Meghann Cuniff is a legal affairs journalist who is a veteran of daily newspapers and has deep experience reporting on complex civil litigation, including mass torts and class actions, securities cases, patent disputes and high-stakes litigation involving major tech companies. She's based in Southern California.
Meghann Cuniff
Meghann Cuniff is a legal affairs journalist who is a veteran of daily newspapers and has deep experience reporting on complex civil litigation, including mass torts and class actions, securities cases, patent disputes and high-stakes litigation involving major tech companies. She's based in Southern California.
Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida.
After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court.
He has been an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
He lived in Colombia and Argentina teaching legal English to attorneys and law students. He is also a Spanish-language subject matter expert.
An avid waterman, he surfs and scuba dives frequently.
Reviewed
Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Adam has resided at the intersection of legal and journalism for two decades. An award-winning journalist and legal strategist, he’s covered high-profile trials in Florida.
After law school, Adam and spent two years clerking for a U.S. District Court judge. He researched and wrote legal precedent in published opinions on behalf of the Court.
He has been an editor, columnist and journalist at the Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, The Oregonian, Golf Digest, FindLaw.com and other media outlets.
He lived in Colombia and Argentina teaching legal English to attorneys and law students. He is also a Spanish-language subject matter expert.
An avid waterman, he surfs and scuba dives frequently.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, but it’s the largest major city in terms of geography at nearly 600 square miles. It’s a big oil city, too, so there are many commercial trucks driving in and around the city that could lead to accidents. Knowing how to find the best truck accident lawyer in Houston can make your situation much easier if you do end up in an accident.
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Best Truck Accident Attorneys in Houston, Texas
Compare Top Truck Accident Attorneys
Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas
If you are injured in a truck accident, you want to know the basics about not only your situation, but the law in Texas if you want to file a lawsuit over your truck accident. Here are some things to know.
Texas Statute of Limitations
In Texas, you have two years from the time of the incident to bring injury and medical malpractice lawsuits. Motorcycle accidents are subject to the same statute of limitations, making it imperative to seek legal advice as soon as you can.
Texas Laws for Truck Drivers
Texas has laws that specifically apply to truck drivers.
- Licenses: There are three types of commercial driver licenses in Texas. Class A is for combinations of vehicles with total weight of 26,001 or more. Class B is for a single vehicle that weighs 26,001 or more. Class C is for other single vehicles or combinations designed to transport 16 to 23 passengers including the driver or used in the transportation of hazardous materials.
- Speed limits: Texas law sets the maximum speed at 70 mph but also allows for limits up to 85 mph depending on the design of the highway. Pay attention to signage and keep an eye out for adjustments. Speeding can increase your chances of liability.
- Insurance: Commercial truck drivers in Texas have insurance coverage requirements ranging from $750,000 to $1 million. Trucks carrying oil need at least $1 million in liability coverage, and trucks carrying hazardous materials need at least $5 million.
Identifying Fault for a Truck Crash
Texas has a modified comparative negligence law that allows for judges to consider how much a party is at fault for a crash and award damages in accordance with that finding. Anyone who is found to be 51% or more responsible for an accident isn’t legally entitled to damages.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
An experienced truck accident lawyer in Houston knows how to navigate both the court system and the insurance system to help you secure the largest possible recovery. Attorneys can pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your case that can assist negotiations with the other side and make sure all legal angles are explored.
How to Find the Best Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston, Texas
Most attorneys advertise, and a lot describe themselves as the best. How can you determine who truly is the best truck accident lawyer in Houston for your case? Here are some things to look for:
- Pinpoint their expertise. You’ll want to find a truck accident lawyer who is experienced in personal injury litigation. Ideally, you’ll find a lawyer who is experienced in automobile accident litigation and can understand the specifics of your case.
- Look at their experience. Have they been a licensed lawyer long enough to gain the courtroom experience and negotiation experience your case might need? You’ll want a lawyer who knows how to navigate the court system in your jurisdiction and can negotiate with your opponent’s lawyer.
- Consider their references. Do you have friends and family in Houston who may be familiar with lawyers? If you contact an attorney and they don’t feel like a good fit, be sure to ask for references for an attorney who may be able to take your case.
- Ask how much they cost. Most attorneys may take your case on contingency which means they are paid a percentage of your settlement or verdict.. Once you’ve developed a list of good truck accident lawyers in Houston, narrow your choices by considering the percentage they take. Most take between 33% and 40%.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Houston in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much are most truck accident settlements?
The amount of money in a settlement for a truck accident depends on the severity of the injuries and the specific details of the incident such as road conditions, weather and speed.. Awards could range from several thousand dollars to millions of dollars. A good truck accident attorney in Houston can evaluate your case and give you an idea of how much compensation you may be able to recover.
How long do most truck accident settlements take?
Settlements over truck accidents can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to secure. Sometimes the threat of a lawsuit will result in a settlement offer. Other times, you need to file a lawsuit, which involves more time. The amount of time your case can take can depend on other factors such as how busy the local courts are and the specific characteristics of opposing counsel.
How much of a truck accident settlement goes to lawyers?
Lawyers often are paid through a portion of a settlement. The percentage typically is 33%, but it can vary and should be negotiated between you and the truck accident lawyer you want to hire. Some lawyers may take your case on a contingency basis. Others may want to charge you an hourly fee.
