Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
An accident involving a commercial truck can alter your life in seconds. One moment you are driving through Dallas on your normal routine. Next, you are dealing with serious injuries, overwhelming medical expenses, and uncertainty about what comes next. When a truck driver or trucking company is responsible, you should not have to carry that burden alone.
Truck accident claims are often more complicated than standard car accident cases. Collisions involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and delivery vehicles can involve multiple at fault parties, including the driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, and insurers. These companies act quickly to protect themselves, often deploying investigators and legal teams immediately after a crash. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys have decades of experience handling complex commercial vehicle cases. We know how to secure critical evidence, analyze driver logs and safety records, and build strong claims against powerful trucking companies.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident in Dallas, we may be able to help you recover compensation for medical treatment, lost income, rehabilitation costs, and the lasting physical and emotional impact of the crash.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Quick Answer
Do I need a lawyer after a commercial vehicle accident in Dallas?
Yes — and time matters. Trucking companies send their own investigators to the scene within hours to protect their interests. You need an attorney who moves just as fast. Frenkel & Frenkel investigates the crash, preserves black box data, identifies every at fault party, and handles the insurance companies — so you can focus on recovering. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call (214) 333-3333 — Free Consultation"*" indicates required fields
Commercial vehicle accidents are far more complex than typical car crashes. The injuries tend to be more severe because of the size and weight of these vehicles. An 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is about 20 times heavier than a passenger car.
These cases also involve layers of regulation that do not apply to regular car accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for trucking companies, including limits on how long a driver can be on the road, maintenance requirements, and drug testing standards. When a trucking company breaks these rules, it can be strong evidence of negligence.
Another key difference is that multiple parties may share fault. The driver, the trucking company, a cargo loading company, or even a parts manufacturer could all be responsible. This means more investigation, more insurance policies, and a more aggressive defense from the other side. Having an attorney with experience in commercial vehicle cases can make a real difference.
If a commercial vehicle accident hurts you, we are ready to listen. Contact us today for a free case review.
Your safety comes first. If you or anyone else is hurt, call 911 right away. Do not try to move if you have a serious injury. Wait for emergency responders to arrive.
If you are able, move to a safe area away from traffic. Call the police and make sure an official accident report is filed. This report can be critical evidence for your claim.
Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, any visible injuries, and the truck’s license plate, DOT number, and company name. Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, but do not discuss who was at fault. Get the names and numbers of any witnesses.
See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Then contact a commercial vehicle accident attorney. Evidence in these cases can disappear quickly. Trucking companies often send their own investigators to the scene within hours. An attorney can act fast to preserve key evidence like the truck’s electronic data recorder, also called the “black box.”
Under Texas law, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you typically lose your right to seek compensation.
There are limited exceptions. If the victim is a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18. If the accident involved a government-owned vehicle, you may need to file a notice of claim within six months.
The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. Evidence fades. Electronic data can be overwritten. Witnesses forget details. Acting quickly helps protect your rights and may strengthen your case.
Quick Answer
What evidence can be lost if I wait to hire a truck accident attorney?
Waiting even a few weeks after a commercial truck accident can cost you critical evidence:
Texas gives you 2 years to file — but the evidence window is much shorter. Contact us today.
Don't Wait — Call (214) 333-3333One of the biggest differences in commercial vehicle cases is that multiple parties may be at fault. It is not always just the driver. The trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, the vehicle manufacturer, or a maintenance provider could all share responsibility.
The trucking company can be held at fault for hiring unqualified drivers, failing to maintain its vehicles, or pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules. If a defective truck part caused the crash, the manufacturer could be responsible. If improperly loaded cargo shifted and caused a rollover, the loading company may be at fault.
We investigate every angle to identify all responsible parties. This matters because it may open up additional insurance policies and increase the total compensation available to you.
Quick Answer
Can I recover more compensation if multiple parties caused my truck accident?
Potentially yes. Each at fault party may carry their own insurance policy. Identifying multiple defendants — such as the driver, the trucking company, and a parts manufacturer — can open up multiple sources of recovery that a single-defendant case would not. This is one of the most important reasons to hire an attorney who investigates the full picture, not just the driver.
At Frenkel & Frenkel, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we recover money for you.
There is no charge for your first consultation. You can call us, tell us what happened, and we will let you know if we think we can help. There is no pressure and no obligation.
We advance all case costs, including hiring investigators, accident reconstruction experts, and medical professionals. You do not pay us back unless we win your case.
Our attorneys have spent more than decades fighting for people hurt in commercial vehicle accidents. We have the knowledge and resources to take on even the most complex cases.
Our founding attorneys used to defend insurance companies. Now, they use that inside knowledge to fight for injured people like you. We know the tactics companies use, and we know how to counter them.
We have recovered more than $1 Billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients.** For 16 straight years, our attorneys have been named among the Best Lawyers in Dallas.
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Texas gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003).
Commercial trucks are required to carry far more insurance than passenger cars. Interstate general freight carriers must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Trucks hauling hazardous materials must carry $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 in coverage. Compare this to the $30,000/$60,000/$25,000 minimum for personal vehicles in Texas (FMCSA and TxDMV data).
Commercial trucks that cross state lines must follow rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These include hours-of-service limits, vehicle maintenance standards, drug and alcohol testing, and minimum insurance requirements. Intrastate trucks in Texas must follow similar rules set by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
In 2024, Texas recorded 39,393 commercial vehicle crashes statewide, resulting in 608 fatalities and 1,601 serious injuries. Dallas County alone saw 3,857 commercial vehicle crashes and 29 fatalities. Many of these crashes occurred on major freight corridors like I-35E, I-30, I-20, and I-635 (TxDOT data).
Driver Fatigue
Federal law limits how many hours a truck driver can be on the road. But tight deadlines and pressure from employers push some drivers past their limits. Fatigue slows reaction time and impairs judgment, making tired driving just as dangerous as drunk driving. Violations of hours-of-service rules are strong evidence of negligence.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
An 80,000-pound truck needs much more distance to stop than a passenger car. Speeding drastically increases stopping distance and the force of impact. Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating and unsafe lane changes make crashes even more likely.
Distracted Driving
Using a cell phone, adjusting a GPS, eating, or reaching for items takes a truck driver’s focus off the road. Even a few seconds of distraction at highway speed can cover the length of a football field. Federal regulations ban hand-held cell phone use by commercial drivers.
Improper Loading and Cargo Shifts
Cargo that is not properly secured can shift during transit, causing a truck to become unbalanced. This can lead to rollovers, jackknife accidents, or lost loads that create hazards for other drivers. The company responsible for loading the truck may share liability.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Trucking companies are required to inspect and maintain their vehicles on a regular schedule. Worn brakes, bald tires, faulty lights, and broken steering parts can all cause or worsen accidents. FMCSA regulations under Part 396 hold carriers responsible for keeping their trucks safe.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal for any driver. Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard, with a blood alcohol limit of 0.04%, half the legal limit for regular drivers. Drug and alcohol violations by CDL holders are a serious indicator of negligence.
A jackknife happens when a truck's trailer swings out to a 90-degree angle from the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes. These crashes can involve several vehicles and cause devastating injuries. They are commonly caused by sudden braking, slippery roads, or speeding.
An underride crash happens when a smaller car slides underneath the side or rear of a truck trailer. An override occurs when a truck runs over a smaller vehicle. These are among the most deadly types of commercial vehicle accidents and often result in fatal injuries.
Commercial trucks can roll over due to sharp turns at high speed, shifting cargo, tire blowouts, or driver error. Rollovers can block entire roadways and cause chain-reaction crashes. They often result in serious or fatal injuries.
Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides, known as "no-zones." Accidents happen when a truck driver changes lanes or turns without seeing a vehicle in one of these blind spots. The size of these blind spots makes awareness critical for both truck drivers and other motorists.
Poorly secured cargo can fall off a truck and create deadly hazards on the road. Debris can strike vehicles directly or force drivers to swerve, leading to secondary crashes. The company that loaded or secured the cargo may be at fault.
Due to their weight, commercial trucks take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles. Rear-end crashes at highway speeds can be catastrophic. Intersection collisions involving trucks are also common, especially on busy Dallas roads and highways.
The largest trucks on the road, weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Crashes involving these vehicles often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries due to the extreme size difference with passenger cars.
Heavy construction vehicles like dump trucks, cement mixers, and flatbed trucks are common on Dallas roads due to ongoing development. Their size, blind spots, and frequent turns create unique hazards.
Vehicles operated by major shipping and delivery companies travel through Dallas neighborhoods and business districts every day. Their frequent stops, tight schedules, and high volume create accident risks, especially in urban areas.
Trucks carrying fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous materials present additional risks. An accident involving a tanker can lead to fires, explosions, or toxic spills, increasing the danger for everyone nearby.
City transit buses, charter buses, school buses, and shuttle buses are commercial vehicles. Accidents involving buses can injure passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. Government-owned buses may involve different claim deadlines.
Medium-sized commercial vehicles used by businesses for hauling goods or performing services. While smaller than 18-wheelers, they are still significantly larger than passenger cars and can cause serious injuries in a collision.
First, ensure your safety and the safety of others. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical help. If you are able, take photos of the vehicles, the scene, the truck's DOT number and company name, and any visible injuries. Exchange information with the truck driver, but do not discuss who was at fault. See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries may not show symptoms right away.
Multiple parties may be responsible. This could include the truck driver for direct negligence, the trucking company for negligent hiring or poor maintenance, the company that loaded the cargo if it was improperly secured, or a manufacturer if a defective part caused the crash. We investigate every case to identify all potentially liable parties and the insurance policies that may apply.
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. This is called the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation. If a government-owned vehicle is involved, the deadline to file a notice of claim may be much shorter. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Texas follows a proportionate responsibility rule, also called the 51% bar. You can recover compensation for your damages as long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation
Truck accident cases are much more complex. They involve federal and state trucking regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and much larger insurance policies. Trucking companies often send their own investigators to the scene within hours to protect their interests. Critical evidence like electronic data recorder ("black box") information can be lost or overwritten if not preserved quickly. An experienced attorney can act fast to protect this evidence.
You should be very cautious. Insurance adjusters work for the trucking company's insurance carrier, and their job is to pay out as little as possible. They may ask you for a recorded statement or try to get you to sign documents that could hurt your case. We recommend speaking with an attorney before giving any statements or signing anything.
You may be able to recover compensation for a variety of damages. Economic damages include medical bills (past and future), lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. In rare cases involving extreme negligence, punitive damages may also be available.
Most modern commercial trucks have an electronic data recorder, often called a "black box." This device records information about the truck's operation, including speed, braking, engine status, and hours of driving, in the moments before and during a crash. This data can be critical evidence for proving what the driver was doing and establishing fault. An attorney can send a formal preservation notice to the trucking company to make sure this data is not erased or overwritten.
Most commercial vehicle accident lawyers, including Frenkel & Frenkel, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. The lawyer's fee is a percentage of the total compensation recovered for you. If you do not win your case, you do not owe attorney fees. Your first consultation is free, with no pressure and no obligation.
Common causes include driver fatigue from violating hours-of-service rules, speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, poor vehicle maintenance such as worn brakes or bald tires, and improperly secured cargo. Dallas' busy freight corridors, including I-35E, I-30, and I-635, see heavy commercial truck traffic, which increases the risk of these crashes.
