Accidents move fast. This guide doesn't. Every step below is attorney-reviewed, specific to Dallas, Texas law, and written in plain language instead of legal jargon — with each answer linked to its source, so you don't miss what matters.
This guide applies to Texas law only. Texas-specific statutes (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, Tex. Transp. Code, Tex. Ins. Code), the 51% modified-comparative-fault bar, and Texas insurance minimums govern motor vehicle accident claims in Texas, they do not apply to accidents in other states.
If you were hit by a commercial truck in Dallas, Texas gives you 2 years to file under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. Truck accident claims involve multiple liable parties, the driver, the trucking company, and their insurers.
Critical differences from car accident claims:
- FMCSA regulations: Federal hours-of-service rules cap driving at 11 hours per 14-hour window. Violations are recorded on the truck's Electronic Logging Device
- Multiple defendants: The driver, carrier, maintenance contractor, and cargo loader may all share liability
- Higher insurance limits: Federal law requires $750,000–$5,000,000 in carrier liability coverage depending on cargo type
- Evidence destruction risk: Trucking companies routinely purge ELD data, dashcam footage, and inspection logs within 6 months
Texas's 51% fault bar applies. Contact a Dallas truck accident attorney immediately to send a spoliation preservation letter.
Quick Answer — Source Index5§ 2 LAW◎ 3 GOVclaim-level sources
Texas Statute of Limitations: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 16Texas Statute of Limitations: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 16✓ Official (source-only)
FMCSA Hours-of-Service RegulationsFMCSA Hours-of-Service Regulations✓ Official (source-only)
FMCSA Minimum Insurance Requirements: 49 CFR § 387FMCSA Minimum Insurance Requirements: 49 CFR § 387✓ Official (source-only)
TxDOT Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics 2024TxDOT Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics 2024✓ Official (source-only)
Texas Comparative Fault: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 33Texas Comparative Fault: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 33✓ Official (source-only)
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Right now · first hours
At the scene
Medical first. Concussion and internal injuries can appear hours after a crash. A worsening headache, confusion, repeated vomiting, or numbness means emergency care now (CDC head-injury danger signs).
- 1
Call 911 and wait for the responding officer. Do not move vehicles. The truck's final position is evidence of trajectory and speed. Ask the officer to document the truck's DOT number, carrier name, and trailer number in the CR-3.
- 2
Photograph the truck's USDOT placard on the cab door, company name, trailer number, all license plates, and every damage point. Also photograph any cargo debris, skid marks, and road conditions.
- 3
Do not speak with the trucking company's investigators or insurance representatives. Carriers dispatch rapid-response teams to crash scenes, sometimes within hours, and their goal is to build a defense file before you have counsel.
Do not
- ✕Let the truck leave before you photograph the DOT number and carrier name.
- ✕Speak with the trucking company's investigator or adjuster without an attorney present.
First 72 hours
Report & preserve evidence
The single most time-critical step in a Dallas truck case is preserving the truck's electronic data. ELD logs, black-box data, and dashcam footage are routinely overwritten within 30 to 72 hours unless a preservation letter stops the clock.
- Send a spoliation preservation letter fast. A letter to the carrier, insurer, and any maintenance contractor compels them to keep ELD data, dashcam footage, dispatch logs, driver qualification files, and inspection records. An attorney can send it within 24 hours of retention.
- Pull the carrier's safety history from FMCSA SAFER using the DOT number photographed at the scene. Hours-of-service violations and prior inspections are powerful liability evidence.
- Seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Truck accident injuries are frequently catastrophic and may not fully present for hours.
- Get witness names and phone numbers. In multi-lane freeway crashes on I-35E, I-30, or I-20, eyewitness accounts of lane position and speed are critical.
Why a truck crash is different
Under federal FMCSA regulations and Texas respondeat superior law, more than one party may be responsible, and the evidence landscape is uniquely time-sensitive:
- The carrier , for hours-of-service compliance, negligent hiring, and inadequate training. Federal minimums require $750,000 to $5,000,000 in carrier liability coverage depending on cargo.
- The driver , for direct negligence including distracted driving (FMCSA 49 CFR § 392.82 prohibits hand-held cell use).
- The maintenance contractor or cargo loader , if brake failure or a shifting load contributed to the crash.
- ELD data has a short window. FMCSA requires carriers to retain ELD records for only 6 months. Dashcam footage may overwrite in under 72 hours. A preservation letter within 24 hours is not optional in truck cases.
Texas recorded 4,150 traffic fatalities statewide in 2024, one person killed every 2 hours and 7 minutes.
Dallas County's position at the I-35E/I-30/I-20 interchange makes it one of the highest-volume commercial truck corridors in Texas. Fatality risk increases exponentially when a passenger vehicle collides with an 80,000-pound truck.
Source: TxDOT Crash Records 2024
Legal detailsKey numbers for this case typeFederal carrier coverage minimums, ELD retention window, and Texas filing deadlines, with sources.▼
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Texas statute of limitations, personal injury | 2 years from accident date | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 |
| Federal minimum carrier liability insurance | $750,000 – $5,000,000 depending on cargo | FMCSA 49 CFR § 387.9 |
| FMCSA hours-of-service driving limit | 11 hours per 14-hour window | FMCSA HOS Regulations |
| ELD data retention minimum | 6 months (carriers may purge after) | FMCSA 49 CFR § 395.8 |
| Modified comparative negligence threshold | 51%, exceed this and you recover nothing | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001 |
| Dallas County total crashes (2024) | 46,257 | TxDOT Crash Records 2024 |
First 2 weeks · before you sign
Protect the claim before you sign anything
- Truck-crash injuries (spinal damage, TBI, multiple fractures) carry long recovery timelines. Do not sign any release before a complete medical prognosis.
- Identify all defendants early. The driver, carrier, maintenance contractor, and cargo loader may each carry separate insurance. Missing one means missing a policy.
A quick settlement offer is information to weigh against your full and future costs, not something this page can tell you to accept or reject. When the stakes are unclear, that is a good moment for a licensed Texas attorney.
Local resources (Dallas)
Get your crash report
Texas Peace Officers file a CR-3 crash report for any injury crash. Request it from the TxDOT Crash Records Information System (CRIS) or from the reporting agency. Reports are typically available within 10 business days.
Verified as of Jun 2026Tow and impound
If Dallas PD ordered the tow, contact the Dallas Police non-emergency line (214-671-3100) or check the tow company noted on the CR-3. Bring ID, proof of ownership, and insurance. Daily storage fees accumulate quickly.
Verified as of Jun 2026Body shop
You choose your own repair shop. Under Tex. Ins. Code § 1952.301, the insurer cannot require a specific shop. Ask for an itemized estimate.
Verified as of Jun 2026Medical records
Request copies from each provider. Keep one folder with every bill, imaging report, and visit summary. You will need them to document both PIP claims and any lawsuit.
Verified as of Jun 2026Hospitals & emergency contacts
Emergency and trauma care (Dallas)
Parkland Memorial Hospital is the Dallas County Level I trauma center. For severe injuries, call 911 and EMS will route to the appropriate facility.
Verified as of Jun 2026Police and crash reports
Call 911 for any injury crash. Non-emergency: 214-671-3100. If police do not respond to the scene, you may file a report at any Dallas Police Department substation within 10 days. Always get the CR-3 report number.
Verified as of Jun 2026Common mistakes to avoid
- 1
Failing to send a spoliation preservation letter within 72 hours.
- 2
Speaking with the trucking company's investigator at the scene.
- 3
Treating a truck accident claim like a car accident claim.
- 4
Not identifying all liable parties.
Can you handle this yourself?
Do you need a lawyer for this?
When you want a verified local attorney
Truck cases in Dallas combine federal FMCSA rules, multiple defendants, and a 72-hour evidence clock. The verified partner firm for Dallas can take it from here. One firm, credential-checked. No lead auction.
See the verified firm and start a free evaluationWhat runs out, and when
- 2 years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). Miss it and the claim is permanently barred.
- 6 months to file a formal notice if a government vehicle was involved (city bus, DPD vehicle, TxDOT equipment), sometimes as little as 90 days. Verify your situation immediately.
- ~30 to 72 hours before dashcam footage overwrites without a preservation letter. ELD data is required to be kept for only 6 months (FMCSA 49 CFR § 395.8) before carriers may purge it.
- Exceptions: deadlines for minors can be tolled under Texas law, and government-claim notice deadlines are almost never extended. Verify your specific situation with a licensed Texas attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable in an 18-wheeler accident in Dallas?▼
Multiple parties may share liability: the truck driver, the trucking company (carrier), maintenance contractors, cargo loaders, and equipment manufacturers. Texas law holds carriers vicariously liable for their drivers' negligence. Each party carries separate insurance. Your attorney should identify all defendants to maximize available coverage.
How is a truck accident claim different from a car accident claim in Texas?▼
Truck claims involve federal FMCSA regulations, higher insurance limits ($750K–$5M), multiple defendants, and specialized evidence like ELD data and driver qualification files. Carriers deploy investigators within hours. The defense resources and litigation complexity far exceed standard auto claims. Specialized legal counsel is essential.
What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Dallas?▼
Call 911, photograph the truck's DOT number and company name, get witness contacts, and seek emergency medical care. Do not speak with the trucking company's investigators. Contact a truck accident attorney within 24 hours to send a spoliation preservation letter before ELD and dashcam evidence is destroyed.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Texas?▼
Texas gives you 2 years from the accident date under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. However, critical evidence like ELD data and dashcam footage may be destroyed within 6 months or less. File your claim and retain an attorney as early as possible to preserve evidence.
Can I sue the trucking company after a wreck in Texas?▼
Yes. Texas holds carriers liable for their drivers' actions under respondeat superior. You can also sue the carrier directly for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service rules. Carrier liability policies start at $750,000 and can reach $5 million or more.
What are FMCSA hours-of-service rules?▼
Federal regulations cap commercial truck drivers at 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window, followed by a mandatory 10-hour rest period. Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours. Violations are recorded on Electronic Logging Devices and are strong evidence of carrier negligence.
What if the truck driver was on their phone during the crash?▼
Distracted driving by a commercial truck driver violates FMCSA regulations prohibiting hand-held cell phone use (49 CFR § 392.82). Phone records, ELD data showing the truck was in motion, and dashcam footage can prove distraction. Your attorney can subpoena the driver's cell phone records early in litigation.
What if I was hit by a truck in Dallas, who pays my medical bills?▼
The carrier's liability insurance covers your medical bills if the truck driver was at fault. Federal minimums range from $750,000 to $5 million. Your own PIP coverage (if not rejected) can cover immediate costs while liability is investigated. A medical lien may allow treatment with no upfront payment, repaid from settlement proceeds.
How this was verified
Reviewed by: Not Yet Claimed · TX Bar #0000000 · Data as of: Mar 2026 · Next review: 2026-Q3.
What we did not verify: the facts of your specific crash, or any outcome.
Sources & Citations
- statute[1] Texas Statute of Limitations: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 16 ↗
- .gov[2] FMCSA Hours-of-Service Regulations ↗
- .gov[3] FMCSA Minimum Insurance Requirements: 49 CFR § 387 ↗
- .gov[4] TxDOT Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics 2024 ↗
- statute[5] Texas Comparative Fault: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 33 ↗
This guide applies to Texas law only and provides legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and apply differently to each situation. For advice about your case, talk to a licensed Texas attorney.
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