Richardson Truck Accident Lawyer

Schedule a free case review with a truck accident lawyer who handles serious-injury matters.

If you have been injured in a collision with a commercial truck in Richardson, the trucking company’s insurer is likely already investigating the crash. Driver logs, GPS data, and onboard camera footage can be altered or overwritten if not preserved immediately. Getting legal representation early matters.

Kelso Law PLLC has 13 years of experience representing injured plaintiffs in serious motor vehicle cases throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our Richardson, TX truck accident lawyer moves quickly to secure evidence and hold trucking companies accountable. Contact us for a free consultation.

Truck Accident Lawyer Richardson, TX

A truck accident claim differs from a standard car accident case in several critical ways. Commercial trucks are governed by federal regulations that dictate how long a driver can be on the road, how cargo must be loaded and secured, and how the vehicle must be maintained. When those regulations are violated and someone is hurt, the trucking company, the driver, and other parties may all share responsibility.

A truck accident attorney in Richardson, TX identifies which regulations were violated, preserves evidence before it disappears, and pursues claims against every responsible party. Commercial trucking policies carry significantly higher limits than personal auto coverage, and the legal teams defending these claims are well funded.

Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Richardson

Truck crashes occur under a wide range of circumstances, and the cause determines who may be liable and how the investigation should proceed. Below are common types of truck accident cases we handle in Richardson.

• Tractor-trailer collisions. Large rigs traveling on US-75, I-635, and local Richardson roads create constant risk for passenger vehicles. The weight difference between a loaded tractor-trailer and a standard car means the occupants of the smaller vehicle absorb nearly all of the impact force.
• Wide turn accidents. Commercial trucks require significantly more space to turn than passenger vehicles. When a truck driver swings wide or fails to check for vehicles alongside during a right turn, the result can be a catastrophic collision.
• Rollover accidents. An overloaded truck, improperly distributed cargo, or a driver taking a curve too fast can cause the vehicle to roll over, blocking lanes and striking multiple vehicles. Rollover crashes frequently involve severe or fatal injuries.
• Cargo spill accidents. When freight is not properly loaded or secured, it can shift during transit and cause the driver to lose control, or it can spill onto the roadway and strike other vehicles. Liability in these cases often extends to the company responsible for loading the truck.
• Fatigued driver crashes. Federal hours-of-service rules limit how long a truck driver can operate before taking a mandatory rest break. When drivers or their employers push past those limits, the risk of a fatigue-related crash increases substantially.
• Rear-end collisions with trucks. A loaded commercial truck traveling at highway speed needs far more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle. Distraction, tailgating, and brake failure are common factors in rear-end crashes involving trucks.
• Multi-vehicle pileups. When a truck crash occurs on a highway, the size of the vehicle and the debris field can trigger a chain reaction involving multiple cars. Determining fault in these situations requires detailed accident reconstruction.
• Commercial van and delivery crashes. Not every truck accident involves an 18-wheeler. Box trucks, delivery vans, and last-mile vehicles operated by commercial carriers cause a significant number of collisions in Richardson’s commercial and residential areas.

Why Choose Kelso Law PLLC as My Truck Accident Lawyer in Richardson, TX?

Investigating Truck Crashes and Preserving Critical Evidence

Truck accident cases are won or lost on evidence, and that evidence starts disappearing the moment the crash occurs. Electronic logging device data, dashcam footage, driver qualification files, and vehicle inspection records are all subject to retention policies that can result in their destruction within weeks. Getting an attorney involved early to send preservation demands and begin the investigation is critical.

Founding attorney Rhiannon Kelso is a member of the Dallas Bar Association and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and is admitted to all Texas state and federal courts. She has tried more than 25 cases to jury verdict over a 13-year career on the plaintiff side.

Kelso Law PLLC has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients in 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 Richardson, TX, she handles truck accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. You owe nothing unless we recover for you. Our firm serves clients in English and Spanish.

What Is Important to Understand About a Truck Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Truck Accident Cases

In a truck accident case, the injured party must prove negligence, but the number of potentially liable parties is larger than in most motor vehicle claims. Depending on the facts, any of the following may bear responsibility for the crash:

• The truck driver, for distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or traffic violations
• The trucking company, for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressure to violate hours-of-service rules
• A maintenance contractor, for failing to repair known mechanical defects
• A cargo loading company, for improper loading or failure to secure freight
• A parts or vehicle manufacturer, for defective brakes, tires, or other components

Because of the severity of truck crash injuries, the damages sought in these cases are often substantial. Recoverable compensation may include medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. Injuries such as brain trauma and spinal cord damage are common in commercial truck collisions and require long-term or lifetime care planning.

Texas applies a modified comparative fault rule, reducing recovery by your share of fault. If that share exceeds 50 percent, you cannot recover.

What Are Important Aspects of a Truck Accident Case?

Truck cases require an investigation that goes beyond what a standard car accident claim demands. Several factors are particularly important.

• Hours-of-service compliance. Federal law limits the number of consecutive hours a commercial driver can operate before resting. Electronic logging devices record this data, and violations are strong evidence of negligence.
• Driver qualification files. Trucking companies must maintain records on each driver’s licensing, medical fitness, training history, and prior violations. These files can reveal whether the company knew or should have known the driver posed a risk.
• Vehicle maintenance records. Commercial trucks must be inspected at regular intervals. Deferred maintenance on brakes, tires, lights, and coupling systems can contribute to accidents, and the insurer will scrutinize every detail of the maintenance history.
• Accident reconstruction. Determining how a truck crash occurred often requires a specialist who analyzes skid marks, debris patterns, vehicle damage, and electronic data to establish the sequence of events.

What Is the Truck Accident Case Timeline?

Truck accident claims in Texas generally take longer than standard collision cases because of the number of parties involved, the volume of evidence, and the complexity of liability. Each phase requires careful coordination.

• Consultation and case evaluation, typically within days of the crash
• Evidence preservation demands sent to the trucking company and related parties
• Medical treatment and documentation of injuries
• Investigation, including review of driver logs, maintenance records, and electronic data
• Demand letter and negotiations with the trucking company’s insurer
• Filing a lawsuit if negotiations do not produce a fair result. Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the crash for most truck accident claims.
• Pretrial preparation, depositions, and trial or settlement resolution

What Should You Bring to Your Truck Accident Consultation?

Collecting available information before your first meeting helps your Richardson truck accident attorney begin work on the case immediately.

• The police crash report or report number
• Photos of property damage, the crash scene, and any visible injuries
• The name of the trucking company, if known, and any information about the truck or driver
• Medical records and bills from post-accident treatment
• Your auto insurance policy and declarations page

At Kelso Law PLLC, truck accident consultations are free. We review the facts, explain the process, and give you a candid assessment of the claim.

What Are Important Texas Legal Resources for Truck Accident Cases?

Texas law and federal regulations both govern truck accident claims. The following resources can help Richardson, TX residents understand the legal framework that applies to these cases.

• The FMCSA crash facts page provides national data on large truck and bus crashes, compiled annually by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
• The TxDOT crash data page provides statewide motor vehicle crash statistics organized by county and contributing factor.
• The Texas Legislature hosts the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, including the two-year statute of limitations and proportionate responsibility provisions.
• The Texas court system provides information on court structure, civil filing procedures, and jurisdiction for personal injury cases.

Reach Out to Kelso Law PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident in Richardson, 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 for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our office responds to inquiries promptly.