Montgomery County Truck Accident Lawyer

Injured in a Truck Accident in Montgomery County, TX?

If you have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident due to someone else’s negligence, a Montgomery County truck accident attorney can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Whether you were involved in a crash with a semi, big-rig, 18-wheeler, garbage truck, or any other commercial trucking vehicle, it’s important for you to have a skilled legal team on your side. Large trucking companies and their insurance providers often hold a lot of power, making these types of injury cases difficult to fight alone. Additionally, the imbalance in power and complexity of the case can leave victims receiving less than they deserve. That is why proper guidance from a personal injury lawyer is so important.

Scott Law Firm has years of experience in truck accident cases and can fight to ensure you receive fair compensation for all of the medical bills, loss of wages, and emotional and physical pain you have encountered. We know the details of the Texas laws to ensure that you are in the best position to receive the care and compensation you deserve for your truck accident claim. We care about the community and residents of Montgomery, TX, which is why you are our priority.

Contact our Montgomery County truck accident lawyers today at (936) 243-4299 to begin with your free initial consultation.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Due to the size of many commercial trucks, it is not surprising that an accident can result in severe personal injuries. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries are common in truck accident cases in Montgomery County, Texas.

On top of that, there are also more common serious injuries as well including:

• Head and brain injuries
• Crushed limbs
• Spinal injuries

All of these severe injuries typically mean there will be many surgeries and rehabilitation treatments. As a result, the mounting medical bills quickly add up and can be very stressful. If you are injured or hospitalized, our legal team will come to you. We want you to have peace of mind knowing that you have a team to take care of your case.

Common Types of Montgomery Truck Accidents

With all of the semis traveling on the roads, accidents are a lot more common than you may think.

Some of the most common trucking accidents include:

• Cargo spills: As mentioned above, it’s extremely important to pack and secure loads properly. Some of the most common accidents we see are cargo spills. Loose cargos and/or goods spill over and can hit other vehicles resulting in massive pile-ups.
• Rollovers: The size of trucks and things like uneven loads can cause a truck to rollover. If a trucker is driving too fast and tries to make a quick turn or even switch lanes too quickly, this could also cause a rollover. These are often the most dangerous types of accidents because not only can a smaller vehicle be smashed, but it also puts the truck driver at great risk too.
• Jackknife: When a truck is carrying a full load or is overloaded, it can be difficult to stop quickly. That is why it comes as no surprise that when a truck driver is following too close to the car in front of them, they may slam on their brakes resulting in a jackknife. This could result in severe injuries to the vehicles around them.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, often involving a mix of human error, mechanical issues, and environmental conditions. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. Fatigue slows reaction time and impairs judgment, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Speeding: Large trucks require more distance to stop, so speeding makes it harder to avoid collisions. High speeds also reduce control, especially on curves or slick roads.
• Distracted Driving: Distractions like texting, eating, or using a GPS can take a driver's attention off the road. Even a few seconds of inattention can result in a serious crash.
• Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications reduces coordination and awareness. Impaired truck drivers pose a major risk to themselves and others.
• Improper Loading: Unbalanced or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to tip or lose control. Falling cargo can also create hazards for other drivers.
• Poor Truck Maintenance: Mechanical failures like brake issues or tire blowouts often stem from neglected maintenance. A malfunction at highway speeds can lead to catastrophic accidents.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, fog, and ice reduce traction and visibility, making it harder to control a truck. Drivers must adjust their speed and approach to match conditions.
• Blind Spots (No-Zones): Trucks have large blind spots where smaller vehicles can disappear from the driver’s view. Accidents often occur when trucks change lanes without seeing nearby cars.
• Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, sudden lane changes, and road rage contribute to dangerous interactions on the road. Aggressive behavior increases the chances of collisions.
• Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers: Operating a commercial truck requires specialized training and skill. Inexperienced drivers may not react appropriately in high-stress or emergency situations.

Rules of the Road for Truck Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration outlines service rules for truck drivers. In addition to rest break requirements, there are also limitations on the number of hours drivers can be on the road. Hour regulations for property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers is one of the areas your attorney will evaluate when pursuing your case.

Property-Carrying Drivers in Texas:

• 11-hour driving limit: May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour limit: May not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty; off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period
• Rest breaks: May drive only if 8 hours or less have passed since the end of driver’s last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of at least 30 minutes
• May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days: A driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty
• Sleeper Berth Provision: Drivers using the sleeper berth provision must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus a separate 2 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the two

Passenger-Carrying Drivers in Texas:

• 10-Hour Driving Limit: May drive a maximum of 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty
• 15-Hour Limit: May not drive after having been on duty for 15 hours, following 8 consecutive hours off duty; off-duty time is not included in the 15-hour period
• 60/70-Hour Limit: May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days
• Sleeper Berth Provision: Drivers using a sleeper berth must take at least 8 hours in the sleeper berth and may split the sleeper berth time into two periods provided neither is less than 2 hours

When you hire a truck accident attorney in Montgomery County, they will need to be well-versed in the rules of the road. They will need to know the right questions to ask in order to identify the common issues truck drivers face that can result in an accident.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?

In a truck accident, not only can a truck driver be held accountable for your injuries and losses, but other parties as well. Here are the common liable parties in a truck accident claim:

• Truck Driver: The driver may be held liable if their negligence—like speeding, distracted driving, or fatigue—caused the accident. Even if they’re working for a company, their personal actions behind the wheel are still legally relevant.
• Trucking Company (Carrier): The trucking company can be liable for poor hiring practices, failure to train, or pressuring drivers to break safety regulations. They're also responsible for ensuring vehicles are properly maintained and operated legally.
• Truck Owner (if different from carrier): If the truck is owned by someone other than the driver or the carrier, the owner could be liable for poor maintenance or allowing an unfit vehicle on the road. Ownership comes with a duty to ensure the truck is safe for use.
• Cargo Loaders or Shippers: Third-party companies that load or secure cargo can be held responsible if a load shift or spill causes an accident. Improper loading can lead to rollovers, jackknifes, or debris-related crashes.
• Truck or Parts Manufacturer: If the accident was caused by a mechanical defect—like faulty brakes or steering systems—the manufacturer of the truck or part may be liable. These product liability claims focus on design flaws or defective components.
• Maintenance and Repair Companies: If an outside company serviced the truck and failed to detect or properly fix an issue, they may be held accountable. Negligent repairs can lead to breakdowns or failures that contribute to an accident.
• Other Drivers: Sometimes, another vehicle’s driver causes the accident, even if the truck was involved. They could be liable for actions like cutting off a truck, braking suddenly, or reckless driving.
• Government Entities: If the accident was caused by poor road conditions—like potholes, missing signage, or faulty traffic signals—a government agency might be responsible. These claims often involve complex procedures and strict deadlines.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Montgomery County, TX

If you have been involved in a truck accident, the first thing you want to do is catch your breath. We know that the moment will be a very stressful one, but it’s important that you keep your composure. If you are able to move and can get out of the vehicle, try to get yourself to a safe location so you can call 911. While you wait, you can go ahead and take as many photos of the scene as possible – as long as it’s safe to do so. Once the police get there, they will take a statement from you about what happened. You want to be sure that you give accurate details and as many details as possible because you will need this when filing your claim. This is what the insurance companies will also use when considering compensation.

Depending on the amount of pain you are in and what the first responders recommend, you can either ride with an ambulance to the hospital or you can go at a later time. However, make sure that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. There are two reasons to go to seek medical care quickly: 1) to help you get better as soon as possible, and 2) to properly document your injuries. If you seek medical attention after a lot of time has gone by, then it will be difficult to prove to a jury that the injuries you are claiming are related to the truck crash.

What Comes Next?

After you have left the scene and are receiving treatment for your injuries, contact Scott Law Firm. You will want to provide any paperwork you have such as hospital records, police records, and photos from the accident scene. We understand that your injuries can be severe in a truck accident claim. For that reason, we will help to lift some of that burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your health. Our legal team will work with the insurance companies while you recover to help ensure you get fair compensation.

Hire a Montgomery County Truck Accident Lawyer with Experience

Getting into a truck accident is stressful enough as it is. You should hire a team with experience that can help you take a load off. You may be dealing with multiple parties – whether it’s insurance companies, others who were injured, or your employer. With all of these moving parts, you want to make sure that you are taking the right steps. A minor mistake in action can result in a loss of being fairly compensated.

Scott Law Firm has years of experience in dealing with truck accidents. Our team has the knowledge to deal with truck accident claims specifically. We understand the trucking industry and the various regulations and statutes that apply. Our staff wants you to have peace of mind knowing that you have a team behind you who is willing to fight for you.

Don’t delay – call us at (936) 243-4299 today to schedule your free initial consultation.