Richmond Truck Accident Lawyer

Why Truck Accidents Happen on Richmond Roads

Richmond's roads were built for a smaller community. The downtown grid dates back to the 1800s, with narrow streets and tight corners designed for horses and wagons. Today, those same streets see commercial trucks cutting through town to avoid highway congestion or reach local delivery points.

US-59/I-69 serves as the region's primary freight artery. This highway connects Houston's industrial centers to points south and west, carrying tankers, flatbeds, and enclosed trailers at highway speeds through an increasingly populated area. The exits near Richmond funnel this traffic onto surface roads that struggle to accommodate vehicles of this size.

FM 359 runs north-south through Richmond, linking the town to surrounding agricultural operations and the growing suburbs of Fulshear and Brookshire. Trucks hauling grain, livestock, and farm equipment share this two-lane road with commuters and school buses.

The Westpark Tollway extension has accelerated commercial development in the area, bringing new warehouses and distribution centers that generate additional truck traffic. What was once a quiet corner of Fort Bend County now sees constant heavy vehicle movement.

This mismatch of modern freight demands on outdated infrastructure creates dangerous conditions. A truck driver who misjudges a turn in downtown Richmond, fails to brake in time on FM 359, or drifts across lanes on US-59 can cause a collision with catastrophic consequences.

What Causes Truck Crashes in Richmond?

Investigating a truck accident requires examining the driver, the trucking company, the cargo, and the vehicle itself. Pierce Skrabanek has handled cases involving:​

• Driver fatigue. Federal hours-of-service regulations limit how long truckers can drive without rest. Companies that pressure drivers to meet tight deadlines often encourage violations. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and may fall asleep at the wheel.
• Distracted driving. Navigation systems, dispatch communications, cell phones, and other devices inside the cab pull a driver's attention from the road. At highway speeds, even a few seconds of distraction can be fatal.
• Improper cargo loading. Unbalanced or unsecured loads can shift during transit, causing the truck to tip, jackknife, or lose cargo onto the roadway. Agricultural and oilfield shipments common in the Richmond area present particular loading challenges.
• Inadequate maintenance. Worn brakes, bald tires, faulty lights, and other mechanical problems can turn a routine trip into a disaster. Trucking companies must inspect and maintain their vehicles in accordance with federal standards.
• Blind spot collisions. Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides. Drivers who change lanes or turn without properly checking their mirrors can strike vehicles they never saw.
• Speeding and aggressive driving. Delivery pressures push drivers to exceed safe speeds, tailgate slower vehicles, and take risks that endanger everyone on the road.

Our team gathers evidence from the truck's electronic control module (black box), driver logs, GPS records, inspection reports, and company files. This evidence often reveals safety violations that establish liability.

​Common Injuries in Richmond Truck Accidents

A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. A typical passenger car weighs around 4,000 pounds. When these vehicles collide, the people in the smaller vehicle absorb the full force of the impact.

Truck accident survivors in Richmond frequently suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries that affect memory, concentration, and personality;
• Spinal cord damage that can result in partial or complete paralysis;
• Broken bones requiring multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation;
• Internal organ damage that may not be apparent for hours or days after the crash;
• Burns and disfigurement from fires, chemical spills, or contact with hot engine components; and
• Soft tissue injuries, including herniated discs, torn ligaments, and chronic nerve pain.

These injuries often create permanent limitations. A construction worker who loses the use of an arm cannot return to his trade. An office manager with chronic back pain may struggle to sit at a desk for a full workday. 

The financial impact extends far beyond initial hospital bills—lost earning capacity, ongoing medical care, and necessary lifestyle modifications all factor into the true cost of the accident.

Have you been injured in a truck accident near Richmond? Contact us at (832) 690-7000 to speak with a Richmond truck accident lawyer who can evaluate your case at no cost.

Steps to Take After a Crash: Advice from a Richmond Semi-Truck Accident Attorney

Fort Bend County recorded 605 commercial vehicle crashes in 2024. If you find yourself in one, the steps you take immediately after can affect both your health and your legal options.

1. Get medical treatment immediately. Some serious injuries, including internal bleeding and brain trauma, do not produce obvious symptoms right away. A medical record also documents that your injuries resulted from the crash.
2. Call the police and request a report. An official report creates a record of the scene, the vehicles involved, and any citations issued.
3. Stick to facts when describing the crash. Tell officers what happened without speculating about fault or saying you feel "fine."
4. Decline recorded statements from insurance representatives. You have no obligation to provide one, and adjusters use these statements to limit what they pay.
5. Document everything you can. Photograph the vehicles, the scene, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, and your injuries.
6. Save all records. Keep medical bills, repair estimates, pay stubs showing missed work, and notes about how your injuries affect daily life.
7. Contact a Richmond truck accident attorney quickly. Black box data, driver logs, and GPS records can be overwritten or lost. A lawyer can send a preservation letter and take legal action to secure this evidence before it disappears.

Compensation Available in Richmond Truck Accident Cases

Texas law allows truck accident victims to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment;
• Lost wages from time missed at work during recovery;
• Reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at the same level;
• Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional;
• Disfigurement and scarring; and
• Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent activities you previously valued.

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you are found partially responsible for the accident, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. Trucking companies routinely try to shift blame onto injured drivers. Our firm knows how to counter these tactics.

Pierce Skrabanek has secured significant results for truck accident victims, including a $2 million settlement for a commercial driver rear-ended by another truck and a $565,000 recovery for a woman struck by a truck that ran a stop sign.

Research by Martindale-Nolo found that accident victims who hired attorneys recovered nearly three times the compensation of those who handled claims on their own, even after legal fees.

​Federal Regulations That Apply to Trucking Companies

Commercial trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets standards that trucking companies and drivers must follow:

• Hours of service. Drivers may not operate a commercial vehicle for more than 11 consecutive hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
• Electronic logging devices. Most trucks must be equipped with ELDs that automatically record driving time, making it harder to falsify logs.
• Vehicle inspection and maintenance. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections and report defects. Companies must maintain vehicles according to federal standards and keep records of all repairs.
• Drug and alcohol testing. Drivers must be tested before employment, after accidents, and at random. Positive tests or refusals disqualify a driver from operating a commercial vehicle.
• Cargo securement. Specific rules govern how different types of cargo must be loaded and secured to prevent shifting or spillage.

Violations of these regulations can establish negligence in a truck accident case. Our Richmond trucking accident lawyers know where to look for evidence of non-compliance.

Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Truck Accident Claim

The days and weeks after a truck crash are disorienting. Pain, medical appointments, and financial worries make it difficult to think clearly. Insurance companies know this. They use the chaos to their advantage.​

Common mistakes that can weaken your claim:

Giving a Recorded Statement Too Early

Adjusters ask questions designed to elicit responses that can be used against you. They may ask how you're feeling and if you say "fine" or "okay," that statement can be cited later to minimize your injuries. You have no obligation to provide a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer.

Accepting a Quick Settlement From Insurance

Initial offers rarely account for the full extent of injuries, especially when symptoms worsen over time or complications develop. Once you sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation.

Delaying Medical Treatment

Some injuries, particularly brain trauma and internal bleeding, worsen without prompt care. Gaps in treatment also give insurers an argument that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the trucking accident.

Failing to Preserve Evidence

Trucking companies are required to retain certain records, but electronic data can be overwritten, and documents can disappear. A Richmond truck accident attorney can send a spoliation letter demanding that evidence be preserved and take legal action to secure it.

"After a truck accident, people are dealing with pain, confusion, and uncertainty about how to pay their bills. They didn't ask for any of this. Our job is to take the legal burden off their shoulders so they can focus on healing while we hold the trucking company accountable."

— Paul Skrabanek, Founding Partner