Texas Commercial Vehicle Accidents: A Guide for Victims

Understanding Your Rights After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Texas

Commercial vehicle accident Texas cases are fundamentally different from standard car crashes. If you have been hit by a delivery truck, 18-wheeler, bus, or company vehicle in Texas, the rules, the stakes, and the opposition are not the same.

Key facts about commercial vehicle accidents in Texas:

• Higher Insurance Coverage: Commercial policies often range from $750,000 to $1 million or more, compared to $30,000 minimums for personal policies
• Multiple Liable Parties: Potential claims against the driver, employer, trucking company, maintenance shop, cargo loader, or parts manufacturer
• Stricter Regulations: Commercial drivers must follow federal FMCSA rules and hold CDL licenses
• Two-Year Deadline: You generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim in Texas
• Critical Evidence: Logbooks, black box data, and maintenance records must be preserved fast before they disappear

The danger is real: approximately 5,000 people die each year in crashes involving big trucks, and truck-fatality numbers rose about 28% from 2009 to 2020. When an 80,000-pound rig collides with a passenger vehicle, injuries are often catastrophic—ranging from traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage to severe burns and wrongful death.

What makes these cases complex is layered liability. Beyond the driver, the trucking company may be responsible for negligent hiring or training, the maintenance company for faulty repairs, and a loading company for improper cargo securement. Texas law recognizes respondeat superior, which can hold employers accountable for employees’ negligence on the job.

These realities drive how the other side operates. Trucking corporations and insurers dispatch investigators and lawyers immediately after a crash to minimize exposure while evidence is fresh. Acting quickly matters.

I’m Brian Nguyen, Managing Partner at Universal Law Group in Houston. I lead our personal injury division and previously served as a prosecutor. We understand both sides of these complex claims and how to build cases that stand up to corporate defense teams. In this guide, we explain what makes a commercial vehicle accident Texas claim different, what to do right away, how liability is established, and how to pursue the full compensation you deserve.

What Makes a Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Different?

When a commercial vehicle collides with a passenger car, you are not dealing with a simple fender-bender. The forces are greater, the regulations are stricter, and the defendants often include sophisticated corporate entities with dedicated legal teams. At Universal Law Group, we’ve seen how quickly these companies mobilize—and why you must do the same to protect your rights in a commercial vehicle accident Texas claim.

Defining a “Commercial Vehicle” in Texas

Under Texas law, a commercial vehicle is essentially any vehicle used for business purposes. That includes:

• Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers
• Delivery vans and box trucks
• Buses and passenger carriers
• Dump trucks and construction vehicles
• Company cars and pickups used for work

Crucially, what matters is how the vehicle is being used. A sedan can be a commercial vehicle if the driver is working at the time. Size and weight also matter, and operators must comply with strict Texas size and weight limits. Once a vehicle is commercial, the rules change—drivers need CDLs, vehicles undergo federal inspections, and insurance limits are far higher.

Key Differences from a Standard Car Crash

• Severity of Injuries: The physics of an 80,000-pound truck versus a 4,000-pound car often result in life-altering injuries and higher medical costs.
• Higher Insurance Limits: Commercial policies commonly range from $750,000 to $1 million+—but accessing those funds requires strong evidence and strategy.
• Multiple Liable Parties: Liability may extend to the driver, employer, carrier, maintenance company, cargo loader, broker, and even a parts manufacturer.
• Stricter Regulations: FMCSA rules govern driver qualifications, hours of service (HOS), inspections, and more. Violations can be powerful proof of negligence.
• Complex Evidence: Electronic logging devices (ELDs), black box/ECM data, dispatch records, and maintenance files must be preserved quickly.
• Corporate Defense Tactics: Trucking insurers and defense firms are experienced and aggressive, often working to shift blame and dilute fault across parties.

Common Types of Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

• Jackknife: Trailer swings out at a sharp angle during sudden braking or on slick roads.
• Rollover: Common with top-heavy or improperly loaded trucks; can block multiple lanes and spill cargo.
• Rear-End: Long stopping distances and tailgating lead to devastating impacts; cars may also strike trucks stopped or parked unsafely.
• Underride/Override: Among the deadliest; smaller vehicles slide beneath trailers or are overrun by a truck.
• T-Bone: Frequent at intersections when drivers run lights or fail to yield.
• Lost Load: Unsecured cargo falls into traffic; loading companies and drivers share responsibility.
• Blind Spot (“No-Zone”): Large blind spots on all sides of trucks increase the risk of lane-change collisions.

Each crash type calls for targeted investigation—reconstructing movements, analyzing vehicle and load condition, and tracing decision-making at the company level. That is where a focused commercial litigation strategy makes the difference.

Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Texas

Every commercial vehicle accident Texas case begins with a simple question: why did this happen? Most crashes stem from driver error, corporate negligence, mechanical failure—or a combination of all three. Uncovering the real cause is the key to holding all responsible parties accountable.

Driver Error: The Human Factor

• Driver Fatigue: FMCSA Hours of Service rules cap most property-carrying drivers at 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window, followed by 10 hours off. Despite ELDs, delivery pressures can lead to fatigue and HOS violations. We compare ELD data, dispatch notes, and delivery timelines to expose rule-breaking.
• Distracted Driving: Federal law bans handheld phone use by commercial drivers. Distractions also include GPS programming, dispatch systems, eating, or daydreaming—seconds of inattention at highway speeds can be catastrophic.
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Trucks need longer stopping distances. We frequently use black box/ECM data to prove speed, braking, and cruise control at impact.
• Driving Under the Influence: Commercial drivers face a stricter .04% BAC limit. Post-accident drug/alcohol testing is required under certain conditions; we act quickly to secure those results.
• Inexperience/Lack of Training: Different vehicles and routes require specialized skills. Hiring drivers without adequate training—especially for tankers or oversized loads—puts everyone at risk.

Corporate Negligence and Mechanical Failure

• Negligent Hiring, Training, and Supervision: Carriers must vet drivers, monitor records, and enforce safety policies. Ignoring red flags or pressuring unsafe schedules invites liability.
• Improper Maintenance: Federal rules require rigorous inspections and repairs. Worn brakes, bald tires, and lighting failures are predictable—and preventable—causes of crashes. Maintenance logs and inspection reports often tell the story.
• Improper Cargo Loading: Overloaded, unbalanced, or unsecured cargo destabilizes trucks and lengthens stopping distance. Third-party loaders and shippers may share responsibility when load issues cause a wreck.

Pinpointing the cause demands a deep dive into driver behavior, company operations, and vehicle condition. Our team integrates technical data, witness testimony, and corporate documents to establish the full chain of negligence.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Texas Commercial Truck Accident

The trucking company’s insurer will move fast after a crash. Your actions in the first hours and days can significantly affect your health and your case. Here is our step-by-step guidance for a commercial vehicle accident Texas claim.

1. Prioritize Safety and Call 911 Move to a safe location if possible and request medical help and law enforcement. Let paramedics evaluate you, even if you feel okay—adrenaline can mask serious injuries.
2. Document the Scene If you can safely do so, take photos and videos of:

• All vehicles and damage from multiple angles
• The scene, including skid marks, debris, traffic signals, and road conditions
• The truck’s cab and trailer, company name, USDOT number, and any identifying markings
• License plates, insurance cards, and any placards
• Visible injuries to you and your passengers

3. Exchange Information, But Limit Conversation Get the truck driver’s name, contact, CDL number, employer, and insurance. Provide only basic facts. Do not apologize, speculate, or admit fault.
4. Identify Witnesses Collect names and phone numbers for anyone who saw the crash. Independent testimony can counter a driver’s or employer’s version of events.
5. Do Not Speak With the Trucking Company’s Representatives Politely decline recorded statements or quick settlement offers. Refer all calls to your attorney. Do not sign anything without legal advice.
6. Get a Full Medical Evaluation See a doctor promptly to document injuries and create a clear link to the crash. Report all symptoms, even minor ones, and follow medical advice.
7. Contact an Experienced Texas Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Early legal action preserves critical evidence. We immediately send spoliation letters to secure black box/ECM and ELD data, driver logs, and maintenance records before they are overwritten or “lost.” The sooner we start, the stronger your case.

How We Investigate and Build Your Case

Winning a commercial vehicle accident Texas claim takes a proactive, evidence-driven approach designed to withstand aggressive corporate defense tactics. We build for trial from day one so insurers know we are prepared to go the distance.

Step 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation We send spoliation letters to all potential defendants to preserve:

• Electronic Control Module (ECM) data: speed, braking, RPMs, and inputs around the crash
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data: hours-of-service compliance and duty status
• Driver Qualification File: employment history, MVRs, training, and medical certification
• Post-accident drug/alcohol test results
• Inspection, maintenance, and repair records for the tractor and trailer
• Dispatch records, bills of lading, and trip documents

Step 2: Scene and Vehicle Inspections Our investigators and reconstruction experts document physical evidence—gouge marks, debris fields, fluid trails—and thoroughly inspect vehicles. We look for brake issues, tire failure, lighting problems, and other mechanical defects.

Step 3: Uncovering Corporate Negligence We analyze the carrier’s FMCSA safety profile (SAFER data), prior violations, and crash history. Through findy and depositions, we examine safety policies, training programs, dispatch pressures, and maintenance budgeting to expose systemic failures that contributed to the crash.

Step 4: Identifying All Liable Parties Potential defendants often include:

• The driver (negligence)
• The motor carrier/employer (negligent hiring, training, supervision; maintenance)
• Third-party maintenance providers
• Cargo loaders/shippers (overloading or improper securement)
• Manufacturers (defective components) Casting a wide net maximizes available insurance and recovery paths.

Step 5: Proving the Full Extent of Damages We work with medical specialists, life-care planners, vocational experts, and economists to quantify past and future losses. Your story—told through medical records, expert opinions, and testimony from you and your loved ones—is the foundation of a compelling damages case.

Compensation You Can Recover in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim

Texas law allows injury victims to seek full and fair compensation for losses caused by negligence. Because commercial policies are typically much larger than personal policies, the potential recovery in a commercial vehicle accident Texas case is often greater—if the evidence is preserved and presented effectively.

1. Economic Damages

Tangible financial losses proved with bills, records, and expert projections:

• Past and future medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgeries, rehab, medications, equipment, and home modifications)
• Lost wages during recovery
• Loss of future earning capacity when injuries limit work or force a career change
• Property damage to your vehicle and personal items

2. Non-Economic Damages

Compensation for the human impact of your injuries:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish (anxiety, depression, PTSD)
• Physical impairment limiting daily activities, hobbies, or family life
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Loss of consortium for a spouse

3. Exemplary (Punitive) Damages

Available in limited cases to punish and deter egregious conduct. We must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the harm resulted from gross negligence, fraud, or malice. Examples may include falsified maintenance records or a driver with prior DUIs causing a crash while intoxicated. While less common, punitive awards can significantly increase total recovery when the facts warrant them.

Our role is to fully document each category and present a cohesive narrative that connects the defendant’s conduct to your losses—today and in the future.

Why You Need Universal Law Group for Your Commercial Vehicle Accident Case

Trucking companies and their insurers are built to defend claims. You need a team built to win them. Choosing the right counsel after a commercial vehicle accident Texas is the most important decision you will make.

We Have the Experience That Matters We focus on complex injury litigation and know the FMCSA and Texas rules that govern carriers and drivers. Our Managing Partner, Brian Nguyen, is a former prosecutor who brings a trial-ready mindset and strategic insight to every case.

We Have the Resources to Win

Carriers hire reconstructionists, medical experts, and engineers to minimize claims. We match them with our own top-tier experts and invest in your case all the way through trial when necessary.

We Are Proactive and Aggressive Investigators

Evidence in trucking cases is time-sensitive. We move immediately to preserve black box/ECM and ELD data, obtain maintenance and dispatch records, and depose key company witnesses to expose negligence others miss.

You Are Our Priority We provide responsive, personalized representation so you can focus on healing while we handle insurers and the legal process. We keep you informed at every step.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win We work on a contingency fee basis—no upfront costs or attorney’s fees. We only get paid if we recover compensation through settlement or verdict.

Texas generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations, and critical evidence can be lost in days or weeks. Contact Universal Law Group for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us protect your rights and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.