Why a Truck Accident Attorney Faces a New “Two-Step” Trial in Texas

Written by

Warning for Richmond, TX, Victims: How 2025 Laws Changed the Way Your Truck Accident Attorney Files Suit

Richmond, United States – January 26, 2026 / Reed & Terry Law Firm- Richmond /

Why a Truck Accident Attorney Faces a New “Two-Step” Trial in Texas

(Richmond, TX – January 2026) The landscape of Texas personal injury law has undergone a seismic shift. For decades, if a negligent trucking company put an unqualified driver behind the wheel and that driver caused a catastrophic wreck, the jury heard the whole story. They would be able to hear about how the driver may have been speeding or about a company’s history of ignoring safety protocols simultaneously.

In 2025, those “rules of engagement” were dismantled. Thanks to Texas House Bill 19 (HB 19), the legal process for seeking justice after an 18-wheeler crash is now a “two-step” or bifurcated trial. This legislative change has created a significant shield for large motor carriers, making it more difficult than ever to hold corporations accountable for the carnage they cause on our highways, like US-90A and the Grand Parkway.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Richmond, TX, understanding this new reality is vital. Now more than ever, the success of your injury claim depends on hiring a Richmond truck accident lawyer who understands how to navigate this two-part gauntlet.

The Hook: A New Shield for Big Trucking Companies

For years, the trucking industry lobbied for protections against what they termed “frivolous” litigation. The result was HB 19. While the bill was framed as a way to protect the supply chain, its practical effect in a courtroom is to hide the truth from the jury for as long as possible.

When you are involved in a commercial truck collision, you aren’t just fighting a driver; you are fighting a multi-million-dollar corporation and its aggressive insurance defense teams. Under the new law, these companies are effectively “split in two” during a trial. This makes the role of a truck accident attorney more complex, as they must now win two separate mini-trials to get you the full compensation you deserve.

Phase 1: The “Driver-Only” Phase

In the first phase of a bifurcated trial, the jury is placed in a vacuum. They are only allowed to hear evidence regarding the specific actions of the driver at the scene. Was the driver speeding? Did they run a red light? Were they fatigued?

During Phase 1, a Richmond truck accident lawyer is strictly prohibited from mentioning the trucking company’s history. Even if the company has a decades-long record of safety violations or if they knew the driver had a history of reckless behavior, the jury is kept in the dark.

This phase is designed to protect the company’s reputation. The defense wants the jury to believe the accident was a “one-off” mistake by an individual, rather than the result of a corporate culture that prioritizes speed over safety. If your truck accident lawyer cannot prove the driver was negligent in Phase 1, the case ends there. You never get to talk about the company, and you may never receive the punitive damages required to make you whole.

Phase 2: Unlocking the “Company Secrets”

If, and only if, your legal team wins Phase 1 and proves the driver was negligent, does the trial move to Phase 2. This is where the “bifurcation” ends and the truth comes out.

In Phase 2, the jury finally gets to see the “company secrets.” This includes:

Hiring Records: Did the company hire a driver with a known history of DUIs or multiple accidents?
Maintenance Logs: Did the company ignore a “check engine” light or faulty brakes to keep the truck on the road?
Safety Patterns: Does the company have a history of federal safety violations that suggest a systemic disregard for human life?

This is the phase where a Richmond truck accident attorney can pursue exemplary or punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish the company and deter them from ever letting such negligence happen again. However, because Phase 2 is so dangerous for a company’s bottom line, their defense lawyers will do anything in their power to try to make sure your injury case never makes it past Phase 1.

The Importance of a Truck Accident Lawyer with Local Experience in Richmond, TX

Navigating a bifurcated trial in Fort Bend County, TX, requires more than just general legal knowledge. It requires a Richmond truck accident lawyer who is familiar with local court rules and procedures.

The defense will use every tool provided by HB 19 to keep the jury focused on the smallest details of the crash site to avoid talking about their corporate overhead. At the Reed & Terry Law Firm, their seasoned truck accident attorneys know how to build a Phase 1 case with a great possibility to force the trial into Phase 2.

At the Reed & Terry Law Firm, their board-certified truck accident lawyers have seen how these legislative changes affect the neighbors in Richmond and Greatwood, TX. They know that when a 15,000-pound vehicle hits a passenger car, the “Step One” of the trial isn’t just a legal hurdle—it’s the difference between justice and being left with a mountain of medical debt.

Strategies for Winning the “Two-Step” Trial

Because the rules have changed, the strategy must change as well. A knowledgeable truck accident attorney must be an investigator, a tactician, and a storyteller.

Immediate Evidence Preservation

Since Phase 1 focuses heavily on the driver’s actions at the scene, immediate access to the “black box” (electronic logging device) is non-negotiable. This data proves speed, braking patterns, and throttle position. Without it, Phase 1 becomes a “he-said, she-said” battle that usually favors the defense.

Expert Witness Testimony

In Richmond courts, your Richmond truck accident lawyer will often utilize accident reconstruction experts. These experts use physics and digital modeling to prove driver negligence so clearly that the jury has no choice but to move the trial into the “company” phase.

Aggressive Discovery

Even though you can’t show the jury the company’s bad records in Phase 1, your truck accident attorney must still fight to obtain them during the discovery process. Knowing what is in those records allows your truck accident attorney to cross-examine the driver more effectively during the first phase of the trial.

Common Truck Accident Injuries and the Cost of Recovery in 2025

The force of an 18-wheeler collision is catastrophic. In 2025, with rising healthcare costs, the “value” of a claim had increased, but so has the difficulty of obtaining it. Common truck accident injuries seen in Richmond, TX, include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Costs for lifetime care can range from $600,000 to over $1.8 million.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Often requiring multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
Internal Organ Damage: Caused by a seatbelt, blunt force, or crushing impact.

When searching for a “truck accident attorney near me,“ it is vital to find a personal injury law firm that understands the long-term medical projections of these injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Navigating HB 19

Does HB 19 mean I can no longer sue the trucking company?

No. You can still sue the trucking company, but the way you present your evidence has changed. The company can now request a “bifurcated trial,” which forces you to prove the driver was at fault (Phase 1) before you can present evidence of the company’s poor hiring or safety records (Phase 2).

Why did Texas pass this “Two-Step” trial law?

The law was marketed as a way to prevent “nuclear verdicts”—exceptionally high jury awards—that were allegedly hurting the trucking industry. However, many advocates argue it simply creates a “shield” for negligent companies to hide their bad behavior from juries.

Can a trucking company “waive” the two-step trial?

Technically, yes, but they rarely do. In most cases, the trucking company’s defense team will file a motion to bifurcate immediately. This is why you need a Richmond truck accident lawyer who is prepared from day one to win a two-part trial.

What if the driver was a contractor, not a company employee?

This is a common tactic used to avoid liability. Under HB 19, if the company “stipulates” (admits) that the driver was their employee acting within the scope of their job, they can often prevent the jury from hearing about their direct negligence (like bad hiring) until Phase 2. It’s a complex chess match that requires an experienced truck accident attorney.

Does this law apply to delivery vans and small commercial trucks?

Yes. HB 19 applies to “commercial motor vehicles,” which include everything from massive 18-wheelers to smaller delivery box trucks. If the vehicle was being used for business purposes, these “two-step” rules likely apply.

Will HB 19 slow down my settlement?

It can. Because the trial is split into two parts, the defense has more opportunities to delay or file motions. A persistent Richmond truck accident lawyer is essential to keep the pressure on the insurance companies and ensure your case moves toward a resolution.

Are You Searching for a “Truck Accident Attorney Near Me?” Contact the Reed & Terry Law Firm

If you are searching for a “truck accident attorney near me” after being injured in a commercial truck accident, you need to ask one specific question: “How do you plan to get my case into Phase 2?”

The reality of 2025 is that trucking companies have more legal “armor” than ever before. They are using HB 19 to hide their negligent hiring and training practices behind a curtain of procedural delays. You need a personal injury law firm that has the financial stability to go the distance—a firm that won’t settle for a “Phase 1” pittance when “Phase 2” justice is what you deserve.

Why Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer from the Reed & Terry Law Firm?

For decades, the truck accident lawyers at the Reed & Terry Law Firm have stood up against the giants of the trucking industry. They understand that a Richmond truck accident lawyer must be more than just a legal representative; they must be a shield for the victim.

The Reed & Terry Law Firm won’t back down when the trial gets “bifurcated.” Their truck accident lawyers see it as an opportunity to prove the driver’s mistakes so undeniably that the company is forced to stand in the light and answer for their systemic failures. The Reed & Terry Law Firm is deeply familiar with the local courts in Richmond, TX, and the specific tactics used by trucking companies.

Contact the Reed & Terry Law Firm for a Free Consultation with a Truck Accident Attorney

Texas House Bill 19 was written to make it harder for you to win. It was designed to protect the profits of the trucking industry by making the road to a full verdict longer and more expensive. But the law still allows for justice—it just requires a more sophisticated path to reach it.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, do not wait. Evidence disappears, and the “Step One” clock is already ticking. You need a truck accident attorney who has been watching these laws evolve and knows exactly how to break through the corporate defense.

Contact the Reed & Terry Law Firm today. Let an experienced truck accident lawyer from their law firm navigate the “Two-Step” and fight for every penny of the compensation you are owed. Whether it’s through a settlement or a hard-fought Phase 2 verdict, a truck accident attorney from the Reed & Terry Law Firm is here to ensure that “big trucking” doesn’t get away with negligence.

Media Contact:
Reed & Terry Law Firm
201 S 11^th St.
Richmond, TX 77469
Phone: (832) 464-6893
Website: https://www.reedterrylaw.com/