Truck accidents happen all too often in Dallas. These crashes occur on busy roads like I-35E, I-30, and the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway and usually cause serious harm to people in smaller vehicles. Victims need someone who understands the laws that apply to trucking companies and insurance providers. A Dallas truck accident lawyer from AMS Law Group can help you pursue financial recovery from the company or person who caused your injuries.
If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a truck accident someone else caused, the future may feel uncertain. You might be dealing with hospital visits, lost income, or even the heartbreak of losing a loved one. You shouldn’t have to take on the trucking company or their insurer by yourself.
At AMS Law Group, we offer free consultations, so you can learn your options with no pressure and no upfront cost. Contact us now to get started.
Do I need a Dallas truck accident lawyer after a crash?
Yes — a Dallas truck accident lawyer can help you recover the full compensation you deserve after a crash. Here’s how they help:
- Investigate crash causes like driver fatigue, improper cargo loading, equipment failure, or distracted driving
- Identify all liable parties including drivers, trucking companies, cargo handlers, or manufacturers
- Gather key evidence such as black box data, maintenance logs, and accident reconstructions
- Handle insurance companies who often try to settle low or deny claims outright
- Ensure full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage
- Guide you through deadlines like the Texas statute of limitations (2 years for most claims)
Types of Truck Accidents in Dallas
Truck accidents come in different forms, each with its own risks and details. Below are some of the most common types of truck crashes that happen on Dallas roads.
18-Wheeler Collisions
These massive trucks are common along I-20 and I-635. When they collide with passenger vehicles, the damage can be severe. Their size and weight mean longer stopping times and wider turns, which increase the chances of a crash in heavy traffic.
Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks with loaded trailers travel across Dallas delivering goods. Crashes can happen when drivers speed to meet deadlines, drive distracted, or lose control in areas like downtown or around construction zones.
Commercial Vehicle Crashes
Commercial vehicles include utility trucks, tow trucks, and construction vehicles. Accidents with these trucks often happen near job sites or in residential neighborhoods. Many don’t follow the same safety rules as long-haul trucks, which puts others at risk.
Delivery Truck Accidents
With more online shopping, delivery trucks now flood streets in areas like Oak Cliff, Uptown, and Deep Ellum. Rushed drivers may run stop signs, block lanes, or park unsafely. These shortcuts sometimes lead to serious crashes with pedestrians or drivers.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Dallas?
Truck accidents in Dallas often happen because someone failed to follow safety rules or acted carelessly. These crashes usually don’t come out of nowhere; they’re the result of preventable decisions made by drivers, trucking companies, or others involved in shipping and transport. Here are the most common causes of truck accidents in the Dallas area:
Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Violations
Long hauls and tight delivery schedules push many truck drivers to work longer than they should. Federal laws limit the number of hours truckers can drive without rest, but not all companies or drivers follow those rules. Fatigue slows reaction time and reduces focus, which leads to mistakes behind the wheel. In Dallas, crashes tied to drowsy driving are often seen on I-35E and U.S. Highway 175, where long-distance routes meet city traffic.
Improper Loading and Cargo Issues
Cargo that isn’t packed or secured properly can shift or fall off during transport. Unbalanced loads may cause rollovers, jackknife accidents, or swerving. Dallas sees these problems often on roads like Loop 12 and I-30, where trucks make sharp turns or change lanes in heavy traffic. Sometimes the trucking company loads the trailer. In other cases, a separate cargo handler is responsible. Either way, poor loading increases the risk of a serious crash.
Equipment Failure and Poor Maintenance
Truck companies must inspect and maintain their vehicles regularly. When they cut corners, parts like brakes, tires, or lights can fail. A blown tire or faulty brake system can turn a moving truck into a hazard in seconds. In Dallas, mechanical failures often cause accidents on steep ramps or fast-moving highways like the George Bush Turnpike or I-20.
Distracted or Impaired Driving
Truck drivers may use their phones, eat meals, adjust GPS systems, or zone out while driving. Some even drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Distracted or impaired driving puts everyone at risk, especially in crowded areas like downtown Dallas or near Dallas Love Field. When a driver isn’t paying attention or loses focus, a crash can happen in the blink of an eye.
Each of these causes points to actions that could have been avoided. When someone fails to take safety seriously, whether it’s the driver, the company, or someone else involved, they should be held responsible for the harm they cause.
Common Injuries from Dallas Truck Accidents
Truck crashes can lead to life-changing injuries. These injuries often need long-term care and may keep people from working again.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A blow to the head during a crash can cause memory loss, mood changes, or even permanent brain damage. Some people need years of therapy and may never return to how they were before.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or full paralysis. This often means using a wheelchair or needing help with daily tasks.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Truck crashes can break ribs, arms, legs, and hips. While many fractures heal, others may need surgery or physical therapy for months.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage
The force from a truck impact can rupture organs or cause internal bleeding. Without fast medical care, these injuries can become fatal.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
Truck accidents involve more people than just the driver. Several parties may share legal responsibility.
The Truck Driver
When a driver speeds, drives under the influence, texts behind the wheel, skips rest breaks, or makes reckless decisions, they can be held directly accountable for a crash. Drivers have a duty to operate these massive vehicles safely, and when they break that trust, the law allows victims to hold them responsible.
Trucking Companies and Employers
In many cases, the driver works for a trucking company. That company might have made poor hiring choices, failed to train the driver properly, or pressured them to ignore safety rules to meet delivery deadlines. Some companies also skip required maintenance or keep unsafe trucks on the road. If those actions led to the crash, the company may be on the hook.
Vehicle Manufacturers and Parts Companies
When faulty brakes, tires, or other parts cause a crash, the company that made or sold the part may be held responsible.
Loading Companies and Cargo Handlers
In some truck accident cases, a third party was hired just to load the cargo. If that company packed the load wrong, failed to secure it, or put too much weight in one section, they could be to blame for what happened.
Damages Available in Dallas Truck Accident Cases
Victims of truck crashes may recover money to help deal with the impact of the crash on their life.
Medical Expenses and Future Care Costs
This includes hospital bills, rehab, surgery, follow-up visits, and future medical needs.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity
If you missed work or can’t return to your old job, you may recover income you didn’t receive and what you’ll likely miss in the future.
Pain and Suffering
This includes physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall change in your quality of life after the accident.
Property Damage and Vehicle Replacement
Crashes often destroy vehicles. You may receive money to repair or replace your car and recover any items lost in the crash.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
Time limits apply to personal injury lawsuits in Texas. Filing too late may prevent you from recovering anything.
Texas Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.
Exceptions That May Extend Filing Deadlines
Some situations, like the injury of a minor or discovery of hidden injuries, may extend the deadline.
Claims Against Government Entities
If the crash involved a city truck or other government vehicle, special rules apply. These claims must be filed much sooner, usually within 6 months of the date of the crash.
Why Acting Quickly Protects Your Rights
Delays can lead to lost evidence, missing witnesses, and fewer legal options. Acting early helps your lawyer build a strong case.
What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different from Car Accidents?
Truck cases follow different rules and often involve more legal layers than regular car crashes.
Federal Regulations and Compliance Requirements
Trucking is governed by federal laws. These rules cover hours, maintenance, inspections, and recordkeeping. Your lawyer will know what records to request and how to spot violations.
Multiple Insurance Policies and Coverage Limits
Truck crashes often involve more than one insurance company. Drivers, trucks, trailers, and cargo may each have separate coverage.
Complex Investigation Requirements
Truck accidents need more detailed investigations. Black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and other documents play a key role in building your case.
Corporate Defendants and Legal Teams
Many trucking companies have full-time lawyers and insurance representatives working to protect their bottom line. They often try to reduce or deny claims right away.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
At AMS Law Group, our team works closely with victims of truck crashes. Here’s how we help our clients.
Thorough Investigation and Evidence Collection
We collect crash reports, witness statements, camera footage, and data from the truck’s electronic systems.
Working with Accident Reconstruction Experts
When needed, we bring in professionals to study the scene and show how the crash happened.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
We handle communication with insurance companies. If they delay or lowball your claim, we push back with strong evidence.
Trial Representation and Litigation Experience
If the other side won’t make a fair offer, we prepare to take the case to court and present your case in front of a jury.
No Fee Unless You Recover Compensation
We don’t charge any legal fees unless your case ends with financial recovery. You pay nothing out of pocket to get started.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Dallas
Your actions after a crash can affect your safety, health, and legal case.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries take time to show up.
Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
Take photos of the crash, your injuries, and the vehicles involved. Get the names and contact details of witnesses.
Report the Accident to Authorities
Call 911 and make sure a police report is filed. This report can help prove what happened.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
The sooner you reach out, the sooner your lawyer can start protecting your rights and building your case.
Avoid Speaking to Insurance Companies Alone
Insurance adjusters may call right after the crash. Let your lawyer handle those calls to avoid saying something that could hurt your case.
Let Our Skilled Truck Accident Lawyers in Dallas Help
The AMS Law Group team in Dallas, ready to help clients after serious truck accidents across the city.
Truck accident cases need quick action. Evidence disappears fast, and insurance companies move even faster to protect themselves. That’s why AMS Law Group offers free consultations to help you get answers right away.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck crash, don’t wait to get legal support. Our team knows how to hold trucking companies and insurers responsible when they cause harm.
Call AMS Law Group today at 888-960-8363 to speak with a Dallas truck accident attorney who will take the time to understand your story and fight for the financial recovery you need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Truck Accidents
How much is my truck accident case worth?
Each case is different. Your total recovery depends on your injuries, how the crash affected your work, and how much insurance coverage is available.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company seems cooperative?
Even if they sound helpful, their goal is to settle quickly and pay as little as possible. A lawyer will review the offer and make sure it reflects the full cost of the crash.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Texas uses a system where you can still recover money if you’re less than 51% at fault. Your recovery may be reduced, but you don’t lose your right to file a claim.
How long will my case take to resolve?
Some cases settle in a few months. Others take longer if they go to court. Your lawyer can give you a better estimate after reviewing the facts.