Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney in Waco, Texas

Most commercial carriers must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Those rules limit hours of service and, for larger trucks, require a commercial driver's license, medical certification and drug and alcohol testing. They also govern maintenance and cargo loading. A violation does not decide a case by itself but is often strong evidence of negligence.

Most trucks carry an electronic logging device that records driving time, and the engine control module stores speed and braking data from just before a crash. Carriers also keep driver qualification files, dispatch records and maintenance histories. Some of this data is overwritten in weeks, and a repaired or sold truck takes its evidence with it.

Trucking companies often send rapid-response teams to a crash scene in hours. Their investigators photograph the scene, interview witnesses and secure the truck while you are still in the hospital. We send a written preservation demand to the carrier and other companies involved, putting them on notice to keep logs, electronic data, video and the vehicle intact.

Depending on the facts, several parties may share responsibility with the driver. They can include the motor carrier, the trailer's owner, the shipper or loader that packed the cargo, an outside maintenance contractor and the manufacturer of a defective tire or brake. We work to identify each potentially responsible party and the insurance policies that may apply.

Injuries in truck crashes are often severe: brain and spinal cord injuries, burns and fractures that need surgery and months of rehabilitation. Texas law allows an injured person to seek compensation for medical care, lost income, physical pain, mental anguish, impairment and disfigurement. We work with your doctors to document your injuries and future care.