1. The Dashner Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, work accidents
Case Types Handled: Aggressive driving accidents, diminished visibility accidents, blind spot accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving truck accidents, speeding truck accidents, mechanical failure accidents, tire blowout accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, evidence gathering, case building, insurance company negotiations, FMCSR compliance analysis, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death representation
Background: Experienced personal injury attorneys in Irving, Texas handling truck accident cases. Geoffrey Dashner, Attorney at Law, leads the team. Handles trucking cases throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Location: Irving, TX
Contact: (972) 793-8989 | https://www.dashnerlaw.com/truck-accident-attorneys-tx/irving/
Consultation: Free initial consultation available.
2. Montes Law Group, LLP
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, big rig accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, catastrophic injury, brain injury, spinal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, drug and alcohol impairment accidents, sleep deprivation accidents, falsified documentation cases, brake and tire failures, hours of service violations, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents
Legal Services: Immediate investigation, satellite and GPS information retrieval, black box and crash data recovery, accident reconstruction, driver log falsification investigation, FMCSR violation documentation, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation
Background: Led by Rachel Montes. Recognized as one of Dallas/Fort Worth area attorneys. Handles truck accident and 18-wheeler cases across Texas and nationwide. Experience with complex cases involving multiple liable parties and falsified trucking documentation.
Location: Irving, TX (Serves Dallas, Fort Worth, North Texas)
Contact: (214) 522-9401 | https://monteslawgroup.com/irving-18-wheeler-accident-attorneys/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis (no fees unless recovery is obtained).
3. Francis Firm (Francis Injury: Car & Truck Accident Lawyers)
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, improper loading accidents, poor maintenance accidents, unsafe company practices, distracted driving accidents, speeding truck accidents, rear-end truck collisions
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, driver log review, rest compliance investigation, equipment record examination, FMCSR violation analysis, insurance communication and negotiation, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages
Background: Led by Michael Francis, Texas board-certified attorney. Previously worked as trucking company defense lawyer representing major trucking companies nationwide, providing unique insight into trucking company operations and defense strategies. Decades of experience litigating truck and commercial motor vehicle cases in Irving.
Location: Irving, TX
Contact: https://francisinjury.com/irving-truck-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation available.
4. Crain Brogdon, LLP
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Drowsy driving accidents, drunk driving truck accidents, aggressive driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, improper cargo loading accidents, mechanical failure accidents, brake failure accidents, improperly maintained vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Liability investigation, multiple party analysis, trucking company investigation, cargo loader negligence claims, safety inspector negligence claims, manufacturer defect claims, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, punitive damage claims
Background: Led by Quentin Brogdon with over 30 years of experience in personal injury trial law. Board certified in personal injury trial law and civil trial advocacy. AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell (highest possible rating reflecting ethics and abilities). Serves Irving and throughout Texas.
Location: Irving, TX (Serves Dallas County, Tarrant County, and surrounding areas)
Contact: (214) 522-9404 | https://www.crainbrogdon.com/irving-truck-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free claim evaluation available.
5. Law Office of Doug Goyen
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Driver negligence accidents, trucking company negligence, mechanical failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, hours of service violation accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, evidence gathering, liability determination, insurance company representation, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages
Background: Over 23 years of experience representing truck accident victims. Recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients. Dallas personal injury lawyers handling cases throughout Irving and the DFW area.
Location: Irving, TX area
Contact: (972) 599-4100 or (855) 599-4100 | https://www.douggoyen.com/irving-truck-accident-lawyer.html
Consultation: Free consultation available.
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003. All truck accident lawsuits for personal injury must be filed within two years.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death. The two-year period begins from the date of death, which may differ from the accident date.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the accident.
Comparative Negligence Rule: Texas follows modified comparative negligence, also called “proportionate responsibility,” under Civil Practice & Remedies Code Ch. 33. An injured person can recover damages only if they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If found 51% or more at fault, the plaintiff is barred from any recovery. Damages are reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. For example, if awarded $100,000 and found 30% at fault, recovery is $70,000.
Joint and Several Liability: In cases with multiple defendants, fault is apportioned among all responsible parties. Each defendant may be liable for their proportionate share of damages.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements:
- Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Federal minimum requirements apply. Interstate commercial trucks carrying non-hazardous freight require minimum $750,000 coverage. Trucks carrying hazardous materials require $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 depending on cargo type.
Punitive Damages: Available in Texas when defendant acted with malice, gross negligence, or fraud. No statutory cap on punitive damages in most cases, though there are formula-based limits in certain situations (generally capped at greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus equal to non-economic damages up to $750,000).
Vicarious Liability: Trucking companies may be held vicariously liable for driver negligence under respondeat superior when driver acts within scope of employment. Companies may also be directly liable for negligent hiring, supervision, training, or maintenance failures.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: FMCSR regulations apply in Texas courts. Hours of service limits: 11 hours driving within 14-hour workday, mandatory 10 hours off duty. Commercial truck drivers subject to 0.04% blood alcohol limit. Drug and alcohol testing requirements apply.
Texas Transportation Code: Title 7 of the Texas Transportation Code provides state-specific trucking regulations that supplement federal requirements.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and Texas Department of Transportation work with federal agencies to regulate trucking industry and enforce CDL standards.
Government Entity Claims: Claims against Texas government entities or employees are subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act with special rules and shorter notice requirements (typically 6 months for written notice).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Texas’s modified comparative negligence (proportionate responsibility) rule affect my truck accident case in Irving?
A: Texas follows modified comparative negligence under Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 33. Under this rule, you can recover damages only if you are 50% or less at fault for the truck accident. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from any recovery. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found 25% at fault, you would recover $150,000. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often try to attribute partial fault to plaintiffs to reduce or eliminate their claims.
Q: What is the deadline to file a truck accident lawsuit in Irving, Texas?
A: Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident resulted in a death, the two-year period for wrongful death claims runs from the date of death. Missing this deadline will bar your claim. Exceptions may apply for minors (who have until two years after turning 18), persons of unsound mind, or if the defendant leaves the state. Claims against government entities have shorter notice requirements.
Q: Who can be held liable for a truck accident on highways like I-635, SH-114, or SH-183 in Irving?
A: Multiple parties may be liable for a truck accident in Irving. Under Texas law, potentially responsible parties include: the truck driver for negligence such as speeding, fatigue, or impairment; the motor carrier/trucking company under respondeat superior or for negligent hiring and supervision; cargo shippers or loaders for improperly secured freight; maintenance contractors for faulty repairs or inspection failures; parts manufacturers for defects; and in some cases, freight brokers for negligent carrier selection. Texas law on proportionate responsibility allows juries to divide fault among all parties.
Q: What federal regulations apply to commercial truck operations in Texas?
A: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations apply to commercial trucking throughout Texas. Key regulations include hours of service limits (11 hours driving in a 14-hour workday after 10 consecutive hours off, with 30-minute breaks required after 8 hours driving), drug and alcohol testing requirements (0.04% BAC limit for commercial drivers versus 0.08% for regular drivers), vehicle inspection and maintenance standards, and cargo securement rules. Violations of these federal regulations can establish negligence in a Texas truck accident lawsuit.
Q: Are punitive damages available in Texas truck accident cases?
A: Yes, punitive damages (also called exemplary damages) may be available in Texas truck accident cases where the defendant acted with malice, gross negligence, or fraud. Examples that might support punitive damages include a truck driver operating with a blood alcohol level significantly above legal limits, a trucking company knowingly allowing an unqualified or dangerous driver to operate, or deliberately falsifying safety records. While Texas has some caps on punitive damages based on formulas, these damages can be substantial in egregious cases and serve to punish wrongdoers and deter similar conduct.