McKinney Truck Accident Lawyer
Injured in a truck crash in McKinney or elsewhere in Collin County? Kent Starr handles your free consultation personally. From his McKinney office, he can review the crash records, discuss evidence that may need to be preserved and explain your next steps.
Free consultation. No obligation. Carla answers the phone in office hours. Kent does the consultation.
No attorney's fee unless he recovers money for you. Court costs and case expenses are separate from attorney's fees, and you remain responsible for them even if there is no recovery.
Kent Starr. McKinney office, licensed in Texas since 1997.
Who can be sued in a truck-accident case?
The driver or motor carrier may be responsible. Claims against other parties, such as an owner, broker or maintenance contractor, depend on their conduct and the applicable law. Being involved in the shipment does not by itself make a party liable. Additional defendants do not guarantee additional insurance or recovery.
What to do after a commercial-truck collision
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Put medical care first.
Seek prompt medical evaluation after an injury. Call 911 or get emergency care for serious symptoms, including the CDC's concussion danger signs. Symptoms can appear later. A clinician should decide what tests and treatment you need. Do not delay emergency care to collect evidence or call a lawyer.
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Record truck identifiers if it is safe.
Photograph the cab's USDOT number and the trailer number only if you can do so safely, out of traffic and without delaying care. A USDOT number can help identify the carrier. It does not by itself identify the driver or prove who caused the crash. Keep witness contact details and the responding police agency's name.
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Ask promptly about evidence preservation.
Ask a lawyer about preserving vehicles, electronic data, driver logs and recordings, and arranging any needed inspections. What exists and how long it remains available vary. A preservation letter alone does not guarantee that evidence will be saved, that you can access it or that it supports your claim. Keep your own original photos, recordings and repair records.
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Understand insurer requests before responding.
Get legal advice before giving the other party's insurer a recorded statement or signing a release. Continue to meet your own policy's notice and cooperation requirements. If a request or deadline is unclear, seek advice promptly. Do not miss a policy deadline while waiting for a consultation.
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Bring your records to a consultation with Kent.
Bring the crash report if available, medical records, insurance correspondence and any offer or release. Note the crash location and dates on letters you received. Request a free consultation with Kent to discuss the claim and any deadlines. You do not need to wait until every record is available to contact the office.
Federal trucking law and Texas: what's different
Federal and Texas rules may apply to a commercial-truck crash. Which rules apply, whether a rule was violated and how that relates to the crash are separate questions. A violation does not automatically establish fault or payment. Texas law also addresses evidence and claims in commercial-vehicle cases.
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Hours of service (HOS) limits
For property-carrying drivers subject to federal rules, the ordinary limits include up to 11 driving hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty and no driving after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. The 14-hour rule is a driving window, not a blanket cap on all work. Exceptions and other limits apply. See the FMCSA hours-of-service summary. A violation does not remove Texas proportionate-responsibility rules: damages may be reduced by the claimant's share of responsibility, and responsibility greater than 50% bars recovery under those rules. Read our comparative-fault guide for context.
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Driver qualification files
Applicable driving, qualification and employment records can help evaluate a driver's qualifications and the carrier's decisions. Requirements depend on the driver and operation. A missing document alone does not prove negligent hiring or establish that hiring caused the crash. Relevant testing records may be kept separately from the qualification file.
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Multiple potential defendants
The driver or motor carrier may be responsible. Claims against an owner, broker, shipper, maintenance contractor or cargo loader require facts and a legal basis specific to that party. Involvement in the shipment alone does not establish liability. Naming additional parties does not guarantee additional insurance or recovery.
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Check the coverage that actually applies
Insurance requirements depend on the operation, cargo and vehicle. The FMCSA insurance chart sets different requirements for covered operations. Actual policies, exclusions and available coverage must be checked. A regulatory minimum is not a promised settlement or proof that a policy covers a particular claim.
Why Kent for truck-accident cases
Kent takes the consultation himself. At the McKinney office, you can discuss what happened, the records you have and the questions that need answers before deciding how to proceed.
Talk directly with Kent
Your free consultation is with Kent, not a consultation setter. Explain the crash and ask about the claim process.
Discuss the evidence questions
Bring the records you have. Ask what else may help explain the collision and whether preservation or inspection requests need attention.
Understand the next steps
Ask about deadlines, insurer requests and the fee agreement. A consultation lets you discuss those questions before deciding whether to hire the firm.
Hit by a truck in McKinney or Collin County? Call the office.
Free consultation. No obligation. Carla answers the phone in office hours. Kent does the consultation.
No attorney's fee unless he recovers money for you. Court costs and case expenses are separate from attorney's fees, and you remain responsible for them even if there is no recovery.
Truck Accidents: frequently asked questions
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Do I have a different time limit for truck accidents in Texas?
Many Texas personal-injury suits generally must be filed within two years after the claim accrues under Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003. Exceptions and shorter notice requirements can apply, including governmental-unit and city-charter notice requirements. Get advice about your individual deadlines promptly; do not wait two years to seek help. Evidence may need attention before a filing deadline. The time a claim takes to resolve is a separate question from the deadline to bring it. -
What is ECM/black-box data and why does it matter?
An engine or electronic control module may contain data useful in evaluating a crash. The information recorded and retained varies by vehicle and system. It may help assess events alongside other evidence, but it does not guarantee an answer about fault. Ask promptly about preservation and any needed inspection. A letter alone does not guarantee preservation, access or favorable evidence. -
What's the difference between a truck accident and a regular car accident?
A commercial-truck claim may involve additional safety rules, business records and potentially responsible parties. Insurance and electronic-data questions depend on the truck and operation. Those differences need investigation; they do not automatically mean higher compensation. If you were injured in Collin County, read about our Collin County personal-injury representation or request a consultation with Kent at the McKinney office.