Truck accidents can be devastating — not just physically, but financially and emotionally. In an instant, a negligent driver or reckless trucking company can change your life forever. At Francis Injury, we understand the stakes. That’s why we’ve outlined everything you need to know about what to do after a Texas truck accident, including critical steps to protect your health, preserve evidence, and fight for maximum compensation. If you're facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and insurance company pressure, read this guide carefully — and reach out for a free consultation today.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Truck Accident in Texas?
The moments after a collision with an 18-wheeler or commercial truck are often chaotic. But if you’re physically able, there are steps you must take right away to protect your safety and legal rights. Your health comes first. Move to a safe location, call 911, and request emergency medical services. Even if you feel “fine,” symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, or spinal cord damage can take hours — even days — to appear. Delaying treatment could hurt your recovery and weaken your future personal injury claim.
Once you're safe and medical help is on the way, gather information. Speak with eyewitnesses and ask for their names and contact details. Their statements could be crucial later if liability is disputed. Document everything at the scene — take photos of your vehicle, the truck, skid marks, traffic signals, weather conditions, and your injuries. If possible, get the truck driver's name, license number, employer, and insurance information. Trucking cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties, including:
- The driver (if negligent or impaired)
- The trucking company (for negligent hiring or training)
- The cargo loader (for shifting or overloaded freight)
- The truck maintenance crew (for mechanical failures)
Write down your version of events as soon as you can — details fade quickly after trauma. Your personal account may be the strongest evidence you have early on.
What Are the Next Legal Steps After a Truck Accident?
After the immediate chaos settles, the legal battle begins. Trucking companies waste no time deploying their lawyers and insurance adjusters to minimize your payout. That’s why your next move should be to retain a qualified truck accident lawyer in Texas who knows how to protect your interests from Day One. Your attorney will take fast action to preserve black box data, obtain driver logs, subpoena maintenance records, and identify all sources of liability.
At the same time, continue your medical treatment. Don’t miss appointments. Keep a journal tracking your pain levels, medications, mobility, mental health, and overall quality of life. Insurance companies scrutinize gaps in care to argue your injuries aren’t serious. Consistent care also strengthens your demand for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering.
Meticulously save all documentation related to the accident. This includes:
- Medical records and bills
- Prescriptions and physical therapy logs
- Mechanic estimates and vehicle repair invoices
- Out-of-pocket expenses (transportation, childcare, etc.)
- Proof of missed work or reduced earning capacity
This evidence helps calculate the full value of your claim — not just current costs, but projected future losses too. With the right legal strategy, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning potential
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
Why You Should Never Talk to the Insurance Company Alone
It may seem harmless to answer a few questions from the truck driver’s insurer — but don’t do it. Insurance companies are trained to twist your words and pressure you into settling quickly, often for far less than your claim is worth. They may even try to get you to admit partial fault, which could drastically reduce your payout under Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule.
Instead, direct all communications to your attorney. A strong legal team will handle all negotiations, protect you from bad faith tactics, and make sure your claim is filed before the Texas statute of limitations expires — generally two years from the accident date. If no fair settlement offer is made, your lawyer can take your case to court and argue for full and fair compensation in front of a jury.
How Francis Injury Can Help You Win Your Truck Accident Case
At Francis Injury, our personal injury team is known for taking on trucking companies — and winning. We understand the unique challenges of 18-wheeler crash claims, from federal trucking regulations to complex multi-defendant lawsuits. We don’t back down from a fight, and we never settle for less than you deserve.
When you hire Francis Injury, we immediately begin a thorough investigation into the cause of your crash. We work with accident reconstruction experts, review surveillance footage, obtain electronic logging device (ELD) data, and expose negligent safety practices. Our goal is simple: to build the strongest possible case while you focus on healing. We’ve helped clients recover millions in verdicts and settlements, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Texas — whether in Dallas, Fort Worth, Southlake, or anywhere across North Texas — don’t wait. Call 817-329-9001 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. We only get paid if we win your case.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Texas
Truck accidents can happen in many different ways — and each type comes with unique legal and medical complications. Understanding how your crash occurred can help determine who may be held responsible and what evidence is needed to support your case. Some of the most common types of commercial truck accidents include:
- Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, often caused by abrupt braking or slippery roads.
- Rear-End Collisions: Due to the size and stopping distance of 18-wheelers, these crashes are often catastrophic for the vehicle in front.
- Rollover Accidents: Caused by speeding, sharp turns, or unbalanced cargo loads.
- Underride Accidents: When a smaller vehicle gets trapped under the rear or side of a truck’s trailer — usually fatal or permanently disabling.
- Blind Spot Crashes: Trucks have large blind spots, or “no-zones,” where nearby vehicles can be completely hidden from view.
- Tire Blowouts: Often due to poor maintenance or overloading, blowouts can cause drivers to lose control of the truck at high speeds.
Francis Injury investigates every detail of how your crash occurred to prove negligence and secure the compensation you need to recover.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Texas?
Texas leads the nation in fatal truck accidents — and most are preventable. Our legal team regularly sees the same patterns of negligence, including:
- Driver fatigue: Truckers are legally limited to how many hours they can drive, but violations are common due to tight delivery schedules.
- Distracted driving: Texting, using GPS, or even eating while driving a big rig can lead to deadly consequences.
- Speeding: Commercial trucks traveling above posted limits or too fast for road conditions pose a major danger to others.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol — including over-the-counter medications — is a major risk factor.
- Poor maintenance: Bald tires, faulty brakes, or broken lights can contribute to mechanical failure on the road.
- Unsecured cargo: Shifting or falling loads can make a truck unstable or cause objects to crash into other vehicles.
Our team holds negligent drivers, trucking companies, and third parties accountable when their carelessness leads to injury. Learn more about our legal services here.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?
Truck accident victims often suffer life-altering injuries that impact their careers, families, and long-term health. At Francis Injury, we fight to recover every dollar you’re owed — not just for your current bills, but for your future losses as well. In Texas, personal injury compensation falls into two main categories:
- Economic Damages: These are your tangible financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: These include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (for spouses).
In some cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, such as DUI or falsified driving logs, you may also be entitled to punitive damages — designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter future violations.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Complex Than Car Accidents
Many people assume that truck and car accident cases follow the same playbook — but they don’t. Trucking injury claims are typically more complex due to:
- Multiple Defendants: The driver, employer, contractor, or even parts manufacturer may share fault.
- Federal Regulations: Commercial drivers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which has strict rules about driving hours, inspections, and licensing.
- Corporate Insurance Policies: Trucking companies often have multi-million-dollar policies — and the insurers fight hard to minimize payouts.
- Critical Evidence: Electronic logs, maintenance records, and dash cam footage must be preserved quickly or risk being lost.
This is why choosing the right lawyer matters. Francis Injury has built its reputation on winning complex trucking cases and helping victims throughout Texas get justice.
FAQs About Truck Accidents in Texas
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?
The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. But don’t delay — evidence can disappear quickly.
Can I sue the trucking company even if the driver was at fault?
Yes. Trucking companies may be held vicariously liable or directly liable for issues like negligent hiring, poor training, or safety violations.
What if I was partially at fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you’re less than 51% responsible, you may still recover damages — reduced by your percentage of fault.
What types of compensation can I recover?
Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future care costs, and more. Our attorneys will pursue the maximum amount available under Texas law.
How much does it cost to hire Francis Injury?
We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.