Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in a truck accident in Houston, you need to act fast to protect yourself and your rights. Here’s what to do:

1. Safety First: If you can, move to a safe location off the road. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see the accident.
2. Get Medical Help: Even if you feel okay, get medical help right away. Many truck accident injuries like whiplash or internal injuries don’t show up right away. Get your injuries documented.
3. Call the Police: Report the accident to the police. An official police report is key to documenting the accident and assigning fault which is important for your claim.
4. Gather Evidence: Take pictures of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, any damage, tire marks and the surroundings. Get the names and contact info of any witnesses.
5. Get Info: Get the insurance info, license plates and contact info of all parties involved in the accident, the truck driver and the trucking company.
6. Call a Lawyer: Contact a Houston truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer will guide you through the process, help you through the claims and make sure you get what you’re entitled to.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?

In Texas, the statute of limitations to file a truck accident claim is two years from the date of the accident. That means you have two years from the crash to file your lawsuit if you want to get compensation for your injuries, property damage or other losses.

Keep in mind that while the statute of limitations is two years, it’s best to talk to a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more difficult it will be to get evidence, interview witnesses and build your case. Delays can also mean missing important legal deadlines or evidence that can hurt your case.

If a loved one has been killed in a truck accident, Texas allows a wrongful death claim and the two-year time limit applies in those cases too.

Act fast to protect your rights and get what you’re entitled to.

Why hire a Houston truck accident lawyer?

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja we take on trucking companies and win. Whether it’s a multi-vehicle wreck or a solo collision we’re the Houston truck accident lawyers the big companies fear.

Our team has a reputation for getting record breaking settlements and verdicts in truck accident cases across Texas. When trucking companies see our name they know we mean business. We’ll fight to get you the most compensation possible.

When you’re going up against big trucking companies and their insurance teams having an experienced and dedicated lawyer by your side can make all the difference. At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja we know trucking laws, industry standards and how to negotiate with these companies. Our lawyers are tough and will make sure your case gets the attention it needs and you get full compensation for your injuries and losses.

Here’s why you can trust us:

• We get top truck accident settlements and verdicts.
• We’ve gotten hundreds of millions for truck accident victims.
• Trucking companies know we don’t settle for less – we make them pay what they owe.

If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident in Texas, trust us to fight for you. We’ll get you full financial recovery.

What will a Houston truck accident lawyer do for me?

The lawyers at The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja are dedicated to helping injured accident victims and making the highways and roads of Houston and the nation safer. That’s what drives everything we do for our clients.

When you hire one of our lawyers for your truck accident case they will:

• 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, etc.
• Consult with Experts: We have access to top experts who can help us prove the cause of your truck accident and the extent of your damages. Our experts include accident reconstructionists, compliance experts, engineers, medical experts and economists.
• Preserve Evidence: We send notice to all liable parties and let them know they need to preserve logbooks and other discoverable evidence. If they try to hide anything we’ll seek a court order to make them comply.
• Seek a Quick Settlement: We’re aggressive and relentless negotiators. Your lawyer will present a strong case to the insurance company and demand fair compensation including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and more.
• Take Your Case to Civil District Court If Necessary: The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja is ready to go to court and present a strong case to the jury using our litigation skills and state of the art exhibits. We can even negotiate a settlement during the civil trial.

How can a truck accident lawyer help me if my accident resulted in a death?

If an accident victim died in a truck accident, we help the surviving family members get full and fair compensation through a wrongful death claim. We’ll help you go after a financial recovery for funeral costs, burial or cremation fees, lost benefits and more.

We know no amount of money can make up for the losses you’ve suffered but a fair settlement or verdict can give you and your family the financial resources to manage the unexpected expenses and the justice you need to heal.

What kind of truck accident claims does a Houston truck accident lawyer handle?

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

Types of truck accidents include:

• Rear-end truck accidents are often caused by distracted driving, following too close or sudden braking. These can be very serious especially when the truck involved is a big commercial vehicle.
• Head-on truck collisions are caused by fatigue, distracted driving or impaired driving. The impact of these crashes can be severe and life-threatening for all involved.
• Jackknife accidents occur when the trailer of a truck swings out at an angle, often caused by overbraking or slippery road conditions. These can cause multiple vehicle pileups on the highway.
• Wide turn accidents happen when trucks turn too wide and hit other vehicles or pedestrians. These are caused by trucks’ big blind spots and poor visibility.
• Rollover accidents occur when a truck rolls over due to sharp turns, speeding or poor road conditions. These can be serious especially if the truck is carrying hazardous materials.
• Underride accidents happen when smaller vehicles slide under the back or side of a truck’s trailer, often because of missing or defective underride guards. These can be fatal due to the size difference between the vehicles.
• Side-impact truck accidents occur when a truck hits another vehicle on the side, usually at an intersection. These can be very serious for the occupants of the vehicle hit on the side.
• Tire blowouts on trucks are caused by overloading, poor maintenance or road debris. These blowouts can cause loss of control and result in violent crashes or rollovers.

As the 4th largest city in the US with over 120,000 businesses, Houston is a major hub for commercial transportation. It’s no wonder then that the city and its surrounding area have numerous big truck accidents every year.

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

If you were injured or if a loved one was killed in a collision with any kind of big truck or commercial vehicle, contact us to find out how we can help you file a personal injury or wrongful death claim and get the justice you deserve.

What are the most common causes of truck accidents in Texas?

In our many years of practice, we have found that there are several main causes of big truck accidents. And according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) it’s driver error.

Some examples of truck driver error and neglect that can cause serious and even fatal accidents are:

• Excessive speed
• Distracted driving
• Failure to yield to the right of way
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Fatigued driving
• Failure to stay in the lane
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Inexperience
• Failure to follow traffic control devices, like red lights
• Illegal turns, stops and lane changes
• Passing improperly

While truck driver neglect is one of the most common causes of big truck accidents, it’s not the only one. In fact, there are many other times when the trucking companies, a manufacturer or a third party is to blame.

Other big truck accidents are caused by:

• Negligent trucking company practices, such as not doing background checks on drivers, not disciplining drivers who violate company policies and not training or supervising truck drivers and other employees
• Improper commercial vehicle inspections, maintenance and/or repairs by the truck driver, the trucking company or another third party responsible for truck inspections, maintenance and/or repairs
• Overloaded trucks and/or improper cargo/freight loading which can cause shifting during transit and loss of control of the vehicle
• Federal and state hours-of-service rule violations, often due to trucking company pressure to meet deadlines and/or quotas which can cause fatigued driving and drivers dozing off at the wheel
• Defective truck design and/or vehicle defects in certain components, such as truck tires that “blow out” at certain speeds, missing reflective strips or brake systems that lock up when going downhill

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, our Houston truck accident attorneys know the intricacies of these kinds of cases. We work with accident experts to find out what caused the accident and who is responsible for our clients’ damages.

How do I know if the trucking company is to blame for my crash?

Determining liability in a truck accident case is more complicated than in a standard car accident. Unlike standard car accidents where liability usually falls on the driver, truck accidents involve multiple parties so it’s harder to determine who is at fault.

In many truck accident cases the truck driver’s negligence may not be the only factor. Often the trucking company is also liable for the accident. This is because most employers are responsible for the actions of their employees while they are on the job. If the truck driver was on the clock when the accident occurred the trucking company may share the blame. But if the driver is an independent contractor or violated company policies the company may say they are not to blame.

Our team at The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja also look into other potential parties that may be to blame, such as truck manufacturers or parts suppliers. Defective truck parts or improper maintenance can be a factor in accidents and in those cases you may have a product liability claim.

In some cases, government entities may be liable for poor road conditions or lack of maintenance of the highways. If road design or maintenance failures caused the crash you may be able to sue the city, county or state agency. Remember claims against government entities have stricter deadlines and requirements so it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Liability in truck accident cases requires a thorough investigation and understanding of all the factors involved. At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, we will investigate every aspect of your case to make sure the responsible parties are held accountable and you get the compensation you deserve.

What are my rights after I was in a truck accident?

After a Houston truck accident, the legal process can be confusing. You need to know your rights as a victim and the options available to you. At the Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, we believe knowledge is power. That’s why we educate our clients about their rights and what they can do to get fair compensation.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Right to Compensation: Truck accident victims have the right to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Knowing the full extent of your damages is key to a successful claim.
• Right to Legal Representation: You have the right to hire an attorney who handles truck accident cases. Our team will advocate for you and get you the best possible result.
• Right to Gather Evidence: You can gather evidence to support your claim, including photos of the accident scene, witness statements and police reports. Our attorneys will tell you what information is important.
• Right to a Fair Settlement: Insurance companies try to settle for less than you deserve. You have the right to negotiate for a fair settlement and we can help you do that.

Don’t let the legal process scare you off from getting the justice you deserve. Contact the Law Offices of Omar Khawaja today to learn more about your rights and how we can help you in your recovery.

I was partly to blame for the accident, can I still file a truck accident claim?

Yes, Texas is a modified comparative negligence state, which means you can still recover damages even if you are partly to blame as long as your percentage of fault is less than 51%.

Truck Accident Claim: The Steps to Follow

Filing a truck accident claim involves several key steps to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages and losses. At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, we will guide you through the process as we have the experience and dedication to get you the best result.

1. Investigation and Evidence Gathering: First we investigate the accident to identify all the parties involved and gather the critical evidence. This may include getting accident reports, witness statements, black box data from the truck, truck driver logs and vehicle maintenance records. We work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and other specialists to build your case.
2. Determining Liability: Knowing who is at fault is key to a successful claim. While it’s often the truck driver, other parties such as the trucking company, maintenance providers or even the vehicle manufacturer may be responsible. We look at all the factors to determine liability and hold the right parties accountable.
3. Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Once we have all the evidence we need, our team will start negotiating with the insurance companies. Insurance companies try to settle claims for much less than you deserve. We will make sure you get fairly compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and any other accident-related expenses.
4. Litigation, If Necessary: If we can’t get a fair settlement we will take your case to court. With our experienced trial attorneys, we can present your case to a judge and jury. We use the latest technology and expert testimony to strengthen your case and get you the compensation you deserve.

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, we will handle your truck accident claim with the utmost care and attention. Whether through negotiation or litigation we will fight for you to get the best result. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, contact us today for a free consultation and we will guide you through the process.

What are the most common injuries in a truck accident?

Because of their size and weight semi-trucks, 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles can cause massive damage when they hit other smaller passenger cars, trucks and SUVs. Even if the accident is not fatal, victims are likely to suffer life-altering injuries.

Some of the most common injuries in a truck accident are:

• 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

We will represent your case in a simple way; we want you to get the most money you can.

Our Houston truck accident attorneys will review how your injuries have affected your life and how they will affect your future. We will then negotiate with the responsible party for a fair settlement on your behalf.

If the responsible party won’t offer what we think you deserve we will take your case to court.

What can I get for my Houston truck accident?

At The Law Offices of Omar Khawaja, PLLC we help victims of truck accidents recover and get back to their lives. With our experience we will fight for our clients to get what they deserve whether through settlement or litigation.

Every case is different but our attorneys will help you see if you can recover for:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Physical pain, mental anguish and emotional distress
• Lost wages or income due to missed work
• Future earnings and benefits if you can’t work
• Punitive damages for gross negligence or willful misconduct

We will get you the money you need to move on from a truck accident.