What to Do After a Truck Accident in Texas
When an 18-wheeler barrels into your car on I-35 or you’re sideswiped by a speeding delivery truck in Dallas traffic, everything changes in an instant.
The airbag explodes. Your chest tightens. Maybe your kids are crying in the back seat. Maybe you’re not sure what hurts more: your head, your neck, or the panic rising inside you.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we’ve walked with countless Texans through this exact moment. It’s overwhelming, confusing, and often painful.
But the steps you take right now can make a huge difference not just for your physical recovery, but also for your legal and financial future.
Why Truck Accidents in Texas Are Especially Serious
Truck crashes aren’t just bigger, they’re more dangerous and more legally complicated than regular car accidents.
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That kind of force turns minor fender benders into devastating collisions, often involving multiple vehicles, serious injuries, or fatalities.
In Texas, the risks are higher. Highways like I-35, I-45, and I-10 see heavy commercial traffic every day.
Dallas-Fort Worth in particular is a hotspot for freight transport, which makes it one of the deadliest metro areas for truck collisions.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Your first priority after a crash is safety, yours and that of everyone involved. But once that’s addressed, the decisions you make can affect the strength of any claim you may file.
1. Check for Injuries and Call 911
Even if you feel okay, your body might be masking trauma with adrenaline.
Call 911 immediately.
Let EMTs examine you and ask the responding officer to file a formal accident report. That document can be critical to your case down the line.
2. Move to Safety and Avoid Further Danger
If you’re on a major highway or a narrow road, try to move your vehicle to a safe location if it’s safe and legal to do so.
Turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers. If your car can’t be moved, get yourself to a safe distance and wait for help.
3. Gather Key Evidence
Once you’re safe and stable, try to document the scene.
Use your phone to take pictures of your vehicle, the truck, any visible injuries, road conditions, skid marks, or cargo spills.
Exchange information with the truck driver, but keep it simple. Just names, contact details, insurance information, and license numbers.
If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers. Their statements could back up your version of events.
4. Avoid Admitting Fault
This is easier said than done in the chaos of a crash.
You might instinctively apologize or try to make sense of what happened.
Don’t.
Stick to facts and avoid saying anything that could be misinterpreted as an admission of fault.
What Not to Do After a Truck Accident
After a truck crash, it’s just as important to know what not to do.
Don’t leave the scene before the police arrive unless you’re taken by ambulance.
Don’t post about the accident on social media—insurance companies and defense attorneys will look.
And never give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer. Their goal is to limit liability, not to help you.
Perhaps most importantly, don’t skip follow-up care.
A gap in treatment could be used as evidence that your injuries aren’t serious, even if you’re still in pain weeks later.
Your Legal Rights After a Truck Accident in Texas
Truck accident claims are complex. Multiple parties could be involved, and Texas law adds another layer of complication.
Understanding Comparative Negligence in Texas
Texas follows a 51% Bar Rule under its comparative negligence law. That means:
- If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation.
- If you are less than 51% at fault, you may still receive compensation—but your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found to be 30% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $70,000.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident
Unlike a two-car crash, where fault usually falls on one or both drivers, truck accidents often involve a web of responsibility. Liability may fall on:
- The truck driver (for distracted driving, speeding, or fatigue)
- The trucking company (for poor maintenance or illegal scheduling)
- The cargo loader (if shifting or unsecured cargo caused the crash)
- The vehicle manufacturer (if a mechanical defect played a role)
FMCSA Regulations and Violations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates things like:
- How many hours truck drivers can work without rest
- What kinds of logs and inspections must be kept
- When and how vehicles must be serviced
Violations like falsified logs or skipped drug testing can strengthen your case by showing negligence or outright misconduct.
How to Protect Your Claim
Truck companies often send legal teams or insurance adjusters to the scene within hours. You need to start building your side just as quickly.
1. Preserve Critical Evidence
Hold onto everything: your photos, your medical bills, your hospital records, your out-of-pocket costs.
Your attorney can also send a spoliation letter to demand that the truck’s black box data, driver logs, inspection reports, and other records be preserved.
Once destroyed, this kind of evidence can never be recovered and it’s often the key to proving liability.
2. Handle Insurance Communications Carefully
After a truck crash, it’s common for the insurance adjuster to contact you quickly, offering a fast payout.
But that money is rarely fair. Don’t sign anything or agree to a recorded interview. Even a polite comment can be twisted later to reduce your compensation.
Let your attorney do the talking.
3. Know the Legal Deadlines
In Texas, you usually have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
But waiting too long can be risky.
Evidence fades. Witnesses become harder to track. Medical bills grow.
The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
When to Contact a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident cases aren’t like standard car crashes.
They require fast investigation, industry knowledge, and a legal team that knows how to stand up to trucking companies and corporate insurers.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we’ve spent over 30 years helping Texans navigate devastating crashes and we know what it takes to protect your future.
We handle the legal pressure, so you can focus on healing. And you don’t pay us unless we win.
FAQs About Texas Truck Accidents
What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Texas?
Call 911, get medical help, document the scene, and avoid speaking with any insurance representatives until you’ve talked to a lawyer.
How does Texas’s comparative negligence law affect my claim?
If you’re found less than 51% responsible, you can recover damages—but they’ll be reduced in proportion to your fault.
What evidence should I collect after a truck accident?
Photographs, the truck driver’s info, black box data (if accessible), witness contact details, and your medical records are all important.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
You have two years from the date of the crash, but earlier action gives your legal team more time to build a solid case.
Should I speak to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
No. Their job is to protect their client—not you. Let your lawyer handle all communication to avoid saying something that could hurt your claim.
Hit by a Truck in Texas? Call Angel Reyes & Associates
If you were hit by a commercial truck in Texas know this: you don’t have to go it alone.
We understand what’s at stake.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we’ve stood up for thousands of families across Texas. And we’re ready to stand up for you.
