Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Arlington, Texas
The firms in this guide
- DFW Injury Lawyers Call DFW Injury Lawyers: (972) 441-5244
- Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. Call Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C.: (214) 999-9999
- Law Offices of David Kohm Call Law Offices of David Kohm: (817) 861-8400
- The Dashner Law Firm Call The Dashner Law Firm: (972) 793-8989
- Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Call Merritt & Merritt Law Firm: (800) 738-9394
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 Maintenance, Post-Crash Testing and Joint Liability in Arlington Truck Crash Claims
An Arlington truck crash claim can turn on whether the carrier kept the truck in repair and whether the driver was tested after the crash. Texas law then decides when a single defendant answers for the whole recovery and who brings the claim when a crash is fatal.
Maintenance and Inspection
Under 49 CFR 396.3, every motor carrier must systematically inspect, repair and maintain each vehicle subject to its control, keep maintenance records for 1 year where the vehicle is housed or maintained, and keep them for 6 months after the vehicle leaves its control. Under 396.17, each commercial motor vehicle, including each unit of a combination, must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.
Testing the Driver After the Crash
Under 49 CFR 382.303, a crash involving a fatality requires alcohol and drug testing of the surviving commercial driver, and a crash with an injury treated away from the scene or disabling damage requiring a tow requires it when the commercial driver is cited for a moving violation arising from the crash within 8 hours (alcohol) or 32 hours (drugs). If the alcohol test is not given within 2 hours, the carrier records why; alcohol testing attempts stop at 8 hours and drug testing attempts at 32 hours.
Joint and Several Liability
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 33.013(a), a liable defendant pays only the percentage of damages equal to its percentage of responsibility. Under 33.013(b), a defendant whose percentage is greater than 50 percent is also jointly and severally liable for the damages the claimant can recover under 33.012.
A Fatal Crash
Under Section 71.002(b), a person is liable for damages from an injury that causes death if it was caused by that person’s or that person’s agent’s or servant’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness or default. Under 71.004, the action is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children and parents, any of whom may bring it for all.
Arlington Truck Accident Questions
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent under Section 33.001. For example, imagine $400,000 in damages and 30 percent of the responsibility on the injured driver: the recovery would be $280,000.
How long do I have to sue the carrier?
Two years after the day the cause of action accrues under Section 16.003(a) for personal injury, and two years after the death under 16.003(b) for wrongful death. A City of Arlington truck brings an earlier deadline: Section 101.101 entitles the city to notice within six months after the incident unless it had actual notice of the injury, and a charter notice period ratified under 101.101(b) can apply instead.
Does my policy cover an uninsured truck driver?
Yes, if it is an automobile liability policy and the coverage was not rejected in writing. Under Texas Insurance Code 1952.101, an automobile liability policy covering liability for the use of any motor vehicle must include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage unless any insured named in the policy rejects it in writing.