Dallas Truck Accident Attorneys

The Representation Trusted by Clients Throughout Texas

18-wheelers pose numerous life-threatening risks to other motorists and pedestrians. Due to the sheer size and weight of these trucks, even the most minor accident can result in serious injuries or death. While most 18-wheeler drivers are responsible and well-trained, accidents still occur every single day. Thanks in part to the many distractions of today’s digital world and the long hours truck drivers are frequently behind the wheel, we are witnessing far too many accidents involving 18-wheelers, and Duke Seth PLLC is here to help injured victims respond quickly and protect their rights.

There are more than 2 million large trucks on United States highways, which means the potential for an accident involving a big rig is quite high. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there are over 500,000 accidents involving 18-wheelers in the U.S. every single year. Of those 500,000, approximately 5,000 result in death. It is important to note that 98% of all deaths involving 18-wheelers are the death of a driver or passenger in the other vehicle.

Get started by calling our truck accident lawyers in Dallas at (214) 466-1740 or contacting us online today.

After a serious crash with a commercial vehicle, injury victims and families are often unsure what to do first or how to protect their legal rights. Medical bills can start arriving quickly, and insurance companies for the trucking carrier may contact you before you have had time to fully understand your injuries. Having a truck accident lawyer in Dallas who is familiar with Texas law, local courts, and the tactics used by trucking companies can help you avoid common mistakes, such as giving recorded statements, signing broad medical releases, or accepting quick, inadequate settlements.

We understand how overwhelming it can feel to balance medical treatment, vehicle repairs, and time away from work. When we handle an 18-wheeler case, we can help gather critical evidence, such as driver logbooks, electronic control module data, and trucking company safety records, before they are lost or destroyed. This allows us to build a clear picture of what happened on busy roadways like I-35, I-20, I-30, and other major routes through Dallas and the surrounding DFW area, and to present your story in a way that supports your compensation claim.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Dallas

It is no secret that big rig accidents typically result in serious injuries or death because of the sheer size and bulk of large trucks. A typical semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds loaded and roughly 30,000 pounds when empty. Unfortunately, accidents involving 18-wheelers are quite common in Texas, especially in metro areas like Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and the I-35 corridor. In Texas alone, the annual number of fatal 18-wheeler deaths exceeds 300, and there are more than 2,000 injuries that can be tied to big rig accidents. These numbers equate to one injury in every seven accidents and one death in every 50 18-wheeler accidents.

Many factors can be attributed to these types of accidents, including:

• Distraction
• Speeding
• Driver fatigue
• Alcohol or drug use
• Equipment malfunction or failure
• Poorly maintained rig
• Overloaded and improperly loaded cargo

In many Dallas-area collisions, multiple causes are present at the same time. A driver might be fatigued after hours of travel up the I-45 corridor while also trying to meet an aggressive delivery deadline set by the trucking company. Weather, construction zones, and heavy rush-hour traffic in the DFW metroplex can make it even harder for a tractor-trailer to stop safely or avoid sudden hazards in the roadway. When we investigate a wreck, we look not only at what the driver did in the moments before impact but also at the decisions made by the motor carrier that put that driver in a dangerous position.

Trucking companies operating in Texas must follow both federal safety rules and state requirements for training, supervision, and vehicle maintenance. When a company cuts corners—for example, by skipping regular brake inspections, allowing unqualified drivers behind the wheel, or failing to remove unsafe vehicles from service—it increases the risk of serious crashes on highways throughout Dallas and the surrounding counties. By examining safety policies, past violations, and maintenance records, we work to show how preventable choices contributed to the crash and to hold every responsible party accountable.

Regardless of how careful drivers are, the chances of an accident happening are higher than we would like to believe. Big rig drivers must maneuver tight corners, navigate the roadways in unfavorable conditions, and have a quick reaction time to other drivers. And big rigs simply are unable to slow down or maneuver as well as passenger vehicles. That being said, many 18-wheeler accidents are preventable. We understand how stressful these types of situations can be and will do everything we can to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

What To Do After a Truck Accident in Dallas

The minutes and days after a crash with a commercial truck can feel chaotic, but the steps you take can affect both your health and any future claim. Your priority should always be safety and medical care. Call 911 so law enforcement and emergency medical personnel can come to the scene, and follow up with a doctor at a hospital or clinic in the Dallas area, even if you think you are only shaken up. Some serious injuries, including brain and soft-tissue trauma, may not show symptoms right away but can be documented through timely medical evaluation.

Once everyone is safe, it helps to gather as much information as you reasonably can without putting yourself in further danger. This can include getting the truck driver’s name, the trucking company’s name, insurance details, and the DOT number displayed on the truck. Photographs of the vehicles, skid marks, debris, and road conditions on highways like I-635 or U.S. 75 can later help show how the collision occurred. If there are witnesses who stopped, politely ask for their contact information so their statements can be preserved while the events are still fresh in their minds.

You will likely receive calls from insurance companies in the days following the wreck, sometimes before you have had time to understand the full extent of your injuries. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer, and doing so without legal guidance can sometimes hurt your claim. Before signing any documents or talking in detail about the crash, it can be beneficial to speak with a truck accident attorney in Dallas who can explain your options, help protect important evidence such as electronic logging device data, and communicate with insurers on your behalf while you focus on healing.

Who May Be Liable After a Dallas 18-Wheeler Crash

Liability in a crash involving an 18-wheeler is often more complex than in a typical car accident because several different parties may share responsibility. The truck driver may be at fault for unsafe driving behaviors, but the company that hired and supervised that driver can also be accountable if it failed to follow safety rules, pushed unreasonable delivery schedules, or ignored past violations. In some cases, another business may own the trailer or be responsible for loading the cargo, which can affect how the vehicle handled on Dallas roadways and whether weight limits were followed.

In addition to the driver and motor carrier, other entities can play a role in causing or contributing to a serious truck crash. A manufacturer or maintenance provider may be responsible if a defective part, such as a brake component or steering system, failed while the semi-truck was traveling through the DFW area. Government agencies or contractors may also be involved when hazardous road design, poor signage, or unmarked construction zones make collisions more likely. Sorting out these potential claims requires a careful review of police reports from agencies such as the Dallas Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, along with photographs, inspection records, and witness statements.

Because Texas law allows injury victims to pursue compensation from all legally responsible parties, identifying everyone who may be liable is a crucial part of building a strong claim. A thorough investigation can reveal whether the trucking company complied with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, honored hours-of-service limits, and kept vehicles in a safe condition for travel along busy corridors like I-35E and the President George Bush Turnpike. By piecing together these details, you can better understand who should be held accountable for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses stemming from the crash.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Claim in Texas?

In most situations, Texas law gives you two years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain circumstances, such as claims involving government entities or minors, can change how that deadline is calculated. Because gathering evidence from trucking companies and other sources can take time, it is wise to speak with a lawyer well before the deadline so your rights are preserved.

Should I Talk to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjuster?

You can expect the trucking company’s insurer to reach out quickly after a collision, but you are not required to provide a recorded statement. Anything you say may be used later to challenge your version of events or minimize your injuries. It is generally safer to provide only basic information at first and let an attorney review any requests for statements or documents before you respond in detail.

What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Truck Accident?

People injured in a truck crash may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, future treatment needs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. Many claims also include damages for pain, emotional distress, and the way injuries affect daily life and relationships. In cases involving especially serious misconduct, Texas law may allow additional damages meant to discourage similar behavior in the future.

Don’t Let the Trucking Company Control Your Dallas 18-Wheeler Accident Claim

When an 18-wheeler crash happens, the trucking company and its insurers often move fast to protect themselves and limit what they pay. Dallas truck accident attorneys can step in quickly to preserve key evidence, investigate driver fatigue or distraction, and identify every responsible party. If you or a loved one was hurt in a big rig wreck, you deserve representation that treats your case like a priority and fights for compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, call us at (214) 466-1740 today. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys will work tirelessly to help you recover damages from an 18-wheeler accident.