Hablamos Español • Free Consultation • No Fee Unless We Win Being hit by a commercial truck—whether a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, or big rig—can change everything in a second. Fort Worth sits at the crossroads of I-35W, I-30, I-20, and US-287—major freight corridors with heavy truck traffic every day.
Why big-rig crashes are different
- Federal trucking rules, corporate defendants, and high insurance limits make these cases more complex than car crashes.
- Driver fatigue & Hours-of-Service (HOS) violations, ELD/HOS issues, and dispatch pressure.
- Unsafe driving: speeding, tailgating, blind-spot lane changes, and wide turns.
- Cargo problems: overloading, unsecured freight, shifting loads.
- Maintenance defects: bad brakes/tires; failure to inspect or repair.
- Company negligence: unsafe hiring/training/supervision; unrealistic schedules.
- Multiple at-fault parties: driver, motor carrier, tractor owner, trailer owner, shipper, broker, maintenance contractor, and sometimes manufacturers.
What to do after a truck wreck in Fort Worth
Do this immediately (if safe):
- Call 911 and get medical care (even if injuries seem minor).
- Photograph the scene, vehicles (tractor/trailer), skid marks, road conditions, and visible injuries; capture the truck’s DOT numbers.
- Collect the driver/motor-carrier info and witness names & phone numbers.
- Save dashcam footage, phone photos, repair invoices, and medical records.
- Call us quickly so we can send a preservation (“spoliation”) letter for the truck’s ECM/EDR (“black box”), ELD logs, driver qualification file, dispatch records, maintenance logs, bills of lading, and camera footage.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Do not apologize or guess about fault.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney.
- Do not sign blanket medical releases or accept quick offers without counsel.
Related reads: Steps to Take When Filing a Truck Accident Claim · What to Do After a Truck Accident in Texas · Dealing with Insurance Companies
How we build your 18-wheeler claim
- Scene & vehicle forensics: inspections, ECM/EDR downloads, brake & tire measurements, trailer/tractor condition.
- Driver/company records: ELD/HOS, trip sheets, dispatch notes, driver qualification file, prior violations, safety/training policies.
- Cargo/route evidence: bills of lading, weight tickets, loading procedures, GPS/telematics, weigh-station data.
- Digital proof: cell-phone records (distraction), cab/dash cameras, traffic cams.
- Expert workups: accident reconstruction, human factors, biomechanics, life-care planning, vocational loss, and economics.
Learn more: Truck Accident Negligence · How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit · How Long to File a Truck Accident Claim?
Who may be liable after a semi truck crash?
- Truck driver (speeding, fatigue, distraction, impairment).
- Motor carrier/employer (unsafe hiring/training/scheduling; poor maintenance; regulatory violations).
- Owner/lessor of the tractor or trailer.
- Shipper/loader (improper securement, overweight loads).
- Maintenance/repair contractors (negligent inspection/repair).
- Manufacturers (defective parts, tires, or brakes).
- Government entities (dangerous road design/maintenance; special notice deadlines may apply).
More: Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident? · Driver or Company Liability?
Common causes & crash types we handle
Causes: fatigue, speeding, tailgating, lane departure, distraction/phone use, unsafe turns, brake/maintenance failures, cargo issues, weather. Crash types: jackknife, underride/override, T-bone (intersection), rear-end, rollover, tire blowouts, wide-turn squeeze, tanker crashes. Explore: Common Causes of Truck Accidents · 7 Causes of Truck Accidents in DFW · Jackknife Accidents · Underride Accidents · Truck T-Bone Accidents · Tanker Truck Accidents · Types of Truck Accident Claims
Injuries we see in big-rig crashes
Catastrophic injuries are common with 18-wheeler collisions: traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord damage, herniated discs, fractures/crush injuries, burns, amputation, and wrongful death. Helpful resources: Injuries in Truck Accidents · Fort Worth Brain Injury Lawyer · Fort Worth Wrongful Death Lawyer
What compensation can I recover?
- Medical costs (ER, surgery, rehab, meds) and future care plans.
- Lost wages & loss of earning capacity.
- Pain, suffering, mental anguish, and physical impairment.
- Property damage & loss of use.
- Wrongful death damages (funeral, loss of consortium/household services).
- Punitive damages when gross negligence is proven.
Planning your recovery: Maximizing a Settlement · 18-Wheeler Settlements · Try our Accident Settlement Calculator
Deadlines & fault in Texas
- Statute of limitations: Most injury and wrongful-death claims must be filed within 2 years of the crash (some exceptions apply).
- Modified comparative negligence (the “51% bar”): You can recover if you are 50% or less at fault; your recovery is reduced by your percentage. At 51%+, recovery is barred.
- Government vehicles/roads: Special notice deadlines may apply—contact us ASAP.
Learn more: Texas PI Limitations · Car Accident SOL Guide · Partly to Blame?
Bilingual services (Hablamos Español)
Nuestra firma ayuda a víctimas de choques con camiones, tráileres y 18-wheelers en Fort Worth y todo Tarrant County. Hablamos Español. Podemos explicar el proceso legal, coordinar atención médica y mantenerle informado durante todo el caso. Llámenos al 817-329-9001 o contáctenos por nuestra página de contacto.
Why choose Francis Injury?
- Local Fort Worth team familiar with I-35W, I-30, I-20, I-820, US-287, and SH-183 corridors.
- Rapid evidence preservation (black box/ELD, dispatch, maintenance records).
- Trial-ready strategy with reconstruction and damages experts.
- Bilingual client service and help coordinating care.
- Contingency fee: No attorney’s fee unless we win.
See our Results and Testimonials. Related pages: Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyer · Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer · Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer · Texas Truck Accident Lawyer
Free Consultation — Speak With a Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Call 817-329-9001 or request your free case review. No fee unless we win.
Start Free ReviewOffice: 640 Taylor St Suite 1200B, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Useful references: FMCSA Regulations · TxDOT Crash Data
FAQs: Fort Worth Truck Accident Claims
+ What should I do right after a tractor-trailer crash? Call 911, get medical care, document the scene and truck identifiers (DOT numbers), gather witnesses, and call us immediately. We’ll preserve black-box/EDR, ELD logs, dispatch, maintenance, and loading records before they disappear. See our guide: 7 Steps After a Truck Accident. + How long do I have to file an 18-wheeler lawsuit in Texas? Generally 2 years from the date of the crash (exceptions may apply). Don’t wait—evidence and electronic data can be lost quickly. Learn more: Filing deadlines for truck claims. + What if I’m partly at fault for the wreck? Texas uses modified comparative negligence (the “51% bar”). You can recover if you are 50% or less at fault—your recovery is reduced by your percentage. At 51%+, you cannot recover. See: Partly to Blame?. + Who can be held responsible besides the driver? The motor carrier/company, tractor/trailer owners, shippers/loaders, maintenance contractors, and in some cases manufacturers or road authorities. Read more: Who Is Liable?. + What makes a semi-truck case stronger? Early preservation of black-box/EDR & ELD data, phone records, maintenance history, loading documents; prompt reconstruction; consistent medical care; and avoiding insurer traps or blanket releases. Helpful: Evidence that helps claims. + How much is my big-rig case worth? Value depends on liability proof, insurance limits, injury severity, treatment, and long-term losses. Every case is unique. See: Truck settlement factors and 18-wheeler settlements in Texas.Resources for Truck Accident Victims
Hospitals & Level I Trauma Centers
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth – Level I trauma center with advanced stroke, cardiac, and brain-tumor care. Emergency care 24/7.
- John Peter Smith (JPS) Hospital – Public Level I trauma & teaching hospital offering psychiatric and interpreter services.
- Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Not-for-profit full-service hospital with cardiology, transplant, women’s & children’s services.
- Medical City Fort Worth Hospital – Tertiary referral center offering 24-hour ER, neurology, orthopedics, and transplant services.
Pediatric Care
- Cook Children’s Medical Center – Leading pediatric hospital with a Level II pediatric trauma center and helipad for critical cases.
Community Health Access
- Las Vegas Trail Health Center – New community clinic combining Cook Children’s pediatric services with JPS adult care under one roof. A trusted, multilingual resource for local families.
Crash Reporting & Documentation
- Crash Report Access – Obtain Fort Worth accident reports from local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System for essential evidence.
