Austin Truck Accident Lawyers

Injured in a Trucking Accident?

No Fee Unless We Win for You

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Austin, TX, you need an experienced Austin truck accident lawyer on your side. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that can change a victim’s life forever. An aggressive truck accident attorney will protect your rights and work to get you maximum compensation.

Our experienced trucking accident attorneys will pursue claims against any and all parties that negligently contributed to your truck wreck in Austin, or anywhere else in Texas. We know how to hold trucking companies accountable for adhering to federal trucking regulations. Further, we’ll investigate any possible negligence on the part of cargo loaders, trucking parts manufacturers, and others who may have contributed to your collision.

Thompson Law offers FREE CONSULTATIONS and charges NO FEE unless we are able to obtain a settlement on your behalf. Call us today and let us help you start down the path to physical, emotional, and financial recovery.  The call and the consultation are free, and you have no obligation to hire us to represent you for your trucking collision. Contact Thompson Law so we can answer your questions, explain the personal injury claims process, and let you know how we can help.

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Why Are Truck Accidents More Devastating Than Any Other Type of Motor Vehicle Accident?

According to the FMCSA, large trucks accounted for 9% of vehicles involved in fatal crashes in 2019, yet they accounted for 14% of deaths. The force involved in collisions with 80,000 pound tractor-trailers often causes catastrophic injuries. Some reasons truck accidents are more devastating than typical auto accidents include:

  • Size and weight – The massive size and weight of an 18-wheeler is simply no match for a standard passenger vehicle. Occupants in cars and small trucks can be easily crushed by the devastating force impact produced by large trucking vehicles.
  • Limited visibility – Truck drivers sit much higher up than passenger car drivers leading to wide blind spots. This can make it difficult for truckers to see smaller vehicles around them, commonly resulting in collisions caused by unsafe lane changes.
  • Longer stopping distance – Fully loaded tractor-trailers can take much longer to come to a complete stop, which can mean truck drivers are unable to avoid collisions if they are not accounting for their longer stopping distances.
  • Higher centers of gravity – When a truck turns, the high center of gravity can cause rollovers, particularly if the cargo is not evenly distributed in the truck bed. Rollover truck accidents are especially deadly and often involve multiple vehicles, which complicates the injury claims process.
  • Cargo shifts – Unsecured cargo in a trailer can shift during transport causing the truck to sway, overturn, or the trailer to jackknife. This is especially problematic with liquid cargo, such as gasoline or milk trucks, which are particularly prone to sloshing of the liquid cargo they carry.

Truck Accident Statistics in Austin, TX

According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, Travis County saw a concerning number of truck crashes in 2021. Specifically, there were 550 truck crashes resulting in 7 fatalities. This represents a small fraction of the 20,041 truck crashes and 611 deaths statewide. However, any loss of life due to preventable truck collisions is unacceptable.

Further analysis of the Travis County truck crash statistics shows some trends. Most crashes occurred on local roads rather than highways. Weekday mornings and early afternoons saw the highest crash volumes. And close to half took place in seemingly ideal dry conditions.

These statistics point to driver behaviors like speeding and distraction as top contributors. More must be done to improve truck safety through better training, reduction of impairment and fatigue, and technology aids. If current trends hold, Travis County could see increased truck crash injuries and fatalities in coming years.

Common Causes of and Injuries in Truck Accidents in Austin, TX

Truck driver error is the leading cause of truck crashes. Some common causes of truck accidents in Austin, TX include:

  • Speeding – Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for road or weather conditions
  • Distraction – Eating, texting, talking on the phone, watching movies, or allowing for other distractions while driving
  • Fatigue – Drowsy driving and falling asleep at the wheel, particularly given the long hours truckers are allowed to drive
  • Impairment – Drunk or drugged driving
  • Following too closely – Not leaving enough stopping distance to brake without causing a collision
  • Improper lane changes – Failing to check mirrors and signals
  • Equipment failures – Brake defects, tire blowouts, trailer detachments, and other parts failures
  • Overloaded trucks – Excessive weight can affect braking and handling, which is the reason truck weigh stations exist
  • Lack of experience – Inadequately trained drivers, or truckers without a valid CDL

Common Truck Accident Injuries in Austin, TX

When a passenger vehicle collides with a massive tractor-trailer, the occupants of the smaller vehicle often suffer severe, life-altering injuries. The sheer size and weight mismatch means truck accident victims get thrown about violently inside their vehicles leading to trauma to multiple body systems. Unfortunately, some Austin truck accident injuries result in permanent disability or even death.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

One of the most common truck accident injuries is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The violent back and forth movement inside the vehicle often leads to the head forcefully striking interior surfaces like the steering wheel, dashboard, side window or windshield. This blunt force trauma can lead to concussions, contusions, cerebral hemorrhage, and skull fractures. Long term effects of a TBI may include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, sleep disruptions, and personality changes.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spine is very vulnerable in high impact truck collisions. Vertebrae can fracture and pinch or sever the spinal cord and nerve roots leading to partial or total paralysis. Victims may lose control of their arms and legs as well as bladder and bowel function. Even relatively minor spinal cord injuries can cause chronic neuropathic pain, tingling or numbness in the extremities, and loss of dexterity.

Internal Organ Injuries

The traumatic forces involved in a truck crash can also lead to lacerations, punctures or tears in internal organs. Solid organs like the spleen, liver, and kidneys are at high risk of rupture or hemorrhage. The lungs may collapse or fill with blood making breathing difficult. Victims may require emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding and organ removal in some cases.

Amputations

When a truck runs over a smaller vehicle, crushing injuries and traumatic amputations of arms, legs, feet or hands can occur. These devastating, life changing injuries require extensive rehabilitation with prosthetics and assistive devices. Victims face lifelong disability and loss of income.

Orthopedic Injuries

The severe impact of a truck collision often shatters bone and causes tearing of tendons and ligaments, generally in the form of joint injuries. Broken ribs are common given the crushing forces. Weight bearing joints like knees and shoulders are prone to fractures, torn cartilage and ligaments. Spinal fractures can lead to chronic pain even after surgical stabilization.

Burn Injuries

Burns may occur when a victim is trapped in a burning vehicle after a crash. Leaking hazardous chemicals or fuels carried by the truck can also cause disfiguring chemical burns. Friction with the roadway can lead to painful abrasions and loss of skin.

Psychological Trauma

The emotional toll of surviving a catastrophic truck crash is immense. Many victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reliving the trauma again and again. Anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances are common long-term psychological trauma experienced by truck wreck victims. Counseling and psychiatric medications are often needed to cope.

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What to Do After a Truck Crash in Austin, TX?

Being in a serious truck crash is traumatic physically, financially, and emotionally. However, it is important to take certain steps right away to protect your legal rights and access medical assistance after an injury truck wreck. Here are some important actions to take if you have been involved in a truck collision:

Get Prompt Medical Attention

Seeking medical care should be your number one priority after any truck accident. Adrenaline may mask pain temporarily, but you could have serious internal injuries that require immediate treatment. Head to the emergency room or urgent care for evaluation, even if you do not think you were hurt. Symptoms of concussions and other brain trauma can take time to manifest. Getting checked out creates a record of your injuries and care that will be useful later.

Notify Law Enforcement

Make sure to contact the Austin Police Department or highway patrol so they can dispatch officers to the accident scene. Provide a statement to the responding officers and get their badge numbers and contact information for the official crash report. The report will contain key evidence like driver and witness statements, vehicle positions, road conditions, and any violations or contributing factors to the wreck that are cited.

Photograph the Scene

Use your cellphone to take photos of the vehicles involved, surroundings, roadway markings, debris, injuries, etc. Photographic evidence helps document conditions at the time of the collision while memories are fresh. Get wider angle shots showing positioning as well as close ups of damage and marks on pavement.

Exchange Contact Information

Try to get the contact information of any witnesses while they are still present at the scene. Witness accounts of what occurred will be crucial to determining fault later on. Also exchange drivers licenses, license plates, contact information, and insurance information with the truck driver. Be sure to take photographs of this information, as well, to ensure you capture all of it accurately.

Consult a Truck Crash Attorney before Speaking to Any Insurers

Before providing any recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, speak with an experienced Austin truck accident attorney. What you say after an accident can come back to haunt you later, so it is important to allow your injury attorney to guide you through any interactions. An attorney will deal with the insurance company contacts for you and make sure your rights are protected.

Document Your Experience

Write down your recollection of how the crash happened as soon as feasible. Include all details you can remember like weather, speed, traffic conditions and any vehicle defects. Memories tends to fade quickly after a truck crash, so documenting the details is critical. Also, ask passengers or family members who were involved in the wreck and may have additional details to do the same.

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How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me With My Claim?

A qualified Austin truck accident attorney levels the playing field against big trucking companies and their insurance carriers. Having aggressive legal representation maximizes your chances of a successful claim. Here’s how a lawyer helps:

  • Determines all liable parties – Trucking company, driver, part manufacturers, cargo loaders, maintenance company, etc.
  • Gathers evidence – Obtains police reports, EDR data, GPS records, inspection reports, driver logs.
  • Proves negligence – Establishes clear liability through expert analysis and thorough investigation.
  • Assesses damages – Works with doctors to quantify current and future medical costs, lost wages, and impact on quality of life.
  • Negotiates settlement – Leverages evidence and legal skills to obtain full and fair settlement from insurers.
  • Takes case to trial – Ready and able to argue case in court if insurance settlement offers are insufficient.

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Why Choose Thompson Law for Your Truck Accident Case?

Thompson Law has a proven track record of success in truck accident cases for our clients. Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars for truck accident and other personal injury victims. We are ready to put our skills and resources to work for you. Here’s why you should choose Thompson Law:

  • National recognition – Thompson Law has been recognized as one of the top personal injury firms in the country by Newsweek Magazine. Our attorneys have been named Super Lawyers year after year.
  • No fees unless we win – We take truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis meaning no attorney’s fees unless we obtain compensation for you.
  • Aggressive litigation – We aren’t afraid to take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation. Our litigators have a proven record of courtroom success.
  • Expert investigators – We work with skilled accident investigators and reconstruction experts to build the strongest case possible. Thorough investigation is key.
  • Client focus – We are dedicated to our clients. You will work directly with an attorney, not just staff. We make ourselves available anytime to answer your questions.

Can I Recover Non- Economic Damages After a Truck Accident in Austin?

Texas allows truck accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. This can include:

  • Past and future medical bills – Any treatment already received and anticipated future care, such as surgical costs and physical therapy.
  • Lost income – Any past wages lost due to injuries. Future reduced earning capacity, such as having to take a lower paying job.
  • Property damage – Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle, and any other property damaged in the truck crash.
  • Disability costs – Modifications needed to housing, assistive walking devices, prosthetics, and other disability-related expenses.
  • Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical and emotional trauma resulting from the accident and your injuries.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life – Reduced participation in leisure activities you previously enjoyed prior to the accident.
  • Punitive damages – Money awarded to punish defendant’s outrageous conduct, such as drunk driving.

An experienced Austin truck accident lawyer will fully assess what you are owed and fight to recover every penny you deserve for you injuries and damages.

Contact Our Austin Truck Accident Lawyers Today!

Don’t delay in seeking experienced legal representation after a truck crash in the Austin area. The trucking company’s insurance adjusters want to pay as little as possible on claims. Having a tough injury attorney on your side helps ensure you are treated fairly. Call our truck accident lawyers at Thompson Law today for a FREE CONSULTATION. We are here to help you recover and get your life back on track.

Truck Accident FAQs

Truck/18 Wheeler Accident

If you are injured in any type of accident, your first priority should be to seek immediate medical attention, even if you are not certain that you are injured. Seeking immediate medical treatment does two things: 1) it ensures injuries you sustained are diagnosed and treated; and, 2) it helps eliminate any doubt by the insurance company that your injuries were caused by the accident.

Often, the shock and adrenaline of an accident can mask symptoms of injuries, so making the mistake of skipping a medical examination can have profound consequences. By seeking prompt medical treatment, you protect both your health and your ability to seek compensation for your injuries with the help of your attorney.

If you were in a motor vehicle accident we have also detailed here what to do after a car accident.

A skilled personal injury lawyer is necessary to get full and fair compensation for injuries you sustained in an accident. Most defendants, whether individual drivers or commercial vehicle operators, are covered by liability insurance. Those insurance companies are not obligated to protect or take care of you. Insurance companies exist to protect the defendant (their customer) who caused the wreck. 

A personal injury attorney can help you obtain compensation for every category of damages to which you are legally entitled. These damages can include things like: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain & suffering, punitive damages, loss of limb, diminished mental function, physical impairment, scarring or disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims). Further, you may be entitled to future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, and other damages in severe injury cases.

The largest factor affecting your claim’s value is the severity or magnitude of your injuries. More severe injuries typically require more medical treatment. So it is essential to have all your injuries documented properly by seeking immediate treatment with doctors or hospitals, and continuing under the care and direction of your doctors as long as necessary to heal. Without prompt and consistent medical treatment and documentation, an injury claim becomes very difficult to pursue, let alone win. 

Of course, other factors an also have an impact, and each and every case is different. Were you injured in a commercial vehicle wreck or truck wreck that totaled your car, or was it a fender bender that did very little damage? Was the other driver intoxicated or drunk, or speeding? A multitude of factors may play into your claim’s overall likely value. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to visit with you and talk to you more specifically about factors which may affect your particular claim.  

In Texas, you usually have two (2) years from the date of incident to file a personal injury claim before it is barred by the statute of limitations. There are exceptions to this 2-year time limit in Texas, for minors and others. Further, other states have different time limits, and the limit that applies is typically for the state in which the accident occurred.

The safest course of action for someone injured in a car wreck, truck wreck, slip and fall, or any other type of accident is to consult with a personal injury attorney. This will help ensure that you do not miss the applicable limitations period. Moreover, it will ensure the right investigations are conducted, and the proper steps are taken to preserve the evidence, photos, witness statements, and records needed to successfully pursue your claim. 

If you are injured in a hit-and-run wreck (and are unable to locate the driver) or are hurt in a collision where the other driver does not have insurance, you are not necessarily out of options in terms of financial recovery. You may still be able to recover for your personal injuries if your own policy has Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). It’s a good idea to contact your insurance company to confirm what types of coverage you have on your policy before an accident, but if you have been hit be sure to ask these questions before finalizing your claim request. Even if you do not have UM or PIP, the attorneys and investigators at Thompson Law can work to track down the other driver in a hit-and-run accident. To do this, we rely on witnesses who may have captured a photo of the car or license plate and/or available surveillance camera footage that might have captured the wreck.  

Typical damages you can recover in a personal injury claim include: medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and in some cases even punitive damages. In severe injury cases, other damages may be recoverable, such as: future medical bills, future lost income, future pain and suffering, loss of body member or mental function, physical impairment, disfigurement, emotional or mental trauma, and loss of consortium (in wrongful death claims).

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage can help save the day if you are hit by an uninsured driver or if you are the victim in a hit-and-run collision. In short, UM coverage is an add-on coverage that drivers can add to their auto insurance policies that will protect them in the event that they are in an auto accident with a driver who either does not have insurance or cannot be located. You can contact your insurance provider to confirm whether your policy includes UM. If you do not have this coverage, the personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law recommend that you consider adding UM to your auto insurance policy today. 

Knowing how comparative negligence works is vital if you live in a state that uses it. In simple terms, comparative negligence implies both drivers can share fault for an accident, but one driver can be more at fault than the other. For example, you are texting while driving when another driver runs a stop sign and hits your car.

A jury finds that the driver who ran the stop sign is 80 percent at fault, but they believe you would have had a better chance of avoiding the accident if you were not texting at the time. They find you 20 percent at fault. You can only collect enough compensation to cover the other driver’s fault. In this case, you would get $8,000 if the jury thinks your case is worth $10,000.

Having the police respond to the accident scene is of paramount importance. Make sure that YOU call them and insist that they come and investigate the accident. When the police arrive, they will separate the drivers and witnesses from one another and take statements from everyone involved. Be cooperative, detailed, and firm in describing the accident. The investigating officer will usually determine fault based upon these statements, and it is essential that your version of the events is heard and believed. If you think that you may be injured, make that clear to the officer. If an ambulance or other medical professionals arrive on scene, get checked out. If not, make plans to visit an emergency room or doctor soon after you leave the scene. Before you do leave for this care, the officer will provide you with a report number and their contact information. Make sure this information is safely saved, as it will be very important in any auto accident injury claim you may have.  

Call an attorney. Your first instinct might be to call your insurance company, but it’s best to seek legal council first so you don’t accidentally admit guilt or take responsibility for the accident. In many cases your attorney will call the insurance company for you to prevent that from happening.

Absolutely not. It’s important to leave the investigation to the professionals. They know exactly how to work a case to determine all of the facts and details.

Typically, yes. If a family member is seriously injured or killed in an accident, or if the injured party is a minor child, then it may be appropriate under the law for a parent, spouse, relative, or legal guardian to file a claim or lawsuit on behalf of the injured or deceased party.  These types of claims are complex, and usually depend on the type of relationship involved, as well as the individual facts and circumstances of the injury. Calling the experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law is step one to explore filing a legal claim on behalf of your loved one. 

Even if you are partially to blame for a car accident, you may be able to recover some of your damages from the other party. Under Texas’s proportionate responsibility system (also known as comparative negligence), unless you as the claimant/plaintiff are determined more than 51% at fault, you may recover legal damages that are reduced by the percentage you are determined at fault. For example, if you are determined to be 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages from the other responsible party (you can’t recover the other 30% because that was the amount of liability that was determined to lie with you). The personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law can help you navigate this proportionate responsibility system – so reach out online or call anytime for a free consultation.     

If the other vehicle involved in your crash was an 18 wheeler or another commercial vehicle, call an attorney immediately. Companies who own commercial vehicles and 18 wheelers often have their own team of investigators who will arrive on the scene immediately working on the driver’s defense case. The sooner you involve an attorney of your own, the better your chances are of receiving compensation for your injuries and damages.

Drivers of 18 wheelers and other commercial vehicles are held to a higher standard of driving. If they neglect to turn on their flashing lights when they’re on the side of the road, don’t move over far enough onto the shoulder, don’t properly secure their cargo, or don’t leave enough clearance when making a left turn, and in many other cases, the driver could be considered negligent. If you want to know if the driver of the 18 wheeler involved in your case was negligent, contact a personal injury attorney.

No. They aren’t trying to help you. They’re trying to protect their drivers and reduce their costs. That’s why they have a team of lawyers ready to flock to the scene of any accident. Don’t accept any form of compensation until you talk to your attorney. Most victims of 18 wheeler crashes sustain more injuries than victims of normal crashes, and can receive higher compensation as a result. Don’t let them fool you into accepting a smaller payout for your injuries and damages. Your injuries could require years of medications and surgeries, and the company will try everything to avoid making huge payouts. Call your attorney and let them do the negotiating on your behalf.

Many times it can be the fault of both the driver and the 18 wheeler company. Truck drivers can be at fault just like any other motorist for failing to follow the rules of the road. However, 18 wheeler companies and their employees have federal laws they are required to follow that govern things like how many consecutive hours of driving are allowable, minimum numbers of resting hours between jobs, when and how to do inspections, and so on. Also, the 18 wheeler companies have specific duties and responsibilities regarding training their drivers and supervising their work. When trucking companies refuse to follow standard rules, regulations, and practices regarding the commercial and transportation industry, people can get hurt and companies can be found at fault for contributing to or causing the collision through their irresponsible decisions. An experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer will know what violations to look for and how to hold both the driver and the company responsible for endangering the motoring public on the roads we all share.  

If you or a family member are injured in an automobile accident, you cannot afford NOT to hire the very best attorney available. Thompson Law works on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that you only pay legal fees IF we win for you and AFTER your case is settled. We understand that legal fees upfront are simply too much to deal with after a serious accident where you are dealing with property damage repairs, medical bills, missed work and lost wages. The fact that you owe $0 upfront is an added bonus when you hire great legal representation at Thompson Law.  

If you were injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, there is a good chance we can help you out. We will look at the facts of your accident, whether a car wreck, truck wreck, motorcycle accident, or on-the-job-injury and examine whatever reports or records are available. If we believe that you were injured and it was someone else’s fault, it is likely to be a case we can take. The more information and documentation you can give us about your accident and your injuries, the quicker we can evaluate your case and let you know. Give us a call or reach out online anytime! 

The best personal injury attorney has three major characteristics: Excellent customer service, cutting edge technology, and a willingness to take cases and win at trial. Ask your potential attorney about the client experience they offer, what kind of technology they use to make your life easier, and when was the last time they took a case to jury trial. Asking these types of questions will give you guidance on what kind of experience you can expect as a client and what kind of results you can expect at the end of your case.

Thompson Law has high ratings from clients for its emphasis on customer service, and its attorneys have achieved significant results on small, large, and complex cases alike. No matter if you have been involved in a minor car wreck or are dealing with catastrophic injuries from a rarer and more devastating event like a terrible workplace accident, dog bite, or an 18 wheeler wreck, Thompson Law can assist you.  

Yes! Thompson Law is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free consultations. If you have been injured in a truck wreck or car accident, hurt in a slip and fall incident, or otherwise injured from the negligence of another person or party, give us a call any time at 1-800-LION-LAW. We can speak to you over the phone, chat online through our website or social media outlets, or arrange an in-person meeting at your convenience. Our team is ready to help! 

Thompson Law is available 24/7 to provide free consultations and to sign up new clients. We can sign you up over the phone or we can send one of our experienced licensed investigators to meet you at the hospital or at your home if you prefer. Whether you live in Arlington, Ft. Worth, El Paso, McAllen, or even outside of the state of Texas, we are always here to assist you and provide the resources you need at a difficult time. We do the hard work for you so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.  

Let’s be honest: this isn’t a legal show on TV and your case will not settle in the next hour – or even tomorrow.  The true answer is: it depends.  We find that most cases settle within 7-10 months from date of incident; but the timeframe in your case could be shorter or longer depending on: the facts and circumstances of the accident; the length of time it takes you to complete medical treatment; and the character of the insurance company, or companies, involved in your case.  In the event that your case cannot settle pre-litigation and it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit, the litigation process alone can take 1 to 2 years due to the court system and legal process necessary to prepare for trial.  But because so much of the timeline depends on the facts and circumstances of your unique case, call Thompson Law today to discuss the personal injury claims process

Thompson Law Guarantee

Thompson Law receives an attorney fee and you pay no legal fees as our client unless we pay you. Thompson Law has 350 years of combined experience in legal representation and has won over $1.8 billion dollars in cash settlements for our clients. We master the art of managing client cases with empathy, compassion, respect and, of course, prodigious skill. Contact us today for a free, risk-free consultation to discuss your accident and your options.

State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an auto accident. If you have been injured in an accident, call now to get the help you need.