La Porte Truck Accident Lawyer
We are dedicated to helping those who have been injured or affected by a catastrophic injury. You may contact us 24/7 at (832) 690-7000 for a free, confidential consultation or to schedule an appointment with us.
Learn how a La Porte truck accident lawyer helps victims recover after serious crashes.
Heavy trucks move hazardous materials and oversized loads through residential streets and highways such as SH 146 and the Fred Hartman Bridge. When a tractor-trailer loses control, smaller vehicles absorb the impact, causing serious injuries and long recoveries.
Pierce Skrabanek has represented truck accident victims across Southeast Texas for more than 30 years. We understand how trucking companies operate and how to hold them accountable when negligence causes serious harm.
If a commercial truck collision left you or someone you love seriously injured, contact us at (832) 690-7000. A La Porte truck accident lawyer will review your case at no cost and explain your legal options.
Hear From a Truck Accident Survivor
When an 18-wheeler Dr. Pepper truck merged into Tuwanda’s car, the impact sent her vehicle spinning out of control. She suffered multiple injuries, including a serious back injury, and still avoids driving on the freeway.
After turning to attorney Michael Pierce at Pierce Skrabanek, Tuwanda felt supported and informed throughout her case. Watch her story to see how our team stands beside clients whose lives have been changed by truck accidents.
Watch Tuwanda's Story
Why La Porte Sees So Many Truck Crashes
Heavy freight tied to La Porte’s petrochemical and shipping industries moves through both residential and commercial areas, creating risks uncommon in smaller cities.
SH 146 and Port Traffic
This highway carries petroleum, industrial chemicals, and shipping containers between the Port of Houston and refineries in Harris County. Truck drivers must handle tight curves near the Fred Hartman Bridge while managing loads up to 80,000 pounds. Misjudging clearance, speed, or braking distance can lead to devastating crashes.
SH 225 and the Refinery Corridor
Chemical plants and refineries line this stretch from Pasadena through Deer Park to La Porte. Tanker trucks hauling flammable materials mix with commuter traffic during rush hour. Fatigued drivers finishing overnight shifts and making aggressive lane changes to stay on schedule add to the danger.
Fairmont Parkway Industrial Access
This route connects warehouses and distribution centers to major highways. Box trucks and flatbeds pass through areas where speed limits shift quickly and residential driveways meet commercial entrances. Wide turns and poor visibility during loading or backing maneuvers frequently cause collisions.
Local Roads and Overweight Vehicles
To avoid congestion or weigh stations, some trucks cut through neighborhood streets such as Broadway or Main. These roads were not built for vehicles over 10 tons, leading to pavement damage, limited visibility, and higher crash risks at residential intersections.
Industrial growth brings jobs and economic benefits to La Porte, but it also brings trucks that don't belong on streets designed for passenger vehicles.
How Truck Crashes Cause Catastrophic Injuries
The sheer size and speed of commercial trucks make their collisions especially destructive. An 80,000-pound semi moving at highway speed carries far more force than a 4,000-pound car can withstand. When that energy transfers to a passenger vehicle, the result is life-changing injury.
Crushing Injuries
Truck weight can collapse a vehicle’s frame, trapping occupants and breaking bones in multiple places. Victims usually need surgery and long rehabilitation, and many are left with lasting mobility issues that keep them from returning to work in construction or refinery jobs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head trauma occurs when a truck’s impact causes violent deceleration or side-impact compression. Even with airbags, occupants may hit windows, dashboards, or door frames. Concussions, skull fractures, and brain bleeding can impair memory, focus, and emotional control for years.
Spinal Cord Damage
When bodies are thrown forward and backward during a crash, the spine absorbs tremendous stress. Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and nerve damage can cause chronic pain and loss of mobility. Severe cases result in partial or total paralysis that requires lifelong care.
Internal Injuries
Not all injuries are visible. The force of a truck collision can rupture internal organs such as the spleen or liver, leading to hidden bleeding that can be fatal without immediate treatment. Survivors may face multiple surgeries and long recovery periods.
The intensity of these injuries explains why truck crash victims face overwhelming medical costs and extended time away from work, sometimes permanently.
Immediate Steps After a La Porte Truck Crash
Trucking companies send investigators and their lawyers to the scene within hours, so it’s important to protect your rights from the start.
Get Medical Care Right Away
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor. Adrenaline can hide serious injuries such as internal bleeding or spinal trauma. Delaying treatment lets insurers argue that your injuries are minor or unrelated to the crash.
Document the Scene
If you’re able, take photos of the vehicles, debris, and skid marks, along with the truck’s company logo or license number. Note road conditions and traffic signals, and get contact information from witnesses before they leave.
Be Careful About What You Say
Limit statements to law enforcement. If a trucking company or insurer contacts you, decline to discuss details and refer them to your La Porte truck accident lawyer. Anything you say can be used to dispute fault.
Do Not Sign or Accept Anything
Adjusters may offer settlements before you understand the extent of your injuries. Signing too soon can waive your rights or result in a payout that doesn’t cover your full losses.
Contact a La Porte Trucking Accidents Lawyer
Evidence disappears fast. A lawyer can send preservation requests, secure driver logs, and protect your claim before crucial proof is lost.
Already spoke with an adjuster? If you’ve given a statement and are concerned it may affect your claim, call Pierce Skrabanek at (832) 690-7000 or contact us online.
Our La Porte truck accident attorneys can take steps to protect your rights and strengthen your case, even after you’ve spoken with the insurer.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different
Truck crashes are more complex than typical car accidents. Instead of one driver and one insurer, these cases involve corporate defendants, multiple insurance policies, and strict federal regulations. Trucking companies also bring in defense teams immediately to limit their exposure.
Multiple Liable Parties
Responsibility rarely falls on just one person. The driver, carrier, cargo loader, maintenance contractor, leasing company, or even the truck manufacturer may share blame. Each has its own insurer and legal team. Identifying every liable party is key to securing full compensation.
Federal Safety Rules
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets detailed standards for driver qualifications, hours on the road, vehicle upkeep, and cargo handling. Violating these rules can prove negligence, but only if the violations are found and documented before evidence disappears.
Time-Sensitive Evidence
Truck data systems record speed, braking, and steering at the moment of impact. Logs track driver hours, and maintenance files show whether inspections were skipped. This evidence can vanish quickly unless a La Porte truck accident attorney moves fast to secure it through preservation orders.
Aggressive Corporate Defense
Major carriers have lawyers and investigators on call who start building their defense as soon as a crash occurs. While victims are recovering in the hospital, the trucking company is already shaping its version of events. Experienced legal representation is the only way to level that playing field.
With so much at stake, insurers fight hard to limit payouts. Research shows that represented victims recover more than triple what insurers offer to unrepresented claimants. Strong advocacy makes that difference, and it can be seen in the results our firm has achieved for clients like Tuwanda and many others across Southeast Texas.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Truck accident claims often lead to larger recoveries because the injuries are severe and commercial insurance policies carry higher limits. Every case is different, but compensation generally addresses the costs and changes that follow a crash.
- Medical needs and future care. Truck crashes cause brain, spine, and internal injuries that require long hospital stays and ongoing treatment. Compensation should also cover lasting effects such as pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Reduced earning capacity. Many La Porte residents work in refineries, construction, or skilled trades that rely on physical strength. When injuries prevent a return to those jobs, the resulting loss of income can last for decades and must be reflected in both current and future compensation.
Pierce Skrabanek has obtained significant recoveries for truck accident victims throughout Southeast Texas, including:
- $2 million settlement for a driver who underwent multiple surgeries after being rear-ended by a commercial truck
- $565,000 recovery for a client struck by a truck that ran a stop sign, despite the company’s attempt to blame pre-existing conditions
“When someone comes to us after a truck accident, they are dealing with injuries that can change everything. Medical bills grow, work stops, and the trucking company’s insurer is already minimizing what they will pay. We have been fighting these battles for 30 years and know how to help clients secure the compensation they need to rebuild.”
— Attorney Paul Skrabanek, Founding Partner | Pierce Skrabanek
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Speak With a La Porte Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Today
Pierce Skrabanek has represented injury victims across Harris County and Southeast Texas for more than three decades. We understand La Porte's industrial economy, the hazards that heavy truck traffic creates, and how to hold trucking companies accountable when their negligence causes harm.
La Porte families deserve safe roads and responsible corporate behavior. When trucking companies prioritize profits over safety and their drivers cause devastating crashes, we make sure victims receive full compensation for their losses.
Call (832) 690-7000 or message us online to speak with a La Porte 18-wheeler accident lawyer who has been fighting for Southeast Texas families for over 30 years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Texas law gives you two years from the date of the crash to file, but waiting can hurt your case. Trucking companies near SH 225 and the Port of Houston begin gathering evidence immediately. A La Porte truck accident lawyer can act fast to secure records, driver logs, and maintenance data before they vanish.
What if the trucking company blames me?
You can still recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault. Trucking companies use blame to reduce payouts, but fault in these crashes is rarely simple. Your attorney can review electronic data, driver logs, and expert reports to show where responsibility actually lies.
Should I take the trucking company’s settlement offer?
Avoid signing anything before you talk to a lawyer. Early offers rarely include long-term costs for medical care, lost wages, or future treatment. A La Porte truck accident attorney can assess whether the offer is fair and negotiate for what your claim is really worth.
Can I still file a claim if the driver wasn’t cited?
Yes. Police citations help but are not required to hold the trucking company accountable. Local officers may miss federal safety violations or maintenance failures that point to negligence. A thorough independent investigation can uncover these details and support your claim.
We’re Here for You:
Real Results for Real Challenges
We know how tough things can get after an injury. That’s why we make your struggles our fight. With over three decades of combined experience, we’ve been the reliable allies our clients need, tackling financial hardships, physical pain, and major life changes. Our track record of successful verdicts and settlements speaks to our team’s passion and dedication to helping clients get the support and justice they need.
