Dallas Trucking Accidents | O’Hare and Koch Law Firm 

O’Hare and Koch Law Firm represents individuals whose lives have been profoundly disrupted by collisions with commercial trucks. With deep roots in the Dallas and surrounding North Texas communities and decades of experience, we use our knowledge of Texas trucking laws, familiarity with local courts, and access to critical resources to fight for the compensation our clients deserve.

Our mission is simple: help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially, while holding negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable.

Truck Accidents in Dallas Are a Major Safety Concern  

Dallas is a central hub for commerce and transportation in Texas. As a result, local highways are often congested with 18-wheelers, box trucks, delivery vans, and other large commercial vehicles. When these trucks are involved in collisions, the consequences can be devastating.

Dangerous Dallas Roadways for Truck Crashes

Several Dallas roadways are consistently ranked among the most dangerous in the state for truck accidents:

I-35E (Stemmons Freeway): This north-south artery runs through the heart of Dallas and sees a high volume of commercial traffic, especially near the Medical District and Design District.

I-635 (LBJ Freeway): Known for its complex interchanges and dense congestion during peak hours, this loop is often the site of serious truck crashes, especially during morning and evening commutes and in the seemingly incessant construction zones.

I-30: High speeds, tight merges, and heavy truck volume contribute to a high incidence of multi-vehicle pileups along this east–west thoroughfare connecting Dallas and Fort Worth.

Dallas North Tollway: With limited shoulders and fast-paced traffic, this high-speed commuter route poses a heightened risk for collisions involving trucks and passenger vehicles alike.

Love Field area: The streets surrounding Dallas Love Field Airport see a constant flow of delivery vehicles and freight traffic, creating dangerous conditions for drivers navigating the narrow, congested roadways.

High-Volume Commercial Routes and Freight Corridors

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) is a major logistics and freight hub, with multiple high-volume commercial routes and freight corridors that contribute to heavy truck traffic in the region. Key routes and industrial areas include:

Interstate 20 (I-20): An east-west artery linking DFW to southern states, including Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia. It facilitates efficient movement of goods between the southeastern U.S. and western states.
Interstate 45 (I-45): Links Dallas to Houston, serving as a vital corridor for freight movement between these major metropolitan areas.
Interstate 35E / Interstate 35W (IH 35E/IH 35W): This major north–south NAFTA superhighway splits near Hillsboro into IH 35E (serving Dallas) and IH 35W (serving Fort Worth), reconverging in Denton. The IH 35E/35W merge near Denton is a key nexus for long-distance freight moving through DFW. IH 35E alone handles nearly 200,000 vehicles daily and ranks among Texas’s most congested highways.
U.S. Route 175 (US 175): Begins south of downtown Dallas and passes through neighborhoods like Pleasant Grove, providing access to southeastern suburbs and contributing to local freight traffic.
U.S. Route 75 (Central Expressway): Starting at I‑345 in Deep Ellum and running north past Plano, McKinney, Sherman, and onward to Oklahoma, US 75 forms an essential commercial route. It intersects major interchanges like LBJ (I‑635) and the Sam Rayburn Tollway, supporting high freight volumes between Dallas and northern suburbs.
U.S. Route 380: Extending east–west through Denton, Frisco, McKinney, and Princeton, US 380 is undergoing major upgrades—including lane widenings and interim grade separations—to relieve congestion in growing Collin and Denton counties. The recently added Dallas North Tollway overpass diverts freight and commuter flows from neighboring corridors.
AllianceTexas: A 17,000-acre master-planned development in north Fort Worth, at the intersection of IH35W, HWY 121 and HWY 377, integrating rail, trucking, and air freight facilities. It includes the BNSF Intermodal Yard and Alliance Airport, making it a critical supply chain hub.
Southern Dallas County Inland Port: Provides direct access to I-45 and I-20, the UP Dallas Intermodal Terminal, and Lancaster Airport. It hosts numerous companies and millions of square feet of industrial space.

These corridors and hubs contribute to the daily presence of large trucks on city streets and highways, particularly affecting neighborhoods near industrial zones, such as Pleasant Grove, Forney, Grand Prairie and South Dallas. Residents in these areas face challenges related to infrastructure strain and increased truck traffic.

Fatalities and Severe Injuries on I-35 and I-635

According to TxDOT data, commercial crashes cause over 50 fatalities and hundreds of injuries each year. The I-35 and I-635 highways are ranked among the deadliest Texas roadways, and are commonly involved in truck wrecks.

Types of Truck Accidents in Dallas

This constant flow of commercial traffic in Dallas means that virtually every type of truck accident has occurred in this region, from jackknife crashes and underride collisions to rollovers, rear-end impacts, and fatal multi-vehicle pileups.

Some of the most serious and recurring types of truck accidents in Dallas:

Rear-End Truck Collisions: When large trucks follow too closely in congested areas like the Stemmons Corridor or Central Expressway, they may not stop in time, especially if the driver is tired or distracted. The sheer force of impact can crush smaller vehicles and cause severe injuries.
Underride Accidents: One of the deadliest types of crashes, underride accidents happen when a smaller car slides beneath a trailer. These often occur at night or in low-visibility conditions, especially if the truck lacks proper reflectors or underride guards.
Jackknife Incidents: A trailer swinging out of alignment with the cab and forming an L or V shape is known as a jackknife. These wrecks are common during sharp braking or on wet pavement, and are particularly dangerous on curved highway ramps like those on I-635 or the Dallas North Tollway.
Truck Rollovers: Rollover crashes usually involve a truck taking a curve or ramp too quickly, causing the entire vehicle to tip over. They’re often tied to unbalanced cargo or driver misjudgment. On cloverleaf interchanges and elevated on-ramps throughout Dallas, rollovers pose a major hazard to other motorists.
Fallen Cargo and Load Spills: When a truck’s cargo shifts, spills, or detaches entirely, it can create chaos across multiple lanes. These accidents are usually the result of poor loading procedures, worn equipment, or failure to follow federal securement standards. Busy freight routes like I-635 see this more than most.
Wide-Turn Accidents: In narrow urban areas, trucks may swing wide to make a turn, trapping or striking nearby vehicles. These incidents often stem from poor visibility, tight deadlines, or improper use of turn signals.
Intersection Collisions (T-Bone Crashes): When a truck fails to yield, runs a red light, or misjudges a crossing, the result is often a devastating side-impact crash. Busy intersections throughout Downtown Dallas and South Oak Cliff are high-risk zones for this type of wreck.
Sideswipe Accidents During Lane Changes: With their significant blind spots, trucks can easily sideswipe smaller vehicles if the driver changes lanes without caution. These crashes frequently happen on fast-moving roads like the Dallas North Tollway or US-75, where visibility and timing are critical.

In many of these cases, driver fatigue or poor training play a major role. A Dallas truck accident lawyer can help uncover these root causes and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why You Need a Local Truck Accident Lawyer in Dallas

Trucking cases are complex. You need a local Dallas truck accident attorney who knows the law and the regional landscape.

Local Knowledge Gives You an Edge

At O’Hare and Koch Law Firm, we bring deep Dallas roots and hands-on local experience that can make a real difference in your case.

We know how Dallas County courts function and how to move cases efficiently through the system. Our team is familiar with the procedures and reporting styles of local police departments, including Dallas PD and Carrollton PD, which helps us spot details others might miss. We also work closely with area hospitals like Methodist Dallas and Carrollton Regional, streamlining the process of obtaining vital medical records.

Because we’re based here in North Texas—not operating from another city—we can act quickly when every moment counts. Our proximity allows us to:

Visit crash scenes promptly before evidence disappears
Secure surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras
Interview eyewitnesses while memories are still fresh

Our working relationships with local judges, court clerks, insurance adjusters, and freight companies give us insight and access that out-of-town firms simply can’t match. This local advantage helps us build stronger cases that hold negligent parties fully accountable.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Dallas

Truck crashes often result from preventable safety violations and driver negligence. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Dallas include:

Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations: Federal regulations limit how long truck drivers can operate without rest, but these rules are frequently ignored. Fatigued drivers are more likely to miss traffic signals, drift into other lanes, or react too slowly to hazards, all of which increase the risk of serious crashes.
Speeding and Reckless Driving on High-Speed Roads: Speeding remains one of the top contributing factors in Dallas truck accidents, especially on fast-moving corridors like the Dallas North Tollway. When drivers combine high speeds with fatigue or inattention, the results can be catastrophic.
Blind Spots and Dangerous Lane Maneuvers: Large trucks have significant blind spots on all sides. When drivers fail to check these areas before changing lanes or making wide turns, particularly at busy intersections, collisions with nearby vehicles are all too common.
Unsecured Cargo or Overweight Loads on Highways: Improperly secured freight can shift during transport, causing rollovers or falling debris that endangers others on the road. Trucks with excessive loads have difficulty slowing or stopping when traveling at high speeds. These types of incidents are especially common on interstates like I-30 and I-635.  
Distracted or Impaired Driving: Whether it’s texting behind the wheel, eating while driving, or operating a truck under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted or impaired driving drastically reduces reaction time and puts everyone on the road at risk.
Brake Failure or Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Trucking companies are responsible for making sure their vehicles are properly inspected and maintained. When brakes fail or tires blow out due to neglect, catastrophic accidents can occur in seconds.
Inadequate Driver Training or Supervision: Some trucking companies prioritize speed and shipments over safety, putting inexperienced or poorly trained drivers behind the wheel. Without proper oversight, these drivers may not know how to handle emergencies or follow crucial safety protocols.
Failure to Yield or Follow Traffic Signals: Truck drivers who run red lights, ignore stop signs, or fail to yield the right of way can cause devastating T-bone or side-impact collisions at intersections throughout Dallas.
Negligent Hiring Practices by Trucking Companies: When companies fail to screen for past violations, DUIs, or a history of reckless driving, they endanger everyone on the road. These shortcuts in the hiring process often lead to avoidable tragedies.

Our Texas truck accident lawyers know exactly where to look — from driver logbooks and maintenance records to onboard electronic data — to uncover evidence of negligence and build a strong case on your behalf.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Dallas

Taking the right steps immediately after a truck accident can protect both your health and your legal rights. Here’s what we recommend:

Call 911 to request police support and get medical attention right away – Even if you feel okay, some injuries may not be immediately visible. A medical evaluation creates a record that can be crucial to your case.
Document the scene thoroughly – Use your phone to take photos and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, license plates, skid marks, and any visible injuries. These details may be lost once the scene is cleared.
Collect the other driver’s license and insurance information, along with the truck owner’s information.
Speak with witnesses and get their contact information – Independent witness statements can be powerful evidence when fault is disputed.
Don’t admit fault or post about the crash online – Anything you say can be used against you later. Avoid discussing the accident with the other driver beyond basic information exchange.
Call an experienced truck accident lawyer before talking to insurers – Insurance companies, especially those representing trucking carriers, often try to minimize payouts. Having legal representation early helps level the playing field.

Trucking companies and their insurers will start investigating and defending their case within hours of the crash. You deserve someone doing the same for you. Let us step in and protect your rights from day one.

Compensation You Can Recover

If you were injured in a truck crash due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical expenses (past and future)
Lost income and reduced earning capacity
Pain and emotional distress
Disfigurement / Scarring
Negative effect on daily activities and loss of enjoyment of life
Property damage

While medical bills and lost wages come with receipts, damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress are more complex to measure. Courts and insurance companies often consider the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and expert testimony to assign a fair value to these intangible losses.

Texas places no cap on most personal injury damages, making it critical to thoroughly document every financial, physical, and emotional loss. In cases involving extreme negligence, such as drunk or reckless driving, punitive damages may also apply.

Keep in mind that under the state’s modified comparative fault rule, you may be barred from recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault. That’s why strong evidence is so crucial. Our team uses modern technology like drones and Lidar sensors to document key details related to the crash. We also partner with medical experts, economists, vocational experts, biomechanical and accident reconstructionists to build a compelling claim and to accurately calculate your damages.

How O’Hare and Koch Law Firm Can Help

Our seasoned legal team provides personalized, results-driven representation for victims of serious truck accidents. When you hire us, we will:

Investigate the crash thoroughly
Request and preserve evidence, including black box data and driver logs
Identify all liable parties (driver, trucking company, third-party contractors)
Deal with aggressive insurance companies on your behalf
Work with expert witnesses to prove negligence and damages
Prepare your case for trial if needed

We also collaborate closely with medical providers and life care planners to fully document the long-term impact of your injuries, allowing you to focus on recovery while we focus on securing the compensation you deserve.

Speak With a Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer Today

In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of a truck accident to file a legal claim. If you miss this deadline, you may be barred from seeking compensation entirely. Taking prompt legal action also allows your attorney to secure time-sensitive evidence and begin building a strong case from the start.

At O’Hare and Koch Law Firm, we offer free consultations and handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing until we win.

Let our experienced Dallas truck injury team stand up for your rights and help you seek justice.

Call now or schedule your free consultation online.

Do you or your injured loved one live closer to Carrollton, TX, than Dallas? Reach out to a Carrollton truck accident lawyer at O’Hare and Koch Law Firm to discuss your case for free.