Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer
Undefeated Fort Worth 18 Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck and 18-wheeler accidents occur with alarming frequency throughout Texas, and the roads and highways in and around Fort Worth are no exception. In 2023 alone, Tarrant County recorded the fourth-highest number of trucking-related crashes in the Lone Star State, with a total of 1,866 incidents, including 13 fatal accidents that resulted in 18 deaths.
In far too many cases, such crashes result from negligence on the part of the trucking company or its driver. Yet it is the occupants of smaller passenger vehicles who typically bear the greatest burden after a truck or 18-wheeler accident.
Our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyers Set Records
In addition to their undefeated record in the courtroom, our Texas Truck Accident Lawyers have won billions of dollars for crash victims across the United States, including the largest verdicts and settlements in the state of Texas:
- $37.5 Million Verdict in Dallas County 18 Wheeler Accident
- #1 Largest Truck Accident Settlement in Texas
- One of the largest truck accident verdicts in the history of R&L Carriers
- The largest settlement in history against Oakley Trucking.
- $32 Million Settlement In Fatigue-Related Oilfield Truck Accident
- $20 Million Settlement in Fatal 18-Wheeler Crash
As a result of this unprecedented success, our firm has the resources and experience to take on any trucking company and legal team in the country and not only win – but consistently recover record-breaking verdicts and settlements for our clients and their families.
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed because of a reckless trucker or negligent trucking company, our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyers will commit whatever resources and time are necessary to hold the trucking company and its driver accountable and ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible for all of your injuries and losses.
Call 1-888-603-3636, click the “live chat” button, or send us a confidential email through our Contact Form.
All consultations are free—and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
Common Causes of Fort Worth Truck Accidents
Why is Fort Worth plagued with so many truck and 18-wheeler accidents?
Located in the heart of the densely populated Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and intersected by several major highways, including I-35W, I-20, and I-30, the region serves as a critical corridor for big rigs transporting goods and materials across Texas and throughout the United States. The region’s rapid growth over recent decades has made its roads and highways more congested than ever, significantly increasing the potential for accidents, including chain-reaction crashes involving multiple trucks and passenger vehicles.
To make matters even worse, far too many truck drivers passing through Fort Worth are on strict schedules, aiming to meet tight delivery windows that often compel them to engage in risky behaviors like speeding or driving longer hours than is ideal, which can prove disastrous in Tarrant County’s high-traffic environment.
In our experience, some of the most common causes of Fort Worth truck and 18-wheeler accidents include:
Inexperienced and Poorly Trained Truck Drivers
Operating an 18-wheeler or another large commercial truck is nothing like driving a passenger vehicle. Inexperienced truckers and poorly trained drivers may lack the skills and knowledge to correctly judge distances, handle tight turns, or react appropriately to hazards on the road.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
18-wheelers and other long-haul trucks are subjected to extensive wear and tear, and if they aren’t properly maintained, they can become dangerous on the road. Issues like worn-out brakes, deflated or old tires, and faulty steering mechanisms can lead to devastating accidents. Regular maintenance checks are crucial, but some trucking companies routinely cut corners to avoid the expense of taking a truck out of service.
Excessive Weight and Overloading
Overloading places undue stress on a truck’s brakes and suspension system. The rig becomes more challenging to maneuver and requires even more distance to stop, especially at high speeds. The risk of tire blowouts and rollovers also increases, endangering not only the truck driver but also other road users.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents across the board, and truck drivers are no exception. Distractions can include using a cell phone, eating, adjusting the GPS, or even daydreaming. Given the size and weight of a commercial truck or 18-wheeler, even a momentary distraction can lead to severe accidents, especially in heavy traffic or near construction zones.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and extremely dangerous. Like any other driver, impaired truckers will exhibit slower reaction times and poor judgment when behind the wheel. Due to the physical demands of long-haul driving, some truck drivers even rely on prescription or over-the-counter medications that can impair their ability to drive safely.
Speeding
Truck drivers often operate under tight deadlines, which can encourage speeding. Due to their massive size, 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and tractor tailors require longer stopping distances than typical passenger cars, and speeding reduces the driver’s ability to stop or slow down safely.
Reckless Driving
The consequences can be deadly when a truck driver behaves recklessly on the road, given their vehicle’s weight and size. Aggressive driving, failing to yield, or failing to use turn signals can also make it difficult for other drivers to predict the truck’s movements, leading to accidents.
Mechanical Failures
Mechanical issues like brake failure, engine problems, or tire blowouts are frequent causes of truck accidents. These issues can arise due to poor maintenance, manufacturing defects, or normal wear and tear. A brake failure, for instance, can prevent a driver from stopping in time, especially on downhill slopes or in high-traffic areas, leading to serious accidents.
Fatigued Driving
Fatigued truck drivers are one of the greatest dangers on the road. In fact, according to one recent study, insufficient sleep (less than 6 hours per night) increases the likelihood of a collision by 33%. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established strict regulations governing how long a commercial driver may remain behind the wheel before stopping to rest, research suggests truck driver fatigue is a contributing factor in 30% to 40% of all commercial trucking accidents.
Types of Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents
Just about any truck or 18-wheeler accident can result in severe or fatal injuries when a smaller passenger vehicle is involved. However, certain types of crashes are more likely to cause significant property damage and catastrophic injury to multiple victims, including:
Jackknife Truck Crashes
In a jackknife truck accident, the trailer of a semi-truck swings out to the side, forming an angle with the cab that resembles a folding pocket knife. These crashes typically happen when a truck brakes suddenly, causing the trailer to lose traction and swing out. They often occur on wet or icy surfaces or when a driver overcorrects after skidding. Jackknife crashes can block multiple lanes of traffic, endangering other vehicles and sometimes leading to multi-vehicle collisions.
Underride Crashes
An underride crash occurs when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities due to the impact zone being closer to the passengers. This type of accident usually happens when a truck stops suddenly, or a vehicle behind the truck is unable to brake in time. Properly installed rear undergrads can prevent cars from sliding under the trailer.
Rear-End Collision
Rear-end collisions occur when a big rig hits the back of a vehicle in front of it or when a smaller vehicle rear-ends the truck. They are frequently caused by sudden braking, driver distraction, or following too closely. Because 18-wheelers, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers have much longer stopping distances, rear-end collisions can be catastrophic, especially if the smaller vehicle is crushed under the weight of the truck’s cab or trailer.
T-Bone Crashes
A T-bone crash, or side-impact collision, occurs when the front of a truck hits the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. These accidents typically happen at intersections when one vehicle runs a red light or stop sign, often due to distracted driving, speeding, or misjudging the truck’s stopping distance. T-bone crashes involving a big rig can be especially devastating for smaller vehicles, as the sides of most cars offer less protection than the front or rear.
Cargo-Related Accidents
Cargo-related accidents occur when a truck’s load is not adequately secured, causing cargo to shift, spill, or even fall onto the road. This can lead to a loss of balance, making the truck swerve, jackknife, or rollover. Accidents related to loose or shifting cargo are particularly common when loads are not correctly balanced, when drivers take turns too quickly, or if the truck hits a bump or pothole. Spilled cargo on the road can also create hazards for other drivers.
Rollover Truck Crashes
Rollover accidents occur when a truck tips onto its side or roof. These crashes are often caused by sharp turns taken at high speed, uneven cargo loads, or abrupt maneuvers, like swerving to avoid an obstacle. Rollovers are also common on curvy roads or highway ramps, where trucks with high centers of gravity are especially prone to tipping.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipes happen when a truck collides with the side of another vehicle while changing lanes. Trucks have significant blind spots, particularly on the sides and rear, where other vehicles can become invisible to the driver. If a truck driver fails to check their blind spots or merges without sufficient space, they can sideswipe a vehicle. Sideswipe accidents often cause smaller vehicles to lose control, veer off the road, or swerve into other lanes of traffic.
Common Injuries in Fort Worth 18-Wheeler Accidents
Truck and 18-wheeler accidents can have serious and far-reaching consequences for all involved. The most obvious include the injuries suffered by victims, which tend to be more severe than the injuries sustained in a typical motor vehicle crash:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Traumatic brain injuries can result from sudden impacts and blunt force trauma, leading to lifelong challenges in cognitive function and memory.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis, significantly affecting mobility and daily activities.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: High-impact collisions often lead to multiple fractures that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: Truck and 18-wheeler accident victims may suffer damage to internal organs, which can be life-threatening and require emergency surgery.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries can cause chronic pain and long-term discomfort.
- Psychological Trauma: Many survivors experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after their traumatic experiences.
The financial impact of a truck accident can be staggering. Medical bills pile up quickly, especially for those requiring extensive treatments like surgeries, physical therapy, or long-term rehabilitation. Even with insurance, many victims find themselves facing substantial out-of-pocket expenses. The economic consequences can extend beyond immediate medical costs. Victims often miss work due to their injuries, resulting in lost wages that can add significant strain to their families.
Determining Fault in Fort Worth Truck Accidents
Unlike a typical motor vehicle crash, fault in an 18-wheeler or other trucking-related accident often extends beyond the truck driver and may include trucking companies, maintenance providers, vehicle manufacturers, and even cargo loaders. Identifying which parties hold responsibility requires a thorough investigation into every factor contributing to the accident, including the truck’s ownership, operation, and maintenance.
Some parties that may bear responsibility in a Fort Worth truck accident include:
- The Trucker: Texas and federal laws require commercial drivers to meet strict qualifications and adhere to rigorous safety standards, including limits on driving hours and mandatory rest periods to prevent fatigue. If a truck driver ignored these rules or engaged in reckless behavior such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, they may bear partial or total liability.
- The Trucking Company: Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are adequately trained, licensed, and fit for the job, and they must maintain their fleet to ensure that vehicles are safe and compliant with federal safety standards. If a company is found to have pressured a driver to ignore hours-of-service regulations, for example, or failed to address known vehicle maintenance issues, the company may share in the liability.
- The Maintenance Provider: Maintenance providers contracted to keep trucks in road-ready condition may also be liable if they failed to perform proper repairs or inspections. Faulty parts, worn tires, and brake failures are common maintenance issues that, if neglected, can lead to devastating accidents.
- A Vehicle or Equipment Manufacturer: A manufacturer may be at fault if a defective truck or vehicle part, such as a malfunctioning braking system, contributed to the accident. In such a case, injured victims and their families can pursue a product liability claim against the company that manufactured the equipment.
- The Loading Company: FMCSA regulations require that cargo be loaded in a way that does not endanger others on the road. If improper loading, shifting cargo, or an overweight truck causes a crash, the company responsible for loading the truck can be held liable for any resulting injuries.
When more than one party – possibly including an injured motorist – is to blame for a truck or 18-wheeler accident, Texas follows the concept of comparative liability, meaning each is assigned blame based on their percentage of fault. For example, a reckless trucker could be found 70% at fault for a collision, while the driver of a passenger vehicle might be assigned 30% liability due to actions – speeding, improper lane changes, etc. – that also contributed to the wreck. So, even if the motorist’s total damages were valued at $100,000, they would only be entitled to recover $70,000.
Texas also follows what’s known as the 50% rule, which prohibits a motorist from recovering any compensation if they are found to be 50% or more at fault for a truck or 18-wheeler crash.
Why Hire our Fort Worth 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers?
It’s common for accident victims to receive calls from the trucking company’s claims adjuster after a crash. While they may express empathy and promise to “take care of you” and “make things right” for you and your family, you need to understand they’re only seeking to persuade you to accept an inadequate settlement offer before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and the actual value of your case. No matter what they say, their primary objective is to save money by paying you and your family far less than what your case is worth.
The fact is, there’s little a trucking company won’t do to avoid paying you and your family the damages you deserve. For example, many companies train drivers to blame the crash victim at the scene, even when it’s obvious the driver was to blame. Trucking companies are also notorious for destroying or losing driving logs, training records, and other important evidence proving they or their driver were at fault.
Having successfully represented thousands of truck and 18-wheeler accident victims across Texas and the United States, our Fort Worth Truck Accident Attorneys have a deep understanding of federal trucking regulations and how the industry operates. We also know what evidence to look for, how to get it before it’s lost or destroyed, and how to use that evidence to prove that the trucking company or its driver were at fault.
Crucially, we have the resources and experience to take on the largest trucking companies in the world, their insurers, and their teams of lawyers and ensure that our clients receive the maximum compensation possible for all their injuries and losses.
What Texas Truck Accident Victims Say About Our 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers
Unlike many other personal injury law firms, we’re always prepared to take a case to trial – where our attorneys remain undefeated – if the trucking company refuses to offer a settlement that fully compensates our clients for all of their injuries and losses. Because trucking companies are well aware of our reputation, many of our truck and 18-wheeler cases end up settling for substantial (and often record-setting) amounts well before trial.
But our dedication to our clients extends far beyond the courtroom. From connecting you with the best doctors and medical providers in Texas to making sure you have the financial resources to provide and care for yourself and your family for the rest of your life, our Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyers are always there for you while your case is pending and long after it’s already been resolved.
But don’t just take our word for it.
Visit our Client Video Testimonial page or our firm’s YouTube channel to see what other truck and 18-wheeler accident victims across Texas say about working with our firm.
Contact our Undefeated Fort Worth Truck and 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here
With Billions won and the #1 Largest Recoveries in Texas, our Fort Worth Truck and 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers have repeatedly demonstrated that we don’t just win for our clients and their families – we set records.
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in a truck or 18-wheeler accident, call our Truck Accident Attorneys at 1-888-603-3636, use the chat form on our website, or send us a confidential email through our Contact Form by clicking here.
Our lawyers will answer your questions, explain your options and rights, and provide you with all the information you need to do what’s best for you and your family.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay us a cent unless we win your case.
Fort Worth Truck Accident FAQS
The value of a truck accident claim depends on a mix of factors, including the severity and type of injuries, your current and future medical expenses, any lost income, and the degree of property damage. Additional aspects, like how much your daily life has been affected and whether there’s a lasting disability, can also influence the claim’s value.
After an accident, your safety is the top priority. First, call 911 to report the accident and get medical aid to the scene. Once safe, if you’re able, document the accident by taking photos of the scene, any visible injuries, and damage to all vehicles involved. Get the contact information of witnesses and the truck driver, including the trucking company’s details. However, void making statements about fault at the scene, as they could be used against you later.
Once you leave the accident scene, you should immediately get checked out at the nearest ER or urgent care. You’ll also want to notify your insurance company about the accident but be cautious with what you share. Stick to the facts, and don’t speculate about fault, even if you think your actions might have contributed to the crash.
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries that aren’t immediately obvious. Injuries like concussions, whiplash, or internal bleeding might not show symptoms right away, and adrenaline after a crash can mask pain. By seeing a doctor, you’re not only protecting your health but also creating a medical record that links your injuries to the accident, which can be crucial if you decide to file a claim.
You’re not required to speak with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. In fact, it’s usually a good idea not to interact with them at all and have your attorney do so instead. Insurance adjusters might ask questions that seem harmless but are actually aimed at getting you to say things that could hurt your claim later. You’re under no obligation to speak with them, provide a recorded statement, or sign anything, and it’s in your best interest not to do so.
Truck accident lawsuits tend to be more complicated than standard car accident cases, as they involve complex federal regulations, multiple insurance policies, and more severe injuries. There may also be several responsible parties, such as the driver, the trucking company, the truck’s owner, or even the truck’s manufacturer, depending on what caused the accident. Because these crashes are more likely to cause catastrophic and even fatal injuries, truck accident lawsuits are also more likely to result in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements and may even break records.
Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and may offer less than what your case is truly worth. Without an attorney’s help, you might not realize the full extent of your claim, including long-term medical needs, lost future income, and other damages. You are also more likely to make a mistake that would allow the insurance company to deny your claim entirely.
It’s best to avoid discussing the accident publicly or online. The insurance company likely has you under surveillance, which includes monitoring your social media activity. They’ll use anything you say or post to challenge your claim. Even casual comments or photos can be taken out of context and used against you. To protect your right to compensation, it’s best to limit discussions about the accident to your spouse and your attorney.
If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be eligible for compensation to cover your lost wages, as well as potential future earnings. Our Fort Worth 18-wheeler accident attorneys can help calculate this amount based on factors such as your salary, expected career trajectory, and any additional benefits or bonuses you may have lost. Additionally, if your injuries are severe enough to cause permanent disability or impairments that affect your ability to work in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of earning capacity.
Yes, it’s possible to sue even if the driver was an independent contractor. While trucking companies sometimes try to limit liability by hiring drivers as contractors, they can still be held responsible in some cases, particularly if they failed to follow safety standards or properly screen or supervise the driver. The truck driver might also have their own insurance coverage, which could potentially cover your damages.
Texas allows victims to seek punitive damages, also known as “exemplary damages,” in cases where the truck driver or trucking company acted with gross negligence or intentionally disregarded the safety of others. This means you must prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that the defendant’s behavior showed an extreme degree of risk and that they acted with a conscious indifference to the rights, safety, or welfare of others. Under Texas law, punitive damages are capped at the greater of either $200,000 or two times the amount of economic damages plus up to $750,000 of non-economic damages. However, there are exceptions when crashes involve certain criminal acts, such as DUI.