Truck accident cases in Texas are shaped by a handful of Texas statutes and federal regulations. Each guide below explains one of them in plain English and links to the official text.

Statute

CPRC §16.003: The Two-Year Deadline

The Texas statute of limitations for injury, death and property damage.

Statute

CPRC Chapter 33: Proportionate Responsibility

How fault is shared and when a claimant recovers nothing.

Statute

CPRC Chapter 41: Exemplary (Punitive) Damages

When punitive damages are available and how they are capped.

Statute

CPRC Chapter 71: Wrongful Death and Survival

Who can sue for a death and what the estate can recover.

Statute

CPRC Chapter 72: Commercial Motor Vehicle Trials (HB 19)

Bifurcated trials and evidence rules in Texas truck cases.

Statute

Transportation Code Chapter 550: Crash Duties and Reports

Duties after a crash and who may obtain a crash report.

Statute

49 CFR Part 395: Federal Hours of Service

Driving limits, duty windows, breaks and ELDs for interstate drivers.

Statute

49 CFR Part 387: Truck Insurance Minimums

The federal minimum liability coverage for motor carriers.

Where the official texts are

  • Texas statutes (Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Transportation Code): Texas Constitution and Statutes
  • Texas Administrative Code (including the DPS commercial vehicle rules in Title 37, Chapter 4): Texas Register / TAC
  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 350–399): eCFR

Have a specific question? Try the trucking law research assistant, which answers from these sources and cites the sections it used. For terms you don't recognize, see the glossary.