdicts and settlements. He earned his J.D. from Baylor Law School, is licensed in Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona, and has been recognized by Lawdragon and the National Trial Lawyers. Matt’s trial work has been covered by media outlets including ABC, FOX, and CBS.
Together, our attorneys have recovered over $375 million for injured clients, including a $35 million truck accident wrongful death settlement and a $3.5 million truck accident recovery. As your personal injury lawyer in Houston, our firm handles every truck accident case on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we obtain a recovery.
What Is Important to Understand About a Truck Accident Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident injuries are frequently catastrophic. That is a function of physics, not speculation. The damages in these cases reflect the severity of the harm and the long-term medical treatment that follows.
Texas law allows injured truck accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical costs, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and projected future treatment that may extend for decades
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity over the remainder of the victim’s working life
- Costs for home modifications, assistive devices, and long-term care
Non-economic damages cover the personal consequences:
- Physical pain and mental anguish
- Disfigurement and permanent physical impairment
- Loss of enjoyment of daily activities
- Loss of consortium for spouses
Liability in truck accident cases extends beyond the driver. The trucking company, the cargo shipper, the freight broker, the trailer owner, and a component manufacturer may each bear responsibility depending on the facts. Texas comparative negligence reduces your recovery by your share of fault and bars recovery entirely if your fault exceeds 50 percent.
What Are Important Aspects of a Truck Accident Case?
Truck accident claims involve regulatory, evidentiary, and corporate dimensions that do not exist in standard motor vehicle cases.
- Federal regulations matter. FMCSA rules govern hours of service, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle inspection schedules, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations are often central to proving negligence, and your attorney must know where to look in the carrier’s records.
- Evidence disappears quickly. Electronic logging device data, engine control module recordings, dash camera footage, and GPS tracking data can be overwritten or destroyed within days if the trucking company is not put on notice. Preserving this evidence early is one of the most important steps your attorney will take.
- Multiple corporate defendants complicate the claim. The driver, the carrier, the shipper, and the trailer leasing company may each carry separate insurance policies and employ separate defense counsel. Each one will try to shift blame to the others.
- Trucking companies deploy rapid response teams. Within hours of a serious crash, the trucking company’s investigators and attorneys are at the scene collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. If you do not have an attorney working in parallel, the carrier will control the narrative from the start.
What Is the Truck Accident Case Timeline?
The timeline depends on injury severity, the number of defendants, and how aggressively the trucking company contests liability.
- Investigation begins the same day the firm is retained. Preservation demands go out to the trucking company, the driver, and any connected entities for ELD data, maintenance records, driver logs, and camera footage.
- Medical treatment continues until the client reaches maximum medical improvement. For serious injuries such as spinal cord damage, amputations, or severe burns, this phase may last a year or longer.
- The firm analyzes the carrier’s safety record, the driver’s qualification file, and any FMCSA compliance history before building the demand.
- Negotiations with the trucking company’s insurer follow. The minimum federal insurance requirement for an interstate carrier is $750,000, but most large carriers maintain policies of $1 million or more.
- If fair terms are not offered, suit is filed. Truck accident litigation in Harris County generally takes one to three years from filing to resolution.
What Should You Bring to Your Truck Accident Consultation?
Organizing your documentation before the consultation helps the attorneys evaluate your case more efficiently. You may not have all of these items at this stage. Bring whatever documentation is available:
- The police report or crash report
- Medical records and bills from treatment received so far
- Photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, the truck, and your injuries
- The trucking company name, truck number, or USDOT number if available
- Insurance information and any correspondence from the trucking company or its insurer
- Names and contact information for witnesses
During the consultation, we review the facts, identify the trucking company and any other potentially liable parties, and give you a direct assessment of the claim. There is no charge for this meeting.
What Are Important Texas Legal Resources for Truck Accident Cases?
Both federal and state law apply to truck accident claims. The following resources help injured individuals and their families locate applicable statutes and regulations.
- The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years from the date of injury under Chapter 16 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
- Texas negligence law follows a proportionate responsibility framework. A plaintiff’s recovery is reduced by their share of fault, and recovery is barred if the plaintiff bears more than 50 percent of the responsibility.
- Texas does not cap economic damages in most personal injury cases. Non-economic damage caps apply in limited categories.
- The FMCSA website provides carrier safety records, hours-of-service regulations, and driver qualification requirements.
- The Texas Legislature website provides access to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
- Our firm monitors Texas legal changes affecting truck accident claims and commercial vehicle liability.
Reach Out to Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident in Houston, TX, our attorneys are available for a free and confidential case review. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation. Contact us to schedule a consultation at a time that works for you.
Truck Accident Statistics in Houston
Texas leads the nation in fatal truck crashes by a wide margin. According to TxDOT crash data, 39,393 commercial motor vehicle crashes occurred statewide in 2024, resulting in 608 fatalities and 1,601 serious injuries. The FMCSA reported 645 fatal large truck crashes and 712 deaths in Texas that same year.
Harris County bears a disproportionate share. The Houston area recorded over 6,300 commercial vehicle crashes and 41 fatal truck collisions in 2024. That is nearly one in six of all large truck accidents statewide. According to NHTSA truck data, approximately 72 percent of people killed in large truck crashes nationwide are occupants of the other vehicle, not the truck. Houston’s designation as a major port and freight hub, combined with the convergence of the I-10, I-45, and I-69 corridors, means the city carries commercial truck traffic volumes that exceed those of most other metropolitan areas in the country.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Houston
The actions you take in the hours and days following a truck accident affect both your medical outcome and your legal position. Trucking companies move quickly to control the narrative after a serious crash, and the steps below are designed to protect your interests before that happens.
1. Call 911 and seek medical attention. Even if you feel able to walk, internal injuries and concussions may not produce immediate symptoms. A medical evaluation creates a record connecting your injuries to the crash.
2. Document the truck. If you are physically able, photograph the truck, including the company name on the cab, the USDOT number, the license plate, and any visible damage. Photograph the trailer, cargo, and any debris on the road.
3. Photograph the entire scene. Take pictures of all vehicles involved, the road conditions, traffic signals, lane markings, and any skid marks. Weather conditions, lighting, and visibility should also be documented.
4. Collect witness information. Get names, phone numbers, and email addresses for anyone who saw the crash. Truck accident witnesses are often other drivers who may be difficult to locate later.
5. Do not speak to the trucking company’s representatives. The carrier will send investigators and adjusters to the scene or to your hospital room quickly. Do not give a recorded statement, sign any documents, or discuss the accident with them. Anything you say will be used to minimize the company’s liability.
6. Request a copy of the police report. The report identifies the truck driver, the carrier, the insurance information, and the officer’s preliminary assessment of contributing factors. This document is the starting point for your attorney’s investigation.
7. Preserve your vehicle. Do not authorize repairs until your attorney has had the vehicle inspected. The damage patterns on your car, combined with the truck’s damage and the scene evidence, help reconstruct how the collision occurred.
8. Contact a truck accident attorney promptly. Trucking companies begin building their defense within hours. Your attorney needs to issue preservation demands for the truck’s electronic data, the driver’s logs, and the carrier’s maintenance and safety records before any of it is overwritten or lost. Avoiding common mistakes in the early stages of a truck accident claim can have a significant impact on the outcome.
Houston Truck Accident Lawyer FAQs
Who can be held liable in a truck accident?
The driver, the trucking company, the cargo shipper, the freight broker, the trailer owner, and the manufacturer of a defective truck component may all bear some share of liability. The investigation determines which parties were negligent and how their failures contributed to the crash. Most truck accident cases involve more than one defendant.
How is a truck accident case different from a car accident case?
Federal FMCSA regulations govern trucking operations, and violations of those regulations create evidence of negligence that does not exist in a standard car accident case. Truck cases also tend to involve corporate defendants with dedicated legal teams, higher insurance limits, and rapid-response investigation protocols that begin within hours of the crash.
What is the statute of limitations for a truck accident claim in Texas?
Two years from the date of injury. But the real urgency is evidence preservation. Electronic logging data and engine control module recordings can be overwritten in a matter of days. Consulting an attorney within the first week protects your ability to obtain this evidence.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
No. The adjuster represents the trucking company, not you. Their recorded statements are used to find inconsistencies and reduce the value of your claim. Let your attorney handle all communications with the carrier’s insurer.
What is a black box in a truck accident case?
Commercial trucks are equipped with electronic control modules and electronic logging devices that record speed, braking, engine RPMs, and driving hours. This data can establish what the driver and the truck were doing in the seconds before the crash. It is critical evidence, and it can be lost if a preservation demand is not issued quickly.
How much is a truck accident case worth?
The value depends on the severity of the injuries, the strength of the liability evidence, the number of defendants, and the available insurance coverage. Truck accident cases generally carry higher values than passenger vehicle cases because the injuries are more severe and the insurance policies are larger.
Can I file a claim if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
In many cases, yes. The trucking company may still be liable even if the driver is classified as an independent contractor. The legal analysis focuses on the degree of control the carrier exercised over the driver’s work, the equipment, and the route.
What if the truck was carrying hazardous materials?
Hazardous materials truck accidents involve additional regulations, including FMCSA hazmat endorsement requirements and U.S. Department of Transportation placarding rules. A chemical spill or fire adds complexity to the claim and may involve additional government investigations.
Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident case?
Truck accident cases are not claims you should handle without representation. The trucking company has experienced defense attorneys, corporate investigators, and insurance professionals working on their side from the moment the crash occurs. You need someone working on yours.
What should I do if I was injured as a passenger in a truck?
Passengers injured in the cab of a commercial truck may have claims against the driver, the trucking company, and other motorists involved in the crash. The analysis depends on who was at fault and what safety protocols were violated. A consultation with an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
Local Information for Houston Truck Accident Cases
Most Dangerous Locations for Truck Accidents in Houston
Truck accident risk in Houston follows the freight corridors and industrial zones where commercial truck traffic concentrates.
- Interstate 10 (Katy Freeway) is the primary east-west freight corridor through Houston. The segment between Highway 6 and the I-610 interchange carries some of the highest commercial truck volumes in the state.
- Interstate 45 runs north-south through Harris County, connecting Houston’s port facilities to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and carrying trucks serving oilfield operations across North and West Texas. Both the Gulf Freeway and North Freeway segments record significant truck crash volumes.
- Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway) circles the city and connects the Port of Houston to distribution centers throughout the metropolitan area. Truck traffic on this route is heavy and sustained.
- Interstate 69/US-59 (Southwest Freeway and Eastex Freeway) carries freight traffic through Houston’s urban core and eastward toward the Port of Houston and the Ship Channel industrial corridor.
- State Highway 225 serves the petrochemical corridor between Pasadena and La Porte. Tanker trucks and heavy haul vehicles are a constant presence on this route.
What Are Important Local Resources for Houston Truck Accident Cases?
Individuals involved in truck accidents in Houston may need to contact the following agencies and facilities. These are listed for reference purposes only.
- Houston Police Department for accident reports and non-emergency inquiries: (713) 884-3131
- Memorial Hermann, a Level I trauma center for critical injuries: (713) 704-4000
- Harris Health System (Ben Taub Hospital), a Level I trauma center serving Harris County: (713) 873-2000
- FMCSA Safety Hotline for reporting unsafe commercial vehicle operations
Listing these resources does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers.
About Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers
Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers is a Houston-based injury law firm focused on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Matt Greenberg has been recognized by his peers across multiple professional organizations for his trial work and is active in the American Association for Justice. Mike Streich is a member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association and has been featured on the Dirty Verdict Podcast discussing trial strategy in commercial vehicle cases.
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Contact Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers
Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, corporate defendants, and evidence that must be preserved within hours of the crash. At Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers, we provide free consultations for Houston truck accident cases. Our contingency fee structure means no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Contact us to schedule your free case review with a Houston, TX truck accident attorney.
