The impact is violent. The damage is total. In the shock after a crash with a commercial truck, you face more than a driver. You face a trucking company, its insurance carrier, and a team of lawyers who do this every day.  

They are already building their defense. Their goal is to prove the crash was your fault, or unavoidable. You cannot afford to speak to just any lawyer. You need a specialist who knows the weight of this fight. You need to speak to a truck accident attorney in Houston. 

Trucking Companies Start Their Investigation at the Scene 

They are not waiting for the police report. Before the two trucks arrive, the trucking company investigators are often already working. They secure the truck’s Electronic Control Module (ECM)—the “black box” that records speed, braking, and engine data.  

They interview their drivers. They begin constructing a narrative that protects their assets. If you wait to call a lawyer, you start the fight with evidence already missing. An immediate legal response is the only way to level the field. 

The Evidence You Need Disappears Fast 

Critical proof is temporary. The trucking industry is governed by federal regulations, but evidence is not kept forever. Driver logs, maintenance records, and GPS data can be “lost” or overwritten in routine cycles. The company’s legal team will file motions to prevent you from getting it.  

A truck accident attorney knows how to file immediate preservation letters and court motions to force the company to save every single record. This evidence is how you prove driver fatigue, improper maintenance, or reckless hours-of-service violations. 

What a Truck Attorney Looks for Immediately 

They launch a forensic investigation from day one. 

• The Driver’s Logs & History: To find violations of federal hours-of-service rules leading to fatigue. 
• The Company’s Safety Record: To uncover a pattern of negligence. 
• The Truck’s Maintenance Files: To prove faulty brakes or defective parts caused by the crash. 
• The ECM Data: The unchangeable record of the truck’s speed and actions in the final seconds. 

Why a General Law Practitioner Isn’t Enough 

This is federal law that meets complex physics. A typical car accident case deals with state negligence laws. A truck crash case operates under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).  

It requires understanding how cargo shifting causes rollovers, how ABS failure leads to jackknifing, and how a company’s hiring practices create liability. The defense will have experts ready to testify. Your attorney must have their own counter to them. This is a highly specialized field, not a side practice. 

The Multiple Liable Parties in Your Corner 

You have more targets than just the driver. In a passenger car crash, you usually sue the other driver. In a commercial truck crash, your attorney looks for every source of accountability to ensure full compensation.  

They will investigate and potentially name the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, the trailer owner, and even the parts manufacturer.  

This strategy is critical because it prevents one bankrupt entity from leaving you with nothing. A truck accident attorney knows how to find every responsible party. 

The Insurance Tactics Are More Aggressive 

The stakes are higher, so their defense is harder. Trucking companies carry massive insurance policies, often $1 million or more. Their insurers fight harder to protect that money.  

They will deploy teams of adjusters and lawyers immediately. They will argue that the driver was an “independent contractor” to shield the company. They will claim you cut off the truck or failed to yield. They exploit the complexity of the case, hoping you will get overwhelmed and settle for less.  

Speaking to a general practice lawyer leaves you vulnerable to these sophisticated tactics. 

What Your First Conversation with a Truck Wreck Attorney Covers 

This is a technical briefing, not a simple chat. When you speak to a firm like Brann Sullivan Trial Lawyers about a truck wreck, the questions are specific. They will ask about the truck’s markings and company name. They will ask if the cargo is spilled.  

They need to know if haz-mat placards were present. They will ask about the driver’s behavior after the crash. Your answers help them immediately identify the lines of investigation and the specific regulations that were likely broken. 

Do Not Speak to Their Adjuster. Speak to Your Lawyer First. 

Every word you say to them is a risk. The trucking company’s insurance adjuster will contact you quickly. They may express sympathy and offer to “help with medical bills.” This is a strategy.  

Any admission you make about the crash, or any acceptance of a small payment, can be used to argue you admitted partial fault. Your only safe response is, “Please contact my attorney.” Then, you must have one. That first protected conversation with your own lawyer is the step that seals your rights. 

Your Next Move Determines Your Recovery 

You can be crushed by the complexity of a trucking claim. You can be outmaneuvered by corporate legal teams, or you can fight back with a specialist who understands the machinery, the laws, and the tactics arrayed against you.  

This is not a fight for a generalist. It demands an advocate with specific tools and a proven record. If an 18-wheeler changed your life, your response must be equally powerful.  

Speak to a truck accident attorney in Houston. Call Brann Sullivan Trial Lawyers today. Let them start building the complex, evidence-heavy case you need to win.