Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer

Helping You Seek Justice After a Devastating Semi Crash in Texas

18-wheeler accidents often lead to some of the most devastating outcomes on Texas roads. These crashes don’t just involve larger vehicles—they carry bigger risks, higher costs, and longer recovery periods. Whether you’re healing from serious injuries or grieving someone who didn’t survive, you deserve answers and support. A Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer at Tyson Law Firm can review your case at no cost and advise you of your options.

Since 2004, we’ve stood with people whose lives were changed because a truck driver or trucking company didn’t take the care they should have. Our legal team has handled many cases involving large commercial vehicles. We know how to identify responsible parties, demand full compensation, and push back when insurance companies try to downplay what happened.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We only receive legal fees if we recover compensation for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

What Makes 18-Wheeler Accidents Different from Car Accidents?

Crashes involving commercial trucks differ from regular car accidents in several ways. These differences matter when it comes to determining who’s responsible and how much compensation is available.

Greater Severity of Injuries and Damages

The sheer size and weight of an 18-wheeler can turn even a minor impact into a life-altering event. While a car might weigh 3,000 pounds, a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. That kind of force often leads to crushed vehicles, serious injuries, and even fatalities. Medical bills, long-term treatment, and the impact on your ability to work can all be far more serious than in a typical car crash.

Complex Liability Issues Involving Multiple Parties

Unlike car accidents, where it’s often one driver at fault, 18-wheeler crashes might involve multiple businesses and individuals. The trucking company, the driver, the cargo loader, or even the truck’s manufacturer could all bear responsibility. Sorting out who did what requires a detailed investigation.

Specialized Federal and State Regulations

Trucking companies and drivers must follow both federal regulations and state safety rules. These cover everything from how long a driver can stay on the road to how cargo must be secured. Violations of these rules often play a role in a crash.

More Substantial Insurance Coverage and Compensation Potential

Because of the risks involved, commercial trucks carry much higher insurance coverage than personal vehicles. Victims may be entitled to more compensation, but insurance companies work hard to protect those bigger policies and avoid large payouts.

Statistics Highlighting the Devastating Impact of Commercial Truck Accidents

• According to crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,788 people died in crashes involving large trucks in the U.S. in a recent year.
• Most serious injuries and fatalities in truck crashes happen to people who were not in the truck. These include drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
• The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported nearly 40,000 commercial motor vehicle crashes in Texas in the most recent year, including more than 600 fatalities.

These statistics highlight the dangers 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles pose on our roads and why legal representation is so important when a truck crash hurts or kills someone.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents

Semi-truck crashes often happen for reasons tied to human error, poor maintenance, or risky company practices.

• Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations: Truckers often push past the legal limits to meet deadlines, leading to slower reaction times or falling asleep at the wheel.
• Improper loading and cargo securement issues: Overloaded or unbalanced trailers can cause rollovers or make the truck harder to control.
• Inadequate truck maintenance: Bald tires, worn brakes, or broken lights can turn a heavy vehicle into a moving hazard.
• Distracted driving: Just like car drivers, truckers who use their phones or mess with GPS devices can easily miss what’s happening in traffic.
• Speeding and aggressive driving behaviors: Some drivers try to make up for lost time by speeding or making unsafe lane changes.
• Poor weather conditions and visibility issues: Rain, fog, and wind affect trucks more than smaller cars, especially if drivers don’t slow down or adjust their driving.

Who Can Be Held Liable in an 18-Wheeler Accident?

Getting fair compensation starts with knowing who caused the crash. In many cases, more than one party is at fault.

The Truck Driver and Their Actions

Truckers can be held responsible for mistakes like speeding, texting while driving, ignoring traffic signals, or driving under the influence.

The Trucking Company’s Responsibilities

Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, training them properly, maintaining their fleet, and following safety regulations. Cutting corners to save money can lead to disaster.

Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers

If a defective brake, steering system, or other part caused the crash, the company that made or installed that part may be liable.

Loading Companies and Cargo Handlers

Improperly loaded cargo can shift during transit, throw off the truck’s balance, or cause hazardous spills. Companies that load trucks must follow strict guidelines.

Government Entities Responsible for Road Conditions

Sometimes, poor road design, lack of signage, or unrepaired damage plays a part in a crash. In these cases, a city or state agency might share liability.

What Types of Compensation Can Victims Recover After a Large Truck Crash?

Accidents with 18-wheelers can cause a wide range of losses. Texas law allows injured people to seek compensation that reflects what they’ve lost and what they still face ahead.

Medical Expenses: Current and Future Treatment Costs

This includes emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, medications, and any long-term care or rehabilitation.

Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity

Injuries may prevent someone from working for days, weeks, or permanently. The law allows recovery for lost income and the impact on future earning ability.

Pain and Suffering Compensation

Courts recognize that injuries affect more than just your bank account. Physical discomfort, anxiety, depression, and changes in your quality of life matter too.

Property Damage Reimbursement

This includes the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any damaged belongings.

Potential Punitive Damages in Cases of Gross Negligence

In rare cases where a company or driver acted with extreme recklessness, courts may award extra damages to punish that behavior and send a message to others.

How Long Do I Have to File an 18-Wheeler Accident Claim?

Texas law sets strict deadlines for taking legal action after a truck crash.

State-Specific Statute of Limitations

In most Texas personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this window could mean giving up your right to compensation.

Importance of Acting Quickly to Preserve Evidence

Surveillance footage gets deleted, vehicles get repaired, and witnesses forget what they saw. The sooner an attorney steps in, the better chance they have of preserving valuable evidence.

Special Considerations for Claims Against Government Entities

When a crash involves a city or state agency, a notice of claim may need to be filed in just six months or less. These rules vary depending on the local government involved.

What Evidence Is Needed for 18-Wheeler Accident Cases?

Truck accident claims rely on detailed evidence. Some of this material is hard for victims to get on their own, especially when trucking companies and insurers guard it closely.

Electronic Logging Devices and Black Box Data

These devices record driving hours, speed, braking, and more. They provide a snapshot of what happened before the crash.

Driver Qualification Files and Employment Records

These documents can show if a driver was properly trained or had a history of violations the company ignored.

Maintenance and Inspection Documentation

Records showing skipped inspections or ignored repairs can support claims of company negligence.

Witness Statements and Expert Testimony

People who saw the crash and professionals who analyze accidents can both strengthen your case.

Accident Scene Evidence and Reconstruction

Photos, skid marks, debris, and vehicle damage all help recreate how the crash happened.

An attorney can help you gather this evidence by using tools that the average person doesn’t have access to. Tyson Law Firm knows how to request and preserve records, interview witnesses, and bring in experts who can back up your claims.

How Does the Insurance Claim Process Work in Truck Accidents?

Insurance issues in truck cases are rarely simple. These claims often involve more than one insurance company and a long list of people trying to protect their own interests.

Multiple Insurance Policies and Coverage Layers

The truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo owner, and others may all have separate insurance policies. Each one adds another layer to the claim.

Common Tactics Used by Insurance Companies to Minimize Payouts

Insurers may blame you, downplay your injuries, delay the process, or try to get you to settle for less than your claim is worth.

The Importance of Not Accepting Early Settlement Offers

That first offer might seem helpful, especially if you’re struggling financially. But once you accept, you usually can’t go back for more. An attorney can calculate what your case is truly worth and push for that amount.

How Our Firm Can Help 18-Wheeler Accident Victims

Tyson Law Firm takes an aggressive, hands-on approach to truck accident cases. We know how these companies operate and how to build strong cases that hold them accountable.

• We begin investigating immediately and preserve time-sensitive evidence.
• We identify all potentially responsible parties, even the ones hiding behind company names or subcontractor labels.
• We handle all calls and emails from insurance adjusters, so you don’t have to.
• We work with doctors and financial experts to calculate the full value of your losses.
• We negotiate firmly and fight for the best outcome—whether that’s a settlement or going to court.
• We bring in specialists in accident reconstruction when needed to show exactly what went wrong.
• We don’t charge any upfront fees. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you don’t owe us anything.

Steps to Take After an 18-Wheeler Accident

The moments and days following an 18-wheeler accident can feel like a blur—especially if you’re in pain, shaken up, or dealing with someone else’s injuries. But the steps you take right after the crash can have a big impact on your recovery and your legal case. Whether you’re still at the accident scene or already home or in the hospital, there are ways to protect yourself and preserve your right to seek compensation. Here’s what to do:

At the Scene (If You’re Physically Able)

• Call 911 Immediately: Report the crash and request emergency medical help. Police will document the accident and create a report that can serve as a key piece of evidence.
• Get Medical Help On Site: Even if you feel okay, get checked by emergency responders. Injuries like internal bleeding or concussions might not show symptoms right away.
• Take Photos and Videos: Use your phone to capture damage to all vehicles, your injuries, road signs, weather conditions, skid marks, and anything else that might help tell the story of what happened.
• Collect Contact Information: Get the truck driver’s name, license number, insurance info, and employer details. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers too.
• Avoid Talking About Fault: Stick to the facts when speaking with the driver or police. Don’t guess about what happened or say anything that could be used to shift blame to you later.

After the Accident

If you’re no longer at the scene—whether you’re recovering at home, in a hospital, or helping a loved one who was hurt—you can still take action.

• Get Ongoing Medical Treatment: Follow up with doctors, specialists, or therapists. Keep all appointments and follow medical advice. This not only helps you heal—it creates a record that connects your injuries to the crash.
• Document Your Experience: Keep a daily journal that tracks your pain levels, emotional struggles, missed work, and how the injuries have affected your daily life.
• Hold Off on Talking to Insurance Adjusters: Trucking companies and insurers may reach out quickly with questions or settlement offers. Let a lawyer handle those conversations to avoid saying something that could hurt your case.
• Speak to a Truck Accident Lawyer: Tyson Law Firm can take over the legal and insurance issues so you don’t have to. We can investigate the crash, protect your rights, and start the process of pursuing full compensation for your injuries, losses, and long-term needs.

Taking these steps gives you a stronger foundation for your injury claim. Our team is ready to help you move forward while you focus on healing.

Contact Our Skilled 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Texas Today

Every day that passes after a truck crash makes it harder to collect evidence and hold the right people accountable. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Call Tyson Law Firm today at (214) 942-9000 for a free consultation. You won’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions, and give you a clear path forward—without pressure or confusion.

If you or a loved one was involved in car accident with an 18-wheeker or any truck in Texas, we want to assist you in making sure not only that your interests are protected and that you can reach a fair settlement but also that you feel supported during such a stressful and difficult life event.

Please contact Tyson Law Firm by phone or email and let’s take action fast.