Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. Degreed mechanical engineer. One lawyer, start to finish.

An 80,000-pound truck doesn’t cause ordinary injuries, and a trucking company doesn’t defend an ordinary case. Within hours of a serious wreck, many carriers send their own investigators and lawyers to the scene. Their job is to protect the company.

Josh Hopkins has spent more than 30 years on the other side of those cases, representing people hurt by commercial trucks across Texas. He handles every case himself.

Why Truck Cases Are Different

More than one company may be responsible. The driver, the motor carrier, the trailer owner, the shipper that loaded the cargo, the broker that arranged the load, and the shop that maintained the brakes can each share fault. Finding every responsible party matters, because each may carry separate insurance.

Federal safety rules apply. Interstate carriers must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These rules limit how long drivers can be behind the wheel, require drug and alcohol testing, set standards for hiring and qualifying drivers, and require regular inspection and maintenance. Breaking these rules can be strong evidence of negligence.

Texas has special procedures for commercial vehicle cases. Since 2021, Texas law allows trucking companies to ask the court to split a trial into phases, which changes how evidence about the company’s conduct reaches the jury. Your lawyer needs to plan the case around this from day one.

The evidence is technical and can disappear quickly. Electronic logging devices, engine control module (“black box”) data, dash cameras, GPS tracking, dispatch messages, and maintenance records are often kept only for a limited time. A preservation letter sent early can make the difference.

The Engineering Advantage

Before law school, Josh earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and worked in the oilfield equipment industry. In a truck case, that background is put to work:

• Braking and stopping distance. Air brake systems, brake adjustment, and stopping distances under load.
• Load and stability. How cargo weight, securement, and center of gravity affect rollovers and jackknifes.
• Vehicle data. What the engine control module and electronic logs actually show, and what they don’t.
• Defense experts. Josh reads the engineering behind the opinion, not just the conclusion, and can spot where the analysis is weak.

Common Causes of Truck Crashes We Investigate

• Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
• Speeding, following too closely, and unsafe lane changes
• Distracted driving, including phone and dispatch-device use
• Brake failure and poor maintenance
• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
• Negligent hiring, training, or supervision of drivers
• Drug or alcohol use
• Unsafe turns, wide turns, and underride crashes

Trucking Routes Across South Texas

Corpus Christi sits at the center of some of the heaviest truck traffic in the state. That includes port and refinery traffic, Eagle Ford Shale oilfield hauling, and freight moving along I-37, I-69/US-77, US-181, and SH-44. Josh represents people injured on these corridors and throughout Texas.

What To Do After a Truck Accident

1. Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay. Some serious injuries don’t show symptoms at first.
2. Call the police and get the report number.
3. Take photos of the vehicles, the truck’s DOT number and company name, the scene, and your injuries.
4. Get witness names and phone numbers.
5. Don’t give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer before you talk to a lawyer.
6. Don’t sign anything from an insurance company.
7. Call a lawyer quickly, so evidence can be preserved before it’s lost.

Compensation You May Be Able To Recover

Depending on the facts, injured people and families may be able to seek compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Physical pain and mental anguish
• Physical impairment and disfigurement
• Property damage
• In a fatal crash, wrongful death damages for the family

Don’t Wait — Deadlines Apply

Every claim has a legal deadline to file, and some are much shorter than people expect, especially claims involving a government vehicle, property, or employee, which can require written notice within months. Missing a deadline can end a claim permanently. The deadline in your case depends on your specific facts, so talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.

This information is general and is not legal advice. Reading this website or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire you?

Nothing up front. Truck cases are handled on a contingency fee, which means no attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you. The firm advances all case expenses. They are repaid from the recovery, and if there is no recovery, you owe nothing. Fee terms are explained in writing before you sign anything.

What if I was partly at fault?

Under Texas law, you can still recover if you were 50 percent or less responsible. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle. But insurers pay closer attention when they know your lawyer is prepared to try the case, and Josh prepares every case as if it’s going to trial.

Who will actually handle my case?

Josh Hopkins. Not a case manager, and not a junior associate.

Talk to Josh Hopkins Today

If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash with an 18-wheeler or commercial truck, call 361-31-LAWYR (361-315-2948) or request a free case review online. Se habla español.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Josh Hopkins is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Lawyer responsible for this content: Josh Hopkins, Corpus Christi, Texas.