Dallas 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer | Truck Injury Attorney

An 18-wheeler accident can destroy your life in seconds. These massive commercial trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and can cause catastrophic injuries or death when they collide with passenger vehicles. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident in Dallas, you need an attorney who knows how to fight trucking companies and their insurers.

Varghese Summersett has recovered millions for truck accident victims across Texas. Our Dallas 18 wheeler accident lawyers handle every aspect of your case while you focus on recovery.

Call (214) 903-4000 for a free consultation. We don’t get paid unless you do.

Why 18 Wheeler Accidents Are Different

Truck accidents are not like car accidents. The stakes are higher, the injuries are worse, and the legal battles are more complex.

Commercial trucking cases involve federal regulations, corporate defendants, multiple insurance policies, and teams of defense lawyers who show up within hours of the crash. The trucking company’s goal is to minimize what they pay you or deny your claim entirely.

You need a lawyer who understands the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and knows how to investigate trucking companies. These cases require experts in accident reconstruction, trucking operations, and medical treatment. We work with the best in every field.

A Dallas 18 wheeler accident lawyer understands these complexities and knows how to build a case that holds trucking companies accountable.

Common Causes of Dallas 18 Wheeler Accidents

Truck accidents happen for many reasons, but most come down to negligence by the driver or the company that employs them.

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes. Federal law limits how many hours truckers can drive, but companies pressure drivers to falsify logbooks and keep driving when they’re exhausted. A drowsy driver at the wheel of an 80,000-pound truck is deadly.

Other common causes include distracted driving, speeding, improper loading, inadequate training, poor vehicle maintenance, and driving under the influence. Sometimes the truck itself has mechanical defects that make it unsafe.

Dallas has several major highways where truck accidents frequently occur. Interstate 35E, Interstate 30, Interstate 20, and the LBJ Freeway (Interstate 635) all see heavy commercial truck traffic. These highways connect to distribution centers and freight hubs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Get the legal help you deserve. Call (214) 903-4000 to schedule your free consultation.

Types of Compensation Available

Texas law allows truck accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and rehabilitation costs. These are the tangible financial losses you can prove with documents and expert testimony.

Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages recognize that some injuries cannot be measured in dollars alone.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.008, a Dallas 18 wheeler accident lawyer may also recover exemplary (punitive) damages if the defendant’s conduct involved fraud, malice, or gross negligence. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

Wrongful death claims are also available when a truck accident kills someone. Surviving family members can recover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, loss of financial support, and mental anguish.

How Liability Works in Texas Truck Accidents

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 were not more than 50% responsible for the accident.

Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 20% at fault and your damages total $500,000, you would recover $400,000.

Trucking cases often involve multiple defendants. The driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, the manufacturer of a defective part, or the company responsible for maintenance could all be liable.

Trucking companies try to classify drivers as independent contractors to avoid liability. Texas courts look at the actual relationship between the driver and company, not just what the contract says. If the company controlled the driver’s work, they can be held responsible.

What Your Truck Accident Case May Be Worth

Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, how much the accident disrupted your life, and who was at fault.

Catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and severe burns result in higher settlements because the medical costs and life-long impacts are greater. Cases involving permanent disability or disfigurement are also worth more.

The defendant’s conduct matters too. If the trucking company knowingly violated safety regulations or the driver was drunk, the case value increases. Clear liability with strong evidence leads to better settlements.

Insurance policy limits also play a role. Federal law requires commercial trucks to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, but many carriers have policies worth several million dollars. An experienced Dallas 18 wheeler accident lawyer knows how to identify all available insurance policies to maximize your recovery.

Find out what your case is worth. Call (214) 903-4000 for a free case evaluation.

The Claims Process and Timeline

Truck accident cases take time. Insurance companies do not write checks the day after the crash, no matter how badly you were hurt.

The first step is investigating the accident. We visit the crash site, obtain the police report, request the truck’s electronic logging device data, review the driver’s qualifications and history, inspect the truck itself, and interview witnesses. This investigation can take several weeks or months depending on the case.

While we investigate, you should focus on your medical treatment. See every doctor your treatment team recommends and follow their instructions. Missing appointments or refusing treatment gives the insurance company ammunition to claim you weren’t really hurt.

Once we complete our investigation and you reach maximum medical improvement, we send a demand package to the insurance company. This package includes all medical records, bills, wage loss documentation, and evidence of liability. The insurer has a set time to respond.

Most cases settle during negotiations. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we file a lawsuit. Texas gives you two years from the date of the accident to file suit under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003.

After filing suit, the case goes through discovery where both sides exchange information and take depositions. This phase can last six months to a year. Many cases settle during or after discovery when the defense realizes the strength of our evidence.

If the case goes to trial, a jury will decide fault and damages. Trials typically last three to five days for truck accident cases.

Why Insurance Companies Fight Truck Accident Claims

Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible, or nothing at all.

The adjuster will try to get you to give a recorded statement within days of the accident. They hope you’ll say something they can use against you later, like admitting partial fault or downplaying your injuries.

They’ll also push you to settle quickly before you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you settle, you cannot come back for more money if your condition worsens.

Defense lawyers use common tactics to reduce your claim. They argue you were at fault, claim your injuries were pre-existing, say you didn’t follow medical advice, or contend your damages are exaggerated.

Having an experienced truck accident lawyer levels the playing field. We know these tactics and how to counter them. We don’t let insurance companies bully our clients into accepting lowball offers.

Don’t face the insurance company alone. Call (214) 903-4000 to protect your rights.

What to Expect from Varghese Summersett

We have four Texas offices and over 70 team members dedicated to getting results for our clients. Our Dallas office is centrally located, making us accessible when you need us.

When you hire us, we handle everything. We investigate your accident, deal with the insurance companies, file your lawsuit, and take your case to trial if necessary. You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

Our Dallas 18 wheeler accident lawyers work with top medical experts, accident reconstructionists, economists, and vocational rehabilitation specialists. We build cases that show exactly how the accident happened and document every dollar of your damages.

Our experience, before a jury, makes insurance companies think twice before lowballing our clients. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but our track record speaks for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?

Texas gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If someone died in the crash, the family has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to sue, so contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

What if the truck driver was working for a major carrier?

Large trucking companies have big insurance policies and teams of lawyers. This is actually good for you because it means more money is available to compensate you. We have experience taking on national carriers and we’re not intimidated by corporate defendants.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes, as long as you were less than 51% responsible for the accident. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system, so your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $70,000.

What if my injuries don’t show up right away?

Many serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage don’t show symptoms immediately. See a doctor within 24 hours of the accident even if you feel fine. Delayed treatment gives the insurance company an excuse to deny your claim.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?

We work on contingency, which means you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing. We also advance all case expenses, so you’re never out of pocket for filing fees, expert costs, or court reporters.

Protect Your Rights and Your Recovery

An 18-wheeler accident can leave you with medical bills you can’t pay, lost wages you can’t recover, and injuries that change your life forever. You shouldn’t have to face this alone.

The insurance company is already building its defense. You need a Dallas 18 wheeler accident lawyer who will fight for every dollar you deserve.

Varghese Summersett has offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and Southlake. We represent truck accident victims throughout Texas. Our lawyers are available 24/7 because we know accidents don’t happen on a schedule.

Call (214) 903-4000 now for a free consultation. Don’t let the trucking company’s lawyers control your future.