We're Here to Support You After a Truck Accident

At Webster Vicknair MacLeod, we’ve seen firsthand the devastation conjured by 18-wheeler accidents. This is why we have dedicated our practice to being a voice for the victims of these accidents—we would be honored to do the same for you. Houston residents have turned to our Houston truck accident attorneys for more than 120 years, always receiving superior legal representation. Call (713) 396-5197 today to discuss your case. We proudly serve clients nationwide.

What Causes Truck Accidents?

Accidents involving 18-wheelers are much different than ordinary car accidents. Numerous licensing and regulatory issues can come into play, and most trucking companies are backed by powerful insurance corporations. The best way to further your chances of success is to get to the root of who caused the accident and why. Some of the most common reasons that truck accidents occur include the following:

Driver fatigue

Truck drivers have demanding schedules that require long hours on the road. These extended hours can lead to fatigue and decreased reaction times. The consequences of fatigued driving can mimic drunk driving.

Mechanical failures

Mechanical problems include brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, often stemming from inadequate maintenance practices. Unless the truck is driver-owned, the trucking company carries the burden of responsibility. In that case, the trucker/owner is liable.

Improper loading of cargo

Poor cargo loading results in unstable weight distribution, compromising the truck's balance and increasing the likelihood of tipping over.

Trucker error

Truckers who take OTC drugs to stay awake or distract themselves while driving by talking on a phone, texting, or watching a video can cause catastrophic truck accidents.

If you can show that the truck driver ultimately caused the accident and, therefore, your injuries, the odds of recovering compensation increase significantly. Personal injury claims are built around negligence, which means submitting proof that responsibility falls on the truck driver’s shoulders.

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Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents

The following are common types of 18-wheeler accidents:

  • Jackknife accidents: Jackknifes occur when a truck trailer swings out and forms a sharp angle with the cab. A jackknife happens due to sudden braking or slick road conditions, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
  • Rollover accidents: An 18-wheeler may roll over when the driver makes a sharp turn, travels too fast on a curve, or when the load is unbalanced. A rollover accident is hazardous due to the truck's size and weight, which can crush smaller vehicles.
  • Underride accidents: These occur when a smaller vehicle collides with a truck and slides underneath the trailer. A lack of proper underride guards can lead to devastating consequences for the smaller vehicle's occupants.
  • Rear-end collisions: Due to the length and weight of 18-wheelers, they require a longer stopping distance. If a truck follows another vehicle too close or the driver is inattentive, it can result in a rear-end collision.
  • Tire blowouts: When an 18-wheeler experiences a tire blowout, the driver can lose control of the vehicle. Blowouts can occur due to poor maintenance, a puncture, or excessive wear, leading to accidents by causing the truck to swerve.
  • Blind spot accidents: Given the large size of 18-wheelers, they have significant blind spots where smaller vehicles may not be visible. If a smaller vehicle lingers in these areas, the truck driver may collide during lane changes or turns.

At Webster Vicknair MacLeod, our experienced Houston 18-wheeler accident attorneys have handled all types of cases and can help you navigate the legal process with ease. We understand the unique challenges of truck accident cases and will work day and night to get you the compensation you deserve.

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Legal Rights and Liabilities

It can be challenging to establish liability in an 18-wheeler accident. Responsibility can fall on different parties, not just the truck driver. For example, trucking companies may bear responsibility if they fail to enforce driver safety or if their maintenance practices are poor. In addition, an injured victim can hold a third-party mechanic responsible if their work is shoddy and leads to an accident. Likewise, manufacturers of faulty truck parts can also be held accountable. Establishing liability often involves accident reconstruction experts and witness testimony. Our Houston 18-wheeler accident lawyer team is committed to investigating all aspects of your case to identify every responsible party.

Our Case Results

Sutherland Springs Church Shooting

$230,000,000

Federal Mass Tort Verdict

Holcombe Et Al. v. United States of America was a case related to the 2017 Sutherland Springs church shooting.

Lac-Mégantic Railway Disaster

$200,000,000

Train Derailment Settlement

Lac-Mégantic railway disaster was a 2013 train derailment and explosion case in Quebec, Canada.

On July 6, 2013, a 74-car freight train barreled unattended down a hill in the town of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. The train, which was carrying Bakken formation crude oil, derailed and resulted in the fire and explosion of numerous tank cars. The aftermath led to the confirmed death of 42 people, with five more missing and presumed dead. Victims of this disaster are finally being compensated due in large part to the efforts of Attorney Jason Webster.

The railway line on which the disaster occurred is owned by Montreal Maine and Atlantic Canada LTD. (MMA). Early in January of this year, MMA was ordered to pay nearly $200 million in settlement funds to the victims of the Lac-Mégantic train crash.

Robbins Chevrolet Co. in Harris County

$15,300,000

Fatal Crash Verdict

Robbins Chevrolet Co. in Harris County was a case involving a fatal crash caused by a Robbins Chevrolet employee.

BNSF Railway Company

$3,250,000

Brain Injury Verdict

Tamela Lane v. BNSF Railway Company was a case involving a brain-injured passenger in a vehicle hit by a BNSF train in Bellville, Texas.

January 2015- Cause No. 72383; Tamela Lane, as Temporary Guardian of Ty-Amber Lane, An Incapacitated Person v. BNSF Railway Company, et al; In the 239th Judicial District Court of Brazoria County, Texas

Webster Vicknair MacLeodfights to a $3.25 million verdict for brain injured passenger of a vehicle who was hit by a BNSF train in Bellville, Texas. Jason Webster and Russell Serafin represented a 19-year-old girl who suffered a traumatic brain injury when the car she was a passenger in was struck by a BNSF train that killed the driver. After a Brazoria County jury was seated, the trial lasted 3 weeks and Jury found 50/50 on liability (between railroad and driver of the vehicle) and awarded funeral expenses to the driver of the vehicle and $3.25 million for the passenger of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle ran a stop sign and stopped on the tracks before being struck. There was evidence that the driver was also on the cell phone at the time. The railroad argued that it was 100% the driver's fault.

18-Wheeler Accident

$800,000

Child Placement Agency Settlement

$775,000

A case against a child placement agency settled for $775,000 for negligent undertaking.

Slip & Fall Settlement

$410,000

Car Wreck

$225,000

A client had been hit by a commercial truck after another private truck driver had hit him.

A client had been hit by a commercial truck after another private truck driver had hit him. It both drivers ended up paying out the total gross settlement.

Policy Limit Settlement

$130,000

Of Counsel member, Joel Pardo successfully negotiated a settlement of $130,000 in a policy limits case.

Of Counsel member, Joel Pardo successfully negotiated a settlement of $130,000 in a policy limits case. We are honored to have represented our clients and fought to secure the compensation they were entitled to.

Slip and Fall Settlement

$100,000

A case on behalf of a plaintiff who slipped and fell on rainwater that had accumulated inside the covered parking garage of an upscale shopping mall in Houston.

A case on behalf of a plaintiff who slipped and fell on rainwater that had accumulated inside the covered parking garage of an upscale shopping mall in Houston. The garage maintenance company who failed to put any caution or wet floor signs out settled with her for $ 100,000.00. It happened at the end of a business day and it had been raining that whole day but no signs were ever placed.

Dog Bite

$77,500

Car Accident

$50,441

Omar Chawdhary receives $50,441.57 arbitration award for a young woman that was hit by a car while crossing the street with her mother in Glendale, Arizona.

Omar Chawdhary receives $50,441.57 arbitration award for a young woman that was hit by a car while crossing the street with her mother in Glendale, Arizona. Using the crosswalk, she and her mother were granted the right-of-way and entered the intersection. Without warning, a negligent motorist driving a jeep swung left through the intersection and struck the young woman in the chest.

The force of the impact was great enough to throw the young woman backward off the hood of the car. She suffered a broken wrist and substantial bruising and scarring. In order to recover from her wounds, she needed to be in a cast for 6 weeks and entered rehabilitation therapy sessions for her wrist, which lasted for more than two months. The medical bills were less than $25,000.

Mr. Chawdhary represented the young woman who was struck by the negligent jeep driver, during the arbitration session and also helped her build her argument. We are proud to be able to say that the arbitrator decided that our client should be awarded $50,441.57 in damages, which is more than twice her total medical bills.

Brian Quinn, Deceased; v. Federal Express Corporation

Settled for Confidential Amount

Webster Vicknair MacLeodsettles for a confidential amount for the death of a pilot in a plane crash in Kansas.

Webster Vicknair MacLeodrepresented a widower for the death of her husband after a tragic plane crash. On November 6, 2012, Pilot Brian Quinn took off from the Wichita airport, piloting a 1991 Cessna Caravan turbojet which was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney Canada engine, loaded with Federal Express cargo, heading for Garden City, Kansas.

Shortly after leaving the Wichita airport, the engine failed and quit working altogether, due to the failure and separation of a compressor turbine blade. When the turbine blade failed, it flew out of position, severing an oil line and/or the oil cooler, which caused oil to immediately spray all over the windshield, thereby depriving the pilot of vision out of the window.

Despite having no vision out the windshield of the plane and despite that the engine had completely failed, and could not make it back to the Wichita airport for a landing, Quinn made a perfect blind emergency landing in a nearby wheat field. After Quinn landed the plane but before it came to a full stop, the plane collided into a row of trees which Quinn could not see due to the oil on the windshield, and Quinn was killed.

There were several parties in this lawsuit and all but Federal Express either settled or were let out of the case. On the eve of trial, Federal Express settled with Webster Vicknair MacLeodand Mr. Quinn’s family for a confidential settlement amount. Cause number DC-13-13215; Gay Ann Quinn, on behalf of herself and as Administrator/Special Administrator of the estate of Brian Quinn, Deceased; v. Federal Express Corporation, Et. Al.; In the 134th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas

Call Webster Vicknair MacLeod When a Truck Accident Happens

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident, you must have experienced legal professionals to recover the compensation you deserve. Webster Vicknair MacLeod is committed to providing you with the support and representation you need. Our Houston truck accident lawyers will work to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, you pay a percentage of your award when you win your case.

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Awarded for Excellence, Intentional About Results

Webster Vicknair MacLeod is different from other run-of-the-mill personal injury firms. We have been recognized by Super Lawyers for our legal excellence and are members of numerous professional organizations. More than that, however, our Houston truck accident attorney team is focused on achieving tangible results for each one of our clients. In your case, this means recovering the highest level of compensation that we can. No irresponsible truck driver should get away with their behavior. We are on your side and won’t back down until your case has been resolved successfully. Contact our Houston truck accident attorneys by calling (713) 396-5197 to get started!

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What Our Clients Say

Lin Z.

I had a dog bite case. Mr. Christian Tovar represented me. He was an very accountable attorney, who provided me with the best customer service. He always kept me informed the case status, and answered any of the questions that I had. I am very satisfied with the the final settlement. I highly rec...

Anita E.

Jason Webster and staff care about their clients and work hard to get each client what they deserve. Jason is a down to earth guy with a huge heart.

Former Client

Exceptional people giving all they have for your best interest. Omar is always there for you any time. Our life was turned upside down by a motorcycle accident we were not expected to survive. Webster Vicknair MacLeod was our support system making it possible for us to live our life to its fulles...

Vicki R.

Christian Tovar did a great job representing us in our lawsuit against Kingwood United Methodist Church that kept flooding our property. I would recommend him to anyone for legal services.

JJ E.

They did a phenomenal job from the first call until the end. Christian Tovar was amazing in handling my case and was great with constant communication. Never use one of those big box firms that advertise all the time. Webster Vicknair MacLeod is made up of people you can trust to represent you an...

Sam T.

Google doesn’t have enough stars for Webster Vicknair MacLeod. They did an Awesome job fighting for me, communicating with me, listening to me, and working on my behalf. They always made me a priority. So many thanks to Joel and Webster Vicknair MacLeod. You are appreciated

Brittney T.

Very great experience would recommend them to anyone!

Rocio E.

I highly recommend them to anyone who’s been in an accident. Christian Tovar handled my case. He was very helpful, great at communicating, and always kept me updated with my case. Got me a good settlement overall very pleased.

Johnnie B.

Thank you Webster Vicknair MacLeod for making my experience with your law firm such a great experience. I lost my voice due to cancer and it's so hard to communicate. I have not had one problem with this at your law firm and yall are so good at communicating with me and keeping me informed of my ...

Carol G.

I joined the class action lawsuit against the developer who clear-cut land behind the Kingwood community of Elm Grove, causing 2 terrible flood events for half the owners of this neighborhood. My property was among the victims. I never thought we would win. Through the excellent efforts of attorn...

Heather S.

Webster Vicknair MacLeod was victorious in settling a large case with several hundred plaintiffs. I can’t imagine what an undertaking this had to have been. I’m truly grateful for the results. Although nothing can take away from the experience that my family went through, thanks to th...

Lin Z.

I had a dog bit case. Mr. Christian Tovar represented me. He was a very accountable attorney, who provided me with the best customer service. He always kept me informed of the case status and answered any of the questions that I had. I am very satisfied with the final settlement. I highly recomme...

Larissa P.

I would highly recommend Webster Vicknair MacLeod to anyone. They exceed our expatiations and we can't thank Omar, Jason, and staff enough.

James

I recently talked to one of your representatives at your firm about my case. He was very respectful, courteous, and cordial about everything, as well as very informative. I really appreciate being treated like I matter by your Law Firm.  I will never go anywhere else again for legal represen...

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