Legally Reviewed by Kevin Henrichson on July 27, 2026
A car accident claim and a commercial truck wreck claim may look similar on the surface, but they follow very different paths once you start digging into liability, insurance coverage, and evidence. The vehicle involved in your crash changes nearly everything about how your case unfolds, from who can be held responsible to how much compensation may be available.
At Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP, our Austin personal injury attorneys have represented clients in both standard car accident claims and complex commercial truck wreck cases for over 65 years. Understanding these differences early can help you protect your rights and make informed decisions about your claim, so reach out to our team as soon as possible after a crash to discuss your options.
How a Standard Car Accident Claim Works
When another driver’s negligence causes your crash, you are generally entitled to file a claim with their insurance company for your damages. This process typically involves establishing that the other driver was negligent, documenting your losses, and negotiating a settlement based on the extent of your injuries and the percentage of fault assigned to each party.
Under Texas Transportation Code § 601.072, every driver in Texas is required to carry liability insurance of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 for property damage. This is commonly written as 30/60/25 coverage. While this minimum is enough to resolve many minor collisions, it often falls far short of covering serious injuries, which is one reason many drivers also carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Why Commercial Truck Wreck Claims Are More Complex
Commercial truck accidents involve an entirely different set of rules, parties, and stakes. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, roughly 20 to 30 times more than the average passenger car, and that size disparity is a major reason truck accident injuries tend to be far more severe than typical car accident injuries.
Commercial trucking operations are also governed by federal regulations that do not apply to private drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces rules covering hours of service, vehicle inspection and maintenance, driver qualification standards, and cargo securement. A violation of any of these federal rules at the time of your crash can become important evidence of negligence in your claim.
Multiple Parties May Share Liability in a Truck Accident
In a standard car accident, liability usually rests with one negligent driver. Commercial truck accidents rarely follow that simple pattern. Depending on what caused your crash, responsibility may extend well beyond the driver behind the wheel to include:
- The trucking company, if it pressured the driver into an unrealistic delivery schedule or failed to properly train and supervise its drivers.
- The cargo loading company, if an improperly secured or overloaded trailer caused the truck to jackknife or roll over.
- A maintenance contractor, if poor brake maintenance or worn tires contributed to the crash.
- The truck or parts manufacturer, if a mechanical defect played a role in the collision.
Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer can be held responsible for the negligent actions of an employee acting within the scope of their job, which is often how a trucking company becomes a defendant even when its driver was the one physically operating the vehicle. Identifying every liable party matters because it directly affects how much compensation may ultimately be available to you.
The Insurance Coverage Gap Between Cars and Trucks
One of the starkest differences between these two types of claims is the insurance coverage involved. As noted above, Texas requires private drivers to carry only $30,000 per person in bodily injury coverage. Commercial trucking companies, by contrast, are subject to federal financial responsibility rules under 49 CFR § 387.9, which set a floor of $750,000 in liability coverage for general freight carriers and require between $1 million and $5 million for trucks hauling hazardous materials.
That gap of 12 times or more between a passenger vehicle’s minimum coverage and a commercial truck’s minimum coverage can mean significantly more is available to compensate you for a serious injury. It also means the insurance company defending the claim has considerably more at stake, and it will typically respond with a faster, more aggressive investigation than you would see after an ordinary car accident.
Evidence Moves Fast After a Trucking Accident
Following a serious trucking accident, it is common for the trucking company’s insurer to send investigators to the scene within hours to begin building a defense, often while you are still receiving emergency medical care. Commercial trucks also generate types of evidence that simply do not exist after a car accident, including electronic logging device data, black box or event data recorder information, driver qualification files, and dispatch communications.
Some of this evidence is only retained for a limited window before it can be overwritten or discarded as part of routine business practice. Engaging an attorney quickly allows a formal request to preserve this evidence before it disappears, which can make a meaningful difference in proving how the crash happened.
Compensation Available in Both Types of Claims
Both car accident and commercial truck wreck victims may pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Because truck accident injuries tend to be more catastrophic, truck accident claims more frequently involve compensation for long-term or permanent injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple fractures that require extensive future medical care.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule in both types of cases, meaning you can still recover compensation as long as you are found to be 50% or less responsible for the crash, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Injured in an Accident? Our Firm Can Help Today
Nobody should have to face mounting medical bills and an uncooperative insurance company after another driver’s negligence upends their life. As the oldest personal injury law firm in Austin, with Board Certified trial attorneys and a reputation that makes insurance companies take notice, Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP has spent more than six decades holding negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable.
We handle both car accident and commercial truck wreck claims on a contingency fee basis, so you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Schedule your free consultation through our contact form to find out where your case stands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident and Truck Wreck Claims
Why is a truck accident claim worth more than a car accident claim?
Truck accident claims often involve higher available compensation because commercial trucking companies carry substantially larger insurance policies than private drivers, and truck accident injuries tend to be more severe. The specific value of any claim still depends on the facts of the case, including the extent of the injuries and the available insurance coverage.
Can I sue the trucking company instead of just the driver?
Yes, in many cases. Trucking companies can be held responsible for a driver’s negligence under the doctrine of respondeat superior, and they may also face direct liability for negligent hiring, training, or maintenance practices. Identifying every potentially liable party is an important part of building a truck accident case.
How long do I have to file a car accident or truck accident claim in Texas?
Texas law generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, whether the crash involved a passenger car or a commercial truck. If the crash resulted in a death, the deadline is generally two years from the date of death rather than the date of the crash.
What evidence is unique to a commercial truck accident case?
Commercial trucks generate evidence that does not exist after a typical car accident, including electronic logging device records, black box or event data recorder information, driver qualification files, and maintenance and dispatch records. Much of this evidence can be lost or overwritten if not preserved quickly through a formal request to the trucking company.
Does it cost anything to hire an attorney for a car or truck accident claim?
Our firm handles both car accident and commercial truck wreck claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to hire us. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation on your behalf, so you can pursue your claim without added financial pressure.
About the Attorney
Partner, Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law
Kevin Henrichson is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has spent his career representing injured Texans against trucking companies, fleet operators, and their insurers, including obtaining the second-largest jury verdict in Texas for a motor vehicle accident in 2011.
