Navigating Houston traffic is challenging under normal conditions, but sharing the road with 80,000-pound commercial trucks on major corridors like I-45, I-10, or the 610 Loop carries unique risks. When an 18-wheeler collision occurs, the resulting injuries are often severe, and the legal process is vastly different from a standard two-car accident.
Understanding how commercial truck accident claims work can help you protect your rights and your recovery.
1. Commercial Truck Cases Involve Complex Liability
In a standard car crash, you are typically dealing with one driver and their personal auto insurer. In a commercial truck accident, multiple parties may share legal responsibility:
- The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): Often liable for negligent hiring, improper training, or pressuring drivers to exceed legal driving hours.
- Cargo Loaders: Liable if improperly secured or shifting cargo caused the driver to lose control.
- Maintenance Vendors: Responsible if mechanical failure resulted from skipped inspections or faulty repairs.
- Parts Manufacturers: Liable for defective brake systems, tire blowouts, or steering failures.
2. Federal Regulations Play a Major Role
Commercial trucking is governed by strict rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations dictate:
- Hours of Service (HOS): Restricting driving hours to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Recording real-time driving data, speeds, and rest breaks.
- Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing: Required post-accident for commercial operators.
Proving a violation of these federal standards requires immediate action before critical evidence—such as black box data and driver logs—is overwritten or destroyed.
How PM Law Firm Fights for Truck Accident Victims
At PM Law Firm, we act swiftly to issue spoliation letters to preserve vital black box data, driver qualification files, and vehicle inspection records. Our founding partners manage your case directly, ensuring corporate legal teams and insurance adjusters cannot minimize your claim.
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle, call PM Law Firm at (281) 968-9529 for a free case evaluation.