Truck Accident Lawyer in Brownsville
Born & Raised in Brownsville. More Than $30 Million Won for Clients.
Truck accidents are among the most devastating types of motor vehicle collisions. The size and weight of a commercial truck can cause catastrophic damage to other vehicles and the people inside them. If you or someone you love has been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident, you may be facing a long recovery, mounting medical bills, lost income, and the physical and emotional weight of a serious crash.
At Mendez Law Firm, we know what truck accident victims and their families are up against. Our Brownsville truck accident attorney, Trey Mendez, was born and raised here, served as Mayor of Brownsville from 2019 to 2023, and has been named a Texas SuperLawyer every year from 2022 through 2025, a peer-nominated designation reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in the state. Since graduating from UT School of Law in 2005, our firm has recovered more than $30 million for clients, with a track record of significant settlements and verdicts, including million- and multi-million-dollar outcomes. Trey Mendez brings strong local standing in Cameron County courts.
Want to learn how our truck accident lawyer in Brownsville can help you? Call us at (956) 983-9673 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. Se habla español.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Commercial trucks move constantly along Interstate 69E, U.S. Highway 83, and the freight corridors feeding the Port of Brownsville, adding large vehicles to Cameron County roads every hour of the day. Crashes happen on those routes and on smaller roads throughout the region, often because multiple parties share responsibility. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers can help you identify who is liable and how to proceed with your claim.
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver error and negligence: Deadline pressure leads to speeding, aggressive driving, and other dangerous decisions. Truck drivers may also be impaired by drugs or alcohol, fatigued, or distracted behind the wheel.
- Hours-of-service violations: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations cap how long a driver can operate a truck without rest. When carriers push drivers past those limits, fatigued driving and serious crashes can follow.
- Truck defects: Faulty brakes, blown tires, and other maintenance failures can trigger accidents that a properly serviced truck might have avoided.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Cargo that isn’t secured correctly can shift during transit, destabilizing the truck and causing the driver to lose control.
- Trucking company negligence: Carriers are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, providing adequate training, and maintaining their fleets. When they fall short, they can be held accountable for the crashes that result.
- Third-party negligence: A cargo loading company, maintenance provider, or parts manufacturer may also share liability for a crash.
How Can a Brownsville Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
We manage all aspects of your case so you can focus on healing. Our team investigates the accident, collects evidence, and consults with experts to establish liability. We also explain your legal rights and options and guide you through every stage of your personal injury claim.
Evidence We Gather
Evidence we collect can include police reports, witness statements, video footage, and the truck’s black box (electronic data recorder) data, which captures speed, braking, and other critical details from the moments before impact. Driver logs and company maintenance records are equally important, and all of this evidence is time-sensitive.
Trucking companies often send their own investigators to the scene immediately after a crash to protect their interests. Retaining our firm quickly can help preserve evidence before it can be altered or lost.
Wrongful Death Claims
If you lost a loved one in an 18-wheeler accident, we can assist with filing a wrongful death claim. While no amount of compensation can replace your loved one, we help you seek justice and hold negligent parties accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline can eliminate your right to recover compensation entirely. Some exceptions can toll the clock. If you weren’t immediately aware of your injuries, for example, the period may begin when you discovered them or reasonably should have. Wrongful death claims arising from a truck accident carry the same two-year deadline, running from the date of death.
Because these deadlines are strict, contact our semi-truck accident lawyers in Brownsville as soon as possible after the crash. We help you understand your specific deadlines and make sure all required filings are made on time.
How Do I File a Truck Accident Insurance Claim in Texas?
After a truck accident, you’ll typically need to file a claim with the truck driver’s insurer, and in some situations with the trucking company’s insurance provider as well. Commercial trucking policies often involve multiple insurers and significant coverage limits, but carriers aggressively resist large payouts.
The insurance company doesn’t represent your interests. Their adjusters are trained to find reasons to deny your claim or limit your payout, and their goal is to minimize costs.
Making recorded statements or accepting an early settlement without legal counsel can reduce what you ultimately recover. Our team handles all communications with the insurers and fights for the compensation you may be entitled to at every stage.
Get Started on Your Brownsville Truck Accident Claim Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a big rig accident, contact our firm today for a free consultation. We can review your case, explain your legal rights and options, and help you decide how to move forward.
Our team is available 24/7. Call us at (956) 983-9673 to get started today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Be Liable After a Semi-Truck Crash?
Responsibility can extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, a maintenance provider, or a cargo loading company. If a defective part contributed to the wreck, the manufacturer may also share liability.
Can I Make a Truck Accident Claim If I Was Partly at Fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule that allows an injured person to recover compensation as long as they aren’t more than 50 percent responsible for the crash. If you share some fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
What Evidence Matters Most in a Truck Accident Case?
The most valuable evidence often includes the truck’s black box data, driver logs, and company maintenance records, all of which are time-sensitive. We also gather police reports, witness statements, and video footage, and may consult accident reconstructionists to piece together exactly how the crash occurred. Acting quickly matters because trucking companies move fast to preserve evidence in their favor.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
There’s no single answer. The value of a truck accident case depends on the severity of your injuries, the full extent of your damages, and how liability is determined. Cases involving commercial trucks tend to result in higher claim values because injuries are often more severe and commercial insurance policies carry larger coverage limits than standard auto policies.
Damages you can recover may include:
- Emergency medical care
- Surgeries and medical procedures
- Doctor’s visits
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost income or wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- And more
We draw on years of experience handling tractor-trailer cases throughout the Rio Grande Valley, and our firm has recovered more than $30 million for clients. We can review your case and help you understand what types of compensation may be available to you.
What Is the Legal Process After a Truck Accident?
Every case is different, but the process generally follows four stages. Our Brownsville truck accident lawyers guide you through each one and explain what to expect along the way.
- Investigation: We gather police reports, witness statements, video footage, and the truck’s black box data, and may consult accident reconstructionists to determine how and why the crash happened.
- Filing a Claim: We file a personal injury claim with the appropriate insurer or insurers on your behalf.
- Negotiations: The insurance company will assess your claim and may make a settlement offer. We negotiate on your behalf and seek compensation that reflects your damages rather than what’s convenient for the carrier.
- Trial: If the insurer won’t offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to take your case to court. Our team has substantial trial experience and isn’t afraid to use it.
Ready to get started? Contact our Brownsville truck accident attorney or call (956) 983-9673 for a free consultation.
Our Settlements & Verdicts
Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.
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$425 Thousand Settlement
Slip and Fall
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$200 Thousand Settlement
Slip and Fall
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$700 Thousand Settlement
Personal Injury Claim
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$1.5 Million Settlement
Insurance Coverage Dispute
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$4 Million Settlement
Covid Coverage Claim
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$250 Thousand Settlement
Hail Damage
Why Choose Mendez Law Firm?
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Free Consultations AvailableTalk through all of your legal options during a free consultation.
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More Than $30 Million WonWe have a history of getting results for our clients since 2005.
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We're a Spanish-Speaking TeamOur law firm is dedicated to providing Spanish language services.