Keller Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents are some of the most destructive crashes on Texas roads. When a fully loaded commercial truck hits a passenger vehicle near Keller, the results can be catastrophic, leaving victims with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and no clear path forward. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident in the Keller area, the personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton, Texas are ready to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Table of Contents

• Why Truck Accidents in Keller, Texas Cause Such Serious Injuries
• Federal and Texas Laws That Govern Commercial Truck Drivers
• Who Can Be Held Liable After a Keller Truck Accident
• What Evidence Matters Most in a Keller Truck Accident Claim
• Your Right to Compensation and the Texas Filing Deadline
• FAQs About Keller Truck Accident Attorney

Why Truck Accidents in Keller, Texas Cause Such Serious Injuries

A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The average passenger car weighs around 4,000 pounds. That difference in size and mass is what makes truck accidents so deadly compared to ordinary car crashes.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas recorded 39,393 commercial vehicle accidents in 2024. Of those, 608 people died and thousands more suffered injuries. These numbers make Texas one of the most dangerous states in the country for truck crash victims.

For the fifth year in a row, big rigs accounted for roughly 5% of all crashes statewide, a rate that remains one of the highest in the country. The Keller area sits along major freight corridors in Tarrant County, including State Highway 377, Interstate 35W, and the loop connections near Alliance Airport, one of the busiest cargo hubs in North Texas. That volume of commercial truck traffic makes local roads more dangerous for everyday drivers.

Large trucks take 20 to 40 percent longer to stop than passenger cars. When a truck driver is speeding, distracted, or fatigued, that stopping distance gap can mean the difference between a near-miss and a fatal collision. Victims of these crashes often face traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries that require long-term treatment.

The size of the truck is only part of the problem. Cargo shifts, tire blowouts, and brake failures all contribute to crashes that no passenger vehicle can withstand at highway speeds. If you were hurt near Keller on SH-170, Alliance Boulevard, or any surrounding road, the circumstances of your crash deserve a thorough investigation.

Federal and Texas Laws That Govern Commercial Truck Drivers

Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow a strict set of federal and state rules. Violations of those rules can form the foundation of a strong injury claim.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the federal agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation that sets safety standards for commercial motor vehicles operating in interstate commerce. In 2020, the FMCSA revised key provisions of the Hours of Service regulations to provide greater flexibility for drivers, with motor carriers required to comply starting September 29, 2020. Those rules remain in effect today and cap the number of hours a commercial driver can be behind the wheel.

The 11-hour driving rule allows a driver to operate a commercial vehicle for a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. The 14-hour window starts when the driver begins any work-related activity and ends 14 hours later, regardless of breaks taken. When a trucking company pressures a driver to exceed these limits, and a crash follows, that violation is powerful evidence of negligence.

The FMCSA also requires carriers to maintain driver qualification files, conduct drug and alcohol testing, and keep vehicle maintenance records. These records are accessible through the FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system, which allows the public to look up a carrier’s safety history. An attorney can use subpoenas and discovery to obtain these records directly from the carrier.

Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065 governs crash report access in Texas. Under this statute, any person directly involved in an accident, their authorized representative, or their insurer has the right to obtain a copy of the official crash report from the Texas Department of Transportation. That CR-3 crash report, the standard form used by Texas law enforcement, documents the officer’s findings, vehicle positions, weather conditions, and any citations issued. It is one of the first documents your attorney will seek after a Keller truck accident.

Texas also applies its own proportionate responsibility rules to truck accident claims. Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a plaintiff can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. If you share some responsibility, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not automatically barred from recovering.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Keller Truck Accident

Liability in a truck accident case often extends beyond the driver. Multiple parties may share responsibility, and identifying all of them is critical to maximizing your recovery.

The truck driver is the most obvious defendant. If the driver was fatigued, distracted, impaired, or speeding, their negligence is a direct cause of the crash. But the trucking company that employed or contracted the driver may also be liable under a legal theory called respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of their employees committed within the scope of employment.

If the truck had a mechanical defect, such as faulty brakes or a tire that failed, the company responsible for maintaining the vehicle may bear liability. In some cases, a manufacturer of a defective truck part can be named as a defendant. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 82.003, a non-manufacturing seller can also be held liable if it had actual knowledge of a defect at the time it supplied the product and the claimant’s harm resulted from that defect.

Cargo loading companies can also be liable when improperly secured freight shifts during transit and causes the driver to lose control. This is especially relevant near the Alliance area, where distribution centers and warehousing operations load trucks around the clock.

In many truck cases, more than one party is responsible, from the driver to the carrier, a mechanic, a shipper, or a government entity that designed or maintained the road. Identifying every responsible party is not just about fairness. It is about making sure there is enough insurance coverage to fully compensate you for your losses.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys investigates truck accidents thoroughly to find every liable party. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, or permanent disability often require pursuing all available sources of compensation. Our attorneys serve clients throughout the Denton area and the surrounding North Texas region.

What Evidence Matters Most in a Keller Truck Accident Claim

Evidence in a truck accident case disappears faster than in most other types of crashes. Trucking companies have legal teams and insurance adjusters who begin building their defense immediately after a collision. You need someone working just as fast on your behalf.

The truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) records every hour the driver was on duty or behind the wheel. The FMCSA revised four provisions of the hours of service regulations in 2020, and ELD compliance has been mandatory for most carriers since well before that. These logs can show whether the driver exceeded legal driving limits before the crash. Trucking companies are not required to preserve them indefinitely, so obtaining them quickly is essential.

Event data recorders (EDRs), sometimes called black boxes, capture vehicle speed, braking, throttle position, and other data in the seconds before a crash. This data can prove or disprove claims about driver behavior. Your attorney can send a spoliation letter to the trucking company demanding that this data be preserved before it is overwritten or destroyed.

Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065 gives your attorney the right to obtain the official CR-3 crash report, which includes the responding officer’s observations, diagrams of the crash scene, and any citations issued. Witness statements, surveillance footage from nearby businesses along Keller Parkway or North Tarrant Parkway, and photographs of the scene are also critical pieces of evidence.

Expert witnesses play a significant role in serious truck accident cases. Under the standard established in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993), expert testimony in federal court must be based on sufficient facts and reliable methodology. Texas courts apply a similar standard. Accident reconstruction experts, trucking industry safety experts, and medical professionals can all provide testimony that strengthens your claim and clarifies complex facts for a jury.

The sooner you contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys after a Keller truck accident, the better your chances of preserving the evidence you need. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free case evaluation.

Your Right to Compensation and the Texas Filing Deadline

Truck accident victims in Texas have the right to seek compensation for every loss caused by someone else’s negligence. Knowing what you can recover, and how long you have to act, protects that right.

Recoverable damages in a truck accident case typically include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. In cases involving extreme recklessness, such as a driver who falsified hours-of-service logs or a company that knowingly sent a defective truck onto the road, Texas law may also allow punitive damages.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, a person must bring suit for personal injury not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues. The clock starts ticking the moment the injury occurs or the date you discovered the injury if it was not immediately apparent, and courts enforce this deadline strictly, with exceptions being rare.

Wrongful death claims carry the same two-year deadline, but the clock starts from the date of death, not the date of the accident. If a family member died from injuries sustained in a Keller truck crash, surviving spouses, children, and parents may have a claim under the Texas Wrongful Death Act.

Two years sounds like a long time, but truck accident cases require extensive investigation, expert retention, and negotiation with large insurance carriers. Waiting too long can cost you access to critical evidence. Fatal crashes involving large trucks are near record highs, yet federal safety enforcement against dangerous trucking companies has dropped dramatically in 2025, leaving motorists in Texas, the deadliest state for truck crashes, more vulnerable than ever. That reality makes having an attorney in your corner even more important.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If you were hurt in a truck crash near Keller, Denton, or anywhere in North Texas, call us today at (940) 800-2500 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation. Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in another matter, as every case depends on its own facts and applicable law.

FAQs About Keller Truck Accident Attorney

How is a truck accident claim different from a regular car accident claim in Texas?

Truck accident claims involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and far more documentation than a standard car accident case. The FMCSA requires commercial carriers to maintain driver logs, vehicle inspection records, and drug testing files. Your attorney must investigate the trucking company, the driver’s history, the vehicle’s maintenance record, and the cargo loading process, none of which apply in a typical two-car crash. The injuries in truck accidents also tend to be more severe, which means higher medical costs and more complex damages calculations.

What should I do immediately after a truck accident near Keller?

Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding may not show symptoms immediately. While at the scene, take photos of all vehicles, the road, and any visible injuries. Get the truck driver’s name, CDL number, carrier name, and insurance information. Write down the names and contact details of any witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible so we can begin preserving evidence.

How long does a truck accident lawsuit take in Texas?

The timeline varies based on the complexity of the case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the trucking company disputes liability. Some cases resolve through settlement within several months. Cases that go to trial in Tarrant County courts, including those filed at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center or in district courts in Fort Worth, can take one to two years or longer. Your attorney will work to move your case forward as efficiently as possible while making sure you receive full and fair compensation, not just a quick settlement that falls short of your actual losses.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the truck accident?

Yes, in most situations. Texas follows a proportionate responsibility system under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. You can recover damages as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 50 percent. If a jury finds you were 20 percent at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20 percent. Trucking companies and their insurers often try to shift blame onto the victim to reduce their payout. Having an attorney who investigates the crash thoroughly and presents strong evidence of the truck driver’s negligence helps protect your share of the recovery.

Does Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handle truck accident cases outside of Denton?

Yes. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys serves clients throughout North Texas, including the Keller area, Tarrant County, and surrounding communities. While our principal office is located in Denton, Texas, we represent injured people across the region. All attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys are licensed to practice in Texas. If you were hurt in a truck accident anywhere in the North Texas area, call us at (940) 800-2500 to discuss your case at no cost. This communication is attorney advertising. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is responsible for this content. Principal office: Denton, Texas.