Last substantively reviewed: September 15, 2026
A commercial truck accident in Texas may create claims against more than the truck driver. Depending on the evidence, potentially responsible parties can include the driver, motor carrier, truck or trailer owner, maintenance contractor, cargo-loading company, shipper, freight broker, equipment lessor, manufacturer, roadway contractor or governmental entity, and another driver or business that contributed to the collision. Liability depends on each party’s legal duty, control over the transportation operation, conduct, and causal connection to the crash. In a serious Dallas–Fort Worth truck accident, identifying every potentially responsible party can be important because the company listed on the truck, the company employing the driver, the registered owner of the tractor, the trailer owner, the freight broker, and the company that loaded the cargo may all be different entities. Texas law also requires careful analysis of causation and proportionate responsibility. A regulatory violation or corporate relationship, by itself, does not automatically establish liability. The evidence must connect the defendant's conduct or legal responsibility to the injuries at issue.Key Takeaways
A truck accident claim should not automatically be limited to the driver.
Potential defendants can include the motor carrier, truck or trailer owner, maintenance provider, shipper, cargo loader, freight broker, manufacturer, roadway contractor, or another negligent motorist.
The legal theory can differ from one defendant to another, including respondeat superior, negligent entrustment, negligent hiring, negligent maintenance, products liability, or direct negligence.
Contracts, driver records, ELD data, maintenance records, cargo documents, electronic vehicle data, communications, and corporate records can help identify who controlled the vehicle and transportation operation.
Texas proportionate-responsibility law can affect how responsibility is allocated among the parties and the claimant.
In a commercial-motor-vehicle case, Texas Chapter 72 can affect how certain employer-liability issues and regulatory evidence are handled during litigation.
What Determines Who Is Liable for a Texas Truck Accident?
The starting point is not simply asking, "Who was driving the truck?" The more important questions are: Who owed a duty? Who controlled the relevant activity? What did that person or company do or fail to do? Did that conduct breach a legal duty? And was the conduct a proximate cause of the collision or resulting injuries? These questions can lead to different legal theories. For example, a truck driver may be directly negligent for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or failing to respond appropriately to traffic conditions. A motor carrier may have responsibility for the driver's conduct under respondeat superior when the driver was acting within the course and scope of employment. A carrier may also face a separate claim based on its own conduct, although Texas law governing those claims requires careful analysis. A maintenance company presents a different question. If it negligently repaired the truck's braking system and the defective repair contributed to the collision, its liability would be based on its own conduct rather than simply on the driver's employment relationship. Similarly, a cargo-loading company may face liability when improper loading or securement creates a dangerous condition that contributes to the crash. The legal theory therefore matters as much as the identity of the defendant.Quick-Reference Guide: Potentially Responsible Parties
| Potential party | Possible basis of liability | Evidence that may matter |
|---|---|---|
| Truck driver | Negligent driving, fatigue, distraction, impairment, unsafe operation | ELD records, phone records, video, citations, witness testimony |
| Motor carrier | Respondeat superior and qualifying direct-negligence claims | Driver file, dispatch records, policies, training, safety records |
| Truck or trailer owner/lessor | Maintenance responsibility, retained control, negligent conduct | Title, lease, inspection and repair records |
| Maintenance contractor | Negligent inspection, repair, or maintenance | Work orders, invoices, technician notes, replaced parts |
| Cargo loader/warehouse | Improper loading, weight distribution, or securement | Bills of lading, loading records, photographs, dock video |
| Shipper | Retained control or negligent loading/shipping conduct | Contracts, shipping documents, communications |
| Freight broker/logistics company | Potential negligent selection or other duties, subject to federal defenses | Carrier-selection records, contracts, insurance verification |
| Manufacturer | Design, manufacturing, or warning defect | Preserved components, recalls, expert inspection |
| Roadway contractor/government entity | Dangerous roadway or work-zone condition, subject to governmental-immunity rules | Road plans, maintenance records, notices, photographs |
| Other motorist/business | Independent negligence contributing to collision or injury | Dashcam/video, crash reconstruction, witnesses, business records |
1. The Truck Driver
The driver is often the most obvious potential defendant, but identifying driver negligence requires more than showing that a collision occurred. A driver may be responsible when the evidence shows conduct such as excessive or unsafe speed, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, impairment, failure to yield, improper lookout, or operating while fatigued. Federal regulations also impose specific safety obligations on commercial drivers. For example, federal regulations address maximum driving time and require compliance with applicable hours-of-service requirements. Other regulations address equipment inspection and safe operation. Evidence may include the driver's electronic logging device records, phone records, onboard vehicle information, dashcam or surveillance footage, police reports, witness statements, drug-and-alcohol testing records, and driver qualification materials. A driver-hours violation is important evidence when it is connected to the circumstances of the crash, but the existence of a regulatory violation does not by itself answer every causation or liability question.2. The Motor Carrier or Trucking Company
The motor carrier may be responsible for the driver's conduct when the driver was an employee acting within the course and scope of employment. This is generally analyzed under the doctrine of respondeat superior. The carrier's legal position can become more complicated when the plaintiff alleges negligent hiring, negligent entrustment, negligent training, negligent supervision, maintenance failures, or other direct conduct by the company. Texas Chapter 72 specifically addresses certain commercial-motor-vehicle collision cases. Under Section 72.052, qualifying cases can be subject to bifurcated trials. Section 72.054 also addresses the effect of an employer's stipulation that the driver was its employee and was acting within the scope of employment. The statute contains specific provisions concerning what evidence may be presented in the first phase of a bifurcated trial. That makes the distinction between vicarious liability and direct negligence especially important in a Texas truck-accident case. Texas law also requires attention to causation. In Werner Enterprises, Inc. v. Blake, decided by the Texas Supreme Court in 2025, the Court emphasized that negligence must be a substantial factor in causing the injury. The Court held that the particular evidence in that case did not establish the truck driver's negligence as a proximate cause of the plaintiffs' injuries and therefore also rejected the employer's derivative liability on those facts. The decision did not establish that a truck driver's negligence is always the sole cause of a collision; instead, it illustrates why causation must be analyzed from the actual evidence in each case. For this reason, a strong truck-accident investigation should examine both the driver's conduct and the carrier's role without assuming either one establishes liability automatically.3. The Truck or Trailer Owner and Equipment Lessor
The company operating a tractor-trailer may not be the legal owner of every piece of equipment involved in the collision. A tractor may be owned by one company, leased to another, and operated by a motor carrier using an employee or independent contractor. A trailer may have a separate owner. Ownership alone does not necessarily establish tort liability. For example, the federal Graves Amendment generally protects qualifying businesses engaged in the rental or leasing of motor vehicles from liability based solely on vehicle ownership when the statutory conditions are satisfied, including the absence of negligence or criminal wrongdoing by the owner. That does not mean an equipment owner or lessor can never be liable. The investigation may still need to determine who was responsible for maintenance, inspections, repairs, equipment selection, or other activities and whether the entity independently breached a duty. Lease agreements and related records can therefore be important evidence.4. A Truck Maintenance or Repair Company
A maintenance contractor can be liable when its negligent inspection, repair, or maintenance causes or contributes to a collision. Federal regulations require motor carriers and certain intermodal equipment providers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles and equipment under their control. The regulations also address the condition of safety-related components. A maintenance investigation may involve:- Repair orders
- Inspection reports
- Work orders
- Invoices
- Technician notes
- Parts invoices
- Warranty records
- Photographs
- Replaced components
- Maintenance contracts
- Communications concerning known defects
5. A Cargo Loader or Warehouse Operator
Cargo can affect the stability, handling, braking, and safety of a commercial vehicle. If cargo is improperly loaded, distributed, or secured, the resulting condition can create a significant safety risk. A loading investigation may examine the bills of lading, weight tickets, loading diagrams, photographs, warehouse records, communications, loading instructions, and surveillance footage. For example, if cargo shifts during transit and causes the trailer to become unstable, the investigation may need to determine who loaded the cargo, who was responsible for securement, what instructions were provided, and whether the driver or carrier had an opportunity to discover and correct the problem. The identity of the company physically loading the cargo may therefore be different from the identity of the shipper or motor carrier.6. The Shipper
A shipper may have a role in the transportation operation beyond simply sending goods. Depending on the facts and contractual arrangements, a shipper may have responsibilities involving cargo preparation, loading, instructions, weight information, or other aspects of the shipment. The relevant documents can include the bill of lading, shipping instructions, contracts, emails, text messages, weight records, and communications between the shipper and carrier. A shipper is not automatically liable merely because its goods were being transported when the collision occurred. The investigation must identify what the shipper actually controlled or undertook and whether its conduct contributed to the accident.7. A Freight Broker or Logistics Company
Freight brokers and logistics companies can occupy a different position from motor carriers. A broker may arrange transportation without operating the truck itself. The legal analysis therefore depends on the company's actual role, contractual relationships, conduct, and the specific claim being asserted. Potential issues can include carrier selection, representations about the carrier, retained control, contractual undertakings, and federal preemption. This area is particularly important because federal law can affect state-law claims involving brokers. Courts have reached different conclusions in various circumstances concerning the scope of federal preemption under 49 U.S.C. § 14501(c), including claims involving broker services and negligent selection. The precise claim and facts matter. For that reason, a plaintiff should not assume that every company involved in arranging transportation can be treated like the motor carrier. A broker investigation should examine the broker agreement, carrier-selection process, insurance verification, safety information, communications, and the actual services performed.8. The Truck or Component Manufacturer
A truck manufacturer, trailer manufacturer, or component manufacturer may become relevant when a defective product contributed to the collision or increased the severity of the injuries. Potential issues can involve:- Design defects
- Manufacturing defects
- Defective components
- Inadequate warnings or instructions
- Recalls or safety campaigns
- Failure of a critical component
9. A Roadway Contractor or Governmental Entity
Not every truck accident is caused solely by the vehicles involved. Roadway design, construction, maintenance, signage, work zones, debris, or other conditions can sometimes become relevant to causation. In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, commercial trucks use major transportation corridors throughout the region. TxDOT identifies I-35W as a major national trade corridor through Fort Worth, with substantial daily traffic and significant truck volumes. When a roadway condition may have contributed to a collision, the investigation can involve photographs, traffic-control plans, construction records, maintenance records, inspection reports, prior complaints, incident records, and information about the entity responsible for the roadway or work zone. Claims involving governmental entities require additional analysis because governmental-immunity rules, notice requirements, statutory limitations, and other procedural requirements may apply.10. Another Driver, Business, or Other Third Party
A commercial truck may be involved in a collision that was caused or contributed to by another motorist. Texas law does not automatically place responsibility on the truck simply because the truck was larger or caused more severe damage. For example, another driver may have crossed lanes, failed to yield, entered the truck's path, or lost control of a vehicle. Businesses can also become relevant when their conduct contributed to the collision or resulting injuries. Depending on the facts, this could involve an employer of another negligent driver, a contractor, or another entity that created a dangerous condition. Alcohol-related third parties may also require separate analysis when an impaired driver is involved. Texas has specific statutory rules governing certain claims involving providers of alcohol, so those cases should be evaluated under the applicable statutory requirements rather than assuming ordinary negligence principles apply. The important question remains the same: What did the person or entity do, what duty applied, and did that conduct legally contribute to the injury?
How Do Texas Truck-Accident Liability Theories Differ?
Identifying the defendant is only the first step. The legal theory connecting that defendant to the injury also matters.Direct negligence
Direct negligence focuses on the defendant's own conduct. For example, a carrier may face a claim based on its own maintenance practices if the company failed to maintain equipment under its control and that failure contributed to the crash. A maintenance contractor's liability would similarly be based on its own inspection or repair work.Respondeat superior
Respondeat superior is different because it concerns an employer's responsibility for an employee's conduct within the course and scope of employment. This is one reason identifying the actual employment relationship is important. The company name printed on the trailer does not necessarily establish who employed the driver.Negligent hiring, entrustment, retention, training, or supervision
These theories can involve the employer's own conduct, such as whether it selected, retained, trained, supervised, or entrusted a vehicle to an employee. Texas Chapter 72 now contains specific provisions governing certain commercial-motor-vehicle cases, including bifurcation and the treatment of particular evidence involving employer defendants. These claims therefore should not be presented as though they operate identically in every Texas truck case.Products liability
A products-liability claim is based on an allegedly defective product rather than ordinary driver negligence. The investigation may therefore focus on the design, manufacturing process, warnings, component history, and technical condition of the vehicle or part.Agency and right of control
When several companies participate in a transportation arrangement, contracts can help establish who had the right to control particular activities. But a contract alone does not necessarily determine tort liability. The actual relationship, conduct, legal duties, and applicable law must be examined.Can More Than One Party Be Liable for a Texas Truck Accident?
Yes. A truck collision can involve multiple responsible parties when separate acts or omissions contribute to the same injury. Texas Chapter 33 governs proportionate responsibility in covered cases. Under Section 33.001, a claimant whose percentage of responsibility is greater than 50% cannot recover damages. Section 33.012 provides for reduction of damages according to the claimant's percentage of responsibility when the claimant is not barred from recovery. Texas law also generally assigns a liable defendant responsibility according to its percentage of responsibility, subject to statutory exceptions. Section 33.013 provides for joint and several liability in certain circumstances, including when a defendant's percentage of responsibility is greater than 50%. This means identifying all relevant parties can matter not only for determining fault but also for understanding how responsibility may ultimately be allocated.Why the 51% Rule Matters
The Texas proportionate-responsibility system can affect a claim when the evidence indicates that multiple people or entities contributed to an injury. For example, suppose evidence supports negligence by a truck driver, a maintenance provider, and another motorist. The legal analysis may require determining the percentage of responsibility attributable to each party and whether any statutory rules affect the claimant's recovery. The specific allocation depends on the facts and the applicable law. What Evidence Can Identify the Responsible Parties?
The police report is only one piece of the investigation. In a serious Dallas or Fort Worth truck accident, relevant evidence may exist across multiple companies and databases.Driver evidence
This can include:- Electronic logging device records
- Driver qualification records
- Medical certification
- Drug-and-alcohol testing records
- Phone records
- Dashcam footage
- Traffic citations
- Training records
- Driver statements
Motor-carrier evidence
This may include:- Driver employment records
- Dispatch records
- Safety policies
- Training materials
- Scheduling information
- Maintenance records
- Communications with the driver
- Accident-investigation materials
- Corporate safety records
Owner or lessor evidence
Relevant records can include:- Vehicle title information
- Lease agreements
- Equipment-control agreements
- Inspection records
- Maintenance allocation provisions
- Repair records
- Communications concerning equipment condition
Maintenance evidence
This can include:- Work orders
- Technician notes
- Repair invoices
- Inspection reports
- Parts records
- Warranty records
- Photographs
- Preserved components
Cargo evidence
Potentially relevant records include:- Bills of lading
- Weight tickets
- Loading diagrams
- Cargo photographs
- Securement records
- Warehouse surveillance
- Loading instructions
Broker evidence
A broker investigation may involve:- Broker-carrier contracts
- Carrier-selection records
- Insurance verification
- Safety information
- Communications
- Dispatch or booking records
- Documentation identifying the actual carrier
Manufacturer evidence
This can include:- Recall information
- Service bulletins
- Warranty history
- Component specifications
- Engineering records
- Expert inspection of the preserved component
What Should Be Preserved After a Serious Truck Accident?
Evidence can become more difficult to obtain as time passes. For a serious commercial truck collision, preservation efforts may include identifying and preserving:- The tractor and trailer
- Damaged or failed components
- ELD records
- Electronic vehicle data
- Dashcam or surveillance video
- Driver phone records where legally obtainable
- Driver qualification records
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Cargo and loading records
- Bills of lading
- Dispatch communications
- GPS or fleet-management information
- Photographs of the vehicles and scene
- Witness information
- Police and crash-investigation materials
A Closer Look at Dallas–Fort Worth Truck Accident Investigations
Dallas–Fort Worth is a major transportation and distribution region, and commercial truck traffic moves through major interstate and arterial corridors throughout North Texas. TxDOT identifies I-35W through Fort Worth as a major national trade corridor and reports significant daily traffic and truck volumes on the corridor. For a DFW truck accident, local relevance should mean more than adding the words "Dallas" and "Fort Worth" throughout an article. A meaningful investigation may need to consider the location of the crash, the roadway authority, nearby commercial facilities, truck routes, distribution operations, local businesses, and the companies involved in moving the particular load. A collision in Dallas County may involve a carrier headquartered in another state, a trailer owned by a separate company, a broker located elsewhere, and cargo loaded at a North Texas warehouse. The location of the crash is therefore only one part of the liability investigation.Aaron Herbert's Analysis: Why the Name on the Truck May Not Tell the Whole Story
In a serious commercial truck accident, the company identified on the truck is often only the starting point of the investigation. The transportation relationship can involve several different companies. One entity may employ the driver. Another may own the tractor. A third may own the trailer. A maintenance contractor may service the equipment. A broker may have arranged the shipment. A warehouse may have loaded the cargo. A shipper may have provided the transportation instructions. The important question is not simply which company had its name on the vehicle. The investigation should determine who controlled each part of the operation, what contractual responsibilities existed, what each company knew, and whether a particular act or omission contributed to the collision. That is why documents can be just as important as the crash report. For example, a police report may identify the motor carrier, but the lease agreement may reveal who controlled maintenance. A bill of lading may identify the shipper and cargo. Dispatch communications may show how the driver's route or schedule was established. Maintenance records may reveal a recurring mechanical problem. ELD records may help establish the driver's hours and movements. In a serious truck case, these records can help reconstruct what happened before the collision—not just what happened at the moment of impact. That broader investigation can be especially important when multiple companies dispute responsibility.What Are Some Common Defenses in Texas Truck Accident Cases?
A defendant may dispute liability for several reasons, depending on the facts.Lack of causation
A defendant may argue that its conduct did not cause or substantially contribute to the injury. The Texas Supreme Court's 2025 decision in Werner Enterprises v. Blake illustrates the importance of this issue. The Court explained that negligence must satisfy the requirements of proximate causation and concluded on the facts before it that the truck driver's conduct was not a substantial factor causing the plaintiffs' injuries.Independent-contractor relationship
A company may dispute that a driver or another participant was its employee or agent. The actual contracts and working relationship can become important.Lack of control
An owner, lessor, broker, or shipper may argue that it did not control the conduct that allegedly caused the collision.Regulatory compliance
A defendant may argue that it complied with applicable federal or Texas regulations. Compliance may be relevant evidence, although the legal effect depends on the particular claim and facts.Federal preemption
Certain claims involving freight brokers or transportation services can raise federal preemption issues. The scope of preemption is fact- and claim-specific and should not be treated as a blanket defense to every claim against a broker.Graves Amendment
A qualifying rental or leasing company may invoke the federal Graves Amendment against claims based solely on ownership when the statutory requirements are met. The statute does not protect an owner from its own negligence or criminal wrongdoing.Comparative responsibility
A defendant may argue that another person—including the claimant—was also responsible for the injury. Texas Chapter 33 governs proportionate responsibility and can affect both the claimant's recovery and the allocation of responsibility among liable parties.How Long Do You Have to File a Texas Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Texas generally provides a two-year limitations period for personal-injury claims and claims for injury resulting in death under Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. However, a truck accident involving a governmental entity, a minor, a wrongful-death claim, a product-liability theory, or other special circumstances can involve additional rules or deadlines. For example, claims involving governmental entities can raise notice requirements and governmental-immunity issues. Product-liability claims can also involve different limitations provisions. Because missing an applicable deadline can affect the ability to pursue a claim, the limitations period should be evaluated based on the specific facts rather than relying only on the general two-year rule.When Should You Speak With a Texas Truck Accident Attorney?
A commercial truck accident can involve more evidence, companies, contracts, and regulatory requirements than a typical passenger-vehicle collision. Speaking with a truck-accident attorney can be particularly important when:- The collision caused serious or catastrophic injuries.
- A person died in the collision.
- The truck driver or carrier disputes responsibility.
- Multiple companies are involved.
- The truck was owned or leased by a different company.
- Mechanical failure may have contributed to the crash.
- Cargo loading or securement may be involved.
- Fatigue or hours-of-service compliance is disputed.
- A manufacturer or component defect may be involved.
- A governmental entity or roadway contractor may have contributed.
- Important electronic, vehicle, or business records may need to be preserved.
Why Aaron A. Herbert Is Qualified to Discuss Texas Truck Accident Liability
Reviewed by Aaron A. Herbert Aaron A. Herbert has practiced law in Texas since 2002 and has been Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2008. His background includes representing clients in serious personal-injury matters and litigating claims involving commercial vehicles and other significant injury cases. For truck-accident content, attorney review is particularly important because liability can involve Texas statutes, federal motor-carrier regulations, employment relationships, causation principles, evidence preservation, and multiple potentially responsible entities.Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be held liable for a commercial truck accident in Texas?
Potentially responsible parties can include the truck driver, motor carrier, truck or trailer owner, maintenance provider, cargo loader, shipper, freight broker, manufacturer, roadway contractor or governmental entity, and another negligent motorist or business. The responsible defendant depends on the evidence, applicable legal duties, control, conduct, and causation.Is the trucking company automatically liable if its driver caused the accident?
Not automatically in every circumstance. If the driver was an employee acting within the course and scope of employment, respondeat superior may make the employer responsible for the driver's negligence. Texas Chapter 72 also contains specific rules affecting certain commercial-motor-vehicle litigation. The precise relationship and claims must be evaluated under the facts of the case.Can a truck owner be liable if another company operates the truck?
Possibly, but ownership alone does not establish liability. The investigation may need to determine whether the owner retained maintenance responsibilities, exercised control, or independently acted negligently. Federal law also limits certain claims based solely on ownership against qualifying rental and leasing businesses under the Graves Amendment.Can a trucking company be liable for negligent hiring or training?
Potentially, depending on the facts and applicable Texas law. However, commercial-motor-vehicle litigation is subject to specific statutory rules under Chapter 72 concerning bifurcation and certain employer-liability evidence. The claim should therefore be analyzed rather than assuming that every direct-negligence theory is treated identically.Can a maintenance company be liable for a truck accident?
Yes, when negligent inspection, repair, or maintenance contributed to the collision and the other elements of the claim are established. Relevant evidence may include repair orders, inspection records, invoices, technician notes, maintenance agreements, and examination of the failed component.Can a freight broker be liable for a truck accident in Texas?
A freight broker's potential liability depends on its actual role, the specific claim, the contractual relationship, and applicable federal law. Federal preemption under 49 U.S.C. § 14501(c) can be an important issue in some broker-related claims, and courts have not treated every broker claim identically.Can more than one company be responsible for a truck accident?
Yes. Different companies can potentially have separate roles in the transportation operation. Texas Chapter 33 governs proportionate responsibility and establishes rules for allocating damages among responsible parties, including specific circumstances involving joint and several liability.How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
Texas generally provides two years for personal-injury claims and claims for injury resulting in death, subject to statutory exceptions and other rules. Governmental claims, product-liability claims, and other circumstances may require additional analysis.What evidence can prove who was responsible for a truck accident?
Evidence may include ELD records, vehicle electronic data, driver qualification files, phone records, dispatch communications, maintenance records, lease agreements, cargo documents, bills of lading, loading records, surveillance video, photographs, witness statements, and preserved vehicle components. Different records can identify different participants in the transportation chain.Get Help Investigating a Texas Truck Accident
A serious truck accident may involve the driver, motor carrier, equipment owner, maintenance provider, shipper, broker, cargo loader, manufacturer, roadway entity, or other responsible parties. The company identified in the crash report is not necessarily the only entity that should be investigated. An early investigation can help identify the parties involved, preserve important evidence, evaluate the applicable Texas and federal requirements, and determine how the available evidence relates to the collision. If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a commercial truck accident in Dallas, Fort Worth, or elsewhere in Texas, contact the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert to discuss the circumstances of the collision. 24/7 Free Consultation No Fees or Expenses Unless You Recover.This article provides general information about Texas truck-accident law and is not legal advice. The law can change, and the outcome of any particular claim depends on its facts. An attorney should review the specific circumstances of a collision before legal conclusions are made.
Published: September 23, 2026 Written by: Aaron A. Herbert, P.C.
Aaron A. Herbert
Founding Attorney
Aaron A. Herbert is a Texas attorney, Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
For over a decade he has shown an unwavering commitment to clients who were seriously injured by major accidents and industrial catastrophes. During that time he has earned the reputation as one of America’s most aggressive trial lawyers by achieving noteworthy recoveries from judges and juries, as well as substantial settlements prior to trial, the majority of which contained negotiated confidentiality agreements at the request of the defense. When asked about these cases, Mr. Herbert has said that each case not only justified the recovery level, but that no one would trade places with any one of these victims in return for any amount of money, once they know the facts and severity of the injuries and tragedy involved. According to Mr. Herbert, “there can be no substitute for passion, preparation and persistence in the practice of law”. He is known not only for this tenacious preparation, but also for his imagination in the courtroom. He is passionate and persistent in seeking to obtain the maximum case value for each individual client at trial or through settlement, while reducing the stress of litigation on his clients. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Herbert enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and later received an Honorable Discharge. After the Marines, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University, then a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. There he graduated in the top of his class and became an eternal Sooners Football fan. Aaron has worked as a zealous advocate for injured clients at several boutique personal injury litigation firms where he amassed numerous jury verdicts. After spending a year as the top earning litigation attorney at a firm that frequently tops verdict search as one with the highest number of trial wins in Texas, Aaron accepted a position as a the managing pre-litigation attorney at another Dallas personal injury firm. Over the next seven years he transitioned to the managing litigation attorney, and that firm grew to one of the largest personal injury firms in Dallas. In 2010 he formed the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, to get back to a focus on developing each individual case and maximizing case value for each client. Mr. Herbert practices law with the belief that a well taken care of, highly engaged and motivated team of employees working in a cooperative team environment will result in superior representation and great results for the firm clients. He believes in always setting a goal of achieving the best possible results for each and every client.
Education
Texas A&M University (B.S. Criminal Justice, 1999)
University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 2002)
Professional Associations
Licensed to practice in Texas (2002)
Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2008)
Member
State Bar of Texas
American Bar Association
American Trial Lawyer Association
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
Dallas County Bar Association
Tarrant County Bar Association
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Nation Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Publications
Litigating Dog Bite Cases, Texas Dog Law Seminar, Dallas 2009