A loaded 18-wheeler can weigh more than twenty times as much as sedan or pickup. That difference why a crash between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle so often ends in catastrophic injury, even at speeds that would leave two cars with little more than a fender bender.
If you or someone you love was hurt by a big rig on a Dallas highway or feeder road, you need a Dallas truck accident lawyer who understands these cases rarely play out like a typical car wreck. Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, has represented truck accident victims across North Texas for more than 25 years, recovering more than $110 million in verdicts and settlements for injured clients.
A short conversation with our team now can help you understand where you stand before the trucking company’s insurer reaches out to you.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different
A collision with a fully loaded semi is not just a larger version of a car accident. The size and weight of commercial trucks change how a crash unfolds, and the consequences fall unevenly on the people involved.
In 2024, most of the people killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle were riding in the passenger vehicle, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That risk shows up in crash types that rarely happen with two passenger cars.
For example, a jackknife truck accident occurs when the trailer swings out and folds against the cab, sending it into adjacent lanes. Rollovers, underride collisions where a smaller vehicle slides beneath a truck’s trailer, runaway trailer incidents, and multi-vehicle pileups on highways like I-35E and I-20 show up just as often.
These cases also involve more moving parts legally. A car accident claim usually deals with one driver’s insurance policy, but a truck accident claim can involve the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, and sometimes a parts manufacturer, all at the same time.
The Clock Starts the Moment the Crash Happens
Large trucking companies do not wait around after a wreck. Many carriers dispatch a rapid response team to the scene within 24 hours to start gathering evidence favorable to the company, from scene photos to early witness statements.
The good news is that leveling the playing field can start with a single phone call. A free consultation with CAM Law costs you nothing, and it puts someone in your corner just as quickly as the trucking company put someone in theirs.
“Trucking companies sometimes have an investigator at the scene before the tow truck arrives. That’s not something you can control, and you shouldn’t have to fight it alone. What you can control is calling us early, while the black box data is still there and before the driver’s logbook gets cleaned up. Waiting is the one mistake I can’t undo once it happens.” – Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas
Most truck accidents trace back to a handful of recurring issues, including:
- Driver fatigue from pushing past federal hours-of-service limits
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Poorly maintained brakes, tires, or steering components
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo that shifts during transit
- Violations of federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Federal hours-of-service regulations cap how long a commercial driver can stay behind the wheel without rest, precisely because fatigue-related crashes are so common.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Commercial Truck Crash?
Determining who is responsible is rarely as simple as pointing to the driver, because liability can extend to:
- The truck driver, if speeding, fatigued, or distracted
- The trucking company, if it pressured drivers to violate hours-of-service rules or skipped required maintenance
- The company that loaded the cargo, if improperly secured freight caused the truck to become unstable
- The manufacturer of a truck part, if a defective component such as a tire or brake system contributed to the crash
Figuring out which of these parties bears responsibility requires digging into records most people never see. Proving truck accident liability in Texas often comes down to whether an attorney can access this evidence before it disappears.
Dallas Lawyers Ready to Fight for Your Rights
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless the firm recovers compensation on your behalf.
If you were hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, schedule a free consultation with a Dallas truck accident attorney from our team to talk through what happened and what your options look like.
Truck accidents are different from typical car crashes. An 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and collisions often result in serious injuries. Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow federal safety regulations, and when they cut corners, the consequences can be devastating. Common causes include driver fatigue from exceeding hours-of-service limits, distracted or careless driving, driving while intoxicated, improperly loaded cargo, and poor vehicle maintenance. Depending on what caused the crash, more than one party may be responsible, including the driver, the trucking company, or a maintenance contractor.
Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP has over 25 years of personal injury experience, and we are skilled negotiators who never settle for less-than-adequate offers. Trucking companies and their insurers often move quickly to protect themselves after a crash, and we work just as quickly to protect you. When negotiations fail, we do not hesitate to take matters to trial. Our law firm has recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
If you would like to discuss your claim with a member of our team, don’t hesitate to call us at (214) 231-0555. During your free consultation, we will walk you through what to expect. If you can’t come to our location, one of our attorneys will come to you. Get started on the road to recovery today.
John W. Arnold,
Partner, Trial and Appellate Attorney
With over 25 years of experience, John is a seasoned trial and appellate attorney known for delivering results.
David W. Crowe
Partner, Personal Injury
For more than 30 years, David has been a powerful advocate and fighting for individuals harmed by negligence and abuse.
D.G. Majors
Trial Attorney, Personal Injury and Product Liability
D.G. is a trial lawyer with a strong track record of results in personal injury, product liability, and commercial litigation.
What Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?
A truck accident claim can cover more than the obvious costs of a wrecked car and a hospital bill. Victims and their families may be able to recover:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain, suffering, and permanent impairment
- Funeral and burial costs in cases involving a wrongful death after a truck crash
Because these injuries often involve long hospital stays, surgery, or lifelong care needs, the numbers tend to run higher than in a standard car accident case.
Reviewing the average truck accident settlement in Texas can offer a general sense of scale, though your specific crash and injuries will shape what a case is actually worth. Our commercial truck accident attorneys in Dallas dig into medical records, work with outside experts, and track down every loss you’ve incurred, physically, emotionally, and financially.
How Texas’s Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Claim
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you can still recover damages after a truck accident as long as you are not found more than 50 percent responsible for the crash.
If a jury finds you were 30 percent at fault and awards $200,000 in damages, your recovery would be reduced to $140,000. Cross the 50 percent mark, and Texas law bars recovery altogether. Trucking companies and their insurers know this rule well, and they often look for any angle that shifts blame toward the injured driver.
Texas Vehicle Accident Case Results
Settlement involving injured delivery truck driver.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Dallas
No two truck accident cases play out the same way. CAM Law has represented clients dealing with:
- Jackknife and rollover collisions on area highways
- Underride crashes involving passenger vehicles and trailers
- Wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases
- Crashes involving delivery trucks, dump trucks, and tanker vehicles
- Multi-vehicle pileups involving 18-wheelers in heavy Dallas traffic
If your crash involved a passenger vehicle rather than a commercial truck, visit our Dallas car accident lawyers page to learn what to expect from that type of claim.
Why Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP Is the Right Call After a Truck Crash
Going up against a trucking company and its insurer is not something you should try alone, especially while recovering from an injury. Our big rig accident lawyers in Texas handle the investigation, deal directly with the carrier’s legal team, and work to hold every responsible party accountable, not just the driver.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck crash, schedule a free consultation with a Dallas truck accident lawyer before more evidence disappears.
Our Dallas Location
You can find our office in Bank of America Plaza at 901 Main Street in downtown Dallas. We’re near Dealey Plaza, the JFK Memorial, Renaissance Tower, and the AT&T Discovery District.
6550 Bank of America Plaza
901 Main St.
P: 214-231-0555
Additional Information
- Texas DOT Provides Tips for Driving Safely Near Large Trucks
- Understanding the Special Risks Involved in Texas 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Cases
- Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2016 – FMCSA
- Texas Department of Transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I was injured in a truck accident, what should I do first?
A: Obviously, the first thing you should do is get help. Call 911 for anyone needing emergency medical attention. If you are in danger, move your vehicle out of the way. Attempt to gather as much information as your physical condition allows. For maximum protection, reach out to an experienced truck accident attorney.
Q: What evidence is needed to prove liability in a truck accident claim?
A: Evidence from the scene of the accident that shows exactly what happened. Photographs, witness statements, and accident reconstruction experts can help show this. In addition, driver logs and truck maintenance records, the driver’s experience and driving record, recorded speeds (if any), and information on the weather, traffic conditions, and other relevant facts will be very useful in proving fault.
Q: Do I need an attorney after a truck accident?
A: The trucking company’s insurance carrier will try to convince you to settle your case as quickly and inexpensively as possible. An attorney can help you determine whether a settlement offer is fair, or whether you deserve more. While you are recovering from your injuries, you should trust your advocacy to someone objective who understands the law and cares about your plight.
Q: What compensation is available?
A: Depending on the circumstances of your individual case, you may be entitled to recover both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are the monetary costs you incur, such as current and future medical and rehabilitative expenses, lost wages, and lost job opportunities. Noneconomic damages are intangible losses related to human suffering, such as the experience of pain, disfigurement, and emotional trauma.
Q: Does it matter who I hire for a truck accident case?
A: Absolutely. After a truck crash, there are many potentially liable parties. No one can guarantee you a result or a certain amount for your recovery. However, choosing an attorney who understands the facts, has experience dealing with insurance and trucking companies, and knows how to present a strong case is the best choice you can make.