18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Mullin, Texas
Every year, hundreds of devastating truck crashes occur on Texas highways and rural roads. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Mullin or anywhere in Mills County, you need experienced legal representation that understands the unique challenges of trucking cases.
At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for truck accident victims across Texas for over 25 years. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has federal court experience and has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for families devastated by catastrophic 18-wheeler crashes. We know the Mullin area trucking corridors, from US-84 to the local roads that connect our rural communities, and we understand how to hold negligent trucking companies accountable.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different in Mullin
Mullin sits in the heart of Texas, where rural roads meet major highways. The mix of local traffic and long-haul trucking creates unique dangers:
- US-84 corridor – This major east-west route carries heavy truck traffic through the region
- Rural road dangers – Narrow county roads with limited shoulders create hazards when large trucks and passenger vehicles share the road
- Agricultural trucking – Local farms and ranches generate significant truck traffic, especially during harvest seasons
- Long-distance haulers – Trucks traveling between major Texas cities often pass through Mills County
- Limited emergency services – Rural areas like Mullin have longer response times for accidents
The massive size and weight of 18-wheelers – up to 80,000 pounds – means accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Unlike car accidents, trucking cases involve complex federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and aggressive insurance defense teams.
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Mullin
Our attorneys have handled trucking cases involving:
- Driver fatigue – Violations of FMCSA hours-of-service regulations
- Distracted driving – Cell phone use, dispatch communications, GPS
- Improper maintenance – Brake failures, tire blowouts, lighting issues
- Overloaded trucks – Improperly secured or overweight cargo
- Speeding – Especially dangerous on rural roads and curves
- Intoxication – Alcohol or drug impairment
- Inexperienced drivers – Poor training or lack of qualifications
- Equipment failures – Defective brakes, tires, or other components
Many of these violations are documented in federal safety records that we obtain through our investigation process.
Catastrophic Injuries from Truck Accidents
The physics of truck accidents make severe injuries almost inevitable. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh 20-25 times more than a passenger vehicle. When these massive trucks collide with cars, the results are often devastating:
- Traumatic brain injuries – From mild concussions to severe, life-altering brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries – Often resulting in paralysis (quadriplegia or paraplegia)
- Amputations – Limbs crushed or severed in the collision
- Severe burns – From fuel fires or hazardous cargo spills
- Internal organ damage – Ruptured organs, internal bleeding
- Multiple fractures – Broken bones throughout the body
- Wrongful death – Tragically common in trucking accidents
These injuries often require lifelong medical care, extensive rehabilitation, and can prevent victims from returning to work. The financial and emotional toll on families can be overwhelming.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Your Mullin Truck Accident
Trucking accidents are complex because multiple parties may share responsibility:
- The truck driver – For negligent actions like speeding, fatigue, or distraction
- The trucking company – For negligent hiring, training, or supervision
- Cargo owners/loaders – For improperly loaded or secured cargo
- Maintenance providers – For negligent repairs or inspections
- Truck manufacturers – For defective equipment or design flaws
- Parts manufacturers – For faulty components like brakes or tires
- Freight brokers – For negligent selection of unsafe carriers
Our investigation identifies all responsible parties to maximize your compensation.
The Critical 48-Hour Window After Your Accident
Evidence disappears quickly in trucking cases. The trucking company’s rapid-response team begins protecting their interests immediately. You need to act fast to preserve crucial evidence:
- Black box data – Can be overwritten within 30 days
- ELD records – Electronic logging device data showing driver hours
- Dashcam footage – Often deleted within 7-14 days
- Surveillance video – From nearby businesses, typically overwritten quickly
- Physical evidence – The truck may be repaired or sold
- Witness memories – Fade quickly after the accident
We send preservation letters immediately to demand that all evidence be protected from destruction.
What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Mullin
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident:
- Call 911 – Report the accident and request medical assistance
- Seek medical attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out
- Document the scene – Take photos of all vehicles, damage, road conditions
- Get driver and company information – Including DOT number and license plate
- Collect witness contact information
- Do NOT give recorded statements – To any insurance company
- Call an attorney immediately – Before evidence disappears
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Mullin Truck Accident Case
1. Local Knowledge of Mills County
We understand the unique challenges of trucking cases in rural Texas. Our knowledge of local roads, courts, and trucking patterns gives us an advantage in building your case.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Staff
Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, worked for years at a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how trucking companies and their insurers try to minimize claims – and how to counter their tactics.
3. Immediate Evidence Preservation
We send spoliation letters within hours to preserve black box data, ELD records, maintenance logs, and other critical evidence before it’s destroyed.
4. Multi-Million Dollar Results
Our track record includes:
- $5+ million settlement for a logging accident brain injury case
- $3.8+ million settlement for a car accident amputation case
- $2.5+ million recovery in a truck crash case
- Millions recovered for families in wrongful death cases
5. Federal Court Experience
Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which handles complex trucking cases that cross state lines.
6. No Fee Unless We Win
We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all costs of investigation and litigation.
7. Bilingual Services
Hablamos español. Our team includes Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff to serve Mullin’s Hispanic community.
Mullin Truck Accident Case Types We Handle
We represent victims of all types of truck accidents:
- Rear-end collisions – Often caused by following too closely or brake failures
- Underride accidents – When vehicles slide under trailers, often fatal
- Jackknife accidents – Trailers swing out of control, blocking multiple lanes
- Rollover accidents – Caused by speeding, improper loading, or sharp turns
- Blind spot accidents – Trucks changing lanes into vehicles they can’t see
- Wide turn accidents – Trucks swinging wide and crushing vehicles in the turn
- Tire blowouts – Often caused by poor maintenance or overloading
- Brake failures – Resulting from deferred maintenance or defective parts
- Cargo spills – Improperly secured loads falling onto roadways
- Head-on collisions – Often caused by fatigue, distraction, or impairment
- Runaway trucks – On steep grades without proper braking
Understanding Trucking Insurance in Texas
Federal law requires commercial trucking companies to carry significantly higher insurance than personal vehicles:
- Non-hazardous freight: $750,000 minimum coverage
- Oil/petroleum transport: $1,000,000 minimum
- Hazardous materials: $5,000,000 minimum
Many carriers carry $1-5 million or more in coverage. This higher coverage means catastrophic injuries can actually be compensated, rather than leaving victims with unpaid medical bills.
Recent Trucking Verdicts in Texas
Texas juries have shown they will hold trucking companies accountable for negligence:
- $730 million verdict in a Texas trucking case (2021)
- $150 million settlement in a Texas trucking wrongful death case (2022)
- Multiple verdicts in the $10-50 million range annually
These verdicts demonstrate what’s possible when trucking companies are held fully accountable for their negligence.
Mullin Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Texas?
A: Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, you should contact an attorney immediately – critical evidence can disappear within days.
Q: What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
A: Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. You can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Q: Can I sue the trucking company if the driver caused the accident?
A: Yes. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment. Trucking companies can also be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision.
Q: What evidence is most important in a trucking case?
A: Critical evidence includes:
- Black box/ECM data
- ELD records
- Driver qualification files
- Maintenance records
- Inspection reports
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Cell phone records
- Dashcam footage
- GPS/telematics data
Q: How much is my truck accident case worth?
A: Case value depends on:
- Severity of injuries
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Degree of defendant’s negligence
- Available insurance coverage
Q: Will my case go to trial?
A: Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to go to court – and they offer better settlements to clients with trial-ready attorneys.
Q: What if the trucking company goes bankrupt?
A: We investigate all potential sources of recovery, including:
- The trucking company’s insurance
- The driver’s personal insurance
- Other liable parties’ insurance
- Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Mullin Truck Accident Resources
- Mills County Sheriff’s Office: (325) 648-2233
- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): www.txdot.gov
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
- Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): www.dps.texas.gov
Contact Our Mullin 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Mullin or anywhere in Mills County, call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. Our Mullin truck accident lawyers are available 24/7 to help you understand your rights and begin building your case.
“They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
— Glenda Walker, Attorney911 Client
“You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
— Chad Harris, Attorney911 Client
Don’t wait – evidence is disappearing every day. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now to protect your rights and start your path to recovery. Hablamos español.
