New Braunfels 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer

New Braunfels 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer - Tractor Trailer Injury Claims

Injured in an 18-wheeler accident in New Braunfels, TX? Contact the top New Braunfels 18-wheeler accident lawyer to seek compensation.

Commercial trucks on I-35, SH-46, and Loop 337 pass through New Braunfels every day carrying loads that can exceed 80,000 pounds. When a drowsy driver, a poorly maintained rig, or a trucking company that pushed its driver past legal hours causes a crash, the injuries are almost always severe. Victims face emergency surgery, weeks away from work, and insurance adjusters from well-funded carriers who arrive with defense attorneys before you leave the hospital.

At Vendt Accident Attorneys, we fight back against those teams. With 85 years of combined legal experience, Attorney Frank J. Vendt Jr. and our attorneys know exactly how trucking companies build their defense and how to dismantle it. We send legal preservation notices within 24 hours to secure black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records before they are altered or destroyed.

Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how our 18-wheeler accident attorneys in New Braunfels can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.

THE VENDT ACCIDENT FIRM

How Our 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers Help Victims in New Braunfels, TX

When a tractor trailer hits your vehicle on I-35 or SH-46, the aftermath is immediate and overwhelming. Hospital bills stack up, your paycheck stops, and the trucking company’s insurance adjuster is already calling. Vendt Accident Attorneys steps in to handle the legal fight so you can focus on getting better.

From the moment you call us, we take over every part of your claim:

  • Free case evaluation: We review your crash at no cost and explain your options in plain English.
  • Immediate evidence preservation: We send legal notices to the trucking company within 24 hours, requiring them to preserve black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records.
  • Thorough crash investigation: We work with accident reconstruction experts, review federal compliance records, and analyze all physical evidence to build the strongest case possible.
  • Insurance communications: We handle every call and letter from the commercial insurer so you are never pressured into saying something that hurts your claim.
  • Medical documentation and expert coordination: We connect you with trusted medical providers and ensure all your injuries are properly documented to support your claim.
  • Liability identification: We investigate every party in the chain—drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, and manufacturers—to hold all responsible parties accountable.
  • Aggressive negotiation: We demand full value for your claim and reject lowball settlement offers that do not cover your actual losses.
  • Full compensation pursuit: We build a case designed to recover every dollar your injuries have cost you, including future medical expenses and lost earning capacity.
  • Trial preparation: If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are fully prepared to take your case to court.

Call our New Braunfels 18 wheeler accident lawyers today at (832) 490-7088.

Attorney Frank Vendt - Top New Braunfels 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION

Call Our New Braunfels 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Today

If an 18-wheeler accident injured you or a family member, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights. Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of investigators and attorneys who respond to these crashes immediately to build a defense against your claim. We serve clients throughout Comal County, including New Braunfels, Seguin, San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda. Our attorneys are available 24/7 to discuss your case and answer your questions.

Call (832) 490-7088 or contact us online for your free consultation. We will review your case and explain how we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Collisions with large commercial trucks often result in more serious injuries than typical car crashes, which can lead to greater financial losses and more aggressive insurance defenses. We pursue three categories of damages on your behalf.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the direct financial losses caused by the crash. We fight to recover your past and future medical bills, lost wages from missed work, any reduction in your future earning ability, and the cost to repair or replace your vehicle.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages cover the personal toll the crash has taken on your life. We pursue compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, permanent disfigurement or disability, and the loss of your ability to do the things you enjoyed before the accident.

Punitive Damages for Gross Negligence

Texas courts can award punitive damages when a defendant’s conduct was especially reckless. If the truck driver was intoxicated, the company falsified driver logs, or the trucking company knowingly sent a truck with failed brakes onto the highway, we will pursue punitive damages to hold them fully accountable.

Who Is Liable in a Texas Tractor Trailer Accident?

Liability in a Texas tractor trailer accident can fall on multiple parties beyond the driver. Identifying every responsible party is what separates an adequate settlement from a full one. Our investigation looks at everyone in the chain of responsibility:

  • The truck driver: For direct negligence like speeding, distracted driving, or violating federal hours-of-service rules.
  • The trucking company: For negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to skip mandatory rest breaks. Employers can be held responsible for their employees’ on-the-job actions under a legal rule called vicarious liability.
  • The cargo loader or shipper: If improperly secured freight shifted during transit and caused the driver to lose control.
  • The maintenance contractor: If a third-party repair shop performed faulty work on the truck’s brakes or tires.
  • The parts manufacturer: If a defective component, such as a tire blowout or brake failure, caused the crash.

Not sure who is responsible for your injuries? Call (832) 490-7088 for a free liability review.

In one 18-wheeler case we handled involving a collision on I-35 near the Fischer Road interchange, the trucking company initially denied fault, claiming our client had drifted into the truck’s lane. Within 72 hours of being retained, we obtained the truck’s electronic logging device data and discovered the driver had been on the road for more than 14 consecutive hours, well past the federal 11-hour limit. That single record fundamentally changed the claim.

Why Hire the Top New Braunfels 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney?

Accident cases involving 18-wheelers and tractor trailers are fundamentally different from car accident claims. The stakes are higher, the evidence is more complex, and the opposition is better funded. Trucking companies deploy experienced legal teams and investigators within hours of a crash, and their insurers have millions of dollars on the line—which means they fight harder to deny or minimize your claim.

These cases present unique challenges that require an attorney with specific experience in commercial trucking litigation:

  • Critical evidence disappears fast: Black box data, driver logs, and surveillance footage can be overwritten or deleted within days if not immediately preserved through legal action.
  • Federal regulations govern liability: FMCSA rules create strict standards for driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement—violations of these regulations prove negligence, but only if you know where to look.
  • Multiple parties share responsibility: Liability can extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, and parts manufacturers—identifying all responsible parties is essential to recovering full compensation.
  • Insurance companies deploy aggressive defense tactics: Commercial policies carry limits of $1 million or more, so insurers send rapid-response teams to control the narrative and pressure you into early settlements that fall far short of your actual damages.
  • Injuries are typically more severe: The size and weight of commercial trucks cause catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical treatment, long-term care, and significant financial recovery.

Vendt Accident Attorneys moves just as fast as the trucking companies. We send legal preservation letters immediately and begin our independent investigation before key evidence is altered or destroyed. You pay nothing upfront for any of this work.

What To Do After an 18 Wheeler Crash in New Braunfels

The steps you take in the hours after a crash directly affect your health and your legal claim. Follow these steps to protect both.

Step 1: Call 911 and Get Medical Care

Get emergency medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. The force from a truck collision can cause internal injuries that do not show symptoms for hours or days.

Step 2: Document the Scene and the Truck

If you are physically able, photograph the vehicle positions, all visible damage, skid marks, and the truck’s USDOT and MC numbers, which are typically displayed on the cab doors. These numbers identify the trucking company and their insurance carrier.

Step 3: Decline Recorded Statements

The trucking company’s insurer may call you within 24 hours. Politely decline to give any recorded statement and do not accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney.

Step 4: Call Vendt Accident Attorneys

The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can preserve the evidence that wins your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why Choose Vendt Accident Attorneys for an 18-Wheeler Accident Case

Trucking companies and their insurers have one goal after a crash: minimize what they pay you. They deploy experienced legal teams, accident reconstructionists, and investigators within hours. You need a law firm that moves just as fast and fights just as hard. Vendt Accident Attorneys has built a reputation for taking on the largest trucking companies in Texas and winning full compensation for our clients.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Immediate evidence preservation: We send legal preservation letters within 24 hours to secure black box data, driver logs, and dash cam footage before they disappear.
  • Deep knowledge of federal trucking regulations: We know exactly which FMCSA rules trucking companies violate most often and how to use those violations to prove your case.
  • No upfront costs: You pay nothing unless we win your case. We cover all investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses from day one.
  • Aggressive negotiation and trial preparation: We prepare every case for trial, which forces insurers to take our settlement demands seriously.
  • Local courtroom experience: We know the Comal County court system and have a proven track record of securing maximum compensation for New Braunfels truck accident victims.
  • Direct attorney access: You work directly with an experienced truck accident lawyer, not a paralegal or case manager.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

How Long Do You Have To File in Texas?

Texas law gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government entity is involved, the deadline to file a formal notice of claim can be as short as six months.

The practical deadline is often much sooner. Black box data may be overwritten if it is not preserved promptly. Surveillance footage is often retained only briefly, so it’s important to act quickly to preserve it. Waiting puts the evidence you need at serious risk.

Will Insurance Treat Your Truck Claim Differently?

Yes. Commercial trucking policies carry limits of $1 million or more, so insurers have strong financial reasons to fight your claim aggressively from the start.

Tactic

What the Insurer Does

What We Do

Evidence Control

Sends a response team to the scene immediately

We send preservation letters within 24 hours

Recorded Statements

Calls you quickly to gather statements

We handle all communications on your behalf

Lowball Offers

Offers a fast settlement before you know your full damages

We reject inadequate offers and demand full value

Fault Shifting

Argues you were partially responsible

We use hard evidence to counter false fault claims

How We Prove Truck Driver and Company Negligence

Proving negligence in an 18 wheeler collision requires accessing evidence that does not exist in a standard car wreck case. We know exactly what to demand and how to use it. FMCSA regulations set strict rules for trucking companies, and violations of those rules are powerful proof of fault.

Event Data, ELD, and Driver Logs

The truck’s Event Data Recorder (EDR), commonly called a black box, captures the vehicle’s speed, braking force, and throttle position in the seconds before impact. We also secure the Electronic Logging Device (ELD), which tracks the driver’s hours and reveals whether they were violating federal rest requirements at the time of your crash.

Maintenance Records and Brake Evidence

We demand the truck’s complete maintenance history and Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs). Worn brake pads, bald tires, or ignored repair orders are direct evidence of company negligence.

Cargo Securement and Loading Records

An improperly loaded or overloaded trailer can make a truck unstable and prone to jackknifing or rolling over. We analyze the bill of lading and loading records to determine whether the cargo played a role in causing your crash.

Video and Witness Evidence

Traffic cameras, dashcam footage, and surveillance video from nearby businesses can show exactly what happened. This footage is often overwritten within 72 hours, so we act immediately to secure it.

One pattern we consistently see in New Braunfels 18-wheeler cases is trucking companies delaying their response to preservation letters by two to three days, a window that sometimes aligns with the overwrite cycle on onboard cameras. We now file for emergency discovery orders in cases where footage is at immediate risk, which has preserved critical evidence in multiple cases along the I-35 corridor.

Accident Reconstruction

Vendt Accident Attorneys works with experienced reconstruction experts who analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and debris patterns to scientifically establish how the crash occurred and who was at fault.

Related Services

At Vendt Accident Attorneys, we specialize in personal injury claims to ensure our clients receive the best possible representation needed to seek justice and full compensation. We handle all types of personal injury claims in New Braunfels, TX, including the following:

Contact Vendt Accident Attorneys

If an 18-wheeler crashed into you on I-35, SH-46, or anywhere in Comal County, the trucking company’s insurer is already working to minimize what they pay you. Every hour you wait gives them more time to control the evidence and build their defense. Vendt Accident Attorneys moves fast to preserve black box data, driver logs, and video footage before it disappears. We handle every insurance call, identify every liable party, and fight for full compensation while you focus on recovery.

You pay nothing upfront. We cover all investigation costs and expert fees, and we only get paid if we win your case. Call our New Braunfels truck accident lawyers now at (832) 490-7088 or contact us online for a free consultation. The clock is ticking on critical evidence—let us protect your rights today.

Mr. Vendt is a very knowledgeable & fair Attorney. I was great and very happy with the help I received. You will not find better council.

– DARREN G

Frank was great to work with. He represented me in a manner that was professional and very efficient. Frank does what he does because he has a passion for justice. I am very appreciative of all that Frank has done for me and I will recommend him to anyone that needs legal representation conducted the ‘right’ way.

– SHARNDELL CARR

I’m sure you’ve heard the joke about trusting your attorney. It’s no joke with Frank Vendt Jr. He’s got your back. He’s amazing in court. And, he knows his stuff. His staff is amazing and very helpful. I’m am forever grateful for his expertise and guidance through a very difficult case. If Google would allow me to give him 10 stars, I would.

– PAULA MYNATT

MOST CLIENTS WANT TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Sue the Driver or the Delivery Company?

We typically name both the driver and the company as defendants to maximize your potential recovery sources and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.

Can Amazon Be Held Liable if Their Contractor Hit Me?

Yes, we can often prove Amazon’s liability by showing their control over delivery operations, safety requirements, and driver performance monitoring systems.

How Quickly Can Delivery Truck Data Be Deleted?

Vehicle tracking data, camera footage, and delivery logs can be automatically overwritten in 30 days or less, so immediate legal action is essential.

What if the Delivery Driver Left the Scene?

Hit and run cases can still be successful when we use witness statements, surveillance video, and vehicle descriptions to identify the responsible company.

Do Federal Rules Apply to USPS Truck Accidents?

Yes, postal service accidents involve federal tort claims with special procedures and a six-month notice requirement that makes immediate legal action critical.

Can I Still Recover if I Was Partially at Fault?

Texas law allows recovery as long as you are 50% or less responsible for the accident, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

What Do Contingency Fees Mean for My Case?

You pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you, typically ranging from 33% to 40% of any settlement or verdict obtained.