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A truck accident case involves larger insurance policies, more defendants, and more aggressive defense teams than typical car accidents, and truck accident victims need a legal team that understands how to hold a trucking company accountable from day one.
Our Texas truck accident lawyers at Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer represent drivers, passengers, and families injured in truck wreck cases involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles.
Contact us today for a free consultation, so our legal team may begin building your winning truck accident lawsuit.
Table of Contents
Why Choose Our Dallas Truck Accident Lawyers After a Truck Wreck?
Texas Trucking Laws That Will Affect Your Claim
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Damages Truck Accident Victims Can Recover in Texas
The Truck Accident Claims Process
Do I Need to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?
Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics
Large commercial trucks share the road with Texas drivers every day, and the state leads the nation in large truck crash deaths. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas recorded roughly 39,000 commercial truck accident crashes in 2024, including approximately 546 fatal crashes and 608 deaths.
Other key statistics on large truck accidents include the following:
- Texas leads all states in accidents involving large trucks, with 645 fatal truck accidents in 2024
- MCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study, which found fatigue was involved in about 13% of serious CMV crashes.
Texas serves as the primary entry point for cross-border freight moving through Laredo and El Paso, and its central position in the trucking industry means that big-rig traffic accounts for a larger share of vehicles involved in Texas interstate crashes than in most other states. If you were hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, an experienced truck accident attorney can help you understand your legal options.
Types of Cases Our Texas Truck Accident Attorneys Handle
Truck accidents are frequently caused by driver fatigue, distracted driving, or unsafe practices by large trucking companies. An experienced truck accident attorney can help identify every at-fault party responsible for your injuries.
Truck accident cases can arise from a wide range of circumstances that are unique to commercial trucking companies. At Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer, our experienced truck accident lawyers handle the following:
- Jackknife Accidents: A big rig accident caused by sudden braking, speed, or poor road conditions that force a trailer to swing out from the cab
- Underride and Override Accidents: Crashes where a passenger vehicle slides underneath a trailer, often resulting in catastrophic injuries
- Rollover Accidents: A semi-truck accident frequently caused by excessive speed, sharp turns, or an unevenly loaded or overloaded truck
- Cargo Spill and Load Securement Accidents: Crashes caused by shifting, falling, or improperly secured freight
- Blind Spot and Lane Change Accidents: Crashes occurring in a semi-truck’s large blind spots, often called “no zones”
- Wide Turn Accidents: Crashes that occur when a truck driver fails to account for a trailer’s turning radius
- Driver Fatigue Accidents: Crashes caused by drivers who violate federal safety rules limiting time behind the wheel
- Distracted Driving Accidents: Truck wrecks caused by cell phone use, dispatch communications, or other driver inattention
- Underinsured Trucking Company Accidents: Cases involving carriers who fail to maintain adequate coverage under federal safety regulations
After a truck accident, victims are entitled to seek compensation from the negligent truck driver and, in most cases, the trucking company itself. Large trucking companies and their insurance adjusters typically send investigators to the scene within hours, so it is important to have accident lawyers working on your behalf just as quickly.
Why Choose Our Dallas Truck Accident Lawyers After a Truck Wreck?
Choosing the right Texas truck accident attorneys means choosing a legal team that understands both Texas law and the federal safety regulations that govern the trucking industry. Our core strengths that result in maximum compensation for clients include:
- Proven track record. Our experienced Dallas truck accident attorneys have built a proven track record representing clients throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, and North Texas.
- Rapid investigation. Our legal team moves quickly to preserve critical evidence, including black box data, electronic logging device records, and driver logs, before it disappears.
- Direct legal representation. You will work directly with your Dallas truck accident lawyer throughout the entire legal process, not a rotating cast of paralegals.
- Willing to go to trial. Our trial lawyer team prepares every Dallas truck accident case as if it is headed to court, which strengthens our position against opposing counsel during negotiations.
- Serving Texas and beyond. Our law offices serve clients throughout Dallas, Texas and North Texas who need Texas truck accident lawyers they can trust.
Truck Accident Injuries That Can Be Compensated
Because of the sheer size and weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle, truck accident injuries are often more severe than injuries from ordinary car accidents. Common serious injuries that qualify for compensation include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Ranges from mild concussions to severe, permanent brain damage
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Can lead to partial or complete paralysis
- Crush Injuries: Common in underride and rollover accidents, often requiring amputation
- Multiple Fractures: Often requires surgery, hardware implants, and extended physical therapy
- Internal Injuries: May not be immediately apparent and require prompt medical attention
- Burn Injuries: Resulting from fuel tank ruptures or post-collision fires
- Wrongful Death: Families may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit or wrongful death claim after a fatal truck accident
If you or a loved one suffered any of these catastrophic injuries, along with physical pain, lost wages, and mounting medical bills, it is important to seek medical attention immediately and consult with an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your legal options. No upfront costs to you or your family. We strive to recover fair and equitable compensation for our clients.
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Texas Trucking Laws That Will Affect Your Claim
Commercial trucks operating in Texas are subject to a layered set of federal safety rules and state regulations that do not apply to ordinary passenger vehicles. Understanding these rules is critical to proving fault and protecting your right to recover compensation after a truck wreck.
Federal Hours of Service Regulations to Prevent Driver Fatigue
Under 49 CFR Part 395, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limits how long a truck driver can remain behind the wheel.
- Property-carrying drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
- Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving, and cannot exceed 60 hours on duty within 7 days or 70 hours within 8 days without a 34-hour restart.
A violation of these federal safety regulations is frequently a central issue in truck accident lawsuits, since a fatigued truck driver who exceeded legal limits may be found negligent as a matter of law. Electronic logging device data, also referred to as black box data, which most commercial trucks are required to carry, can confirm whether driver fatigue or an hours-of-service violation played a role at the time of the accident.
Federal and Texas Weight Limits
Federal law, adopted by Texas Transportation Code Section 621.101, caps the gross weight of a fully loaded semi-truck and trailer at 80,000 pounds on most interstate highways, with a 20,000-pound limit on single axles and a 34,000-pound limit on tandem axles. Overloaded trucks operating without a valid oversize or overweight permit through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles are violating Texas law.
An overloaded or improperly loaded truck takes longer to stop, is more prone to rollover, and can cause significantly more damage in a collision with another passenger vehicle. Evidence that a commercial truck exceeded legal weight limits, such as weigh station records, bills of lading, or post-crash weight measurements, can serve as critical evidence of negligence against the truck driver and the trucking company.
Commercial Driver’s License Requirements
Drivers operating commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating above 26,001 pounds generally must hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 522, which incorporates federal safety regulations for CDL standards. A driver operating without a valid CDL, or with a suspended or disqualifying record, can support a claim that a trucking company was negligent in hiring or retaining that driver.
Minimum Insurance Requirements for Commercial Trucking Companies
Commercial trucking companies must carry far higher liability coverage than ordinary drivers, which is one reason truck accident lawsuits can result in far higher settlements than those for typical car accidents. Under 49 CFR Section 387.9, interstate motor carriers hauling general freight must maintain a minimum of:
- $750,000 in public liability coverage
- $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 for carriers hauling hazardous materials
These policies typically include a required MCS-90 endorsement, which is designed to guarantee that accident victims can recover compensation up to the federal minimum even if the carrier’s policy would otherwise exclude the claim.
Proportionate Responsibility (Modified Comparative Fault Rule)
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. Also referred to as proportionate responsibility, this law under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001 allows injured parties to recover compensation, even when they are at fault for an accident.
If an injured plaintiff is found to be 50% or less at fault for a truck accident, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. If a plaintiff is found to be 51% or more responsible, they are barred entirely from recovering compensation.
For example, if a truck accident victim is awarded $500,000 in damages but found 10% at fault, they would recover the partial amount of $450,000. Because large trucking companies often have significant resources to dispute fault, proving liability with strong evidence is essential to any Texas truck accident case.
Move Over, Slow Down Law
Texas law requires drivers, including commercial truck drivers, to slow down and move over a lane when approaching stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or TxDOT maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights. A truck driver’s failure to comply with this law after a roadside crash can support an independent claim of gross negligence.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Texas Truck Accident
Truck accident cases frequently involve more potential defendants than a standard car accident case. Common individuals and entities who may be held liable include:
- The Truck Driver: Speeding, distracted driving, drowsy, or impaired driving
- The Trucking Company: Held vicariously liable for a truck driver’s negligence under respondeat superior, or independently liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision
- Cargo Loading Companies: Responsible for improperly loaded or secured freight
- Truck and Parts Manufacturers: Liable for defective brakes, tires, or other equipment failures
- Truck Maintenance Companies: Responsible for inadequate inspections, repairs, or vehicle maintenance that fails to keep a commercial truck operating safely
- Freight Brokers and Shippers: May share liability if they knowingly hired an unsafe carrier
In many truck accident cases, multiple parties share liability, making it important to work with personal injury lawyers who can conduct a thorough investigation to identify every at-fault party before evidence disappears.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Failing to meet the state’s filing deadline can result in the permanent loss of the ability to seek compensation for your Dallas truck accident claim.
Under Texas law, injured victims generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a truck accident lawsuit.
Exceptions to the Filing Deadline
- The discovery rule may extend the deadline if an injury was not immediately apparent after the accident happened.
- Claims against a government entity, such as a crash involving a TxDOT vehicle, require formal written notice, sometimes within as little as six months.
- Minors and certain other individuals may have modified timelines under Texas law.
What Happens if I Miss the Deadline?
If a truck accident lawsuit is not filed within the statute of limitations, the injured party generally forfeits the right to seek compensation, and courts will likely dismiss the case. Consulting an experienced truck accident attorney early helps preserve medical records and critical evidence, including electronic logging device data and driver logs, before it is lost or destroyed.
Damages Truck Accident Victims Can Recover in Texas
A successful truck accident case should hold the trucking company accountable and fairly compensate victims for their losses. A fair settlement typically reflects the following categories of compensatory damages.
Economic Damages
- Current and future medical bills and medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Rehabilitation and long-term care costs
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement and permanent disability
Punitive Damages
These losses may be awarded in cases involving gross negligence, such as when a trucking company knowingly allowed a fatigued or unqualified truck driver to operate a commercial truck. Texas law places specific limits on punitive damages, so it is important to speak with an injury attorney about how these caps may apply to your case.
How to Prove Negligence in a Texas Truck Accident Case
Recovering compensation requires proving fault on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company, or another at-fault party. Personal injury lawyers generally do this by demonstrating four elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: Every truck driver and trucking company owes other drivers of passenger vehicles a duty to operate safely and follow federal safety rules.
- Breach of Duty: The truck driver or company failed to meet that duty, such as by violating hours-of-service rules, overloading the truck, or failing to keep up with vehicle maintenance.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the truck accident that resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Damages: The truck wreck resulted in quantifiable losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, or physical pain and suffering.
Building a strong truck accident case often requires more than a police report. Accident lawyers frequently work with accident reconstruction experts and trucking industry specialists to establish exactly how the accident happened and to prove fault when liability is disputed.
The Truck Accident Claims Process
1. Free Consultation
The truck accident victim meets with personal injury lawyers to discuss the crash and determine whether they have a valid truck accident case.
2. Investigation
The truck accident lawyer investigates the crash to gather critical evidence, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, electronic logging device data, and driver qualification files. This step frequently involves sending a formal preservation letter to the trucking company, since electronic data can be automatically deleted after a set period.
3. Demand Letter
The truck accident lawyer drafts and sends a demand letter to the trucking company’s insurance company outlining the medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages sought.
4. Negotiation
If insurance adjusters push back, negotiations continue until a fair settlement is reached or litigation becomes necessary.
5. Litigation
If a settlement cannot be reached, the truck accident attorney may file a truck accident lawsuit and represent the client in court.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Texas
1. Report the Accident
Contact 911 and request a police report. Officers responding to the scene will typically document each driver’s license number, the trucking company’s information, and the truck’s USDOT number.
2. Collect Evidence
Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including the semi-truck’s markings and USDOT number, gather witness contact information, and obtain a copy of the police report.
3. Seek Immediate Medical Care to Treat Minor or Serious Injuries
Prompt medical care establishes a timeline of treatment through medical records, linking the truck wreck to your injuries. Some injuries, including internal injuries and soft tissue damage, are not immediately apparent, so follow up with medical treatment throughout your recovery.
4. Avoid Discussing the Case
Do not post about the crash on social media, and avoid giving detailed statements to the trucking company’s insurance without legal guidance.
5. Consult a Truck Accident Attorney
An experienced truck accident attorney can send preservation letters, gather evidence, manage communications with insurance companies, and protect your legal rights from the outset, so you can focus on medical treatment and recovery.
Do I Need to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney?
Hiring a truck accident lawyer is not always required, but pursuing a claim against a large trucking company without one can be extremely difficult.
Without legal representation, you are responsible for gathering evidence, negotiating with a trucking company’s insurance adjusters and legal team, and potentially representing yourself in court, all while the company relies on experienced defense attorneys to minimize payouts.
The Risks of Not Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
- Giving recorded statements to a trucking company’s investigators without guidance
- Allowing electronic logging device data and driver logs to be lost or overwritten
- Accepting an early settlement offer before the full extent of your truck accident injuries is known
- Underestimating total losses, including future medical expenses and future earning capacity
When Should I Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer?
It is advisable to consult personal injury lawyers as soon as possible after a truck accident. Trucking companies often begin building their defense within hours of a crash, so early legal involvement helps preserve evidence and protects your Dallas truck accident claim from being undervalued or denied.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Truck Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
In most cases, Texas law grants two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. However, there are circumstances in which the deadline may be shorter or longer, so it is best to speak with a truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
Who is usually at fault in a truck accident?
Fault depends on the facts of each case. The truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo loading company, a truck maintenance company, or a parts manufacturer may all bear some degree of responsibility.
How much insurance does a trucking company carry?
Federal safety regulations require most interstate trucking companies to carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage for general freight, and between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000 for hazardous materials. Many large trucking companies carry even higher policy limits.
Do I have to pay attorney fees up front?
No. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means clients pay nothing unless we recover compensation on their behalf.
What if the trucking company disputes fault?
Trucking companies frequently dispute fault and send their own investigators to the scene. An experienced truck accident attorney can gather independent critical evidence, including black box data and hours of service records, to counter the company’s version of how the accident happened.
How Our Texas Truck Accident Law Firm Will Benefit Your Case
- Thorough Accident Investigation: In-depth review of the crash and contributing factors
- Evidence Preservation: Securing electronic logging device data, driver logs, and maintenance records before they are lost
- Claims Filing: Managing all documentation and deadlines
- Damage Assessment: Evaluating medical bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Insurance Negotiation: Aggressively pursuing a fair settlement with trucking company insurance adjusters
- Court Representation: Litigating your truck accident lawsuit if fair compensation cannot be reached
Contact Our Dallas Truck Accident Law Offices Today
Immediate action is crucial after a truck wreck, both for your well-being and your personal injury claim’s validity, since Texas personal injury claims are subject to strict deadlines. Critical evidence disappears quickly, electronic logs can be overwritten, and the two-year filing deadline does not typically pause.
Schedule a free consultation today to learn how our Dallas truck accident attorneys can support you through this challenging time. You don’t have to handle the complicated legal proceedings or deal with pushy insurance companies alone; Jeff’s got you.
Other Practice Areas Our Texas Personal Injury Law Firm Specializes In
- Texas Car Accidents
- Texas Bicycle Accidents
- Texas Dog Bite Cases
- Texas Motorcycle Accidents
- Texas Pedestrian Accidents
- Texas Personal Injury Accidents
- Texas Slip and Fall Accidents
- Texas Uber and Lyft Accidents
- Texas Workplace Accidents
- Texas Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Attorney Jeff Car Accident Lawyer’s Other Locations
Speak with our personal injury attorneys today for a free case evaluation. For client convenience, we have locations throughout California and Arizona.