Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
Available 24/7 (214) 333-3333
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 an instant. One moment you are driving through Fort Worth on your normal routine, maybe on I-35W near the AllianceTexas corridor, on I-30 heading toward the Mixmaster, or on Loop 820. The next, you are dealing with serious injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and real uncertainty about what comes next. When a truck driver or trucking company is responsible, you should not have to carry that burden alone.
Commercial vehicle accident claims are far more complicated than standard car accident cases. Crashes involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and delivery vehicles can implicate multiple parties at once: the driver, the trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and their insurers. These companies move fast to protect themselves, often sending their own investigators and legal teams to the scene within hours. Our Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident attorneys have decades of experience handling these complex cases. We know how to secure critical evidence, analyze driver logs and safety records, and build strong claims against powerful trucking companies and their carriers.
If you or a loved one was injured in a commercial vehicle accident in Fort Worth, we may be able to help you pursue 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 Fort Worth?
Yes, and time matters. Trucking companies send their own investigators and legal teams to the scene within hours to begin protecting their interests. You need an attorney who moves just as fast. Frenkel & Frenkel investigates the crash, preserves black box and electronic logging device data, identifies every party that may share fault, and handles the insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery. You pay nothing unless we win.
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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.
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 generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. If you miss this deadline, you typically lose your right to seek compensation. Limited exceptions apply. If the injured person is a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18. If a government-owned vehicle was involved, such as a city or county transit vehicle, you may need to file a formal notice of claim within six months. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better. Electronic data can be overwritten. Evidence disappears from crash scenes quickly. Witnesses forget details. Acting early helps protect your rights.
Quick Answer
What evidence can be lost if I wait to hire a Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident attorney?
Waiting even a few weeks after a commercial truck accident can cost you evidence that is critical to your claim:
Texas gives you two years to file, but the evidence window is far shorter. Contact us today.
Don't Wait — Call (817) 333-3333One of the most important distinctions in commercial vehicle cases is that more than one party may share fault. It is rarely just the driver. The trucking company, the cargo loading company, the vehicle manufacturer, or a maintenance provider could each carry some responsibility.
A trucking company can be held accountable for hiring unqualified drivers, failing to maintain its fleet, or pushing drivers to violate hours-of-service rules to meet delivery schedules. If a defective part caused the crash, the manufacturer may bear liability. If improperly secured or overloaded cargo shifted and caused a rollover on Loop 820 or I-35W, the loading company may share fault.
We investigate every angle to identify every responsible party. This matters because each additional defendant may carry its own insurance policy, which can significantly increase the total recovery available to you.
Quick Answer
Can I recover more compensation if multiple parties caused my Fort Worth truck accident?
Potentially yes. Each party at fault may carry its own insurance policy, and identifying multiple defendants can open up recovery sources that a single-defendant case would not. That is one of the strongest reasons to work with 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 Fort Worth.
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Verdict - Commercial Vehicle Collision
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Settlement - Serious Motor Vehicle Wreck
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 occurs when a truck's trailer swings outward to a 90-degree angle from the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic. These crashes can involve multiple vehicles and cause catastrophic injuries. They are commonly caused by sudden braking, wet or icy roads, or speeding, and are especially dangerous on high-volume corridors like I-35W and I-30 through Fort Worth.
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides under the side or rear of a truck trailer. An override occurs when a truck rolls over a smaller vehicle. These are among the deadliest types of commercial vehicle crashes and frequently result in fatal injuries. Underride guards are federally required but are not always properly maintained.
Commercial trucks can roll over because of sharp turns at high speed, shifting or unsecured cargo, tire blowouts, or driver error. Rollovers can block entire roadways and cause chain-reaction crashes. The tight curves on Loop 820 and the complex interchanges in the Mixmaster area are among the locations in Fort Worth where these crashes have occurred.
Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides, commonly called 'no-zones.' Crashes happen when a truck driver changes lanes or makes a turn without detecting a vehicle in one of these zones. The size and number of these blind spots make awareness critical for all drivers sharing the road.
Improperly secured cargo can fall from a truck and create sudden, deadly hazards. Debris can strike vehicles directly or force drivers to swerve into other lanes. The company responsible for loading or securing the cargo may share fault along with the trucking company.
Because of their massive weight, commercial trucks require far more distance to stop than passenger vehicles. Rear-end crashes at highway speeds can be catastrophic. Intersection collisions involving commercial trucks are also common, particularly on Fort Worth's busiest surface streets and on and off ramps along I-35W and I-30.
The largest trucks on the road, weighing up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded. Fort Worth is one of the most active freight markets in Texas, and these vehicles operate constantly on I-35W, I-30, and other major corridors. Crashes involving 18-wheelers frequently result in catastrophic or fatal injuries because of the extreme weight and size difference with passenger vehicles.
Heavy construction vehicles, including dump trucks, cement mixers, and flatbed trucks, are common throughout Fort Worth due to ongoing commercial and residential development. Their size, limited visibility, and frequent turns on and off job sites create serious hazards for other drivers and pedestrians.
Vehicles operated by major shipping and delivery companies make stops throughout Fort Worth neighborhoods and business districts every day. Their constant stops, tight delivery schedules, and high volume create accident risks, especially in dense commercial areas and residential streets.
Trucks hauling fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous materials are common in and around Fort Worth, particularly on freight routes near AllianceTexas and industrial areas in Tarrant County. A crash involving a tanker can lead to fire, explosion, or toxic spill, creating danger far beyond the point of impact.
City transit buses, charter buses, school buses, and shuttle buses are commercial vehicles subject to their own regulatory requirements. Accidents involving buses can injure passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. Claims involving government-owned or operated buses may have shorter notice deadlines than standard personal injury cases.
Medium-sized commercial vehicles used by businesses for hauling goods or performing trade services travel throughout Fort Worth daily. While smaller than an 18-wheeler, they are still significantly larger and heavier than passenger cars and can cause serious injuries in a crash.
Move to safety first, then call 911 to report the crash and request medical help. If you are able to do so safely, take photos of all vehicles involved, the crash scene, the truck's DOT number and company name, and any visible injuries. Exchange information with the truck driver, but do not discuss fault. See a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel okay. Serious injuries, including internal trauma and traumatic brain injury, may not produce clear symptoms right away. Contact a Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident attorney as quickly as you can so evidence preservation can begin immediately.
More than one party may share responsibility. This can include the truck driver for direct negligence, the trucking company for negligent hiring, poor maintenance, or hours-of-service violations, the cargo loading company if freight was improperly secured or overloaded, and a parts manufacturer if a defective component contributed to the crash. We investigate every case thoroughly to identify every potentially liable party and every insurance policy that may apply.
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline typically ends your right to seek compensation, even if the case is otherwise strong. If a government-owned vehicle was involved, such as a city or county bus, the deadline to file a formal notice of claim may be far shorter, sometimes as little as six months. Contact a Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident attorney as soon as possible to make sure no deadlines are missed.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, sometimes called the 51% bar. If you are found 50% or less at fault for the crash, you can still recover damages, but your award is reduced by your share of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you would recover $80,000. If you are found 51% or more at fault, Texas law bars recovery entirely. Trucking companies and their insurers often try to push your fault percentage as high as possible to reduce or eliminate their liability. An attorney can challenge those claims with evidence.
Commercial vehicle cases involve layers of complexity that standard car accident cases do not. They are governed by both FMCSA federal regulations and Texas state trucking rules. They often implicate multiple liable parties, each with their own insurance policy. The insurance coverage amounts are dramatically higher than in personal auto cases. Trucking companies frequently deploy rapid-response investigators to the crash scene within hours to manage evidence and protect the company's position. Critical electronic evidence, including black box data and ELD records, can be overwritten within 30 days if not preserved through a formal litigation hold. An experienced Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident attorney can act immediately to secure that evidence.
Not before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters work for the trucking company's carrier, and their goal is to limit what the company pays. They may contact you quickly after the crash and ask for a recorded statement or request that you sign documents. Both can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Politely decline until you have spoken with a Fort Worth commercial vehicle accident lawyer. Once you have legal representation, all insurer communications go through your attorney.
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to recover economic damages including past and future medical bills, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. You may also recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving extreme recklessness or gross negligence, Texas law may also allow exemplary, or punitive, damages. Because commercial trucks carry significantly higher insurance limits than passenger vehicles, the potential recovery in these cases can be substantially greater.
Most modern commercial trucks carry an electronic data recorder, commonly called a black box or ECM (electronic control module). This device logs the truck's speed, braking activity, engine status, and hours of operation in the seconds before and during a crash. That data can be decisive evidence for establishing what the driver was doing and who was at fault. It can also be overwritten within 30 days if the trucking company is not formally notified to preserve it. An attorney can send a litigation hold letter to the carrier immediately after the crash to prevent that from happening.
There is no upfront cost. Frenkel & Frenkel handles commercial vehicle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we do not win, you owe no attorney fees. Your first consultation is free and comes with no pressure and no obligation. Call (817) 333-3333 to get started.
Common causes include driver fatigue from violations of hours-of-service rules, speeding to meet delivery deadlines, distracted driving, drug or alcohol impairment, poor vehicle maintenance such as worn brakes or underinflated tires, and improperly secured cargo. Fort Worth's role as a major national freight hub means heavy commercial truck traffic flows constantly through I-35W, I-30, I-20, Loop 820, and US-287. The I-30 and I-35W Mixmaster interchange is among the highest-risk chokepoints in the region, where the combination of heavy truck volume, complex merges, and sudden speed changes creates elevated crash risk.
