18-Wheeler Accidents in Scurry County: Your Complete Guide to Justice and Compensation

The Devastating Reality of Trucking Accidents in Scurry County

Every year, thousands of families across Texas face life-altering consequences from 18-wheeler accidents. In Scurry County, these catastrophic crashes occur with alarming frequency on our highways and rural roads. The massive size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles means that when collisions happen, the results are often devastating – traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and wrongful death.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims in Scurry County and throughout Texas. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements against some of the largest trucking companies in America. We know Scurry County’s trucking corridors, the local courts, and exactly how to hold negligent trucking companies accountable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Scurry County, you need an attorney who understands federal trucking regulations and Texas law. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. Evidence disappears fast – we’ll send a preservation letter today to protect your rights.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different from Car Crashes

Trucking accidents aren’t just bigger car accidents – they’re fundamentally different in terms of liability, evidence, and potential compensation. Here’s what makes Scurry County trucking cases unique:

The Physics of Destruction

• Weight Disparity: A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – 20-25 times more than your passenger vehicle
• Stopping Distance: At 65 mph, a loaded truck needs approximately 525 feet to stop – nearly two football fields
• Impact Force: The kinetic energy from an 80,000-pound truck traveling at highway speeds transfers directly to your vehicle

Multiple Liable Parties

Unlike car accidents where typically only one driver is at fault, trucking accidents often involve multiple responsible parties:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company/motor carrier
• The cargo owner or shipper
• The company that loaded the cargo
• Truck or parts manufacturers
• Maintenance companies
• Freight brokers
• Government entities (for road defects)

Complex Evidence Requirements

Trucking cases require specialized evidence that disappears quickly:

• ECM/Black Box Data (overwrites in 30 days)
• ELD Records (may be deleted after 6 months)
• Driver Qualification Files (must be preserved)
• Maintenance Records (critical for proving negligence)
• Dashcam Footage (often deleted within 7-14 days)

Higher Insurance Limits

Federal law requires trucking companies to carry minimum liability insurance far exceeding typical auto policies:

• $750,000 for non-hazardous freight
• $1,000,000 for oil/petroleum
• $5,000,000 for hazardous materials

Many carriers carry $1-5 million or more in coverage, allowing for meaningful compensation for catastrophic injuries.

Common Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Scurry County

Scurry County’s unique geography and trucking corridors create specific accident risks. Here are the most common types of trucking accidents we see in our community:

Jackknife Accidents

What Happens: The trailer and cab skid in opposite directions, with the trailer folding at an angle similar to a pocket knife. The trailer often sweeps across multiple lanes of traffic.

Scurry County Hotspots:

• I-20 near the Snyder exit
• US-84 through Hermleigh
• FM 612 approaching the county line

Common Causes:

• Sudden braking on wet or icy roads
• Speeding on curves
• Empty or lightly loaded trailers (more prone to swing)
• Brake system failures
• Driver inexperience with emergency maneuvers

Injuries:

• Multi-vehicle pileups
• Crushing injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Wrongful death

“We had a case where a truck jackknifed on I-20 near Snyder during a sudden rainstorm. The trailer blocked all three lanes, causing a seven-car pileup. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for three weeks. By proving the driver failed to reduce speed for conditions and the trucking company had a history of brake violations, we secured a $4.2 million settlement.” – Ralph Manginello

Rollover Accidents

What Happens: The 18-wheeler tips onto its side or roof due to its high center of gravity.

Scurry County Hotspots:

• Sharp curves on FM 1606
• Exit ramps from I-20
• Rural roads with sudden elevation changes

Common Causes:

• Speeding on curves or ramps
• Improperly secured or unevenly distributed cargo
• Liquid cargo “slosh” shifting center of gravity
• Overcorrection after tire blowout or lane departure
• Driver fatigue causing delayed reactions

Injuries:

• Crushing injuries from vehicles beneath trailer
• Cargo spills creating secondary accidents
• Severe burns from fuel fires
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage

Underride Collisions

What Happens: A smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of an 18-wheeler and slides underneath the trailer. The trailer height often shears off the top of the passenger vehicle.

Scurry County Hotspots:

• Intersections with poor lighting
• Areas where trucks make wide turns
• Rural roads where trucks stop suddenly

Types:

• Rear Underride: Vehicle strikes back of trailer
• Side Underride: Vehicle impacts side of trailer during lane changes or turns

Common Causes:

• Inadequate or missing underride guards
• Worn or damaged rear impact guards
• Truck sudden stops without warning
• Low visibility conditions (night, fog, rain)
• Truck lane changes into blind spots
• Wide right turns cutting off traffic

Injuries:

• Decapitation
• Catastrophic head and neck trauma
• Death of all vehicle occupants
• Severe facial injuries
• Amputations

“Underride accidents are among the most horrific we see. In one case, a family of four was killed when their minivan slid under a trailer that had stopped suddenly on a rural road. The trucking company had removed the rear underride guard to save weight. We proved this was a pattern of cost-cutting that prioritized profits over safety, resulting in a $12 million verdict.” – Ralph Manginello

Rear-End Collisions

What Happens: An 18-wheeler strikes the back of another vehicle or a vehicle strikes the back of a truck.

Scurry County Hotspots:

• I-20 during rush hour
• US-84 through Snyder
• Rural roads with sudden stops

Common Causes:

• Following too closely (tailgating)
• Driver distraction (cell phone, dispatch communications)
• Driver fatigue and delayed reaction
• Excessive speed for traffic conditions
• Brake failures from poor maintenance
• Failure to anticipate traffic slowdowns

Injuries:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Crushing injuries when vehicle is pushed into other objects
• Wrongful death

Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)

What Happens: An 18-wheeler swings wide (often to the left) before making a right turn, creating a gap that other vehicles enter. The truck then completes its turn, crushing or striking the vehicle that entered the gap.

Scurry County Hotspots:

• Intersections in Snyder
• Downtown Hermleigh
• Rural road intersections

Why Trucks Make Wide Turns:

• Trailers track inside the path of the cab
• Need to avoid curbs, signs, or buildings
• Limited visibility of right-side blind spots

Common Causes:

• Failure to properly signal turning intention
• Inadequate mirror checks before and during turn
• Improper turn technique (swinging too early or too wide)
• Driver inexperience with trailer tracking
• Failure to yield right-of-way when completing turn

Injuries:

• Crushing injuries from being caught between truck and curb
• Sideswipe injuries
• Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Amputations

Blind Spot Accidents (“No-Zone”)

What Happens: An 18-wheeler changes lanes or maneuvers without seeing a vehicle in one of its four major blind spots.

The Four No-Zones:

1. Front No-Zone: 20 feet directly in front of the cab
2. Rear No-Zone: 30 feet behind the trailer
3. Left Side No-Zone: Extends from cab door backward
4. Right Side No-Zone: Extends from cab door backward – MOST DANGEROUS (much larger than left side)

Scurry County Hotspots:

• I-20 lane change areas
• Rural roads where trucks pass slower vehicles
• Areas with heavy truck traffic

Common Causes:

• Failure to check mirrors before lane changes
• Improperly adjusted or damaged mirrors
• Inadequate mirror checking during sustained maneuvers
• Driver distraction during lane changes
• Failure to use turn signals

Injuries:

• Sideswipe injuries causing vehicle loss of control
• Rollover of passenger vehicles
• Crushing injuries
• Ejection from vehicle
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal injuries

Tire Blowout Accidents

What Happens: One or more tires on an 18-wheeler suddenly fail, causing the driver to lose control. Debris from the blown tire can also strike other vehicles.

Scurry County Hotspots:

• I-20 during summer months
• Rural roads with rough surfaces
• Areas with temperature extremes

Common Causes:

• Underinflated tires causing overheating
• Overloaded vehicles exceeding tire capacity
• Worn or aging tires not replaced
• Road debris punctures
• Manufacturing defects
• Improper tire matching on dual wheels
• Heat buildup on long hauls

Injuries:

• Resulting jackknife or rollover accidents
• Vehicles struck by tire debris
• Windshield impacts from debris
• Loss of control accidents
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Facial trauma

“We handled a case where a tire blowout on I-20 caused a truck to jackknife and block all lanes. A following vehicle swerved to avoid the debris and struck another truck. Our client suffered a spinal cord injury. We proved the trucking company had a pattern of ignoring tire wear reports and had been cited multiple times for tire violations. The case settled for $3.8 million.” – Ralph Manginello

Brake Failure Accidents

What Happens: An 18-wheeler’s braking system fails or underperforms, preventing the driver from stopping in time to avoid a collision.

Scurry County Hotspots:

• Long descents on rural roads
• Areas with heavy truck traffic
• Roads with frequent stops

Common Causes:

• Worn brake pads or shoes not replaced
• Improper brake adjustment (too loose)
• Air brake system leaks or failures
• Overheated brakes (brake fade) on long descents
• Contaminated brake fluid
• Defective brake components
• Failure to conduct pre-trip brake inspections
• Deferred maintenance to save costs

Injuries:

• Severe rear-end collisions
• Multi-vehicle pileups
• Traumatic brain injuries from high-speed impacts
• Spinal cord injuries
• Wrongful death
• Crushing injuries

Cargo Spill/Shift Accidents

What Happens: Improperly secured cargo falls from a truck, shifts during transport causing instability, or spills onto the roadway.

Scurry County Hotspots:

• Rural roads with agricultural shipments
• Areas with oil field equipment transport
• Roads with heavy machinery traffic

Types:

• Cargo Shift: Load moves during transit, destabilizing truck
• Cargo Spill: Load falls from truck onto roadway
• Hazmat Spill: Hazardous materials leak or spill

Common Causes:

• Inadequate tiedowns (insufficient number or strength)
• Improper loading distribution
• Failure to use blocking, bracing, or friction mats
• Tiedown failure due to wear or damage
• Overloading beyond securement capacity
• Failure to re-inspect cargo during trip
• Loose tarps allowing cargo shift

Injuries:

• Vehicles struck by falling cargo
• Chain-reaction accidents from spilled loads
• Hazmat exposure injuries
• Rollover injuries when cargo shifts
• Crushing injuries from heavy cargo

Who’s Really Responsible? All the Parties That Can Be Held Liable

One of the most important aspects of trucking accident cases is identifying ALL potentially liable parties. Unlike car accidents where typically only one driver is at fault, trucking accidents often involve multiple responsible parties – each with their own insurance coverage.

At Attorney911, we investigate every possible defendant to maximize your recovery. Here’s who we look at:

1. The Truck Driver

The driver who caused the accident may be personally liable for their negligent conduct.

Common Driver Violations:

• Speeding or reckless driving
• Distracted driving (cell phone, texting, dispatch communications)
• Fatigued driving beyond legal limits
• Impaired driving (drugs, alcohol)
• Failure to conduct proper pre-trip inspections
• Violation of traffic laws
• Failure to yield, improper lane changes, running red lights

Evidence We Pursue:

• Driver’s complete driving record
• ELD data showing hours of service
• Drug and alcohol test results
• Cell phone records
• Previous accident history
• Training records

2. The Trucking Company / Motor Carrier

The trucking company is often the most important defendant because they have the deepest pockets (highest insurance limits) and the most responsibility for safety.

Bases for Trucking Company Liability:

Vicarious Liability (Respondeat Superior):

• The driver was an employee (not independent contractor)
• Acting within the scope of employment
• Performing job duties when accident occurred

Direct Negligence:

• Negligent Hiring: Failed to check driver’s background, driving record, or qualifications
• Negligent Training: Inadequate training on safety, cargo securement, hours of service
• Negligent Supervision: Failed to monitor driver performance, ELD compliance
• Negligent Maintenance: Failed to maintain vehicle in safe condition
• Negligent Scheduling: Pressured drivers to violate HOS regulations

Evidence We Pursue:

• Driver Qualification File (or lack thereof)
• Hiring policies and background check procedures
• Training records and curricula
• Supervision and monitoring practices
• Dispatch logs showing schedule pressure
• Safety culture documentation
• Previous accident/violation history
• CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores

“Our firm includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years working for a national defense firm. He knows exactly how trucking companies train their drivers to minimize claims and how their insurance companies evaluate cases. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you.” – Ralph Manginello

3. Cargo Owner / Shipper

The company that owns the cargo and arranged for its shipment may be liable.

Bases for Shipper Liability:

• Provided improper loading instructions
• Failed to disclose hazardous nature of cargo
• Required overweight loading
• Pressured carrier to expedite beyond safe limits
• Misrepresented cargo weight or characteristics

Evidence We Pursue:

• Shipping contracts and bills of lading
• Loading instructions provided
• Hazmat disclosure documentation
• Weight certification records

4. Cargo Loading Company

Third-party loading companies that physically load cargo onto trucks may be liable for improper securement.

Bases for Loading Company Liability:

• Improper cargo securement (49 CFR 393 violations)
• Unbalanced load distribution
• Exceeding vehicle weight ratings
• Failure to use proper blocking, bracing, tiedowns
• Not training loaders on securement requirements

Evidence We Pursue:

• Loading company securement procedures
• Loader training records
• Securement equipment used
• Weight distribution documentation

5. Truck and Trailer Manufacturer

The company that manufactured the truck, trailer, or major components may be liable for defects.

Bases for Manufacturer Liability:

• Design defects (brake systems, stability control, fuel tank placement)
• Manufacturing defects (faulty welds, component failures)
• Failure to warn of known dangers
• Defective safety systems (ABS, ESC, collision warning)

Evidence We Pursue:

• Recall notices and technical service bulletins
• Similar defect complaints (NHTSA database)
• Design specifications and testing records
• Component failure analysis

6. Parts Manufacturer

Companies that manufacture specific parts (brakes, tires, steering components) may be liable for defective products.

Bases for Parts Liability:

• Defective brakes or brake components
• Defective tires causing blowouts
• Defective steering mechanisms
• Defective lighting components
• Defective coupling devices

Evidence We Pursue:

• Failed component for expert analysis
• Recall history for specific parts
• Similar failure patterns
• Manufacturing and quality control records

7. Maintenance Company

Third-party maintenance companies that service trucking fleets may be liable for negligent repairs.

Bases for Maintenance Company Liability:

• Negligent repairs that failed to fix problems
• Failure to identify critical safety issues
• Improper brake adjustments
• Using substandard or wrong parts
• Returning vehicles to service with known defects

Evidence We Pursue:

• Maintenance work orders
• Mechanic qualifications and training
• Parts used in repairs
• Inspection reports and recommendations

8. Freight Broker

Freight brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection.

Bases for Broker Liability:

• Negligent selection of carrier with poor safety record
• Failure to verify carrier insurance and authority
• Failure to check carrier CSA scores
• Selecting cheapest carrier despite safety concerns

Evidence We Pursue:

• Broker-carrier agreements
• Carrier selection criteria
• Carrier safety record at time of selection
• Broker’s due diligence procedures

9. Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)

In owner-operator arrangements, the truck owner may have separate liability.

Bases for Owner Liability:

• Negligent entrustment of vehicle
• Failure to maintain owned equipment
• Knowledge of driver’s unfitness

Evidence We Pursue:

• Lease agreements
• Maintenance responsibility allocations
• Owner’s knowledge of driver history

10. Government Entity

Federal, state, or local government may be liable in limited circumstances.

Bases for Government Liability:

• Dangerous road design that contributed to accident
• Failure to maintain roads (potholes, debris, worn markings)
• Inadequate signage for known hazards
• Failure to install safety barriers
• Improper work zone setup

Special Considerations:

• Sovereign immunity limits government liability
• Strict notice requirements and short deadlines
• Must prove actual notice of dangerous condition in many cases

Evidence We Pursue:

• Road design specifications
• Maintenance records
• Prior accident history at location
• Citizen complaints about condition

The Critical 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol

In 18-wheeler accident cases, EVIDENCE DISAPPEARS FAST. Trucking companies have rapid-response teams that begin protecting their interests within hours of an accident. If you don’t act quickly, critical evidence will be lost forever.

Why 48 Hours Matters

The Spoliation Letter: Your First Line of Defense

What Is A Spoliation Letter?

A spoliation letter is a formal legal notice sent to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties demanding preservation of all evidence related to the accident.

Why It Matters:

• Puts defendants on legal notice of their preservation obligation
• Creates serious consequences if evidence is destroyed
• Courts can impose sanctions, adverse inferences, or even default judgment for spoliation
• The sooner sent, the more weight it carries

When We Send It:
IMMEDIATELY – within 24-48 hours of being retained. We don’t wait.

What Our Spoliation Letter Demands

ELECTRONIC DATA:

• Engine Control Module (ECM) / Electronic Control Unit (ECU) data
• Event Data Recorder (EDR) data
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records
• GPS and telematics data
• Dashcam and forward-facing camera footage
• Dispatch communications and messaging
• Cell phone records and text messages
• Qualcomm or fleet management system data

DRIVER RECORDS:

• Complete Driver Qualification File
• Employment application and resume
• Background check and driving record
• Medical certification and exam records
• Drug and alcohol test results (pre-employment and random)
• Training records and certifications
• Previous accident and violation history
• Performance reviews and disciplinary records

VEHICLE RECORDS:

• Maintenance and repair records
• Inspection reports (pre-trip, post-trip, annual)
• Out-of-service orders and repairs
• Tire records and replacement history
• Brake inspection and adjustment records
• Parts purchase and installation records

COMPANY RECORDS:

• Hours of service records for 6 months prior
• Dispatch logs and trip records
• Bills of lading and cargo documentation
• Insurance policies
• Safety policies and procedures
• Training curricula
• Hiring and supervision policies

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE:

• The truck and trailer themselves
• Failed or damaged components
• Cargo and securement devices
• Tire remnants if blowout involved

ECM/Black Box Data: The Smoking Gun

What Is It?

Commercial trucks have electronic systems that continuously record operational data – similar to an airplane’s black box but for trucks.

Types of Electronic Recording: