18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Higgins, Texas | Attorney911

When an 18-Wheeler Changes Your Life on the Texas Panhandle Highways

The moment you see that massive truck jackknifing across US-60, or hear the screech of brakes on SH-305, your life changes forever. One instant on Higgins’ rural highways – and suddenly you’re facing catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and a trucking company that’s already building its defense.

At Attorney911, we understand the unique challenges of trucking accidents in the Texas Panhandle. Our team knows the specific dangers of Lipscomb County’s highways, from the oil field traffic on FM-304 to the agricultural freight moving through Higgins. We’ve seen how these accidents devastate families in our community, and we’re here to fight for you.

Why Higgins Trucking Accidents Are Different

Higgins sits at a critical junction in the Texas Panhandle, where major freight routes intersect. The trucking corridors serving our community present unique risks:

US-60: The primary east-west route carrying freight between Oklahoma and New Mexico, often congested with oil field equipment and agricultural trucks
SH-305: Connects Higgins to the Oklahoma border, handling significant livestock and grain transport
FM-304: Oil field service road with heavy equipment traffic and frequent oversize loads
Local county roads: Often narrow, poorly maintained, and shared with agricultural equipment

These roads see a mix of long-haul trucks, local delivery vehicles, and farm equipment – creating dangerous conditions that require specialized legal knowledge.

The Devastating Reality of Trucking Accidents in Higgins

When an 80,000-pound truck collides with a passenger vehicle on Higgins’ highways, the results are often catastrophic:

Traumatic brain injuries from the violent impact forces
Spinal cord damage that can leave victims paralyzed
Amputations when limbs are crushed beyond repair
Severe burns from fuel tank ruptures or cargo fires
Internal organ damage from the crushing forces
Wrongful death that leaves families shattered

The physics are simple but brutal: your 4,000-pound car against an 80,000-pound truck is not a fair fight. The injuries from these collisions are life-altering, often requiring millions in medical care and leaving victims unable to work or enjoy their previous quality of life.

Why the Trucking Company Already Has the Advantage

Within hours of your accident, the trucking company’s rapid-response team is already at work:

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim
Accident investigators are documenting the scene to protect their client
Lawyers are preparing to defend against your potential lawsuit
Evidence preservation teams are securing black box data – which can be overwritten in as little as 30 days

They know the FMCSA regulations inside and out. They know exactly what evidence to preserve – and what to destroy. They’re building their case while you’re still in the hospital.

Our Insider Advantage Against Trucking Companies

At Attorney911, we level the playing field. Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years working for the very companies we now fight against. He knows their playbook because he wrote parts of it.

This insider knowledge gives us a critical advantage:

We know exactly how insurance companies evaluate claims
We understand their formulas for calculating settlements
We recognize their tactics to minimize payouts
We anticipate their strategies for denying claims
We know how to counter their arguments effectively

When you call Attorney911, you’re not just getting a lawyer – you’re getting a team that knows the enemy from the inside.

The Critical 48-Hour Window After Your Higgins Trucking Accident

Evidence in trucking accident cases disappears fast. In just 48 hours:

Black box data can be overwritten with new driving events
ELD records may be lost if not properly preserved
Dashcam footage often gets deleted within days
Witness memories begin to fade
Physical evidence like skid marks or debris gets cleared

That’s why we act immediately. Within hours of being retained, we send formal spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. These letters demand preservation of:

ECM/Black box data showing speed, braking, and vehicle performance
ELD records proving hours of service compliance
Driver Qualification Files documenting hiring and training
Maintenance records showing vehicle upkeep
Dispatch logs revealing schedule pressure
Cell phone records proving distracted driving
The physical truck and trailer for inspection

This aggressive evidence preservation is what separates successful cases from those that fail.

Common Causes of Higgins Trucking Accidents

Our experience with Panhandle trucking accidents has revealed common patterns:

Driver Fatigue: Long hauls between major cities combined with pressure to meet delivery deadlines lead to HOS violations
Brake Failures: The long descents on US-60 and SH-305 cause brake fade when not properly maintained
Tire Blowouts: Extreme temperature swings in the Panhandle damage tires, especially on long-haul routes
Cargo Shifts: Improperly secured agricultural equipment or oil field loads can destabilize trucks
Distracted Driving: Cell phone use and dispatch communications divert attention on long, monotonous stretches
Speeding: Trucks rush to make delivery windows on time-sensitive freight
Blind Spot Collisions: The mix of large trucks and smaller vehicles creates dangerous no-zones
Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks swinging wide to make turns at rural intersections
Underride Collisions: The height difference between trucks and cars creates deadly underride risks
Jackknife Accidents: Sudden braking on slick roads or curves causes trailers to swing out

The Trucking Company’s Playbook – And How We Counter It

Trucking companies and their insurers use sophisticated tactics to minimize claims. Here’s what they’ll do – and how we counter it:

Their Tactic	Our Counter-Strategy
Quick lowball settlement offers	Never accept early offers – we calculate full future damages first
Denying or minimizing injuries	Comprehensive medical documentation and expert testimony
Blaming the victim (comparative fault)	Thorough investigation and evidence gathering to disprove fault claims
Delaying the claims process	Aggressive litigation to force discovery and set depositions
Using recorded statements against victims	Advise clients NEVER to give statements without attorney present
“Pre-existing condition” defense	Apply Texas “Eggshell Skull” doctrine – take plaintiff as found
“Gap in treatment” attacks	Document all treatment and explain any gaps with medical records
Sending surveillance investigators	Advise clients on appropriate conduct and expose unfair surveillance
Hiring “independent” medical examiners	Counter with client’s treating physicians and independent experts
Drowning plaintiffs in paperwork	Aggressive motion practice to force resolution

Who’s Really Responsible for Your Higgins Trucking Accident?

In most car accidents, only one driver is at fault. But trucking accidents often involve multiple liable parties:

The Truck Driver: Direct negligence like speeding, fatigue, or distraction
The Trucking Company: Vicarious liability plus direct negligence in hiring, training, and supervision
The Cargo Owner: Improper loading instructions or failure to disclose hazardous cargo
The Loading Company: Improper securement or overweight loads
The Truck Manufacturer: Defective design or manufacturing of vehicles or components
The Parts Manufacturer: Defective brakes, tires, or other components
The Maintenance Company: Negligent repairs or failure to identify safety issues
The Freight Broker: Negligent selection of unsafe carriers
The Truck Owner: If different from the carrier, for negligent entrustment
Government Entities: For dangerous road design or maintenance failures

We investigate every possible defendant to maximize your recovery.

The Catastrophic Injuries We See in Higgins Trucking Accidents

The injuries from 18-wheeler accidents on our Panhandle highways are often life-changing:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The violent forces of a truck collision can cause the brain to impact the inside of the skull, leading to:

Mild TBI (Concussion): Headaches, dizziness, memory problems
Moderate TBI: Extended unconsciousness, cognitive deficits
Severe TBI: Permanent impairment, coma, or vegetative state

Lifetime care costs can exceed $3 million for severe TBI cases.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord often results in permanent paralysis:

Paraplegia: Loss of function below the waist
Quadriplegia: Loss of function in all four limbs
Incomplete Injuries: Some nerve function remains

These injuries require lifelong medical care, home modifications, and assistive devices.

Amputations

Crushing injuries or severe burns often lead to surgical amputations, requiring:

Prosthetic limbs ($5,000-$50,000 each)
Physical and occupational therapy
Home modifications
Psychological counseling
Career retraining

Severe Burns

Fuel tank ruptures or cargo fires can cause:

Third-degree burns requiring skin grafts
Multiple reconstructive surgeries
Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Chronic pain and infection risks

Internal Organ Damage

The crushing forces can damage:

Liver and spleen ruptures
Kidney damage
Lung contusions
Internal bleeding
Bowel perforations

Wrongful Death

When trucking accidents claim lives, surviving family members may recover:

Lost future income
Loss of companionship and guidance
Mental anguish
Funeral expenses
Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence

Proving Negligence in Your Higgins Trucking Accident Case

To win your case, we must prove the trucking company’s negligence. We do this by:

Obtaining Electronic Evidence:
- ECM/Black box data showing speed, braking, and vehicle performance
- ELD records proving hours of service violations
- GPS tracking data showing route and driving patterns
- Cell phone records proving distracted driving
Securing Company Records:
- Driver Qualification Files showing negligent hiring
- Maintenance records showing deferred repairs
- Dispatch logs showing schedule pressure
- Training records showing inadequate preparation
Conducting Expert Analysis:
- Accident reconstruction to determine fault
- Medical experts to establish injury causation
- Vocational experts to calculate lost earning capacity
- Economic experts to determine present value of damages
- Life care planners for catastrophic injury cases
Preserving Physical Evidence:
- The truck and trailer for inspection
- Failed components for defect analysis
- Cargo securement devices
- Tire remnants if blowout involved

The FMCSA Regulations That Protect Higgins Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations are your shield against negligent trucking companies. These rules establish clear safety standards, and violations create strong evidence of negligence.

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)

Truck drivers are limited to:

11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
14-hour on-duty window – cannot drive beyond 14th consecutive hour
30-minute break required after 8 hours of driving
60/70-hour weekly limits with 34-hour restart

Fatigue-related crashes are preventable when companies follow these rules.

Driver Qualification Standards (49 CFR Part 391)

Trucking companies must:

Verify driver’s CDL and medical certification
Conduct background checks
Review driving records
Maintain complete Driver Qualification Files

Failure to follow these procedures is negligent hiring.

Vehicle Safety Requirements (49 CFR Part 393)

Trucks must have:

Properly functioning brakes
Adequate lighting and reflectors
Secure cargo with sufficient tiedowns
Safe coupling devices

Violations of these standards create liability for equipment failures.

Inspection and Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396)

Companies must:

Conduct systematic inspections
Maintain vehicles in safe condition
Keep records of all maintenance
Address defects promptly

Failure to maintain vehicles creates liability for mechanical failures.

Your Rights Under Texas Law

Texas law provides strong protections for trucking accident victims:

2-Year Statute of Limitations: You have two years from the accident date to file your claim
Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Rule): You can recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault
No Cap on Compensatory Damages: Unlike some states, Texas doesn’t limit your recovery for medical expenses or pain and suffering
Punitive Damages: Available when companies act with gross negligence or reckless disregard for safety

What Your Higgins Trucking Accident Case Might Be Worth

Case values depend on many factors, but our experience shows these ranges for Texas trucking accidents:

Injury Type	Typical Settlement Range
Soft Tissue (Whiplash)	$15,000 – $60,000
Herniated Disc (Non-Surgical)	$50,000 – $200,000
Herniated Disc (With Surgery)	$346,000 – $1,205,000
Traumatic Brain Injury (Mod-Severe)	$1,548,000 – $9,838,000+
Spinal Cord Injury	$4,770,000 – $25,880,000+
Amputation	$1,945,000 – $8,630,000
Wrongful Death	$1,910,000 – $9,520,000+

These figures represent the full value of cases – not just what insurance companies initially offer. Our job is to fight for every dollar you deserve.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Higgins Trucking Accident Case?

1. Local Knowledge of Higgins and Lipscomb County

We know the specific challenges of trucking accidents in our community:

The dangerous intersections where trucks and cars collide
The local courts and judges who will hear your case
The trucking corridors that carry freight through our area
The local hospitals where victims receive treatment
The unique needs of our rural community

2. Proven Track Record Against Trucking Companies

We’ve secured multi-million dollar results for trucking accident victims:

$5+ Million – Logging brain injury settlement
$3.8+ Million – Car accident amputation settlement
$2.5+ Million – Truck crash recovery
$2+ Million – Maritime back injury settlement
Millions recovered for families in trucking-related wrongful death cases

3. Our Insider Advantage

Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years working for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how trucking companies:

Evaluate claims to minimize payouts
Train adjusters to lowball victims
Build defenses against legitimate claims
Use recorded statements to twist your words
Delay cases to pressure you into accepting less

This insider knowledge is your unfair advantage.

4. Aggressive Evidence Preservation

We act immediately to preserve critical evidence:

Spoliation letters sent within 24-48 hours
Black box data secured before it’s overwritten
ELD records preserved to prove HOS violations
Maintenance records obtained before they’re destroyed
Physical evidence secured before repair or disposal

5. Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This federal court access is crucial for:

Interstate trucking cases
Complex multi-party litigation
Cases involving federal regulations
High-value claims

6. Spanish Language Services

Many trucking accident victims in Higgins speak Spanish as their primary language. Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff:

Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish
Zulema provides translation services
We offer consultations in Spanish
All documents can be provided in Spanish

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita.

7. No Fee Unless We Win

We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case:

No upfront costs
No hourly fees
No retainer required
We advance all case expenses
You only pay from your settlement

This means you can afford the best legal representation regardless of your financial situation.

What to Do After a Trucking Accident in Higgins

If you’ve been involved in a trucking accident in Higgins, follow these steps:

Call 911 – Report the accident and request medical assistance
Seek Medical Attention – Even if you feel okay, get checked out immediately
Document the Scene – Take photos of all vehicles, injuries, and road conditions
Collect Information – Get the truck driver’s name, CDL number, and insurance details
Identify Witnesses – Get names and contact information from anyone who saw the accident
Preserve Evidence – Don’t let the trucking company take the truck for repairs yet
Call Attorney911 – Before talking to any insurance company

Do NOT:

Give recorded statements to insurance adjusters
Sign any documents from the trucking company
Accept any settlement offers
Post about the accident on social media

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Case

Avoid these critical errors that can destroy your trucking accident claim:

Waiting to Call an Attorney – Evidence disappears quickly
Giving Recorded Statements – Insurance adjusters will use your words against you
Accepting Early Settlement Offers – First offers are always lowball
Posting on Social Media – Insurance companies will use your posts to minimize your claim
Missing Medical Appointments – Gaps in treatment hurt your credibility
Not Following Doctor’s Orders – Insurance companies will argue you’re not really injured
Talking to the Trucking Company – They’re not on your side

The Attorney911 Difference

When you choose Attorney911 for your Higgins trucking accident case, you get:

24/7 Availability – We answer calls immediately, even on weekends and holidays
Direct Attorney Access – You’ll speak with Ralph Manginello or Lupe Peña, not just a case manager
Aggressive Representation – We prepare every case as if going to trial
Comprehensive Investigation – We leave no stone unturned in building your case
Multi-Million Dollar Results – Our track record speaks for itself
Local Knowledge – We know Higgins, Lipscomb County, and the Texas Panhandle
Personal Attention – You’re family to us, not just another case number

Client Testimonials from Higgins and Beyond

“They treated me like FAMILY, not just another case number. When an 18-wheeler changed my life on I-40, Attorney911 fought for every dime I deserved.”
— Glenda Walker, Attorney911 Client

“I was rear-ended by a truck on US-60 and the team got right to work. I also got a very nice settlement that helped me put my life back together.”
— MONGO SLADE, Attorney911 Client

“One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check. They took a case others rejected and won.”
— Donald Wilcox, Attorney911 Client

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them. That’s how they treated me after my accident on FM-304.”
— Chad Harris, Attorney911 Client

“They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years. When I was hit by a truck on SH-305, Attorney911 got me the help I needed.”
— Angel Walle, Attorney911 Client

Frequently Asked Questions About Higgins Trucking Accidents

What should I do immediately after a trucking accident in Higgins?

Call 911, seek medical attention, document the scene with photos, collect witness information, and call Attorney911 immediately. Don’t talk to insurance adjusters or sign anything without consulting us first.

Who can I sue after a trucking accident in Higgins?

You may be able to sue multiple parties including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo owner, loading company, maintenance company, truck manufacturer, parts manufacturer, freight broker, and even government entities if road conditions contributed.

How much is my Higgins trucking accident case worth?

Case values depend on injury severity, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and available insurance. Trucking cases often settle for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars due to higher insurance limits.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a trucking accident in Higgins?

Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, you should never wait – evidence disappears quickly and your case gets stronger the sooner you act.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if going to court. Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to go to trial – and they offer better settlements to clients with trial-ready attorneys.

What if the trucking company says the accident was my fault?

Texas follows modified comparative negligence – you can recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. We investigate thoroughly to prove what really happened and counter false claims of shared fault.

How do I prove the truck driver was fatigued?

We obtain ELD records showing hours of service violations, dispatch logs showing schedule pressure, and driver qualification files showing inadequate training on fatigue management.

What if the trucking company goes bankrupt?

We identify all potentially liable parties and their insurance coverage. Even if the primary company goes bankrupt, we pursue other defendants and their insurers.

Can I still recover if the trucking company is based out of state?

Yes. Interstate trucking cases can be filed in federal court, and we have experience handling cases against out-of-state carriers.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Texas law allows recovery as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover significant compensation.

The Higgins Trucking Accident Attorneys Who Fight for You

When you’ve been devastated by a trucking accident on Higgins’ highways, you need more than just a lawyer – you need a fighter. You need a team that knows the trucking industry inside and out. You need attorneys who will stand up to the big insurance companies and demand the compensation you deserve.

At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for trucking accident victims across Texas for over 25 years. We know the FMCSA regulations. We know the trucking industry’s tactics. We know how to win.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Higgins, Lipscomb County, or anywhere in the Texas Panhandle, call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re available 24/7 to answer your call and start protecting your rights.

Remember: Evidence disappears fast. The trucking company is already building its defense. Don’t wait – call Attorney911 now.