Fort Worth Truck Wreck Lawyer: What You Need to Know After a Serious Crash
If you’ve been hurt in a truck wreck in Fort Worth, you need a lawyer who understands the unique challenges these cases present. Truck accident claims involve multiple liable parties, federal trucking regulations, and insurance companies with teams of attorneys working against you from day one. At Varghese Summersett, our personal injury team has recovered millions for truck wreck victims across Tarrant County, and we know exactly how to build cases that get results.
Fort Worth sits at the crossroads of some of Texas’s deadliest truck corridors. With over 13,445 truck-involved crashes recorded in a single recent year, our city sees more 18-wheeler wrecks than almost anywhere else in the state. If you or someone you love has been injured, understanding your legal options could mean the difference between struggling with medical bills and securing the compensation you deserve.
Why Fort Worth Is One of Texas’s Most Dangerous Cities for Truck Wrecks
Texas leads the nation in large-truck crash fatalities, and Fort Worth ranks among the worst cities in the worst state. The numbers tell a sobering story.
In 2024, Texas recorded more than 39,000 commercial motor vehicle crashes statewide. Roughly 730 people died in large-truck crashes in 2023 alone, accounting for about 17% of all traffic deaths in Texas. That fatality rate is more than double the national average for all motor vehicle crashes.
Fort Worth’s location makes it a perfect storm for truck traffic. Our city sits where I-20, I-30, I-35W, and I-820 intersect, creating a web of interstate highways that carry both daily commuters and long-haul freight. A 2025 analysis of Texas’s deadliest road stretches identified several Fort Worth corridors in the statewide top tier:
- I-20 from Granbury Road to Bowman Springs Road
- I-35W from I-20 to E Long Avenue
- I-30 from S Cherry Lane to Beach Street
- I-820 from Mark IV Parkway to Randol Mill Road
Each of these stretches has seen dozens of fatal crashes over the past several years. When a fully loaded tractor-trailer weighing up to 80,000 pounds collides with a 4,000-pound passenger car at highway speeds, the results are catastrophic.
Common Causes of Truck Wrecks in Fort Worth
Most truck wrecks aren’t random accidents. They happen because someone, whether the driver, the trucking company, or another party, cut corners on safety.
Driver Fatigue
Federal hours-of-service regulations under 49 CFR Part 395 limit how long truckers can drive without rest. But pressure to meet delivery deadlines pushes many drivers to falsify their logs or push through exhaustion. A drowsy driver behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler is a deadly threat to everyone on Fort Worth’s highways.
Distracted Driving
Texting, using GPS devices, eating, or even adjusting the radio takes a trucker’s attention off the road. At 65 miles per hour, a truck travels the length of a football field in just a few seconds. That’s plenty of time for a distraction to turn fatal.
Improper Loading
Cargo that’s loaded incorrectly can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable or jackknife. Overloaded trucks also have longer stopping distances and put extra stress on brakes and tires.
Poor Maintenance
Trucking companies are required to maintain their vehicles according to federal standards. When they skip inspections or delay repairs to keep trucks on the road, brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical problems lead to wrecks.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
A loaded semi needs roughly 525 feet to stop from highway speed, nearly twice the distance of a passenger car. Truckers who speed or drive aggressively simply cannot stop in time to avoid collisions.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Fort Worth Truck Wrecks
The physics of a truck collision are brutal. When a vehicle weighing 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car strikes at highway speed, the human body absorbs tremendous force. Our attorneys have represented clients with injuries including:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that cause permanent cognitive problems, personality changes, and disability. Even a “mild” concussion can lead to months of headaches, memory issues, and difficulty working.
Spinal cord injuries resulting in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require lifetime care and can cost millions in medical expenses.
Multiple broken bones that may need surgery, hardware implantation, and extensive physical therapy. Some fractures never heal correctly and cause chronic pain.
Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Severe burns when trucks carrying flammable cargo catch fire after impact.
Wrongful death claims when families lose loved ones to these preventable crashes. Texas law allows surviving family members to seek compensation for their loss under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Fort Worth Truck Wreck?
One of the biggest differences between a car accident and a truck wreck is the number of potentially liable parties. Your case might involve claims against:
The truck driver if they were speeding, distracted, fatigued, impaired, or otherwise negligent behind the wheel.
The trucking company for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressure to violate hours-of-service rules, or failure to maintain vehicles. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are often liable for their employees’ negligence while working.
The cargo loading company if improperly secured or overweight cargo contributed to the wreck.
The truck or parts manufacturer if a defective component like brakes, tires, or steering caused or worsened the crash.
Maintenance providers if negligent repairs or inspections led to mechanical failure.
Government entities if dangerous road design or poor maintenance contributed to the wreck (though sovereign immunity under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 101 limits these claims).
Identifying all responsible parties is critical because it maximizes your potential recovery. A thorough investigation often reveals that the trucking company’s policies, not just the driver’s actions, created the conditions for a crash.
How a Fort Worth Truck Wreck Lawyer Builds Your Case
Truck wreck cases require fast action and specialized knowledge. Here’s what an experienced attorney does that you cannot do on your own:
Preserve Critical Evidence Before It Disappears
Trucking companies know that evidence can make or break a lawsuit. Without legal intervention, they may repair or destroy the truck, allowing crucial evidence to vanish. Black box data, also called the electronic control module (ECM), records speed, braking, and other data in the moments before a crash. Driver logs, inspection records, and GPS data can prove violations of federal regulations. An attorney sends a spoliation letter demanding that evidence be preserved.
Investigate Federal Regulation Violations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets extensive rules governing the trucking industry. Your lawyer will examine whether the driver exceeded hours-of-service limits under 49 CFR Part 395, whether the company conducted required drug and alcohol testing under 49 CFR Part 382, and whether vehicles were properly inspected under 49 CFR Part 396.
Calculate Your Full Damages
Insurance adjusters try to settle claims quickly and cheaply. They may offer a lump sum that sounds like a lot but falls far short of covering your future needs. An experienced truck wreck lawyer works with medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to determine the true cost of your injuries, including future surgeries, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Handle the Insurance Companies
Major trucking companies carry policies worth $1 million or more, and their insurers deploy experienced adjusters and defense attorneys to minimize payouts. You need someone equally skilled negotiating on your behalf.
What Our Fort Worth Truck Wreck Lawyers Have Accomplished
Results matter more than promises. Here’s an example of how our approach makes a difference:
In 2023, our attorneys represented a family whose vehicle was rear-ended by a commercial truck on I-30 near downtown Fort Worth. The trucking company’s insurer initially offered a nominal value to settle, claiming their driver was not at fault. Our investigation told a different story. We obtained the truck’s ECM data, which showed the driver was traveling 12 miles per hour over the posted limit. We subpoenaed driver logs and discovered the trucker had exceeded his hours-of-service limit by three hours that day. We also found that the company had received two prior complaints about this driver’s aggressive driving but took no corrective action. Armed with this evidence, we negotiated a settlement nearly seven times the initial offer. Our client was able to pay her medical bills, replace lost income, and focus on her recovery.
Every case is different, and we cannot guarantee specific results. But this example shows why thorough investigation and aggressive advocacy matter in truck wreck cases.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Wreck Lawsuit in Texas?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If someone died in the crash, wrongful death claims also must be filed within two years.
Two years might sound like plenty of time, but truck wreck cases require extensive investigation. Evidence disappears quickly. Witnesses’ memories fade. The trucking company’s lawyers start building their defense immediately. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be.
If your claim involves a government vehicle or entity, different deadlines apply. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 101 requires you to provide formal notice within six months for some claims. Missing these deadlines can bar your case entirely.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Fort Worth Truck Wreck?
Texas law allows truck wreck victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages:
Medical expenses including emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and future treatment costs.
Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery.
Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all.
Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
Mental anguish for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD following the crash.
Disfigurement for permanent scarring or physical changes that affect your appearance and self-esteem.
Loss of consortium for the impact on your relationship with your spouse.
In cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, you may also be entitled to exemplary (punitive) damages under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41. These damages punish wrongdoers and deter similar conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Worth Truck Wrecks
What should I do immediately after a truck wreck in Fort Worth?
Call 911 and get medical attention, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. If possible, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the truck driver’s information, trucking company name, and insurance details. Do not give recorded statements to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
Almost certainly not without consulting a lawyer first. Initial offers are typically far below what your case is worth. Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims quickly before you understand the full extent of your injuries and damages. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot ask for more money later.
How much does a Fort Worth truck wreck lawyer cost?
At Varghese Summersett, we handle truck wreck cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement lets injured people access top-tier legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for the truck wreck?
Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% responsible. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33. Your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault and your damages are $500,000, you can still recover $400,000.
How long will my truck wreck case take to resolve?
Every case is different. Some settle within months; others take years if they go to trial. Complex cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or multiple defendants typically take longer. Your attorney can give you a better timeline estimate after reviewing the specific facts of your case.
Why Choose Varghese Summersett for Your Fort Worth Truck Wreck Case?
Not every personal injury firm handles truck wrecks, and not every firm that claims to has the resources to take on major trucking companies and their insurers.
At Varghese Summersett, we bring a team of over 70 legal professionals with decades of combined experience. Our Fort Worth office puts us in the heart of Tarrant County, where we’ve built relationships with local courts and a deep understanding of the highways and intersections where these crashes happen. We know I-35W, I-30, I-820, and I-20 because we drive them too.
Our attorneys include former prosecutors who understand how to investigate cases and present evidence persuasively. We have the financial resources to hire accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and economists who can testify about the full impact of your injuries. And we’re not afraid to take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair settlements.
With over 1,100 five-star reviews from clients across Texas, our track record speaks for itself. We treat every client like family because we know you’re going through one of the hardest experiences of your life.
Get Help from an Experienced Fort Worth Truck Wreck Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck wreck in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, or anywhere in North Texas, time matters. Evidence is disappearing. The trucking company’s lawyers are already building their defense. You deserve someone fighting just as hard for you.
Contact Varghese Summersett today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you understand what your claim may be worth. There’s no obligation, and you won’t pay a dime unless we win.
Call (817) 203-2220 now or contact us online. Let our Fort Worth truck wreck lawyers fight for the compensation you deserve.
