How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Texas?

Truck accidents can change everything in a matter of seconds. One moment, you’re on the road like any other day. Next, you’re dealing with injuries, a wrecked vehicle, and the shock of what just happened. Filing a strong 18-wheeler accident claim requires time and legal experience to untangle who is responsible.

In Texas, people randomly encounter truck accidents, especially on roadways and highways. But do you know how long you must file the accident claim?

Knowing the clauses is crucial for you. After all, accidents are usually unwarranted. Filing a claim within the right time slot might help you get the best compensation for the case. 

Statistics on Truck Accidents in Texas

In 2025, Texas witnessed a sharp rise in truck accidents. In all, 5,472 fatalities and 153,452 injuries were caused by large truck crashes. The propensity of truck accidents in Texas has increased in recent times. 

In 10 years, fatal crashes resulting from direct encounters with large trucks increased 43%. Statistics also show that it is now 10 times more likely that a deadly truck crash would involve driver error. 

National statistics also show that interstate highways are the prime zones for truck accidents. Some of these hotspots are I-10, I-35, and I-45. The bottom line is that Texas highways and roadways are highly accident-prone, with a predominant truck accidents. 

Therefore, people in Texas must learn about the legal help they can get when filing truck accident claims. 

Common Reasons Behind Truck Accidents in Texas

Truck accidents occur for multiple reasons. Many of them include negligence by the driver or the trucking company. Here are the common causes of truck accidents on the roadways and highways of Texas.

Detailed Illustrations

Cause	Effects
1. Driver’s Fatigue	Truck drivers usually work long and arduous hours, which can lead to confusion, exhaustion, and unclear judgment.
2. Distracted Driving	Using phones, eating, and or other distractions might lead to major accidents.
3. Driving Under the Influence	Alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications often impact the driver’s ability to drive safely. Intoxicated drivers cause most of the injuries and truck-related deaths.
4. Speeding and Reckless Driving	Excess speed limits or intense maneuvering increase the risk of collisions.
5. Lack of Truck Maintenance	Failure to observe and repair brakes, tires, or other parts causes mechanical failures.
6. Improperly Loaded Cargo	Unbalanced loads might cause rollovers and often jackknife accidents.
7. Bad Weather and Road Conditions	Rainy and slippery roads can lead to accidents. It usually happens when trucks don’t have drivers experienced enough to drive on those roads.

Injuries and Impacts of Truck Accidents 

The truck accidents might lead to critical injuries, owing to the size and weight of the commercial vehicles. 

Some of the generic injuries are: 

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: TBIs are head injuries leading to sustained cognitive and physical damage. 
• Damage to the Spinal Cord: Damage to the spine causes paralysis and chronic pain. Even if not death, it might cause retardation and weakness. 
• Broken Bones: The impact force of the truck accident might cause severe fractures. Dislocated or severed bones might also result from these accidents. 
• Internal injuries: Organ damage is a vital outcome of truck accidents. It might be life-threatening and require prompt medical support. 
• Burns and Lacerations: Fire breakouts, fuel leaks, and shattered visor glasses can cause serious cuts and second —or third-degree burns. 
• Emotional Trauma: A lot of truck accident survivors face PTSD, chronic anxiety, and severe depression after truck accidents. 

You Have Two Years to File in Texas

Texas law gives you two years from the accident date to file truck accident claims. If you miss this deadline, you likely lose your right to take legal action, no matter how strong your case may be. This is known as the statute of limitations, and courts rarely make exceptions. Things get even more complicated if the truck involved belonged to a government entity. In those cases, you may only have six months to notify the agency responsible. That is a separate deadline from filing the lawsuit and is just as critical.

This is why speaking with truck accident attorneys as soon as possible is important. These cases involve more than one party. You may be dealing with the truck driver, their employer, the vehicle manufacturer, and the cargo companies. 

Why Timing Can Affect the Outcome

Two years might seem like a lot of time. However, evidence dissipates quickly after the event. Remember, the truck company lawyers and insurance adjusters would try desperately to erase evidence like security footage. 

Even the skid marks on the road might fade. In some cases, documents like maintenance logs have also disappeared. The lawyers of the trucking companies have sheer expertise in handling such cases. They start their drill from day 1. So, you might be put in the backseat if you don’t act quickly. 

However, experts say that the victims are suffering from depression and trauma post the event. Therefore, they can’t keep a tab on the evidence or frame their case strategically. However, an experienced lawyer can come to your rescue. 

Filing The Claim

Claim filing helps your lawyers to preserve the necessary evidence. Moreover, your attorney also gets time to brainstorm hooks and nooks to strengthen your case. 

One of their primary duties is sending spoliation letters to ensure that necessary evidence is not destroyed. Meanwhile, they can interview all witnesses while they still remember the case and its outcomes.  

Lawyers can also seek help from crash reconstruction experts to determine what happened during the crash. 

Why Legal Help Makes a Difference

Truck accident cases are rarely simple. A lot of people might be liable for the accidents. Therefore, proving liability would be a major challenge here. You can make a difference by hiring a truck accident attorney. 

They know the federal trucking regulations well, so it is easy for them to uncover violations, such as proper driver training regulations, vehicle maintenance clauses, hours of service rules, etc. 

The attorneys can also negotiate with the insurance adjusters. Remember that the trucking companies’ insurance agents try to settle the truck accident claims for as little money as possible. 

That’s another reason you might need to seek their help. They can fight for your cause in court if you think you didn’t receive a fair settlement reward. 

These attorneys can help identify what really caused the crash and hold the responsible parties accountable. 

Act Within the Deadline

Texas law is clear. You have two years to file truck accident claims. That window can close fast, especially if you are recovering from injuries or facing financial pressure. Don’t assume there’s plenty of time.

Consulting a qualified attorney early can make all the difference. It helps protect your legal rights and gives you a better chance of receiving the compensation you deserve.

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