1. Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers (GVILAW)
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer crashes, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, oilfield accidents, construction accidents, pipeline explosions
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, overloaded truck accidents, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, cargo spill accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver log analysis, vehicle maintenance record investigation, black box data retrieval, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Over 35 years of experience handling serious personal injury cases. Serve Lubbock and surrounding West Texas communities including Crosby, Floyd, Hale, Lamb, Hockley, Terry, Lynn, and Garza counties. Also serve Eastern New Mexico. Handle cases on I-27, US-62, and local roads throughout the region.
Location: Lubbock, TX
Contact: (806) 741-0284 | 888-570-3628 | https://gvilaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no payment unless case is won)
2. Liggett Law Group, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, oilfield accidents, construction accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Driver negligence accidents, trucking company negligence, mechanical failure accidents, brake failure accidents, overloaded truck accidents, fatigued driver accidents
Legal Services: Trucking regulations investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Led by Ted Liggett. Focus on fighting for rights of injury victims against insurance companies and large corporations. Experience handling complex truck accident cases requiring investigation of multiple liable parties.
Location: Lubbock, TX
Contact: https://liggettlawgroup.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation
3. The Witt Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, trucking accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, oilfield injuries, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Driver negligence accidents, speeding accidents, distracted driving accidents, fatigued driving accidents, mechanical failure accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence collection, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Matt Witt is recognized for dedicated representation of clients. Known for relentless pursuit of justice in personal injury matters. Licensed to practice in Texas and New Mexico.
Location: 1500 Broadway St., Suite 102A, Lubbock, TX 79401
Contact: (806) 507-0404 | https://www.mattwittlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
4. Perrin Law PLLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, trucking company negligence, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, oilfield accidents, construction accidents
Case Types Handled: Driver negligence accidents, fatigued driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, mechanical failure accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo shift accidents
Legal Services: Federal trucking regulations investigation, evidence preservation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, punitive damages, wrongful death claims
Background: James Perrin has over 20 years of experience fighting for injury victims and families. Has tried cases to verdict in courtrooms across Texas and handled complex personal injury and wrongful death claims in eight different states. Earned Top 50 Personal Injury verdict in Texas in 2022.
Location: Lubbock, TX
Contact: https://perrinlawtexas.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
5. The Gorilla Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, commercial vehicle crashes, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Drunk driving truck accidents, fatigued driver accidents, distracted driving accidents, negligent truck operation, brake failure accidents
Legal Services: Investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Over $500 million recovered for injured clients in North Texas and New Mexico. Provides representation for personal injury victims in Lubbock and Northwest Texas, as well as Hobbs, New Mexico. Focus on protecting client rights against insurance company tactics.
Location: Lubbock, TX (serves Northwest Texas and Hobbs, NM)
Contact: (806) 375-3855 | https://www.gorillalawfirm.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents. The deadline runs from the date the accident occurred.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, running from the date of death.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations.
Fault System: Texas is an at-fault (tort) state. The party responsible for causing the truck accident is financially liable for resulting damages.
Proportionate Responsibility (Comparative Negligence): Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33. If the plaintiff’s percentage of fault is 50% or less, they may recover damages reduced by their percentage of fault. If the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault (51% or greater), they are completely barred from recovery. This is sometimes called the “51% bar.”
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Texas requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (30/60/25).
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. Trucks over 10,000 pounds carrying non-hazardous freight require minimum coverage of $750,000. Trucks hauling hazardous materials require $1 million to $5 million depending on cargo type.
Joint and Several Liability: Under Texas law, defendants found more than 50% at fault are jointly and severally liable for damages. This means a plaintiff can collect the entire judgment from any defendant found more than 50% responsible.
Damage Caps: Texas does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages up to $750,000.
Vicarious Liability: Texas recognizes respondeat superior doctrine. Trucking companies may be held vicariously liable for negligent acts of employee drivers acting within the scope of employment.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Applicability: FMCSA regulations are applicable in Texas courts. Violations may be used as evidence of negligence.
Hours of Service Violations: Violations of federal hours of service regulations are admissible to establish driver and trucking company negligence.
Electronic Logging Device Requirements: Commercial trucks must maintain ELD records per federal mandate. This data is discoverable in litigation.
Evidence Preservation: Texas law allows courts to impose sanctions for spoliation of evidence. Truck accident attorneys typically seek immediate preservation orders for black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records.
Government Entity Claims: Claims against Texas government entities require specific notice procedures and are subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act, which limits governmental liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline to file a truck accident lawsuit in Lubbock, Texas?
A: Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you have two years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period runs from the date of death. Missing this deadline permanently bars your right to pursue compensation through the court system. Evidence in truck accident cases, including black box data, driver logs, and surveillance footage, can disappear quickly, so consulting with a Lubbock truck accident attorney promptly after an accident is critical for preserving your claim.
Q: How does Texas proportionate responsibility affect truck accident claims?
A: Texas follows modified comparative negligence under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33. If your percentage of fault is 50% or less, you can recover damages reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. However, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from any recovery. Trucking companies and their insurers commonly attempt to shift blame to victims to reduce or eliminate their liability. Working with an experienced attorney helps counter these allegations with evidence establishing the truck driver’s primary responsibility.
Q: What insurance coverage is available in Lubbock truck accident cases?
A: Commercial trucks in Texas must carry substantially higher insurance than passenger vehicles. Trucks over 10,000 pounds transporting non-hazardous materials require minimum coverage of $750,000, while trucks hauling hazardous materials must carry $1 million to $5 million depending on cargo type. This significantly exceeds the $30,000/$60,000/$25,000 minimums required for passenger vehicles. Multiple insurance policies may apply, including those covering the driver, trucking company, cargo shipper, and vehicle owner. Under joint and several liability rules, defendants found more than 50% at fault can be held responsible for the entire judgment.
Q: Who can be held liable for a truck accident in Lubbock?
A: Multiple parties may bear liability in Texas truck accident cases. The truck driver may be liable for negligent driving including speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment. The trucking company may be liable under respondeat superior for employee driver negligence, or directly liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, improper scheduling, or failure to maintain vehicles. Cargo shippers and loading companies may be liable for improperly secured or overloaded freight. Truck manufacturers may be liable for defective components such as brakes, tires, or steering systems. Maintenance contractors may be liable for negligent repairs. Given the heavy truck traffic through Lubbock on I-27, US-62, US-84, and US-87, identifying all potentially liable parties is essential to maximizing recovery.
Q: What federal regulations apply to truck accident cases in Lubbock?
A: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations govern commercial trucking operations and are fully applicable in Texas courts. Key regulations include hours of service rules limiting driving time to 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty, with mandatory 30-minute breaks after 8 hours of driving. Electronic logging device requirements mandate accurate recording of driver hours. Driver qualification standards require CDL licensing, medical certification, and background checks. Vehicle maintenance regulations require regular inspections and repair documentation. Weight limits restrict cargo to 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Violations of these federal regulations constitute evidence of negligence and can significantly strengthen a truck accident claim.