Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Dallas — What Injured Texans Need to Know
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Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Dallas — What Injured Texans Need to Know
Commercial vehicles move through Dallas every hour of the day. Delivery vans, utility trucks, construction vehicles, box trucks, and corporate fleet cars fill the roads from I‑35 to LBJ Freeway. Because these vehicles are larger, heavier, and often operated under tight deadlines, they create a unique level of danger. And when a commercial driver makes a mistake, the consequences are often severe.
When you’re injured in a commercial vehicle accident in Dallas, or anywhere else in Texas, the claim becomes more complicated immediately. Multiple parties may be responsible, evidence disappears quickly, and insurance companies move fast to protect their bottom line. As a result, understanding how these cases work is essential to protecting your rights.
The Dallas car wreck lawyers at MLF Legal represent injured Texans in complex commercial vehicle cases and fights for the full compensation they deserve.
What Counts as a Commercial Vehicle in Texas?
A commercial vehicle is any vehicle used for business purposes. Although many people think only of 18‑wheelers, the category is much broader.
Common examples include:
- Delivery vans (Amazon, UPS, FedEx)
- Company cars and sales fleet vehicles
- Construction trucks and contractor vehicles
- Utility trucks (electric, cable, water)
- Landscaping trucks and trailers
- Box trucks and moving trucks
- Tow trucks
- Food trucks
- Shuttle vans
Because these vehicles are used for business, the companies behind them often carry larger insurance policies—and they fight harder to avoid paying.
Why Commercial Vehicle Accidents Are More Complicated
Commercial vehicle cases involve more moving parts than standard car wrecks. Additionally, companies often deploy rapid‑response teams to protect themselves within hours of a crash.
Several factors make these cases more complex:
1. Multiple Liable Parties
Unlike a typical car accident, responsibility may fall on:
- The driver
- The employer
- A third‑party contractor
- A maintenance company
- A loading company
- A vehicle manufacturer
Because of this, identifying all responsible parties early is critical.
2. Corporate Insurance Teams
Commercial insurers are aggressive. They often:
- Deny liability quickly
- Shift blame to the injured driver
- Offer low settlements
- Send investigators to the scene
- Request broad medical authorizations
Their goal is simple: reduce payouts.
3. More Evidence to Preserve
Commercial vehicles often contain:
- GPS data
- Black box (ECM) data
- Driver logs
- Maintenance records
- Dispatch communications
- Delivery schedules
This evidence can prove negligence, but it must be preserved before it disappears.
4. Higher Damages
Because commercial vehicles are heavier and harder to control, injuries are often more severe. Consequently, medical bills, lost wages, and long‑term care needs are usually higher.
Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Dallas
Commercial drivers face pressure to meet deadlines, complete routes, and maximize productivity. As a result, many crashes stem from preventable negligence.
Frequent causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue or hours‑of‑service violations
- Speeding to meet delivery schedules
- Improper lane changes
- Following too closely
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Overloaded or unsecured cargo
- Inadequate driver training
Because these factors often involve company policies, the employer may share responsibility.
How Fault Is Determined in Commercial Vehicle Cases
Texas uses comparative negligence, which means your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault. Therefore, commercial insurers often try to shift blame onto you.
To counter this, strong evidence is essential. This may include:
- Crash reports
- Dash‑cam or surveillance footage
- Black box data
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage analysis
- Cell phone records
- Company safety policies
The more evidence preserved early, the stronger your case becomes.
What to Do After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
Because commercial insurers act quickly, you need to take steps that protect your claim.
- Call the police and request a crash report
- Take photos and videos of the scene
- Get medical treatment immediately
- Avoid giving recorded statements
- Do not sign medical authorizations
- Contact a lawyer as soon as possible
Even small mistakes can give the insurance company ammunition to reduce your settlement.
FAQs: Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Dallas
Liability may fall on the driver, employer, maintenance company, or other third parties.
Yes. Because of this, insurers fight harder to reduce payouts.
Yes, as long as you are 50% or less responsible under Texas law.
They involve more evidence, more parties, and more aggressive insurance defense strategies.
Injured at work in Texas and your employer doesn’t have workers’ comp?
You may have the right to sue and recover full compensation.
Contact MLF Legal today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
How MLF Legal Builds Strong Commercial Vehicle Cases
Commercial vehicle claims require a strategic, evidence‑driven approach. MLF Legal uses a comprehensive process to protect injured clients.
We preserve critical evidence
This includes black box data, maintenance logs, driver records, and GPS information.
We investigate the company’s safety practices
Many crashes stem from:
- Poor hiring practices
- Inadequate training
- Unrealistic delivery schedules
- Neglected maintenance
We work with industry experts
Accident reconstructionists, trucking experts, and medical specialists help establish liability and damages.
We calculate the full value of your losses
This includes:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
We negotiate aggressively
Commercial insurers know which firms are willing to fight and go to trial. Because of this, strong preparation often leads to stronger settlements.
Compensation Available in Commercial Vehicle Cases
Injured Texans may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency care and hospitalization
- Surgery and specialist treatment
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Property damage
- Future medical needs
Because commercial policies are larger, the potential recovery is often higher—if the case is handled correctly.
When to Call a Dallas Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
You should contact a Dallas personal injury lawyer immediately if:
- The commercial insurer is blaming you
- You received a low settlement offer
- You have serious injuries
- The company is refusing to release evidence
- You’re unsure who is responsible
- You’re overwhelmed by medical bills
Early legal representation helps preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Call MLF Legal’s Dallas commercial vehicle accident lawyers at 214‑357‑1782 for a free consultation.
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