Overhead view of car and truck accident on the freeway

Truck Accident Lawyer

The sheer size of commercial trucks means accidents frequently result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.

A truck accident attorney can help truck accident victims achieve the justice they deserve.

At G.R. Akin, P.C. in Longview, TX, Randy Akin and Greg Burton can help you rebuild your life in the wake of an accident...

Determining Fault in a Trucking Accident

After a trucking accident, you will likely want to know who is to blame and how the event occurred. Determining who is responsible can be difficult. The trucking industry is governed by laws and regulations at both the state and federal level. In addition, there may be multiple parties who are responsible, directly or indirectly, for your injuries, including:

  • The driver of the truck
  • The owner of the truck or trailer
  • The company or individual who leased the truck from the owner
  • The company that manufactured the vehicle, tires, or other parts
  • The shipper or loader of the cargo in the truck

If you have been injured in an accident involving a truck, you need a personal injury attorney who can establish the connections between the different players and determine who is at fault. Our Longview firm is here to help you rebuild your life after suffering losses in a truck crash. 

Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys Hire an Advocate in Longview

When you or someone you love is involved in a serious accident, you should not have to go through it alone. Our attorneys understand the physical and emotional effects of serious car accidents involving large trucks, and we are here to help. Our team can help you identify who is responsible for the truck crash and hold them accountable. Whether you have a personal injury or wrongful death case related to the truck accident, you and your family deserve to receive fair and just compensation.

Lawyers Randy Akin and Greg Burton

Contact our law firm online to ask a question or request a free consultation. You can also reach our Longview practice by phone:

(903) 297-8929

5-Star Reviews

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Christopher Hernandez

2015

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Randy and his team are true professionals. Highly recommended.

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903davidh80

2020

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Great people! They'll treat you like family!

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In a state-by-state comparison, Texas had the highest number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes at 658 in 2019.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Damages in Truck Accident Cases

There are often serious repercussions for those involved in these types of accidents. Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injury to the brain and spinal column. Victims of truck accidents often require ongoing medical care, which can lead to lost wages and astronomical medical bills. Some of the losses victims can receive compensation for include:
Concerned couple looking at medical expenses bills

Medical Expenses

These expenses include any medical fees related to the accident. Past bills for ambulance transportation, hospital stays, medical treatment, and more will be calculated. We will also determine the future cost of care, including rehabilitation, ongoing medical assistance, and more.

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Lost Wages

Truck accidents often result in a permanent disability and a compromised capacity to work. Our attorneys will seek compensation for wages lost during recovery, loss of earning capacity, and future lost wages as a result of the accident.

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Emotional Trauma

Pain and suffering are considered when calculating personal injury damages. The emotional suffering caused by the accident itself, as well as injuries such as disfigurement, loss of limb, and brain injury will be considered. Any reduction in your quality of life should be taken into account when pursuing a fair settlement or verdict.

"Awesome Attorney."

"Greg has been an awesome attorney. Even after my case was settled, he has help get rid of debt collectors that have called & sent mail for a company that got paid when my case was settled. I highly recommend Greg. He is super nice & will take care of all the work for you." Lauralee Mueller, 5-Star Google Review

Suing Trucking Companies Is Harder Now

Truck accidents are complicated and a 2021 Texas law has further complicated a victim's path to compensation. Texas House Bill 19 (HB 19) went into effect in 2021 and made it harder for truck accident victims to win compensation from trucking companies. Victims seeking to hold a trucking company liable in an accident now must follow a more complicated two-step process.   

Step One

To win compensation, the victim must first prove the truck driver is liable for the accident. If the driver is proven to be at fault, the victim's compensatory damages can then be determined. Compensatory damages cover a victim's financial and personal losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering or disfigurement. At this stage, only the driver is included in the considerations and, except in cases of extreme negligence, the trucking company's identity is shielded.

Step Two

If it is shown the truck driver was liable for the accident, then the victim can pursue the second part of the lawsuit and seek damages from the trucking company. However, the trucking company can only be held liable for punitive damages, not compensatory damages. However, the victim must now prove that the trucking company's policies or their hiring or training of the driver were grossly negligent. HB 19 also places tighter restrictions on access to the trucking company's safety record.

"HB 19 is far from a solution.”

“This bill turns its back on the hundreds of Texas families who experience tragedy in commercial truck accidents each year," said Adrian Shelley, Director of Public Citizen Texas, in a statement when the bill was winding its way through the Texas legislature. "It limits corporate liability and throws roadblocks into the recovery process for grieving families. Texas has a series [sic] truck crash problem, but HB 19 is far from a solution.”

Don't Be Discouraged by New Texas Trucking Laws

Changes in Texas law have made seeking legal representation from a personal injury attorney to protect your rights in a trucking accident more important than ever.

With HB 19, the emphasis shifts to pursuing compensation first from truck drivers themselves. Texas is an at-fault state, so the at-fault driver's insurance company is required to pay for damages. Unfortunately, the insurance company's policy may not cover your damages in full.

If the trucker lacks adequate insurance coverage, you may have to look elsewhere for compensation to cover your losses. The truck accident attorneys at our Longview practice can help. In addition to pursuing an insurance claim or lawsuit on your behalf, we can also pursue other sources of compensation beyond the truck driver or trucking company.

This can include the shipping company, the truck mechanic or vehicle designers, or manufacturers. We can use our resources to determine the best route to compensation for your losses.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Longview 

Longview faces a high risk of car accidents since commercial trucks like tankers regularly travel on these roadways from nearby oil fields. Truck accidents may be caused by driver error, mechanical failures, weather conditions, or many other factors.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the most common cause of truck accidents is driver error. A study conducted by the FMCSA indicates that about 87 percent of large truck accidents are caused by driver mistakes. Common factors in driver error-related accidents include:

  • Fatigue or sleep deprivation
  • Inattention or distractions
  • Unfamiliarity with the road
  • Use of mind-altering drugs

Equipment failure is another major contributing factor in trucking accidents. Manufacturing mistakes, design errors, and improper maintenance can all cause equipment to fail.

5-Star Reviews For Our Longview Practice

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Lacey Davis

2019

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Super sweet

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saleh mobin

2022

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They are very nice and honest people..if they can help you they will take the case..

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Randy Akin and Greg Burton

G.R. Akin, P.C.

Randy Akin and Greg Burton have more than 50 years of combined experience. They are affiliated with several professional associations, including:

  • Texas Bar Foundation
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Gregg County Bar Association

Contact us online to ask a question or call us at (903) 297-8929.

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Google map image of our location in 3400 W Marshall Ave Ste 300 Longview, TX

Longview Office

3400 W Marshall Ave
Ste 300
Longview, TX 75604

Open Today 8:30am - 5:00pm

(903) 297-8929 Send a message