Austin Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer

The name “semi-truck” comes from being a two-part truck with a front cab that pulls a freight trailer that has no front axle (a “semi” trailer). With heavy weight, wide turns, and long stopping distance, crashes can cause catastrophic injuries and many semi truck wrecks are fatal. In Austin, most semi traffic runs on I-35, MoPac, US-183, and SH-71 and work zones and tight merges increase the risk of collisions.

If you were in an accident with a semi, you are probably facing pain, medical bills, and time away from work. Meanwhile, trucking companies and insurers move fast to cut payouts. Without quick action, evidence can disappear. Loewy Law Firm will secure evidence, guide your case, and pursue maximum compensation for injuries, damaged property, and lost income.

If you or a family member were hurt in a semi-truck crash in Austin, call Loewy Law Firm at (512) 280-0800. to speak with an Austin semi-truck accident lawyer who can protect your case today.

Do I Have A Case?

A strong semi-truck accident case generally starts with four things: careless conduct, injury, a clear link between the two, and real losses. In truck crashes, careless conduct can come from the driver or the trucking company. There also needs to be a source of payment, usually the motor carrier’s liability insurance; some cases involve excess policies or another responsible company, and UM/UIM on your policy may apply if at-fault limits fall short.

• Driver conduct: speeding, unsafe lane change, tailgating, fatigue
• Company conduct: pushy schedules, poor training, sending out an unsafe truck
• Losses: medical treatment, time away from work, future care needs

Our lawyers review reports, medical records, photos, and witness statements to confirm the link between the crash and your injuries.

Texas Filing Deadlines

Most Texas truck injury lawsuits will align with the personal injury statute of limitations in Texas and have a two-year deadline from the crash date. Wrongful death cases run two years from the date of death. Claims against a city, county, or state agency require written notice before suit, a six-month notice window is common, and some cities set shorter limits.

Late filings are usually dismissed so our truck accident lawyers track each deadline, send required notices, and always file well before the deadline.

Comparative Fault In Texas

Texas follows something called modified comparative negligence and when calculating recovery amounts uses what is referred to as a “51-percent bar rule.” If your share is 50% or less, you can recover money, reduced by that share. At 51% or more, you recover nothing.

• Example: value $100,000 and your share is 20% → recovery $80,000
• Example: value $100,000 and your share is 55% → recovery $0

Our attorneys use police reports and evidence from the scene to reduce the percentage of fault assigned to you.

Evidence That Proves Fault And Value

Truck crashes leave records that show how the truck was driven, cared for, and loaded. Our lawyers collect and explain the proof that shows fault and value.

• Engine Data Snapshot (ECM/EDR): speed, brake use, throttle, gear changes, and fault codes around the crash; we secure the download before the truck returns to service and use it to confirm speed and brake timing.
  
• Electronic Hours Logs (ELD): on-duty time and rest, plus edit history; we compare the log to trip records to spot fatigue or missed breaks.
  
• Driver Qualification File: the carrier’s required personnel file for a commercial driver; we check license, medical card, training, and past violations for gaps that point to carrier fault.
  
• Maintenance And Inspection Records: driver checks, shop tickets, and out-of-service notes for brakes, tires, and lights; we line those records up with stopping and control issues in the crash.
  
• Load And Securement Documents: bills of lading, load sheets, and dock photos showing weight, stack height, and tie-downs; we identify who loaded the trailer and whether securement met the rules.
  
• Carrier Safety Profile And Inspection History: federal reports that track repeat brake, hours, and upkeep issues; we use any pattern to raise risk on the carrier’s side.
  
• Scene Measurements And Reconstruction: skid marks, crush depth, road grade, and lane layout; our experts measure the scene, match it to the engine data, and prepare clear diagrams.

We build a clear record and visuals that show fault and harm in plain terms, which supports negotiations, anchors settlement numbers, and leaves little room for dispute during negotiations or a trial.

What To Do After A Semi-Truck Crash To Protect Your Case

Gather What You Have

Put phone photos, witness names, tow or body shop papers, claim letters, and ER papers in one folder. Keep everything together to speed up review.

Identify The Truck And Company

Save or photograph:

• Cab and trailer plates
• Company name on the door or trailer
• Unit number on the cab
• DOT or MC numbers near the door

Those identifiers help locate the carrier, its insurer, and safety history.

Preserve Digital Items

Back up phone photos and video, dashcam clips, call and text logs, and patient-portal records. Keep originals. Phones overwrite files and links expire, so backups protect proof.

Keep Medical Care Organized

Tell each doctor the crash date and every area that hurts. Follow referrals. Keep visit notes, imaging, and bills together. A clear file links injuries to the crash and supports value. If a break in care happened, ask the provider to note the reason in the chart; that notation prevents an insurer from claiming the injury came from somewhere else.

Route Insurer Contact Through Your Lawyer

Send adjuster calls and emails to the firm. Avoid recorded statements and quick releases until a lawyer reviews them. Recorded statements can be used to limit the case, and quick releases can waive rights you still need.

Track Recovery And Costs

Use a short daily note for pain levels, missed work, travel for care, out-of-pocket costs, and tasks you could not do. Short notes show day-to-day impact and help calculate losses.

Our semi-truck accident lawyers support each step, help organize what you have, request what you do not, and explain the next action so the process feels manageable.

Why Semi-Truck Design Creates Unique Dangers

Semi-trucks handle differently than cars. Size, weight, and trailer design change how they brake, turn, and stop.

• Jackknife and trailer swing: Hard braking or a sharp steer can fold the cab and trailer. The trailer sweeps across lanes and strikes cars beside it. Low traction or a light trailer raises the risk.
  
• Off-tracking in tight turns and work zones: Rear trailer wheels cut inside the turn rather than tracing the cab’s path. Cone lines and lane shifts leave little room for a car next to the trailer.
  
• Rollover from load height and curve speed: Tall or uneven loads lift the center of gravity. Speed through a curve adds sideways force. Narrow ramps or sudden lane changes can tip a trailer.
  
• Underride at the rear or side: Cars can slide under a trailer in rear or side impacts. Rear guards help, but gaps or damage reduce protection. Side guards are rare.
  
• Longer stopping distance under load: A loaded rig needs far more road to stop than a car. Brake heat on long grades and worn parts stretch stopping distance even more.

Our lawyers tie semi-truck mechanics to the facts of your crash, use them to explain fault in clear language, and build exhibits that make the story easy to follow.

Austin Road Conditions That Raise Risk

Certain corridors in Austin create tight space and sudden speed shifts. Lane drops, short tapers, and work zones limit room for a long trailer to turn or stop.

• I-35: lane shifts near downtown, work zones, short on-ramps, and stop-and-go traffic that traps cars beside a swinging trailer.
  
• MoPac/Loop 1: short merge lanes, quick lane changes, and limited shoulders that leave little room during hard braking.
  
• US-183: heavy truck volume to warehouses, complex ramps, and fast splits where drivers change lanes under pressure.
  
• SH-71/Ben White: airport traffic, night work, and lane changes near frontage roads that force wide turns.
  
• Downtown Turns And Loading Zones: tight corners, curbside stops, and off-tracking that cuts inside the turn path.

Our lawyers document lane layout, merge length, and sign placement, then match those details to the crash so fault reads clear.

Recovery And Compensation

Insurance And Sources Of Payment

Commercial trucks may carry a primary policy and one or more excess layers. Your own UM or UIM can help when the at-fault limits do not reach the loss. Health insurance or MedPay can keep treatment moving while the case is active. Our lawyers identify every policy, request written confirmation of limits, and explain how each source fits into your recovery.

Property Damage And Total Loss Handling

Repairs, rentals, and total loss valuations get reviewed and challenged when numbers fall short. Title, payoff, and salvage are handled so the property claim closes cleanly. You receive clear next steps and timing so the vehicle side does not stall the injury case.

Liens Tracked And Net Shown Before Decisions

Medical liens and balances are tracked from the start. When the case resolves, our lawyers request reductions where possible. Before you accept any offer, you see a simple net sheet that shows fees, costs, lien payoffs, and the amount that goes to you.

Working With Loewy Law Firm Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers

Communication Standards And Updates

Our lawyers set an update schedule at intake and note your preferred phone or email. You get a direct contact and a backup. Response windows are stated up front.

You receive updates after

• A truck inspection or site visit
• New records or expert reports
• Court settings, mediation, or an offer

Each message states what happened, the next step with a target date, and any decision needed from you.

Fees, Costs, And Case Expenses

Cases run on a contingency fee. The fee is a set percentage of the recovery. No fee applies if there is no recovery. All terms appear in writing at intake, including any change if a case goes to suit or trial.

Typical case expenses include ECM or ELD imaging, medical records, expert reviews, depositions, court filing fees, and trial visuals. The firm advances costs as needed. When the case resolves, the recovery pays expenses first, then the fee, and the balance goes to you. A simple net sheet shows fees, costs, lien payoffs, and your amount before you accept any offer.

Readiness for Trial

Trial-ready files produce better offers because carriers price risk. When depositions are set, experts are retained, and exhibits make the story easy to follow, the chance of a loss at trial rises, which pushes offers up. Carriers raise numbers when records, experts, and visuals line up in a way a jury can follow.

Timeline

• First 7 days: send preservation notices, schedule an inspection if needed, pull police records, and take over insurer contact
• Next 30–60 days: engage experts, organize medical and wage records, and time the first demand
• Suit, discovery, and mediation: file, collect depositions, seek rulings that shape trial, and set mediation
• Settlement or trial: share net projections before decisions, negotiate final terms, or set the case for trial if numbers stay low

FAQs About Semi-Truck Cases In Texas

Do I need to pay anything up front?
No. Our truck accident attorneys work on a contingency fee. You pay a percentage of the recovery. No fee applies if there is no recovery.

What if I don’t have the truck’s info?
You can still start. Our lawyers use the police report and available identifiers to find the carrier and insurer.

Should I avoid talking about the crash on social media?
Yes. Insurers look for posts that downplay pain or show activities that conflict with your injuries.

Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle. Trial happens when offers stay low or disputes remain on fault or injuries. You decide after we show you a clear net projection.

What if I was working when I was hit?
You may have a workers’ comp claim and a separate case against the at-fault truck. Our lawyers can pursue both.

Who handles repairs and a rental car?
We help set up the property claim, review the estimate, and push for a fair total loss value or rental period.

What if the truck was a government vehicle?
Shorter notice rules can apply. Contact us quickly so we can send the required notice before the deadline.

Can I still bring a case if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. Immigration status does not bar a personal injury case in Texas.

Talk With An Austin Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member were hurt in a semi-truck crash in Austin, Call Loewy Law Firm at (512) 280-0800. to speak with an Austin semi-truck accident lawyer today. We’ll review the crash report, evidence, and available coverage, then lay out clear next steps and a timeline so you can focus on your recovery knowing that your case is in good hands.