Find a truck accident lawyer in Fort Worth: what to save after an 18-wheeler crash

Last checked November 8, 2026

A Fort Worth Police truck crash report comes from TxDOT's CRIS site for $6.12 Ask quickly for company records, because driver hours logs must be kept only 6 months.3 You generally have 2 years to sue.4 If a City of Fort Worth truck hit you, written notice is due within 180 days, unless you show good cause.5

See if you are owed money

$0 upfront. No fee unless you win.
Road map of Fort Worth showing I-35W, I-20, I-30 and Loop 820, all listed as truck routes in city code
Fort Worth truck drivers off route must carry proof of their stops. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

How many big trucks are on I-35W in Fort Worth?

A lot. TxDOT says I-35W carries over 165,000 vehicles a day at downtown and calls it a major national trade corridor.67 One count at Hattie Street, taken in 2020, reached 168,654.8 TxDOT puts trucks at 11 percent on average.7

North of town, freight has a home base. Alliance Airport is built around cargo, with tenants such as Amazon, BNSF Railway and FedEx, and BNSF runs a large rail yard close by.910 Regional planners say trucks move 79.24 percent of the goods shipped to and from North Texas.11

Those loads end up in crash reports. Tarrant County had 2,183 crashes involving commercial vehicles in 2025, and 16 people were killed.12 The city thought the risk was worth its own study, so its High Injury Network has a separate layer for large trucks.13

Where are 18-wheelers allowed to drive in Fort Worth?

Unlike some cities, Fort Worth limits them. The city says truck-tractors, trailers and commercial vehicles may only use designated truck routes unless the trip starts or ends off those routes.14 City code names I-35W, and lists I-20, I-30, Loop 820, SH 121, SH 183 and SH 360 within city limits.15 Jacksboro Highway northwest of Ephriham and East Lancaster east of I-35W are on the list too.1617

There is a second, smaller group of streets called commercial delivery routes. A truck may use one only when a truck route cannot do the job.18 To see the whole map, the city says to visit its Traffic Engineering Office at 5001 James Ave.19

Here is the part that can help you. A truck on a side street to reach a terminal, repair shop or loading dock has a defense only if it took the shortest way to a truck or delivery route.20 The driver must also carry evidence of the last stop and the next destination.21 If a semi hit you on a street that is not on the list, ask for that paperwork. A broken route rule does not settle who was at fault, but it does raise fair questions.

What proof can disappear after a truck wreck in Fort Worth?

RecordHow long or what the rule saysWhat it can show
Hours logsKept at least 6 months3Whether the driver ran over the limit
Federal driving limits11 hours driving after 10 off, no driving after 14 on the clock22The yardstick for those logs
Company crash listKept 3 years after each crash23A pattern of earlier wrecks
Alcohol testRequired as soon as the company can after a deadly crash24Whether alcohol played a part
Last stop and next stopCarried in the cab on a non-route street21Why the truck was on that street

None of this stays safe by itself. A written letter telling the company to keep its records should go out soon, and that is often the first job for a Fort Worth truck accident attorney. While you wait, write down the name and DOT number on the cab door. Note the trailer number too, because the trailer may belong to someone else.

Who writes the report for a truck crash in Fort Worth?

Usually a local agency. Fort Worth Police investigated 15,673 crashes in 2025, and the Sheriff's Office 478.2526 State troopers describe their traffic job as rural highways, so do not assume DPS has your report just because it happened on a freeway.27

Sheriff's reports take about three weeks to appear, compared with up to 14 days for Fort Worth Police.2829

Can trucks use the left lane on Fort Worth freeways?

Not on some sections. On certain regional freeway stretches, trucks with three or more axles may not use the inside left lane except to pass.30 If the truck that hit you was camped in that lane, tell the investigating officer and write down the mile marker or the nearest exit.

How much insurance must a trucking company carry in Fort Worth?

  • For-hire carriers moving regular freight across state lines need at least $750,000.31
  • Certain hazardous loads in bulk need at least $5 million.32
  • A regular Texas car policy needs only $30,000 per person.33

A truck that never leaves Texas may fall under different limits. Find out who owned the tractor, who owned the trailer and who hired the driver. Each one can have its own policy.

What if a City of Fort Worth truck or Trinity Metro bus hit me?

A garbage truck or street crew changes the deadline. Written notice goes to HR/Risk Management, 200 Texas Street, within 180 days unless you show good cause.534 Most other Texas public bodies usually need notice within 6 months.35

What should I ask a Fort Worth truck accident attorney?

  • Can you get a letter out in the next few days so the company saves its logs and truck data?
  • Was this truck on a street Fort Worth allows, and can you get its stop records?
  • Who else may share the blame, such as whoever loaded or fixed the truck?
  • How will the rule barring recovery above 50 percent fault affect me?36

Questions

How long do I have to sue after an 18-wheeler accident in Fort Worth?

Generally 2 years in Texas.4 A claim against the City of Fort Worth needs written notice within 180 days unless you show good cause.5

Can a semi drive on my street in Fort Worth?

Only if it is a designated route, or the trip starts or ends off those routes.14 Ask the city for the map at 5001 James Ave.19

How long does a trucking company keep driver logs?

At least 6 months under federal rules, so ask soon.3

Find out if you are owed money.

A free case review. $0 upfront. No fee unless you win.

See if I’m owed money

Keep reading

Fort Worth

Truck accident

Texas

Sources

  1. Fort Worth Police, Get a Copy of My Accident Report, checked 2026-11-08. “Effective December 15, 2024, requestors should use the website below to request an accident report(s)”
  2. Fort Worth Police, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “for $6.00. If your search for a report returns no results, the report has not been approved.”
  3. 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.”
  4. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues”
  5. Fort Worth City Charter, Chapter XXVII, Section 25, checked 2026-11-08. “within one hundred eighty (180) days after the same has been sustained, unless good cause is shown”
  6. TxDOT, I-35W Corridor, checked 2026-11-08. “At its apex in downtown Fort Worth, it carries over 165,000 vehicles per day.”
  7. TxDOT, I-35W Corridor, checked 2026-11-08. “A major national trade corridor, the interstate has daily truck volumes averaging 11 percent.”
  8. TxDOT, I-35W Corridor traffic counts, checked 2026-11-08. “Hattie Street 168,654”
  9. NCTCOG, General Freight Planning, checked 2026-11-08. “Notable tenants include Amazon, BNSF Railway, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FedEx, and Rolls Royce.”
  10. NCTCOG, General Freight Planning, checked 2026-11-08. “BNSF Railway’s Intermodal and Carload Transportation Center located near Alliance Airport”
  11. NCTCOG, Freight Movement Quick Take, May 2026, checked 2026-11-08. “transporting 79.24% of goods being shipped to and from the region”
  12. TxDOT, 2025 Commercial Motor Vehicle Involved Crashes by County, checked 2026-11-08. “Tarrant 15 16 63 71 277 369 265 435 1,546 5,685 17 203 2,183”
  13. City of Fort Worth, High Injury Network layer, checked 2026-11-08. “an additional modal HIN for commercial vehicles/large trucks was analyzed”
  14. City of Fort Worth, Truck Routes, checked 2026-11-08. “may only use city streets designated as truck routes, unless the destination or point of origin is outside of these routes”
  15. Fort Worth City Code § 22-114, checked 2026-11-08. “Interstate Highway 35-W (North and South Freeway) | Within city limits”
  16. Fort Worth City Code § 22-114, checked 2026-11-08. “State Highway 199 (Jacksboro Highway) | From Ephriham northwest to city limits”
  17. Fort Worth City Code § 22-114, checked 2026-11-08. “State Highway 180 (East Lancaster Avenue) | From Interstate Highway 35-W east to city limits”
  18. Fort Worth City Code § 22-112, checked 2026-11-08. “they shall be operated on a commercial delivery route only when it is not possible to use a truck route”
  19. City of Fort Worth, Truck Routes, checked 2026-11-08. “For a map of truck routes in Fort Worth, visit the Traffic Engineering Office, 5001 James Ave.”
  20. Fort Worth City Code § 22-113, checked 2026-11-08. “over the shortest route to a point on a truck route or commercial delivery route”
  21. Fort Worth City Code § 22-113, checked 2026-11-08. “the operators of any such vehicles shall carry evidence of the location of its last stop and of its immediate destination”
  22. 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.”
  23. 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.”
  24. 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”
  25. TxDOT, 2025 Crashes and Injuries by Investigating Agency, checked 2026-11-08. “FORT WORTH PD 107 110 468 555 2,668 3,567 2,314 3,643 9,519 32,438 597 2,356 15,673”
  26. TxDOT, 2025 Crashes and Injuries by Investigating Agency, checked 2026-11-08. “TARRANT COUNTY 2 2 20 23 111 151 29 43 291 789 25 65 478 SO”
  27. Texas DPS, Highway Patrol Overview, checked 2026-11-08. “responsible for general police traffic supervision, traffic, and criminal law enforcement on the rural highways of Texas”
  28. Tarrant County Sheriff, Accident Report Request, checked 2026-11-08. “approximately three weeks from the date of the accident”
  29. Fort Worth Police, Get a Copy of My Accident Report, checked 2026-11-08. “It can take up to 14 days from the date of the crash for your crash to appear in the search results.”
  30. NCTCOG, Freight Safety, checked 2026-11-08. “trucks with three or more axles are prohibited from using the inside left lane, except when passing traffic”
  31. 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”
  32. 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”
  33. 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.”
  34. City of Fort Worth, Notice of Claim Form, checked 2026-11-08. “HR/Risk Management 200 Texas Street Fort Worth, Texas 76102”
  35. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than six months after the day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred”
  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”

Editorial policy

See if I’m owed moneyNo fee unless you win
AccidentsCitiesStatesGuides
See if I’m owed money