Trophy Club sits at the edge of Denton County, bordered by State Highway 114 and close to the busy interchange at State Highway 170 and U.S. Highway 377. Every day, commercial trucks roll through these corridors carrying freight between the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and points north. When one of those trucks hits your vehicle, the aftermath can change your life in an instant. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, based in Denton, Texas, represents truck accident victims across Trophy Club and the surrounding area. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck crash, call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commercial trucks are not just bigger versions of the cars around them. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and that weight creates forces that smaller vehicles simply cannot survive at highway speeds. When a truck traveling on SH-114 or near the Westlake-Trophy Club border fails to brake in time, the results are often catastrophic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2024, Texas recorded 39,393 total crashes involving commercial vehicles statewide. Of those crashes, 608 people died and thousands more suffered injuries. Those numbers reflect a consistent pattern. For the fifth year in a row, big rigs accounted for roughly 5% of all crashes statewide, a rate that remains one of the highest in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2024 alone, Denton County recorded 12,339 total crashes, including 47 fatal crashes that killed 50 people. Trophy Club residents who commute along SH-114 toward Fort Worth or use U.S. 377 heading toward Roanoke face this risk daily. The heavy freight traffic that feeds the DFW logistics network passes directly through these roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The majority of fatalities in large truck crashes occur to occupants of the other vehicles, not to the occupants of the large trucks. That fact alone explains why a truck accident claim is so different from a standard car accident claim. The injuries tend to be more severe, the medical costs higher, and the legal process more involved. If you were hit by a commercial truck near Trophy Club, you deserve to know all of your legal options before you speak with any insurance company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Truck accident cases involve two separate bodies of law working at the same time. The first is the Texas Transportation Code, which governs all drivers on Texas roads. The second is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), a set of rules established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency responsible for commercial vehicle safety across the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, also known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, offers a complete list of all the rules governing the trucking sector in the United States. These laws set strict standards for how trucks operate on Texas roads, and when drivers or commercial trucking companies break them, the violations can serve as powerful evidence in a truck accident case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most commonly violated rules involves driver rest. The FMCSA has identified fatigued driving as a major contributor to serious and fatal large truck crashes. Truck drivers may not drive for more than 11 hours after taking 10 hours off duty. Texas also has its own hours-of-service provisions, with a maximum 12-hour driving time after eight hours off duty, and Texas truck drivers are not permitted to drive after being on duty for 15 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insurance requirements are also far higher for commercial trucks than for personal vehicles. Under FMCSA regulations, most commercial trucks must carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance, and trucks hauling hazardous materials may be required to carry up to $5 million. That coverage matters when your injuries are serious and your damages are significant. An attorney can identify all available insurance layers, including excess and umbrella policies that trucking companies often carry above the minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most important differences between a car accident and a truck accident is the number of parties who may share responsibility. In a standard two-car crash, liability usually falls on one or both drivers. A truck accident opens the door to multiple defendants, each with their own insurance and legal exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truck driver is the most obvious starting point. Negligent behavior by the driver, including speeding, distracted driving, or driving while fatigued, can form the foundation of a personal injury claim. But the driver rarely acts alone. Texas truck accident laws recognize vicarious liability, which means a trucking company may be held responsible for a driver’s negligence when the driver is acting within the scope of employment. This is common in truck accident cases involving company drivers operating on assigned routes or schedules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company may also be responsible if it fails to properly vet drivers before hiring them or fails to monitor their performance. If the trucking company neglects regular vehicle maintenance, it could be held accountable for accidents caused by mechanical failures. If defective equipment such as faulty brakes, tires, or another truck component causes an accident, the manufacturer may be liable. Third-party maintenance companies can also share liability if they perform substandard repairs or inspections that contribute to the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n