Truck Accident — Texas

Truck Accident in Texas — What You Must Do Immediately

Texas has more commercial truck traffic than almost any other state. With major interstates, oil field roads, and the busiest ports in the country, Texas truck accidents are frequent, severe, and heavily defended.

Statute of Limitations

Texas statute of limitations for truck accident claims: 2 years from the date of the accident (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). However evidence like black box data and driver logs can be destroyed within days — contact an attorney immediately.

Texas Trucking Laws and FMCSA Compliance

All commercial trucks operating in Texas must comply with both Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) rules. Texas also has specific regulations for intrastate carriers. Violations of hours of service, weight limits on Texas roads, and mandatory rest requirements are common grounds for liability in Texas truck accident cases.

Texas-Specific Tip

Oil field trucks and agricultural trucks are extremely common in Texas and are subject to additional state-specific weight and routing regulations. If you were hit by an oil field service vehicle, the liability chain may include the oil company, the trucking contractor, and the individual driver — potentially opening access to multiple insurance policies.

📊 Texas leads the nation in fatal large truck crashes. In 2022, Texas recorded over 800 fatal crashes involving large trucks — more than any other state.

What To Do After a Truck Accident in Texas

1

Call 911 immediately — Texas law requires police reports for crashes involving injury

2

Photograph the truck's DOT number, company name, license plate, and all damage before anything is moved

3

Get the driver's CDL number, trucking company name, and all insurance information

4

Do NOT speak with the trucking company's representatives or insurance without an attorney

5

Contact a Texas truck accident attorney the same day — black box data must be legally preserved immediately

6

Your attorney should send a spoliation letter within 24 hours to preserve all electronic data

7

Seek medical attention immediately — even if you feel fine

8

Document the road, weather conditions, and any visible traffic violations

Frequently Asked Questions — Truck Accident in Texas

Who can be held liable in a Texas truck accident?

Potentially the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, the truck manufacturer (if a defect contributed), the maintenance company, and in oil field cases, the energy company that hired the carrier. Texas courts allow plaintiffs to pursue all liable parties simultaneously.

How much is a Texas truck accident case worth?

Texas truck accident cases involving serious injuries frequently settle for $500,000 to several million dollars due to the severity of injuries and the size of commercial trucking insurance policies. Wrongful death truck accident cases in Texas have produced multi-million dollar verdicts.

What is the statute of limitations for a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?

2 years from the date of the accident under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003. However do not wait anywhere near the deadline — critical evidence including the truck's electronic control module data, driver log books, and maintenance records can legally be destroyed by the trucking company long before the deadline if not formally preserved.

Does Texas have special rules for oil field trucks?

Yes. Oil field vehicles in Texas are subject to both FMCSA regulations and Texas-specific oversize/overweight permit rules. Many oil field trucks operate under special permits that allow them to exceed standard weight limits — violations of those permit conditions can create additional grounds for liability.

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