A truck accident in Colleyville can change everything in a matter of seconds. Commercial trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, and when one collides with a passenger car, the results are often catastrophic. If you or someone you love was hurt in a collision with a commercial truck near Colleyville, you need a legal team that understands both Texas personal injury law and the federal regulations that govern the trucking industry. The personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton, Texas are ready to fight for the full compensation you deserve. Call us today at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

Table of Contents

• Why Truck Accidents Near Colleyville Are So Dangerous
• Federal and Texas Laws That Govern Commercial Truck Drivers
• Who Can Be Held Liable After a Colleyville Truck Accident
• How to Protect Your Truck Accident Claim in Texas
• What Damages Can You Recover After a Colleyville Truck Accident
• FAQs About Colleyville Truck Accident Attorneys

Why Truck Accidents Near Colleyville Are So Dangerous

Colleyville sits in the heart of the DFW Metroplex, bordered by major freight corridors including State Highway 26, Highway 121, and the busy stretch of Highway 183 that connects the area to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Commercial trucks move through this region constantly, hauling freight to warehouses, distribution centers, and retail locations across North Texas.

The size difference alone makes these crashes devastating. A fully loaded semi-truck weighing 80,000 pounds striking a 3,500-pound passenger car creates force disparities that result in catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, and amputations. No amount of airbags or crumple zones in a standard vehicle can fully absorb that kind of impact.

In 2024, 39,393 total crashes involved commercial vehicles in Texas. Six hundred eight people died because of a commercial vehicle crash, and 1,601 people reported serious injuries. Those numbers represent real families in communities just like Colleyville, dealing with medical bills, lost income, and permanent disabilities.

The roads around Colleyville see a heavy mix of commuter traffic and commercial freight. Glade Road, Precinct Line Road, and the approaches to DFW Airport create congested conditions where large trucks have limited room to maneuver and stop. When a truck driver is fatigued, distracted, or operating an improperly maintained rig, the consequences for everyone else on the road are severe. Victims of these crashes often face injuries so serious they overlap with what you might see in catastrophic injury or traumatic brain injury cases, where the road to recovery is long and expensive.

Federal and Texas Laws That Govern Commercial Truck Drivers

Truck accident claims are more complicated than typical car accident claims because commercial drivers and their employers must follow both federal and state regulations. Understanding which rules apply, and whether they were broken, is central to building a strong injury claim.

At the federal level, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, sets the rules for commercial motor vehicles that cross state lines. The 11-hour driving rule allows a driver to drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and the 14-hour window starts when the driver begins any work-related activity and ends 14 hours later, regardless of breaks taken. These Hours of Service (HOS) rules exist specifically to prevent fatigued driving, which research consistently identifies as a major cause of commercial vehicle crashes.

The FMCSA’s regulations are codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Carriers must also maintain drug and alcohol testing programs, keep vehicles in proper mechanical condition, and ensure their drivers hold valid Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) for the class of vehicle they operate.

Under Texas law, the Texas Transportation Code governs commercial vehicle operations within the state. Texas also follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. This statute means that if you are found to be 51% or more at fault for an accident, you cannot recover damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. This makes it critical to document the truck driver’s and carrier’s negligence as thoroughly as possible from the very start.

Violations of FMCSA regulations, such as falsified logbooks, skipped inspections, or overloaded trailers, can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a Texas truck accident lawsuit. An attorney who understands these rules knows exactly where to look.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Colleyville Truck Accident

One of the most important questions after a truck accident is: who is responsible? The answer is often more than one party, and identifying every liable defendant is essential to recovering full compensation.

The truck driver is the most obvious starting point. A driver who was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or impaired at the time of the crash can be held personally liable for negligence. But the driver rarely acts alone. The trucking company that employs or contracts the driver can be held liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of their employees performed within the scope of employment.

Trucking companies can also face direct liability for their own negligent conduct. Examples include hiring a driver with a history of violations, failing to conduct required drug testing, skipping mandatory vehicle inspections, or pressuring drivers to exceed HOS limits to meet delivery deadlines. These are independent acts of negligence separate from anything the driver did.

Third parties may also bear responsibility. A cargo loading company that improperly secured a load can be liable if shifting cargo caused the driver to lose control. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 82, which governs products liability actions, a truck manufacturer or parts supplier can face liability if a defective component, such as faulty brakes or a tire blowout, contributed to the crash. Section 82.001 defines a “manufacturer” as a person who designs, constructs, fabricates, produces, or assembles a product and places it into the stream of commerce.

Identifying all responsible parties requires a detailed investigation. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys works quickly after a crash to preserve evidence, request trucking company records, and identify every party whose negligence contributed to your injuries. Do not wait to reach out, because evidence disappears fast.

How to Protect Your Truck Accident Claim in Texas

What you do in the days and weeks after a Colleyville truck accident directly affects the strength of your legal claim. Taking the right steps early can make the difference between a full recovery and a denied or reduced settlement.

First, seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like internal bleeding, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries. A documented medical record that begins on the day of the crash is one of the strongest pieces of evidence in any personal injury case.

Second, report the crash to law enforcement. A Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) is the official accident report filed after a collision. Information contained in these reports represents reportable data collected from Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Reports (CR-3) received and processed by the Texas Department of Transportation. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you have the right to request a copy of this report as a person involved in the accident. A certified copy, which is the version suitable for legal proceedings, costs $8 through TxDOT’s CRIS (Crash Records Information System).

Third, document everything you can at the scene. Photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and your injuries are valuable. If there are witnesses, get their contact information. Note the truck’s license plate, the carrier’s DOT number displayed on the side of the cab, and the driver’s name and insurance information.

Fourth, do not speak with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster without legal representation. Insurance adjusters work for the carrier, not for you. Their job is to minimize what the company pays out. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before you speak with any insurance representative.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline almost always results in losing your right to compensation entirely.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Colleyville Truck Accident

Texas law allows truck accident victims to pursue two broad categories of damages: economic and non-economic. Understanding what you can recover helps you see the full picture of what is at stake in your claim.

Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses. These include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages from time missed at work, and loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job. If your vehicle was totaled, property damage is also recoverable. For serious crashes near Colleyville, medical costs alone can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars when surgeries, hospital stays, and long-term physical therapy are factored in.

Non-economic damages cover the human cost of your injuries. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (the impact on your relationship with your spouse) are all recognized categories under Texas law. These damages are harder to quantify, but they are real, and an experienced attorney knows how to present them effectively to a jury or insurance company.

In cases where a trucking company or driver acted with gross negligence, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003 allows a jury to award exemplary damages, also called punitive damages. These are meant to punish especially reckless conduct and deter similar behavior in the future. A truck company that knowingly put a fatigued driver behind the wheel, or that falsified safety records, may be a candidate for exemplary damages.

If a loved one was killed in a truck accident near Colleyville, the 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 resulting from the death. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles these deeply painful cases with care and determination. Call (940) 800-2500 to speak with our team about your options.

FAQs About Colleyville Truck Accident Attorneys

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

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to seek compensation in court. Because truck accident cases require extensive investigation, including gathering trucking company records and preserving electronic data from the truck’s black box, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the crash. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to get started right away.

Can the trucking company be held responsible even if the driver caused the crash?

Yes. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, a trucking company can be held liable for the negligent acts of its driver if the driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the crash. The company can also face direct liability for its own negligence, such as failing to properly train the driver, skipping required vehicle maintenance, or pressuring the driver to violate federal Hours of Service rules. In many truck accident cases, both the driver and the carrier are named as defendants.

What if the truck driver works for a delivery company like Amazon, FedEx, or UPS?

Delivery company truck accidents involve additional layers of liability. The delivery company may argue that its drivers are independent contractors rather than employees, which can affect how liability is assigned. However, Texas courts look at the actual level of control the company exercised over the driver’s work, not just the label used in a contract. If the company controlled the driver’s schedule, route, and equipment, a court may find the company liable regardless of the contractor designation. These cases require careful legal analysis.

How do I get a copy of the official crash report after my truck accident?

You can request a copy of the official Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3) through TxDOT’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS). Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you are entitled to request this report as a person directly involved in the accident. A regular copy costs $6, and a certified copy suitable for legal proceedings costs $8. Your attorney can also obtain this report on your behalf and use it as part of building your case.

Does Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis?

Yes. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles personal injury cases, including truck accident claims, on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. There is no upfront cost to hire us, and your initial consultation is free. If you were injured in a truck accident near Colleyville or anywhere in the Denton, Texas area, call us at (940) 800-2500 to discuss your case. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in your matter, as each case depends on its own unique facts and applicable law.

Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, whose principal office is located in Denton, Texas. Attorney advertising. Results in prior cases do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts and applicable law.