Dallas Truck Accident Attorneys

Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer & 18 Wheeler Accidents

Many factors can play a role in collisions involving tractor-trailers or 18-wheelers in the Dallas area. Drivers face demanding schedules, fatigue, and heavy interstate traffic, especially on highways like I-30 and I-635. These stressors can contribute to unsafe decisions such as speeding or breaking traffic laws. Mechanical failures, like worn brakes or tire blowouts, also create serious hazards at high speeds on crowded Dallas roadways.

Poor cargo loading, lack of vehicle maintenance, and aggressive driving behaviors further raise the chance of accidents. Severe weather, such as heavy rain, can reduce visibility and cause slick surfaces, making crashes more likely. Distracted driving—using phones or GPS—remains a significant factor in preventable Dallas truck accidents. Our team at Lyons & Simmons, LLP reviews the specific causes and conditions involved in each case, using this detailed knowledge to shape claims and litigation strategies for clients across North Texas.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Dallas

What you do immediately after a crash with a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler can shape your recovery and future legal options. Move to safety if you can do so. Check for injuries and call 911, so emergency responders and law enforcement come to the scene. In Dallas, agencies such as the Dallas Police Department or Texas Highway Patrol usually handle truck accident investigations, which ensures an official crash report is made.

If you are physically able, gather evidence by photographing vehicle positions, damage, and any visible injuries. Collect insurance and company details from the other driver, and get contact details from witnesses. Witness statements may become crucial for clarifying events. Avoid making statements about who might be at fault. Always get a medical evaluation—some injuries do not appear right away. Then contact a knowledgeable attorney who handles truck accident claims in Texas. At Lyons & Simmons, LLP, we guide clients through every phase of the process, providing clear answers and support rooted in Texas law and our deep understanding of complex trucking cases.

Overview of Federal Trucking Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a government agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) responsible for regulating the trucking industry to improve road safety and reduce accidents. FMCSA regulations set rules that commercial motor vehicle operators, trucking companies, and drivers must follow to operate large trucks safely and prevent collisions caused by unsafe practices.

Here are some key provisions of FMCSA regulations:

• Hours of Service (HOS) regulations: HOS rules restrict the amount of time truck drivers may drive in a given period to prevent fatigue. Property-carrying drivers can drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, while passenger-carrying drivers are limited to 10 hours after 8 hours of rest.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) mandate: The ELD mandate requires commercial drivers to use electronic logging devices that automatically track driving time and hours of service. These devices support accurate records and help deter falsified logbooks, which can lead to driver fatigue and unsafe conditions.
• Driver qualification and licensing standards: FMCSA requires truck drivers to hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and meet set qualification standards. Drivers must undergo background checks, medical exams, and drug and alcohol testing to show they are fit to operate commercial vehicles.
• Drug and alcohol testing requirements: Truck drivers submit to drug and alcohol testing before hire, after accidents, and at random or based on reasonable suspicion. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher leads to disqualification and mandatory substance abuse treatment.
• Vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance rules: Trucking companies must perform regular inspections, handle repairs, and maintain all vehicles. Drivers also conduct pre- and post-trip inspections to spot mechanical issues that could cause crashes.
• Cargo securement standards: FMCSA rules require trailers to be loaded and secured properly. Trucking companies must use trusted tie-downs, straps, and securement devices to help prevent cargo from shifting, spilling, or causing rollovers and wrecks.
• Weight and size limits: Federal standards set maximum weight and size limits for commercial vehicles at 80,000 pounds for interstate travel. Trucks that exceed these limits can risk brake failures, mechanical issues, and loss of vehicle control.
• Hazardous Materials (HazMat) regulations: HazMat rules govern the transport of hazardous items, requiring correct labeling, packaging, and verified driver credentials. Poor handling of these materials creates the risk of severe crashes, environmental damage, or harm to the public.
• Controlled substances and alcohol prohibitions: Truck drivers may not consume alcohol or use controlled substances while operating a commercial vehicle. Alcohol within four hours of a shift start or use of banned substances results in disqualification and increases crash risk.
• Commercial driver fitness and health requirements: Truck drivers must pass a DOT physical exam to confirm they are physically and mentally able to operate a truck. Those with conditions that make operation unsafe may be disqualified.
• Minimum insurance requirements: FMCSA requires commercial operators to hold minimum levels of liability insurance. Coverage limits rely on cargo type and range from $750,000 to $5,000,000 if transporting hazardous material.
• Employer responsibilities for safety compliance: Trucking companies must guarantee driver compliance with all safety rules by performing background checks, tracking hours of service, and maintaining vehicle safety. Employers who allow unsafe drivers or poorly maintained vehicles may face liability for negligence.

Determining Fault & Liability in Truck Accidents

Unlike a typical car wreck, determining liability is more complicated in commercial truck accidents. A negligent driver may be responsible for the collision, but other parties can share liability, depending on the facts:

• The driver: A driver may cause a crash through impaired driving, speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, breaking traffic laws, or allowing improper loading of the trailer.
• The owner of the truck/trailer: If the owner of the vehicle behaves negligently, such as by failing to inspect and maintain the truck or pressuring drivers to ignore safety rules, they may be liable.
• The person who leased the truck/trailer: Similar to an owner, the company or person leasing the vehicle may be responsible for negligence.
• The third-party maintenance and repair company: If an outside company fails to properly inspect or repair trucks, it may be held accountable.
• The manufacturer of the truck, trailer, tires, or other parts: Defective components, like a poorly designed tire or a faulty axle, may trigger liability if they contribute to a crash.
• The shipper or loader of the cargo: Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can make it difficult to safely operate a truck.
• The government: If unsafe or poorly maintained roads play a role in the crash, the agency responsible for upkeep could face a claim.

When any of these issues cause a truck accident, a lawsuit may be pursued if an investigation confirms responsibility by another party. A collection of evidence, including physical evidence and documentation, often proves key. An experienced truck accident attorney can help confirm liability and gather the information needed to build a strong case.

Dallas records accident data through the Dallas Police Department and Texas Department of Transportation, which helps clarify how certain intersections—such as the Stemmons Corridor or the exchange of U.S. 75 and 635—may affect liability questions. When a truck accident happens in North Texas, evidence collected from local agencies can enhance the case by pinpointing potential liable parties. This type of information often affects the approach to claims in Dallas-area courts.

We Understand Truck Wrecks

Many motor vehicle cases involve limited evidence and relatively minor damages. Truck wrecks, however, often bring severe injuries, intricate facts, and multiple sources of liability. This higher level of risk leads to longer, more demanding litigation that may take years to resolve.

While many car crash claims resolve quickly, commercial truck accidents often feature a complex web of insurance issues, multiple parties, and highly technical crash evidence. Our team works with in-depth understanding in critical areas such as accident reconstruction, evaluating driver qualifications, reviewing black box data, and analyzing mechanical failures in 18-wheelers and trailers. Dallas truck crashes, especially on highways like I-35 and I-30, can raise unique regional issues—urban gridlock, severe weather, or irregular road repairs—that all impact liability and damages. We represent clients throughout Dallas and Texas, helping them move forward with strategies built for these local demands.

Our truck accident lawyer in Dallas understands the value of working with industry professionals skilled in areas such as accident reconstruction, human factors, and biomechanical engineering, and we know how to present technical evidence to juries persuasively. Our Dallas trucking lawyers have handled complex, high-stakes truck accident cases and bring substantial trial experience to every claim. 

Contact us to discuss your trucking case at (844) 297-8898. Don't wait, speak to a trucking attorney near you today.