By Stephen Goldenzweig, Managing Attorney · Licensed in Texas and New York · Former insurance defense attorney
If you were hurt in a crash with an 18-wheeler, delivery truck, or other commercial vehicle in Houston, the truck driver, the trucking company, and other businesses connected to the truck or its cargo may be legally responsible. Truck crashes are not just bigger car wrecks: federal and Texas safety regulations apply, insurance limits are usually much higher, Texas has special trial rules for commercial vehicle cases, and critical evidence like the truck’s electronic data and the driver’s logs can be lost within weeks. Goldenzweig Law Group represents people seriously injured in truck crashes throughout Houston and Harris County.
📞 Free consultation: 713-903-3988 · No fees or expenses unless we recover money for you. · Every member of our team is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Key takeaways
- Several parties can be responsible for a truck crash: the driver, the trucking company, the truck or trailer owner, the freight broker, the shipper, a maintenance shop, or a parts manufacturer.
- Trucking companies and drivers must follow detailed federal and Texas safety regulations, and violations can be powerful evidence of fault.
- In May 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that injured people can bring negligent-selection claims against freight brokers that hire unsafe trucking companies.
- Interstate trucks hauling general freight must carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance, and trucks hauling certain hazardous materials must carry $1 million to $5 million. More coverage is often available in layers.
- Photograph every side of the truck and trailer, including company names, USDOT numbers, and trailer markings. They often reveal additional responsible companies.
- Most truck accident lawsuits in Texas must be filed within two years, but key evidence can disappear in weeks.
Jump to: What to do at the scene Photo guide Who is liable Trucking regulations Evidence Insurance Two-phase trials Finding every policy Houston crash data Case value Cost Medical bills Deadlines FAQs
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different From Car Accidents
A loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, twenty times more than a typical passenger car. That difference changes the injuries, and it also changes the law, the evidence, and the strategy compared with a typical car accident case:
| Car accident | Truck accident | |
|---|---|---|
| Rules that apply | Texas traffic laws | Texas traffic laws plus federal and state safety regulations on driver hours, qualifications, maintenance, drug and alcohol testing, equipment, and cargo |
| Typical insurance | Often the Texas minimum ($30,000 per person) | Federal minimums of $750,000 to $5 million, often with additional layers |
| Who may be responsible | Usually the other driver | Driver, carrier, owner, lessor, broker, shipper, maintenance shop, manufacturer |
| Key evidence | Photos, police report, witnesses | All of that plus engine data, electronic logs, dashcam video, dispatch records, inspection and maintenance files |
| Defense response | An adjuster calls in a few days | Many carriers send investigators to the scene within hours |
| Trial rules in Texas | Standard | Trucking companies can request a two-phase trial |
From my years on the defense side
“When I represented insurance companies, the work on a serious trucking claim often started within hours of the crash, sometimes before the injured person had even left the emergency room. Investigators were photographing the scene, downloading data, and talking to witnesses. The injured family usually had no one doing the same for them. That imbalance is a big part of why I tell people to call a lawyer early.”
Stephen Goldenzweig
Why I switched sides
“I used to defend insurance companies. Now I represent injured people, because on this side I can change someone’s life for the better, and I know exactly how the other side will try to stop that from happening.”
Stephen Goldenzweig
What to Do at the Scene of a Truck Accident
Your safety and health come first. Do these things only if you can do them safely.
- Call 911. Report the crash and any injuries. In Texas, drivers involved in a crash with injuries must stop, remain at the scene, and give information and reasonable assistance.
- Wait for the police. A police investigation creates an official record (the Texas crash report) that identifies the vehicles, owners, insurance, and the officer’s findings. Ask for the officer’s name, badge number, and the report or case number.
- Accept medical care, and don’t be afraid to go by ambulance. If you are hurt, let paramedics evaluate you, and go to the hospital if they recommend it. Adrenaline can hide serious injuries. Ambulance and emergency room records also document your injuries from the very first hour, which insurance companies find much harder to dispute than treatment that starts days later.
- Get the truck driver’s information. Ask to photograph the driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL), insurance card, and any carrier paperwork. Write down the driver’s full name and phone number; the trucking company name and USDOT number; the tractor and trailer license plates (often from different states); the truck and trailer unit numbers; and the insurance company and policy number.
- Photograph everything (see the detailed guide below).
- Get witnesses’ names and phone numbers, and ask whether anyone recorded video. Note any businesses with cameras facing the road.
- Don’t argue about fault or apologize. Stick to facts with the police.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to the trucking company or its insurer, and don’t sign anything.
- Call a truck accident lawyer as soon as you can, so evidence can be preserved.
From my years on the defense side
“When I defended injury claims, one of the first things we looked for was a gap between the crash and the first medical visit. If someone waited days to see a doctor, we argued the injuries weren’t serious, or weren’t caused by the crash. Getting checked out right away protects your health, and it closes that argument before it starts.”
Stephen Goldenzweig
How to Photograph a Truck Accident Scene: A Complete Guide
Photos taken in the first minutes are often the best evidence in the case. Trucks are moved, roads are cleared, and markings disappear. If you’re hurt, ask a passenger, family member, or witness to take photos for you.
Phone settings first
- Turn on location services for your camera, so photos record where and when they were taken.
- Take both photos and video. A slow walking video with narration (“This is the trailer, this is the company name…”) is especially useful.
- Don’t edit, filter, or crop the originals. Back them up to the cloud as soon as possible.
Wide, medium, then close
For everything important, take three kinds of shots:
| Shot | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Wide angle | Shows the whole scene and where everything is | Stand back far enough to fit both vehicles, the lanes, and the intersection or ramp in one frame. Use your phone’s wide-angle (0.5×) lens if it has one. |
| Medium | Shows how things relate | The front of the truck and your car together |
| Close-up | Shows detail | A company name, a damaged tire, a license plate |
Walk all the way around the truck and trailer
Photograph every side: front, both sides, and rear of the tractor (cab) and the trailer. Many important details appear on only one side.
| What to capture | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Company names and logos on both cab doors, the trailer, and the mud flaps | The cab and trailer are often owned by different companies |
| USDOT number, and any MC number, on the cab doors | Identifies the operating carrier and its federal records |
| Lease or “operated by” placards (“Leased to…,” “Operated by…”) | Reveals owner-operator and leasing relationships |
| Trailer number and owner name (often on the front or rear corners of the trailer) | Identifies the trailer owner or leasing company |
| License plates on both the tractor and trailer, including any “apportioned” plates | Identifies the registered owners |
| Hazardous-materials placards (diamond signs with four-digit numbers) | Identifies the cargo and higher insurance requirements |
| Inspection stickers and decals | Can show inspection dates and operating authority |
| Tires, brakes, lights, and reflective tape | Worn tires, missing lights, or missing reflectors may show maintenance problems |
| Rear and side underride guards | Missing or damaged guards matter in underride crashes |
| Cargo and how it is secured | Spilled, shifted, or unsecured loads |
| Cameras on the truck (windshield dashcams, side cameras) | Footage that must be preserved |
| The cab interior, if visible from outside | Phones, food containers, or other signs of distraction (don’t enter the truck) |
The scene itself
- Final resting positions of all vehicles, before they’re moved if possible
- Skid marks, tire marks, gouges in the pavement, and debris fields
- Traffic signals, stop signs, lane markings, and speed limit signs
- The view from each driver’s approach, showing sight lines and obstructions
- Construction zones, lane closures, and warning signs
- Road conditions: water, potholes, gravel, lighting, and weather
- Nearby businesses and their cameras
- Your vehicle, inside and out: airbags, seat positions, and damage from every angle
People and documents
- The driver’s CDL, insurance card, and paperwork, if they’ll let you
- Witnesses’ contact information, or a photo of their business card
- The police officer’s card or badge, and the report number
After the crash
- Your injuries, on the day of the crash and every few days as bruising develops and as you heal
- Medical equipment: casts, braces, crutches, stitches
- Your damaged property: car seats, phones, glasses, clothing. Keep the items themselves.
Who May Be Liable for a Houston Truck Accident?
| Party | When they may be responsible | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Truck driver | Unsafe driving | Speeding, distraction, fatigue, impairment, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, wide-turn “squeeze” crashes |
| Trucking company (motor carrier) | Responsible for its employee driver, and may also be directly responsible for its own negligence | Negligent hiring, poor training, ignoring a bad driving record, pushing drivers past hours-of-service limits, skipping maintenance |
| Truck or trailer owner or lessor | If different from the carrier and the equipment was unsafe | Worn brakes, bad tires, broken lights on a leased trailer |
| Freight broker | Hiring a carrier it knew or should have known was unsafe | Selecting a carrier with a poor safety record to save money |
| Shipper or loader | Unsafe loading | Overweight, unbalanced, or unsecured cargo |
| Maintenance or repair shop | Faulty work | Brakes adjusted improperly, tires installed wrong |
| Manufacturer | Defective parts | Brake, tire, steering, coupling, or underride guard defects |
| Another driver | Contributed to the crash | A car that cut off the truck |
| Government entity | Dangerous road condition | Missing signs, unsafe work zones (special notice rules apply) |
Why this matters: each responsible party may carry its own insurance. In catastrophic injury cases, one policy is often not enough to cover lifetime medical care and lost earnings.
New in 2026: Freight brokers can be held responsible
Freight brokers arrange shipments by matching cargo with trucking companies. For years, brokers argued that a federal law protected them from lawsuits for hiring unsafe carriers, and courts across the country disagreed. On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court resolved that split unanimously in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, holding that state-law negligent-selection claims against brokers are not preempted when they concern motor vehicle safety.
What this means for you: if the trucking company that hit you had a poor safety record, the broker that hired it may also be responsible, and it may have its own insurance. The Supreme Court did not decide that any broker was negligent; each claim still has to be proven.
Trucking Regulations: The Safety Rules Trucking Companies Must Follow
Commercial trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) apply to interstate carriers, and Texas has adopted most of these rules for trucks operating only within the state, with some differences. When a trucking company or driver breaks a safety rule and someone is hurt, that violation can be powerful evidence of fault.
Which vehicles are covered?
Federal safety regulations generally apply to commercial motor vehicles used in interstate commerce that:
- Weigh (or are rated for) 10,001 pounds or more, or
- Are designed to carry 9 or more passengers for pay (or 16 or more passengers otherwise), or
- Carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards
That includes many box trucks and large delivery vehicles, not just 18-wheelers.
Key regulations, and what violations look like
| Regulation area | What the rules require | What a violation can look like |
|---|---|---|
| Driver qualification | Carriers must verify that drivers are qualified: a valid CDL, minimum age (21 for interstate driving), a current medical certificate, a road test, driving-record checks and annual reviews, and checks of prior employers’ safety records | Hiring a driver with a suspended license, a bad driving record, or an expired medical certificate |
| Commercial driver’s licenses | Drivers must hold the right CDL class and endorsements (for example, hazmat or tanker) | An unlicensed or improperly endorsed driver |
| Drug and alcohol testing | Pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable-suspicion testing; checks of the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse | A carrier that skipped testing, or hired a driver with prior violations |
| Alcohol rules | Commercial drivers may not drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more, half the limit for other drivers, and may not use alcohol within 4 hours before going on duty | Drinking before or during a shift |
| Fatigue and illness | Drivers may not drive while too fatigued or ill to drive safely | Driving after a double shift or while sick |
| Hours of service | Driving and on-duty time limits, required breaks, and weekly limits (details below) | Falsified logs, or dispatchers pushing unrealistic deadlines |
| Electronic logging devices | Most drivers must record their hours on an ELD | Tampering with or disabling the device |
| Phones and texting | Commercial drivers may not text or use a handheld phone while driving | Texting at the time of the crash, shown by phone records (see distracted truck driving) |
| Hazardous conditions | Extreme caution is required in rain, fog, ice, and other hazardous conditions, including slowing down or stopping | Driving at full speed in a Houston downpour |
| Warning devices | A stopped truck must have its hazard lights on, and warning triangles placed promptly | A disabled truck left on the shoulder at night with no triangles |
| Inspection and maintenance | Systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance; pre-trip checks; written post-trip reports of defects; annual inspections | Ignoring reported brake defects, or skipping annual inspections |
| Equipment | Standards for brakes, lights, reflectors, tires, coupling devices, and rear underride guards | Missing reflective tape or a damaged underride guard |
| Cargo securement | Cargo must be secured to prevent shifting or falling, with minimum tie-down requirements | Loose loads, failed straps, falling pipe or lumber |
| Weight limits | Generally 80,000 pounds gross on interstate highways, with axle limits, unless permitted | Overweight loads that lengthen stopping distances |
| Hazardous materials | Placarding, routing, parking, and attendance rules for hazmat loads | Improper placarding or unsafe parking of a loaded tanker |
| Leasing | When an owner-operator leases a truck to a carrier, the carrier generally must have control and responsibility for the equipment during the lease | A carrier trying to deny responsibility for a leased truck |
| Financial responsibility | Minimum liability insurance ($750,000 to $5 million, depending on cargo) | Operating without required coverage |
Hours-of-service rules: the fatigue limits
Under federal rules for property-carrying drivers, a driver generally:
- May drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- May not drive after the 14th hour of coming on duty
- Must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- Must stay within 60- or 70-hour limits over 7 or 8 days
Comparing ELD records with fuel receipts, toll records, GPS data, and delivery schedules can reveal violations. Learn more about truck driver fatigue laws and Texas trucking laws.
Texas rules for trucks operating only within Texas
Many trucks on Houston roads never leave Texas: dump trucks, cement mixers, local tankers, and regional delivery fleets. These intrastate carriers follow Texas’s version of the safety rules, which adopts most federal regulations but differs in several important ways:
| Rule | Federal (interstate) | Texas (intrastate only) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum driver age | 21 | 18 |
| Daily driving limit | 11 hours after 10 hours off | 12 hours after 8 hours off |
| On-duty window | 14 hours | 15 hours |
| Weekly limit | 60 hours / 7 days or 70 hours / 8 days | 70 hours / 7 days |
| Weight threshold for many safety rules | Generally 10,001 lbs and up | Generally more than 26,000 lbs (or any placarded hazmat load) |
| Minimum liability insurance | $750,000 for general freight | $500,000 for most trucks over 26,000 lbs |
| Registration | USDOT number | USDOT number plus a Texas DMV motor carrier number |
What this means for your case:
- Lower insurance minimums: a local dump truck or mixer may carry less coverage than an interstate 18-wheeler, which makes finding every additional policy and responsible company even more important.
- Different hours rules: a Texas-only driver can legally drive longer each day, so proving a fatigue violation requires applying the right set of rules.
- Younger drivers: intrastate drivers can be as young as 18, which may make the carrier’s hiring, training, and supervision especially important.
- Interstate or intrastate? The answer isn’t always obvious. It can depend on where the cargo started and where it was ultimately going, not just whether the truck crossed state lines. We determine which rules apply in every case.
Safety ratings and public records
FMCSA keeps public records on carriers, including safety ratings (Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory), inspection and crash history, and out-of-service orders. A carrier’s history can show whether it, and any broker that hired it, knew or should have known about safety problems.
Evidence That Can Disappear After a Truck Crash
Some trucking records only have to be kept for a limited time, and electronic data can be overwritten as the truck keeps operating.
| Evidence | What it can show | How long it may be kept (general federal rules) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine control module (“black box”) data | Speed, braking, throttle, and cruise control in the seconds before the crash | Can be overwritten as the truck operates |
| ELD and hours-of-service records | Driving hours and violations | Generally 6 months |
| Driver vehicle inspection reports | Defects the driver reported, and whether they were fixed | Generally 3 months |
| Dashcam and inward-facing camera video | What happened, and what the driver was doing | Often recorded over on a loop |
| Maintenance and repair records | Brake, tire, and equipment condition | Generally 1 year, plus 6 months after the truck leaves the carrier’s control |
| Driver qualification file | Licensing, training, medical certification, driving history | Generally during employment plus 3 years |
| Post-accident drug and alcohol tests | Impairment | Must be done within hours of qualifying crashes |
| Bills of lading and cargo records | Weight, loading, who handled the freight | Varies |
| Dispatch messages, GPS, and telematics | Delivery deadlines, route, speed history | Varies by company and vendor |
| Broker-carrier records | How the broker vetted the carrier | Varies |
| Scene evidence and witnesses | Skid marks, debris, vehicle positions | Roads are cleared quickly; memories fade |
What we do: as soon as we are hired, we send preservation letters to the trucking company, the owner, the broker, and others, demanding that this evidence be kept. If evidence is destroyed after a party is put on notice, Texas courts can impose remedies.
From my years on the defense side
“The first thing I do in every truck case is send preservation letters. I’ve seen what the other side’s file looks like, and I know which records are kept for only a few months unless someone demands they be saved.”
Stephen Goldenzweig
How Much Insurance Do Trucking Companies Carry?
| Type of cargo (interstate for-hire carriers) | Federal minimum liability coverage |
|---|---|
| General freight (non-hazardous) | $750,000 |
| Oil and most hazardous materials | $1,000,000 |
| Certain high-risk hazardous materials | $5,000,000 |
These are minimums. Many carriers carry more, and additional layers are often available (see the deep dive below). Trucks operating only within Texas generally have a $500,000 minimum. Houston’s Ship Channel, refineries, and petrochemical plants put many tanker and hazardous-materials trucks on local highways, so higher coverage requirements often apply here.
Texas’s Two-Phase Trial Law for Commercial Vehicle Cases
In 2021, Texas passed a law (House Bill 19, now Chapter 72 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code) that lets trucking companies ask the court to split a commercial vehicle trial into two phases:
| Phase | What’s decided |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Whether the driver was at fault, and the injured person’s compensatory damages (medical costs, lost income, pain, and other losses) |
| Phase 2 | Claims directly against the trucking company (such as negligent hiring, training, or supervision), and exemplary (punitive) damages |
The law also includes rules about when evidence of safety-regulation violations can be used in the first phase, and it limits some direct claims against a company that admits its driver was working at the time of the crash.
Proposed changes in 2025 did not pass. A 2025 bill that would have changed some of these evidence rules passed the Texas Senate but died in a House committee, so the 2021 framework still applies.
Why it matters: these cases have to be built carefully from the start, so the evidence needed for each phase is gathered, preserved, and presented the right way. Trucking companies and their lawyers know these rules well, and your lawyer should too.
Deep Dive: How We Find Every Insurance Policy and Every Responsible Company
In serious truck cases, the difference between a limited recovery and a full one often comes down to finding every layer of insurance and every company involved. Trucking operations are frequently structured with leases, contractors, affiliated companies, and layered policies, sometimes in ways that make responsibility hard to see.
Types of insurance that may apply
| Coverage | What it is | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Primary commercial auto liability | The trucking company’s main liability policy | The first layer of coverage for injuries the truck causes |
| MCS-90 endorsement | A federal endorsement attached to many interstate carriers’ policies | Can require the insurer to pay injured members of the public up to federal minimums, even if a policy exclusion would otherwise apply |
| Excess and umbrella policies | Additional layers above the primary policy | Often where the money is in catastrophic injury cases |
| Self-insured retention (SIR) | The trucking company pays a set amount of claims itself before insurance applies | Changes who controls and pays the early part of the claim; large carriers may also be federally authorized to self-insure |
| Non-trucking (“bobtail”) liability | Covers an owner-operator when not hauling under a carrier’s dispatch | Often disputed: was the driver “under dispatch” at the time? |
| Trailer interchange and trailer owner coverage | Covers trailers owned by someone other than the carrier | A separate company and policy may be responsible |
| Contingent auto liability | Coverage some freight brokers carry for crashes by carriers they hire | Relevant to broker claims, especially after the 2026 Supreme Court decision |
| Shipper or facility general liability | Covers loading and premises activities | Applies when loading, securement, or a facility contributed |
| Captive insurers and risk retention groups | Insurance owned by or shared among trucking companies | Different rules and financial strength |
| Your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage | Your policy, if the at-fault coverage isn’t enough | Often overlooked; can add significant coverage |
Cargo insurance covers damage to the freight, not injuries to people.
Companies that may be involved in a single truckload
| Entity | Role |
|---|---|
| Motor carrier | The company operating under the USDOT number; generally responsible for the driver and the truck |
| Owner-operator | A driver who owns the truck and leases it to a carrier |
| Equipment lessor | A leasing company that owns the tractor or trailer |
| Freight broker | Arranged the shipment and selected the carrier |
| Third-party logistics company (3PL) or freight forwarder | Managed the shipment; may have broker-like responsibilities |
| Shipper | Loaded and secured the cargo, or controlled loading |
| Receiver or facility operator | Controlled unloading, the yard, or the dock where the incident occurred |
| Driver staffing agency | Supplied the driver |
| Maintenance vendor | Inspected or repaired the equipment |
| Manufacturer | Built a defective truck, trailer, tire, or part |
| Parent or affiliated companies | Related companies that share ownership, equipment, or operations |
Watch for “chameleon carriers”: trucking companies with poor safety records sometimes shut down and reopen under a new name and USDOT number. Connections through shared owners, addresses, phone numbers, equipment, and drivers can reveal who is really behind the truck.
Where the information comes from
| Source | What it can show |
|---|---|
| Your photos of the truck’s markings | Company names, USDOT and MC numbers, trailer owners, lease placards |
| FMCSA’s public company records (the SAFER company snapshot) | Registration, operating authority, fleet size, inspection and crash history |
| FMCSA licensing and insurance records | Insurance filings on record, and whether the company is registered as a carrier, a broker, or both |
| FMCSA safety measurement data | Public safety-performance information on carriers |
| The Texas crash report (CR-3) | Vehicle owners, carrier information, insurance details, and the officer’s findings |
| Texas motor carrier registration records | For carriers operating only within Texas |
| Texas Secretary of State business filings | Company ownership, registered agents, assumed names, related companies |
| Recall databases | Known defects in the truck or its parts |
| Documents obtained in the case | Bills of lading, rate confirmations, lease agreements, insurance policies, dispatch records, and contracts. Texas procedure rules require parties to disclose relevant insurance agreements. |
Why this matters to you: many injured people stop at the first insurance policy they find. In a catastrophic injury case, that can mean leaving most of the available coverage on the table. We look for every layer, from the beginning.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Houston
- Rear-end collisions: a heavy truck needs far more distance to stop than a car
- Jackknife crashes: the trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, often after hard braking on wet roads
- Rollovers: often from speeding on ramps and curves or from unbalanced loads
- Underride crashes: a car slides under the side or rear of a trailer
- Wide-turn (“squeeze”) crashes: a truck swings left before turning right, and a car moves into the gap
- Blind-spot (“no-zone”) crashes: lane changes into vehicles the driver can’t see
- Tire blowouts and brake failures: often maintenance-related
- Cargo spills and falling loads: unsecured or overweight cargo
- Tanker and hazardous-materials crashes: common near the Ship Channel and Houston’s refineries
- Dump truck, cement mixer, and garbage truck crashes: common in Houston’s constant construction
- Delivery van and box truck crashes: neighborhood and commercial-district collisions
Serious Injuries in Truck Crashes
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and herniated discs needing surgery
- Broken bones, including pelvis, hip, and leg fractures
- Amputations and crush injuries
- Severe burns, especially in tanker and fuel crashes
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Fatal injuries, which may give family members a wrongful death claim
What Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
Every case is different, and no lawyer can honestly promise a result or give you an “average” that applies to your case. Value generally depends on:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Severity and permanence of injuries | Permanent injuries and long-term care needs greatly increase damages |
| Medical expenses, past and future | Includes surgery, therapy, equipment, home care |
| Lost income and earning capacity | Especially if you can’t return to your job |
| Pain, mental anguish, impairment, disfigurement | Non-economic damages Texas law recognizes |
| Strength of the fault evidence | Safety-rule violations and electronic data can be decisive |
| Available insurance | Across every responsible party and every layer |
| Gross negligence | Can support exemplary (punitive) damages in Texas, which are subject to legal limits |
| Your share of fault, if any | Texas reduces recovery by your percentage of fault and bars recovery above 50% |
From my years on the defense side
“I’ve sat on the other side of the table when values were set on injury claims. Insurers look closely at gaps in treatment, prior injuries, inconsistent statements, and social media. Most of those problems can be avoided if you know about them early, so we talk about them in our first meeting.”
Stephen Goldenzweig
How Do Truck Accident Lawsuits Work?
- Free consultation: we review what happened and your options.
- Investigation and evidence preservation: preservation letters, scene investigation, and records requests.
- Medical treatment: you focus on recovery; we document your injuries and their effect on your life.
- Identifying all defendants and insurance: carrier, owner, broker, shipper, and every policy layer.
- Demand and negotiation: once your medical picture is clear, we present the claim.
- Filing a lawsuit, if needed: before the two-year deadline, or earlier if strategy calls for it.
- Discovery: exchanging documents, deposing drivers and company representatives, and expert analysis.
- Mediation: many cases settle at this stage.
- Trial, if the insurers won’t pay fair value.
How Long Does a Truck Accident Case Take?
- We do not recommend settling before your medical condition is clear.
- Cases with several defendants and insurers usually take longer.
- Some cases resolve in months; others take a year or more, especially if a lawsuit is filed and the case moves toward trial.
How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
Most injury lawyers, including our firm, handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. If there is no recovery, you owe no fees or expenses. Consultations are always free.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Truck Accident?
The trucking company’s insurer usually does not pay your medical bills as you go. It typically pays as part of a final settlement or judgment. Meanwhile, bills may be covered by:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on your own auto policy. Texas policies include at least $2,500 of PIP unless it was rejected in writing.
- Your health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, which may later seek repayment from your recovery
- MedPay coverage, if you have it
- Treatment on a letter of protection, in which a provider agrees to be paid from the settlement
We help clients arrange treatment and track what must be repaid, and we work to reduce those repayment claims so more of the recovery goes to you.
Hit by a Delivery Truck, Box Truck, or Company Vehicle?
- Was the driver working at the time? If so, the employer may be responsible.
- Was the driver an employee or an independent contractor? Many delivery networks use contractor companies, and identifying who controlled the driver and the vehicle is critical.
- Which insurance applies? Commercial vehicles often carry business policies with higher limits than personal auto policies.
- Was a large delivery network involved? These crashes often involve several companies and layered insurance. Photograph every logo and marking on the vehicle.
Call us before giving a statement to any insurance company. If you were the one driving for work when you were hit, see our work injury page; you may have both a work injury claim and a claim against the at-fault driver.
Houston Truck Crashes by the Numbers
Harris County has more commercial vehicle crashes than any other county in Texas. In 2025, Harris County recorded 5,913 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles, about 16 every day and roughly 15% of all commercial vehicle crashes in the state.
| 2025 commercial vehicle crashes | Harris County | All of Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Total crashes | 5,913 | 38,533 |
| Fatal crashes | 41 | 469 |
| People killed | 43 | 528 |
| People seriously injured | 125 | 1,611 |
Source: Texas Department of Transportation, Commercial Motor Vehicle Involved Crashes and Injuries by County, 2025 (data as of April 7, 2026). TxDOT counts trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles.
Where Truck Crashes Happen in Houston
Houston is one of the country’s biggest freight hubs, home to Port Houston and one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world. Truck crashes happen often on:
- I-10 (Katy Freeway and East Freeway)
- I-45 (Gulf Freeway and North Freeway)
- I-610 (the Loop)
- Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway)
- I-69/US-59 (Southwest and Eastex Freeways)
- US-290 (Northwest Freeway)
- SH 225 (La Porte Freeway) and SH 146, near the Ship Channel, refineries, and petrochemical plants (see Pasadena truck accidents)
- SH 288 and roads serving the Port Houston container terminals
After You Leave the Scene: Protecting Your Claim
- Follow up with medical care, and follow your doctors’ instructions. Gaps in treatment are used against injured people.
- Keep every record: medical bills, receipts, mileage to appointments, and pay stubs showing missed work.
- Keep a daily journal of your pain, limitations, and missed activities.
- Keep photographing your injuries as they change.
- Keep damaged property: don’t throw away car seats, phones, or clothing.
- Don’t post about the crash on social media.
- Don’t talk to the trucking company’s insurer or sign anything before getting legal advice.
- Request a copy of the crash report once it’s available.
From my years on the defense side
“Recorded statements were one of the most useful tools I had as a defense lawyer. The questions sound friendly, but the goal is to find words that can be used to reduce your claim.”
Stephen Goldenzweig
Free case review checklist: have these ready when you call
Date, time, and location · photos and video · the trucking company name, USDOT number, and trailer markings, if known · the driver’s name and CDL photo · police report number · witness names · medical providers · the insurance adjuster’s name, if anyone has contacted you
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
| Situation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal injury | Generally two years from the crash |
| Wrongful death | Generally two years from the date of death |
| Injured children | Generally begins when the child turns 18 |
| Government vehicle or road involved | Written notice within six months under state law, and as little as 90 days for the City of Houston |
When Should I Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer?
As soon as possible, and especially if:
- You were seriously injured or a family member was killed
- The trucking company or its insurer has already contacted you
- Fault is disputed, or the driver is blaming you
- A delivery company, broker, or shipper may be involved
- You were offered a quick settlement
What to Ask a Truck Accident Lawyer
- Have you handled cases against trucking companies and their insurers?
- How quickly will you send preservation letters?
- How will you identify every responsible party and insurance policy?
- Do you know the federal trucking regulations and Texas’s two-phase trial law?
- Will you prepare my case for trial if needed?
- Who will handle my case day to day, and how will you keep me informed?
How Goldenzweig Law Group Handles Truck Accident Cases
Before representing injured people, founding attorney Stephen Goldenzweig defended insurance companies. He has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star five consecutive years (2020–2024). He knows how trucking companies and their insurers investigate crashes, value claims, and build defenses. In every truck case, we:
- Send preservation letters immediately for electronic data, logs, video, and company records
- Identify every responsible party and every layer of insurance, including brokers, shippers, lessors, and excess policies
- Review safety-regulation compliance: driver qualification, hours of service, testing, maintenance, equipment, and cargo
- Work with qualified experts when needed, such as accident reconstructionists, trucking safety experts, and medical specialists
- Prepare every case for trial, because insurers evaluate cases differently when they know the other side is ready
We represent truck crash victims throughout Houston and Harris County, including the Ship Channel and East End, Pasadena, Baytown, La Porte, the Galleria, the Energy Corridor, North Houston, and surrounding communities. Our office is at 5847 San Felipe, near the Galleria. Every member of our team is bilingual in English and Spanish.
What Clients Say
“A friend referred me to Mr. Goldenzweig and I am so thankful they did. My case [was] treated with individual attention and I feel like Mr. Goldenzweig truly understood every detail.”
Brian
“Goldenzweig Law Group did a wonderful job handling my injury case. I actually switched to this law firm from another one due to miscommunication, unprofessionalism, and untimeliness.”
Ariana
“I’m glad I picked this law firm. The team was always so nice, kept me informed, and got me a great settlement in the end. I’m very happy with the outcome!”
Jennifer
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable in a truck accident in Texas?
The driver, the trucking company, and sometimes the truck owner, lessor, freight broker, shipper, maintenance shop, or manufacturer, depending on what caused the crash.
What trucking regulations apply to my case?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations cover driver qualification, hours of service, drug and alcohol testing, phone use, maintenance, equipment, cargo securement, and insurance. Texas applies most of these rules to trucks operating within the state.
Do the same trucking rules apply to trucks that only drive in Texas?
Mostly, but not entirely. Texas-only (intrastate) drivers can be as young as 18 and can drive up to 12 hours a day, and most intrastate trucks over 26,000 pounds must carry at least $500,000 in insurance, compared with $750,000 for interstate general freight.
Can a freight broker be sued for a truck accident?
Yes, in some cases. In May 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court held that negligent-selection claims against brokers that hire unsafe carriers are not preempted by federal law. Each claim must still be proven.
How much insurance does an 18-wheeler have?
Interstate trucks hauling general freight must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, and some hazardous-materials carriers must carry $1 million to $5 million. Excess, umbrella, and other policies may add more.
What is an MCS-90?
A federal endorsement on many interstate carriers’ insurance policies that can require the insurer to pay injured members of the public up to federal minimums, even when a policy exclusion might otherwise apply.
What should I photograph after a truck accident?
Every side of the truck and trailer, including company names, USDOT and MC numbers, trailer numbers, lease placards, license plates, and hazmat placards, plus wide shots of the whole scene, skid marks, debris, signs, and your injuries.
Should I go to the hospital by ambulance after a truck crash?
If you are hurt, yes. Let paramedics evaluate you and follow their advice. Early medical records also document your injuries from the start.
Should I wait for the police?
Yes. Call 911 and stay at the scene. The police report identifies the vehicles, owners, and insurance, and records the officer’s findings.
What is a truck’s “black box”?
An engine control module that records data like speed, braking, and throttle. It can be overwritten as the truck keeps operating, so it should be preserved quickly.
How do truck accident lawsuits work?
They usually involve investigation, evidence preservation, a demand to the insurers, negotiation, and, if needed, a lawsuit, discovery, mediation, and trial.
How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you, and if there is no recovery, you owe no fees or expenses.
How long does a truck accident lawsuit take?
It varies with the injuries, the number of parties, and whether the case settles.
What is the average settlement for a truck accident?
There isn’t a meaningful average. Value depends on the injuries, the evidence, and the available insurance.
Who pays my medical bills after a truck crash?
Usually your own PIP, health insurance, or MedPay first, or treatment on a letter of protection. The trucking company’s insurer typically pays as part of a final settlement.
What if the truck driver says the crash was my fault?
Texas law reduces your recovery by your share of fault, but you can still recover if you are not more than 50% responsible. Electronic data and video often tell a different story.
What if I was hit by an Amazon, FedEx, or UPS delivery vehicle?
These cases often involve questions about whether the driver was an employee or a contractor, and which company’s insurance applies. Photograph every marking on the vehicle, and call us before speaking with any insurer.
What if the truck was carrying hazardous materials?
Higher federal insurance minimums often apply. Photograph the hazmat placards, and keep your distance from any spill.
What is a chameleon carrier?
A trucking company that shuts down and reopens under a new name to escape a poor safety record. Shared owners, addresses, and equipment can reveal the connection.
Do I have a case if a family member was killed in a truck crash?
Certain family members may bring a wrongful death claim. See our wrongful death page, or call us.
Talk to a Houston truck accident lawyer today. Call 713-903-3988 or contact us online for a free consultation. No fees or expenses unless we recover money for you. Every member of our team is bilingual in English and Spanish.