After a collision with a commercial truck on I-35W, I-30, Loop 820, or the North Tarrant Express, the insurance process you face is unlike anything a standard car accident involves. There are more policies in play, coverage limits are dramatically higher, and the carriers’ claims teams are experienced professionals with one goal: paying as little as possible to close your claim. You are dealing with all of that while recovering from a serious injury.
Patterson Law Group is based in Fort Worth and handles truck accident insurance claims regularly in Tarrant County courts. This page explains how commercial truck insurance actually works — and what you need to know before you make any decisions.
Right after a Fort Worth truck crash, do this
Get emergency medical care right away — even if you feel okay, significant injuries can be masked by adrenaline. Call 911 and make sure an official crash report is generated. Photograph vehicle positions, the truck’s DOT number and company markings, skid marks, debris, and any visible cargo issues. Collect witness names and contact details. Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer before speaking with a lawyer — this is the most critical step in protecting your claim, and once that statement is given, it cannot be taken back.
Injured in a Fort Worth truck accident? Call Patterson Law Group at 817-784-2000 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
How commercial truck insurance works
Federal minimum liability coverage. FMCSA regulations establish minimum primary liability coverage: $750,000 for general freight carriers; $1,000,000 for carriers transporting certain hazardous materials; $5,000,000 for carriers transporting higher-risk hazardous cargo. Many of the carriers operating through Fort Worth’s Alliance freight hub and along I-35W carry significantly higher limits.
The MCS-90 endorsement. All interstate commercial carriers are required to attach an MCS-90 endorsement to their liability policy. This endorsement requires the insurer to pay valid judgments up to the required minimums even if the policy contains exclusions that would otherwise limit coverage — an important protection against carriers using policy technicalities to avoid paying claims.
Cargo insurance. When the crash was caused or contributed to by improperly loaded or secured freight, the carrier’s or shipper’s cargo policy may provide additional recovery.
Excess and umbrella policies. Major carriers typically carry excess liability policies above their primary limits. In cases involving catastrophic or permanent injuries, identifying these additional coverage layers and pursuing them alongside the primary policy is essential.
Your own UM/UIM coverage. If the at-fault carrier’s coverage is not sufficient to fully compensate your losses, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may apply. Your own insurer still has an economic interest in limiting what it pays — an attorney can manage both the opposing carrier’s insurer and your own.
Why the trucking company’s insurance adjuster is not your ally
After a Fort Worth truck crash, you may receive a call from the trucking company’s adjuster before you have even left the hospital. Common tactics: Fast settlement offers — Making a payment offer before your long-term prognosis is clear and before the full costs of your care are known. The recorded statement request — Asking you to give a detailed account of the crash in a recorded format used to find inconsistencies or establish admissions about fault. Never give one before consulting a lawyer. Overly broad medical record requests — Seeking authorizations to access years of prior medical history in search of pre-existing conditions. Deliberate delay — Allowing the process to drag on until financial pressure makes a low offer tempting. Social media surveillance — Reviewing your online activity for photos or posts that could contradict your stated limitations.
Once an attorney is on the case, the insurer must communicate only through that attorney. That change eliminates most of these pressure tactics immediately.
How Patterson Law Group handles the insurance process in Fort Worth
From the moment we take your case, we step between you and the insurance companies: we manage all communications with the trucking company’s insurer; we prevent you from giving recorded statements or signing authorizations that could compromise your claim; we identify every available policy — primary carrier coverage, excess layers, cargo insurance, and your own UIM coverage; we document your losses thoroughly; and we negotiate from a position of strength, prepared to take your case to a Tarrant County jury if the insurer does not offer fair value.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take the trucking company’s first settlement offer? Almost certainly not. Early offers are typically made before anyone — including your own doctors — has a clear picture of your long-term prognosis and future medical needs. Once you sign a release, your claim is permanently closed. Have an attorney evaluate every offer before you respond to it.
What if I do not have UM/UIM coverage on my own policy? Without UIM coverage, your recovery is limited to the at-fault carrier’s available policy limits and any contributions from other liable parties — cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, or manufacturers.
How long does a Fort Worth truck accident insurance claim take? Uncomplicated cases may settle in months. Cases with disputed liability, serious injuries, or an insurer prepared to litigate can take significantly longer. We push the process forward efficiently while refusing to accept a number that undervalues your claim.
What is the deadline to file a Fort Worth truck accident lawsuit? Texas generally provides two years from the crash date. But do not treat that as a comfortable window — critical evidence can disappear in days, and building the strongest possible case takes time.
Talk to a Fort Worth truck accident lawyer today
The insurance side of a commercial truck accident case is complex, and you should not be navigating it alone. Patterson Law Group offers free consultations for truck accident victims throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Call 817-784-2000 or contact us online. There is no fee unless we win.
For more information, visit our main Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer page.