Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in El Paso, Texas
The firms in this guide
- Cal Mundell Law Firm, PLLC Call Cal Mundell Law Firm, PLLC: (915) 250-0700
- Scherr Law Firm (Scherr Legate PLLC) Call Scherr Law Firm (Scherr Legate PLLC): (866) 751-7083
- Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, PLLC Call Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, PLLC: (915) 308-8850
- Hit By A Truck Call Chuck (Charles Julius Ruhmann IV) Call Hit By A Truck Call Chuck (Charles Julius Ruhmann IV): (915) 915-1011
- Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.
1. Cal Mundell Law Firm, PLLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Speeding truck accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end truck collisions, head-on truck collisions, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents, intersection truck accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence investigation, FMCSR violation investigation, hours of service violation analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, property damage claims
Background: Cal Mundell graduated magna cum laude and in the top 10% of his law school class. Named Texas Rising Star for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025). El Paso native with deep roots in the community. Former defense attorney for insurance companies, providing insider knowledge of defense tactics. In two years, successfully settled over 300 cases, recovering close to $20 million for injured victims and their families. Prepares every case as if it will go to trial. Clients speak directly with the attorney handling their case.
Location: 1521 E Missouri Ave., El Paso, TX 79902
Contact: (915) 250-0700 | https://www.calmundelllaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless case is won)
2. Scherr Law Firm (Scherr Legate PLLC)
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, trucking litigation, wrongful death, product liability, brain injuries, catastrophic injuries, oilfield injuries, burn injuries
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, equipment failure accidents, cargo-related accidents, driver fatigue accidents, defective truck part accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, federal regulation violation investigation, FMCSA compliance analysis, product liability investigation for truck defects, third-party defendant identification, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, brain injury litigation, catastrophic injury claims
Background: Scherr Law Firm was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in El Paso. Maxey Scherr has a background in neuroscience, bringing expertise to brain injury litigation with ability to understand complex medical evidence and effectively challenge defense experts. The firm has a team of eight lawyers and handles cases in Texas and New Mexico. Combines scientific expertise with aggressive litigation skills. Focuses on identifying hidden third-party defendants and holding all responsible parties accountable. Known for thorough investigation and personalized legal strategies.
Location: El Paso, Texas (serves Texas and New Mexico)
Contact: (866) 751-7083 | https://www.scherrlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
3. Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, PLLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end truck collisions, intersection accidents, driver fatigue accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence investigation, liability determination, hours of service violation analysis, FMCSR compliance investigation, accident report analysis, witness statement gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Ruben Ortiz has over 25 years of experience handling truck accident cases. Licensed in Texas. The firm offers a 25% contingency fee when cases are settled prior to lawsuit filing, allowing clients to keep more of their settlement. El Paso-based with knowledge of local laws and regulations. Proven track record representing numerous clients in truck accident cases with favorable outcomes. Provides personalized attention to each case.
Location: El Paso, Texas (also serves Hudspeth County)
Contact: (915) 308-8850 | https://www.rubenortizlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, 25% contingency fee for pre-litigation settlements
4. Hit By A Truck Call Chuck (Charles Julius Ruhmann IV)
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, big rig accidents, semi-truck accidents, truck vs. truck accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: T-bone truck accidents, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, cargo spill accidents, manufacturing defect accidents, maintenance failure accidents, distracted driving truck accidents, speeding truck accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence investigation, manufacturing defect investigation, maintenance record analysis, FMCSR violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims
Background: Charles Julius Ruhmann IV is the firm president with over 15 years of experience handling truck accident cases. Fluent in Spanish. Handles cases in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Specializes exclusively in truck accidents including 18-wheeler, big rig, semi-truck, and commercial vehicle collisions. Investigates multiple causes including driver recklessness, distracted driving, speeding, manufacturing defects, and trucking company negligence. Focus on pursuing financial compensation for personal injury and damages.
Location: El Paso, Texas (also serves Las Cruces, NM and Arizona)
Contact: El Paso: (915) 915-1011 | Las Cruces: (575) 800-1529 | https://hitbyatruckcallchuck.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, work injuries, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end truck collisions, intersection accidents, cargo-related accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence investigation, federal regulation violation analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, work injury claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. serves clients throughout Texas and New Mexico with offices in Las Cruces, El Paso, Albuquerque, and Carlsbad. James Tawney graduated summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University and is dedicated to serving the Southwest community. Mr. Acosta is a lifelong resident of El Paso, graduated from St. Mary’s University (2004) and Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State (2008). Daisy Chaparro Cavazos was born and raised in El Paso with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in Philosophy. Team is dedicated to fighting for serious injury victims and willing to take cases to court when necessary.
Location: El Paso, Texas (also offices in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Carlsbad, NM)
Contact: https://tacinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Border-Zone Carrier Insurance, Driver Testing and Joint Liability in El Paso Truck Crash Claims
An El Paso truck crash can involve a Mexico-domiciled carrier operating in the border commercial zone, and federal rules set a separate way for that carrier to show insurance. The same rules govern proof of coverage for every carrier and testing of the driver after a crash, and Texas law decides when one defendant answers for the whole recovery.
Mexico-Domiciled Carriers in the Border Zone
Under 49 CFR 387.7(b)(3), a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier operating solely in U.S. municipalities on the U.S.-Mexico border or within their commercial zones, with a Certificate of Registration under part 368, may meet the financial responsibility requirements with coverage in the required amounts for periods of 24 hours or longer. Each vehicle must carry copies of the Certificate of Registration, the Form MCS-90 endorsement, and an insurance document showing the effective and expiration dates of the temporary coverage.
Coverage Amounts and Proof
Under 49 CFR 387.9, a for-hire carrier hauling nonhazardous property in interstate or foreign commerce in a vehicle rated 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000. Under 387.7(a) and (d), no carrier may operate until the required coverage is in effect, and proof is kept at the carrier’s principal place of business in the form of an MCS-90 endorsement, an MCS-82 surety bond or an FMCSA self-insurance authorization.
Alcohol and Post-Crash Testing
Under 49 CFR 382.201, a driver subject to the federal testing rules may not report for or remain on safety-sensitive duty with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater. Under 382.303, a fatal crash requires alcohol and drug testing of the surviving driver, and an injury or tow-away crash requires it when the commercial driver is cited for a moving violation arising from the crash within 8 hours (alcohol) or 32 hours (drugs).
When One Defendant Pays the Whole Recovery
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 33.013, a liable defendant pays only its own percentage of the damages, unless its percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent, in which case it is also jointly and severally liable for all of the claimant’s recoverable damages.
El Paso Truck Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent under Section 33.001. For example, imagine $300,000 in damages and 15 percent of the responsibility on the injured driver: the recovery would be $255,000.
How long do I have to sue the carrier?
Two years after the day the cause of action accrues under Section 16.003(a) for personal injury, and two years after the death under 16.003(b) for wrongful death. When the truck was a City of El Paso vehicle, the city is entitled under Section 101.101 to notice within six months after the incident, or within its ratified charter period, unless it had actual notice of the injury, and 101.023(c) limits its liability to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury or death.
Does my policy cover an uninsured truck driver?
Yes, if it is an automobile liability policy and the coverage was not rejected in writing. Under Texas Insurance Code 1952.101, an automobile liability policy covering liability for the use of any motor vehicle must include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage unless any insured named in the policy rejects it in writing.