Serving Tyler, Longview, Sulphur Springs, Greenville, Paris, Marshall, Jacksonville, Henderson, Nacogdoches, Palestine, Lufkin, Texarkana, Kilgore, Carthage, Lindale, Winnsboro, Gladewater, Canton, and all of East Texas
It happens in an instant. You’re driving down Interstate 20, US-59, or one of the countless farm-to-market roads that weave through East Texas — and suddenly, an 18-wheeler crosses into your lane, blows through a red light, or jackknifes across the highway. The impact is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. In the seconds that follow, your world changes completely.
If you or a family member has been injured — or if you’ve lost someone you love — in a collision with a commercial truck, semi-trailer, or 18-wheeler in East Texas, one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the days ahead is who you trust to fight for you.
At McKay Law, we are East Texas’s most accessible personal injury firm, with more offices than any other personal injury attorney practice in the region. We are not a call center. We are not a referral farm. We are local attorneys who live and work in the same communities you do — and we are ready to go to battle for you from day one.
McKay Law: More Offices Than Any Personal Injury Attorney in East Texas Weekly Client Communication Guaranteed • Free Property Damage Representation Included
Why 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Cases Are Different From Regular Car Accidents
Most people assume a truck accident claim is handled just like a fender-bender. It is not — and if you treat it that way, you will almost certainly leave significant money on the table, or worse, lose your case entirely.
Commercial trucking accidents are among the most complex personal injury matters in Texas law. Here is why:
- Trucking companies, truck drivers, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, and vehicle manufacturers may all share liability in a single crash.Multiple defendants are typically involved.
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes strict rules on hours of service, weight limits, vehicle inspections, and driver qualifications. Violations of these rules can be powerful evidence of negligence.Federal regulations govern commercial trucking.
- Trucking companies and their insurers have rapid-response teams that arrive at accident scenes quickly — often before you even leave the hospital. Black box data, driver logs, and dashcam footage can be deleted, overwritten, or “lost” if not immediately preserved with a legal hold letter.Evidence disappears fast.
- Commercial trucking policies carry minimum liability coverage of $750,000, and major carriers often have policies of $1 million or more. Insurers assign experienced defense teams immediately. You need an equally experienced attorney in your corner from day one.The insurance money is enormous — and so is the fight to keep it from you.
- The average 18-wheeler weighs 80,000 pounds fully loaded. The average passenger vehicle weighs around 4,000 pounds. The physics of that collision produce traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crush injuries, amputations, and fatalities at rates far exceeding ordinary car accidents.Injuries are catastrophic.
This is not a fight you want to navigate alone. And if you’re searching for an 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer in Tyler, TX, Longview, TX, or anywhere across East Texas — you’ve found the right firm.
The FMCSA Rules That Trucking Companies Break — And How We Use Them to Win Your Case
East Texas is one of the most active commercial trucking corridors in the country. Interstates 20, 30, and 69, along with US-59, US-69, and US-80, carry thousands of commercial trucks through Tyler, Longview, Marshall, Texarkana, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, and beyond every single day. With that volume comes risk — and with risk comes negligence.
At McKay Law, our 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys investigate every case for FMCSA violations, including:
- Hours of Service violations — Truck drivers are legally prohibited from driving more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of fatal truck crashes in East Texas.
- Improper vehicle inspections and maintenance — Carriers are required to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and lighting defects are often the result of skipped or falsified inspection records.
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo — Excess weight and shifting loads dramatically increase stopping distances and the likelihood of jackknife accidents.
- Driver qualification failures — If a carrier hired a driver with a history of DUI convictions, reckless driving, or prior accidents, that is evidence of negligent entrustment.
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) manipulation — Some carriers and drivers illegally alter or circumvent electronic logs to hide hours-of-service violations. We know exactly how to uncover this.
Speed matters. Federal law requires trucking companies to preserve black box (ECM) data and electronic logs — but only if they receive a legal hold notice. McKay Law sends preservation letters immediately upon retaining your case, before critical evidence can vanish.
What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in East Texas
The steps you take in the hours and days after a truck accident can make or break your claim. Here is what our attorneys recommend:
At the Scene — If You Are Physically Able
- Call 911 immediately and wait for a police report to be completed. Do not leave the scene.
- Document everything. Photograph the truck, trailer, license plates, cargo, skid marks, road conditions, your vehicle, and your injuries. If the truck has a company name or DOT number on the cab, photograph it.
- Collect witness names and phone numbers. Bystander accounts can be invaluable when a trucking company’s attorney challenges your version of events.
- Do not apologize or admit fault. Even saying “I’m sorry” can be used against you later.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain. Delayed treatment is one of the most common reasons insurance companies deny truck accident claims.
In the Days That Follow
- Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer. They will use it against you. Call McKay Law first.
- Do not accept a quick settlement offer. Early offers are almost always far below what your case is actually worth. Once you accept, you surrender your right to seek more.
- Contact McKay Law for a free consultation. We will evaluate your case at no charge, send an immediate evidence preservation notice, and tell you exactly what your claim may be worth.
What Compensation Can You Recover After an East Texas 18-Wheeler Accident?
The financial impact of a serious truck accident reaches far beyond your medical bills. McKay Law fights to recover every dollar of compensation you are entitled to under Texas law, including:
Economic Damages
- All past and future medical expenses — emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medications, and home health care
- Lost wages from the time you were unable to work
- Diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your former occupation
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs — and McKay Law provides free property damage representation to every client
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering — past, present, and future
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and permanent physical impairment
- Loss of consortium for your spouse
Wrongful Death Damages
When an 18-wheeler accident claims a life in East Texas, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. McKay Law’s wrongful death attorneys and lawyers represent grieving families across the region — from Greenville, Paris, and Marshall to Kilgore, Carthage, Canton, and beyond — in pursuing justice and maximum compensation for their loss.
Exemplary (Punitive) Damages
In cases involving egregious conduct — a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol, a carrier that knowingly operated an unsafe vehicle, or a company that falsified safety records — Texas courts may award exemplary damages above and beyond actual losses. Our attorneys will evaluate whether punitive damages are appropriate in your case.
The McKay Law Difference: Why East Texas Families Choose Us
There are a lot of law firms advertising on billboards across East Texas. Here is what actually sets McKay Law apart from every other personal injury attorney in the region:
More Offices Than Any Personal Injury Attorney in East Texas
McKay Law has more physical office locations serving East Texas communities than any other personal injury law firm in the region. That means when you need us, we’re close. We understand the courts, the judges, the local medical providers, and the roads where these accidents happen — because we are part of these communities, not just passing through them.
Weekly Client Communication — Guaranteed
One of the most common complaints people have about personal injury lawyers is that they disappear after you sign the retainer. At McKay Law, we make a simple, binding commitment: you will hear from your legal team every week. You will always know where your case stands. You will never wonder if anyone is working for you, because we will show you — every single week.
Free Property Damage Representation — Included at No Extra Cost
When your vehicle is damaged or destroyed in a truck accident, dealing with the property damage claim is a separate — and often frustrating — battle with the insurance company. McKay Law handles your property damage claim for free, as part of your case. No extra fees. No additional agreements. It is simply included because it should be.
Contingency Fee Representation — You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
McKay Law handles all 18-wheeler truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means zero upfront costs, zero attorney fees, and zero risk to you financially. We only get paid when we win your case. If we don’t recover for you, you owe us nothing.
Free Consultation — Tyler, TX and All of East Texas
Whether you’re calling from Tyler or Texarkana, Lindale or Lufkin, Gladewater or Greenville — your initial consultation with a McKay Law 18-wheeler truck accident attorney is completely free. We will listen to what happened, explain your rights under Texas law, and give you an honest assessment of your case with no pressure and no obligation.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorneys Serving Every Corner of East Texas
No matter where in East Texas your accident happened, McKay Law is positioned to represent you. Here is a look at the communities we actively serve:
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer in Tyler, TX
Tyler is the commercial and medical hub of East Texas, sitting at the intersection of Interstate 20 and US-69 — two of the most heavily traveled truck routes in the state. If you need an 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer in Tyler, TX, McKay Law’s Tyler office is ready to meet with you for a free consultation, evaluate your case, and begin building your claim immediately. We serve Smith County and all surrounding communities.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Longview, TX
Longview and Gregg County sit at a critical junction of East Texas commercial trucking routes, including Interstate 20 and US-259. Oil field service vehicles, timber haulers, and long-haul 18-wheelers share the road with Longview commuters daily. If you’ve been injured in a truck crash in or around Longview, our 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys and lawyers are ready to fight for you.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer in Sulphur Springs, TX
McKay Law has deep roots in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. Interstate 30, one of the busiest commercial truck corridors in Texas, cuts directly through the heart of this community. Our Sulphur Springs clients get the personalized attention of a local firm combined with the resources of one of East Texas’s most experienced personal injury practices.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Greenville, TX
Greenville and Hunt County residents injured by commercial trucking negligence on Interstate 30 or US-69 deserve aggressive, compassionate legal representation. McKay Law’s 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys serving Greenville, TX have the experience and dedication to take on large trucking corporations and their insurers on your behalf.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Paris, TX
Paris and Lamar County sit along US-82 and US-271 — corridors that see significant commercial truck traffic connecting East Texas to Oklahoma. When an 18-wheeler causes a devastating crash in the Paris area, McKay Law’s wrongful death and truck accident attorneys and lawyers are prepared to investigate, preserve evidence, and pursue the compensation your family deserves.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Marshall, TX
Marshall and Harrison County are crossed daily by commercial trucks moving goods between Dallas, Shreveport, and Houston along Interstate 20. McKay Law represents Marshall-area families injured in 18-wheeler accidents with the tenacity and local knowledge needed to win in East Texas courts.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Jacksonville, TX
Cherokee County and the Jacksonville community have seen their share of serious commercial trucking incidents along US-69 and US-175. McKay Law’s truck accident attorneys serve Jacksonville and surrounding communities with personalized, results-driven representation from the moment you call us.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Henderson, TX
Rusk County and Henderson sit at the crossroads of significant commercial and industrial trucking activity in East Texas. When an 18-wheeler accident changes your life in Henderson or the surrounding area, McKay Law is ready to stand beside you and fight.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Nacogdoches, TX
Nacogdoches and Nacogdoches County are served by US-59 — one of East Texas’s most active commercial freight corridors. Truck accidents on US-59 can be catastrophic. McKay Law provides experienced 18-wheeler accident representation to Nacogdoches families who deserve justice and accountability.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Palestine, TX
Palestine and Anderson County residents travel some of the most dangerous commercial trucking roads in East Texas daily. McKay Law brings the resources and determination of an established East Texas personal injury firm to every Palestine-area truck accident case we take on.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Lufkin, TX
Lufkin and Angelina County are central to East Texas’s timber and manufacturing industries — industries that rely heavily on commercial trucking and that produce serious accidents when safety shortcuts are taken. McKay Law’s 18-wheeler accident attorneys serving Lufkin understand the industrial landscape and know how to build winning cases.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Texarkana, TX
Sitting on the Texas-Arkansas border along Interstate 30, Texarkana is one of the highest-volume commercial truck corridors in the entire region. Cross-border accidents add jurisdictional complexity that only an experienced East Texas truck accident attorney can navigate. McKay Law handles Texarkana and Bowie County cases with the expertise your situation demands.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Kilgore, TX
Kilgore’s oil-field industry brings heavy commercial vehicle traffic through Gregg and Rusk counties every day. Tank trucks, oilfield haulers, and over-dimensional loads create unique dangers on Kilgore’s roads. McKay Law is ready to represent Kilgore families injured by commercial vehicle negligence.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Carthage, TX
Panola County and Carthage face the daily reality of heavy commercial truck traffic connected to East Texas’s natural gas and oil industries. McKay Law serves Carthage-area clients with the same aggressive, personalized representation that has earned us the trust of communities across East Texas.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Lindale, TX
Lindale sits directly on Interstate 20 in Smith County, one of the most dangerous truck corridors in Texas. Accidents involving 18-wheelers near Lindale are unfortunately common. McKay Law’s proximity and local knowledge make us the right choice for Lindale families seeking justice after a serious truck crash.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Winnsboro, TX
Wood County and Winnsboro families who suffer injuries in commercial truck accidents deserve an attorney who understands rural East Texas — its roads, its courts, and its communities. McKay Law provides that local expertise backed by the resources to take on any trucking company in the state.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Gladewater, TX
Gladewater sits at the intersection of US-80 and US-271 in Gregg and Upshur counties — a known trouble spot for commercial truck traffic. If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident near Gladewater, McKay Law is prepared to investigate your case and fight for every dollar you deserve.
18-Wheeler Truck Accident Attorney in Canton, TX
Van Zandt County and Canton are served by Interstate 20 and US-19, both of which carry substantial commercial truck volume, especially during First Monday Trade Days when traffic surges dramatically. McKay Law represents Canton-area families with the dedication and skill your case requires.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents Across East Texas
Our attorneys have handled truck accident cases involving virtually every type of commercial trucking negligence. The most common causes we see in East Texas include:
- Driver fatigue — Hours-of-service violations remain the single most common factor in fatal East Texas truck crashes
- Distracted driving — Cell phone use, GPS interaction, and in-cab entertainment systems
- Speeding and aggressive driving — Particularly common on I-20, I-30, and US-59
- Impaired driving — Prescription stimulant abuse, alcohol, and illegal drugs
- Improper lane changes and merging — Especially dangerous near Tyler, Longview, and Texarkana interchange areas
- Brake failure and mechanical defects — Often traceable to failed inspections and deferred maintenance
- Tire blowouts — Retreaded or improperly maintained tires
- Wide turns — Inexperienced drivers making right turns from the wrong lane
- Backing accidents — At loading docks, truck stops, and rural delivery points
- Weather-related negligence — Driving too fast for East Texas fog, rain, and ice conditions
Frequently Asked Questions: 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents in East Texas
How long do I have to file an 18-wheeler accident claim in Texas?
Texas generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. However, waiting is dangerous — evidence disappears, witnesses become unavailable, and insurance companies use delay against you. Contact McKay Law as soon as possible after your accident.
What if the truck driver was from out of state?
Many commercial trucks operating in East Texas are registered in other states. This does not limit your rights under Texas law. McKay Law has experience handling cases involving out-of-state carriers and navigating the jurisdictional complexities that come with them.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation — reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of blame to reduce or eliminate their payout. Our attorneys fight back against unfair fault assignments.
What does “free property damage representation” mean?
When McKay Law takes your 18-wheeler accident case, we handle your vehicle property damage claim at no additional charge. Most firms treat property damage as a separate matter — or don’t handle it at all. We include it because we believe a full-service legal team shouldn’t leave any part of your recovery behind.
What is the McKay Law weekly communication guarantee?
It means exactly what it says. Every week, a member of your McKay Law legal team will contact you with an update on your case — whether that’s a phone call, email, or meeting. You will never be left wondering what is happening with your claim. We built this guarantee because we believe you deserve to know.
You’ve Been Through Enough. Let McKay Law Fight From Here.
An 18-wheeler accident doesn’t just damage your vehicle. It disrupts your entire life — your health, your income, your family, and your sense of security. You should not have to spend your recovery fighting an insurance company alone while a trucking corporation’s legal team works against you around the clock.
McKay Law is East Texas’s most accessible personal injury firm. We have more offices than any other personal injury attorney in the region. We guarantee weekly client communication. We provide free property damage representation. We offer a free consultation. And we never charge a fee unless we win your case.
Whether you’re in Tyler, Longview, Sulphur Springs, Greenville, Paris, Marshall, Jacksonville, Henderson, Nacogdoches, Palestine, Lufkin, Texarkana, Kilgore, Carthage, Lindale, Winnsboro, Gladewater, Canton — or anywhere else across East Texas — McKay Law is ready to stand beside you.
Call McKay Law Today for Your FREE Consultation No Fee Unless We Win • Weekly Communication Guaranteed • Free Property Damage Representation Visit McKayLawtx.com or Call Us Now
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and regulations are subject to change. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a licensed Texas attorney. McKay Law PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
