18-wheeler accident in Dallas: truck routes, records to save, and finding a truck accident attorney

Last checked November 8, 2026

Dallas limits semi trucks to listed truck routes, with exceptions for deliveries.12 On a Dallas freeway, Dallas Police is taking over crash investigations.3 Act fast: trucking companies only have to keep driver hours logs for 6 months.4 You generally have 2 years to sue,5 and 6 months for written notice to the city.6

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Road map of Dallas showing the Lyndon B. Johnson, Stemmons and R. L. Thornton freeways, all listed truck routes in city code
Dallas truck logs may be kept only 6 months. Ask for them early. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Where can 18-wheelers legally drive in Dallas?

Only on the city's list, for the most part. Dallas City Code makes it an offense to run a truck tractor or semitrailer on a street in the city except the routes it names.1 That list covers the whole Dallas stretch of LBJ Freeway, Stemmons Freeway and R. L. Thornton Freeway.789

It also includes busy surface roads where people live and shop. Harry Hines runs from Akard Street to the north city limits. Buckner runs from C. F. Hawn Freeway to Northwest Highway, and Ledbetter from Walton Walker Boulevard to Loop 12.101112 Buckner and Ledbetter are also on the city's High Injury Network.13

A truck is allowed to leave its route to reach a terminal or to load and unload.2 So finding an 18-wheeler on a side street does not prove anything on its own. Downtown, trucks and transit-mix trucks can only use streets in the central business district for quick delivery or pickup there.14

Are there night rules for semi trucks in Dallas neighborhoods?

Yes. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., leaving a truck route to drive on a street next to single-family or duplex homes is an offense, with limited defenses.15 If a semi hit you on a residential street late at night, write down the time and the street name and take a picture of any signs.

City code also says a driver off a truck route must have a log book, delivery slips or other proof of where the truck was going.16 Ask whether the officer looked at those papers. A broken route rule does not settle who is at fault, but it is a good question to raise early.

How common are truck accidents in Dallas?

Dallas County had 3,778 crashes with a commercial motor vehicle in 2025, and 37 people died.17 Many happen on roads the city does not own. TxDOT roads had 90 of the city's 168 fatal crashes that year.1819 If a hazardous load was involved, TxDOT publishes a route map for hazardous materials in Dallas, and it is worth asking if the truck was on it.20

Who investigates a truck wreck on I-35E or I-30 in Dallas?

For wrecks after August 28, 2026, expect Dallas Police. A police memo says the county ended its highway traffic agreement on that date and the police Traffic Unit will handle freeway crash investigations in the city.3 That unit already handles the investigation of crashes with serious injury or death.21

If your wreck was earlier, ask the Sheriff's accident report line at 214-712-5039.22 For questions about a Dallas Police report, call 214-670-6954 or 214-670-6955 on a weekday.23 The Vehicle Crimes Unit, at (214) 670-5817, takes questions on deaths and vehicle offenses.24

What records can disappear after a truck accident in Dallas?

What to ask forHow long the rule says to keep itWhy you want it
Driver hours logsAt least 6 months4May show a tired driver, or hours over the limit
Company crash register3 years after each crash25Can reveal a pattern of past wrecks
Alcohol test after a deadly crashThe company must test the surviving driver as soon as it can26Can answer questions about impairment

To compare the logs, you need the limit. After 10 hours off duty, a freight driver may drive up to 11 hours and may not drive after 14 hours on the clock.27 A letter telling the company to preserve its records should go out soon. A truck accident attorney can send one, and you should not wait on the police report to ask about it.

How much insurance does a trucking company carry in Dallas?

  • For-hire carriers moving regular freight across state lines: at least $750,000.28
  • Some bulk hazardous loads: at least $5 million.29
  • Regular Texas drivers: only $30,000 per person.30

Those federal floors depend on the carrier and the load, so write down the company name and DOT number on the door. Parkland, Baylor University Medical Center and Methodist Dallas are all Level I trauma centers, and the records from your stay there will help show how badly you were hurt.313233

What if a City of Dallas truck hit me?

A garbage truck or city crew truck puts you on a shorter clock. Written notice goes to the Office of Risk Management, at 1500 Marilla 6A South, within six months.634 It needs the when, where and how of the injury, the full extent of it and the amount claimed.35

What should I ask a truck accident lawyer in Dallas?

  • Do you know the federal trucking rules well?
  • How soon can you get a preservation letter to the trucking company?
  • Was the truck on a city truck route at that hour?
  • Who else could share the blame, like a shipper or repair shop?
  • How would the Texas rule on shared fault affect me?36

Questions

How long do I have to sue after a truck accident in Dallas?

Generally 2 years.5 If a city truck hit you, written notice is due within six months.6

Can a semi drive on my street in Dallas?

Only when it needs to reach a terminal or to load or unload.2 Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the rule for streets next to homes is tighter.15

Who investigates an 18-wheeler wreck on a Dallas freeway?

The Dallas Police Traffic Unit, after the county agreement ended in August 2026.3

How many truck crashes happen in Dallas County?

3,778 commercial vehicle crashes in 2025, with 37 people killed.17

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Dallas

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Sources

  1. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “A person commits an offense if he operates a truck tractor, semitrailer, pole trailer, or trailer upon a street or roadway within the city, except those truck routes enumerated below”
  2. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “may depart from the truck routes when it is necessary to reach a truck terminal or to load or unload merchandise at locations situated off designated truck routes”
  3. City of Dallas memo, Transition of Freeway Traffic Enforcement and Crash Response Services, checked 2026-11-08. “DPD will expand its Traffic Unit to assume responsibility for freeway traffic enforcement, crash investigations, and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane enforcement within the City of Dallas.”
  4. 49 C.F.R. § 395.8(k)(1), checked 2026-11-08. “A motor carrier shall retain records of duty status and supporting documents required under this part for each of its drivers for a period of not less than 6 months from the date of receipt.”
  5. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues”
  6. Dallas City Charter, Chapter XXIII, Section 1, checked 2026-11-08. “within six months after the injury was received”
  7. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway All portions within the city limits”
  8. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “Stemmons Freeway All portions within the city limits”
  9. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “R. L. Thornton Freeway All portions within the city limits”
  10. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “Harry Hines Boulevard Akard Street to the north city limits”
  11. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “Buckner Boulevard C. F. Hawn Freeway to Northwest Highway”
  12. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “Ledbetter Drive Walton Walker Boulevard to Loop 12”
  13. City of Dallas, Vision Zero Action Plan, checked 2026-11-08. “It does not include the access-controlled main lanes of highways (e.g., US 75, IH-35E, Dallas North Tollway).”
  14. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “except for expeditious delivery or pickup of material within the business district”
  15. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any day, he leaves a designated truck route and operates the semitrailer, pole trailer, or trailer on a street that is adjacent to single-family or duplex residential dwellings”
  16. Dallas City Code, Chapter 28, Article X, checked 2026-11-08. “his log book, delivery slips, or other evidence of his destination and point of origin”
  17. TxDOT, 2025 Commercial Motor Vehicle Involved Crashes by County, checked 2026-11-08. “Dallas 33 37 101 130 453 602 561 905 2,591 9,140 39 611 3,778”
  18. City of Dallas, Vision Zero 2025 Annual Progress Report (April 2026), checked 2026-11-08. “TxDOT Roads* 125 123 115 107 90 560 55%”
  19. City of Dallas, Vision Zero 2025 Annual Progress Report (April 2026), checked 2026-11-08. “Total Crashes 216 218 201 208 168 1,011 100%”
  20. TxDOT, City of Dallas hazardous materials route map, checked 2026-11-08. “Texas Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Division August 14, 2024”
  21. Dallas Police Department, Traffic Unit, checked 2026-11-08. “The investigation of serious injury or death related to vehicular crashes.”
  22. Dallas County Sheriff, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-08. “Accident Report Information 214.712.5039”
  23. Dallas Police Department, Traffic Division FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “Please call 214-670-6954 or 214-670-6955”
  24. Dallas Police Department, Public Information, checked 2026-11-08. “Questions pertaining to traffic fatalities or offenses involving a vehicle, contact the Dallas Police Department's Vehicle Crimes Unit (214) 670-5817.”
  25. 49 C.F.R. § 390.15(b), checked 2026-11-08. “Motor carriers must maintain an accident register for 3 years after the date of each accident.”
  26. 49 C.F.R. § 382.303(a)(1), checked 2026-11-08. “As soon as practicable following an occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a public road in commerce, each employer shall test for alcohol for each of its surviving drivers: (1) Who was performing safety-sensitive functions with respect to the vehicle, if the accident involved the loss of human life”
  27. 49 C.F.R. § 395.3(a)(2)-(3), checked 2026-11-08. “(2) 14-hour period. A driver may not drive after a period of 14 consecutive hours after coming on-duty following 10 consecutive hours off-duty. (3) Driving time and interruptions of driving periods — (i) Driving time. A driver may drive a total of 11 hours during the period specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.”
  28. 49 C.F.R. § 387.9, checked 2026-11-08. “(1) For-hire (In interstate or foreign commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds) Property (nonhazardous) $750,000”
  29. 49 C.F.R. § 387.9, checked 2026-11-08. “(2) For-hire and Private (In interstate, foreign, or intrastate commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds) Hazardous substances, as defined in 49 CFR 171.8, transported in bulk in cargo tanks, portable tanks, or hopper-type vehicles [...] 5,000,000”
  30. Tex. Transp. Code § 601.072(a-1), checked 2026-11-08. “(1) $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in one collision; (2) $60,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in one collision, subject to the amount provided by Subdivision (1) for bodily injury to or death of one of the persons; and (3) $25,000 for damage to or destruction of property of others in one collision.”
  31. Texas DSHS, Texas Trauma Facilities, checked 2026-11-08. “PARKLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 7/1/2028 E DALLAS 75235”
  32. Texas DSHS, Texas Trauma Facilities, checked 2026-11-08. “BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER 4/1/2028 E DALLAS 75246”
  33. Texas DSHS, Texas Trauma Facilities, checked 2026-11-08. “METHODIST DALLAS MEDICAL CENTER 12/1/2027 E DALLAS 75203”
  34. City of Dallas, Notice of Claim Form, checked 2026-11-08. “OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT 1500 MARILLA 6A SOUTH DALLAS, TEXAS 75201 214-671-9458”
  35. Dallas City Charter, Chapter XXIII, Section 1, checked 2026-11-08. “when, where, and how the exact injury occurred; (2) the full extent of the injury; and (3) the amount of damages claimed or asserted”
  36. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001, checked 2026-11-08. “a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent”

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