Can I Sue If a Truck Driver Ran a Red Light and Hit Me?

Absolutely. Running a red light is a traffic violation and clear evidence of negligence under Texas law. If a truck driver ran a red light and hit you, you have strong grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against both the driver individually and the trucking company that employs or contracted them.

In Texas, trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their drivers under the legal theory of respondeat superior, meaning the employer is responsible for harm caused by employees acting within the scope of their employment. Additionally, if the trucking company pressured the driver to speed, skip rest breaks, or otherwise violate safety rules, the company itself may face direct liability for negligent supervision.

Key evidence in red-light truck accident cases includes traffic camera footage, intersection surveillance video, witness statements, the truck's event data recorder (which captures speed and braking data), and the police report. Red-light violations are often documented clearly in police reports, which strengthens your case.

Damages you can seek include emergency medical care, surgery and rehabilitation, lost wages during recovery, diminished future earning capacity, physical pain and emotional distress, and vehicle damage. In cases involving egregious conduct, such as a trucker who was also texting or intoxicated, you may be entitled to punitive damages, which are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior.