In Texas, victims injured in commercial vehicle accidents may pursue compensation when another party caused the crash. A successful claim can help cover medical bills, lost income, and other financial and intangible losses while providing greater stability moving forward. Because commercial accident cases are often legally and financially complex, working with an attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Contact Sharma Injury Law at (281) 893-8644 or reach out online to schedule a consultation with our Houston commercial car accident lawyer team, who can explain your rights, answer your questions, and help you take the next step with confidence.
What Constitutes a Commercial Vehicle in Houston, TX?
A commercial vehicle is any motor vehicle used primarily for business purposes, whether transporting goods or carrying passengers for hire. Texas and federal law define several categories of vehicles that qualify:
- Tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers
- Delivery vans and box trucks
- City and school buses
- Shuttle vans
- Limousines
- Construction and utility vehicles
- Tanker trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Tow trucks
- Company-owned fleet cars and SUVs
What Makes Commercial Car Accidents Different from Other Accidents?
Commercial vehicle accidents differ from standard collisions in ways that directly affect your claim. Multiple parties may share liability, including the driver, employer, leasing company, cargo loaders, or manufacturers, and each has separate insurance coverage. Federal law requires many carriers to carry minimum coverage of $750,000 or more, and insurers with that much at stake defend claims aggressively.
Building a strong case depends on preserving electronic logs, black box data, and driver records quickly before they are overwritten. Texas Transportation Code § 644.051 holds carriers to federal safety standards, and violations of those standards are often central to car accident claims involving commercial vehicles.
What Causes Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Houston?
Commercial vehicle accidents rarely happen by chance. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue or hours-of-service violations
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Improper cargo loading or unsecured freight
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Negligent hiring or inadequate driver training
Identifying the cause matters because it determines who may be held liable and what evidence needs to be preserved.
What Compensation Can You Receive After a Commercial Car Accident in Texas?
Texas law allows injured victims to seek compensatory damages after a commercial vehicle accident. These damages fall into two main categories designed to address both the financial and personal toll of your injuries. Economic and non-economic damages you may recover are as follows:
- Healthcare expenses
- Future medical treatment and ongoing care
- Lost income and salary
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage and vehicle replacement
- Out-of-pocket costs, such as transportation to medical appointments
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Disability or physical impairment
How Long Do You Have To File a Commercial Car Accident Lawsuit in Houston?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you usually have two years from the date of your collision to file a commercial car accident lawsuit. Missing that deadline almost always means losing your right to seek compensation, regardless of evidence, injuries, and how strong your case may be.
Why Trust Sharma Injury Law to Fight for You?
For over 30 years, founder Bash Sharma has served Houston’s injured community, and today he works alongside his three daughters in a multi-generational family practice. Our clients receive the kind of personal attention that only a family-run firm can offer, including direct access to your attorney whenever you have questions or concerns. Our Houston commercial car accident attorneys approach every case in the following ways:
- Comprehensive investigations
- Accident reconstruction
- Claim valuation
- Skilled negotiation
- Trial-ready representation
Our firm treats every client like a member of our own family, because that is the standard of care we believe everyone deserves. We are here to guide you through each stage of the process with honesty and transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Car Accidents in Houston
What If the Commercial Driver Is an Independent Contractor?
Even when a commercial driver works as an independent contractor, the company that hired them may still share liability. Texas courts look at the level of control the company exercises over the driver’s work, schedule, and methods when determining responsibility.
Should You Speak to the Commercial Driver’s Insurance Company Adjuster?
You have no obligation to provide a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company after an accident. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize payouts, and your words can be taken out of context and used to reduce your claim.
What If Your Family Member Died in a Commercial Car Accident?
Texas wrongful death law allows surviving spouses, children, and parents to file a claim when a loved one dies due to another party’s negligence. These claims can seek compensation for lost financial support, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral and burial expenses.
Contact Our Commercial Car Accident Lawyer in Houston, TX Now
If you or a loved one was injured in a commercial vehicle accident, acting quickly gives you the best chance of preserving the evidence and information needed to build a strong case. Reach out to Sharma Injury Law at (281) 893-8644 or connect with us online to schedule a consultation today.