Houston Truck Accident Attorneys 

Standing Up for Victims of Commercial Truck Accidents

If you or your family member was involved in an accident with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or another large commercial vehicle, you may be wondering what to do next.

Sadly, many commercial truck accidents are fatal and, even when victims survive, they are frequently left with catastrophic, life-altering injuries. 

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC, we understand the challenges you and your family are facing, and our Houston truck accident attorneys are ready to help. 

As soon as you reach out to our team and share the facts of your case, we will get right to work investigating the crash, putting together important evidence in support of your claim, and advocating for your full financial recovery. 

While we handle the details of your case, you can focus on your recovery. 

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC, we represent victims of all types of large truck and commercial vehicle accidents, including but not limited to those involving: 

  • Heavy haulers and transporters
  • Semi-trucks
  • 18-wheelers 
  • Big rigs
  • Tractor-trailers 
  • Dump trucks 
  • Garbage trucks
  • Construction trucks
  • Log carriers
  • Flatbeds
  • Delivery trucks and vehicles
  • Firetrucks
  • Commercial vans
  • Box trucks
  • Tow trucks
  • Tractors 

In Texas, you only have two years to file a truck accident lawsuit. Call (713) 561-5454 or contact us online for a free consultation. We offer legal services in English, Spanish, Urdu, and Arabic.

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How Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

The legal team at The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC is passionate about helping injured accident victims, as well as doing what they can to make highways and roads in Houston and across the nation safer. That passion drives everything we do on behalf of our clients. 

When you hire our firm, you can count on us to:

  • Investigate Your Accident: We will investigate your accident and preserve evidence, such as accident reports, eyewitness statements, property damage, cellphone records, police reports, truck driver history, trucking company background, and more.
  • Consult with Experts: We have access to highly qualified experts who can help us establish the cause of your truck accident, as well as the extent of your damages. Our expert resources include accident reconstructionists, compliance experts, engineers, medical experts, and economists.
  • Preserve Evidence: We immediately send notice to all liable parties and let them know that they need to preserve logbooks and other forms of discoverable evidence. If necessary, we will seek a court order to force them to comply if they try to hide anything.
  • Seek a Timely Settlement: We are aggressive and unrelenting negotiators. Your attorney will present a solid case to insurers and demand fair compensation, including recovery for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
  • Take Your Case to Civil District Court If Necessary: The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC is ready to go to court and present a robust case to the jury using our vast litigation skills and state-of-the-art exhibit. Even during the civil trial, we can continue settlement negotiations.

We work on a contingency basis. As such, you pay no case costs or attorneys’ fees unless you receive a settlement or verdict in your favor. The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC will only accept payment for our services by collecting a percentage from the final recovery and reimburse the case costs if we win.

Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in Texas

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC, we have extensive experience helping victims move forward with their lives after devastating truck accidents. We fight tirelessly to help our clients achieve their settlement or litigation goals in recovery so that they can overcome the effects of the accident. 

While every case is different, our accident lawyers will help you determine if you can recuperate the following awards:

  • Current and future healthcare expenses related to your injuries and losses 
  • Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress
  • Lost wages/income to compensate you for work time missed 
  • Lost future earnings and benefits if you can no longer work 
  • Punitive damages to punish gross acts of negligence or wanton/willful misconduct 

Wrongful Death Claims for Fatal Truck Accidents

If an accident victim lost his or her life in a truck accident, we help surviving family members fight to obtain full and fair compensation through a wrongful death claim. Our lawyers are prepared to help you go after a financial recovery for funeral costs, burial or cremation fees, loss of benefits, and more. 

We know that no amount of financial compensation can make up for the incredible losses you have experienced, but a fair settlement or verdict can provide you and your family with the financial resources you need to manage unexpected expenses, as well as the justice you need to heal. 

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle 

A truck accident refers to any collision or incident involving a commercial truck or large vehicle, typically weighing over 10,000 pounds, and other vehicles, pedestrians, or property. These accidents can result in serious injuries, fatalities, and extensive property damage due to the sheer size and weight of the trucks involved.

Common types of truck accidents include:

  • Rear-end collisions: These occur when a truck crashes into the back of another vehicle. This type of accident can be caused by factors such as distracted driving, following too closely, or sudden braking.
  • Head-on collisions: Head-on collisions involve the front of a truck colliding with the front of another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. These accidents can occur due to various factors, including driver fatigue, distracted driving, or impaired driving.
  • Jackknife accidents: In a jackknife accident, the trailer of the truck swings outward, resembling the angle of a folding jackknife. This typically happens when the truck's cab and trailer lose synchronization, often due to slippery road conditions, speeding, or sudden maneuvers.
  • Wide turn accidents: Trucks have large blind spots, particularly on their right sides. When making wide turns, they may inadvertently collide with vehicles or pedestrians in adjacent lanes.
  • Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents happen when a truck tips onto its side or rolls over completely. These accidents can occur due to factors such as speeding, sharp turns, overloading, or poor road conditions.
  • Underride accidents: Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a truck's trailer. These accidents are particularly dangerous for occupants of the smaller vehicle, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
  • Side-impact accidents: Also known as T-bone accidents, side-impact collisions involve the side of a truck being struck by another vehicle. Intersection accidents and failure to yield right-of-way are common causes of side-impact truck accidents.
  • Tire blowouts: When a truck's tire suddenly bursts or loses air pressure while in motion, it can lead to loss of control and potentially cause an accident. Tire blowouts can occur due to factors such as overloading, poor maintenance, or road hazards.

As America’s fourth-largest city with more than 120,000 businesses, Houston is a major hub for commercial transportation. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the city and its surrounding metropolitan area are home to numerous large truck accidents each year. 

In 2020, there were more than 22,000 truck-tractor/semi-trailer accidents in Texas, more than 400 of which were fatal. Data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reveal that, of the total number of commercial vehicle crashes that occurred statewide in 2020, more than 4,900 happened in Harris County

If you were injured or if your family member tragically passed away due to a collision with any type of large truck or commercial vehicle, reach out to our team to learn how we can help you file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit and seek the justice you deserve.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

In our many years in practice, we have found that there are several main causes behind most large truck accidents. The most common is driver error, a fact that is also confirmed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 

Some examples of truck driver error and negligence that frequently contribute to serious and even deadly accidents include: 

  • Excessive speed
  • Distracted driving
  • Failure to yield to the right of way
  • Drunk or drugged driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Failure to keep in the proper lane
  • Reckless or aggressive driving
  • Inexperience 
  • Failure to obey traffic control devices, such as red lights 
  • Illegal turns, stops, and lane changes
  • Unsafe passing 

Although truck driver negligence is one of the most common causes of large truck accidents, it is not the only one. In fact, there are many other instances in which the trucking company, a manufacturer, or some other third party is to blame.

Other common causes of large truck accidents include: 

  • Negligent trucking company practices, such as failing to conduct background checks on drivers, failing to discipline drivers who violate company policies, and failing to properly train or supervise truck drivers and other employees
  • Improper commercial vehicle inspections, maintenance, and/or repairs whether by the truck driver, the trucking company, or another third party responsible for truck inspections, maintenance, and/or repairs 
  • Overloaded trucks and/or improperly loaded cargo/freight, which can lead to shifting during transit and loss of vehicle control
  • Federal and state hours-of-service rule violations, often due to pressure from trucking companies to meet strict deadlines and/or quotas, which can lead to fatigued driving and drivers dozing off at the wheel 
  • Defective truck design and/or vehicle defects affecting certain components, such as defective truck tires that “blow out” at certain speeds, missing reflective strips, or braking systems that lock up when traveling downhill 

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC, our Houston truck accident lawyers understand the many nuances inherent in these types of incidents. We work with accident reconstructionists and other experts to determine the root cause of an accident, as well as who is liable for our clients’ damages. 

Liability in Truck Accident Cases 

One thing that makes truck accident claims more complicated than most standard car accident cases is the issue of liability. Just like any other type of motor vehicle accident claim, you will need to determine who was responsible for the crash to identify the liable party. However, unlike in other types of accident cases, liability in truck accident claims may not be all that straightforward. 

For example, if a truck driver caused an accident through negligence, he or she may not be directly liable. Instead, you may need to bring a claim against the trucking company. This is because most employers are legally responsible for the conduct of their employees while those employees are “on the clock.” But, if the truck driver was classified as an independent contractor, or if they violated company policy, the trucking company may argue that it is not responsible. 

Truck drivers, owners, operators, and companies are not the only ones whom our legal team will investigate for negligent behavior. Truck and truck part manufacturers are also responsible for their craftsmanship, meeting the general duty of care ascribed to product liability cases applies in truck accident claims. If there were other contributing factors, you may have a claim against another third party. 

In some cases, a government entity is liable for failing to maintain public roadways. You or your loved ones may file a civil claim against the city, county, state, or federal government responsible for your accident-related injuries or your family member’s death. However, the laws that apply to these types of cases may carry shorter deadlines and additional rules, which means you should seek help from an experienced attorney right away. 

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Truck Accidents in Texas? 

Several essential laws apply to truck accident cases in Texas. You should know about these laws if you want to pursue a personal injury claim for injuries against the liable party, whether it’s a negligent truck driver who hit you, the trucking company, or another entity. 

A critical law that you must be aware of is the Texas statute of limitations, which is a civil deadline for filing your lawsuit. If you do not file your court petition within this timeframe, the insurance company will surely deny your claim, and/or the judge will dismiss your civil suit, and you will be unable to pursue your compensation claim.

The following statutory laws apply to truck accident cases in Texas:

  • Personal Injury Cases: There is a two-year period to file a lawsuit for bodily harm caused in a truck accident. The clock begins to run on the date of your accident injuries. 
  • Wrongful Death Cases: If your family member passed away due to his or her truck accident injuries, you have two years from the date of his or her death to file a lawsuit. 

Even though it may seem like you have ample time to file a lawsuit, it is important that you hire an attorney right away. It takes time to investigate your claim, preserve critical evidence, and negotiate an insurance settlement—all things which generally must happen before you file a lawsuit. If you wait too long, important evidence could be lost. Additionally, eyewitness accounts may lose credibility as memories fade over time. 

Even if you have waited, we encourage you to speak with our legal team at The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC. We can take the necessary steps to move forward as quickly as possible and prepare your case as if it is going to a judge or jury trial so that we do not miss a single beat. You will always have reassurance in knowing that someone is looking out for your legal interests every step of the way.

Common Injuries Resulting from Large Truck Accidents

Due to their large size and immense weight, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles tend to cause massive amounts of damage when they collide with other, smaller passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs. When these collisions are not fatal, victims are still very likely to sustain catastrophic, life-changing injuries. 

Some of the most common types of injuries resulting from truck accidents include: 

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Neck and spinal cord injuries
  • Partial or total paralysis
  • Amputations
  • Burn injuries
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Back and shoulder injuries 
  • Soft tissue and organ damage

When it comes to representing your case, our goal is simple; we want you to receive the maximum amount of money you deserve. 

Our Houston truck accident attorneys carefully review how your injuries have affected your life, as well as the impact they will continue to have on your future. We then aggressively negotiate with the liable party for a fair settlement on your behalf. 

If the liable party refuses to offer what we believe you deserve, we are prepared to take your case to court. 

Our Promise To You

What Sets The Law Offices Of Omar Khawaja Apart?
  • Dedicated & Experienced Counsel
    Our team has handled thousands of cases and we have the skills, insight, and commitment to fight for the results you need and deserve. We are not afraid to go to trial and will work until we obtain justice on your behalf.
  • Personal Touch to Personal Injury
    At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja we pride ourselves on providing personalized attention to each and every one of our clients. We work to get to know you and your case to understand how we can best assist with your goals.
  • Customized Legal Strategies
    We believe that no two cases are alike and work with you to understand, first and foremost, the details of your case and how our team can be most beneficial to you and your needs. Next, we work to collaborate with you on a targeted legal approach.
  • Commitment to Integrity

    Your legal rights are our priority. We give our utmost attention to every case with outstanding morals and work ethic. Our team commits ourselves to ALWAYS providing you and your loved ones with the highest quality legal service around.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers Today 

If you were injured in a truck accident, or if your loved one was killed in a fatal crash, we encourage you to act promptly to protect your legal rights and best interests. Do not try negotiating with the negligent party without legal help if you want to avoid making common mistakes. 

Trucking companies are notoriously brutal when it comes to offering injury victims less than what they deserve according to law and policy. They will likely try to minimize your allegations, change critical facts, or act in bad faith and unfair dealing. Never accept an insurance settlement on their terms. Instead, reach out to the team at The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC. We can help you ensure that you do not miss important filing deadlines and that you take all necessary steps to seek the maximum compensation you are owed. 

Fight Back Today

Our skilled attorneys, years of experience, and passion have made us one of the top law offices in Texas. When you have been injured, you need a team dedicated to giving you a voice. The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja is that team. 

Contact Our Team

Let Us Be Your Voice

We Will Aggressively Exercise Your Rights

Every case is different and every client has unique needs. Contact us today to see if we are the right lawyers for you.

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