Liability in a Texas truck accident is rarely straightforward. Multiple parties—ranging from the truck driver and trucking company to cargo loaders and manufacturers—may share legal responsibility. Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, known as proportionate responsibility, which means an injured person can receive compensation as long as they are not more than 50% at fault.

But determining fault in a commercial truck collision requires a detailed investigation, federal safety-rule analysis, and a deep understanding of Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code. Rhodes Humble LLP regularly handles these complex cases and provides clients with the legal guidance they need during a difficult time.

Why Truck Accident Liability Matters in Texas

Commercial truck accidents are among the most devastating roadway collisions in Texas. With vehicle weights reaching up to 80,000 pounds, an 18-wheeler crash can result in life-changing injuries, significant property damage, and long-term financial consequences.

But unlike a typical car accident, determining liability in a truck collision is far more complicated. These cases often involve:

  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations
  • Corporate defendants with layered insurance policies
  • Complex mechanical evidence such as electronic logging device (ELD) data
  • Multiple businesses involved in operating, loading, or maintaining the truck

This complexity is one reason why injured individuals seek experienced legal representation—especially from a firm with a track record of handling serious injury and commercial litigation cases, such as Rhodes Humble LLP.

Understanding Liability in a Texas Truck Accident

Truck accident liability is not limited to the driver behind the wheel. In many cases, several parties may share fault.

Below are the most common parties who may be held responsible in a Texas truck crash.

1. The Truck Driver

Truck drivers can be liable when their actions directly contribute to a collision. Driver negligence may include:

  • Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions
  • Failing to check blind spots
  • Driving fatigued or violating hours-of-service (HOS) limits
  • Distracted driving, including texting or using in-cab technology
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances

Federal regulations strictly govern how long a commercial driver can remain on the road before mandatory rest breaks. Violations of HOS rules are often critical evidence, especially when fatigue contributed to the crash.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)

In many truck accident cases, the trucking company itself bears significant responsibility. This is true even when the company did not directly cause the crash, due to:

Vicarious Liability / Respondeat Superior

If the driver was acting within the course and scope of employment, the employer may be liable for the driver’s negligence.

Direct Negligence

A trucking company may be directly liable for:

  • Negligent hiring or retention
  • Failure to adequately train or supervise drivers
  • Poor vehicle maintenance
  • Violations of FMCSA safety rules
  • Pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules
  • Allowing drivers to falsify logbooks or ELD data

Because trucking companies often maintain extensive safety records, verification files, and maintenance logs, these records become essential evidence in litigation.

3. Cargo Loaders, Shippers, and Brokers

In many cases, the trucking company is not responsible for loading the cargo. Third-party companies may be responsible for:

  • Improperly loaded freight
  • Unbalanced loads that affect stability
  • Failing to secure heavy or hazardous materials

Cargo-related negligence can lead to jackknife accidents, rollovers, or load spills—each of which can cause catastrophic injuries.

4. Maintenance and Repair Contractors

If another company serviced the truck before the accident, a failure to identify or correct mechanical issues—such as brake problems, worn tires, or steering defects—can make that company liable.

Maintenance negligence may involve:

  • Incomplete inspections
  • Faulty repair work
  • Failure to comply with FMCSA maintenance requirements

Because commercial trucks must meet strict maintenance standards, lapses are often uncovered during post-crash investigations.

5. Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers

A defective component, such as brakes, tires, couplings, steering units, or engine controls can cause or worsen a crash. In that situation, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability theories.

This type of claim often involves highly technical evidence, expert witnesses, and engineering analysis.

6. Government Entities

While less common, sometimes roadway defects contribute to a crash. Examples may include:

  • Missing or obscured signage
  • Potholes or uneven pavement
  • Improperly designed intersections
  • Malfunctioning traffic signals

These cases involve additional procedural requirements, such as notice rules under the Texas Tort Claims Act.

Texas’ Proportionate Responsibility Law: How Shared Fault Works

Texas applies a modified comparative negligence rule, known as proportionate responsibility, under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code.

Here’s what injured Texans need to know:

1. The 51% Bar Rule

An injured person can recover damages only if they are 50% or less at fault for the truck accident.

  • If the injured person is 51% or more at fault, they cannot recover compensation.
  • If their fault is 50% or less, compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.

For example:

  • Total damages: $500,000
  • Plaintiff found 20% at fault
  • Recoverable amount = $400,000

This rule makes fault allocation a major issue in nearly every truck accident case.

2. Dividing Fault Between Multiple Parties

Because truck accidents often involve several companies and individuals, Texas courts may assign percentages of responsibility to:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company
  • A maintenance contractor
  • A cargo-loading company
  • A truck manufacturer
  • A government agency
  • The injured person

Fault percentages must add up to 100%, but how liability is divided depends on the evidence and the unique facts of the crash.

3. Joint and Several Liability

Under Texas law, a party may be responsible for paying all the recoverable damages—not just their portion—if they are:

  • More than 50% at fault, or
  • Liable under specific exceptions involving certain intentional acts

In truck accident cases, this often means the trucking company may ultimately bear the full financial burden if it is found primarily responsible for the crash.

Why Shared Fault Matters So Much in Truck Accident Cases

Insurance companies aggressively use shared fault to reduce payouts. They may argue that the injured person contributed to the crash by:

  • Speeding
  • Failing to yield
  • Ignoring signals
  • Driving distracted
  • Following too closely
  • Not wearing a seat belt

Even a small finding of fault can substantially reduce compensation under Texas’ proportionate responsibility statute. For example, a 10% fault finding results in a 10% reduction in damages.

Because of this, determining fault accurately is central to achieving a fair outcome.

How Truck Accident Claims Unfold Under Shared Fault Rules

Truck accident claims generally involve:

1. Investigation Phase

Collecting evidence, obtaining records, and reconstructing the crash.

2. Identifying Every Potential Defendant

Ensuring all responsible entities are included in the claim.

3. Determining Proportionate Responsibility

Allocating fault percentages based on evidence.

4. Damage Calculation

Assessing medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future losses.

5. Negotiation and Litigation

Insurers often dispute fault heavily; many cases require litigation to resolve.

Given the high stakes—especially when multiple insurers and corporate defendants are involved—truck accident cases demand strategic handling and thorough preparation.

How Rhodes Humble LLP Helps Truck Accident Victims Navigate Liability

Rhodes Humble LLP has a long-established reputation for representing individuals harmed by negligence throughout Texas. The firm handles serious injury cases, including complex truck accident claims.

  • Thorough investigation
  • Personalized attention
  • Advocacy rooted in decades of legal experience
  • Managing complex legal issues such as multi-party liability and commercial litigation

With 44+ years of experience representing Texans in personal injury and commercial disputes, the firm brings a deep understanding of how complex accident cases unfold, especially when multiple defendants and insurers are involved.

What Injured Texans Should Keep in Mind

Understanding liability in a Texas truck accident does not require knowing every detail of Chapter 33 or the FMCSA handbook. But knowing the basics helps people ask better questions and recognize the importance of a thorough investigation.

Key takeaways include:

  • Multiple parties may share responsibility, not just the driver.
  • Texas’ 51% bar rule significantly affects whether compensation is possible.
  • Fault allocation depends on evidence—not assumptions.
  • Truck accident cases require more time, documentation, and resources than standard auto collisions.

Most importantly, understanding shared fault can impact the outcome of an injury claim more than many people realize.

Conclusion

Truck accident cases are complex, and Texas shared fault laws make determining liability even more critical. Whether the collision involved driver negligence, improper cargo loading, maintenance failures, or defective components, identifying every responsible party is the foundation of a successful claim.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a truck accident in Texas and want to discuss your situation with an experienced legal team, you can reach Rhodes Humble LLP directly at (979) 977-1744 or through our contact page.

We offer personalized, compassionate guidance to help clients understand our options and move forward with clarity—without navigating this complex process alone.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance tailored to your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.