A commercial vehicle accident happens every day in Austin, with over 646 total commercial vehicle accidents in 2024. Commercial vehicles are the largest cars on the road, consisting of buses, delivery vans, box trucks, garbage trucks, and more. But the largest of these vehicles are commercial semi-trucks, also known as big rigs or 18-Wheelers.
18-wheelers are incredibly powerful in terms of size and strength, dwarfing the other vehicles who drive alongside them. An 18-wheeler accident can cause catastrophic injuries that are sometimes fatal.
Because of the risks, state and federal agencies hold 18-wheeler drivers to stricter standards. Anyone operating a vehicle of that size requires a special license, additional training, and careful auditing of their driving hours. Trucking companies have a corporate responsibility to maintain detailed logs and enforce high standards for hiring drivers.
But accidents happen when trucking companies and their drivers fall short. Truckers may speed or drive while fatigued to meet tight shipping deadlines. Companies often put pressure on their drivers to prioritize speed over safety so they can maximize profits. But when these risky behaviors result in 18-wheeler crashes, it is the victims who pay the ultimate price.
If a preventable 18-wheeler accident permanently injured you or someone you know, consider speaking with an attorney. An Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyer can answer pressing legal questions and help prove a driver’s or trucking company’s negligence.
Call Our Austin 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers
(214) 987-0005
For over 25 years, our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers have represented victims of commercial trucking accidents, work injuries, and more. Our firm has won over $1 Billion in settlements for injured victims and families mourning their loved one’s wrongful death.
Under Clay’s leadership, our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers have built a reputation of success in pursuing personal injury claims. After hundreds of victorious trials and settlements, we have become experts in trucking regulations and standards companies must legally uphold.
It’s easy for us to spot when trucking companies and their employees breach those standards. We’ve witnessed companies hire unqualified drivers, keep fraudulent logbooks, and “lose” critical pieces of evidence like engine control module data.
We’ve seen how trucking and insurance companies manipulate facts and take advantage of victims while they’re in a vulnerable state. Luckily, we’ve been handling these cases for long enough to know how to beat these companies at their own game. We will obtain valuable evidence before it “disappears” and pursue full and fair compensation for our clients.
If you suffered injuries from an accident, our specialized Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers can help. We offer legal representation you can trust with a track record of victories that speaks for itself.
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I-35 Wrongful Death Suit
An 18-Wheeler was traveling through Austin to drop off its load, and crashed into our client on Interstate 35. Our Austin 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers held the trucking company responsible for deaths of 2 people from Mexico.
18-wheelers are large commercial vehicles that carry and transport food, goods, merchandise, equipment, and materials across the country. All 18-wheelers consist of two main parts:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the entity that regulates 18-wheelers and other commercial motor vehicles. They set firm restrictions on different aspects of the truck, including:
These seemingly small details can become very important when assessing the causes of an 18-wheeler accident. Our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers understand these limits and how they contribute to the risk of catastrophic trucking injuries. This helps us with pinpointing commercial trucking negligence and proving it in court.
Austin saw over 13,000 vehicle accidents in 2023, with only a small percentage of them involving commercial vehicles. However, data from the Austin DOT has helped our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers pinpoint “hotspots” for these dangerous trucking collisions. Among the most risky roads and highways include:
An 18-wheeler can fail when its operator isn’t paying enough attention or attempts risky driving maneuvers. A truck driver’s negligence can result in numerous different types of crashes, with each type of accident posing unique risks.
Our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers have represented victims who suffered severe injuries from the following types of crashes:
A T-bone accident means one vehicle hits another vehicle head-on, making a “T”-like shape. Regardless of who hit who, T-bone accidents are likely to cause catastrophic injuries for the motorist in the smaller car.
These devastating collisions can occur more frequently when the 18-wheeler trucker:
18-Wheelers roll over more often than other types of vehicles because of their higher center of gravity. This gives the trucker less stability when turning or attempting sudden maneuvers.
The following driving habits can increase the risk of the 18-wheeler rollover accident:
18-wheeler jackknife accidents happen when the 18-wheeler’s two parts (the tractor and the trailer) skid in two different directions. Experts call them “jackknife” accidents because the 18-wheeler’s position looks similar to a folded pocketknife blade.
An 18-wheeler may jackknife after the trucker slides or attempts a sharp turn, losing control of the truck’s rear half. The driver usually loses all control of the truck’s back half as it slides into anything in its path.
When an 18-wheeler blows a tire on the highway, the driver can lose control almost immediately. This can cause the vehicle to jackknife, roll over, or veer into other lanes of traffic. Common reasons why a tire may blow out include:
Many 18-wheeler tire blowouts happen because of lapses in maintenance care. Drivers should thoroughly inspect the tires and check their pressure each time before they get on the road.
18-wheeler rear-end collisions occur when the trucker follows too closely behind the vehicle in front of them. Per FMCSA recommendations, fully-loaded 18-wheeler trucks need a minimum of 196 feet to come to a complete stop. Truckers may not give themselves enough room to stop if:
18-wheeler drivers increase the risk of rear-end collisions when they follow vehicles too closely and miscalculate their stopping distance.
An 18-Wheeler Underride accident means the passenger car becomes pinned underneath the trailer of the truck. The 18-wheeler can easily drag the pinned vehicle along the road, increasing the risk of catastrophic injuries and death.
To prevent underride accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all commercial 18-wheelers to have rear underride protection. These collisions typically occur after a passenger vehicle rear-ends a truck with insufficient rear guards.
Trucking Industry Continues to Ignore Side Underride Guards
While all 18-wheelers need rear guards, most commercial motor vehicles still have no mandates for side underride guards. For this reason, many trucking companies have yet to implement them despite their ability to successfully prevent fatal underride accidents.
In 2019, the American Truckers Association publicly spoke out against a U.S. bill that would have mandated such guards. They penned an open letter to Congress casting doubt on their effectiveness, calling them “expensive and unproven collision mitigation equipment.” But these sentiments go against side underride research from the Institute for Highway Safety (HIS), who strongly recommend their usage.
Any of these serious 18-wheeler accident types can person's life at-risk. Our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers help victims of these collisions successfully recover damages to afford the necessary medical treatment.
Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are more common in 18-wheeler accidents due to their increased size and weight. The following catastrophic injuries are some severe examples that our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers have witnessed firsthand in cases:
What qualifies as a catastrophic trucking injury?
A catastrophic injury is one that leaves the victim with long-term or even permanent impairment. Examples of long-term impairment include nerve damage, paralysis, cognitive delays, chronic pain, or disfigurement. Catastrophic injuries can prevent the victim from moving, working, or living independently. This designation of injury becomes legally important when determining recoverable damages for lost income or long-term medical care.
The impact of an 18-wheeler accident can violently jolt victims forward. This can cause them to bash their head against the wheel, airbag, or window on impact. Resulting brain damage from that head trauma can have permanent repercussions.
Victims of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) often suffer from headaches, concentration loss, and memory problems. More serious symptoms can affect the senses, including blurry vision, loss of hearing or smell, vertigo, or ear ringing (tinnitus).
Symptoms of brain damage don’t always show up immediately after the crash. Victims of an 18-wheeler crash should always receive medical attention if they’ve hit their head, even when they feel fine.
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Traumatic Brain Injury: After a trucking accident ejected him from his vehicle, our client suffered a serious traumatic brain injury. The insurance company initially claimed zero responsibility for the accident. But when our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers announced we were taking the case to trial, they suddenly changed their position. The insurance company then decided to pay our client $4,250,000 as compensation for his injuries.
Massive impact forces from an 18-wheeler accident can bend, twist, or crush the victim’s spine. Spinal cord injuries are particularly dangerous because they can cause full or partial paralysis in various areas of the body.
Spinal cord injury survivors usually need surgery and complex rehabilitation, often enduring prolonged pain and suffering. But even with surgery and therapy, these injuries can unfortunately come with lifetime effects.
18-wheeler accidents can sometimes cause critical damage to a victim’s internal organs. Common injuries impact the lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, or bladder. Internal organ injuries are common type of “crush injury,” when the 18-wheeler compresses the car between two spots. These are especially common in underride accidents or T-bone pileups.
Internal organ injuries are often life-threatening and difficult to repair. Survivors may sometimes require complex and expensive organ transplants.
Amputation can be necessary in severe 18-wheeler accidents where someone gets their limb crushed between two parts of the vehicle. The most commonly amputated extremities are in the lower limbs, including the toes, feet, and legs below the knee.
Doctors will only consider amputation as a last resort, like in cases of severe tissue damage or uncontrollable bleeding. Or sometimes they will later determine the need for amputation if infection starts setting in and spreading.
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When a Water Transport Truck hit our client head-on, she suffered severe damage to her vascular system. This later compromised the blood flow in her lower leg. The injury became so serious that gangrene set in, forcing doctors to amputate her leg.
18-wheeler accidents often go up in flames, especially when the vehicle is transporting oil, chemicals, or other flammable materials.
Fuel tank damage during the accident can also spark fire or explosions, causing second or third degree burns for victims. A victim may not survive burn injuries that cover a large percentage (60-80%) of their body.
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An 18-wheeler driver chose to drive while fatigued and attempted to read an email on his on-board computer. His vehicle slammed into the back of our client’s car, causing a large post-crash fire. We found the trucking company had knowingly disabled a lock-out device that prevented drivers from using their on-board computers.
Days before trial, the trucking company and its insurance companies paid the family of our client $6,000,000. They then announced they would be locking out thousands of truck computers from use while driving.
Other, less severe injuries from 18-wheeler accidents can include:
Truck accident fatalities are another unfortunate possibility in these cases as well. The city of Austin recorded 99 traffic fatalities in 2025, with dozens of deaths linked to commercial motor vehicles.
If you or someone you know lost their life or endured any of these injuries, you should contact an attorney. Speaking with one of our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers can put you on the right path toward recovering compensation.
The aftermath of an 18-wheeler accident can feel like a blur. It may be difficult to think clearly in these moments, especially if you experienced an injury on impact.
But in the event an 18-wheeler hits your vehicle, here’s what our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers recommend doing first:
Always remember that your health and safety matter before anything else. Call 911 immediately after experiencing or witnessing an 18-wheeler accident. The sooner authorities arrive, the faster they can take statements and assess the scene.
Give first responders an accurate version of what happened to the best of your knowledge. Be careful not to make any statements that insurance companies can use against you out of context.
Once emergency first responders arrive, they will assess you for any visible and critical injuries. They will likely check for concussions and ask if you feel any noticeable pain anywhere.
Do not brush off medical personnel if they suggest you go to the hospital. It can take hours, days, or even weeks for symptoms of trucking accident injury to appear. When you let healthcare professionals assess you right away, it increases your chances of making a full recovery.
Most victims of 18-wheeler accidents don’t realize that gathering evidence for their case begins within seconds after the crash happens. Here is the evidence checklist our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers recommend getting if you are well and able:
These pieces of evidence can greatly help our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers hit the ground running when building your case. Timing is very important in commercial trucking accident cases; trucking insurance companies are quick to deploy their “crash response teams.” These teams have one goal: damage control. Gathering evidence from the very beginning gives you an advantage against insurance companies trying to dispute or misrepresent what happened.
Austin Insurance Companies Aren’t on Your Side
It is easy to fall prey to the tactics of insurance companies when you are emotionally vulnerable after the crash. Use caution when speaking on the record; they can and will use anything you say against you. Our attorneys have watched insurance companies attempt to extract out-of-context statements and blame the victim. We have also seen them use unfair surveillance tactics to manipulate the victim into thinking they are at fault.
If you feel anxious or unsure, don’t hesitate to consult our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers with any questions. We can help reassure you when these companies use their tactics to instill doubt and deflect blame.
Operating an 18-wheeler commercial motor vehicle is no light task. Drivers and trucking companies must follow strict guidelines and adhere to state and federal restrictions. These include:
All 18-wheelers in the U.S. are under control of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This organization regulates the commercial motor vehicle industry by setting safety standards and enforcing regulatory policies.
The FMCSA issues operating authority and manages driver qualification for 18-wheelers, hazmat trucks, tanker trucks, buses, commercial delivery trucks, and more. Some of the regulations they enforce include:
Driver’s fatigue (driving while exhausted) causes many serious 18-wheeler accidents each year. Unfortunately, many truck drivers keep fraudulent logs to allow them to drive more hours than they are legally allowed. Trucking companies sometimes turn a blind eye to these practices so their employees can meet tighter deadlines.
The law only requires them to keep Hours-of-Service logs for a limited time. Without them, it can be difficult to prove when a trucker’s fatigue causes your wreck. This is just one reason why quickly contacting an Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyer greatly helps your case. As soon as you reach out, we can work to secure these logs before they suddenly “disappear.”
Trucking companies must carry minimum liability insurance coverage on every vehicle they own. The required minimum coverage will depend on each vehicle’s weight and load type. The general guidelines for insurance minimums are as follows:
The FMCSA enforces these insurance rules to ensure trucking companies can cover the cost of injuries should an accident occur.
State and local traffic laws apply to all vehicles on the road. But 18-wheeler drivers must pay a great deal of attention to these rules. Because of how large these trucks are, even common traffic errors can cause catastrophic injuries or fatal crashes. Common errors that can result in tragedy include:
18-wheeler drivers are legally liable for injuries when they violate any of the above rules, restrictions, or regulations. The Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers at our firm can help prove when truckers breach the rules of the road.
Determining fault in an 18-wheeler accident is not always straightforward. In some cases, multiple parties may commit negligent acts that contribute to the crash. These parties can include:
Can be at fault for: Reckless driving, speeding, disregarding traffic rules, driving under the influence.
Evidence to prove liability: dashcam footage, witness testimony, logs from the vehicle’s event data recorder, empty alcoholic beverages
Can be at fault for: negligent hiring practices, failing to maintain fleet, ignoring FMCSA regulations, failing to supervise or remove unfit drivers, pressuring drivers to violate Hours of Service logs
Evidence to prove liability: Dispatch logs, driver qualification files, maintenance records, fraudulent Hours of Service logs
Can be at fault for: overloading cargo, improperly securing cargo, unevenly distributing the load weight
Evidence to prove liability: load manifests, photos of shifted or unsecured loads, expert testimony from accident reconstructionist
Can be at fault for: tire blowouts, brake failure, steering system failure, design defects, manufacturing defects
Evidence to prove liability: internal manufacturing records, expert testimony from engineers, physical evidence of failed parts
Can be at fault for: improper or faulty inspections, improper repairs, missed or insufficient maintenance
Evidence to prove liability: maintenance logs, repair logs, expert testimony from mechanics, diagnostic trouble codes, engine performance data
Can be at fault for: hazardous conditions, improper signage, inadequate lighting, misaligned lane markers, debris in the road
Evidence to prove liability: photographs, videos, damaged construction equipment, work-zone traffic plans, permits and safety audits
It takes a careful review of the facts leading up to the 18-wheeler accident to uncover all liable parties. Our top rated Austin 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers will leave no stone unturned when searching for contributing causes to the crash.
Our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers do not charge you anything upfront. We will only charge a pre-agreed percentage in fees from your settlement or jury award after we win. If we fail to recover compensation for you, we will not charge a dime. We only receive payment once you do.
You may have no real idea of how much your trucking accident injuries or wrongful death claim is worth. In our experience, we have seen these companies attempt to lowball victims with seemingly large sums. It is always best to consult a trusted lawyer first to evaluate your claim’s true worth.
The timeline for settling an 18-wheeler accident differs from case to case. Accident cases with strong evidence typically settle earlier. Most of our 18-wheeler accident cases settle within around six months. But cases that go to trial can take up to a few years to conclude. Additionally, there is usually a waiting period between the settlement and the payout.
Settlement payouts will depend on a number of factors, primarily how badly you were injured and your projected medical costs. Other economic damages include property damage to your vehicle, lost wages, and future medical treatment.
You may also be eligible to recover compensation for non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers have recovered millions in damages in many of our previous cases.
You should politely refuse to provide any verbal, written or recorded statement to the insurance company or trucking company representatives. You are under no legal obligation to provide it, and it will not jeopardize your claim. Let our Austin 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers represent you to deal with the defendants on your behalf as soon as possible.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 4 defines eligible parties for claiming wrongful death damages. It allows the surviving spouse, child or parents of the decedent to file either individually or collectively. After three months, a representative of the estate may file on their behalf in absence of a claim.
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 allows claims up to two years from the date of the accident. The same time limit applies in cases of wrongful death, giving claimants two years after the date of the death.
For minors injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you have until the child’s 18th birthday before the clock starts ticking. This means that you may generally file a valid claim up to the child’s 20th birthday.
However, timelines may look different if the 18-wheeler is a government-owned vehicle. In these cases, you may need to file under the Texas Tort Claims Act. These cases require plaintiffs to file an additional notice of claim within 6 months of the accident.
By quickly contacting our Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers after the accident, we can immediately spring into action. We will help you stay on top of legal timelines and ensure you don’t miss any important filing deadlines.
18-wheeler accidents have the potential to drastically alter someone’s life trajectory or even end their life altogether. In what may be the most traumatic event of your life, having competent legal support that you trust is crucial.
Our team of Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers holds over 30 years of experience seeking justice and financial compensation for victims. We fight on behalf of your family to secure full and fair payment to put toward:
Trucking and insurance agencies sometimes use underhanded tactics to escape blame for these accidents. But over the years, we have learned how to beat them at their own game.
We will immediately deploy our in-house private investigator, attorneys, and accident reconstructionist to gather important evidence to support your claims. While you and your family focus on recovering, our team will focus on building the strongest possible case.
We will move aggressively to obtain truck data recorder evidence, driver logs, witness information, and evidence from the crash site.
If you sustained injuries in a preventable truck wreck, contact one of our top Austin 18-wheeler accident lawyers today. We offer free consultations and case reviews, and you won’t receive a single legal fee until we win your case.
We are available for questions and to schedule free consultations at (214) 987-0005. You can also reach out to us through our online request form.
Miller Weisbrod Olesky's Personal Injury Lawyers help individuals and families nationwide pursue real financial recovery after another's negligence causes an accident or medical mistake that results in serious personal injury or wrongful death.
Call our offices today at (888) 987-0005 for experienced assistance in a free consultation.
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