Truck, Bus, Train & Aviation Accident Lawyers
Transportation accidents—whether a 80,000-pound semi on the interstate, a multi-car train wreck, a commercial bus collision, or an aviation disaster—involve complex liability, catastrophic injuries, and regulatory frameworks that go far beyond typical personal injury cases. The lawyers at Trial Lawyers United litigated one of the deadliest trucking accidents in Texas history and have brought accountability in train wrecks, bus collisions, and aircraft disasters nationwide.
The first 72 hours are critical. Physical evidence vanishes, drivers are sequestered by company counsel, and electronic data is routinely destroyed unless preserved immediately. We move fast.
How Transportation Accidents Happen
Commercial Trucking
Hours-of-service violations (drivers operating beyond regulated limits), driver fatigue, inadequate training, negligent hiring of drivers with poor safety records, improper loading or cargo securement, inadequate vehicle maintenance, brake failure, tire blowouts, and failure to monitor driver behavior through telematics systems.
Trains & Rail
Track defects and poor maintenance, failure to inspect crossings, inadequate warning systems at grade crossings, rail degradation from deferred maintenance, excessive speed, improper switching, and dispatcher error.
Commercial Buses
Driver inattention, fatigue, inadequate training, failure to perform required safety checks, mechanical failure (brakes, steering), improper routing, and passenger safety protocol violations.
Aircraft
Pilot error, mechanical defects, inadequate maintenance, failure to address known airworthiness issues, weather-related decisions, and design or manufacturing defects in aircraft components.
Who Can Be Held Liable
- Trucking companies and owner-operators for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and maintenance
- Transportation authorities and railways for track defects and crossing hazards
- Bus companies for driver negligence and vehicle maintenance failures
- Airlines and aircraft manufacturers for mechanical defects and maintenance failures
- Maintenance contractors and third-party service providers
- Government entities for dangerous road or crossing conditions (where immunity does not apply)
Injuries in Transportation Cases
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): concussion to severe neurological impairment affecting cognition and motor function
- Spinal cord injury: complete and incomplete paralysis, loss of bladder/bowel control, chronic pain
- Multiple fractures: requiring surgery, loss of limb, chronic disability
- Crush injuries: tissue damage, compartment syndrome, amputation
- Severe burns: from vehicle fires or fuel ignition
- Wrongful death: family members left without financial support and companionship
Why Early Investigation Matters
Transportation cases involve electronic evidence that can be destroyed within days. Trucking companies delete telematics data (GPS, speed, acceleration, braking patterns), electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs) are overwritten, and surveillance footage is routinely deleted on a rotation schedule.
Black Box Data (Vehicular EDRs)
Event data recorders in commercial vehicles capture the final seconds before a crash: vehicle speed, brake application, steering angle, and impact forces. We immediately demand preservation and forensic extraction.
Driver Logs & Telematics
Electronic log devices (ELDs) record hours of service compliance. GPS and telematics systems log vehicle location, speed, and acceleration. These reveal driver fatigue and speed violations.
Maintenance Records & Inspection Reports
Pre-trip inspections, maintenance logs, and repair histories show whether mechanical defects were known and ignored. Missing records suggest intentional destruction.
TLU’s Transportation Litigation Experience
The lawyers at Trial Lawyers United have recovered millions on behalf of transportation accident victims:
- One of the deadliest trucking accidents in Texas history: recovered on behalf of families in multi-fatality collision involving hours-of-service violations and driver negligence
- Construction zone fatality: held trucking company accountable for failure to slow down in active work zones
- Midland Veterans Day train wreck: obtained recovery for train derailment and track defect liability
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable for the transportation accident?
Liability depends on the mode and facts. For trucking: the trucking company, driver, maintenance contractor, or equipment manufacturer. For trains: the railroad, track owner, or crossing operator. For buses and aircraft: the carrier and potentially the equipment manufacturer. Multiple parties are often liable.
How soon should I contact a lawyer after the accident?
Immediately. Evidence begins deteriorating within 24 hours. Electronic data is overwritten, physical evidence is removed from the scene, and witness memories fade. We can issue preservation demands and begin investigation while memories are fresh.
Will the case be in federal or state court?
Transportation cases often involve federal question jurisdiction (interstate commerce), federal maritime law, or aviation law. We will file in the jurisdiction that favors your claim and may remove to federal court. Strategic venue selection is critical.
What does a transportation accident case cost?
We handle transportation litigation on a contingency basis. You pay no upfront fees. We cover investigation, expert witnesses (accident reconstruction, medical), discovery costs, and all litigation expenses. Our fee is contingent on recovery.
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In the Relentless Pursuit of Justice | Results Without Risk
Trial Lawyers United LLC handles personal injury and mass tort cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless and until we obtain a recovery on your behalf. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee. Contingency fees are calculated as a percentage of the gross recovery. In most cases, the client is also responsible for litigation costs and expenses, which may include court filing fees, expert witness fees, deposition costs, medical record retrieval, investigation expenses, travel, and other costs necessarily incurred in the prosecution of the case. These costs may be advanced by the firm during the pendency of the case and are typically deducted from the gross recovery in addition to the attorney fee. The specific percentage and the method by which expenses are calculated (whether deducted before or after the contingency fee is computed) will be set forth in the written fee agreement between the client and the firm, which must be signed before representation begins.
"No Fee Unless We Win" Qualifier
When we say "no fee unless we win," we mean that you will not be charged attorney fees if we do not recover compensation on your behalf. Litigation costs and expenses are separate from attorney fees and are addressed in the written fee agreement.