Commercial motor vehicles are everywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Every day, 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, buses, construction vehicles, work trucks, garbage trucks, and concrete trucks travel across North Texas on I-20, I-30, I-35E, I-35W, I-635, I-820, U.S. 75, U.S. 80, U.S. 287, U.S. 380, State Highway 121, State Highway 183, and countless local roads.
These vehicles are essential to the DFW economy. But when they are involved in a crash, the consequences can be devastating.
According to 2025 FMCSA Motor Carrier Management Information System, or MCMIS, data, there were 4,450 commercial motor vehicle wrecks in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex involving 4,791 commercial motor vehicles.
These were not minor fender benders. MCMIS-reportable commercial motor vehicle crashes generally involve a truck or bus and meet certain seriousness requirements, including death, injury requiring immediate medical attention away from the scene, or disabling damage requiring at least one vehicle to be towed.
At The Wooley Law Firm, we represent people injured in serious commercial vehicle crashes throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, including wrecks involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, delivery trucks, buses, work trucks, garbage trucks, and other commercial vehicles.
Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. Contact Us Today!
4,450 Commercial Motor Vehicle Wrecks in DFW in 2025
The 2025 MCMIS data shows how common serious commercial vehicle crashes are across North Texas. In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, there were:
4,450 commercial motor vehicle wrecks
4,791 commercial motor vehicles involved
That means thousands of DFW crashes in one year involved trucks, buses, or other qualifying commercial motor vehicles and were serious enough to be reportable.
This matters because a commercial vehicle crash case is different from an ordinary car accident. A wreck involving an 18-wheeler, dump truck, delivery truck, work truck, bus, garbage truck, or other commercial vehicle may involve federal safety rules, company records, maintenance documents, driver qualification files, electronic data, video footage, and multiple insurance policies.
It also means the investigation should begin quickly. Evidence can disappear. Vehicles may be repaired. Electronic data can be overwritten. Companies and insurance carriers may begin protecting their own interests immediately.
If you were hurt in a commercial vehicle wreck in DFW, speaking with a truck wreck lawyer early can help protect the evidence needed to prove what happened.
What Makes a Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Reportable?
For MCMIS reporting purposes, a commercial motor vehicle crash generally involves a qualifying truck or bus.
A truck generally means a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combined weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds. A bus generally means a passenger-carrying vehicle designed to seat at least nine people, including the driver.
The crash must also result in at least one of the following:
A fatality
An injury where the injured person is taken to a medical facility for immediate medical attention
At least one vehicle being towed from the scene because of disabling damage
Importantly, the vehicle that gets towed does not have to be the truck or bus. If an 18-wheeler causes a wreck and another driver’s vehicle must be towed because of disabling damage, that crash may qualify as a reportable commercial motor vehicle crash.
That is why the 2025 DFW numbers are so serious. These are crashes involving death, emergency medical care, or disabling vehicle damage.
Dallas and Tarrant Counties Had the Most Commercial Vehicles Involved in Wrecks
The 2025 MCMIS data shows that commercial vehicle crashes were heavily concentrated in the largest and busiest DFW counties.
By county, the number of commercial motor vehicles involved in wrecks was:
Dallas County: 1,727 commercial motor vehicles
Tarrant County: 1,162 commercial motor vehicles
Denton County: 451 commercial motor vehicles
Collin County: 356 commercial motor vehicles
Ellis County: 185 commercial motor vehicles
Kaufman County: 139 commercial motor vehicles
Parker County: 138 commercial motor vehicles
Hunt County: 134 commercial motor vehicles
Johnson County: 132 commercial motor vehicles
Wise County: 129 commercial motor vehicles
Rockwall County: 122 commercial motor vehicles
Navarro County: 89 commercial motor vehicles
Hood County: 27 commercial motor vehicles
Dallas County had the highest number, with 1,727 commercial motor vehicles involved in wrecks. Tarrant County followed with 1,162.
Together, Dallas and Tarrant Counties accounted for 2,889 commercial motor vehicles involved in wrecks, more than half of the total commercial vehicles involved in DFW-area crashes.
That concentration is not surprising. Dallas and Tarrant Counties include major freight corridors, dense commuter traffic, industrial areas, construction zones, delivery routes, warehouses, and major interstate connections. Roads like I-20, I-30, I-35E, I-35W, I-45, I-635, I-820, U.S. 75, U.S. 80, State Highway 183, Loop 12, and State Highway 121 carry thousands of commercial vehicles every day.
But serious truck and bus wrecks are not limited to Dallas and Fort Worth. Denton, Collin, Ellis, Kaufman, Parker, Hunt, Johnson, Wise, Rockwall, Navarro, and Hood Counties all saw serious commercial motor vehicle crashes in 2025. As North Texas grows, commercial traffic is spreading farther into suburban and outer-county communities.
Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington Had the Most Commercial Vehicles Involved in Wrecks
The 2025 MCMIS data also shows where commercial motor vehicle crashes were most concentrated by city.
The cities with the highest numbers of commercial motor vehicles involved in wrecks were:
Dallas: 959 commercial motor vehicles
Fort Worth: 698 commercial motor vehicles
Arlington: 160 commercial motor vehicles
Irving: 143 commercial motor vehicles
Denton: 135 commercial motor vehicles
Grand Prairie: 110 commercial motor vehicles
Garland: 104 commercial motor vehicles
Lewisville: 101 commercial motor vehicles
Plano: 80 commercial motor vehicles
Carrollton: 73 commercial motor vehicles
Mesquite: 64 commercial motor vehicles
Weatherford: 52 commercial motor vehicles
Lancaster: 50 commercial motor vehicles
Royse City: 50 commercial motor vehicles
McKinney: 48 commercial motor vehicles
Rockwall: 48 commercial motor vehicles
Waxahachie: 45 commercial motor vehicles
Hutchins: 43 commercial motor vehicles
Richardson: 41 commercial motor vehicles
Dallas had the highest city total, with 959 commercial motor vehicles involved in wrecks. Fort Worth followed with 698, and Arlington had 160.
These numbers make sense given the amount of commercial traffic moving through the urban core of the metroplex. Dallas and Fort Worth are major freight, delivery, construction, transit, and commuter hubs. Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Garland, Lewisville, Plano, Carrollton, Mesquite, Lancaster, Hutchins, Rockwall, Royse City, Waxahachie, and Weatherford also sit near major highways, industrial corridors, warehouses, delivery routes, or fast-growing suburban development.
The city data is important because commercial vehicle crashes do not only happen on long-haul interstate routes. Many happen inside cities, near intersections, business districts, warehouses, construction sites, delivery stops, and commuter corridors.
A serious DFW commercial vehicle crash may involve an 18-wheeler on I-20, a delivery truck in Dallas, a work truck in Fort Worth, a dump truck in Denton, or a bus in Arlington.
Carriers Most Often Listed in DFW Commercial Vehicle Wrecks
The 2025 MCMIS data also identifies the motor carriers most often listed in DFW commercial vehicle wrecks. The most common carrier was Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART, with 110 vehicles involved.
Other frequently listed carriers included:
Dallas Area Rapid Transit / DART: 110 vehicles
City of Dallas: 39 vehicles
J.B. Hunt Transport Inc.: 34 vehicles
FedEx / Federal Express Corporation: 32 vehicles
UPS / United Parcel Service Inc.: 30 vehicles
Wal-Mart Transportation LLC: 28 vehicles
City of Fort Worth: 18 vehicles
Schneider National Carriers Inc.: 17 vehicles
Fort Worth Transportation Authority / The T: 16 vehicles
Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.: 13 vehicles
U.S. Xpress Inc.: 13 vehicles
Ben E. Keith Company: 12 vehicles
Estes Express Lines: 12 vehicles
Frontier Equipmentco LLC: 12 vehicles
Southeastern Freight Lines Inc.: 12 vehicles
Sweeping Corporation of America LLC: 12 vehicles
Waste Connections Lone Star Inc.: 12 vehicles
MVT Services LLC: 11 vehicles
Gulf Winds International Inc.: 10 vehicles
Saia Motor Freight Line LLC: 10 vehicles
Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete LLC: 10 vehicles
Swift Transportation Co. of Arizona LLC: 10 vehicles
Waste Management of Texas Inc.: 10 vehicles
Unknown carrier: 120 vehicles
These carrier numbers do not automatically mean that a carrier caused a crash or did anything wrong. They show how often vehicles associated with a particular carrier were listed in the MCMIS data for DFW commercial motor vehicle wrecks in 2025.
That distinction is important. Large transit agencies, delivery companies, freight carriers, municipalities, waste companies, and construction-related companies may appear more often in crash data because they operate more vehicles, drive more miles, and spend more time on DFW roads.
However, carrier identity can matter after a serious crash. The motor carrier may possess critical evidence, including driver qualification files, training records, maintenance records, inspection reports, dispatch records, GPS data, dash camera footage, onboard video, and insurance information.
If a commercial vehicle injured you or a loved one, identifying the carrier quickly can be an important first step in preserving evidence and determining who may be legally responsible.
What Counts as a Commercial Motor Vehicle?
Many people hear “commercial motor vehicle” and immediately think of an 18-wheeler but commercial vehicle crashes can involve many different types of vehicles. Depending on the facts, a commercial motor vehicle crash may involve:
18-wheelers
Tractor-trailers
Dump trucks
Box trucks
Delivery trucks
Concrete trucks
Flatbed trucks
Work trucks
Construction vehicles
Garbage trucks
Sweeper trucks
Buses
Transit vehicles
Passenger-carrying vehicles designed to seat at least nine people
Certain trucks over 10,000 pounds
Hazardous-material vehicles
Some commercial vehicle wrecks do not look like traditional trucking cases at first. A serious crash may involve a heavy-duty pickup, work truck, delivery vehicle, garbage truck, bus, or transit vehicle but still raise many of the same legal and safety issues as an 18-wheeler crash.
Why Commercial Vehicle Wrecks Are Different From Ordinary Car Accidents
Commercial vehicle crashes are often more complex than regular passenger car accidents because there may be more than one responsible party.
Depending on the facts, potential defendants may include:
The commercial driver
The motor carrier
The trucking company
The vehicle owner
The maintenance company
A broker
A shipper
A cargo-loading company
A contractor
An employer
A city or public entity
A transit authority
A vehicle manufacturer
Another negligent driver
These cases may also involve evidence that does not exist in an ordinary car wreck, including driver logs, GPS data, dispatch records, maintenance records, inspection reports, employment records, driver qualification files, dash camera video, surveillance video, onboard camera footage, and electronic control module data.
That evidence can be critical in proving what happened, why it happened, and who should be held responsible.
Why Truck and Commercial Vehicle Crashes Are So Dangerous
Commercial vehicle crashes are often more severe than passenger vehicle crashes because of the size and weight of the vehicles involved.
An 18-wheeler or loaded commercial truck can weigh many times more than a passenger car. These vehicles need more distance to stop, have large blind spots, and can cause catastrophic injuries when they collide with cars, SUVs, motorcycles, pedestrians, or smaller pickups.
Buses, work trucks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, and delivery trucks can also cause serious injuries. Many operate in crowded city environments, near intersections, around pedestrians, or in stop-and-go traffic.
Common injuries from commercial vehicle crashes include:
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Broken bones
Internal injuries
Burns
Crush injuries
Amputations
Neck and back injuries
Severe lacerations
Permanent impairment
Wrongful death
When a commercial vehicle crash happens at highway speed, in a construction zone, at an intersection, or in heavy DFW traffic, the results can be life-changing.
Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Crashes in Dallas-Fort Worth
Commercial vehicle crashes can happen for many reasons. Some are caused by negligent drivers. Others involve company safety failures, improper maintenance, unrealistic delivery schedules, unsafe loading practices, or dangerous roadway conditions.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers and commercial drivers may spend long hours on the road. Fatigue can slow reaction time, impair judgment, and cause a driver to drift out of a lane, miss stopped traffic, or fail to brake in time.
Distracted Driving
Commercial drivers may be distracted by phones, dispatch devices, GPS systems, paperwork, food, passengers, or other in-cab distractions.
Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions
A commercial vehicle traveling too fast may not be able to stop in time for traffic, construction zones, wet roads, or sudden lane changes.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Large trucks have significant blind spots. Unsafe lane changes can cause sideswipe crashes, underride crashes, and multi-vehicle collisions.
Following Too Closely
Commercial vehicles need more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. Tailgating in heavy Dallas-Fort Worth traffic can lead to serious rear-end crashes.
Poor Maintenance
Brake problems, tire failures, lighting defects, steering issues, and other maintenance failures can contribute to devastating crashes.
Improper Loading
Cargo that is overloaded or improperly secured can affect braking, steering, and stability. In some cases, cargo may shift or spill onto the roadway.
Construction-Zone Hazards
DFW drivers frequently encounter lane closures, concrete barriers, uneven pavement, reduced shoulders, and sudden traffic slowdowns. Commercial vehicles can be especially dangerous in these conditions.
Urban Traffic and Frequent Stops
Buses, delivery vehicles, garbage trucks, and work trucks often operate in dense city traffic. Frequent stops, tight turns, pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles, and busy intersections can all increase the risk of a serious crash.
What Evidence Matters After a Truck or Commercial Vehicle Crash?
Commercial vehicle crash cases often involve more evidence than ordinary car accident cases. But that evidence can disappear quickly if it is not preserved.
Important evidence may include:
Driver logs
Hours-of-service records
Driver qualification files
Inspection reports
Maintenance records
Repair records
Dash camera footage
Event data recorder or “black box” data
GPS data
Dispatch records
Load documents
Bills of lading
Cell phone records
Post-crash drug and alcohol testing
Company safety policies
Prior crash history
Prior violations
Vehicle ownership records
Employment records
Surveillance video
Onboard bus or fleet camera footage
Insurance policies
This is one reason it is important to contact a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck lawyer quickly after a serious crash. An attorney can send preservation letters, identify the responsible companies, investigate the scene, and work to protect critical evidence.
Who Can Be Responsible for a Commercial Vehicle Crash?
Commercial vehicle cases often involve multiple potential defendants.
Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:
The commercial driver
The motor carrier
The trucking company
The vehicle owner
The maintenance company
A broker
A shipper
A cargo-loading company
A contractor
An employer
A city, county, or public entity
A transit authority
A manufacturer
Another negligent driver
Identifying all responsible parties is important because serious truck and commercial vehicle crashes often involve major medical bills, lost income, permanent impairment, and long-term care needs.
Claims involving public entities, transit agencies, or government-owned vehicles may also involve special notice deadlines and legal requirements. That is another reason to act quickly after a serious crash.
What Compensation May Be Available After a DFW Truck Wreck?
Every case is different, but injured victims may be able to seek compensation for:
Medical bills
Future medical care
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Physical impairment
Disfigurement
Mental anguish
Property damage
Out-of-pocket expenses
When a crash causes death, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. These claims may include compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and other damages available under Texas law.
Injured in a Truck or Commercial Vehicle Wreck in Dallas-Fort Worth? Call The Wooley Law Firm.
Commercial vehicle crashes are different from ordinary car wrecks. They often involve larger vehicles, more serious injuries, federal safety rules, company records, public entities, transit authorities, multiple insurance policies, and evidence that must be preserved quickly.
The 2025 MCMIS data shows 4,450 commercial motor vehicle wrecks in DFW involving 4,791 commercial motor vehicles. Dallas County and Tarrant County had the highest county totals, while Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington had the highest city totals. The data also shows how many different types of carriers appear in commercial vehicle crash records, from transit agencies and cities to national freight, delivery, retail, waste, and construction-related companies.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving an 18-wheeler, dump truck, delivery truck, work truck, bus, garbage truck, or other commercial vehicle in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, The Wooley Law Firm can help investigate what happened and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. Contact Us Today!
Frequently Asked Questions About DFW Truck and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks
What should I do after a truck wreck in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Get medical attention, report the crash, take photos if you can, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance carrier before speaking with a lawyer. Commercial vehicle evidence can disappear quickly, so it is important to act fast.
How is a truck wreck case different from a regular car accident case?
Truck and commercial vehicle cases often involve federal safety rules, company records, driver logs, maintenance records, electronic data, and multiple insurance policies. They may also involve several responsible parties, including the driver, motor carrier, vehicle owner, maintenance company, or employer.
Who can be held responsible for a commercial vehicle crash?
Depending on the facts, the commercial driver, trucking company, motor carrier, employer, maintenance company, cargo loader, vehicle owner, public entity, or another negligent driver may be responsible. A lawyer can investigate the crash and identify all potential sources of compensation.
How long do I have to file a truck wreck claim in Texas?
In many Texas personal injury cases, the deadline is two years from the date of the crash, but some cases may involve shorter notice deadlines, especially if a city, county, transit authority, or government vehicle is involved. You should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
How much does it cost to hire The Wooley Law Firm after a DFW truck wreck?
The Wooley Law Firm offers free consultations, and you don’t pay unless we win. Call (214) 699-6524 to talk about your truck or commercial vehicle crash. Contact Us Today!
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Andrew J. Wooley
Personal Injury Attorney
Andrew J. Wooley is a dedicated personal injury attorney based in Dallas, Texas. He focuses on helping accident victims recover fair compensation for their injuries. With a commitment to personalized service, Andrew works directly with each client to understand their unique situation and fight for their rights.
