Plano Truck Accident Attorney

A crash with a commercial truck isn’t just a “bigger accident.” It comes with serious injuries, aggressive insurance teams, and a trucking company already working behind the scenes to protect itself before you’ve had a chance to collect your thoughts.

You shouldn’t have to match that alone.

At Freese & Goss, we step in early, take control of the process, and build your case with purpose from day one. Over seven decades, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for injured clients, and we use that experience to handle the pressure, the paperwork, and the pushback.

If you were hurt in a truck crash, you don’t need to have all the answers right now. Get in touch with a truck accident attorney at Freese & Goss at (214) 761-6623 or reach out through our contact form whenever you’re ready. We’re here when you need us.

“My experience with Freese & Goss was amazing! Very communicative throughout my entire claims process. As soon as I got done with dealing with the initial car accident that I was involved in, Blanca Trevino made sure to jump right on my case and start handling everything to lessen the stressful situation. All the way through my treatments, she always had words of encouragement, which really helped. I’d recommend Freese and Goss to anyone! Just know that they will take care of you and will fight their hardest to make sure you’re taken care of. I truly cannot thank you guys enough…”

– Rudy A. | Client

What Sets Truck Accident Claims Apart From Car Crashes

At Freese & Goss, we understand that truck accidents demand a different approach compared to car crashes. This isn’t just a more serious version of a typical car crash. There are added layers, rules, and challenges that change how these cases need to be handled from the start: 

The Size and Force Involved

A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while most passenger vehicles weigh around 4,000. That gap in size matters. The force of impact is much greater, and the injuries tend to be far more severe.

More Than One Party May Be Responsible

Depending on the situation, responsibility could fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance provider, or even the manufacturer of a defective part. It’s not unusual for each party to point fingers, which makes these cases more complex to sort out.

Strict Federal and State Regulations

Rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) cover everything from driver qualifications and training to hours-of-service limits, drug and alcohol testing, vehicle inspections, and how cargo must be secured.

Built-In Data Our Plano Truck Accident Lawyers Analyze

Most commercial trucks are equipped with electronic logging devices and event data recorders. This data can show speed, braking patterns, and how long the driver had been on the road. It can be critical in figuring out what really happened, but it’s not something most people know how to access or interpret on their own.

Higher Stakes Mean Tougher Pushback

Because the injuries and damages are often more serious, trucking companies and their insurers have more on the line. That usually means a faster response and a stronger effort to limit what they pay. 

What Actually Causes Truck Crashes in Plano?

Truck accidents in Plano don’t just happen. There’s usually a chain of poor decisions behind it. These collisions are often the result of pressure, missed steps, or ignored safety rules. Below are some of the main causes of these crashes that a Plano truck accident lawyer can investigate: 

• Driver Fatigue: Even with hours-of-service rules in place, some drivers stay on the road longer than they should, often due to tight delivery schedules or pressure from employers.
• Speeding and Deadline Pressure: In the trucking industry, delays cost money. That pressure can lead drivers to speed or take risks they wouldn’t otherwise take. A vehicle that large needs more time and distance to stop, but speeding takes away that thin margin for error.
• Distraction Behind the Wheel: Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, and distractions can creep in, such as fiddling with GPS systems, dispatch communications, phones, or even adjusting controls in the cab. 
• Inadequate Training or Supervision: When companies rush the hiring process, skip proper training, or fail to supervise drivers, it increases the risk of mistakes.
• Poor Truck Maintenance or Equipment Failure: The components of a truck require regular inspection and upkeep. When maintenance is delayed or done carelessly, parts can fail at the worst possible moment. In some cases, defective parts may contribute to the crash. 
• Unsafe Cargo Loading: Not every driver loads their own truck. If cargo is uneven, overloaded, or not properly secured, it can shift during transit. That can cause the truck to lose balance, jackknife, or even roll over. Falling cargo can also create dangerous conditions for other drivers.
• Impaired or Reckless Driving: Truck driving can be demanding, with long hours and tight schedules, and in some cases, drivers may turn to alcohol or drugs to stay awake or cope with the pressure. Others drive aggressively by speeding, tailgating, or ignoring traffic rules to make up time. 

In 2024, Collin County, where Plano is located, reported 694 total truck-related crashes resulting in over 2,300 reported injuries and 11 fatalities.

What Happens When a Plano Truck Crash Lawyer Gets Involved in Your Case 

After a truck crash, most people are dealing with appointments, calls, and paperwork that quickly overtake their time. Insurance companies know this, and they don’t slow down while you’re trying to recover.

A Plano truck accident attorney at Freese & Goss steps in to take control of the parts of the case that are hard to manage on your own and the parts that can quietly make or break your claim.

• Preserving Critical Evidence Right Away: Commercial trucks store a lot of information, but that data can be overwritten or lost during routine operations if it isn’t preserved quickly. Taking legal steps early helps make sure that information is protected before it’s gone or harder to recover later.
• Building the Case with the Right Experts: We work with accident reconstruction professionals who can analyze the crash scene, vehicle damage, and electronic data from the truck to understand how the collision actually happened. 
• Identifying Every Source of Insurance Coverage: There may be coverage tied to the driver, the trucking company, the trailer owner, or even third-party contractors. Part of our job is tracking down every available layer of coverage so full compensation is available. 
• Dealing Directly With Commercial Insurance Companies: Commercial insurers don’t approach these claims casually. We handle the defense teams and the fine print so you can focus on your recovery without the constant pressure of a corporate legal team breathing down your neck.
• Keeping the Case Moving Forward: We are behind the scenes managing the filings, pushing back on delays, and keeping the pressure on during negotiations. We make sure your case stays on the fast track so you aren’t left waiting on a system that is often designed to slow you down.

The data shows that while only about half of people who go it alone receive any compensation, over 91% of those with legal representation walk away with a settlement. 

It isn’t just about winning, though. It’s also about the value of your recovery. On average, people who hired a lawyer received over $60,000 more than those who handled their own claims ($77,600 vs. $17,600).

Who Can a Plano 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Hold Responsible in an Accident?

In a typical car crash, responsibility often centers on the other driver. Truck accidents are different. The driver may be involved, but there’s usually a broader group behind the operation, like the company that hired them, the team responsible for maintenance, or the crew that loaded the trailer.

At Freese & Goss, we look beyond the driver to understand how the crash happened. A Plano truck accident lawyer on our team reviews the full picture to identify everyone who may share responsibility, so nothing important gets overlooked.

• The Truck Driver: Drivers can be responsible for mistakes like speeding, distraction, driving while tired, or using alcohol or drugs.
• The Trucking Company: The company that employs the driver may also share responsibility. That can include poor hiring practices, inadequate training, pushing unrealistic delivery schedules, or failing to follow required safety rules for rest breaks and inspections.
• Cargo Loading Companies: When freight isn’t loaded or secured correctly, it can shift during transport. That imbalance can cause rollovers, jackknife crashes, or longer stopping distances that lead to collisions.
• Maintenance and Repair Providers: Commercial trucks rely on constant upkeep. If brakes, tires, or other critical systems aren’t properly inspected or repaired, the shop or maintenance provider may also be part of the problem when a failure leads to a crash.

How a Plano Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Calculates the True Cost of What You’ve Been Through

We’re looking at the difference between how things were before the crash and how they are now. 

A Plano truck accident attorney’s job is to make sure the insurance companies understand the full impact of what happened, not just the parts that are easiest to put a dollar figure on. This includes:

• Medical Care (Present and Future): We examine “hidden” costs, not just the trip to the emergency room, including the specialized physical therapy, the home modifications, and the follow-up surgeries you might need months or years down the line.
• The Impact on Your Career: If you’re missing shifts, you’re missing more than just a paycheck; you’re losing retirement contributions and career momentum. If your injuries mean you can’t return to your old job at all, we fight for the loss of your future earning power.
• Restoring Your Quality of Life: The law recognizes that physical pain and the mental weight of a crash have a real cost. Whether it’s the inability to participate in activities you used to or the anxiety of getting back on the highway, these “intangible” losses are often the heaviest.
• Supporting Families in Loss: When a crash results in the loss of a loved one, no amount of money can fix it. But we can fight to secure the financial future they would have provided and hold the responsible parties accountable for the void they left behind.

We know that talking about results is one thing, but seeing them in action is another. At Freese & Goss, our experience is reflected in the lives we’ve helped rebuild after devastating collisions. 

For example, we secured a $1,000,000 settlement for a client after an 18-wheeler swerved to avoid cattle and struck their vehicle, and another $1,000,000 recovery for a driver who was hit when an Oncor utility truck ran a red light. 

Trucking companies move fast. We move faster.

Evidence doesn’t wait, and neither should you. Getting started early can make a real difference in how a case develops. If you have questions or want to understand your options, we’re here to talk. Call (214) 761-6623 or fill out our online form to connect with our team today.

Evidence a Plano Truck Crash Lawyer Uses to Build Your Case 

At Freese & Goss, we help make sure the important pieces are identified and preserved early, including:

• Police and crash reports 
• Photos and video from the scene
• Electronic “black box” data
• Driver qualification and employment records
• Medical records and billing statements 
• Witness statements

Understanding FMCSA Regulations (The Rules Truck Drivers Are Supposed to Follow)

Truck drivers and trucking companies are held to a stricter set of federal safety standards created by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to reduce the risks that come with operating massive commercial vehicles.

When we investigate a crash, understanding these rules gives us a clearer angle on what went wrong and where safety standards may have been ignored: 

Hours-of-Service Rules (Driving Limits and Rest Breaks)

Federal law limits how long a truck driver can be on the road without rest. We often review electronic driving logs to see whether a driver stayed within legal limits or continued driving when they should have stopped.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)

Most commercial trucks are now required to use electronic logging devices instead of paper logs. These systems automatically track driving time and rest periods, making it much harder to alter or “recreate” records after the fact. When used properly, they can provide a detailed timeline of what happened leading up to a crash.

Driver Qualification and Safety Records

Trucking companies are required to maintain files showing that drivers are properly licensed, trained, and medically qualified. These records can also reveal prior safety issues, violations, or gaps in training that may be relevant to how a crash occurred.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements

Commercial drivers are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing, including pre-employment screening and random testing throughout their employment. There are also federal reporting systems designed to flag violations and keep unsafe drivers off the road. These records can be critical when impairment is a factor.

Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Requirements

Maintenance logs can show whether known issues were addressed or ignored before a truck was put back on the road.

Start the Conversation With Freese & Goss Today

A truck accident leaves you with a lot of decisions to make in a short amount of time. That’s where having the right legal team matters.

At Freese & Goss, we bring experience, preparation, and a steady approach to every case we handle. With over $1 billion recovered and decades of combined experience, we know how to take on serious cases and see them through. More importantly, we know how to handle the process in a way that keeps you informed and supported from start to finish.

Call our team today at (214) 761-6623 or reach out through our contact form to get started. 

Plano Truck Accident FAQs