Few collisions are more dangerous than being struck from the side by an 18-wheeler. In a T-bone, side-impact, or broadside truck crash, the front of a tractor-trailer may slam directly into the driver’s door or passenger compartment of a smaller vehicle. Unlike the front and rear of a car, the sides provide relatively little space to absorb the force of a collision.
These crashes often happen at intersections, highway entrance ramps, service roads, commercial driveways, and locations where a truck driver fails to stop, yield, or complete a turn safely. The resulting injuries can be catastrophic.
If you were T-boned by an 18-wheeler in Dallas, the trucking company and its insurance carrier may begin investigating immediately. Important evidence can disappear quickly, including onboard camera footage, electronic truck data, driver logs, dispatch communications, and nearby surveillance video.
The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in serious commercial vehicle crashes throughout Dallas and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Learn more about how we handle these claims on our Dallas truck accident lawyer practice page.
What Is a T-Bone 18-Wheeler Accident?
A T-bone accident occurs when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, forming a shape similar to the letter “T.”
These crashes are also commonly called:
Side-impact collisions;
Broadside crashes;
Intersection truck accidents;
Lateral-impact collisions; and
Right-angle truck crashes.
In a truck accident, either vehicle may deliver the side impact. For example:
An 18-wheeler runs a red light and strikes the side of a passenger vehicle;
A truck pulls across traffic and a car crashes into the side of the trailer;
A tractor-trailer fails to yield while turning left;
A truck exits a driveway or loading facility into oncoming traffic;
A truck driver makes an unsafe wide turn and traps or strikes a nearby vehicle; or
A commercial driver blocks an intersection or traffic lane with the trailer.
Even when the passenger vehicle strikes the side of the tractor-trailer, the truck driver or trucking company may still be responsible if the truck entered the vehicle’s path unlawfully or unsafely.
Why Are Side-Impact 18-Wheeler Crashes So Dangerous?
Passenger vehicles are designed with front and rear crumple zones that help absorb collision forces. The side of a vehicle generally provides much less separation between the occupants and the point of impact.
In a broadside truck crash, an occupant may be only inches away from the front bumper of an 18-wheeler.
The collision may cause:
Severe intrusion into the passenger compartment;
Direct impact to the driver or passenger;
Broken doors and windows;
Vehicle rollover;
Occupant ejection;
Secondary impacts with other vehicles or barriers;
Crushing between the truck and another object; or
A multi-vehicle chain-reaction crash.
A fully loaded tractor-trailer may weigh many times more than a passenger car. That difference in size and weight can cause life-changing injuries even when the truck was not traveling at highway speed.
As discussed in our post about low-speed 18-wheeler wrecks, a collision does not have to happen at high speed to cause serious harm.
Where Do T-Bone Truck Accidents Commonly Happen in Dallas?
Side-impact 18-wheeler wrecks frequently occur where commercial trucks cross, enter, or turn through traffic.
Common locations include:
Signal-controlled intersections;
Stop-sign intersections;
Highway frontage roads;
Interstate entrance and exit ramps;
Warehouse districts;
Distribution centers;
Truck terminals;
Construction zones;
Commercial driveways;
Industrial areas;
Railroad crossings;
Rural highway intersections; and
Roads with restricted truck routes.
Dallas has extensive truck traffic traveling through major corridors such as Interstate 35E, Interstate 30, Interstate 20, Interstate 45, Interstate 635, U.S. 75, U.S. 67, Loop 12, and numerous frontage roads and industrial areas.
A truck driver approaching an intersection must account for the truck’s speed, stopping distance, trailer length, cargo weight, traffic signal, turning radius, and surrounding vehicles.
Common Causes of T-Bone and Broadside 18-Wheeler Accidents
Determining why the collision happened is one of the most important parts of a Dallas truck accident investigation.
Running a red light
An 18-wheeler driver who enters an intersection after the traffic light turns red may strike a vehicle that has already received a green light.
This may happen because the driver:
Was speeding;
Was distracted;
Was fatigued;
Misjudged the stopping distance;
Followed traffic too closely;
Had defective brakes;
Tried to “beat” a yellow light; or
Failed to pay attention to the signal.
Electronic control data and onboard video may help determine the truck’s speed, braking, and movement before impact.
Failing to stop at a stop sign
A truck driver may roll through a stop sign or fail to stop before entering a larger roadway.
Because an 18-wheeler requires substantial time and space to accelerate across an intersection, even a brief failure to yield may place the trailer directly in the path of approaching traffic.
Failing to yield the right of way
Many T-bone crashes happen when a commercial driver fails to yield while:
Turning left;
Turning right;
Entering a roadway;
Leaving a parking lot;
Exiting a warehouse;
Crossing a frontage road;
Making a U-turn; or
Moving through an uncontrolled intersection.
A truck driver must make sure there is enough time and distance to complete the maneuver safely.
Unsafe left turns
A tractor-trailer making a left turn may cross several lanes of oncoming traffic.
If the truck driver misjudges the speed or distance of another vehicle, the passenger vehicle may strike the trailer or the tractor may strike the side of the vehicle.
The driver may claim the approaching car was speeding, but that does not automatically excuse an unsafe turn. Video, electronic data, skid marks, traffic-signal sequencing, witness statements, and vehicle damage may help establish what happened.
Wide right turns
Tractor-trailers often require additional space to turn, but a truck driver cannot simply disregard surrounding traffic.
A truck may swing left before turning right, enter another lane, strike a vehicle beside it, or drag the trailer across the path of traffic. Truck drivers are trained to account for trailer off-tracking and to use mirrors throughout the turn.
Our guide to wide-turn 18-wheeler accidents in Dallas-Fort Worth explains how improper turns, poor mirror use, route violations, and inadequate training can cause serious truck crashes.
Distracted driving
A distracted truck driver may fail to see a red light, stop sign, approaching vehicle, or changing traffic condition.
Potential distractions include:
Text messages;
Phone calls;
GPS devices;
Dispatch systems;
Electronic logging devices;
Food or drinks;
Paperwork;
In-cab controls; and
Objects inside the tractor.
Cellphone records, dispatch communications, onboard video, and electronic data may help determine whether the driver was distracted.
Driver fatigue
Fatigue can impair reaction time, attention, judgment, and decision-making.
A tired driver may:
Miss a traffic signal;
Fail to notice a stop sign;
Misjudge an approaching vehicle;
Enter an intersection too slowly;
Brake too late; or
Drift into another lane.
Electronic logging device records, fuel receipts, delivery records, bills of lading, dispatch communications, and driver logs may reveal whether the driver had adequate rest.
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Excessive speed
A truck driver traveling too fast may be unable to stop when a traffic light changes or another vehicle enters the intersection.
The posted speed limit is not always a safe speed for an 18-wheeler. Commercial drivers must also account for:
Traffic congestion;
Road construction;
Rain;
Limited visibility;
Cargo weight;
Road grade;
Curves; and
Available stopping distance.
Defective brakes or poor maintenance
A commercial truck with defective, worn, contaminated, or poorly adjusted brakes may not stop properly at an intersection.
Potential maintenance failures include:
Worn brake components;
Improper brake adjustment;
Air-brake defects;
Uneven braking;
Delayed repairs;
Missed inspections; and
Allowing an unsafe truck to remain in service.
Maintenance records and a physical inspection of the tractor and trailer may be critical.
Inadequate training
A trucking company may be responsible if it placed an inexperienced or poorly trained driver behind the wheel.
Commercial drivers should be trained to safely handle:
Intersections;
Left turns;
Wide right turns;
Trailer off-tracking;
Traffic signals;
Stopping distance;
Blind spots;
Cargo weight;
Emergency braking; and
Urban driving conditions.
The driver’s qualification file, training records, employment history, prior crashes, safety violations, and road-test results may reveal whether the driver was properly qualified.
Truck-route violations
An 18-wheeler may be more likely to cause an intersection crash when the driver is traveling on a road that was not designed or approved for through-truck traffic.
Restricted roads may have:
Narrow lanes;
Tight intersections;
Limited turning space;
Low clearances;
Residential traffic;
Pedestrians;
Parked vehicles; or
Inadequate room for commercial trucks.
Read more about crashes involving commercial vehicles on no-truck and restricted roadways in Dallas-Fort Worth.
What If My Car Hit the Side of the 18-Wheeler?
A trucking company may argue that you were responsible because the front of your vehicle struck the side of the trailer.
That argument does not resolve liability.
The real question is why the trailer was blocking your lane.
The truck driver may still be responsible if the driver:
Failed to yield;
Ran a red light;
Pulled out from a private driveway;
Made an unsafe turn;
Blocked the intersection;
Entered the roadway without sufficient clearance;
Failed to use proper warning lights; or
Drove onto a restricted road.
In many broadside crashes, the passenger driver has too little time or distance to avoid a trailer suddenly crossing the roadway.
Common Injuries After a Side-Impact Truck Wreck
T-bone 18-wheeler accidents frequently cause severe injuries because the impact may occur directly beside an occupant.
Common injuries include:
Traumatic brain injuries;
Concussions;
Skull fractures;
Facial fractures;
Eye injuries;
Hearing injuries;
Neck injuries;
Herniated cervical discs;
Shoulder injuries;
Collarbone fractures;
Broken ribs;
Chest injuries;
Lung injuries;
Spinal cord injuries;
Back injuries;
Pelvic fractures;
Hip injuries;
Arm and wrist fractures;
Leg injuries;
Knee injuries;
Internal bleeding;
Organ damage;
Crush injuries;
Amputations;
Burns;
Scarring and disfigurement;
Post-traumatic stress; and
Wrongful death.
A side impact can throw the body laterally, causing the head, shoulder, ribs, pelvis, and legs to strike the door, window, center console, or another occupant.
Symptoms may worsen after the crash. Victims should seek appropriate medical care and report headaches, dizziness, confusion, weakness, numbness, pain, limited movement, breathing problems, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.
Who May Be Responsible for a Dallas T-Bone Truck Accident?
A serious truck accident case may involve more than the driver.
The truck driver
The driver may be responsible for:
Running a red light;
Failing to stop;
Failing to yield;
Speeding;
Distracted driving;
Fatigued driving;
Making an unsafe turn;
Failing to check mirrors; or
Entering traffic without sufficient clearance.
The trucking company
The motor carrier may be responsible for the driver’s conduct and for its own negligence, including:
Negligent hiring;
Inadequate training;
Negligent supervision;
Retaining an unsafe driver;
Pressuring drivers to meet unsafe schedules;
Failing to monitor driving hours;
Ignoring prior violations;
Inadequate maintenance; or
Allowing an unsafe truck to remain in operation.
The trailer owner
The tractor and trailer may belong to different companies. A trailer owner may be responsible for defects, inadequate maintenance, lighting failures, or other dangerous conditions.
A maintenance contractor
A third-party repair company may share responsibility if defective brakes, steering, lights, or other components contributed to the crash.
A shipper or cargo-loading company
Cargo weight and distribution can affect a truck’s stopping distance and handling.
A shipper, warehouse, or cargo-loading company may be responsible if the truck was overloaded, improperly balanced, or loaded in a way that contributed to the collision.
A freight broker or logistics company
Depending on the facts, a broker or logistics company may be relevant if it negligently selected an unsafe carrier or exercised control over the transportation operation.
A truck or component manufacturer
A manufacturer may be responsible when defective brakes, steering components, tires, lights, or other equipment contributed to the wreck.
Evidence That Matters After a T-Bone 18-Wheeler Accident
Evidence from an intersection crash can disappear quickly.
Important evidence may include:
Electronic control module data;
Event data recorder information;
Engine control data;
Brake-application data;
Truck speed data;
Electronic logging device records;
GPS and telematics records;
Forward-facing camera footage;
Driver-facing camera footage;
Cellphone records;
Dispatch messages;
Driver qualification files;
Training records;
Hours-of-service records;
Maintenance and repair files;
Brake inspection records;
Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports;
Cargo records;
Weight tickets;
Bills of lading;
Traffic-signal timing records;
Intersection camera footage;
Dashcam video;
Business surveillance footage;
Residential doorbell video;
911 recordings;
Police body-camera footage;
Crash-scene photographs;
Skid marks;
Debris patterns;
Vehicle damage;
Witness statements; and
The tractor and trailer.
The truck’s electronic systems may provide important information about speed, braking, and vehicle operation. Read more in our article about 18-wheeler black box data after a Dallas-Fort Worth truck wreck.
Our broader guide to evidence that matters in Texas 18-wheeler cases also explains why driver logs, company records, electronic data, and internal trucking policies should be preserved.
Why Traffic-Signal Evidence Is Important
When a trucking company claims both drivers had the green light, traffic-signal evidence may become especially important.
An investigation may need to examine:
The signal sequence;
Yellow-light duration;
All-red clearance interval;
Turn-arrow timing;
Traffic-sensor operation;
Signal-maintenance records;
Intersection programming;
Nearby traffic cameras; and
Witness observations.
Video from nearby businesses, homes, buses, commercial vehicles, and other motorists may help establish who entered the intersection first.
Because many surveillance systems automatically overwrite old footage, preservation requests should be sent promptly.
What Should You Do After Being T-Boned by an 18-Wheeler?
Your health and safety should come first.
When possible:
Call 911.
Request emergency medical assistance.
Photograph the vehicles, intersection, traffic lights, signs, skid marks, debris, and roadway.
Record the tractor number, trailer number, license plate, company name, and USDOT number.
Identify witnesses.
Ask nearby businesses whether they have surveillance cameras.
Preserve dashcam and cellphone photographs.
Seek medical treatment.
Follow your doctors’ recommendations.
Keep records of medical bills, missed work, mileage, and other expenses.
Avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before receiving legal advice.
Contact a Dallas 18-wheeler accident lawyer before evidence disappears.
Do not assume that the company name printed on the truck identifies every responsible party. The tractor, trailer, cargo, driver, maintenance, and dispatch operations may involve several companies.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A person injured because of another party’s negligence may be entitled to pursue compensation for:
Ambulance expenses;
Emergency treatment;
Hospital bills;
Surgery;
Rehabilitation;
Physical therapy;
Prescription medication;
Past medical expenses;
Future medical expenses;
Lost wages;
Loss of earning capacity;
Property damage;
Rental car expenses;
Physical pain;
Mental anguish;
Physical impairment;
Disfigurement; and
Other accident-related losses.
When a truck accident causes a death, eligible family members may have claims for wrongful-death damages. The estate may also have a survival claim.
The value of a truck accident case depends on the injuries, available insurance coverage, medical treatment, future limitations, lost income, liability evidence, and the effect of the wreck on the victim’s life.
Our guide to damages after a Dallas 18-wheeler accident explains the categories of compensation that may be available in a serious trucking claim.
How a Dallas T-Bone Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
A serious side-impact truck accident requires more than obtaining the police report and submitting medical bills.
A Dallas truck wreck lawyer can:
Investigate the intersection;
Preserve video footage;
Inspect the tractor and trailer;
Obtain electronic truck data;
Review driver logs;
Analyze cellphone and dispatch records;
Investigate the driver’s qualifications;
Examine company safety policies;
Review maintenance records;
Obtain traffic-signal timing information;
Locate witnesses;
Work with accident-reconstruction experts;
Identify all responsible companies;
Locate available insurance coverage;
Document past and future damages;
File a lawsuit when necessary; and
Prepare the case for trial.
Trucking companies and their insurers may begin building a defense immediately. Our article explaining why truck accident evidence can disappear quickly discusses why early investigation matters.
Contact a Dallas T-Bone 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
A side-impact collision with a tractor-trailer can leave victims facing surgery, lost income, permanent limitations, and overwhelming medical expenses.
The trucking company may already have investigators, insurance adjusters, and defense attorneys working to limit its responsibility. Injured victims deserve their own investigation.
The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in T-bone, broadside, intersection, and side-impact 18-wheeler accidents throughout Dallas and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Visit our Dallas truck accident lawyer page to learn more about how we handle serious commercial vehicle claims. You can also review our main 18-wheeler wreck practice page.
Call or text The Wooley Law Firm at 214-699-6524 or contact us through our website for a free consultation.
You do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About T-Bone 18-Wheeler Accidents
What is the difference between a T-bone, broadside, and side-impact crash?
The terms generally describe the same type of collision: one vehicle strikes the side of another. “T-bone” often refers to the shape formed by the vehicles, while “broadside” and “side-impact” describe the location of the impact.
Is the truck driver automatically responsible if the truck struck the side of my car?
Not automatically, but the impact location may support your account of the wreck. Liability depends on traffic signals, right-of-way rules, speed, braking, witness statements, video, physical evidence, and electronic truck data.
What if I crashed into the side of the trailer?
The truck driver may still be responsible if the driver failed to yield, entered the intersection unsafely, ran a traffic signal, blocked your lane, or pulled into traffic without sufficient clearance.
Can the trucking company be held responsible?
Yes. The trucking company may be responsible for the driver’s actions and for negligent hiring, training, supervision, maintenance, scheduling, or safety practices.
What if there were no witnesses?
A truck accident claim may still be proven through electronic data, vehicle damage, traffic-signal records, skid marks, surveillance footage, dashcam video, cellphone data, and accident reconstruction.
Should I give the trucking company’s insurer a recorded statement?
Use caution. The adjuster represents the insurance company, not you. A recorded statement may later be used to dispute liability, minimize your injuries, or argue that your symptoms were caused by something else.
How quickly should I contact a lawyer?
As soon as reasonably possible. Video footage may be erased, electronic data may be overwritten, the truck may be repaired, and witnesses may become difficult to locate.
How long do I have to file a Texas truck accident lawsuit?
Texas generally applies a two-year limitations period to personal-injury and wrongful-death claims, but exceptions and shorter notice requirements may apply. Evidence can disappear long before the legal deadline, so victims should not delay investigating their claims.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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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.
