If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident, you already know how overwhelming the days after can feel. You are dealing with painful injuries, mounting treatment costs, and questions about how your family will get through this difficult time. The trucking company and its insurance carrier are already working to protect themselves, and you deserve someone in your corner who will fight just as hard for you.
Austin sits along one of the busiest and most dangerous freight corridors in the country, and that reality puts local drivers at serious risk every single day. Interstate 35 stretches through the heart of Central Texas, carrying massive volumes of commercial traffic between the Mexican border and destinations across the United States. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that almost half of the state’s entire population lives near the I-35 corridor, and the combination of heavy truck traffic, ongoing construction, and congested urban stretches creates dangerous conditions for everyone on the road.[1] Texas leads the nation in fatal large truck accidents, and Travis County sees hundreds of commercial vehicle collisions every year on roads like I-35, US-183, MoPac, and SH-130.[2]
At Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer®, we have spent decades helping injured Texans in Austin and Central Texas take on trucking companies and their insurers, and we are ready to fight for you, too.
With offices serving Austin and communities throughout Texas, our team can move quickly to secure evidence and start building your truck accident claim. Your first step is a FREE truck accident case review.
Call 1-800-505-1414 now or click here to get started online.
A devastating collision on a rural Texas highway claimed the lives of two young women who were driving home from work together. A tractor-trailer approaching from the opposite direction lost control after the driver failed to reduce speed for rainy conditions, and the massive rig hydroplaned across the centerline directly into their path. The impact killed both women instantly, leaving behind husbands and young children who would never see their wives and mothers again. Jim Adler & Associates stood with these grieving families and recovered $26 million to help them rebuild their lives after an unimaginable tragedy. If a truck accident has devastated your family in Austin or anywhere in Texas, The Texas Hammer® is ready to fight for you, too.
The trucking company already has a team of lawyers and investigators working to protect its money, and they started building their defense the moment the accident happened. Their job is to find ways to blame you or pay you as little as possible, and you should not have to face that kind of pressure alone while you are trying to heal and take care of your family.
The injuries from a truck collision are almost always more severe than those from a typical traffic accident, and that means the stakes are much higher for you and your family. A fully loaded 18 wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and when one of these massive commercial vehicles strikes a passenger car, the people inside the smaller vehicle suffer the worst of it. You may be facing months or years of medical treatment, growing treatment costs, lost income while you cannot work, and pain and emotional distress that affect every aspect of your daily life. A truck accident lawyer Austin families rely on understands how to calculate the full value of these losses and fight for compensation that actually reflects what you have been through.
Building a strong truck accident case requires investigative resources that most people simply do not have access to on their own. Electronic data from the truck’s onboard computer can be overwritten within days if no one takes steps to secure it, surveillance footage from nearby businesses gets recorded over, and witness memories fade quickly. The trucking company knows all of this, which is why they send their own investigators to the scene right away. At Jim Adler & Associates, our team moves just as fast, sending preservation letters to demand that critical evidence be protected and working with accident reconstruction experts to piece together exactly what happened.
Trucking companies and their insurance carriers have entire departments dedicated to minimizing what they pay on claims, and they are not afraid to use aggressive tactics to protect their bottom line. They may pressure you to give a recorded statement before you understand your rights, or they may offer a quick settlement that will not come close to covering your long-term needs. The good news is that federal law requires trucking companies to carry insurance policies of at least $750,000, and many carry $1 million or more.[4] Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer®, and our legal team know how to go toe-to-toe with these well-funded opponents and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Beyond the legal strategy and financial resources, working with a dedicated Austin truck accident lawyer gives you something that is harder to measure but just as valuable. You can focus on your recovery and your family while your legal team handles the investigation, the paperwork, the negotiations, and the fight with the insurance company. At Jim Adler & Associates, we treat every client like a person rather than just another case number, and we keep you informed every step of the way so you always know what is happening with your claim.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas, The Tough, Smart Lawyer® is ready to fight for you. Call us today for a free consultation and let us show you what experienced representation looks like.*
Truck accidents rarely happen by chance, and most of them trace back to someone failing to follow the rules of the road or cutting corners on safety. The truck driver, the trucking company, or both may have made decisions that put innocent people at serious risk. Federal regulations exist specifically to prevent these kinds of collisions, yet violations remain alarmingly common across the industry. Understanding how these accidents happen can help injured people recognize when they have a valid claim against a negligent trucking company or driver.
The causes outlined in this section represent patterns that experienced truck accident lawyers see over and over again in Austin and throughout Central Texas. When these safety failures lead to a serious accident, the people responsible should be held accountable for the harm they cause. Our team at Jim Adler & Associates knows how to investigate these cases and find the evidence that proves what went wrong and who is at fault.
Federal law strictly limits how long truck drivers can stay behind the wheel because exhausted drivers cause accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that property-carrying drivers may only drive for 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty, and they cannot drive past the 14th hour after coming on duty.[5] Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving and cannot exceed 60 or 70 on-duty hours in a seven or eight-day period.[5] Despite these rules, the FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that 13 percent of commercial motor vehicle drivers were considered fatigued at the time of their crash.[6]
Trucking companies are required to use electronic logging devices to track their drivers’ hours, and this data can prove whether a driver violated federal rest requirements before an accident.[7] An experienced Austin truck accident lawyer can obtain these records, along with fuel receipts, toll records, and dispatch logs, to reconstruct exactly how long a driver was on the road before your collision. When the evidence shows that a fatigued driver caused your accident because they or their company violated hours-of-service rules, both parties may be held liable for your injuries.
Speeding dramatically increases both the likelihood and severity of truck accidents because large trucks need much more distance to stop than passenger vehicles. At highway speeds, a fully loaded tractor-trailer may require the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop, and a driver traveling too fast simply cannot react in time when traffic slows or a hazard appears. Evidence such as the truck’s event data recorder, skid marks at the scene, and witness statements can prove that a driver was traveling too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit.
Reckless driving behaviors like tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and failure to yield the right of way are especially dangerous when a commercial truck is involved. The massive blind spots that extend along both sides of a tractor-trailer, behind the trailer, and directly in front of the cab make these maneuvers even more hazardous. A truck accident attorney Austin victims trust can work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the physical evidence and prove that reckless driving caused the collision that injured you or your loved one.
Commercial truck drivers face stricter alcohol limits than other motorists because of the devastating damage an impaired driver can cause behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle. Federal regulations set the blood alcohol concentration limit for commercial drivers at 0.04 percent, which is half the standard 0.08 percent limit that applies to other drivers.[9] Some truck drivers also use stimulants or other substances to stay awake during long hauls, and these drugs can impair judgment and reaction time just as dangerously as alcohol.
If you suspect that an impaired driver caused your truck accident, our attorneys can demand toxicology reports and other evidence to prove what substances were in the driver’s system at the time of the collision. Driving under the influence is not just a traffic violation but a serious breach of the duty every commercial driver owes to the public, and it can support claims for additional compensation when it leads to a serious injury or wrongful death.
Commercial trucks require constant maintenance to operate safely, yet some trucking companies skip inspections and ignore warning signs to save money and keep their trucks on the road. Worn brake pads, bald tires, faulty lighting systems, and steering problems are all preventable issues that can directly cause serious accidents. Federal regulations require carriers to inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles, and every truck must undergo a thorough pre-trip inspection before each run.[3] When a trucking company fails to maintain its equipment properly and that failure causes an accident, the company can be held liable for the resulting injuries.
Our attorneys review maintenance records, inspection logs, and repair histories to determine whether poor vehicle maintenance contributed to your truck crash. If the evidence shows that the trucking company knew about mechanical problems and failed to fix them, that proof can be powerful in establishing both liability and the company’s disregard for public safety.
Overloaded and improperly secured cargo presents another serious danger on Texas highways, and the Austin area sees constant commercial traffic that includes trucks carrying everything from construction materials to consumer goods. Federal weight limits exist because overloaded trailers are harder to stop, more prone to tire blowouts, and more likely to tip over during turns or sudden maneuvers. Cargo that shifts during transport can also cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to jackknife accidents, rollovers, and multi-vehicle pileups.
Our attorneys review bills of lading, cargo weight tickets, and securement records to determine whether overloading or improper loading contributed to your accident. When the company that loaded the cargo failed to follow federal securement rules or the trucking company accepted a load that exceeded legal weight limits, those parties can be held responsible for the injuries their negligence caused.
Texas weather can change quickly, and Central Texas roads like I-35 often see sudden storms, heavy rain, and even ice during winter months. A properly trained commercial truck driver should know how to adjust their driving for adverse conditions, including reducing speed, increasing following distance, and pulling over when conditions become too dangerous. When a driver fails to make these adjustments and causes an accident, they can be held responsible for the resulting harm.
Road conditions also play a role in some truck accidents, particularly on construction zones and poorly maintained stretches of highway. The ongoing I-35 expansion project through Austin has created work zones where lane shifts, reduced speeds, and construction barriers require extra caution from all drivers, especially those operating large commercial vehicles. Whatever caused your accident, Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer®, and our legal team know how to investigate the facts and build a case that holds the responsible parties accountable.
If you have been hit by a commercial truck, you already know how terrifying and violent these collisions can be. A fully loaded 18 wheeler can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car, which means the people in smaller vehicles almost always suffer the worst injuries. Understanding the type of accident you were in can help you recognize the challenges ahead and why having an experienced truck accident lawyer Austin residents trust on your side matters so much.
No matter what type of truck accident caused your injuries, The Tough, Smart Lawyer® is here to help you understand your options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
One of the biggest differences between a regular car accident and a truck accident is the number of people and companies who might share responsibility for what happened. Unlike a collision between two passenger vehicles where fault usually falls on one driver or the other, truck accidents often involve a web of businesses that all played a role in creating a dangerous situation on the road. Figuring out who is responsible matters because each party typically carries its own insurance, and identifying everyone at fault can significantly increase the compensation available to cover your injuries and losses.
An experienced Austin truck accident attorney will investigate every link in the chain to make sure no responsible party escapes accountability. At Jim Adler & Associates, we dig into the evidence to identify everyone who played a role in causing your injuries, which can significantly increase the total insurance coverage available to compensate you for what you have been through.
The moments after a truck accident can be overwhelming, and it is hard to think clearly when you are hurt, scared, and trying to process what just happened. Taking certain steps in the hours and days following your accident may help protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation later. The following suggestions are general guidelines only, and your specific situation may require different actions depending on the circumstances.
Every truck accident is different, and you should always prioritize your health and safety above everything else. If you have questions about your specific situation or want to understand your legal options, The Texas Hammer® is here to help with a free consultation.
The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks mean that people in passenger vehicles often suffer devastating injuries when these collisions occur. Even accidents at moderate speeds can leave victims with injuries that change their lives forever, requiring months or even years of medical treatment and rehabilitation. If you are dealing with serious injuries after a truck accident, understanding what you are facing can help you make informed decisions about your medical care and your legal options.
The violent force of a truck collision can cause your head to strike the steering wheel, window, dashboard, or other surfaces inside your vehicle. These impacts can result in skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, and diffuse axonal injury where the brain’s internal connections are torn. Even a concussion that seems minor at first can lead to lasting problems with memory, concentration, mood, and behavior that affect every aspect of your daily life.
Many truck accident victims do not realize they have a brain injury until days or weeks after the collision, when symptoms begin to interfere with work and relationships. Headaches, confusion, difficulty sleeping, personality changes, and trouble completing familiar tasks are all warning signs that something is wrong. These injuries often require extensive neurological treatment and may permanently affect your ability to work and enjoy life the way you did before the accident.
Your spine absorbs tremendous force during a truck accident, and the damage can range from painful herniated discs to complete paralysis. When the spinal cord itself is damaged, victims may lose feeling and movement below the point of injury, sometimes permanently. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are life-altering conditions that require around-the-clock care, specialized medical equipment, and home modifications that can cost millions of dollars over a lifetime.
Spinal cord injuries from truck accidents frequently require emergency surgery followed by months of intensive rehabilitation. Many victims find that they can no longer work in their previous occupation or participate in activities that once brought them joy. The financial and emotional toll of living with a spinal injury extends far beyond the initial medical expenses, and an experienced truck accident lawyer Austin families trust can help ensure your settlement accounts for all of these long-term needs.
Neck and back injuries are among the most common results of truck accidents, and they can range from soft tissue strains to serious structural damage. Whiplash occurs when the head snaps forward and backward violently, stretching and tearing the muscles and ligaments in the neck. Herniated discs happen when the cushioning material between vertebrae ruptures and presses against nearby nerves, causing pain that can radiate down the arms or legs.
These injuries can cause chronic pain that makes it difficult to sit, stand, walk, or perform basic activities without discomfort. Many victims require ongoing physical therapy, pain management injections, or even spinal fusion surgery to address the damage. The treatment costs and lost income associated with neck and back injuries can add up quickly, making it essential to pursue full compensation from the parties responsible for your accident.
Broken bones are extremely common in truck accidents, and the fractures are often more severe than those seen in typical car collisions. Shattered pelvises, crushed legs, broken ribs, and compound fractures where the bone pierces the skin all require extensive surgical repair and lengthy recovery periods. Many victims need metal plates, screws, or rods implanted permanently, and some fractures never heal properly despite the best medical care.
Orthopedic injuries can leave victims unable to work for months while they recover, and some people never regain full use of the affected limb or joint. The medical bills for emergency surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and follow-up care can quickly reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. These injuries deserve compensation that reflects not just your current expenses but also your future medical needs and the impact on your earning capacity.
The blunt force trauma of a truck collision can damage internal organs even when there are no visible wounds on the outside of the body. Ruptured spleens, lacerated livers, punctured lungs, and internal bleeding are all life-threatening conditions that require immediate emergency surgery. Victims may not realize the severity of their internal injuries until their condition becomes critical, which is why seeking prompt medical attention after any truck accident is so important.
Internal injuries can lead to lengthy hospital stays, multiple surgeries, and complications that extend recovery time significantly. The treatment costs for these injuries are often substantial, and victims may face ongoing health challenges even after the initial crisis has passed. Our legal team works to ensure that your claim accounts for all of your medical expenses, both current and future, so you are not left paying out of pocket for injuries someone else caused.
Truck accidents can involve hazards that other vehicle collisions do not, including fuel fires, chemical spills from hazardous cargo, and electrical fires from damaged systems. Severe burns require specialized treatment at burn centers, often involving multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and painful rehabilitation that can last for months or even years. The scarring and disfigurement from serious burns can affect victims physically and emotionally for the rest of their lives.
Burn injuries also carry a high risk of infection and other complications that can extend hospital stays and increase treatment costs dramatically. Many burn survivors require ongoing therapy to address both the physical limitations and the psychological trauma associated with their injuries. An Austin truck accident attorney can help you pursue compensation that covers the full scope of your burn-related damages, including future reconstructive procedures and mental health treatment.
In the most catastrophic truck accidents, victims may lose arms, legs, hands, or feet either during the collision itself or through surgical amputation when doctors cannot save a crushed limb. Learning to live with an amputation requires not only physical rehabilitation and prosthetic devices but also profound emotional adjustment as victims learn to navigate daily tasks in entirely new ways.
The costs associated with amputation extend far beyond the initial surgery and hospital stay. Prosthetic limbs require regular replacement and adjustment, and many amputees need home modifications, assistive devices, and ongoing therapy to maintain their quality of life. These expenses can add up to millions of dollars over a lifetime, and your compensation should reflect the full impact this injury will have on your future.
Tragically, many truck accidents result in death, leaving families to cope with sudden and devastating loss. When a loved one dies because of a trucking company’s negligence or a truck driver’s reckless behavior, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002.[10] A spouse, children, or parents of the deceased may seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and the mental anguish caused by their loved one’s death.
No amount of money can replace someone you love, but holding the responsible parties accountable can provide financial security for your family and a measure of justice for the life that was taken. At Jim Adler & Associates, The Voice of The Victims™, we understand the pain you are going through, and we fight to make sure trucking companies and their insurers take responsibility for the harm they have caused.
Serious truck accidents leave victims facing enormous financial pressure at a time when they are least able to handle it. You may be unable to work while treatment costs continue to pile up, and the stress of wondering how you will provide for your family can make recovery even harder. Understanding what types of compensation you may be entitled to can help you make informed decisions about your case and avoid settling for less than you need to fully recover from your injuries.
Economic damages cover the financial losses you can calculate and document with receipts, bills, and pay stubs. Medical expenses are often the largest category, including emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any future treatment your doctors say you will need. Rehabilitation costs for serious injuries can stretch over months or years, and you may need specialized equipment, home modifications, or in-home care to manage your recovery.
Lost wages compensate you for the income you missed while you were too hurt to work, but the impact often goes beyond your immediate paycheck. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit the type of work you can do in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for your diminished earning capacity over the rest of your working life. Property damage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any personal belongings destroyed in the accident.
In most cases, compensation focuses on making you whole by covering your losses. However, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41 allows for an additional category called exemplary damages, commonly known as punitive damages, when the person or company that hurt you acted with fraud, malice, or gross negligence. [11] These damages are designed to punish especially reckless or intentional behavior and discourage others from acting the same way.
Punitive damages might apply if a trucking company knowingly forced drivers to violate federal rest requirements, falsified safety records, or continued operating trucks they knew were dangerous. While these damages are not available in every case, they can significantly increase your total recovery when the evidence shows truly outrageous conduct. Our Austin truck accident lawyers evaluate every case for potential punitive damages and pursue them aggressively when the facts support it.
With thousands of truck accident cases handled across Texas, our numbers speak for themselves.
When you are facing the aftermath of a serious truck accident, choosing the right legal team can make all the difference in your recovery and your future. You need attorneys who understand the complexity of these cases, have the resources to take on well-funded trucking companies, and genuinely care about helping you through one of the most difficult times of your life. At Jim Adler & Associates, we have been fighting for injured Texans since 1973, and we bring that same commitment to every client we serve.
Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer®, has spent more than 50 years building a reputation as one of the most recognized personal injury attorneys in Texas. That experience matters because truck accident cases require specialized knowledge of federal trucking regulations, complex insurance policies, and the tactics that trucking companies use to avoid paying fair compensation. Our attorneys have handled thousands of cases involving 18 wheelers and commercial vehicles, and we know what it takes to win against the biggest trucking companies and their insurers.
Our track record speaks for itself, with multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims across Texas. We have secured a $25 million wrongful death settlement and a $16 million recovery for a family who lost a loved one in a truck collision, among many other significant results. While every case is different and past results do not guarantee future outcomes, these recoveries demonstrate our ability to fight for maximum compensation when our clients need it most.
The Tough, Smart Lawyer® approach means we fight aggressively against trucking companies and insurance carriers while treating our clients with the compassion and respect they deserve. We understand that you are going through an incredibly difficult time, and we never lose sight of the fact that there is a real person and a real family behind every case we handle. Our team keeps you informed every step of the way so you always know what is happening and what to expect next.
We also help connect our clients with the medical care they need, even when they are worried about how to pay for it. Through a Letter of Protection, doctors in our trusted network can provide treatment now and wait for payment until your case is resolved. Your job is to focus on getting better, and our job is to handle the legal fight so you do not have to carry that burden alone.
Truck accident cases are expensive to fight the right way, and many law firms simply do not have the resources to go up against a major trucking company and its well-funded legal team. Jim Adler & Associates has a team of more than 30 attorneys and 300 legal professionals with the financial resources to hire accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, economists, and investigators who can build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We are not afraid to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.
Our deep roots in Texas also give us an advantage when handling truck accident cases in Austin and throughout Central Texas. We understand the local courts, the judges, and the unique challenges that come with litigating cases in Travis County and the surrounding areas. Whether your accident happened on I-35, US-183, MoPac, or any other Austin-area road, our team knows the legal landscape and how to navigate it effectively on your behalf.
You should never have to pay out of pocket to find out if you have a case or to get a lawyer working for you. At Jim Adler & Associates, your consultation is completely free, and we handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis.* That means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you, so you can focus on your recovery without worrying about how you will afford legal representation.*
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas, The Texas Hammer® is ready to fight for you. Call us today or fill out the form on this page for a free consultation, and let our team show you why thousands of Texans have trusted us with their cases for more than five decades.*
Jim Adler & Associates proudly represents truck accident victims throughout Austin and the surrounding communities of Central Texas. Our team has experience handling cases that arise on I-35, US-183, MoPac, SH-130, and other major highways across the entire metropolitan area. Whether your accident happened downtown, on the rapidly growing north side, or in one of the many surrounding suburbs, a truck accident lawyer Austin families trust is ready to help.
We represent clients from neighborhoods and communities throughout the region, including:
We also serve clients in the following Central Texas counties:
While our roots are in Houston, Jim Adler & Associates has offices throughout Texas, including Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. This statewide presence means we can help injured Texans no matter where their truck accident happened. If you or a loved one was hurt in a collision with an 18 wheeler in Austin or anywhere else in Central Texas, The Texas Hammer® is ready to evaluate your case and explain your legal options during a free consultation.*
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident, you do not have to face the trucking companies and their insurers alone. The Texas Hammer® has spent more than 50 years standing up for injured Texans, and we are ready to fight for you, too. Our team will investigate your truck accident, identify every responsible party, and pursue the full compensation you deserve while you focus on healing. You pay nothing unless we win your case, and your initial consultation is completely free.* Call us today or fill out the form on this page to get started.
After a serious truck accident, you probably have a lot of questions about what comes next and how to protect your family’s future. The answers below address some of the concerns we hear most often from people in your situation. If you have questions that are not covered here, our team is always available to speak with you directly.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.[12] If a loved one died in the accident, wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years of the date of death. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to seek compensation forever, no matter how strong your case might be.
Two years can pass faster than you expect, especially when you are focused on recovering from serious injuries. Important evidence can also disappear during that time if no one is working to secure it. We encourage you to contact an Austin truck accident attorney as soon as possible so we can protect your rights and start building your case while the evidence is still available.
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties who may share responsibility for what happened. The truck driver is an obvious potential defendant, but the trucking company that employed them can also be held liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate safety rules. If improper loading caused the accident, the company that loaded the cargo may be responsible, and if faulty brakes or other mechanical failures played a role, the maintenance provider or parts manufacturer could be on the hook as well.
Identifying all responsible parties matters because each one typically carries separate insurance coverage. A truck driver’s personal policy has limits, but the trucking company is required to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage under federal regulations, and many carry much more.[4] Our attorneys investigate every potential defendant to make sure you have access to the maximum insurance coverage available.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident.[13] Your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault, so if you were found to be 20 percent at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you would receive $80,000.
However, there is an important limit to this rule. If you are found to be more than 50 percent responsible for the accident, you cannot recover anything at all. Insurance companies know this and often try to shift as much blame as possible onto the injured person. Our attorneys fight back against these tactics and work to make sure fault is assigned fairly based on the evidence.
Truck accident cases are fundamentally different from regular car accident cases in several important ways that affect how your claim is handled and the compensation you may be able to recover.
The severity of damage in truck accidents is almost always greater because a fully loaded 18 wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which means the injuries suffered by people in passenger vehicles tend to be far more catastrophic and require more extensive medical treatment. Multiple parties and insurance policies are typically involved because the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance contractors may all share liability, and each party usually carries its own insurance coverage. Federal regulations from the FMCSA govern nearly every aspect of commercial trucking operations, and violations of these rules can serve as powerful evidence of negligence that does not exist in typical car accident cases.
The evidence in truck accident cases is also more complex because it includes electronic logging device data, onboard computer records, maintenance logs, driver qualification files, and cargo documentation that must be secured quickly before it disappears. Trucking companies and their insurers also mount a stronger defense because they have more money at stake and employ teams of lawyers and investigators who start working to protect their interests immediately after an accident occurs.
Yes, in many cases you can sue the trucking company in addition to or instead of the individual truck driver. Trucking companies can be held liable for accidents caused by their employees under a legal doctrine called vicarious liability, which holds employers responsible for the negligent actions of workers who are acting within the scope of their employment.
Trucking companies can also be held directly liable if their own negligence contributed to the accident, such as failing to properly screen or train drivers, pressuring drivers to violate federal hours-of-service rules, failing to maintain their vehicles, or knowingly allowing unsafe trucks to operate on public roads. Our truck accident lawyer Austin team investigates both the driver and the trucking company to identify all sources of potential recovery for your injuries.
At Jim Adler & Associates, your initial consultation is completely free, and we handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis.* That means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. We advance the costs of investigating your case, hiring expert witnesses, and pursuing your claim, and you only pay those costs if we win.
This arrangement allows injured people to get experienced legal representation without worrying about how they will afford it while they are out of work and dealing with mounting medical bills. You can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal fight, knowing that our interests are aligned with yours because we only get paid if you do.
We strongly recommend that you speak with an experienced truck accident attorney before accepting any settlement offer from the insurance company. These initial offers are almost always far less than what your case is actually worth, and once you sign a release, you give up your right to seek any additional compensation, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you initially thought.
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to protect their company’s money, not to help you. They often reach out to accident victims within hours of a collision, hoping to get quick settlements before people understand the true value of their claims. Let our team evaluate your case, calculate the full extent of your damages, and negotiate on your behalf to make sure you receive fair compensation for everything you have been through.
After an 18 wheeler accident in Austin, you need a team that knows how to take on trucking companies and their insurers. Jim Adler & Associates steps in to secure evidence, handle insurance communications, and build your case while you focus on recovery. We fight big trucking companies with thorough preparation and aggressive representation, not empty promises. Our team is available to speak with you in both English and Spanish.
We offer a free case review so you can understand your options before you commit. No fee unless we win.* Truck accident cases move fast, and early action protects your rights and preserves critical evidence. The Texas Hammer® is here for injured Texans and their families. If an 18 wheeler turned your life upside down in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas, let our team carry the legal load so you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a free case review.*
[1] Texas Department of Transportation, “I-35 Safety Campaign,” Be Safe. Drive Smart. https://www.txdot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-campaigns/be-safe-drive-smart/i35-safety.html
[2] National Safety Council, “Large Trucks: Data Details,” Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/data-details/
[3] Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Regulations,” U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations
[4] Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Insurance Filing Requirements,” U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/insurance-filing-requirements
[5] Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Summary of Hours of Service Regulations,” U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations
[6] Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “CMV Driving Tips – Driver Fatigue,” U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/driver-safety/cmv-driving-tips-driver-fatigue
[7] Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Electronic Logging Devices,” U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/electronic-logging-devices
[8] Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations,” U.S. Department of Transportation. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/DriverDistractionStudy.pdf
[9] Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, “49 CFR 392.5 – Alcohol Prohibition,” U.S. Government Publishing Office. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-392/subpart-A/section-392.5
[10] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 71, “Wrongful Death; Survival; Injuries Occurring Out of State.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.71.htm
[11] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 41, “Damages.” https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/CP/pdf/CP.41.pdf#41
[12] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 16, Section 16.003, “Two-Year Limitations Period.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.16.htm
[13] Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 33, Section 33.001, “Proportionate Responsibility.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CP/htm/CP.33.htm
Hurt in an accident? Tell us what happened. We’ll give you straight answers — fast, free, and with no strings attached.*
Address
2711 North Haskell Ave.
Suite 2500
Dallas, TX 75204
Address
1900 W Loop S
20th Floor
Houston, TX 77027
Address
12605 East Freeway
Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77015
Address
7330 San Pedro Ave
Suite 700
San Antonio, TX 78216
