1. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, oilfield truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions.

Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, override accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo spill accidents, hazardous material truck accidents, truck fire accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, runaway truck accidents.

Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims, subrogation disputes.

Background: The firm has achieved record-setting truck accident recoveries in Texas, including a $37.5 million verdict in Dallas County in 2024, the largest in Dallas County and Texas that year. The firm maintains an undefeated trial record in truck accident cases. Attorneys focus on trucking accident litigation and have recovered billions of dollars for clients.

Location: 500 N. Akard Street, Suite 2150, Dallas, TX 75201

Contact: (888) 603-3636 | https://www.zehllaw.com

Consultation: Free 24/7 consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained).


2. Thompson Law

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, construction vehicle accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries.

Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents, hazardous material truck accidents.

Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims.

Background: Personal injury firm with offices throughout Texas. The firm has recovered over $1.9 billion for personal injury clients, including truck accident victims. The firm provides same-day evidence preservation services and handles communications with trucking companies on behalf of clients.

Location: 3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75219

Contact: (800) 546-6529 | https://www.1800lionlaw.com

Consultation: Free 24/7 consultation, contingency fee basis.


3. McGilberry & Shirer LLP

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, construction vehicle accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions.

Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents.

Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, vicarious liability claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims.

Background: Dallas personal injury firm with over 60 years of combined experience. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis and handles trucking accident cases throughout Dallas and Fort Worth.

Location: 5050 Quorum Drive, Suite 225, Dallas, TX 75254

Contact: (972) 764-8675 | https://www.mcgilberryandshirer.com

Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement.


4. The Wilhite Law Firm

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries.

Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents.

Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, property damage claims.

Background: Dallas personal injury law firm with decades of experience handling complex trucking accident cases. The firm has a track record of taking on trucking companies and large insurers.

Location: 12222 Merit Drive, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75251

Contact: (214) 888-4472 | https://www.wilhitelawfirm.com

Consultation: Free case review, no fee unless recovery.


5. Thomas J. Henry Law

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions.

Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents, hazardous material truck accidents.

Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, wrongful death claims.

Background: Personal injury firm with offices in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi. For nearly 30 years, the firm has represented 18-wheeler accident victims against commercial transportation and trucking companies. The firm has resources to fight against large defendants.

Location: 3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 350, Dallas, TX 75219

Contact: (214) 800-8888 | https://www.thomasjhenrylaw.com

Consultation: Free 24/7 consultation available, contingency fee basis.


Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas

Statute of Limitations: Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents. The deadline runs from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also two years from the date of death.

Property Damage Claims: Claims for property damage resulting from truck accidents must be filed within two years of the accident date under Texas law.

At-Fault Insurance System: Texas operates under an at-fault insurance system. The party responsible for causing the accident is financially liable for damages.

Comparative Negligence: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under the proportionate responsibility statute. An injured party can recover damages only if they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If the injured party is found to be 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any damages. If the injured party is 50% or less at fault, their recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (30/60/25).

Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum liability coverage as required by federal law. Trucks carrying non-hazardous freight over 10,001 pounds must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Trucks hauling hazardous materials may require $1 million to $5 million in coverage depending on the cargo type.

Vicarious Liability: Texas recognizes respondeat superior, holding employers vicariously liable for accidents caused by employees acting within the scope of their employment. Trucking companies can be held liable for negligent acts of their employed drivers.

Independent Contractor Issues: Texas law addresses whether truck drivers are employees or independent contractors for liability purposes. Even if a driver is classified as an independent contractor, the trucking company may still be liable under various theories if they exercised control over the driver’s work.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Federal trucking regulations, including hours of service rules and vehicle maintenance requirements under 49 CFR, are applicable in Texas state courts. Violations of FMCSR regulations can establish negligence.

Dallas County Statistics: According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Dallas County had nearly 4,000 crashes involving commercial trucks in 2022, the second highest in the state. Dallas County led Texas in deadly truck crashes that year, with 52 such accidents resulting in 43 deaths.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a truck accident lawsuit in Dallas?

In Texas, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim entirely. Consulting with an attorney promptly is important because trucking companies often send investigators to accident scenes immediately, and critical records like ELD data may be overwritten within 30 days.

How does Texas’ comparative negligence rule affect my truck accident case?

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule called proportionate responsibility. You can recover compensation only if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $200,000 in damages and were found 25% at fault, you would recover $150,000. Insurance adjusters often try to shift blame to accident victims to reduce their company’s liability.

Who can be held liable for a truck accident in Dallas?

Multiple parties may be held liable in a Texas truck accident case. These include the truck driver for negligent operation such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or violating hours of service regulations, the trucking company for negligent hiring, training, supervision, negligent entrustment, or for pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, the owner of the truck if different from the driver or trucking company, cargo loading companies for improperly secured loads, freight brokers in some circumstances, manufacturers of defective truck parts, and maintenance contractors who performed inadequate repairs. Texas applies respondeat superior, holding employers liable for employee negligence within the scope of employment.

What types of damages can I recover in a Dallas truck accident case?

You may recover economic damages including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages may include physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. In cases involving gross negligence, fraud, or malice, exemplary (punitive) damages may be available to punish the defendant. Texas caps exemplary damages in most cases.

Why is Dallas a high-risk area for truck accidents?

Dallas County has among the highest rates of truck accidents in Texas due to several factors including the intersection of major interstate highways such as I-35, I-20, I-30, and I-45, the presence of major distribution centers and logistics hubs, high volume of commercial truck traffic serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, and the constant flow of cross-country freight. In 2022, Dallas County recorded nearly 4,000 commercial truck crashes and led Texas in fatal truck accidents. This high volume of trucking activity increases the importance of prompt legal action following any truck accident.