1. DFW Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury litigation, wrongful death claims from trucking incidents
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck collisions, cargo vehicle crashes, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving incidents, mechanical failure crashes, brake failure accidents, tire blowout incidents, hazardous material trucking accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence preservation, federal trucking regulation compliance analysis, driver qualification file review, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: DFW Injury Lawyers has recovered over half a billion dollars for injured clients. The firm has attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers and other peer rating organizations. The firm is licensed to practice in all Texas courts and federal courts of the Northern District of Texas.
Location: 1600 E. Pioneer Pkwy, Suite 530, Arlington, TX 76010
Contact: (972) 441-5244 | https://www.dfwinjurylawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultations available; contingency fee arrangements
2. Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, semi-truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death from trucking incidents
Case Types Handled: Large truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery vehicle crashes, commercial fleet incidents, driver negligence cases, trucking company liability matters, highway trucking accidents
Legal Services: Comprehensive case evaluation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, federal regulation compliance review, driver history analysis, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, mediation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery
Background: Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. was founded in 1979 and marked its 45th anniversary in October 2024. The firm has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Attorneys are licensed to practice in all Texas courts and federal courts of the Northern District of Texas, with one attorney licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Location: 2777 N Stemmons Fwy, Suite 1300, Dallas, TX 75207 (serves Arlington)
Contact: (214) 999-9999 (Dallas) | (817) 999-9999 (Fort Worth) | https://www.kraftlaw.com
Consultation: Free case review; contingency fee basis
3. Law Offices of David Kohm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle crashes, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer incidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death claims
Case Types Handled: Commercial truck accidents, delivery truck crashes, drunk driving accidents, uninsured motorist claims, motorcycle collisions, spinal injuries from trucking accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence preservation, federal trucking regulation analysis, driver qualification review, insurance claim handling, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical treatment coordination, lost wage recovery
Background: The Law Offices of David Kohm has over 25 years of experience guiding clients through Texas traffic collision law. The firm has 12 offices throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and provides 24/7 availability for consultations.
Location: Arlington, TX (multiple DFW metroplex locations)
Contact: (817) 861-8400 | https://www.attorneykohm.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation; 24/7 availability
4. The Dashner Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle collisions, semi-truck accidents, catastrophic injury litigation, wrongful death from trucking incidents
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, jackknife crashes, rollover accidents, underride collisions, delivery truck crashes, driver fatigue incidents, aggressive driving accidents, improper loading incidents, equipment failure accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering and preservation, federal regulation compliance analysis, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical treatment coordination, economic and non-economic damage recovery, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The Dashner Law Firm, led by Geoffrey Dashner, has a long history of representing truck accident victims in Texas. The firm has attorneys with collective experience spanning over a century in personal injury litigation.
Location: Irving, TX (serves Arlington and DFW metroplex)
Contact: (972) 793-8989 | https://www.dashnerlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultations available
5. Merritt & Merritt Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, semi-truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death from trucking incidents
Case Types Handled: Large truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery vehicle crashes, commercial fleet incidents, driver fatigue cases, trucking regulation violation cases
Legal Services: Comprehensive accident investigation, evidence preservation, federal trucking regulation analysis, driver qualification review, insurance claim negotiations, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: Merritt & Merritt Law Firm serves the Arlington area and greater DFW region. The firm has received positive client testimonials for professionalism and communication throughout the claims process.
Location: Arlington, TX
Contact: (800) 738-9394 | https://www.merrittandmerritt.com
Consultation: Free consultations available; contingency fee basis
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas
Texas has specific laws governing truck accident claims that reflect its status as a major trucking corridor with significant commercial vehicle traffic.
Statute of Limitations: Texas law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. Property damage claims have the same two-year limitations period. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years of the date of death.
Fault System: Texas is an at-fault state where the party responsible for causing an accident bears liability for damages. Injured parties can pursue claims directly against negligent truck drivers and trucking companies.
Comparative Negligence: Texas follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar under the Texas Proportionate Responsibility Statute, Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001. An injured party can recover damages only if their fault is 50% or less. If the injured party is 51% or more at fault, they are completely barred from recovery. When fault is 50% or less, damages are reduced proportionally by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party.
Minimum Insurance Requirements: Texas requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (30/60/25). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is offered but not mandatory.
Commercial Truck Insurance: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations require interstate trucking companies to carry minimum liability coverage of $750,000 for trucks hauling non-hazardous property, with higher limits of $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for trucks transporting hazardous materials depending on cargo type.
Federal Regulations: Commercial trucks operating in Texas must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including hours of service rules limiting driving time, driver qualification standards, vehicle maintenance requirements, cargo securement rules, and electronic logging device mandates. Violations of these regulations serve as evidence of negligence in civil litigation.
Damage Caps: Texas does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in truck accident cases. Both medical expenses and pain and suffering damages can be recovered without statutory limits in most personal injury cases. Medical malpractice claims have separate caps that do not apply to trucking cases.
Punitive Damages: Texas allows exemplary (punitive) damages in cases involving fraud, malice, or gross negligence. Exemplary damages are generally capped at the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages up to $750,000.
Joint and Several Liability: Texas has modified joint and several liability rules. Defendants found more than 50% responsible are jointly and severally liable for all economic damages. Defendants found 50% or less responsible are only severally liable for their proportionate share.
Vicarious Liability: Texas applies the doctrine of respondeat superior, holding employers vicariously liable for the negligent acts of employees acting within the scope of employment. Trucking companies can also face direct liability for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and maintenance.
Wrongful Death: Texas wrongful death claims can be brought by surviving spouses, children, and parents. Claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. Recoverable damages include loss of companionship, loss of support, mental anguish, and loss of inheritance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for truck accident claims in Texas?
Texas provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. You must file your lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident. This deadline is strictly enforced, and missing it typically results in dismissal of your case regardless of the strength of your evidence. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year deadline measured from the date of death. Evidence deteriorates quickly, and trucking companies may destroy records after required retention periods, making prompt legal consultation essential.
How does Texas proportionate responsibility affect truck accident compensation?
Texas follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. If you are found 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% at fault and damages total $400,000, you would receive $280,000. However, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. Defense attorneys representing trucking companies frequently attempt to maximize fault attributed to injured parties to reduce or eliminate liability.
Where are truck accident lawsuits filed in Arlington?
Truck accident lawsuits in the Arlington area are typically filed in Tarrant County District Court. Arlington is located in Tarrant County, which has multiple district courts handling civil matters. Cases involving out-of-state trucking companies may be filed in federal court (United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas) if there is diversity of citizenship between parties and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. According to Texas Department of Transportation statistics, there were 2,174 commercial vehicle accidents in Tarrant County in 2021.
What parties can be held liable for a truck accident in Texas?
Multiple parties may share responsibility for truck accidents in Texas including the truck driver for negligent operation, the trucking company for vicarious liability under respondeat superior and direct liability for negligent hiring, training, or supervision, cargo loading companies for improper securement, maintenance contractors for negligent repairs, and vehicle or parts manufacturers for defective components. Under Texas law, defendants found more than 50% responsible are jointly and severally liable for economic damages, allowing injured parties to collect full economic damages from any such defendant.
What evidence is critical in Texas truck accident cases?
Critical evidence includes electronic logging device (ELD) data showing hours of service compliance, event data recorder (black box) information capturing pre-crash vehicle data such as speed and braking, driver qualification files containing driving history and drug testing records, vehicle maintenance logs, dispatch records, and cargo loading documentation. Federal regulations require trucking companies to retain certain records for limited periods, and companies may legally destroy records after these retention periods expire. Attorneys send spoliation letters immediately after accidents demanding evidence preservation and may file emergency motions to prevent destruction of critical electronic data.