A commercial truck accident can destroy your finances, your health, and your sense of safety on the road. If you were hit by a semi-truck, delivery truck, or other commercial vehicle in Dallas, you’re facing insurance companies with entire legal teams dedicated to paying you as little as possible.
At Varghese Summersett, our Dallas truck accident lawyers fight back. We’ve secured millions in compensation for injury victims across Texas. Our team of legal professionals has the resources to take on trucking companies and their insurers. We offer a free consultation to review your case, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Call (214) 903-4000 to speak with a Dallas commercial truck accident lawyer today.
Why Commercial Truck Accidents Are Different from Car Crashes
Commercial truck accidents cause far more serious injuries than typical car crashes. An 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. That’s 20 times heavier than a standard passenger car. When that much mass collides with a smaller vehicle, the results are often catastrophic.
These cases also involve more complex legal issues. Multiple parties may share liability. The trucking company, the driver, the cargo loader, the truck manufacturer, or the maintenance provider could all be responsible. Texas law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003.
Commercial truck accidents require attorneys who understand federal trucking regulations, black box data, driver logs, and how to prove corporate negligence. Insurance companies know this. They hope you’ll accept a quick settlement before you realize the full extent of your damages.
Common Causes of Dallas Commercial Truck Accidents
Most commercial truck accidents are preventable. They happen because someone cut corners, ignored safety regulations, or failed to properly maintain equipment.
Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes. Federal law limits truck drivers to 11 hours of driving time within a 14-hour window, but some drivers falsify their logs to make more money. Distracted driving also plays a role. Drivers who check their phones, eat, or adjust GPS devices while driving an 80,000-pound vehicle put everyone at risk.
Improper loading causes trucks to tip over or lose cargo on the highway. Inadequate training means drivers don’t know how to handle dangerous conditions. Mechanical failures, from brake problems to tire blowouts, often result from poor maintenance.
Some trucking companies pressure drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines. They cut maintenance costs to boost profits. They hire inexperienced drivers without proper vetting. When companies prioritize speed and cost savings over safety, innocent people get hurt.
Were you injured in a truck accident? Schedule a free consultation with our Dallas team at (214) 903-4000.
Injuries From Commercial Truck Crashes
Commercial truck accidents produce some of the most severe injuries we see in personal injury law. The force of impact can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ damage, and severe burns. Many victims face permanent disabilities.
These injuries require extensive medical treatment. Emergency surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation all come with massive bills. Some victims can’t return to work for months or years. Others never work again.
The emotional toll is just as real. Accident victims struggle with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and loss of independence. Family members become caregivers. Children lose time with their parents. Marriages strain under the financial and emotional pressure.
Texas law allows you to recover compensation for all of these losses. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligence.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Commercial Truck Accident?
Truck accident liability often extends beyond the driver. Under Texas law, multiple parties can share responsibility.
The trucking company may be liable if it failed to properly train the driver, ignored safety violations, or pushed drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations. Many companies try to classify drivers as independent contractors to avoid liability, but Texas courts often reject this defense when the company controls how the work is performed.
The cargo loading company can be held responsible if improper loading caused the accident. Maintenance providers may be liable if they failed to properly service the truck. Manufacturers can be sued if a defective part caused the crash.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you’re less than 51% responsible. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies will try to shift blame to you. They’ll claim you were speeding, distracted, or driving recklessly. Don’t give a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer first.
What Your Dallas Commercial Truck Accident Case Is Worth
The value of a truck accident case depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the insurance coverage available. Our Dallas attorneys fight to maximize every category of damages.
Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, future medical care, rehabilitation costs, and property damage. These are easier to calculate because they have clear dollar amounts attached.
Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and disability. These are harder to quantify but often represent the largest part of your compensation.
Texas law caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, but truck accident cases have no such limits. If the trucking company’s conduct was especially reckless, you may also recover punitive damages designed to punish and deter future misconduct.
Commercial trucks typically carry insurance policies worth $1 million or more. In cases involving hazardous materials, policies can reach $5 million or higher. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Get a free case evaluation from our Dallas commercial truck accident lawyers. Call (214) 903-4000 now.
How Insurance Companies Fight Commercial Truck Accident Claims
Insurance companies have one goal after a truck accident: pay as little as possible. They’ll use every tactic available to reduce or deny your claim.
They’ll call you within hours of the accident, acting sympathetic and helpful. They’ll offer you a quick settlement before you’ve even seen a doctor. They’ll ask you to give a recorded statement, hoping you’ll say something they can use against you later.
They’ll hire investigators to dig into your medical history, your social media, and your personal life. They’ll claim your injuries existed before the accident. They’ll argue that you didn’t seek treatment quickly enough. They’ll hire “independent” examiners who always seem to conclude your injuries aren’t that serious.
They’ll delay your claim, hoping you’ll become desperate for money and accept less. They’ll make lowball offers disguised as “final” settlements. They’ll threaten to take the offer off the table if you don’t accept immediately.
Our Dallas attorneys have seen all of these tactics. We know how to counter them. We build cases that insurance companies can’t ignore.
The Claims Process After a Dallas Truck Accident
The first step is gathering evidence. This includes the police report, witness statements, photos of the scene, medical records, and the truck’s black box data. Federal regulations require commercial trucks to have electronic logging devices that record speed, braking, and hours of service. This data can prove the driver was fatigued, speeding, or violating regulations.
We also obtain the driver’s employment records, training documents, and safety history. We review the trucking company’s inspection reports and maintenance logs. We hire accident reconstruction experts when necessary.
Once we’ve built a strong case, we submit a demand to the insurance company. This includes a detailed breakdown of your damages and the evidence proving liability. The insurance company will either make a counteroffer or deny the claim.
If negotiations fail, we file a lawsuit. Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to a jury. Insurance companies pay more when they know you have lawyers willing to go to court.
The entire process typically takes six months to two years, depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate fairly.
Watch: What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident
Evidence That Strengthens Your Truck Accident Case
Strong evidence makes the difference between a rejected claim and maximum compensation. The more proof you have, the harder it is for insurance companies to deny liability.
Start by taking photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses. File a police report and request a copy.
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for days or weeks. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries weren’t serious.
Don’t post about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter looking for evidence to use against you. A single photo of you smiling at a family gathering can be twisted to suggest you’re not really injured.
Keep copies of all medical bills, prescription receipts, and documentation of lost wages. Track how the injuries affect your daily life. Write down pain levels, activities you can no longer do, and how the accident has changed your routine.
The black box data from the truck is often the most powerful evidence. This data must be preserved quickly before it’s overwritten. Our attorneys send preservation letters immediately to ensure this evidence isn’t lost.
Protect your right to compensation. Contact our Dallas truck accident lawyers at (214) 903-4000 for a free consultation.
Why Choose Varghese Summersett for Your Dallas Truck Accident Case
Trucking companies and their insurers hire aggressive defense lawyers to protect their profits. You need a legal team with equal firepower.
Our firm has secured millions in compensation for injury victims across Texas. With dozens of team members across offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake, we have the infrastructure to handle complex litigation.
We offer free consultations. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. There’s no financial risk to hiring us.
We understand what you’re going through. Truck accidents turn lives upside down. You’re worried about medical bills, lost income, and whether you’ll ever fully recover. You shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a Dallas truck accident lawyer?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes from a percentage of the settlement or verdict. You never pay out of pocket for our services. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us anything.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Dallas?
Texas gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation. Some exceptions exist for cases involving minors or delayed discovery of injuries, but you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible. Evidence disappears and witnesses’ memories fade over time.
What if the truck driver says I caused the accident?
The driver’s statement is just one piece of evidence. We investigate the accident independently. We review the police report, interview witnesses, analyze the black box data, and consult with accident reconstruction experts. Even if you share some fault, you can still recover damages under Texas’s comparative negligence law as long as you’re less than 51% responsible.
Can I sue the trucking company or just the driver?
You can sue both. In most cases, the trucking company is responsible for the actions of its drivers under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. We investigate whether the company failed to properly train the driver, ignored safety violations, or pushed the driver to violate regulations. The company typically has much deeper insurance coverage than individual drivers.
How long will my Dallas truck accident case take?
Most cases settle within six months to two years. Simple cases with clear liability and adequate insurance may settle quickly. Complex cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or multiple defendants take longer. We never rush your case. We wait until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement so we can accurately calculate your future damages.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Commercial truck accidents cause devastating injuries and financial hardship. You shouldn’t have to navigate this process alone. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers protecting their interests. You need someone fighting for yours.
Our Dallas commercial truck accident lawyers have the experience, resources, and determination to take on trucking companies and their insurers. We’ve secured millions in compensation for injury victims across Texas. We know how to build winning cases.
We offer free consultations with no obligation. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. You pay nothing unless we win.
Call (214) 903-4000 to schedule your free consultation with a Dallas commercial truck accident lawyer today.
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