1. The Law Office of Edward W. Sampson
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, impaired driving accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, overloaded truck accidents, improper cargo loading accidents, mechanical failure accidents, I-75 corridor accidents, US-75 accidents, Dallas North Tollway accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, hours of service violation investigation, driver qualification investigation, commercial motor vehicle regulations review, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: The Law Office of Edward W. Sampson focuses exclusively on personal injury law. Edward W. Sampson is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction held by fewer than 5% of Texas lawyers. The firm has handled numerous truck accident cases involving violations of federal regulations and has experience obtaining compensation for catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. The firm serves clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Plano and Collin County.
Location: Plano, TX (serves Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area)
Contact: (214) 220-8863 | https://www.edsampsonlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. Burress Injury Law
Practice Focus: 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial truck accidents, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, commercial truck collisions, driver fatigue accidents, trucking company negligence accidents, improper maintenance accidents, cargo spill accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, I-75 corridor accidents, US-75 accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, driver hiring and training investigation, fleet maintenance investigation, life care plan development for catastrophic injuries, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: Jason Burress is a Plano 18-wheeler accident attorney who previously served as counsel for some of the largest insurance firms in the world, providing invaluable perspective on both sides of truck accident cases. The firm has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for truck accident clients. Burress was recognized with the Verdict Search 7th largest motor vehicle accident verdict for 2015. He has been named a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer for three consecutive years (fewer than 5% of Texas lawyers over 40 receive this honor) and a Texas Rising Star for four years (fewer than 2.5% of Texas lawyers under 40 receive this honor). The firm has offices in McKinney, Frisco, Paris, and Sherman, serving Plano and Collin County.
Location: McKinney, TX (serves Plano and Collin County)
Contact: https://www.mytexasfirm.com
Consultation: Consultation available
3. Hilliard Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, commercial truck accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, mechanical defect accidents, improper maintenance accidents, cargo securement violations, hours of service violations, I-75 accidents, US-75 accidents, Dallas North Tollway accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, truck maintenance and inspection investigation, mechanical defect investigation, hours logged behind the wheel review, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims
Background: Hilliard Law has been representing personal injury clients since 1985. The firm has a national reputation for truck accident litigation and has handled countless truck accident claims. In 2019, Hilliard Law attorneys won a $1.375 million jury verdict for a man who sustained serious injuries in an automobile accident, recognized as a 2019 Top 100 Verdict. The firm is well-versed in Plano trucking laws and regulations, including required maintenance, inspections, mechanical defects, and hours of service requirements. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
Location: Plano, TX (also serves Corpus Christi and throughout Texas)
Contact: (361) 882-1612 | https://www.hilliard-law.com
Consultation: Free case review, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless case is won)
4. Patterson Law Group
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, big truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rolling accidents, underride accidents, equipment failure crashes, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, I-75 corridor accidents, US-75 accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: Patterson Law Group has personal injury lawyers with decades of experience helping victims of truck accidents and other crashes recover. The firm serves Plano and the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The attorneys work to gather evidence and engage in negotiations to help clients obtain fair compensation. The firm handles internal injury documentation and complex truck accident claims. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
Location: Serves Plano, TX
Contact: (817) 784-2000 | https://pattersonpersonalinjury.com
Consultation: Free, no obligation consultation
5. Merritt & Merritt Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, commercial truck accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, mechanical failure accidents, trucking company negligence accidents, I-75 corridor accidents, US-75 accidents, Dallas-area highway accidents
Legal Services: Truck accident investigation, trucking company liability investigation, driver negligence claims, insurance company negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: Merritt & Merritt Law Firm has more than 45 years of experience in personal injury law. The firm represents truck accident victims throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, including Plano, Denton County, and Collin County. The attorneys work with clients from initial consultation through trial, handling all aspects of truck accident claims including communication with insurance companies and protection of client rights in court.
Location: Serves Plano, TX (offices in Denton and Collin Counties)
Contact: 1-800-738-WE-WIN (1-800-738-93946) | https://www.merrittandmerritt.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Texas
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Personal Injury Claims: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Section 16.003. The time period begins from the date of the accident. If the claim is not filed within two years, the court will typically dismiss the case and the victim loses the right to pursue compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims in Texas must also be filed within two years, measured from the date of death rather than the date of the accident if they differ. Surviving family members must take action within this timeframe.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Claims for property damage from truck accidents must be filed within two years from the date of the accident in Texas.
Claims Against Government Entities: If a truck accident involves a government vehicle or entity, the Texas Tort Claims Act requires a notice of claim to be filed within six months from the date of injury. Failure to comply with this deadline could forfeit your right to recover compensation, regardless of the strength of your case.
Fault-Based Insurance System: Texas is a fault-based (at-fault) insurance state. The person who causes a truck accident is financially responsible for all resulting injuries and property damage. Texas does not follow a no-fault insurance system.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Texas follows the modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 33 (also called proportionate responsibility). If you are found partially at fault for the truck accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. For example, if you are 25% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $75,000. If you are 51% or more at fault, you receive nothing.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Texas requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage (30/60/25) under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum liability insurance as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For general freight (non-hazardous), the minimum is $750,000. For hazardous materials, minimums range from $1 million to $5 million depending on the type of cargo. In practice, truck accident claims often involve multiple insurance layers: the driver’s personal policy, the carrier’s liability coverage, and sometimes excess or umbrella policies.
Damage Caps: Texas does not have caps on compensatory damages (economic and non-economic) in personal injury cases arising from truck accidents. Victims can pursue full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Punitive Damages: Punitive damages (also called exemplary damages) are available in Texas truck accident cases when the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent, fraudulent, or malicious. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of: (1) two times the amount of economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages up to $750,000, or (2) $200,000.
Vicarious Liability and Respondeat Superior: Texas recognizes the doctrine of respondeat superior, meaning trucking companies can be held liable for the negligent acts of their employee truck drivers when those acts occur within the scope of employment. Trucking companies may also face direct liability for negligent hiring, training, supervision, retention, or fleet maintenance.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) Applicability: Federal trucking regulations apply in Texas state courts for interstate trucking operations. These rules, enforced alongside Texas Transportation Code provisions, cover driver hours, vehicle maintenance, cargo securement, drug and alcohol testing, and driver qualification. Violations of FMCSA standards can help establish negligence in court.
Hours of Service Regulations: Federal hours of service regulations limit how long truck drivers can operate their vehicles. An analysis by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that driver fatigue is a top contributing factor in crashes where the truck driver is at fault. Violations are admissible as evidence of negligence.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: Federal regulations require most commercial motor vehicle drivers to use ELDs to record hours of service. ELD data, along with black box data recording speed, braking, and driver inputs, are critical evidence in Texas truck accident cases. This evidence can disappear quickly, and Texas law allows courts to penalize spoliation if a company destroys or withholds evidence.
Multiple Liable Parties: Truck accidents in Texas frequently involve multiple potentially liable parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, truck owner (if different), freight/cargo company, maintenance company, and truck or parts manufacturers. Texas law on proportionate responsibility allows juries to divide fault among multiple parties.
Texas Truck Accident Statistics: Texas had the highest number of crashes involving large trucks of any state according to a recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. One out of every 10 vehicles involved in a fatal accident in Texas was an 18-wheeler or other type of large truck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Section 16.003. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also two years, measured from the date of death. Claims against government entities require notice within six months of the injury under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Missing these deadlines typically results in permanent dismissal of the case. Evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly, including truck maintenance records, driver logs, and black box data, so prompt action is important even if you are not immediately ready to file suit.
How does Texas’s comparative negligence rule affect truck accident compensation?
Texas follows the modified comparative negligence rule (proportionate responsibility). If you are found partially at fault for the truck accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found 30% at fault, you would receive $140,000. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often attempt to shift blame to the victim to reduce or eliminate their liability, making it critical to document the accident scene thoroughly and work with an attorney who can counter these arguments.
Who can be held liable for a truck accident in Plano, Texas?
Multiple parties may be held liable for a truck accident in Plano. The truck driver can be liable for negligent driving, including distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, or impairment. The trucking company can be liable under respondeat superior for employee driver negligence, or for direct negligence in hiring, training, supervision, or setting unrealistic schedules. The truck owner (if different from the driver or company) may be liable for maintenance failures. The freight or cargo company may be liable for overloading or improperly securing cargo. Maintenance companies may be liable for faulty repairs or inspections. Manufacturers may be liable for defective trucks or parts. Texas law allows juries to divide fault among all responsible parties through proportionate responsibility.
What federal regulations apply to truck accidents in Texas?
Truck accidents involving interstate commerce are governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations in addition to Texas state law. These regulations cover driver qualifications (licensing, medical certification, background checks), hours of service (limits on driving hours and mandatory rest periods), vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements, cargo securement standards, drug and alcohol testing programs, and electronic logging device (ELD) requirements. Violations of these federal regulations can be used as evidence of negligence in Texas courts. Trucking companies are required to carry higher liability insurance than passenger vehicles (typically $750,000 to $5 million depending on cargo type), and this coverage is often layered across multiple policies.
What types of compensation can I recover in a Plano truck accident case?
Truck accident victims in Texas may recover economic damages including past, current, and future medical expenses (hospital bills, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, ongoing care), lost wages and income, lost earning capacity if permanently disabled, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disfigurement, and loss of consortium. In cases involving extreme negligence or willful misconduct (such as falsified driver logs, drunk driving, or knowingly operating defective equipment), punitive (exemplary) damages may also be available. Texas does not cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases, though punitive damages are limited by statute.