I was in an automobile accident. A gentleman ran a red light and hit me on the side, and I needed someone to help me cover my expenses that I was out due to the accident. I am very pleased with what he has done for me and I would recommend him to anybody.

-C. Brimmage
Automobile Accident Case

Experienced Attorneys are Most Successful in Texas Truck Accident Cases

Almost any “jack-of-all-trades” law firm will take your truck accident case. But how many of them can truthfully claim they specialize in handling 18-wheeler and other commercial vehicle accident cases?

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The experienced Houston, Texas truck accident lawyers of Grossman Law Offices have successfully argued plaintiff-truck accident rights for the past 20 years and have won hundreds of these cases.

Commercial vehicles come in many forms. And it makes little difference if the case surrounds injury and/or wrongful death claims against rock haulers, dump trucks, all manner of construction vehicles, moving vans, buses, tankers, and numerous other types and configurations of commercial vehicles, we have successfully litigated against all such defendants. Despite the variety of commercial vehicles, these types of cases often have a few common denominators:

  • They are generally larger and can inflict more harm than passenger cars.
  • They are governed by different laws than are passenger vehicles.
  • Lastly, and most importantly, they are owned by valuable corporate entities (and local government entities) that will mount aggressive defenses with one objective in mind: denying injured plaintiffs fair compensation.

We believe in fighting (and beating them) at their own game of intimidation and - if-necessary – aggressive litigation. This is the only route to your vehicle accident case’s success. You must select a law firm that has the experience, resources, knowledge, and a well-won reputation among your opponents to beat them at trial, or to force them into a fair settlement that they would otherwise exert great expense and effort in order to wiggle-out of paying.

When you choose Grossman Law Offices to represent you in your commercial vehicle accident case, you benefit from the clear advantage of two decades of experience from a law firm that has successfully argued hundreds of truck accident victories (and thousands of successful personal injury cases altogether).

Our experience tells us that you will benefit from the wealth of information that begins below, which will make you a better client, and give you a higher percentage of winning your Harris County, Texas trucking or commercial accident claim and help you understand some of the major obstacles you’re likely to encounter on the route to your successful injury case.


Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Victimized by a trucking accident in Houston? Our experienced Houston trucking accident attorneys are here to help.

Through tragic or catastrophic news stories, people understand that trucking accidents usually cause considerably more damage than regular passenger car accidents.

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What is less well known is the fact that, in legal proceedings when a victim seeks compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, trucking accidents are considerably different than car accidents. The most monumental mistake victims of trucking accidents can make is to approach a trucking accident claim in a similar fashion as a car accident claim. In the legal world, the differences are staggering. Houston trucking accident attorney Michael Grossman offers the following informative article on why this is often the case, and why enlisting our legal help in your 18-wheeler accident case can be a beneficial first step in seeking compensation for your pain or loss.


The Big Difference: Multiple Liable Parties

One of the main and most significant of differences between semi-truck accidents and passenger-vehicle only accidents is the likely involvement of multiple liable parties in Houston 18-wheeler wrecks. While there can sometimes be multiple defendants in passenger vehicle only accidents, such a scene occurs much more often in collisions involving 18-wheelers. This occurs because Texas trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for their drivers’ negligent behavior under the legal notion of “respondeat superior.” Furthermore, Texas trucking companies are required by state law to have insurance coverage on their drivers and truck. What this means is that, more often than not, an 18-wheeler accident that causes an injury or loss of life will have, at the very least, three liable parties, or defendants: the driver, the driver’s employer, and the employer’s insurer. When a trucking insurer becomes involved, 18-wheeler accident cases take on a noticeably more challenging aspect in regards to successfully litigating a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the trucking company.

Furthermore, there can be even more liable parties depending on the specifics of the accident. If cargo falls off of a tractor-trailer, or a load shifts within a semi-truck’s hold and causes an accident, an outside cargo-loading company, if used by the trucking company, can be held partially liable for any resultant injuries or deaths. If a truck crashes into an overpass and causes an injury or death because the driver was following a prescribed route as planned by an outside route-planning company, that company could be held partially liable. If a mechanical failure occurs, such as a brake failure, then the manufacturer of that part could be held partially liable. If an 18-wheeler driver is drunk, Texas dram shop law allows for the alcohol-serving establishment to be held liable if proven of negligence in their care for their patron or for public safety. Additionally, if another driver or entity caused the 18-wheeler accident, that driver or entity could also be held partially liable. With so many possible liable parties, ensuring that each one is properly identified is a vitally important step towards seeking full compensation for your injuries or loss. When Grossman Law Offices takes an accident case, we will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident scene so that the truth of the cause of the accident is known and all liable parties are brought to justice.


The Next Big Difference: High-Dollar Insurance Policies

Trucking insurance policies are generally about 50 times as valuable as a normal car insurance policy. This has to be the case since severe and enormous damage can be accomplished through even a momentary lack of concentration on the part of an 18-wheeler driver. However, this can complicate an 18-wheeler accident case since, with so much money at stake, the insurance carriers will employ ruthless tactics to avoid a large payout. Insurers exist to turn a profit, and this is often achieved by seeing to it that large insurance policy claims are denied, or, at the very least, severely lessened. This is quite the opposite from fender-bender insurance claims where the insurer is much more likely to fairly compensate you for sustained property damage since the costs are relatively low and the stakes aren’t so high. As such, having Houston trucking accident attorney Michael Grossman on your side, with his twenty years of experience in litigating semi-truck accident cases, can prove to be a strong legal ally that will defend your rights so that you can receive full compensation despite an insurance company’s tactics.

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Aggressive Insurance Adjusters and Ready to Respond Defense Attorneys

Commercial insurance policy adjusters are the most aggressive adjusters in the industry. This is not an entry level position; rather, these adjusters are promoted to work on commercial policies after years of proving that they are capable and efficient at seeing claims result in the smallest of payouts. Furthermore, the more money these adjusters save for their insurance company, the more money they likely stand to make. In other words, they have a vested interest in denying your claim and will work with their own best interests in mind, which, more often than not, relates to their own bottom line as well as that of their employer. By enlisting the help of Houston trucking accident attorney Michael Grossman, you can be sure to have legal experience on your side that will work with your best interests in mind, even against the most aggressive of insurance adjusters. Because of our two decades of experience in dealing with these particular kinds of adjusters, we’re wise to their ways, so we can help prevent you from being taken advantage of by their tactics.

Commercial insurance providers that insure large trucks have a team of defense attorneys on contract and likely on speed-dial. As soon as a trucking accident occurs, these attorneys are dispatched to the accident scene to discover anything they can utilize in order to build a case against you. These attorneys will also likely have a vested financial interest in protecting the insurance carrier. They will likely prove to also be quite aggressive in their means to prove your liability in the accident. By shifting even a percentage of blame onto you, they could stand to save their clients quite a sizable sum. If they can somehow shift a majority of the liability onto you, the case could be dismissed, resulting in no compensation whatsoever for you. Ensure that you have a fighting chance against such an aggressive defense by contacting Houston trucking accident attorney Michael Grossman at 1-855-392-0000 (toll free). We will go toe-to-toe against these types of attorneys and will act just as aggressively, when necessary, in order to get you fair compensation.


The Unethical Practices of Some Truck Drivers or Self-Insured Trucking Companies

Most 18-wheeler drivers stake their entire livelihoods on their ability to earn a living by driving a truck. This results in a scenario where the truck driver is under a great deal of pressure to say whatever they have to in order to protect their job. As you can imagine, it’s not much of a stretch of the imagination to see how a truck driver may be inclined to give an inaccurate account of their own fault in the accident. Insurance companies welcome the opportunity to deny claims based on the statement from their own driver. However, Grossman Law Offices has many years of careful depositions and thorough investigations that have proven time and time again the truth, or falsehood, of a truck driver’s story.

Some trucking companies may be self-insured, meaning that they hold aside a portion of their assets to cover themselves in the event that a claim is made. However, this can sometimes lead to unethical behavior on their part since they’re not governed by the rules and regulations that are in place for traditional insurers. As such, we’ve been contacted when an injured victim seeking compensation from a self-insured trucking company has experienced some form of unethical behavior, like being threatened in some manner, hearing about witnesses being badgered, or learning about evidence being manipulate or even deleted. When this occurs and Grossman Law Offices is contacted to help with such a claim, we will pursue certain legal actions in order to compel the unethical company to start acting rightly so that the injured victim or bereaved family has a fair opportunity to recover compensation from the negligent trucking company. In many instances, an aggrieved party can save themselves from hours of frustration by contacting us before attempting to deal with a self-insured trucking company on their own.


Why Do I Need Legal Help in my Houston Semi-Truck Accident Case?

Personal injury and wrongful death cases involving 18-wheelers simply have too many variables for a non-attorney, or even an inexperienced lawyer, to be able to adequately handle so that a successful outcome resulting in fair compensation can be reached. Furthermore, with such a stout defensive team likely working the claim or case, a self-represented plaintiff will likely be skewered in court, despite the fact that they might have a good understanding of the law. The law must also be properly applied in court, and missing a deadline or not knowing how to respond to certain unique situations in the court room can lead to a case’s dismissal. Essentially, with such a sizable sum of compensation likely at stake, choosing to self-represent is a very risky choice. By enlisting the help of Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Michael Grossman, you will have twenty years of hard-earned experience and a well-earned and respected reputation on your side.


When Should I Contact an Attorney if I’ve Been in a Houston 18-Wheeler Accident?

By the time you have found your way to this website, your Houston trucking accident is likely being investigated by the liable party’s insurance company, an aggressive adjuster has been assigned to the case, and the insurance company’s defense attorneys have started building a case against you. When dealing with such a coordinated effort against you, it becomes readily apparent that you will need a team of your own to have any chance of success. Our experienced trucking accident lawyers of Houston would like to be that team. Our aggressive and experienced lawyers have spent the last 20 years devoting their time and expertise to our clients to make sure that trucking companies and their insurance companies fairly compensate our clients for the pain they have caused them.

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Furthermore, by contacting Houston trucking accident attorney Michael Grossman and his team at Grossman Law Offices, a comprehensive investigation can be made into your Houston semi-truck accident so that all liable parties can be identified and held accountable for their negligent actions. By waiting even a day longer to contact us, you could be jeopardizing your case’s likelihood of success. Evidence goes missing with time, or can even be manipulated, and witnesses may forget key details or may not be able to be tracked down should too much time pass between the accident and the action to enlist legal help. Contact us today at 1-855-392-0000 (toll free) for a free consultation so that you can start the process to seek compensation for your injury or loss as a result of a Houston Texas 18-wheeler accident.


Helpful Information

Our lawyers have written the following informational articles to help you further understand 18-wheeler accident cases:


Some of Our Most Recent Successful Cases
$225,000.00 Recovery - Automobile Accident (Back Injury)
Our firm was hired to pursue a claim against a negligent following a rear-end car accident. The plaintiff was driving her vehicle in traffic on I-30 in Dallas, TX when the defendant approached from behind and collided with her vehicle, pushing it into the vehicle in front of her. The plaintiff sustained disc compression and herniation at C3-4 which required surgery to rectify. The defendant's ultimately accepted liability but heavily disputed the damages. Under threat of litigation, the defendants raised their offer. Our attorneys continued to aggressively negotiate on behalf of our client and a satisfactory result was eventually obtained.
Total Recovery:
$225,000.00
Attorney Fees:
$95,000.00
Litigation Expenses:
$2,500.00
$300,000.00 Recovery - Commercial Vehicle Accident / Work Injury (Facial Fractures and Head Trauma)
A loading dock worker suffered serious including numerous facial fractures and minor brain trauma when an 18-wheeler back into him, crushing him against the loading dock. The plaintiff's employer was a subscriber to Texas Workers' Compensation coverage, thus a claim was rightly filed against the third party trucking company whom the truck driver operating the reversing 18-wheeler worked for.

The plaintiffs asserted the position that the trucking company in question was liable on the basis of respondeat superior and negligent retention. The defendants argued that the plaintiff was the sole proximate cause of his injuries by virtue of the plaintiff putting himself in harms way. They maintained that the plaintiff simply walked behind the reversing tractor trailer as it pushed back toward the loading dock.

It was later determined through deposition testimony that the truck driver had indeed instructed the plaintiff to stand behind the trailer in order to determine the vehicle's proximity to the dock. Once this fact came to light, the defendants agreed to mediate whereby the case was satisfactorily settled.
Total Recovery:
$300,000.00
Attorney Fees:
$120,000.00
Litigation Expenses:
$9,807.00
$187,500.00 Recovery - Commercial Vehicle Accident (Back Injury Requiring Surgery)
Our firm was hired by a young woman who was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler when she slowed for traffic in a construction zone. Initially, she attempted to represent herself and the insurance carrier offered roughly $1,000 to settle her case. She then contacted our firm and we filed suit soon after our initial investigation. The case was successfully resolved in litigation.
Total Recovery:
$187,500.00
Attorney Fees:
$61,875.00
Litigation Expenses:
$2,500.00
$250,000.00 Recovery - Wrongful Death / Commercial Vehicle Accident
Our attorneys were hired to investigate a fatal motor vehicle accident involving an 18-wheeler that claimed the lives of several men, the family of one in particular which our firm represented, felt that the official version of events as outlined in the police report was not an accurate portrayal of the facts and circumstances of the collision.

Our firm launched an investigation, the findings of which served as the basis for a subsequent lawsuit. We were able to determine that the defendant's accusations of contributory negligence on behalf of he driver of the vehicle did appear to be valid and plaintiffs conceded as much. However, the plaintiffs were adamant that the contributory negligence did not entirely overshadow the negligence on behalf of the defendant truck driver.

Through physical evidence and an admission of liability that our attorneys were able to importune from the defendant under oath, we were able to show that the defendant had indeed pulled into the path of the decedent's vehicle, which was of consequence irrespective of the decedent's own contributory negligence, and that icontact.com
Total Recovery:
$250,000.00
Attorney Fees:
$82,500.00
Litigation Expenses:
$10,000.00
Confidential Recovery - Wrongful Death / Commercial Vehicle Accident
(policy limits) Our attorneys secured a recovery against a major trucking company for the daughter of a man who was killed after his vehicle collided into an 18-wheeler which was blocking the roadway. Litigation is ongoing against additional defendants.
Total Recovery:
Confidential
Attorney Fees:
Confidential
Litigation Expenses:
Confidential
$335,000.00 Recovery - Wrongful Death/ Commercial Vehicle Accident
The mother of a young man hired our firm to investigate the death of her son following a fatal car accident. The incident occurred as one of the two vehicles involved ran a red light and drive into the path of the other. The defendant was driving a work vehicle for a construction company. The defendant survived the accident and stated to police that the decedent caused the accident. The police could not conclusively determine who was at fault, yet the police report strongly implied that the decedent was likely at fault based on the statement provided by the defendant.

The plaintiff's mother was not convinced. Through a thorough investigation, we ultimately determined that the stoplight that the defendant claimed that our client ran, in fact, worked on a timer whereby the light was always green between certain hours unless a vehicle traveling on the intersecting road had been stopped at the right light for more than 30 seconds. Based on an analysis of the vehicles and tire markings, it was conclusively determined that both vehicles were traveling at the speed limit, which clearly indicates that the defendant driver had not accelerated from stop, rather, he was traveling at the speed limit, which would not have triggered a green light for the defendant.

The logical implications of this information is that the light could not have been red for the plaintiff, and it certainly would have been red for the defendant. As a consequence of this information, the case was resolved through litigation.
Total Recovery:
$335,000.00
Attorney Fees:
$134,000.00
Litigation Expenses:
$63,000.00
Confidential Recovery - Wrongful Death / Commercial Vehicle Accident
(policy limits) Our firm was hired by the wife and children of a retired Army Colonel who was killed in an underide 18-wheeler accident. In addition to being a decorated veteran, the decedent worked both professionally and on a voluntary basis to establish numerous learning institutions and vocational programs for at risk youths. The accident occurred as the decedent was traveling on a rural highway when an 18-wheeler failed to yield the right of way and made a rolling stop through a stop sign.

This placed the trailer of the 18-wheeler in a position whereby it blocked the entire roadway and shoulder, leaving the decedent no option but to collide with the trailer. Witnesses on the scene attempted to revive him but to no avail. Furthermore, while two female eye witnesses struggled to pry open the decedent's door to provide emergency care, the truck driver stayed in his truck and offered no assistance. Despite what appeared to be an incredibly apparent case of negligence on behalf of the defendant, defense counsel refused to accept liability resulting in rather lengthy litigation.

The defendants initially denied the claim based on the allegation that the decedent was speeding and the truck driver therefore could not adequately gauge the amount of time he had to pause at the stop sign. The physical evidence contradicted this notion entirely, notwithstanding the fact that even if the decedent had been contributorily negligent, that would not have outweighed the severe degree of negligence on the part of the defendant. Nevertheless, our attorneys were able to conclusively refute this argument based on eye-witness testimony and the testimony from police investigators who calculated the decedent's speed to be precisely at the posted speed limit. In a desperate and largely unprecedented move, the defendants then designated the state as a responsible third party.

Generally speaking, a defendant will often threaten to designate a third party in order to leverage their position but it is rare that such an arbitrary and arguably frivolous designation is actually carried out. However, that is precisely what occurred and the state was thusly incorporated into the lawsuit by the defendants. The basis of the defendant's argument was that the state erected a large street sign that obstructed the truck driver's view of approaching traffic.

Several months of intense litigation were required to before the defendant finally acquiesced in regard to this argument. The argument was finally abandoned by the defendants when in the first mediation our attorneys presented video footage shot (in a controlled setting) from the perspective of an 18-wheeler driver which showed that the sign simply did not obstruct enough of the roadway in order to be a hazard. The case was ultimately resolved through litigation.
Total Recovery:
Confidential
Attorney Fees:
Confidential
Litigation Expenses:
Confidential
$150,000.00 Recovery - Automobile Accident (Nerve Damage)
Recovery for client who suffered nerve damage and required steroid injections as a result of a car accident.
Total Recovery:
$150,000.00
Attorney Fees:
$50,000.00
Litigation Expenses:
$4,800.00
$530,000.00 Recovery - Commercial Vehicle Accident (Back Injury Requiring Surgery)
Plaintiff, a delivery driver, suffered a back injury resulting in spinal fusion surgery when he was injured in an accident involving falling cargo from an 18-wheeler. The defendants cited the plaintiff's failure to take evasive action as a source of contributory negligence and litigation commenced accordingly which culminated in an acceptance of liability and eventually satisfactory resolution.
Total Recovery:
$530,000.00
Attorney Fees:
$210,000.00
Litigation Expenses:
$5,000.00
$475,000.00 Recovery - Commercial Vehicle Accident / Motorcycle Accident (Shoulder Injury Requiring Surgery)
An airline pilot suffered a shoulder injury resulting in surgery when he was sideswiped by an 18-wheeler. The case was resolved through litigation, as establishing liability was a contentious matter. The defendants claimed that the plaintiff made an illegal passing maneuver, but the evidence showed that the defendant made a sweeping turn and intruded upon our client's right of way.
Total Recovery:
$475,000.00
Attorney Fees:
$158,333.00
Litigation Expenses:
$5,000.00

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