Do I Have a Case If I Got Hit by a Semi Truck?

If you were hit by a semi truck in Texas, the answer is almost certainly yes, you likely have a legal claim. Semi trucks are governed by strict federal and state regulations that regular passenger vehicles are not. When a truck driver or trucking company violates these rules, whether through driver fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, improper loading, or inadequate vehicle maintenance, and that violation contributes to your crash, you have the legal basis for a personal injury claim.

Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your share of the blame is less than 51%. The key evidence in these cases includes the truck's electronic logging device (ELD) data, the driver's hours-of-service records, the trucking company's hiring and training practices, and any traffic or surveillance camera footage.

Common damages in Texas semi truck accident cases include medical expenses (current and future), lost income, reduced earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and in the worst cases, wrongful death. Because commercial trucking policies often carry coverage of $1 million or more, the potential recovery in these cases is significantly higher than in a typical car accident.

The most important thing you can do after a semi truck accident is act quickly. Trucking companies begin building their defense within hours. Preserving evidence, including the truck's black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records, is critical to the strength of your case.