In Texas, liability can fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, or both—often both—depending on how the crash happened, the evidence, and Texas’ respondeat superior and negligent entrustment laws. If you were injured, Rad Law Firm can investigate fast and hold every responsible party accountable. Call 972-661-1111 for a free case review—no fee unless we win.
Why this matters right now
Truck crashes are different from ordinary car accidents. Multiple companies and insurance policies may be on the hook (driver, motor carrier, trailer owner, cargo loader, maintenance contractor, broker/shipper, and more). The sooner we act, the faster we can preserve black box data, driver logs, and surveillance video before they disappear.
Free 24/7 help: 972-661-1111 | We handle cases across Dallas–Fort Worth and all of Texas | No upfront costs
The legal basics: who can be liable in a Texas truck accident?
1) The truck driver
A driver can be personally responsible for negligence, including:
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Speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, failing to yield
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Distracted driving (texting, GPS input), fatigue/drowsy driving
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Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
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Ignoring hours-of-service limits or falsifying logbooks
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Not inspecting the truck or securing cargo
2) The trucking company (motor carrier)
Under Texas law and federal motor carrier safety rules, a trucking company can be liable in two main ways:
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Vicarious liability (respondeat superior): When the driver is an employee acting within the course and scope of employment, the motor carrier is responsible for the driver’s negligence.
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Direct negligence (against the company itself), such as:
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Negligent hiring, training, supervision, or retention
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Negligent maintenance or failure to fix known defects
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Forcing unrealistic schedules that encourage speeding or fatigue
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Poor safety policies or failing to monitor hours-of-service (HOS) compliance
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Improper dispatching during storms or with known equipment issues
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3) Both driver and company (most common)
In many cases, we pursue both: the driver for negligent driving and the company for vicarious liability and separate corporate negligence (e.g., bad hiring, unsafe policies). This is often where the larger insurance coverage (primary + excess/umbrella) becomes available for your medical bills, lost income, and long-term needs.
Other parties who may share fault (and increase available insurance)
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Trailer owner (if different from tractor owner) for defects or poor maintenance
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Cargo loader/shipper (improper loading, overweight, shifting freight)
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Maintenance/repair contractor (faulty work, missed recalls)
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Parts or tire manufacturer (defective brakes, blowouts, steering components)
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Freight broker/3PL (negligent selection of an unsafe carrier in some cases)
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Bars/restaurants under Texas Dram Shop laws (if a commercial driver was overserved)
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Government entities (dangerous road design, missing signage—special notice deadlines apply)
Pro tip: Truck cases are like a puzzle. Each piece (trucking company, shipper, loader, etc.) may add another insurance layer, which can be critical in catastrophic injury cases.
Need us to start the full liability search? Call 972-661-1111—free, same-day case strategy.
How Texas decides fault: proportionate responsibility (and why it matters)
Texas uses modified comparative fault (also called proportionate responsibility). Your compensation is reduced by your % of fault, and you cannot recover if you’re 51% or more at fault. If a defendant is found to be a majority at fault, they may face greater responsibility for damages. Bottom line: evidence wins. That’s why preserving and analyzing data fast is everything.
The evidence that proves liability (and disappears quickly)
We move immediately to preserve and secure:
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ECM/EDR “black box” data (speed, braking, throttle, hours)
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ELD hours-of-service logs and prior log history
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Dashcam and inward-facing cab video
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Dispatch communications, text messages, GPS/ping data
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Bills of lading, weight tickets, route plans
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Driver qualification file (DQF): hiring, training, prior violations, medical certs, drug/alcohol tests
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Maintenance and inspection records (pre-trip, post-trip, DVIRs)
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Accident scene evidence (skid marks, debris, gouge marks, resting positions)
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911 audio, police crash report, bodycam footage
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Nearby business or traffic-cam video
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Witness statements (secured early while memories are fresh)
We also send a spoliation/preservation letter to lock down evidence and prevent deletion.
Want us to preserve this evidence today? Call 972-661-1111—no cost to start.
Common scenarios and who’s likely liable
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Rear-end by a semi: Usually driver (following too closely/distracted) and company (fatigue/scheduling/safety practices).
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Wide right turn squeeze: Driver (improper turn/no proper mirror checks) and possibly company (training failures).
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Lane drift or sideswipe on I-35E, I-20, I-30, I-635, US-75: Driver fatigue/distracted; company for HOS violations.
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Tire blowout/jackknife: Maintenance/owner; sometimes parts manufacturer if there’s a defect.
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Shifting cargo/Rollover: Loader/shipper for improper securement; driver if ignoring weight or speed; company for poor oversight.
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Alcohol/drug DUI: Driver, employer, and dram shop defendants if overserving caused impairment.
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Brake failure: Maintenance contractor and company for negligent maintenance; driver for missed inspections if applicable.
Insurance in truck cases: more than a simple auto policy
In Texas truck crashes, there may be multiple policies:
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Primary commercial auto (often $750,000–$1,000,000)
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Excess/umbrella coverage (can be several million more)
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Cargo, trailer, and other specialized policies
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Contractual indemnity between broker/shipper/carrier that can influence recovery
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UM/UIM and PIP/MedPay on your policy (often overlooked sources of immediate help)
We identify every policy and every defendant—so you don’t leave money on the table.
Call 972-661-1111 and we’ll check coverage immediately.
What to do right now after a Dallas/Fort Worth truck accident
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Get medical care today. Tell the doctor it was a truck crash so your injuries are documented.
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Do not give recorded statements to any insurer—especially the trucking company’s.
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Save everything: photos, dashcam clips, damaged items, medical bills, missed work notes.
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Write down what you remember (weather, traffic, plates, logos, driver name, verbal admissions).
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Call Rad Law Firm at 972-661-1111. We’ll preserve black box data and start the investigation now.
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Stay off social media about the crash or your injuries. Insurers monitor posts.
Your damages: what we fight to recover
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Medical bills (ER, imaging, surgery, PT, future care)
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Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
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Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment
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Disfigurement and physical impairment
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Property damage and loss of use
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Wrongful death and survival damages for families in fatal crashes
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Punitive/exemplary damages in egregious cases (e.g., intoxicated driving, falsified logs)
Texas deadlines (don’t miss these)
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General statute of limitations: 2 years from the crash date.
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Claims involving government entities: special notice rules—as short as 6 months (some cities even shorter).
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Evidence deadlines: Some electronic data is overwritten within days or weeks.
The earlier we start, the stronger your case. 972-661-1111—free consultation, pay nothing unless we win.
How Rad Law Firm wins truck cases
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Rapid response: We send preservation letters, hire crash-reconstruction experts, and secure ECM/ELD data.
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Full-stack investigation: Driver history, corporate safety culture, dispatch pressure, HOS, maintenance, loading.
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Medical path mapping: We document injuries from Day 1 to future care, so the insurer can’t minimize your needs.
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Insurance stack strategy: We find every policy (primary + excess/umbrella + contractual coverage).
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Aggressive negotiation & litigation: We prepare every case as if it will go to trial.
Free case strategy, zero upfront fees: 972-661-1111
Dallas–Fort Worth focus (we know these roads)
Serious truck crashes cluster along I-35E, I-20, I-30, I-45, I-635 (LBJ), US-75 (Central Expwy), US-80, and SH-114/183 corridors—often near construction zones, distribution hubs, and tight merges. We know the logistics patterns and camera locations that can make or break a case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is the trucking company always liable when their driver causes a crash?
A: Not always, but often yes—if the driver was on the job, the company is typically vicariously liable, and the company may also be directly liable for unsafe hiring/training/dispatch or poor maintenance.
Q2: What if the driver says they’re an “independent contractor”?
A: Labels don’t control liability. If the motor carrier controls how/when the work is done or places branding/authority over the driver, liability may still attach. We analyze the real relationship and insurance contracts.
Q3: Can a cargo loader or shipper be at fault?
A: Yes. Improper loading, overweight freight, or inadequate securement can cause rollovers, jackknifes, and loss-of-control crashes—creating separate liability.
Q4: How much insurance do trucking companies carry?
A: Many carry $750,000–$1,000,000 primary liability, plus excess/umbrella policies that can add millions—critical in severe injury cases.
Q5: Should I talk to the trucking insurer?
A: No. They’re trained to minimize your claim. Call 972-661-1111 and let us protect your rights.
Q6: How long will my case take?
A: It depends on your medical recovery, liability disputes, and insurance layers. We push for maximum value, not quick lowball settlements.
Q7: What if I may be partly at fault?
A: You can still recover if you’re 50% or less at fault; your recovery is reduced by your percentage. We develop evidence to reduce or eliminate any blame put on you.
Q8: What does it cost to hire Rad Law Firm?
A: $0 upfront. We work on contingency—no fee unless we win.
Call Rad Law Firm Right Now For Help
If a truck hit you or your family in Dallas, Fort Worth, or anywhere in Texas, don’t wait.
The trucking company’s team is already at work protecting themselves.
Put the truck accident lawyers at Rad Law Firm on your side today—we’ll preserve the black box, secure the footage and logs, and go after every responsible party (driver, company, loader, maintenance, and more) so you can focus on healing.
Free, no-pressure consultation now at 972-661-1111. No fee unless we win.