Aubrey Truck Accident Attorney

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Truck accidents on and around Aubrey’s roads, including the busy stretch of U.S. Highway 377 and the FM 428 corridor, can leave victims with life-changing injuries, mounting medical bills, and no clear idea of where to turn. If a commercial truck hit you or someone you love near Aubrey, Denton County, Texas, you have real legal rights, and the team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is here to help you protect them. As personal injury lawyers based in Denton, we represent injured people throughout Denton County, including Aubrey, and we fight to recover the full compensation our clients deserve.

Table of Contents

Why Truck Accidents in Aubrey Are So Dangerous and So Common

Aubrey sits in one of the fastest-growing corridors in Denton County, and that growth means heavier commercial truck traffic every year. Freight carriers, construction haulers, and long-haul tractor-trailers all pass through the area on U.S. 377, FM 428, and the roads feeding into the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. More trucks on the road means more opportunities for a serious crash.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2024 there were over 39,393 commercial motor vehicle crashes in Texas, resulting in 608 fatalities and 1,601 serious injuries. Those numbers reflect a statewide crisis, and Denton County roads are part of that picture. In 2024, I-35 in Texas alone recorded 38 fatal truck crashes, making it one of the deadliest truck corridors in the country. I-35 runs just minutes from Aubrey, and many of the trucks that travel that highway also use the local roads connecting to it.

The physics of a truck crash are brutal. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to a typical passenger car at around 4,000 pounds. Because 18-wheelers take significantly longer to stop, many accidents occur simply because the large truck cannot stop as quickly as the vehicles in front of it. When that happens at highway speeds near Aubrey, the results are often catastrophic, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and wrongful death.

Common causes of these crashes include driver fatigue, distracted driving, and mechanical failures. Fatigue and drowsiness on long hauls, speeding and aggressive driving, and driver distraction from mobile devices to in-cab adjustments are all frequent contributors to serious truck crashes. When a truck driver or trucking company cuts corners on safety, the people in smaller vehicles pay the price.

Federal and Texas Laws That Govern Commercial Truck Drivers and Companies

Commercial truck drivers and the companies that employ them operate under a strict set of federal and state rules. Understanding those rules is essential to building a strong truck accident claim, because a violation of those rules is often the clearest proof of negligence.

At the federal level, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates commercial trucking, enforces the rules found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Under 49 CFR Part 390, a “commercial motor vehicle” includes any vehicle used in interstate commerce that meets certain size or cargo thresholds. These regulations cover driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. When a truck driver or carrier violates any of these rules, that violation can serve as direct evidence of negligence in a personal injury lawsuit.

Texas adds its own layer of requirements. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.351, every driver must operate at a speed that is reasonable and prudent given road conditions. This rule applies to truck drivers, and a truck speeding through the Aubrey area or near Lake Ray Roberts State Park’s access roads can violate this statute. Section 545.062 of the same code requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance, which is especially important for large trucks that need far more stopping distance than a car. Section 545.401 addresses reckless driving, making it a criminal offense to operate any vehicle with willful disregard for the safety of others.

Texas Transportation Code Section 644.001 and the associated regulations under Texas Administrative Code Title 37, Chapter 4, extend federal motor carrier safety rules to intrastate commercial trucking in Texas. This means that even a truck operating only within Texas must meet most of the same safety standards as an interstate carrier.

Who Can Be Held Liable After an Aubrey Truck Accident

Truck accident liability is rarely limited to just the driver behind the wheel. Multiple parties can share legal responsibility for your injuries, and identifying every responsible party is one of the most important steps in maximizing your recovery.

The truck driver is often the first target of a claim. A driver who was speeding, fatigued, distracted, or impaired can be held personally liable for negligence. Under Texas law, negligence means a person failed to act with the care that a reasonable person would have used under the same circumstances.

The trucking company that employs the driver can also be held liable under a legal doctrine called respondeat superior. This doctrine, recognized under Texas common law, holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of their employees committed within the scope of employment. If the driver was on duty and hauling freight for the company when the crash happened, the company is generally on the hook.

Beyond the driver and the company, other parties can be responsible. The truck’s manufacturer can face liability if a defective part, such as faulty brakes or a tire blowout, caused the crash. Brake issues, including worn, overheated, or improperly adjusted brakes, extend stopping distances and worsen crash severity, while tire blowouts and other mechanical failures increase the likelihood of losing control. A cargo loading company can be liable if improperly secured freight caused the truck to tip or spill. Even a third-party maintenance contractor can face claims if poor repairs contributed to the crash.

Sorting out who is responsible requires a thorough investigation, and that investigation needs to start quickly. Trucking companies often send their own teams to the scene right away to protect their interests. You need someone doing the same for you. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible after a crash.

What Compensation You Can Recover After a Truck Accident in Aubrey

Texas law allows truck accident victims to pursue two broad categories of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Understanding what falls into each category helps you see the full scope of what you may be owed.

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses caused by the crash. These include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages while you were unable to work, and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your former job. They also include property damage, such as the cost to repair or replace your vehicle. These are the losses you can document with bills, pay stubs, and expert projections.

Non-economic damages cover the human cost of the crash. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement all fall into this category. Texas law does not cap non-economic damages in most truck accident cases, which means a jury can award a significant amount if the evidence supports it.

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Under this rule, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you cannot recover anything if you are found to be 51% or more at fault. Under the 51% rule codified in the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, you can recover damages only if you are less than 51% responsible for your injury, and your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Trucking companies and their insurers often try to shift blame onto the victim to reduce or eliminate their payout. Having an experienced legal team pushing back against those tactics matters.

If a truck accident caused a death, the victim’s family may have a wrongful death claim under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71. Surviving spouses, children, and parents can seek compensation for their own grief, loss of companionship, and financial losses caused by the death.

The Texas Statute of Limitations and Why You Must Act Quickly

Time is one of the most critical factors in a truck accident case. Texas law sets a firm deadline for filing a lawsuit, and missing that deadline almost certainly means losing your right to compensation forever.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(a), a person must bring suit for personal injury not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues. For most truck accident victims, that clock starts ticking on the day of the crash. If you fail to file a lawsuit within two years, the court will likely dismiss your case and you may permanently lose your right to compensation.

Two years sounds like plenty of time, but truck accident cases require extensive investigation that takes time to do properly. Your legal team needs to gather the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, black box records, driver qualification files, maintenance logs, and cargo records. Many of these documents are only kept for a limited period before trucking companies are permitted to destroy or overwrite them. Acting fast preserves evidence that could be the difference between winning and losing your case.

There are also situations where the deadline is shorter. If a government entity owned or operated the truck, the Texas Tort Claims Act may require you to give formal notice of your claim within six months of the incident. Claims involving certain federal contractors can trigger different notice requirements as well.

The federal standard for expert testimony, established in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U.S. 579 (1993), also affects truck accident litigation. Under Daubert, courts act as gatekeepers to ensure that expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts, rely on reliable methods and sufficient facts. Building a case that can withstand a Daubert challenge takes preparation, and that preparation takes time. Do not wait to call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500.

How Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Handles Aubrey Truck Accident Cases

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is a Denton, Texas personal injury law firm that represents injured people throughout Denton County, including Aubrey and the surrounding communities. Our firm handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly fees.

When you hire our firm, we get to work immediately. We send preservation letters to the trucking company demanding that they retain all relevant evidence. We work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and vocational specialists to build the strongest possible case for your recovery. We know the Denton County courts, including the Denton County District Courts located at the Tim Cole Administration Building on McKinney Street in Denton, and we are prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.

Truck accident cases are different from ordinary car accident cases. The insurance policies on commercial trucks are often worth millions of dollars, and the carriers defending those policies have experienced legal teams working against you from day one. You need a legal team that is equally prepared. Our firm has handled claims involving all types of commercial trucks, from large 18-wheelers and flatbeds to delivery vehicles and construction haulers common throughout Denton County’s growing development corridors.

We represent clients from Aubrey, Denton, Pilot Point, Celina, and across Denton County. Whether your crash happened on U.S. 377, near the Aubrey city center, or on a county road out near Lake Ray Roberts, we are ready to help. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in your case, as every claim depends on its own facts and applicable law.

FAQs About Aubrey Truck Accident Attorney

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(a), you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case and you will lose your right to any compensation. Some situations, such as claims involving government-owned vehicles, may require action even sooner. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Can I sue the trucking company, not just the truck driver?

Yes. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, a trucking company can be held liable for the negligent acts of its driver when the driver was performing job duties at the time of the crash. You may also have claims against the company directly if it failed to properly hire, train, or supervise the driver, or if it violated federal FMCSA safety regulations. Identifying all responsible parties is a key part of maximizing your recovery.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?

Trucking companies sometimes classify drivers as independent contractors to try to limit their own liability. Texas courts and federal regulators look at the actual working relationship, not just the label on a contract. If the company controlled how, when, and where the driver worked, the company may still be liable regardless of the contractor classification. An attorney can investigate the true nature of the relationship and determine the right legal theory to pursue.

What evidence is most important in an Aubrey truck accident case?

The most valuable evidence in a truck accident case typically includes the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, which records hours of service, the truck’s black box or event data recorder, driver qualification files, maintenance and inspection records, cargo loading documents, and the official crash report filed by law enforcement. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras can also be critical. Much of this evidence has a short retention window, so acting quickly after the crash is essential.

Does it cost anything to hire Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys for a truck accident case?

No. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly charges. You can call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn about your legal options with no obligation.

Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. This page is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts and applicable law.

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