Converse Truck Accident & 18-Wheeler Wreck Guide

The impact happens in a fraction of a second, but the consequences of an 18-wheeler accident in Converse last a lifetime. One moment, you’re driving along I-10 or navigating the traffic on FM 1516; the next, 80,000 pounds of steel has changed everything. Your car, which weighs roughly 4,000 pounds, never stood a chance against a massive commercial rig. Whether you were hit by a long-haul semi, an Amazon delivery van near the Schertz fulfillment centers, or a heavy sand truck heading toward the South Texas oilfields, the steps you take in the next 48 hours will determine the outcome of your case.

We understand the terror of looking in your rearview mirror and realizing a truck isn’t going to stop. At Attorney911, led by our managing partner Ralph Manginello, we have spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable for the devastation they cause on Converse roads. Our team includes a former insurance defense attorney, Lupe Peña, who knows the exact playbook these companies use to minimize your suffering. We don’t just “handle” cases; we prepare every case for trial, ensuring the deep-pocketed corporations and their insurance carriers know that we are ready to fight for every dime you deserve.

If you are hurting, if your family is grieving, or if you are buried under medical bills from a hospital stay in Bexar County, you aren’t just a file number to us. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We are here to fight for you 24/7. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911.

The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency in Converse

After a truck accident in Converse, the clock isn’t just ticking—it’s racing against you. While you are focusing on emergency surgeries or the shock of the collision, the trucking company has already mobilized. These corporations have rapid-response teams—lawyers and investigators who are often at the crash site before the police have even finished their report. Their goal is simple: control the narrative and preserve only the evidence that helps them.

You need to know that critical evidence can disappear in the blink of an eye. The most important piece of technology in your case is the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM), often called the “black box.” This device records speed, braking, throttle position, and engine faults in the moments leading up to the crash. In many trucks operating through Converse, this data is programmed to be overwritten after 30 days or after a certain number of new “events” occur. If that truck returns to the road, the evidence of the driver’s negligence could be erased forever.

We move faster than they do. When you retain us, we send a formal spoliation letter within 24 hours. This legal notice demands that the motor carrier, the driver, and all third parties preserve every shred of data, from the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) hours-of-service logs to the maintenance records and dashcam footage. Under federal law and Texas evidence standards, once they receive our letter, they have a legal duty to protect that data. If they destroy it anyway, we can pursue “adverse inference” sanctions, where a judge tells the jury to assume the destroyed evidence proved the trucking company’s guilt.

Don’t let the evidence of what happened to you on a Converse street be deleted. Call 888-ATTY-911 now so we can lock down the facts.

Why Experience Matters: The Attorney911 Advantage

Not all personal injury lawyers are equipped to handle an 18-wheeler case. These aren’t just “big car accidents.” Trucking litigation requires a deep understanding of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), the physics of heavy vehicle collisions, and the complex insurance structures of Fortune 500 companies.

Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. Admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, our managing partner has the federal court experience required to take on interstate trucking companies that cross state lines every day. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations, including BP during the Texas City refinery litigation, and recovered over $50 million for Texas families. We aren’t intimidated by a fleet of corporate lawyers because we’ve beaten them before.

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, provides an “insider advantage” that few firms can match. Before joining Attorney911, he used to defend insurance companies. He sat in the boardrooms where adjusters decided how to lowball victims. He knows how they evaluate claims, how they hide coverage, and where they look for weaknesses in your story. Now, he uses that “defense playbook” to anticipate their moves and maximize our clients’ recoveries.

If you prefer to speak Spanish, Lupe is a third-generation Texan who provides direct, fluent representation. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Understanding the Web of Liable Parties in Converse

The most common mistake people make after a Converse truck accident is assuming only the driver is responsible. If we only sued the driver, we would be leaving the vast majority of your potential compensation on the table. Most truck drivers don’t have millions of dollars—but their employers and the companies whose cargo they haul do.

In a complex 18-wheeler wreck, we investigate up to 16 different potentially liable parties:

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding, fatigue, or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): Liable for their employees’ actions, but also for negligent hiring, training, and supervision.
3. The Cargo Owner (Shipper): If the cargo was inherently dangerous or if they pressured the carrier to violate safety rules.
4. The Loading Company: If improperly secured or unbalanced cargo caused a rollover or a shift in weight that prevented the truck from stopping.
5. The Truck Manufacturer: If a design defect in the steering, fuel system, or underride guards contributed to the crash.
6. Parts Manufacturers: If a defective tire blew out or a brake component failed.
7. Maintenance Companies: Many fleets outsource their maintenance; if a mechanic failed to identify worn brake pads, they are on the hook.
8. Freight Brokers: Companies like XPO or C.H. Robinson that hire unsafe carriers can be liable for negligent selection.
9. The Truck Owner: Often separate from the carrier in owner-operator lease agreements.
10. Government Entities: If a poorly designed intersection or a road defect in Converse contributed to the wreck.
11. Corporate Parent Companies: When an Amazon DSP or a FedEx Ground contractor causes a wreck, we work to pierce the corporate shield and hold the billion-dollar parent company accountable.
12. Oilfield Operators: If an oil company created unsafe conditions on a lease road or hired a cut-rate hauling company for their North Texas or Eagle Ford operations.
13. Staffing Agencies: If the driver was a “temp” who was never properly vetted.
14. Rental Truck Companies: Companies like U-Haul or Penske that entrust 26,000-pound vehicles to untrained drivers.
15. Public Transit Agencies: If a Bexar County or city bus was involved.
16. Federal Government: For accidents involving USPS mail trucks or military vehicles.

By casting this wide net, we ensure that we find every available insurance policy. 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 don’t take the easy path; we take the right path to get you the maximum result.

FMCSA Regulations: The Laws Being Broken on Converse Highways

Every commercial truck driving through Bexar County is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These aren’t just “suggestions”—they are federal laws designed to keep you alive. When a trucking company ignores these rules to increase their profit margin, they are choosing to put your life at risk.

We use the 49 CFR Parts 390-399 to prove negligence. Some of the most critical regulations we look for include:

• 49 CFR Part 395 (Hours of Service): This is the most frequently violated safety rule. To prevent fatigue, federal law generally limits drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers are also limited to a 14-hour workday window. In the Converse area, we often see drivers coming from long hauls on I-10 who have falsified their logs to stay on the road longer than is legal. Falsifying logs is a serious violation that can lead to punitive damages.
• 49 CFR Part 391 (Driver Qualification): Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are “qualified.” This includes conducting thorough background checks, verifying a valid CDL, and ensuring the driver has a current medical examiner’s certificate. If a company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or serious moving violations, that is negligent hiring.
• 49 CFR Part 396 (Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance): Every motor carrier must “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” its vehicles. Drivers are required to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections. If our investigators find that a truck was allowed on a Converse road with worn tires or out-of-adjustment brakes, the company is liable for every injury that results.
• 49 CFR Part 393 (Parts and Accessories): This covers everything from the lights and reflectors to the cargo securement systems. An 18-wheeler with non-functioning brake lights is a 40-ton death trap on the highway.
• 49 CFR Part 382 (Drug and Alcohol Testing): Drivers must pass a pre-employment drug screen and are subject to random testing. Crucially, a driver involved in a serious accident must undergo post-accident drug and alcohol testing. We fight to obtain these results immediately.

If they broke the law, they must pay. Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao

Common Truck Accident Types in Converse

Converse is a hub for logistics and industrial traffic. Our position near the junction of major interstates and the growth of local distribution centers means we see specific accident patterns that smaller towns do not.

Jackknife Accidents on I-10 and I-35

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s drive wheels lock up, causing the trailer to swing around toward the cab. On the high-speed corridors of I-10 or I-35 near Converse, a jackknifing 18-wheeler can sweep across four lanes of traffic, creating a massive pileup. These are often caused by speeding in the rain or improper braking by an inexperienced driver.

Rollover Wrecks on Ramps and FM Roads

With a high center of gravity, heavy trucks are incredibly prone to tipping. We often see rollovers on the tight cloverleaf ramps in the Bexar County area or on the rural-to-urban transition roads around Converse. These are physically devastating because they often involve the truck crushing smaller cars beneath it.

Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Wreck

Perhaps the most terrifying accident we handle is the underride collision. This happens when a passenger car slides underneath the rear or side of a truck trailer. Because the trailer bed is at head-height for a car’s driver, these accidents often result in decapitation or catastrophic head trauma. We investigate whether the truck was equipped with proper underride guards (Mansfield bars) and if those guards failed because of poor maintenance.

Rear-End Collisions from Tailgating

A semi-truck needs two football fields’ length to stop from highway speeds. When a driver is distracted by their dispatch computer or following too closely on a congested Converse road, a rear-end collision becomes inevitable. The force of an 18-wheeler hitting you from behind is equivalent to being hit by a dozen cars at once.

Wide Turn “Squeeze Play”

Converse city streets aren’t always built for the turning radius of a 53-foot trailer. In a “squeeze play,” a truck swings left to make a right turn. If the driver fails to check their mirrors or signal properly, they can trap a smaller car between the trailer and a curb, crushing the vehicle and its occupants.

Blind Spot “No-Zone” Wrecks

Trucks have massive blind spots on all four sides. If you’ve spent any time driving through Converse, you know that some truck drivers treat lane changes like a game of chance. If a driver failed to verify their blind spot before merging into you, they have violated the standard of care for professional drivers.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures

A tire blowout on a truck is an explosion. Debris (road gators) can smash through windshields, and the sudden loss of control can lead to a jackknife. Similarly, brake failure on a heavy commercial vehicle is usually the result of “profit over safety”—deferred maintenance and ignored inspection reports.

Corporate Fleet Accidents: Amazon, Walmart, and Delivery Vans

As the San Antonio metro area expands, Converse has become a critical corridor for “last-mile” delivery. You cannot drive two blocks without seeing an Amazon Prime van, a FedEx truck, or a UPS vehicle. These companies operate under extreme time pressure, pushing their drivers to meet quotas that make safety nearly impossible.

When an Amazon van causes a wreck in Converse, the case becomes complicated. Amazon used to shield itself by claiming all its drivers were “independent contractors” through their Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program. However, we know how to pierce that shield. We look at the level of control Amazon exercises—their software tells the driver when to turn, how many seconds to spend at a stop, and even monitors their eye movements with AI cameras. If they control the driver that closely, they ARE the employer.

Walmart operates one of the largest private fleets in the world, and they frequently travel through Bexar County to restock regional stores. Unlike smaller companies, Walmart is “self-insured,” meaning they pay for accidents directly from their own corporate coffers. They will fight every penny because it comes directly out of their bottom line. We have litigated against Walmart and know how to counter their aggressive defense tactics.

If you were hit by a company truck, the rules of the game are different. Call 888-ATTY-911 for a fighter who knows the corporate playbook.

Oilfield Trucking: Gateway to the Eagle Ford Shale

Converse serves as a gateway for the endless stream of trucks feeding the Eagle Ford Shale oilfields to our south. These aren’t regular 18-wheelers; they are specialized industrial vehicles that create unique hazards on our local roads.

Water Trucks and Sand Haulers

Produced water tankers and frac sand haulers are among the most dangerous trucks in Texas. They are almost always operating at the maximum legal weight of 80,000 pounds. In many cases, we find they are significantly OVERWEIGHT. An overweight truck cannot brake effectively, and the liquid cargo creates a “slosh” effect that makes the truck unstable during turns.

Crude Oil Tankers

Crude oil is a hazardous material. When a tanker rolls over on a Converse road or at a highway interchange, the risk of fire and explosion is immense. These cases involve specific HAZMAT regulations and often require a $5 million minimum insurance policy under federal law.

Crew Transport Vans

Fatigue is a major problem in the oil industry. Crews who have just finished a 12-hour shift are often transported in 15-passenger vans back toward the Converse and San Antonio area. These vans are notoriously prone to rollovers when fully loaded. If you were injured in a crew van, your case is a hybrid of a trucking accident and a workplace injury case.

Oilfield companies like Halliburton, Schlumberger, and Pioneer Natural Resources have deep pockets and armies of lawyers. We have experience taking them on and winning. Contact us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Additional Commercial Vehicles we Handle in Converse

We represent victims of ALL commercial vehicle accidents. If the vehicle that hit you was being used for business purposes, it isn’t just a car accident—it’s a commercial claim.

• Dump Trucks: Frequently used in Converse construction projects, these are often operated by small, poorly maintained fleets that overload their beds beyond safe limits.
• Garbage Trucks: Massive, top-heavy vehicles that operate in our residential neighborhoods. They have enormous blind spots and a high frequency of backing-up accidents.
• Concrete Mixers: The rotating drum creates a dynamic weight shift that causes rollovers even at low speeds.
• Rental Trucks (U-Haul/Penske): These companies rent massive box trucks to people who have never driven a vehicle larger than a sedan. We investigate whether the rental company failed to provide adequate training or rented to an unfit driver.
• Buses: Whether it’s a school bus, a VIA transit bus, or a charter motorcoach cross-country on I-10, bus accidents involve multiple victims and complex government immunity issues.

Vulnerable Road Users in Converse

When an 18-wheeler strikes someone who isn’t inside a car, the results are almost always fatal or life-altering. In a city like Converse, where pedestrians and cyclists must share road space with freight corridors, the negligence of a truck driver can be a death sentence.

• Verified Fact: A pedestrian hit by a truck is 20-30 times more likely to die than one hit by a car. This is due to the height of the bumper, which usually strikes the head or chest of an adult rather than the lower legs.
• Cyclists and “Right Hooks”: A turning truck that doesn’t check its mirrors can sweep a cyclist legally riding in a bike lane directly under its rear wheels.
• Motorcyclists: An 80,000-pound truck creates wind turbulence that can destabilize a motorcycle at highway speeds. If a trucker merged into you because they “didn’t see you,” we hold them to the professional standard of care that requires them to look.

Catastrophic Injuries and the Medical Reality in Converse

A truck accident doesn’t just “leave you sore.” It breaks your body in ways that can never be fully repaired. We have seen the devastating toll these accidents take on Converse families. We have recovered millions for victims of:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The deceleration force of a truck impact causes the brain to slam against the inside of the skull. This results in “axonal shearing”—the tearing of brain fibers. You might not have a visible wound, but your personality, memory, and cognitive abilities are changed forever. Our firm has recovered settlements ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million for TBI victims.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

When the spine is compressed or severed in a rollover or underride, life as you know it stops. Quadriplegia and paraplegia require 24/7 care, home modifications, and a lifetime of medical complications. The lifetime cost of a spinal injury can easily exceed $10 million. We work with life care planners to ensure your settlement covers every cent of your future needs.

Amputation and Crush Injuries

Losing a limb in a Converse truck wreck is common when vehicles are compressed by heavy rigs. Beyond the physical loss, there is the phantom pain, the prosthetic costs, and the psychological trauma of disfigurement. We have secured settlements up to $8.6 million for amputation victims.

Severe Burns and Disfigurement

Whether from a fuel tank rupture or a HAZMAT spill, third and fourth-degree burns are excruciating and require years of reconstructive surgeries. The scarring isn’t just physical—it’s a permanent reminder of the trauma.

Internal Organ Damage

Blunt force trauma from a steering wheel or seatbelt at truck-collision speeds can rupture the spleen, liver, or kidneys. Internal bleeding is a “silent killer” that Converse trauma centers must treat immediately.

Your life has value. Your suffering has value. We fight for maximum recovery. Learn more in our guide: “The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxEHIxZTbK8

Settlement Potential: How Much Is Your Case Worth?

This is the most common question we receive from Converse accident victims. While every case is unique, trucking cases have significantly higher values than standard car wrecks for three reasons:

1. Higher Insurance Minimums: Unlike the Texas $30,000 minimum for cars, trucks must carry at least $750,000 for general freight and $5 million for HAZMAT.
2. Severity of Injuries: The medical bills for a week in the ICU and a life flight from Converse will exceed most car insurance policies immediately.
3. Punitive Damages: If we can prove a trucking company knowingly falsified logs or knowingly operated a truck with faulty brakes, we can ask the jury to ARREST their profits by awarding punitive damages meant to punish the company.

Our firm focuses on “Total Life Compensation.” We don’t just calculate your hospital bills. We calculate your:

• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If you can’t go back to your job, how much would you have earned over the next 30 years?
• Non-Economic Damages: What is the value of not being able to pick up your children? What is the value of chronic pain every morning when you wake up?
• Household Services: Who will mow the lawn, cook the meals, and maintain the home now that you are injured?

As Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We pursue “nuclear verdicts” and multi-million dollar settlements because we know that’s what it takes to secure your family’s future.

Navigating Texas Law in Converse

You need an attorney who understands the specific legal landscape of Bexar County and Texas.

• Two-Year Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you have exactly two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. However, if you wait two years to call a lawyer, your case will be dead. The evidence will be gone. Witnesses will have moved. You must call us within days, not years.
• The 51% Bar Rule (Modified Comparative Negligence): Texas law says that if you are more than 50% at fault for the accident, you recover NOTHING. Trucking companies will try to blame you for everything—they’ll say your turn signal wasn’t on or you were speeding. We use black box data to disprove their lies and protect your right to recover.
• Wrongful Death Hierarchy: If you lost a parent, a spouse, or a child, Texas Law determines who possesses the right to file the claim. We guide grieving families through this process with compassion and strength.

The clock is ticking. Don’t let the trucking company win by default. Call 888-ATTY-911.

Frequently Asked Questions for Converse Truck Accident Victims

Q: I was hit by a truck on Loop 1604, but the police report hasn’t been finalized. What should I do?
A: Don’t wait for the police report. The police report is just one piece of evidence, and officers can make mistakes, especially in complex multi-vehicle wrecks. We conduct our own independent investigation, hiring accident reconstruction experts to examine the scene, the skid marks, and the vehicle damage. Call us now at 888-ATTY-911 so we can start building your case today.

Q: The insurance company for the truck said I don’t need a lawyer and they’ll “take care” of my medical bills. Should I believe them?
A: NEVER. This is the biggest trap in the insurance defense playbook. They want to pay your immediate bills so you’ll sign a release. Once you sign that, you can NEVER ask for more money—even if you later find out you need a six-figure spinal surgery or have permanent nerve damage. Lupe Peña, who used to work for these companies, will tell you: their goal is to close the file for as little as possible. Tell them you have an attorney and hang up.

Q: What if the truck driver was from another state?
A: This is why Ralph Manginello’s federal court admission and dual Texas/New York licensure are so important. Trucking cases often involve “Diversity Jurisdiction,” meaning they can be moved to Federal Court. You need an attorney who is comfortable and experienced in the U.S. District Court system.

Q: Can I get a payout for PTSD after an accident?
A: Yes. Psychological trauma is a real, compensable injury in Converse. If you are having nightmares, if you are afraid to drive, or if you alternate between anger and withdrawal, you have experienced a loss of quality of life. We include psychiatric evaluation and treatment in our damage calculations. Learn more in our video: “Can I Get a PTSD Payout After a Car Accident?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9803X_jnR4A

Q: What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
A: You can afford us. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we advance all the costs of the litigation—the expert fees, the court filings, the medical records. You pay nothing upfront and zero out-of-pocket. We ONLY get paid if we win a settlement or verdict for you. If we don’t recover money, you don’t owe us a dime.

Q: I was hit by an Amazon delivery van. Amazon says the driver is an “independent contractor.” Who is actually liable?
A: In Converse and surrounding areas, Amazon uses small companies known as Delivery Service Partners (DSPs). Amazon tries to use this structure to avoid liability. However, because Amazon controls the routes, the driver’s schedule, and monitors their driving with AI cameras, we can often hold Amazon itself responsible under agency law. We know how to pierce this corporate shield.

Q: Does it matter that the truck that hit me was an oilfield water truck?
A: Yes. Oilfield trucks operating in areas like Bexar County often carry $5 million in HAZMAT insurance and are subject to both FMCSA and OSHA regulations. This provides multiple paths to proving negligence. Attorney Ralph Manginello has years of experience in oil and gas litigation.

Q: How much does a truck accident case cost to litigate?
A: A serious 18-wheeler case can cost $50,000 to $250,000 just to take to trial. This includes hiring mechanical engineers, trauma surgeons, and economic experts. Most families can’t afford that—but we can. We have the financial resources to out-wait and out-fight the insurance companies.

Q: A family member was killed by a truck on FM 1516. How long will the case take?
A: Wrongful death cases are complex and usually take 18-36 months to resolve fully. We understand the urgency of financial stability after a loss, and we work to expedite the process while ensuring you receive the MAXIMUM compensation for your suffering.

Q: My car was totaled but I only have minor neck pain. Is it worth filing a claim?
A: Yes. “Minor” neck pain after a truck impact often turns out to be a herniated disc. In a few months, once the adrenaline is gone, that pain could become debilitating. Let us evaluate your medical records before you make a decision.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Powerful and Proven: Why Attorney911 is the Firm Insurers Fear

The trucking company that hit you in Converse already has a team of experts protecting their profits. They have rapid-response investigators, corporate adjusters, and defense firms on retainer. You deserve a fighter in your corner who has been winning these battles for a quarter-century.

We aren’t a large “billboard firm” where you are passed off to a paralegal. When you call us, Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are personally involved in your strategy. We treat our clients like family, which is why we have a 4.9-star rating with over 250 reviews.

Whether you were hit by an 18-wheeler on I-10, a delivery van in a Converse neighborhood, or an oilfield rig on a rural road, we have the resources, the knowledge of federal regulations, and the tenacity to make them pay. We have won for families who lost everything, and we are ready to win for you.

The evidence is disappearing. The trucking company is working on their defense. What are you doing?

One call. One number. 24/7 protection.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911. Free Consultation. No Fee Unless We Win.

Attorney911: Your Legal Emergency Lawyers™. When disaster strikes on a Converse road, we hit back harder.

Disclaimer: Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.