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Successful Cases
Pickup Truck Accident
Despite a complex liability dispute, I secured the maximum policy limits for a client who suffered a traumatic injury after being thrown from the back of a pickup truck.
Pickup Truck Accident
Despite a complex liability dispute, I secured the maximum policy limits for a client who suffered a traumatic injury after being thrown from the back of a pickup truck.
Wrongful Insurance Coverage Denial
I won against an insurance company that tried to wrongfully deny coverage by falsifying documents, getting my client's policy reinstated and her claim paid in full.
Wrongful Insurance Coverage Denial
I won against an insurance company that tried to wrongfully deny coverage by falsifying documents, getting my client's policy reinstated and her claim paid in full.
Collision Case
I overturned a liability denial on a case other lawyers rejected, securing the full policy limits for a client severely injured in a major collision.
Collision Case
I overturned a liability denial on a case other lawyers rejected, securing the full policy limits for a client severely injured in a major collision.
Overcoming Disputed Liability
Despite initial doubts everyone had about whether the case could be won, I fought hard for my client and won a favorable outcome that ultimately exceeded the client's expectations.
Overcoming Disputed Liability
Despite initial doubts everyone had about whether the case could be won, I fought hard for my client and won a favorable outcome that ultimately exceeded the client's expectations.
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Applewhite
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Your Dedicated Austin 18-Wheeler Lawyer
I'm Ashley Applewhite, and for the past 18 years, I've handled truck and other auto accident cases throughout Texas. My legal background gives me a distinct advantage — having represented insurance companies early in my career, I gained insight into their defense strategies and tactics.
Today, I put that knowledge to work for 18-wheeler truck accident victims, securing meaningful compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and the profound impact these collisions have on families across Travis County and beyond.
18-Wheeler Accidents in Austin and Texas
Texas leads the nation in fatal large truck crashes. In 2023, our state once again recorded more deaths from large trucks than any other.
Austin's position along major freight corridors means that thousands of semitrucks share our highways daily, creating dangerous conditions for passengers and drivers in smaller vehicles. Here's what causes many of these wrecks:
- Truck driver fatigue (they're paid by the mile, not the hour)
- Drivers who text while operating heavy vehicles
- Brakes that haven't been checked in months
- Loads that are way over legal weight limits
- Drivers who race to beat delivery deadlines
- Companies that hire drivers without proper training
Driving a truck is a big responsibility. If drivers and their employers forget this fact, other road users can get seriously injured.
Types of Austin 18-Wheeler Accidents I Handle
Not all truck accidents happen the same way. After nearly 20 years handling these cases, I know the specific dangers of commercial trucks — and how to prove liability.
Jackknife Accidents
When a trailer swings sideways and becomes a 53-foot wall of metal sliding across the highway, drivers have no time to stop.
Underride Collisions
Cars can get wedged under trailers because trucking companies won't spend money on proper safety guards.
Rollover Crashes
Trucks can flip when drivers take curves too fast or when improperly loaded cargo shifts. One overturned 18-wheeler can shut down an entire highway.
Blind Spot Accidents
If you can't see the truck driver's mirrors, they can't see you. A semitruck’s blind spots are huge, and an inexperienced driver might forget to watch for vehicles that enter these zones.
Wide-Turn Collisions
Trucks need extra room to turn, but some truckers forget to check for cars in their path. Even a slow-speed crash can cause serious injuries due to the massive forces involved.
Common Injuries from Truck Accidents
When a large truck hits your car, the damage goes beyond bent metal. I fight to get my clients compensated for:
- Brain injuries that change who you are
- Spinal damage and paralysis
- Broken bones that need multiple surgeries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Burns from fuel fires
- Arms or legs crushed in the impact
- PTSD that makes you afraid to drive again
A catastrophic injury changes your life forever. Your compensation should reflect that fact.
What to Do If an 18-Wheeler Hits You in Austin, TX
While you're still in shock and in pain, trucking companies are already working to protect their interests. Here's what to do to protect yours:
- Call 911 right away: Tell the dispatcher a commercial truck was involved.
- Take photos of everything: The truck, its license plate, the company name, your car, and the road conditions are all relevant.
- Get witness names: People will forget what they saw unless you ask them for statements quickly.
- Go to the hospital: Adrenaline hides injuries that show up later.
- Get that police report: It's your proof of what happened.
- Save everything: Medical bills, work emails about missed days, and even your torn clothes could be important evidence.
- Call a truck accident lawyer before you call anyone else: Insurance companies start working against you immediately.
Insurance companies act fast, but so do I. If we decide to work together, I’ll start building a case that the insurer can’t ignore.
Get Full Compensation for Your Accident
Schedule your free consultation before crucial evidence disappears!
How to Get Compensation After Your Truck Accident
Getting money from a trucking company or its insurer isn't like filing an insurance claim after a typical car accident. These companies have teams of lawyers whose only job is to pay you as little as possible — or nothing at all. Here’s what you’re up against.
Deadline for Filing Your Truck Accident Claim
Texas gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but there’s a catch: Trucking companies can destroy driver logs and inspection records after just a few months. The longer you wait, the less evidence you'll have. I've seen critical proof disappear because people waited too long to call a lawyer.
Proving Liability in Your Case
Figuring out who pays isn't always simple. Sometimes it's the driver, and sometimes it's the trucking company that pushed them to drive exhausted. It could be the company that loaded the cargo wrong, or the manufacturer of faulty brakes.
As an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Austin, I dig into each angle to find everyone responsible for your injuries so that they all pay their share.
Damages I Will Help You Recover After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Austin
Texas law says that if someone hurts you, they have to make it right. With truck accidents, that applies to a lot more than just an emergency room visit.
Medical Expenses
Injury compensation involves more than just hospital and specialist bills. It includes every surgery, physical therapy session, and prescription you'll ever need because of your injury. Big injuries mean big medical costs.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Missing work is just the start. What if you can never go back to your job? What if you can't work at all? Lost income adds up fast, and trucking companies should pay every penny.
Pain and Suffering
There's no price tag on pain, but Texas law says you deserve compensation for what you're going through. The sleepless nights, the activities you can't do anymore, the daily struggle — everything counts.
Property Damage
Your totaled car is just the beginning. What about everything inside it? Your tools, electronics, or anything else destroyed in the crash needs to be replaced.
Why Choose Applewhite Law Firm for Your Austin Truck Accident Case?
You need around-the-clock support from someone who actually knows trucking company tactics. Here's how Applewhite Law Firm delivers:
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Total availability: I respond to emergencies when they happen because preserving evidence and protecting your rights can't wait until business hours.
No win, no fee: You pay absolutely nothing unless I recover compensation for you — there are no upfront costs, no hidden fees, and no financial risk.
Personal approach: You work directly with me throughout your case: I answer your calls and your questions, and your recovery remains my top priority.
Industry knowledge: With 18 years handling injury cases from both sides, I bring a rare perspective to every truck accident claim.
Whether your case ends up in the courtroom or the other party concedes during mediation, I’ll take your case as far as it has to go.
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Hit by an 18-Wheeler?
Call now for immediate legal assistance and protect your rights against trucking companies!
Your Recovery Can't Wait
Contact Applewhite Law Firm now to discuss your truck accident claim and legal options.
FAQs
These straightforward answers will help you make informed decisions about your truck accident claim.
How much will you get paid if an 18-wheeler hits you in Texas?
Compensation depends on medical costs, lost income, and daily pain. For catastrophic injuries from 18-wheeler accidents, a settlement may reach six or seven figures to cover lifetime medical care and lost earning capacity.
How long does an 18-wheeler lawsuit take?
A typical time frame for a truck accident case is 12 to 18 months, although some cases are faster. Complicated ones take up to a few years, depending on the trucking company's willingness to negotiate fairly. I move cases forward aggressively, but I won't sacrifice your compensation just to settle quickly.
