What makes a truck accident case different from a car accident case?
Truck crashes involve federal FMCSA regulations, commercial insurance policies of $750K to $5M+, and multiple defendants — the driver, the carrier, the cargo shipper, and sometimes the truck manufacturer. The trucking company dispatches a rapid-response team immediately after a crash. You need an attorney who moves just as fast to preserve ELD records, dashcam footage, and logbooks before they are overwritten or destroyed. We have handled hundreds of commercial truck cases in Texas.
What evidence do you look for in an 18-wheeler crash case?
We immediately issue a preservation letter demanding the ELD (electronic logging device) data, paper logbooks, dispatch records, driver qualification file, drug and alcohol test results, pre-trip inspection reports, maintenance logs, and any dashcam or event data recorder (black box) data. Trucking companies are required by FMCSA regulations to keep most of this for 6-12 months — but some footage can be overwritten in 48 hours. Call us the same day as the crash.
Can I sue the trucking company, not just the driver?
Yes — and you should. Trucking companies are vicariously liable for their drivers under respondeat superior. They can also be independently liable for negligent hiring, negligent entrustment, negligent supervision, and failure to maintain the vehicle. In FMCSA violation cases we also look at whether the carrier had a history of safety deficiencies that the FMCSA recorded. More defendants mean more insurance coverage and more total recovery.
How much is my truck accident case worth in Texas?
It depends on your injuries, the size of the commercial policy ($750K minimum for interstate carriers, up to $5M for hazmat), whether the carrier has FMCSA violations (which can trigger punitive damages under Texas law), and the strength of evidence. Our cases have settled from $150,000 (minor injuries, clear liability) to $2.1M+ (wrongful death, serious violations). Call us for a free case evaluation.
What FMCSA violations can increase my settlement?
Hours-of-Service violations (driving more than 11 hours, skipping the mandatory 10-hour rest), drug/alcohol use, maintenance log falsification, insufficient brake inspection intervals, overloaded cargo, and unlicensed drivers are all punitive-damage triggers under Texas law. When the carrier knowingly violated federal safety regulations, you can recover more than just economic and compensatory damages.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, federal regulations require carriers to preserve logbooks for 6 months and ELD data for 6-12 months. If you wait, critical evidence disappears — insurance companies know this. Call us within 7 days of the crash. We issue preservation notices immediately so evidence cannot be deleted.
