Full-Service Armstrong County Trucking Accident & Commercial Vehicle Litigation

The impact was catastrophic. On a high-speed stretch of US-287 in Armstrong County, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your vehicle. In that single, violent moment, the life you knew was replaced by a landscape of sirens, hospitals, and intense physical pain. You were just trying to get home or to work in Claude or Wayside, and now you’re facing a legal emergency against a trucking company that has already deployed its own team of investigators to the scene.

At Attorney911, led by our managing partner Ralph Manginello, we understand that you aren’t just looking for any lawyer; you’re looking for a fighter. With over 25 years of courtroom experience since 1998, Ralph has spent his career holding massive corporate entities accountable for the devastation they leave behind on Armstrong County roads. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for families across Texas, handling everything from traumatic brain injuries to wrongful death claims. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 giants like BP and Walmart, and we know that winning a trucking case in Armstrong County requires moving faster and hitting harder than the insurance companies.

We have an unfair advantage that works in your favor: our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who previously worked for a national insurance defense firm. He spent years inside the system, learning the exact playbooks adjusters use to minimize and deny trucking accident claims in Armstrong County. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to deconstruct their defenses and maximize your recovery. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Armstrong County Require Specialized Litigation

Armstrong County sits at a critical crossroads of American commerce. Every single day, thousands of 18-wheelers, commercial tankers, and delivery vehicles roar through the Panhandle on US-287 and State Highway 15. The distance between Claude and nearby shipping hubs means drivers are often reaching the end of their legal hours-of-service limits while crossing our county lines. Tired drivers, high Panhandle winds, and the immense weight of these vehicles create a lethal environment for local families.

When an 80,000-pound truck traveling at 70 mph on a rural Armstrong County road fails to stop, the physics are absolute. A semi-truck is 20 to 25 times heavier than your passenger car, carrying enough kinetic energy to flatten a sedan. These cases aren’t just “big car accidents.” They are complex federal regulatory disputes. Every commercial vehicle operating in Armstrong County is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and proving a violation of these rules is the heartbeat of a successful claim.

Whether you were hit by a long-haul 18-wheeler, an Amazon delivery van rushing through a residential area, or an oilfield water truck on a lease road, every hour you wait allows evidence to disappear. Black box data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days. We send spoliation letters within 24 to 48 hours to lock down that data. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation.

Texas Trucking Laws and Your Rights in Armstrong County

Navigating the legal system after a trucking accident in Armstrong County means understanding the specific laws of the State of Texas. These rules determine how long you have to act and how much you can recover.

The Two-Year Statute of Limitations

In Texas, you generally have just two years from the date of the accident to file a formal lawsuit. While two years may sound like a long time, in the world of Armstrong County trucking litigation, it is a blink of an eye. Building a multi-million dollar case requires accident reconstruction, medical expert testimony, and deep-dive discovery into the trucking company’s internal records. If you wait too long, you lose your right to any compensation, regardless of the severity of your injuries.

Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Bar Rule)

Texas follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident in Armstrong County, provided your responsibility is 50% or less. However, if a jury finds you are 51% or more responsible for the wreck, you recover nothing. The trucking company’s lawyers will fight tooth and nail to shift 51% of the blame onto you to avoid paying a dime. This is why having Lupe Peña, with his insurance defense background, is critical. We know how they will attempt to twist the facts, and we know how to stop them.

Mandatory Insurance Minimums

Because commercial vehicles cause so much damage on Armstrong County roads, the FMCSA mandates high insurance limits. While a typical Armstrong County driver might only carry $30,000 in coverage, a non-hazardous freight 18-wheeler must carry at least $750,000. If that truck is hauling oil or hazardous materials, that minimum jumps to $5,000,000. Our job is to find all available policies, including umbrella and excess layers, to ensure your medical bills and lost wages are fully covered.

Every Armstrong County trucking case is a battle for your future. Don’t let a corporate insurance adjuster talk you into a quick, lowball settlement before you know the true extent of your injuries. Call the team that has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for victims of catastrophic trauma: 888-ATTY-911.

FMCSA Regulations: How We Prove Negligence in Armstrong County

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established thousands of pages of regulations designed to keep the people of Armstrong County safe. When a trucking company or driver ignores these rules to save time or money, they are negligent by law. At Attorney911, we use these 49 CFR regulations as the foundation of our litigation strategy.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS) and Driver Fatigue

Fatigue is a silent killer on the long, straight stretches of US-287 in Armstrong County. Federal law is strict: drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours. When drivers push past these limits—often under pressure from dispatchers to meet a deadline in Claude or Amarillo—they become as dangerous as drunk drivers. Since 2017, the ELD (Electronic Logging Device) mandate has made it harder to “cook the books,” but we still find sophisticated ways companies try to hide HOS violations.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification and Negligent Hiring

Was the driver who hit you in Armstrong County actually qualified to be behind the wheel? Under Part 391, trucking companies must maintain a Driver Qualification File for every operator. This file must prove the driver has a valid CDL, a current medical examiner’s certificate, and has passed an annual driving record review. If a company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or multiple accidents without proper vetting, we can hold that company directly liable for negligent hiring.

49 CFR Part 393: Parts, Accessories, and Cargo Securement

Trucks in Armstrong County carry everything from cattle to heavy industrial equipment. If a load shifts on State Highway 207, it can cause a rollover or jackknife. Part 393 requires cargo to be contained and immobilized to withstand massive deceleration and lateral forces. Furthermore, this regulation governs essential safety equipment like brakes and tires. Brake failure accounts for nearly 30% of truck crashes; if the company deferred maintenance to save a few dollars, they are responsible for the resulting carnage.

49 CFR Part 382: Drug and Alcohol Testing

Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard. A BAC of .04 is the limit for commercial operators—half the limit for personal vehicles. Companies must conduct pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing. If a driver in Armstrong County tests positive after a wreck, it is a massive piece of evidence that we leverage to secure the maximum possible recovery for you.

When you hire Ralph Manginello and the Attorney911 team, you’re hiring lawyers who know these regulations inside and out. We don’t just look at the crash report; we look at the driver’s 3-year employment history, the truck’s maintenance logs for the last year, and the carrier’s CSA safety scores. This level of detail is why we’ve successfully litigated against some of the largest carriers in the country. Call us at (888) 288-9911 for an attorney who speaks the language of federal trucking law.

Major Types of Trucking Accidents in Armstrong County

Truck accidents involve unique physics that create specific, devastating scenarios. Understanding how your accident happened is the first step in identifying who is to blame.

Jackknife Accidents on US-287

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic like a massive blade. This is common in the Panhandle during rain or ice where Armstrong County roads become slick. High speeds and improper braking can cause the trailer to lose traction and fold. If you were trapped in a multi-vehicle pileup caused by a jackknifing truck, we will investigate the ELD logs and black box data to see if the driver was speeding for the conditions.

Rollover Crashes and Panhandle Wind Hazards

Armstrong County is famous for its wind gusts. High-profile trailers, especially those that are empty or improperly loaded, are highly susceptible to rollovers. A driver failing to slow down on the curves near the Palo Duro Canyon area or reacting poorly to a crosswind can flip an 80,000-pound vehicle onto its side. These accidents are particularly deadly, often causing underride collisions where passenger cars are crushed beneath the trailer.

Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Wrecks

An underride occurs when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a semi-trailer. Because of the height disparity, the car’s safety features—crumple zones and airbags—are often bypassed, and the trailer enters the passenger cabin at windshield height. These are frequently fatal. We look at whether the truck was equipped with properly maintained “Mansfield bars” (rear impact guards) and whether the company should have invested in side-underride guards.

Blind Spot and Wide Turn “Squeeze” Accidents

Trucks have massive “No-Zones” on all four sides. A truck changing lanes on a busy stretch of highway near Claude may simply not see your vehicle. Similarly, “wide turn” accidents occur when a driver swings left to make a right turn, trapping a car in the gap. These are signs of inadequate training and driver inattention.

Tire Blowouts and Negligent Maintenance

In the extreme heat of a Texas summer, poorly maintained tires on Armstrong County highways are ticking time bombs. Manufacturing defects, using retreads on steer axles, or simple neglect can lead to a violent blowout that causes a driver to lose total control. We subpoena maintenance records to see if the company knew these tires were bald or aging but sent the truck out anyway.

Rear-End Collisions and Stopping Distance

At 65 mph, an 18-wheeler needs about 525 feet to come to a complete stop. When a fatigued or distracted driver fails to notice traffic slowing down on US-287 in Armstrong County, they essentially turn their truck into an unguided missile. These impacts cause severe spinal cord trauma and traumatic brain injuries that can last a lifetime.

If you’ve been hurt in any of these scenarios, the trucking company is already working to blame you. Ralph Manginello and our former insurance defense specialist Lupe Peña are ready to hit back. Our firm has achieved multi-million dollar results for traumatic brain injury and amputation victims precisely because we understand the mechanics of these crashes. Your recovery starts with one call to 1-888-ATTY-911.

Oilfield Trucking Accidents in the Armstrong County Region

While Armstrong County is known for its agricultural roots, it sits near significant oil and gas activity in the Texas Panhandle. This brings unique hazards: oilfield water trucks, sand haulers, crude tankers, and crew transport vans.

The Problem with 24/7 Oilfield Operations

The oil patch never sleeps, and that means oilfield trucks are on Armstrong County roads 24 hours a day. Frac operations require hundreds of sand truck deliveries per well. These drivers are often paid by the load, creating a terrifying incentive to speed and skip legally required rest breaks. When a fatigued sand hauler rolls over on a two-lane FM road in Armstrong County, the corporate operator shares the blame for setting an impossible schedule.

Dual Jurisdiction: FMCSA and OSHA

Oilfield truck accidents are unique because they often fall under both trucking laws (FMCSA) and industrial safety rules (OSHA). If the accident happened entering a wellsite or on a private lease road, we look for violations of both. We litigate against major service companies like Halliburton and Schlumberger, and we know how to hold the lease operator accountable when their “company man” pressures a driver to violate safety protocols.

Hazardous Materials and $5 Million Policies

Many oilfield trucks in Armstrong County carry crude oil or produced water, which is often classified as a hazardous material. These vehicles must carry $5 million in insurance. Recovering this compensation requires an attorney like Ralph Manginello, admitted to the Southern District of Texas federal court, who can navigate the high-stakes world of energy sector litigation. We’ve fought companies like BP and won; we aren’t intimidated by the oil company’s legal team. Call us today: 888-ATTY-911.

Accidents Involving Corporate Delivery Fleets: Amazon, Walmart, and FedEx

You don’t just see 18-wheelers on Armstrong County roads; you see the rise of the last-mile delivery fleet. Amazon vans, FedEx trucks, and Walmart delivery vehicles are now ubiquitous. These cases involve a different kind of corporate strategy.

The Amazon “Independent Contractor” Defense

Amazon uses a complex structure called “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs). When an Amazon van hits you in Armstrong County, Amazon will tell you that the driver doesn’t actually work for Amazon. They claim they aren’t responsible for the DSP’s negligence. We’ve fought this defense before. Amazon controls the routes, the uniforms, the AI monitoring cameras, and the delivery quotas. We know how to pierce that corporate shield and hold the billion-dollar parent company accountable.

Walmart’s Direct Fleet Responsibility

Unlike Amazon, Walmart operates its own massive fleet. When a Walmart driver is negligent on a highway through Armstrong County, Walmart is directly liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Walmart is a sophisticated, self-insured defendant. They handle their own claims and fight aggressively to protect their bottom line. Our managing partner Ralph Manginello has spent 25 years taking on retail and logistics giants and forcing them to pay fair settlements to injured families.

Schedule Pressure and Residential Hazards

Corporations like FedEx and UPS set strict delivery windows that encourage drivers to take risks in residential areas of Armstrong County. Speeding, failing to look before backing, and making illegal U-turns are common delivery fleet errors. If a delivery truck hit your child or family member in a neighborhood, the system that created that pressure is at fault.

We know how these companies operate. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years representing insurance companies and large corporations—now he fights for you. He knows their valuation software and their negotiation tactics. Hablamos Español. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 to put a former insurance insider in your corner.

Holding All Liable Parties Accountable

Most people think you only sue the truck driver. In an 18-wheeler accident in Armstrong County, that is a mistake that could cost you millions. We investigate the entire chain of responsibility to find every available insurance policy.

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding, fatigue, or impairment.
2. The Trucking Company: For negligent hiring, training, and vicarious liability.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If improper loading instructions caused a shift or spill.
4. The Loading Facility: For failing to properly secure the cargo per FMCSA Part 393.
5. The Truck Manufacturer: If a design defect like a steering failure or brake flaw caused the crash.
6. Parts Manufacturers: For defective tires (blowouts) or faulty commercial lights.
7. Maintenance Companies: If a third-party mechanic failed to adjust brakes or ignore safety warnings.
8. Freight Brokers: For “negligent selection” of a carrier with a dangerous safety history.
9. The Truck Owner: If they leased a dangerous or unmaintained vehicle to a driver.
10. Government Entities: If poor road design or unpatched potholes in Armstrong County contributed to the crash.
11. Corporate Parent Brands: Holding companies like Amazon or Coca-Cola responsible for their contractors.
12. Oilfield Operators: If the well operator’s production demands caused a fatigued driver to crash.
13. Staffing Agencies: If they provided an unqualified driver for an oilfield or delivery job.
14. Rental Company: Holding U-Haul or Penske accountable for renting trucks to unqualified drivers.
15. Transit Agencies: For bus accidents involving municipal or school district vehicles.
16. Federal Government: If hit by a USPS mail truck or military vehicle (FTCA rules apply).

At Attorney911, we are “Legal Emergency Lawyers™.” We don’t settle for the easy answer. We dig into the contracts, the shipping manifests, and the corporate hierarchies to ensure every penny you’re owed is recovered from every responsible party. Don’t settle for a firm that only does the bare minimum. Call the team that fights for every dime: 1-888-ATTY-911.

The 48-Hour Urgency: Preserving Evidence in Armstrong County

The clock started the moment that truck hit you. In the world of Armstrong County 18-wheeler litigation, evidence is fragile and often intentionally destroyed.

Electronic Evidence: The Silent Witness

Every modern truck has an Engine Control Module (ECM) and an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). These systems record your speed, the moment the driver hit the brakes, and whether they had been on the road longer than the legal 11-hour limit. Many systems are programmed to overwrite this data after 30 days of standard driving. If the trucking company moves the truck or puts it back in service, the evidence of your crash is erased.

Why We Send Spoliation Letters Immediately

A spoliation letter is a formal legal demand to the trucking company and its insurer to “freeze” all evidence. It forbids them from repairing the truck, destroying logs, or deleting camera footage. Sending this letter within the first 48 hours is the single most important thing we do. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, we can request a “spoliation instruction” from an Armstrong County judge, which essentially tells the jury to assume the destroyed evidence proved the company was guilty.

Physical Evidence at the Scene

Armstrong County is subject to high winds and sudden storms. Skid marks on the pavement, debris patterns, and fluid spills can be washed away by a single rain event. We hire independent accident reconstruction experts who specialize in trucking crashes to inspect the scene, measure the yaw marks, and document the road conditions before they change.

The trucking company has lawyers working for them right now. As client Chad Harris said about our firm, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” Let our family protect yours. Call 888-ATTY-911 now.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Lifetime Care in Armstrong County

A trucking accident doesn’t just cause “pain.” It causes permanent, life-altering trauma. We have secured multi-million dollar settlements for victims of the most severe injuries because we understand that your damages must last for the rest of your life.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The deceleration forces in an Armstrong County 18-wheeler crash are enough to pull the brain across the inside of the skull, causing axonal shearing and permanent cognitive damage. TBI symptoms aren’t always immediate; you may experience memory loss, personality changes, or debilitating headaches weeks later. Settlements for severe TBI can range from $1.5M to nearly $10M because the victim may need 24/7 care and can never work again.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

When a truck’s weight collapses a car’s roof, the results are often permanent paralysis. Quadriplegia or paraplegia victims face millions in lifetime medical costs for surgeries, specialized wheelchairs, home modifications, and physical therapy. We fight for settlements in the $4.7M to $25.8M range for spinal cord victims because we know how expensive the future is.

Amputation and Crush Injuries

Losing a limb in a crash or through surgical necessity is a traumatic, life-changing event. We’ve recovered over $3.8 million for amputation victims because we include the costs of high-end prosthetics that must be replaced every five years for the rest of your life, along with the profound emotional toll of disfigurement.

Wrongful Death: Fighting for the Legacy of Your Loved One

We are deeply sorry for your loss. No settlement can replace a spouse, parent, or child, but Armstrong County law allows us to pursue justice for their memory. Wrongful death settlements typically range from $1.9M to $9.5M, addressing lost future income, loss of companionship, and the mental anguish of the survivors.

As client Donald Wilcox said, “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.” We take the difficult cases other firms reject because we know how to build value for catastrophic injuries. Call (888) 288-9911 for your free consultation.

Commercial Trucking Insurance: Navigating the Deep Pockets

Large trucking and corporate entities in Armstrong County don’t play by the same rules as local drivers. They have sophisticated insurance structures designed to hide assets and minimize payouts.

Self-Insured Retention (SIR) and Corporate Layers

Companies like Walmart and many oil operators are self-insured for the first several million dollars. This means the person you are negotiating with works directly for the company that hit you. They have a massive incentive to save their company money by paying you less. We understand how to cut through these SIR layers and reach the excess and umbrella policies that sit above them.

The MCS-90 Endorsement: Your Safety Net

If a trucking company’s policy has a technical flaw or the driver was out of their route, the insurance company might try to deny the claim. However, the federal MCS-90 endorsement is a “public protection” mandate. It ensures that victims are compensated even if the policy itself wouldn’t normally cover the crash. Our team knows how to trigger this endorsement to get you the money you need.

Why “Nuclear Verdicts” are Rising

Juries across Texas and the US are tired of trucking companies cutting corners. “Nuclear verdicts”—those exceeding $10 million—are becoming more common because juries are finding out that these companies knew about safety problems and did nothing. Our strategy of preparing every case as if it’s going to trial forces insurance companies to offer higher settlements. They know Ralph Manginello is a Trial Lawyers Achievement Association Million Dollar Member. They know our reputation for winning.

Don’t let them tell you what your life in Armstrong County is worth. We tell them. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Armstrong County Trucking Accident FAQ

Q: Do I need to pay anything upfront to hire Attorney911?
A: Absolutely not. We work on a 100% contingency fee basis. You pay us nothing out of pocket. We advance all costs for experts, investigators, and court filings. We only get paid if we win your case in Armstrong County. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us zero in attorney’s fees.

Q: Can I still recover money if a truck accident in Armstrong County was partially my fault?
A: Yes. Under Texas law, as long as you are not 51% or more at fault, you can recover damages. Your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages are $1 million, you receive $800,000. Trucking companies will always try to push you over that 50% line—we are here to push back.

Q: Should I sign the release papers from the trucking company’s insurance?
A: NEVER sign anything from an insurance company before consulting an attorney. These releases often contain language that permanently waives your right to any further compensation. They want you to settle before you realize you need surgery or have a permanent brain injury. Call Ralph Manginello at 888-ATTY-911 before you sign or even give a statement.

Q: How long do I have to file a claim for a truck accident in Armstrong County?
A: For personal injury or wrongful death in Texas, the limit is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if you are hit by a government-owned vehicle in Armstrong County—like a school bus or a city truck—the “notice” period can be as short as 90 days. You must act immediately to protect your rights.

Q: What if the truck that hit me was from another state?
A: This is very common on US-287. These are “interstate commerce” cases, often falling under federal jurisdiction. Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has dual-state licensure in Texas and New York. We are equipped to handle cases involving carriers from across the country.

Q: How is the value of my Armstrong County trucking accident case determined?
A: There is no “calculator,” but we look at three factors: Economic damages (medical bills, lost wages), Non-economic damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent disfigurement), and Punitive damages (if the company was willfully reckless). We hire economists and medical experts to project these costs out for the next 30 to 40 years of your life.

Q: Can I sue for a crash with an Amazon van in Armstrong County?
A: Yes. Even though Amazon uses small delivery companies (DSPs), we can often hold Amazon liable by proving they exercise “control” over the drivers. From the uniforms they wear to the AI cameras that watch them, Amazon is deeply involved in nearly every delivery in Armstrong County.

Q: What if I was a passenger in the truck that crashed?
A: You still have a claim. Whether you were a co-driver, a trainee, or a ride-along family member, you are a victim of the carrier’s negligence. While workers’ comp might apply locally, you may have “third-party” claims against manufacturers or other companies involved in the cargo loading.

Powerful Representation for Armstrong County Families

When you’re looking for help after a trucking accident in Armstrong County, you need more than a generic billboard lawyer. You need a firm that treats you like family but fights like a machine. Ralph Manginello has spent a quarter-century in the trenches of Texas litigation. He’s litigated against Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and the biggest oil companies in the world. He isn’t afraid of their armies of lawyers because he’s already beaten them.

As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That is our promise to you. From Claude to Wayside and every mile of highway in between, the people of Armstrong County deserve an attorney who understands the high-stakes world of 18-wheeler accidents. We offer 24/7 availability because we know that legal emergencies don’t just happen during business hours.

You’ve been through enough. Let us handle the insurance adjusters, the federal regulations, the black box data, and the legal filings. Your job is to focus on healing; our job is to secure your financial future. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for your free, no-risk consultation. We are powerful, we are proven, and we are ready to win for you.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Armstrong County’s Choice for Trucking Justice.