Quick answer: If you were hurt in a crash with an 18-wheeler or commercial truck anywhere in Texas, you generally have two years from the crash to file a claim, and trucking companies start building their defense within hours. The Law Offices of John David Hart — board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law, with offices in Fort Worth and representing clients across Texas — handles serious 18-wheeler cases on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis. Call 817-870-2102 for a free consultation.
Why 18-wheeler cases are different
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — about 20 times a passenger car. That means catastrophic injuries and a very different legal fight:
- More liable parties: the driver, the trucking company, the trailer owner, the cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, and sometimes the manufacturer.
- Federal regulations apply: commercial carriers must follow FMCSA rules on hours of service, driver qualification, inspection, and drug/alcohol testing. Violations are powerful evidence.
- Evidence disappears fast: the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD), engine “black box,” driver logs, and dashcam can be overwritten in days. A preservation letter often must go out immediately.
Common causes of Texas truck crashes
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Speeding and unsafe following distance
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Improperly secured or overweight cargo
- Poor maintenance (brakes, tires, lights)
- Negligent hiring or inadequate training by the carrier
Why John David Hart
- Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
- Decades of catastrophic-injury and wrongful-death trial work across Texas.
- No fee unless we win — nothing up front, free consultation.
Texas law you should know
- Deadline: generally two years from the crash date.
- Modified comparative negligence: you can recover as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, reduced by your share (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001).
- Damages: past and future medical bills, lost income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and exemplary damages for gross negligence.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?
Generally two years from the date of the crash.
Who can be responsible besides the driver?
Often the trucking company, cargo loader, maintenance provider, trailer/truck owner, and sometimes a parts manufacturer.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault; your award is reduced by your share.
How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency — no fee unless we win — and the consultation is free.
Talk to a Texas truck accident lawyer today
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Call 817-870-2102 or 817-870-2102.
In the Fort Worth area? See our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer page. Related: Catastrophic Personal Injury · Wrongful Death
Trucking & 18-Wheeler Accidents — verdicts and settlements
$33,150,000 across 5 reported outcomes- $16,000,000 Workplace injury / truck crash Settled during trial
- $6,000,000 18-wheeler truck crash Settlement
- $5,150,000 18-wheeler truck crash claim Settlement
- $3,000,000 18-wheeler truck crash Settlement
- $3,000,000 Motor vehicle crash with a commercial truck Settlement
Every case is different. The outcomes described on this page were determined by the specific facts, injuries, insurance coverage, and law that applied to each individual matter, and they are not a promise or prediction about any other case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Amounts shown are gross recoveries before attorney fees, case expenses, and medical or lien repayments. Some matters were handled with or referred to co-counsel.
Locations we serve
Truck Accident & 18-Wheeler Lawyer representation in the Texas communities we know best. Choose your area:
