Quick answer: The Law Offices of John David Hart is a Houston truck accident law firm handling serious 18-wheeler and commercial-vehicle cases across Texas. Founder John David Hart is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has represented injured Texans since 1981. No fee unless we win. Call 817-870-2102 for a free consultation.
Truck crashes on Houston’s freight network and port drayage
Few American cities move as much freight as Houston, and few put drivers in closer contact with heavy trucks. The Katy Freeway (I-10) ranks among the widest and busiest freight corridors in the country, while I-45 (the Gulf and North Freeways), the I-610 Loop, Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway), US-59/I-69 (Southwest and Eastex Freeways), the Grand Parkway (SH-99) and US-290 carry a relentless stream of tractor-trailers day and night.
Layered on top of that highway traffic is the Port of Houston, the largest U.S. port by tonnage. Container drayage trucks stream in and out of the port terminals, and the region’s petrochemical and energy economy keeps tankers, chemical haulers and heavy loads on local roads at all hours. That combination of extreme freight density and hazardous cargo makes Houston truck collisions especially dangerous.
- Hazmat and tanker rollovers
- Underride and override collisions
- Jackknife crashes
- No-zone and blind-spot wrecks
- Port-drayage container-truck accidents
- Fatigued, overloaded or improperly secured loads
Hazmat, tankers and petrochemical hauling
Houston’s refineries, chemical plants and port terminals move enormous volumes of fuel, industrial chemicals and pressurized cargo. When a tanker rolls over or a hazmat load ruptures, the danger extends well beyond the initial impact — fires, chemical exposure, road closures and secondary collisions can follow. These cases often involve specialized federal and state hauling rules, cargo-securement standards and evidence that ordinary car-wreck claims never touch. They demand a lawyer who understands how commercial and hazmat trucking actually operates.
Who can be liable in a Texas truck case
A serious truck wreck rarely comes down to the driver alone. Under federal and Texas law, responsibility may be shared across the businesses that put the truck on the road:
- The driver — for speeding, distraction, impairment or fatigue.
- The motor carrier — for violating FMCSA hours-of-service and electronic logging device (ELD) rules, negligent hiring, poor training or pushing unrealistic schedules.
- Brokers and shippers — for how a load was arranged, loaded or secured.
- Maintenance and equipment providers — for brake, tire or trailer failures.
Identifying every responsible party often matters because commercial policies and corporate defendants may be involved. We investigate the full chain, not just the person behind the wheel.
Why truck cases need fast evidence work
Trucking companies frequently dispatch rapid-response investigators to a crash scene within hours. Meanwhile, critical evidence — ELD and electronic control module (“black box”) data, driver logs, dashcam footage, dispatch records and maintenance files — can be overwritten or lost on routine schedules. Acting quickly to send spoliation letters and preserve this data can make a real difference in a case. The sooner an injured person has counsel, the sooner that evidence can be locked down.
Texas law, deadlines and damages
Texas generally sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal-injury claims, so waiting can put your rights at risk. Texas also follows modified comparative fault with a 51% bar: an injured person who is found more than 50% at fault cannot recover, and any recovery is reduced by their share of responsibility. Depending on the facts, damages in a truck case may include medical expenses, lost income and earning capacity, physical pain, disfigurement and other harms recognized under Texas law. Every case is different, and nothing here is a promise about any particular outcome.
Why John David Hart
John David Hart is board certified in both Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a distinction held by a small share of Texas attorneys. He has tried and litigated serious injury cases since 1981 and takes significant matters statewide from the firm’s Fort Worth office, including cases arising from Houston and Harris County. You work directly with an experienced trial lawyer, and the consultation is free and confidential.
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle Houston truck accident cases from a Fort Worth office?
Yes. The firm is based at 5750 Edwards Ranch Road, Fort Worth, TX 76109, and takes serious truck and 18-wheeler cases throughout Texas, including Houston and Harris County. Call 817-870-2102 to discuss your situation.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
The initial consultation is free and confidential. The firm handles injury cases on a contingency basis, which means no fee unless we win your case. Costs are discussed with you before you sign.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?
Texas generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit, though some situations differ. Because evidence can disappear quickly, it is wise to speak with a lawyer well before that deadline.
What makes 18-wheeler cases different from car accidents?
Truck cases involve federal safety regulations, multiple potentially liable companies, commercial insurance and time-sensitive electronic evidence such as ELD and black-box data. They typically require faster, more technical investigation than a routine car wreck.
What should I do after a truck crash in Houston?
Get medical care, report the crash, and preserve anything you can — photos, names and records. Then contact a lawyer promptly so evidence from the truck and carrier can be requested before it is lost.
Talk to a board-certified Texas trial lawyer
If you or a family member was hurt in a Houston truck or 18-wheeler crash, call The Law Offices of John David Hart at 817-870-2102 for a free, confidential consultation. No fee unless we win.
