When collisions happen between passenger vehicles and large 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles, the injuries and losses are often devastating. Recovering compensation after a serious truck accident is possible, but difficult. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident involving a big rig or another large truck, it is important to enlist an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer to help ensure your rights are protected.
At Payne Law Firm, we have helped numerous clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries in these types of accidents. These crashes take many forms, including jackknife and rollover wrecks, rear-end and underride collisions, wide-turn and lane-change sideswipes, and tire blowouts. We also handle cases involving the wrongful deaths of truck accident victims.
Our founding attorney, Jason Payne, is board-certified in personal injury trial law, a designation that sets him apart from other local truck accident lawyers in Houston. He and our entire team are highly skilled at taking cases to trial and will argue your case in front of a judge or jury whenever necessary. Our truck accident work is part of the firm’s personal injury practice in Houston.
Injured by a semi-truck? Our Houston team can walk you through your choices.
What a Truck Accident Attorney Does After a Houston Big Rig Crash
An 18-wheeler accident lawyer looks beyond the driver, because several parties may share the blame for a crash, including:
- The manufacturer of a defective truck or truck part
- The person or party responsible for truck maintenance
- The entity responsible for truck repairs
- The construction company that designed or built a defective roadway
- A third-party motorist
Because truck drivers are typically “on the clock” when accidents occur, their employers are often liable. This means that you may need to file a claim against the trucking company itself and seek compensation under its insurance policy. Federal rules also require trucking companies to carry far more liability insurance than an ordinary driver.
However, these insurance companies are heavily invested in undervaluing and denying claims to save money and protect their bottom lines. As a result, the insurance company will likely fight back against your claim, arguing that you were partially at fault for the crash or even that their policyholder, the trucking company, is not liable whatsoever.
At Payne Law Firm, we know how to properly investigate truck accident claims to determine what happened and who is legally responsible for your losses. We often work with a team of experts, comprising accident reconstructionists and others, who help us build powerful cases that prove our clients’ losses and the defendants’ liability. A prompt letter asking the carrier to keep its records can stop driving logs and onboard data from being wiped on a normal schedule.
If you were just hurt, our guide to what to do in the hours and days after a truck crash walks through the steps that protect your claim.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Crashes
Many truck wrecks trace back to choices made long before the crash. Driver fatigue is a frequent factor, as drivers push past safe limits to stay on schedule. Cargo that is loaded unevenly or not tied down can shift in a turn and tip the trailer. Brakes and tires that go without needed repairs can fail at highway speed. A driver who changes lanes without checking the large blind spots around the rig can sideswipe a car.
The Payne Law Firm Team Behind Your Truck Crash Case
Many different federal and state regulations govern truck drivers and trucking companies. These regulations may impact how your truck accident case is handled. Our firm has extensive knowledge of these rules and regulations, as well as the laws that govern how truck accident cases are handled in Texas. Since 2004, we have been representing victims of serious truck accidents in Houston, Harris County, and the entire state.
Attorney Jason E. Payne has been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers from 2019 through 2026. Our award-winning Houston truck accident lawyers offer aggressive, results-oriented representation, coupled with compassionate, client-focused service. We prioritize consistent communication, honesty, and integrity and work to ensure our clients are always informed about the details of their cases. To see how past injury cases have turned out, visit our case results page.
You can also read what former clients say about working with us. Hablamos español.
Client Testimonials
Questions about your semi-truck crash claim? We are here to listen.
Harris County Roads, Courts and Records in Truck Cases
Truck cases in Houston come with their own hurdles because of how traffic moves through the city. An attorney familiar with local conditions understands common crash locations on I-10, I-45, US-59, and the Sam Houston Tollway, port-related trucking traffic patterns, Harris County court procedures, and relationships with local accident reconstruction experts.
More than 6,000 truck crashes struck Harris County roads in 2024, turning ordinary commutes into life-altering events for thousands of families.
Some local evidence does not last long. Recordings of 911 calls do not last long either: the Houston Emergency Center holds them for six months only.
Weight rules matter on Houston freeways, too. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 621.101(b), the overall gross weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles may not exceed 80,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances, though narrow exceptions exist.
The cargo a truck hauls can change how much insurance covers a crash. Required limits rise to $1 million for oil and certain hazardous materials, and $5 million for the most dangerous commodities, relevant in the Ship Channel, Pasadena, and Baytown corridors.
Our Houston Office for Truck Crash Clients
Payne Law Firm
2100 Travis Street, Suite 800, Houston, TX 77002
Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Talk With a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston
After a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, big rig, or commercial vehicle accident, you deserve justice, and Payne Law Firm can help. Your first consultation is free, and because we work on contingency, you pay no fee unless we recover money for you.
You only have two years from the date of the accident (in most cases) to file your lawsuit, so do not wait until it is too late. Reach out to our office in Houston today to schedule a complimentary case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
What Sets Us ApArt
Serious lawyers for serious accidents
client Focused
We will help you every step of the way, providing answers to your questions and continuing to update you on the status of your case.
A History of Success
We have helped over a thousand injured individuals and families get the compensation they deserved.
Battle-Tested
We not only understand the complexities of insurance companies but know how to fight them.
Full Transparency
Our team knows the importance of your case and is committed to doing what is best for you.
Houston Truck Accident Questions and Answers
When should I hire a truck accident attorney?
You should hire a truck accident attorney immediately after the accident. Insurance companies often contact injury victims quickly to attempt early, lowball settlements before they fully understand their legal rights and the extent of their damages. Our article on timing your call to a lawyer after a truck wreck explains why waiting can hurt your claim.
How do truck accident lawsuits and settlements work?
Truck accident lawsuits follow a similar process to car accident cases, involving discovery exchanges, depositions, medical evaluations, and potentially proceeding to trial if a settlement cannot be reached. Truck accident settlements vary significantly depending on the clarity of liability, the extent of damages, and the insurance policies or assets available from the trucking company.
What damages can I recover after a Houston truck accident?
You may be entitled to compensation for emergency care, ongoing medical treatment, lost income, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, funeral expenses (in fatal cases), and even punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence. Our guide to truck crash damages in Houston explains each category in more detail.