Truck accidents are among the most devastating and complex personal injury cases in Texas. If you were hit by an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or other commercial vehicle — you need an attorney who specializes in trucking cases immediately. Here's everything you need to know.
680+
Fatal truck crashes in Texas annually
$750K
Minimum required trucking insurance
3-4X
Higher settlements with an attorney
2 YRS
Texas statute of limitations
Why Truck Cases Are Different
Truck accident cases are fundamentally different from regular car accident cases — and significantly more complex. Here's why:
Multiple liable parties: Unlike a car accident with one other driver, a truck accident can involve the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the truck manufacturer, and the maintenance company — all potentially liable for your injuries.
Federal regulations: Commercial trucking is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Violations of these regulations — hours of service, weight limits, maintenance requirements — can establish negligence per se, making liability much easier to prove.
Higher insurance limits: Commercial trucking companies are required to carry significantly higher insurance than regular drivers — minimum $750,000 for most trucks, up to $5 million for hazardous materials carriers. This means more potential compensation for your injuries.
More complex investigations: Truck accident investigations require immediate action to preserve critical evidence before it disappears or is destroyed.
⚠️ Act Immediately
Trucking companies and their insurers send investigators to accident scenes within hours. They are looking to protect themselves — not you. Black box data showing speed, braking, and hours driven can be overwritten within 30 days. You need an attorney to issue a legal hold immediately.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
🚛
Truck Driver
Speeding, fatigue, distracted driving, impairment, or violation of federal hours of service rules.
🏢
Trucking Company
Negligent hiring, inadequate training, unrealistic schedules, improper maintenance, or pressuring drivers to violate safety rules.
📦
Cargo Loader
Improperly loaded or secured cargo that shifted and caused the accident or made the truck unstable.
🔧
Maintenance Company
Failure to properly maintain brakes, tires, or other critical safety systems that contributed to the crash.
Critical Evidence To Preserve
Evidence your attorney will seek immediately
Electronic Control Module (black box) data — speed, braking, hours
Driver's Hours of Service logs
Driver's qualification file and employment records
Drug and alcohol test results
Truck maintenance and inspection records
Dashcam and security camera footage
GPS and telematics data
Cargo manifests and loading records
Cell phone records of the driver
💡 Texas Is The Worst State For Truck Accidents
Texas consistently ranks as the deadliest state for truck accidents in the US due to its massive highway system and heavy commercial traffic. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and El Paso corridors see the highest volumes. If you were injured on I-10, I-45, I-35, or Highway 59 in Texas — these are among the most dangerous truck corridors in the country.
Hit By A Truck In Texas?
Free case review — takes 60 seconds — no obligation
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a truck accident in Texas?
+
Call 911, seek medical attention, document the scene, get the truck driver's CDL and company information, do not give recorded statements to the trucking company or their insurer, and contact a truck accident attorney immediately. Time is critical — evidence can be destroyed within days.
How much is a truck accident case worth in Texas?
+
Truck accident cases in Texas typically settle for $500,000 to over $10 million depending on injury severity and liability. Commercial trucking companies carry minimum $750,000 in insurance with many carrying $1 million or more. Cases involving gross negligence or multiple defendants can be worth significantly more.
Can the trucking company be sued separately from the driver?
+
Yes. Trucking companies can be held liable under respondeat superior — responsible for their employees' actions — and independently for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and entrustment. Suing both the driver and the company gives you access to larger insurance policies and more potential recovery.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?
+
Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations. However truck accident cases require urgent action to preserve black box data, driver logs, and other critical evidence that can disappear within weeks. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
Hit by a truck in Texas?Free case review — no obligation