Quick answer: The Law Offices of John David Hart is a Dallas truck accident law firm handling serious 18-wheeler, semi-truck, and commercial vehicle crash cases across Dallas County and all of Texas. Founder John David Hart is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has represented injured Texans since 1981. Our Fort Worth office sits about 30 miles from downtown Dallas, in the same metroplex. No fee unless we win. Call 817-870-2102 for a free consultation.
Truck crashes on Dallas freight corridors
Dallas is one of the busiest freight hubs in the country, and that traffic puts fully loaded 18-wheelers alongside passenger cars every hour of the day. Some of the highest-risk stretches for commercial truck collisions include:
- I-35E, the spine of the I-35 NAFTA trade corridor carrying heavy freight north and south from the Mexican border
- I-30, I-20, and I-45, which move regional and interstate cargo through and around the city
- I-635 (LBJ Freeway) and the President George Bush Turnpike, the outer loops truckers use to bypass the core
- US-75 (Central Expressway) and the tangle of ramps at the “Mixmaster” (I-35E/I-30) and the “High Five” (I-635/US-75)
Add the Dallas–Fort Worth Inland Port and the South Dallas logistics and distribution warehouses, and you have a steady stream of tractor-trailers entering and exiting congested lanes. Many serious wrecks here involve underride, jackknifing, blind-spot or “no-zone” collisions, overloaded or unsecured cargo, fatigued driving, and tire blowouts.
Who can be held liable in a Texas truck case
A car wreck usually involves one at-fault driver. An 18-wheeler crash often involves several potentially responsible parties, and identifying each one can matter to how a case is built:
- The truck driver, for negligent or unsafe driving
- The trucking company, which may be responsible for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or entrustment, and for pressuring drivers past safe limits
- The freight broker or shipper, depending on how the load was arranged and secured
- The maintenance provider or parts manufacturer, when brake failures, tire defects, or poor upkeep contribute to a crash
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules govern much of this industry, including hours-of-service limits recorded by electronic logging devices (ELDs). When a carrier or driver disregards those rules, that evidence can be central to a claim.
Why 18-wheeler cases are different from car wrecks
Commercial trucking companies often dispatch a rapid-response team to a crash scene within hours, sometimes before an injured person leaves the hospital. That team works to protect the company. Meanwhile, critical evidence can disappear: black-box and ELD data can be overwritten, driver logs and dispatch records can be lost, and the truck itself can be repaired or sold.
Acting quickly to send spoliation (evidence-preservation) letters and to secure the truck’s electronic data, maintenance history, and driver records is one of the most important early steps in a serious 18-wheeler case. This is why these claims call for handling that reflects the scale of the trucking industry on the other side.
Texas law: deadlines, fault, and damages
Texas generally gives injured people two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, though certain situations can shorten or change that window. Because evidence must also be preserved early, waiting is rarely in an injured person’s favor.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule with a 51% bar: an injured person can recover damages only if they are found 50% or less at fault, and any recovery is reduced by their share of responsibility. Depending on the case, recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost income and lost earning capacity, physical pain, disfigurement, and other losses allowed under Texas law. Cases are decided in the Dallas County civil courts when litigation is required.
Why John David Hart
John David Hart is board certified in both Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by a small share of Texas attorneys. He has practiced law since 1981 and takes cases throughout Texas from the Fort Worth office, including Dallas and the wider metroplex. The firm handles serious truck and 18-wheeler injury matters on a contingency basis: there is no fee unless we win, and the initial consultation is free and confidential.
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle Dallas truck accident cases from a Fort Worth office?
Yes. The office is at 5750 Edwards Ranch Road in Fort Worth, about 30 miles from downtown Dallas and within the same metroplex. John David Hart serves clients across all of Texas, including Dallas County, and cases can be pursued in the appropriate Dallas courts.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?
Texas generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, but some circumstances can affect that deadline. Because black-box, ELD, and other trucking evidence can be lost quickly, it is wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible rather than waiting.
What does it cost to hire the firm for an 18-wheeler case?
The firm handles these cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means no fee unless we win your case. The first consultation is free and confidential, so you can understand your options at no cost.
What makes an 18-wheeler case more complex than a car accident?
Truck cases can involve multiple responsible parties, federal safety regulations, and specialized electronic evidence such as ELD and black-box data. Trucking companies also often deploy investigators immediately after a crash, which makes early evidence preservation especially important.
Who might be responsible for a Dallas 18-wheeler crash?
Depending on the facts, responsibility may extend to the driver, the trucking company, a broker or shipper, a maintenance provider, or a parts manufacturer. Reviewing driver logs, company records, and FMCSA compliance helps identify each party whose conduct may have contributed.
Injured in a Dallas truck or 18-wheeler crash? Talk with a board certified Texas trial lawyer about your options. There is no fee unless we win, and your consultation is free and confidential. Call 817-870-2102 today. This page is informational and is not legal advice.
