Alpine Truck Accident Lawyer: The Manginello Law Firm Fighting for Brewster County

The impact of an 80,000-pound commercial truck slamming into a passenger vehicle on US-90 or US-67 isn’t just a traffic event—it’s a life-altering catastrophe. In an instant, your plans, your career, and your physical health are shattered by forces that the human body was never meant to withstand. If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a truck accident in Alpine, you aren’t just facing physical pain; you’re facing a legal emergency.

At Attorney911, led by managing partner Ralph Manginello, we’ve spent more than 25 years taking on the world’s largest trucking and corporate entities. Since 1998, we’ve stood in the gap for families in Alpine and across Texas, recovering over $50 million for our clients. We understand that when you’re hit by an 18-wheeler in Brewster County, you aren’t just fighting a driver—you’re fighting an army of corporate lawyers and insurance adjusters whose only job is to pay you nothing. We don’t let that happen.

Our team brings a unique “unfair advantage” to every Alpine truck accident case. Associate attorney Lupe Peña formerly worked for a national insurance defense firm. He knows their playbook, he knows how they undervalue your suffering, and he knows exactly where they hide the evidence. Combined with Ralph Manginello’s federal court experience in the Southern District of Texas, we provide a level of sophisticated representation that makes insurance companies take your claim seriously.

Whether you were struck by a long-haul semi-truck, an oilfield water hauler, or an Amazon delivery van in Alpine, the clock is already ticking. Evidence in these cases—from black box data to driver logs—can disappear in as little as 30 days. You need a fighter who can send a spoliation letter within 24 hours to lock down the proof of their negligence.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now for a free consultation. Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-288-9911.

Why Trucking in Alpine and Brewster County is Specifically Dangerous

Alpine sits at a critical junction of West Texas commerce and tourism. We know the unique hazards that define trucking in our region. Brewster County’s vast distances, extreme weather, and industrial traffic create a high-risk environment that most “big city” lawyers don’t fully appreciate.

The Brewster County Corridor Hazards

Truck accidents in Alpine frequently occur on routes like US-67 and US-90, where high-speed commercial traffic merges with local commuters and tourists heading to Big Bend National Park. The “Golden Hour” of medical treatment is a major concern here. If you’re involved in a rollover on a remote stretch of Highway 118, you may be miles from the nearest trauma center, and EMS response times can be significantly longer than in urban centers. This delay in care often turns survivable injuries into permanent disabilities or wrongful deaths.

The Desert Environment and Vehicle Failure

Our West Texas heat is unforgiving for commercial vehicles. On summer days in Alpine, road surface temperatures can exceed 150°F. This heat causes rapid tire degradation and “brake fade” on the winding grades surrounding the Davis Mountains. Under FMCSA Part 396, trucking companies have an absolute duty to inspect and maintain their equipment for these conditions. When they cut corners on tire replacement or brake maintenance to save money, they turn their 80,000-pound trucks into unguided missiles on Alpine roads.

The Interplay of Oilfield, Ranching, and Tourism

Alpine serves as the gateway to the Big Bend, but it also sits just south of the Permian Basin’s southern edge. This means our local roads are shared by three distinct groups that rarely mix well:

1. Industrial Trucking: Water trucks and equipment haulers moving to sites in the Delaware Basin.
2. Ranching and Agriculture: Heavy livestock trailers and oversized farm equipment.
3. Tourists: Visitors in rental cars or RVs unfamiliar with rural driving conditions.

When an overworked oilfield driver, pushing past their 11-hour driving limit under 49 CFR Part 395, encounters a group of tourists on US-90 near Alpine, the margin for error is zero. Ralph Manginello has spent 25 years holding these companies accountable when their production schedules priority profit over Alpine lives.

If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler crash, call 888-ATTY-911. We offer free evaluations 24/7.

Proving Negligence: The FMCSA Regulations Database

In Alpine, a truck accident case isn’t won by just showing there was a crash; it’s won by proving the trucking company violated federal law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. At Attorney911, we use these regulations to build a “negligence per se” case against the defendant.

49 CFR Part 395: The Battle Against Driver Fatigue

Fatigue is the leading cause of catastrophic wrecks on long-haul routes through Brewster County. Drivers coming from El Paso or San Antonio to Alpine often violate their Hours of Service (HOS) limits.

• The 11-Hour Rule: Drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
• The 14-Hour Window: Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELD): Since 2017, trucks must use ELDs to record their time. We subpoena this data immediately to see if the driver was illegally “running hot” when they hit you in Alpine.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification and Negligent Hiring

Trucking companies in Brewster County are desperate for drivers. Sometimes, they hire people who should never be behind the wheel. Under Part 391, we demand the Driver Qualification File to see:

• Did they check the driver’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) for previous Alpine violations?
• Did the driver have a valid medical certificate?
• Did the company verify the driver’s 3-year employment history?
  If a company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or multiple wrecks, Ralph Manginello will pursue a claim for negligent hiring.

49 CFR Part 393 & 396: Brake and Equipment Maintenance

On the steep grades surrounding Alpine, brakes are a truck’s most critical safety system. If a truck rear-ended you on a hill, we investigate Part 396 compliance. Every truck must be “systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained.” We look for “out-of-service” violations that the company ignored. If the brakes weren’t adjusted or the tires were bald, the company is liable for your injuries.

49 CFR Part 382: Drug and Alcohol Testing

Commercial drivers in Alpine are subject to strict drug and alcohol rules. We investigate whether the company conducted mandatory post-accident testing. In rural oilfield areas, where some drivers use stimulants to stay awake, this evidence is often the smoking gun in a multi-million dollar settlement.

Trucking companies broke the law to make more money. We make them pay. Call (888) 288-9911 today.

18-Wheeler & Commercial Vehicle Accident Types in Alpine

No two crashes are the same. Each type of truck accident has unique physics and different liable parties. We investigate the mechanical causes of every wreck in Brewster County.

Jackknife Accidents on US-90

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out toward the cab, often sweeping across all lanes of US-90. This frequently happens when a driver brakes too hard on a slick road or a curve. In Alpine, an empty 18-wheeler is actually more prone to jackknifing than a full one because the trailer lacks the weight to maintain traction. We look for evidence through 49 CFR § 393.48 (brake malfunction) or § 392.6 (speeding for conditions).

Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Wreck

Underride collisions occur when a car slides beneath the rear or side of a trailer. These are often fatal because the car’s roof is sheared off at the window line. If you lost a loved one in an underride crash in Alpine, we investigate whether the truck’s rear impact guard (Mansfield bar) was defective or if the side Reflective tape required under § 393.11 was missing or dirty.

Rollover Wrecks on Brewster County Mountain Roads

A rollover is 50% mass and 50% gravity. When a truck takes a turn near the Davis Mountains at 10 mph over the safe limit, the center of gravity shifts. We use ECM (black box) data to prove exactly how fast that truck was going before it rolled onto your vehicle. These accidents frequently cause crush injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Tire Blowouts in the West Texas Heat

When a tire shreds at 75 mph, the truck driver can lose control instantly. If a retread failed because the company overloaded the trailer (violating § 393.75), we hold them accountable. Our experience includes tire blowout cases where we proved the company skipped mandatory pre-trip inspections.

Wide Turn “Squeeze Play” in Downtown Alpine

Trucks making right turns at intersections in Alpine often swing wide to the left. If a driver failed to check their mirrors or didn’t signal, they can crush a smaller car against the curb. This “squeeze play” causes complex orthopedic fractures and amputations.

Don’t let them blame you for their mistake. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a fighter who knows Alpine roads.

Corporate Fleet & Oilfield Trucking: David vs. Goliath

Alpine isn’t just home to 18-wheelers; we are seeing a massive increase in accidents involving corporate delivery vans and oilfield support vehicles. These cases require a specialized legal strategy.

Amazon, Walmart, and Delivery Van Accidents in Alpine

If you were hit by an Amazon delivery van or a FedEx Ground truck in Brewster County, you’re facing a complex legal shield. Amazon uses “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs) to try and avoid liability. They will claim the driver isn’t their employee.
However, Ralph Manginello knows how to pierce this shield. We show that Amazon controls the route, the scanner, the uniform, and the four Netradyne cameras inside the van. If they control the driver, they are responsible for the crash. In Brewster County, where these vans are under extreme time pressure to meet “Prime” deadlines, we find the evidence showing Amazon’s quotas made the road unsafe.

Oilfield Water Trucks and Frac Sand Haulers

To the north of Alpine, the Permian Basin creates thousands of truck trips daily. Many of these vehicles—water tankers and sand haulers—pass through Brewster County. These trucks are often overloaded, weighing 90,000 lbs on roads rated for 80,000.
We litigate against industry giants like Halliburton, Schlumberger, and the major oil companies (ExxonMobil, Chevron) that hire these contractors. In an oilfield trucking case, we don’t just look for FMCSA violations—we look for OSHA violations on the worksite, proving a systemic failure in safety culture.

Rental Trucks: The U-Haul Hazard

Alpine residents often encounter U-Haul or Penske rental trucks driven by people with zero commercial experience. Under the Graves Amendment, rental companies are generally protected, but we pursue them for negligent maintenance if the truck’s brakes or steering were faulty. If a rental company put a 26,000-pound truck in the hands of an obviously incompetent driver, we fight to make them pay for that choice.

Big corporations have deep pockets, but they fight the hardest. You need Ralph Manginello. Call 888-ATTY-911.

Identifying All Liable Parties: Who Really Pays?

One reason our firm has recovered over $50 million is that we don’t just sue the driver. In an Alpine truck wreck, there are often 16 different parties who may share liability. The more defendants we identify, the more insurance coverage we can access for your recovery.

• The Trucking Company: Liable under respondeat superior for their driver’s actions.
• The Corporate Parent: If an Amazon or Walmart brand is on the truck, we look to hold the billion-dollar parent company accountable.
• The Cargo Shipper: If an Alpine rancher or national retailer loaded the trailer improperly, causing a shifting load rollover, the loader is liable.
• The Freight Broker: Companies that hire “bottom-of-the-barrel” carriers with bad safety records can be sued for negligent selection.
• The Oilfield Operator: In Brewster County cases, the oil company that hired the trucking firm may be liable as the “general contractor.”
• Parts Manufacturers: If a tire blowout or brake failure was caused by a defect, we file a product liability claim against companies like Michelin or Goodyear.

By finding all responsible parties, we maximize your settlement. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free case mapping.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Alert

In Alpine truck accidents, the first 48 hours are the most critical window for your case. While you are in the hospital, the trucking company is already sending a “Rapid Response Team” to the scene to influence the police report and secure the digital data.

The Black Box (ECM) Overwrite Risk

The truck that hit you has an Engine Control Module. It records your speed, your braking time, and whether the driver tried to avoid the crash. Most systems overwrite this data in 30 days or after a few thousand more miles of driving. If the truck is back on the road tomorrow, your evidence could be gone by the end of the week.

The Spoliation Letter: What We Do Immediately

The moment you hire the Manginello Law Firm, we send a formal spoliation letter. This legal notice demands the truck be taken out of service and all data be preserved, including:

• ELD (Electronic Logging Device) records for the previous 6 months.
• In-cab camera footage (Netradyne, DriveCam).
• The driver’s cell phone records to prove distracted driving.
• The truck’s maintenance and pre-trip inspection logs.

If the company destroys evidence after receiving our letter, we ask the Alpine courts for a “spoliation instruction.” This tells the jury to assume the destroyed evidence proved the company was guilty. This tactic is how we secure multi-million dollar results.

Evidence is disappearing right now. Stop the destruction by calling 888-ATTY-911 today.

Catastrophic Injuries and the Road to Recovery in Alpine

We treat our clients like family because we know the trauma you’re experiencing. A truck collision in Brewster County doesn’t just cause “injuries”—it causes total life disruption.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – $1.5M to $9.8M Settlements

Even if you didn’t lose consciousness, you may have a brain injury. Symptoms like memory loss, irritability, or light sensitivity can be permanent. We partner with top neurologists to document the axonal shearing that occurs in high-impact truck crashes. These cases often require Life Care Plans because of the long-term support needed.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis – $4.7M to $25.8M Settlements

The force of an 80,000-pound truck often results in crushed vertebrae. Whether it’s paraplegia or quadriplegia, the medical costs are staggering. A life care plan for a spinal injury in Alpine can cost $5 million or more over a lifetime. We fight for every dime of that.

Amputations and Crush Injuries – $1.9M to $8.6M Settlements

If you were trapped in your vehicle on US-67, you may have suffered “compartment syndrome” or a traumatic amputation. We don’t just calculate your hospital bills; we calculate the cost of prosthetics for the next 40 years, the cost of home modifications, and your loss of career.

Wrongful Death in Brewster County – $1.9M to $9.5M Settlements

If you lost a spouse, parent, or child, no amount of money replaces them. But a wrongful death claim in Alpine provides for the family left behind. We recover for loss of companionship, lost future wages, and the immense mental anguish your family suffers.

We’ve seen what these injuries do to Alpine families. Let us fight the legal battle so you can focus on healing. Call 888-ATTY-911.

Commercial Truck Insurance: Understanding the “Big Money”

A major reason to hire a specialized 18-wheeler lawyer is the insurance complexity. Trucking companies carry massive policies that car accident lawyers don’t know how to handle.

The $5 Million Federal Minimum

Under 49 CFR Part 387, trucks hauling hazardous materials like crude oil through Alpine must carry at least $5 Million in liability insurance. General freight trucks must carry at least $750,000. However, many large fleets carry “layered” coverage with $10 million, $50 million, or even $100 million in total umbrella protection.

Dealing with Self-Insured Giants

Companies like Walmart and Amazon often “self-insure” for the first several million dollars. This means the money is coming directly from their corporate coffers. They fight harder because it’s their own cash. Lupe Peña, with his history in insurance defense, knows how to negotiate with these corporate risk managers. He knows their “reserve” system and how to force them to pay a fair settlement.

They have millions. You deserve justice. Call Attorney911 at (713) 528-9070 or toll-free at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Alpine Truck Accident FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

1. How long do I have to file my truck accident claim in Alpine?

In Texas, the statute of limitations is generally 2 years from the date of the accident. However, in Brewster County cases involving government trucks or specific corporate entities, notice requirements can be as short as 6 months. Never wait. Evidence in Alpine vanishes long before the legal deadline.

2. The insurance adjuster offered me a settlement. Should I take it?

NO. Their first offer is always a “lowball.” They want you to sign a release before you know if you need surgery or if your TBI is permanent. Once you sign, your case is closed forever. As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We make sure your settlement covers your whole life, not just your current bills.

3. Can I sue if the truck driver was an “independent contractor”?

Yes. Amazon and FedEx Ground love this defense. We use the “Control Test” to prove that if the company set the route and dictated the speed, the driver is legally their employee for liability purposes. We have successfully pierced the contractor shield for clients hit by corporate vans in Alpine.

4. What if I was partially at fault for the crash on US-90?

Texas follows 51% Modified Comparative Negligence. As long as you were not more than 50% responsible, you can still recover damages in Alpine. If you were 20% at fault, your settlement is reduced by 20%. The trucking company will try to blame you for everything—we use black box data to prove they were the primary cause.

5. My doctor says I have a “permanent impairment.” What does that mean for my case?

In Alpine truck cases, permanent impairment means you can’t return to the “old you.” This entitles you to non-economic damages for loss of enjoyment of life and decreased earning capacity. We hire vocational experts to calculate exactly how much that impairment will cost you in wages over the rest of your career.

6. I’m an undocumented immigrant. Can I still sue and will I be deported?

Your immigration status has zero bearing on your right to compensation in Brewster County courts. Seeking justice for an 18-wheeler injury is a civil matter, not a criminal one. Attorney911 has represented many Hispanic workers in Alpine, and our associate Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish. Hablamos Español. We protect your privacy while we fight for your money.

7. How much does an Alpine truck accident lawyer cost?

We work on a contingency fee. You pay zero upfront costs. We advance all the money for experts, investigators, and court filings. We only get paid if we win. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing. As client Donald Wilcox said, “One company said they would not accept my case… then I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

8. What is “Black Box Data” and why is it the “smoking gun”?

The Engine Control Module (ECM) is a computer in the truck that records speed, steering, and braking. It can prove a driver was speeding on US-67 or didn’t hit the brakes until the moment of impact. We send investigators to Brewster County to download this data before the trucking company can tamper with it.

9. I live in Alpine, but the trucking company is from out of state. Where do we sue?

Because trucking is interstate commerce, we can often file your case in Federal Court (Southern District of Texas). Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court and knows how to win there. Filing in federal court can often lead to faster resolutions and higher settlements against out-of-state defendants.

10. Can I get money for PTSD or driving anxiety after my Alpine crash?

YES. Psychological injuries are real and compensable. If you’re afraid to drive or having nightmares about that 18-wheeler, those are “Mental Anguish” damages. We ensure your medical records reflect the cognitive and emotional toll of the wreck.

Got more questions? We have 24/7 answers. Call 888-ATTY-911.

The Attorney911 Difference: Results That Matter for Alpine

When you hire Ralph Manginello and his team, you aren’t just a file number. You are part of our family.

• 25+ Years Experience: We’ve been winning since 1998.
• Insurance Defense Advantage: We know how they think, and we know how to beat them.
• Federal Court Admission: We take cases all the way to the highest levels.
• Local Knowledge: We know the Brewster County roads and the juries that decide Alpine cases.
• Contingency Fee: No win, no fee. Period.

Client Chad Harris put it best: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We take that responsibility seriously. When a corporate truck changes your life in Alpine, we hit them back harder. We hold the negligent carriers, the greedy oil companies, and the retail giants accountable for every dime they owe you.

The evidence is fading. The trucking company is working. It’s time for you to fight back.

Contact Attorney911 Now

Toll-Free: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
Hablamos Español.

Free Consultation. Available 24/7. Serving Alpine, Marathon, Terlingua, and all of Brewster County.