Consult Kelso Law PLLC for a free consultation with a Irving, TX truck accident lawyer.
If you have been harmed in a collision with a commercial truck in Irving, your injuries are likely severe. The size and weight of a tractor-trailer means the force of impact is far greater than in a standard car crash, and the medical treatment required is often extensive and ongoing. Kelso Law PLLC has 13 years of experience representing plaintiffs in serious-injury cases throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our Irving, TX truck accident lawyer investigates the crash, identifies all liable parties, and fights for compensation that reflects the true cost of your injuries. Contact us for a free consultation.
Truck Accident Lawyer Irving, TX
A truck accident case is a type of personal injury claim involving a collision with a commercial motor vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, tanker, or delivery truck. These cases are more complex than standard car accident claims because they involve federal safety regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and insurance policies with higher coverage limits.
A truck accident attorney in Irving, TX handles the investigation, determines whether the driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, or a vehicle manufacturer contributed to the crash, and pursues claims against each responsible party. These cases often require the preservation of electronic logging device data, maintenance records, and driver qualification files that trucking companies are not always willing to produce without legal pressure.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Irving
Truck accidents in Irving take many forms depending on the road conditions, the type of truck involved, and the conduct of the driver. The cause of the crash shapes the investigation, the parties who may be liable, and the evidence needed to build a successful claim.
- 18-wheeler collisions. Tractor-trailers traveling on I-30, SH-183, and SH-114 through Irving carry enormous momentum. When an 18-wheeler strikes a passenger vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle absorb the vast majority of the force, often resulting in catastrophic harm.
- Rear-end truck crashes. A fully loaded commercial truck can take over 500 feet to stop at highway speed. When a truck driver fails to brake in time because of distraction, fatigue, or following too closely, the resulting rear-end collision can be devastating.
- Jackknife accidents. A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes. These crashes are frequently caused by hard braking, slippery roads, or improper load distribution and can involve multiple vehicles.
- Underride accidents. An underride crash occurs when a passenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer of a truck, often shearing off the top of the smaller vehicle. These are among the deadliest types of truck collisions, frequently resulting in wrongful death or permanent disability.
- Blind spot crashes. Commercial trucks have large blind spots on all four sides. When a truck driver changes lanes or merges without properly checking those zones, the results can be catastrophic for the vehicles alongside.
- Tire blowout accidents. A truck tire blowout can cause the driver to lose control or send debris into the path of other vehicles. Defective tires, overloading, and deferred maintenance all contribute to blowout incidents.
- Hazardous materials incidents. Tanker trucks and vehicles carrying hazardous cargo introduce the risk of chemical spills, fires, and explosions in addition to standard collision injuries. These cases involve additional layers of federal regulation and potential environmental liability.
- Delivery and box truck crashes. Not all truck accidents involve 18-wheelers. Delivery vans, box trucks, and last-mile vehicles operated by commercial carriers or independent contractors cause a significant number of accidents in urban areas of Irving.
Why Choose Kelso Law PLLC as My Truck Accident Lawyer in Irving, TX?
Plaintiff-Side Advocacy in Complex Truck Cases
Truck accident claims involve more parties, more insurance coverage, and more documentation than a typical motor vehicle case. The trucking company, its insurer, and often the company’s own legal team are involved from the moment of the crash. They have resources. You need an attorney who can match them.
Founding attorney Rhiannon Kelso has spent 13 years representing plaintiffs and has taken more than 25 cases to jury verdict. She is admitted to practice in all Texas state and federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. Rhiannon holds memberships in the Dallas Bar Association and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
Kelso Law PLLC has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across personal injury and premises liability matters. Rhiannon earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona. As a personal injury lawyer in Irving, TX, she takes truck accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. You owe nothing unless we recover for you. Our firm speaks English and Spanish.
What Is Important to Understand About a Truck Accident Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident claims in Texas follow the same negligence framework as other personal injury cases: you must prove that the defendant breached a duty of care and that the breach caused your injuries. What makes truck cases different is the number of parties who may bear responsibility.
The truck driver, the trucking company, a third-party maintenance provider, a cargo loading company, or even the truck or parts manufacturer may all share liability. Trucking companies can also be held responsible for their drivers’ conduct under vicarious liability when the driver was acting within the scope of employment.
Because of the severity of truck crash injuries, recoverable damages are often substantial:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and long-term rehabilitation
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and other permanent impairment
- Loss of consortium for affected family members
Texas applies a modified comparative fault rule. Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. If you are more than 50 percent responsible, you are barred from recovery.
What Are Important Aspects of a Truck Accident Case?
Truck accident cases require a different investigative approach than standard motor vehicle claims. Several factors distinguish these cases and affect the outcome.
- Electronic data. Commercial trucks are equipped with electronic logging devices, event data recorders, and GPS systems that capture the driver’s speed, braking, and hours of service at the time of the crash. This data can prove driver fatigue, speeding, or dishonesty about the facts.
- Federal regulations. Trucking companies must comply with rules governing driver rest periods, vehicle inspection, cargo securement, and drug testing. Violations can support a negligence claim.
- Multiple insurance carriers. Trucking companies typically carry policies with much higher coverage limits than individual drivers. Understanding how insurers value a truck accident claim, and which policies apply, is critical to maximizing recovery.
- Spoliation of evidence. Trucking companies may overwrite or destroy electronic data if not preserved quickly. A spoliation letter should be sent immediately after the crash to prevent the loss of critical records.
What Is the Truck Accident Case Timeline?
Truck accident claims often take longer to resolve than standard car crash cases because of the volume of evidence and the number of parties involved.
- Consultation and case evaluation, typically within days of the crash
- Spoliation letter to the trucking company to preserve electronic and physical evidence
- Medical treatment and documentation, continuing until maximum medical improvement
- Investigation, including analysis of driver logs, maintenance records, and crash reconstruction
- Demand letter and negotiations with the trucking company’s insurer
- Filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement is not offered. Texas law imposes a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the crash on most truck accident claims.
- Pretrial preparation, including discovery and depositions
- Trial or settlement resolution
What Should You Bring to Your Truck Accident Consultation?
Gathering available records before your first meeting helps your Irving truck accident attorney evaluate the claim efficiently.
- The police crash report or report number
- Photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, and any visible injuries
- Medical records and bills from treatment after the collision
- Names of the trucking company and driver, if known
- Your own auto insurance policy and declarations page
At Kelso Law PLLC, truck accident consultations are free. We review the facts, explain the legal process, and give you a candid assessment of the claim.
What Are Important Texas Legal Resources for Truck Accident Cases?
Texas law governs truck accident claims through negligence statutes, filing deadlines, and damages rules. Federal regulations also play a significant role. The following resources can help Irving, TX residents understand the legal framework.
- The FMCSA crash facts page provides national data on crashes involving large trucks and buses, including annual statistics compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- The NHTSA road safety page publishes crash data and vehicle safety information relevant to all motor vehicle injury claims, including those involving commercial trucks.
- The Texas Legislature hosts the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, including the two-year statute of limitations and proportionate responsibility provisions for personal injury claims.
- The Texas court system provides information on court structure, civil filing procedures, and jurisdiction.
Reach Out to Kelso Law PLLC to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident in Irving, TX, Kelso Law PLLC can evaluate your case at no cost. We handle truck accident claims on a contingency-fee basis, so you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our office responds to inquiries promptly.