Garland 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

A crash with an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, delivery truck, dump truck, or other commercial motor vehicle can change your life in seconds. Large commercial trucks are much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Many commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Victims often suffer serious injuries, expensive medical bills, missed work, and long-term uncertainty about their future.

If you were hurt in a truck accident in Garland, Texas, you may already be receiving calls from the trucking company's insurance carrier. The adjuster may ask for a recorded statement, offer a quick settlement, or try to blame you before the full investigation is complete. Before you speak with the insurance company, talk to a Garland 18-wheeler accident lawyer who understands how serious truck wreck claims are handled.

At The Wooley Law Firm, Andrew J. Wooley represents injured Texans after serious commercial truck accidents. His background includes experience in personal injury law and work within the insurance industry for large corporations. That insight helps him understand how insurance companies evaluate injury claims, defend trucking companies, and look for ways to reduce what victims are paid.

Garland Truck Accidents Are a Serious Local Risk

Garland is one of the largest cities in Dallas County and sits near some of the busiest roadways in North Texas. Local drivers regularly share the road with 18-wheelers, delivery vehicles, construction trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and other commercial vehicles.

Truck traffic is especially common on and around:

Garland's location makes it a regular route for freight, delivery, construction, warehouse, and service vehicles moving through Dallas County, Collin County, Rockwall County, and the broader DFW area.

When truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, or maintenance providers cut corners, innocent people can suffer the consequences.

2025 Garland Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Data

Commercial motor vehicle crashes are not rare in Garland. According to TxDOT C.R.I.S. Query data, there were 208 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in Garland, Texas in 2025, resulting in 107 injuries and 2 fatalities.

The data also showed that Garland truck wrecks occurred on major routes including the routes below, sized by 2025 crash count:

The data further showed that 26 Garland commercial motor vehicle crashes occurred in construction zone areas, with workers present in 11 of those crashes. These numbers matter because many commercial trucks and trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a vehicle that large hits a passenger car, pickup, motorcycle, or SUV, the injuries can be devastating.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Garland

Truck accident cases are often more complex than ordinary car wreck claims. A serious crash may involve a careless driver, an unsafe trucking company, improper cargo loading, poor maintenance, or multiple responsible parties. Common causes of Garland 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle accidents include:

Driver Inattention

Driver inattention was listed as the most common contributing factor in the Garland truck crash data from TxDOT C.R.I.S. Distracted driving can include texting, looking at dispatch devices, eating, adjusting navigation systems, or simply failing to watch traffic ahead. When an 18-wheeler driver is distracted or inattentive, even a few seconds can be enough to cause a rear-end collision, sideswipe, underride crash, or multi-vehicle wreck.

Failure to Control Speed or Unsafe Speed

Failure to control speed or unsafe speed was the second most common contributing factor in Garland truck crashes. Large trucks need much more distance to stop than ordinary passenger vehicles. When a truck driver is traveling too fast for traffic, weather, road construction, or congestion, the driver may be unable to stop in time. Speed-related truck crashes are especially dangerous on I-635, I-30, SH 78, and other Garland corridors where traffic can slow suddenly.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Unsafe lane changes was the third most common contributing factor in Garland truck crashes in 2025. Truck drivers must check blind spots, signal properly, and make sure lanes are clear before moving over. An unsafe lane change by a tractor-trailer can force a smaller vehicle off the road, crush a vehicle between lanes, or trigger a chain-reaction crash.

Other Contributing Factors

Other common issues in truck accident cases may include:

A thorough investigation is often necessary to determine exactly what happened and who may be legally responsible.

I-635 East Construction and Garland Truck Accident Risks

One of the biggest roadway issues affecting Garland drivers is the ongoing I-635 East Project. Major highway construction can create additional risks for drivers, especially when large trucks are involved.

Construction zones often include narrowed lanes, temporary barriers, lane shifts, reduced shoulders, closed ramps, heavy equipment, sudden backups, and confusing traffic patterns. When a commercial truck driver is distracted, speeding, following too closely, or fatigued, a routine slowdown can quickly become a catastrophic crash.

Truck accidents in construction zones may involve additional evidence, including traffic control plans, construction signage, work zone layouts, dash camera footage, police reports, and statements from construction workers or witnesses. If you were hurt in a truck crash near a Garland construction zone, it is important to investigate the crash as soon as possible.

Why Truck Accident Claims Are Different From Car Accident Claims

An 18-wheeler accident claim is not just a bigger car accident case. Trucking cases often involve federal and state safety rules, corporate defendants, commercial insurance policies, and evidence that may disappear if it is not preserved quickly. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include the truck driver, trucking company, trailer owner, cargo loader, maintenance contractor, freight broker, parts manufacturer, or another negligent motorist.

The insurance company may begin investigating immediately after the crash. Its goal is usually to protect the trucking company and limit financial exposure. Your lawyer's job is to protect your claim, preserve evidence, and build the strongest case possible. Some trucking evidence may be lost, overwritten, repaired, or destroyed if action is not taken quickly. An attorney can send preservation letters, identify potential defendants, request key records, inspect the vehicles when appropriate, and work to prevent important evidence from disappearing.

Injuries Caused by Garland 18-Wheeler Accidents

Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, victims may suffer life-changing injuries. Common injuries in Garland truck accident cases include:

Even injuries that seem manageable at first can become serious over time. You should get medical care as soon as possible after a truck accident and follow your doctor's instructions.

Compensation After a Garland Truck Accident

Every case is different, but an injured person may be able to pursue compensation for losses such as:

If a truck accident causes a death, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim. These cases require careful legal attention because the eligible claimants, available damages, and evidence can differ from a standard injury case.