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 800-247-1623.
In the Fort Worth area? See our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer page. Related: Catastrophic Personal Injury · Wrongful Death
