When an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or commercial tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle, the consequences are almost always catastrophic. These vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — roughly 20 times the weight of a typical car — and the forces involved in a collision produce devastating injuries that can be life-altering or fatal. If you or a family member was seriously hurt in a truck accident, you are dealing with physical trauma, financial pressure, and one of the most aggressively defended categories of personal injury claims in existence.
Truck accident cases are fundamentally different from ordinary car accident claims. They involve federal and state trucking regulations enforced by the FMCSA, multiple potentially liable parties (the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the truck manufacturer, and others), and significant corporate and insurance resources deployed against injured victims from day one. Evidence critical to your case — including electronic logging device (ELD) data, GPS records, dashcam footage, and inspection reports — is often destroyed or overwritten within days unless you have an attorney who acts immediately to preserve it.
Edward T. Garza has spent over five decades fighting for injured Texans against some of the largest trucking companies and their insurers. We know how to investigate these complex cases, identify every liable party, and build the evidence-based case that holds negligent carriers accountable. Time matters — contact us as soon as possible after a truck accident.
Key Facts About Truck Accidents in Texas
The FMCSA reported 4,842 fatal crashes involving large trucks in a recent year — a number that has increased over 30% over the past decade.
Federal hours-of-service regulations (49 C.F.R. Part 395) limit commercial truck drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window, after which they must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours. Violations are a leading cause of truck accidents.
Texas consistently ranks among the top states for fatal large-truck crashes — TxDOT data show Texas accounts for roughly 1 in 8 of all fatal truck crashes nationally.
Trucking companies are required under FMCSA regulations to retain driver qualification files, hours-of-service logs, and maintenance records — but retention periods vary from 6 months to 3 years. Sending a litigation hold letter immediately is critical.
Commercial trucks must carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 to $5,000,000 depending on the cargo (49 C.F.R. § 387.9) — far exceeding standard auto coverage, which is why these cases often involve much larger damages.
Common Questions About Truck Accidents
Who can be held liable in a truck accident — just the driver?
Often no. Liability can extend to the trucking company (for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate hours rules), the cargo shipper (for improper loading), the truck manufacturer (for defective parts), and maintenance contractors (for failing to keep the vehicle roadworthy). We investigate every angle.
The trucking company's insurance adjuster called me the same day. Should I give a statement?
Do not give any recorded statement or sign anything until you have spoken with an attorney. Large carriers deploy specialized claims teams immediately after serious accidents with one goal: limiting their exposure. Anything you say can and will be used to reduce or deny your claim.
What is the difference between a truck accident case and a regular car accident case?
Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, multiple defendants, enormous insurance policies, and vastly more complex evidence. They also tend to produce far more severe injuries. These differences mean the investigation, the legal strategy, and ultimately the damages are all on a different scale than a typical two-car collision.
How do I preserve evidence after a truck accident?
The most important step is contacting an attorney immediately so we can send a preservation demand letter to the carrier. ELD data, dashcam footage, weigh station records, and pre-trip inspection logs may be overwritten within 30 to 90 days. Acting fast is the single most important thing you can do for your case.
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
When you hire The Garza Law Firm, we guide you through every step of the legal process so you can focus on what matters most — your recovery.
Emergency Evidence Preservation
We act immediately to send a litigation hold notice to the trucking company and their insurer, demanding preservation of all electronic data, maintenance records, driver logs, and any dashcam or in-cab footage.
Accident Reconstruction & Investigation
We retain qualified accident reconstruction experts, review the police report, inspect the vehicles where possible, and obtain black box/ELD data to build a complete picture of how and why the crash occurred.
Identifying All Liable Parties
We investigate the trucking company's safety record, driver history, cargo handling, maintenance program, and corporate structure to determine every party whose negligence contributed to the crash.
Medical Assessment & Expert Retention
Truck accident injuries are often severe. We work with your medical team and independent medical experts to fully document your injuries and project future care costs — including rehabilitation, surgery, and long-term disability.
Demand, Negotiation & Litigation
We present a comprehensive damages demand to the carrier's insurer. If they refuse to negotiate in good faith, we file suit and prepare aggressively for trial. Trucking companies respect attorneys who will actually go to court.
Trial or Settlement & Recovery
We pursue the maximum recovery available under Texas law, ensuring your settlement or verdict accounts for all past and future losses. We handle the resolution of all medical liens so you receive the full benefit of your award.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Contact The Garza Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
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