Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
A collision with an 18-wheeler is a life-altering event. When eighty thousand pounds of steel hits a passenger vehicle, the results are almost always devastating. One moment you are commuting through Dallas; the next, your vehicle is crushed and your health is in jeopardy. You trusted other drivers to be safe, but a massive rig changed everything.
These cases require a deep dive into “black box” data and carrier records. 18-wheeler accident claims are unique because of the sheer scale of the evidence, from tire tread analysis to braking distances. Our Dallas 18-wheeler accident attorneys have spent decades standing up to the massive corporations that own these fleets.
If you were injured by an 18-wheeler in Dallas, we have the resources to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
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Quick Answer
Why can't I handle a truck accident claim on my own?
Trucking companies carry large insurance policies and deploy investigators within hours of a crash to protect their interests. Without an attorney, you risk losing critical black box data, accepting a lowball settlement, or being assigned more fault than you deserve. Frenkel & Frenkel levels the playing field — at no cost to you unless we win.
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Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties who may share responsibility. The truck driver could be liable for negligent driving. The trucking company could be responsible for poor hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate safety rules.
The company that loaded the cargo could be liable if improper loading caused the crash. A maintenance provider could be responsible if negligent repairs led to mechanical failure. The truck or parts manufacturer could be at fault if a defective part caused the accident.
Identifying all liable parties is important because it may open up multiple insurance policies and increase the total compensation available to you. We investigate every angle to find everyone who shares responsibility.
Truck accidents are far more serious than typical car crashes. An 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. That is 20 times heavier than a passenger car. The force of impact from a truck can cause catastrophic injuries or death.
These cases also involve federal regulations that do not apply to regular car accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for trucking companies. These include limits on how many hours a driver can work, drug testing requirements, and vehicle maintenance standards. When trucking companies or drivers break these rules, it can be strong evidence of negligence.
Another big difference is that multiple parties may be responsible. The driver, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, or a parts manufacturer could all share liability. This means more investigation, more insurance policies, and a more aggressive defense. You need an attorney who knows how to handle these complex cases.
If a truck accident hurts you, we are ready to listen. Contact us today for a free case review.
Your safety comes first. If you are injured, 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 spot away from traffic. Call the police and make sure an official accident report is filed. Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, any visible injuries, and the truck’s DOT number and company name. Exchange insurance and contact 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, like internal bleeding or brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Then contact a truck accident attorney immediately. Evidence in these cases can disappear quickly. Trucking companies often send investigators to the scene within hours to protect their interests.
Most modern commercial trucks have an Electronic Control Module (ECM), also called a “black box.” This device records data about the truck’s operation in the moments before and during a crash. It can show the truck’s speed, braking patterns, RPMs, and whether the driver was following Hours of Service regulations.
This data is often unbiased proof of what really happened. It can show if the driver was speeding, failed to brake in time, or was driving while fatigued. But trucking companies can overwrite or erase this data if it is not preserved quickly.
A lawyer can send a spoliation letter to the trucking company demanding they preserve all evidence, including black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records. Acting fast is critical to protecting this evidence.
Quick Answer
How do I stop a trucking company from deleting the black box data?
You cannot do this on your own — but an attorney can. Within hours of being hired, we send a formal spoliation letter demanding the trucking company preserve:
Once a spoliation letter is sent, the company is legally obligated to preserve this evidence. Call us immediately after your accident.
Call Now — (214) 333-3333Under 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 forever.
If the crash resulted in a death, the family has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. There are very limited exceptions to this deadline.
The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. Evidence fades, witnesses forget details, and electronic data can be overwritten. Acting quickly helps protect your rights and may strengthen your case.
Quick Answer
Are there exceptions to the 2-year filing deadline in Texas truck accident cases?
Yes — but they are narrow. Do not count on them. The standard deadline under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 is 2 years from the date of the accident. Limited exceptions may apply in these situations:
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Contact us to discuss the specific facts of your case.
Don't Wait — Call (214) 333-3333
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 accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and investigators. You do not pay us back unless we win your case.
Our attorneys have spent decades fighting for people hurt in truck 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 over $1 Billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients. For 16 straight years, our attorneys have been named among the Best Lawyers in Dallas and Fort Worth.
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Texas gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is strict. If you miss it, you typically cannot recover compensation (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 million to $5 million in coverage. Compare this to the $30,000 per person minimum for regular cars in Texas.
Federal law limits how long a truck driver can be on the road. Generally, a driver can drive for up to 11 hours within a 14-hour window, then must take 10 consecutive hours off duty. Violations of these rules can be strong evidence of negligence. Driver fatigue is a factor in up to 31% of fatal truck crashes.
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. Major freight corridors like I-35, I-20, and I-30 are high-risk areas for truck accidents (TxDOT data).
Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations
Trucking companies often pressure drivers to meet tight deadlines, pushing them to drive while exhausted. Federal law limits how long drivers can be on the road, but violations are common. Fatigued driving slows reaction time and impairs judgment just like drunk driving. Hours of Service violations are strong evidence of negligence.
Blind Spots and No-Zone Accidents
Large trucks have massive blind spots on all four sides, known as “no-zones.” When a truck driver changes lanes or turns without seeing a car in one of these blind spots, serious accidents can happen. Cars that travel in a truck’s blind spot or try to pass on the right during a turn are at high risk.
Improper Loading and Cargo Shifts
Cargo that is not properly loaded or 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 that loaded the truck may share liability for these crashes.
Brake Failures and Poor Maintenance
Trucking companies are required to inspect and maintain their vehicles regularly. Worn brakes, bald tires, faulty lights, and broken steering parts can cause or worsen accidents. When companies cut corners on maintenance to save money, people get hurt.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
An 80,000-pound truck needs 20% to 40% more stopping distance than a passenger car. Speeding drastically increases stopping distance and the force of impact. Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and road rage make crashes even more likely and more severe.
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.
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, speeding, or improperly loaded cargo.
An underride crash happens when a smaller car slides underneath the side or rear of a truck trailer. The top of the car is often sheared off, causing fatal injuries. An override occurs when a truck runs over a smaller vehicle. These are among the deadliest types of truck accidents.
To make a right turn, truck drivers often need to swing wide to the left first. Cars that try to pass on the right can get "squeezed" between the truck and the curb or another vehicle. These crashes are common in urban areas and at busy Dallas intersections.
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 and massive property damage.
When a truck tire blows out at highway speed, the driver can lose control. Large pieces of tire debris can strike other vehicles or force drivers to swerve. Poor maintenance, worn tires, and overloading are common causes of tire blowouts.
Due to their weight, commercial trucks take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles. Rear-end crashes at highway speeds can be catastrophic. When a truck rear-ends a car, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are at high risk of serious injury or death.
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 liable for these accidents.
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. Then contact a truck accident attorney immediately to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
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, a maintenance provider if negligent repairs led to mechanical failure, 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.
Most modern commercial trucks have an electronic data recorder, often called a "black box" or Electronic Control Module (ECM). 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.
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.
Truck accident cases are much more complex. They involve federal and state trucking regulations (FMCSA rules), 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 and build a strong case.
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 strongly 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, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In rare cases involving extreme negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may also be available.
Common causes include driver fatigue from violating Hours of Service rules, speeding and aggressive driving, distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, poor vehicle maintenance such as worn brakes or bald tires, improperly secured cargo, and blind spot accidents. Dallas' busy freight corridors, including I-35, I-30, I-20, and I-635, see heavy commercial truck traffic, which increases the risk of these crashes.
Every case is different. Some cases settle in a few months, while others may take a year or more, depending on the severity of injuries, complexity of fault, and whether the trucking company makes a fair offer. About 90% of truck accident cases settle before going to trial. We work to move cases forward efficiently while fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
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. Trucking companies often try to shift blame onto you to reduce their payout. A skilled attorney can investigate the crash and fight back against unfair fault assignments.
