Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

How to find an injury lawyer in Houston for your trucking accident

After being involved in a truck accident, it’s essential that you don’t hire just any lawyer. While time is of the essence and you need to start your medical care immediately, hiring a trusted attorney for truck and commercial vehicle accidents can make all the difference in your case, your settlement, and, ultimately, your recovery. 

1. Make sure they have experience handling truck accident cases. A lawyer with a track record of handling truck accident cases will be more likely to have the knowledge and resources to win a tough case. 
2. Look at their reviews. What their previous clients say matters. Take a look at an attorney's reviews to make sure that people leave happy and ready to recommend the attorney to their friends and loved ones.
3. Check their credentials. Credentials shouldn’t take precedence over experience, but reviewing an attorney's awards and selections can tell you a lot about whether they’re respected within the industry, which can tell you a lot about their quality of representation. Bonus points for Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40, and other superlatives. 

Jose Calderon has been selected as a Super Lawyer Rising Star every year since 2020, an honor held by less than 2.5% of all the attorneys in Texas. He was also selected to The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40 list in just his second year of practice. 

You can look at our reviews here: 

Personal Injury Lawyer Reviews

How long does a truck accident lawsuit take in Texas?

The timeline for a truck accident lawsuit in Texas will vary based on a number of things. In general, cases will take longer the more complex they are, the more severe the injuries are, and the more third parties are involved. Here’s a very general breakdown of the timeline:

1. Investigation and claim filing. After your lawyer investigates and gathers evidence, they will file a claim. This step can take several weeks to months.
2. Discovery. During this phase, both sides gather and exchange evidence, which may take a few months.
3. Negotiations. Our goal is often to settle before going to trial, but if a fair agreement isn’t reached, we will proceed to court to get you what you need. 
4. Trial. If your case goes to trial, it’s likely because settlement negotiations broke down, and it can mean months or years before finally getting the compensation you deserve.

We know that it may be dispiriting knowing that truck accident lawsuits can take so much time, but you should always get started as soon as possible. Once you have an attorney and begin the process of filing your claim, you will have access to the medical care and time you need to recover as much as you can. 

Although resolution of your claim may take a while, with the help of a Houston truck accident lawyer, you can begin the healing process and start moving past your accident sooner.

Why fighting truck accidents requires a specialized truck injury law firm

Truck accidents are very different from car accidents, and it takes a specific kind of law firm to successfully handle them. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Insurance issues. Trucking companies and their insurers often have powerful legal teams whose job it is to reduce their liability and cut you a smaller check — if they cut one at all. An experienced truck accident lawyer will know how to go head-to-head with these legal teams and counter their strategies.
2. Trucking regulations. Commercial trucking is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which sets standards on driving hours, truck weight, and maintenance. It takes a lawyer with very specific knowledge to identify problems based on these regulations and use them to your advantage. 
3. Potential for fatalities. Because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and wrongful death lawsuits. Because the stakes in truck accident cases are often so much higher, they require attorneys who know how to pursue maximum compensation.

Who is at fault in trucking accidents?

The issue of fault in trucking accidents is one of the reasons that truck accident claims are more difficult to resolve than normal car accidents. The presence of trucking companies, employed drivers, and large manufacturing companies means that liability can be a tangled web. A few parties that may be responsible in a trucking accident include:

• Truck drivers. If driver errors like fatigue, substance abuse, or reckless driving can be proved, the driver may be held liable. 
• Trucking companies. Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, training them properly, ensuring tenable schedules and adequate vehicle maintenance. If these things don’t happen, the companies may be held liable for accidents. 
• Manufacturers. If a faulty part or corners cut in production cause an accident, manufacturers can share blame. 
• Other third parties. Liability can extend to the city because they are responsible for keeping up the quality of road conditions or other drivers who might have been involved but were not driving the truck. 

Because Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, you can recover damages for the accident as long as these companies are found to be 50% or more responsible for the accident. This can add to the complexity of determining fault and damages in trucking accidents and is another example of why who you choose to represent you in your truck accident claim matters. 

How much are most truck accident settlements?

Truck accident settlements also vary widely based on injury severity, complexity of the case, and parties found to be at fault. Truck accident settlements in Texas, especially if they go to court, can often be millions of dollars. This isn’t to say that they are all worth that much, but you can expect to recover money for:

• Medical bills. These can include hospital bills, surgeries, therapy, medication, and all future medical expenses related to your injuries. 
• Property damage. Your car, any items in it, or anything else damaged or destroyed during the accident. 
• Lost wages. After serious accidents it is common to miss significant time from work. Compensation for past and future lost wages from trucking accidents is always on the table. 
• Pain and suffering. Damages for pain and suffering can be difficult to calculate, but your attorney should ensure that you’re compensated for any physical pain or emotional distress that you suffered because of the accident. 

Every case is different, but these are generally the damages that will make up your truck accident settlement. The more severely your life has been impacted, the more you are likely to get. 

How much does a lawyer get from a car accident settlement in Texas?

Personal injury lawyers in Texas work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they only get paid if they win your case. Most contingency fees are a percentage of the total settlement that you receive once your case is over — they usually range from 33% to 40%.

You may be wondering how much Houston car accident lawyers cost. The question is often on the minds of people after accidents in Texas, who are concerned that hiring an injury lawyer might just take money away from their settlement, money that would otherwise be theirs — but this is not the case. 

The truth is that you are unlikely to get anywhere near what you deserve without a personal injury lawyer at your side. You can make an insurance claim, but the adjusters will likely give you a lowball offer that will hardly cover the cost of your initial hospital visit. Why? They know that without a real truck accident lawyer on the case there is no threat of a lawsuit, and therefore they can keep stringing you along. 

With a skilled Houston truck accident lawyer from Calderon, you can get a settlement that reflects what you actually deserve, one that helps you recover and move past your accident.

The Texas truck accident lawyers at Calderon Law Firm are here for your family

Calderon Law Firm understands the physical, financial, and emotional toll a truck accident can take on you and your family, and we are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve. If you need a Houston truck accident lawyer, we’re standing by to give you the exceptional representation and quality care that you need to recover. 

Whether you’re looking for an Uber accident lawyer in Houston or need an attorney for work injuries, Calderon is dedicated to defending your rights and helping you get what you need. Call us at (346) 999-5673 or contact us online today for quality care and unbeatable results.