Can I Sue a Truck Driver? (Red Lights & More)

Yes. You can sue the truck driver when that driver's negligence caused the crash and your injuries. A red light is one of the clearest examples, because running it is a traffic violation and strong evidence of negligence under Texas law. It is not the only one. The same claim can rest on speeding, following too closely, failing to yield, an improper turn, driver fatigue, or phone use.

If a truck driver ran a red light and hit you, you can sue the driver and, in many cases, the trucking company that employed or contracted them. Texas law can hold the company responsible for harm an employee causes while doing the job. The company can also be responsible for its own failures, such as pushing drivers to skip rest or sending out a truck that was not maintained.

Other driving errors work the same way. A driver who was speeding, riding your bumper, or looking at a phone still owes the same duty of care. Federal rules limit how long a commercial driver can drive and restrict handheld phone use. A violation does not automatically win the case, but it is evidence a jury can hear.

Useful proof includes the police report, traffic or business cameras, witness names, the truck's event data recorder, and the company name and USDOT number on the door. Photograph those before the truck leaves. Damages can include medical care, lost wages, future earning capacity, pain, and vehicle damage. Texas generally gives you two years to file a lawsuit, and a claim against a city can require notice sooner. This is general information, not legal advice about your deadline or your fault share. Texas bars recovery if you are found 51% or more at fault.