Burleson County Truck Accident Lawyer

The impact was catastrophic. On a highway like Highway 21 passing through Burleson County, 80,000 pounds of steel moves with a force that a passenger car cannot withstand. In an instant, your commute through Caldwell or your trip home to Somerville was shattered by a commercial truck. Whether it was an 18-wheeler, an oilfield tanker, or a corporate delivery van, the aftermath of a truck wreck is a legal and medical emergency.

At Attorney911, we understand that you aren’t just a case number. When you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler in Burleson County, you are a person whose life has been upended. Our founding partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years fighting for families in Burleson County and across Texas. Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has made it his mission to hold trucking companies accountable when they prioritize their delivery schedules over your safety. We bring a level of investigative depth that other firms simply cannot match, largely because our team includes Lupe Peña, an associate attorney who used to work for a national insurance defense firm. Lupe Peña knows the playbook that trucking insurance companies use to minimize your claim, and he uses that insider knowledge to stay three steps ahead of them.

When a truck accident happens in Burleson County, you need more than just a lawyer; you need a team that acts as your first responder in the legal system. The trucking company already has an investigator on-site. You need Attorney911. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we advance all costs and only get paid if we win for you.

Why Trucking Accidents in Burleson County Are Different

Burleson County sits at a unique crossroads in Central Texas. Between the heavy agricultural freight moving through Caldwell, the massive equipment haulers serving the local sector of the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford Shale, and the high-speed traffic on the Presidential Corridor (Highway 21), our roads are filled with heavy commercial vehicles.

A wreck with a commercial truck in Burleson County is not a “bigger car accident.” It is a complex litigation event involving federal regulations, corporate liability shields, and multiple layers of insurance. When we take on a case here, we aren’t just looking at the driver’s mistake; we are looking at the entire corporate structure that put that driver on Burleson County roads.

Ralph Manginello has secured multi-million dollar recoveries for victims of catastrophic injuries because he understands the physics and the law of these crashes. An 18-wheeler is up to 25 times heavier than your car. At 65 mph, a loaded truck needs over 500 feet to stop—that’s nearly two football fields. When a trucking company fails to maintain those brakes or pressures a fatigued driver to skip sleep to get to a site near Somerville, they have turned an 80,000-pound vehicle into a missile.

Our firm’s experience isn’t limited to standard freight. We have gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations, including BP in the Texas City refinery litigation and multiple Fortune 500 trucking fleets. Whether your accident involved a Walmart 18-wheeler, an Amazon delivery van, or a Halliburton frac truck, our team, led by Ralph Manginello and supported by the insurance defense insights of Lupe Peña, is ready to fight for every dime you deserve.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis. Su futuro es nuestra prioridad.

The 48-Hour Evidence Crisis in Burleson County

The moment a truck accident occurs on Highway 36 or Highway 60 in Burleson County, the clock starts ticking on your ability to prove negligence. Many victims believe that the police report is enough. The truth is much more concerning: critical electronic evidence can disappear in as little as 30 days.

Every modern commercial truck is equipped with an Engine Control Module (ECM), essentially a “black box” similar to those on airplanes. This device records speed, brake application, throttle position, and steering inputs in the seconds leading up to a crash. However, this data can be overwritten. If the trucking company puts that vehicle back into service on Burleson County roads, your proof of their negligence could be erased.

This is why we take immediate action. Within 24 to 48 hours of being hired, Ralph Manginello and our legal team send formal spoliation letters to the trucking company, the driver, and their insurance carriers. These letters put the defendants on legal notice: destroy evidence, and you will face severe sanctions in court.

We demand the preservation of:

• ECM/Black Box Data: To show if the driver was speeding or failed to brake.
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Records: To prove Hours of Service (HOS) violations under 49 CFR Part 395.
• Driver Qualification Files: To see if the driver was actually qualified to be behind the wheel.
• Maintenance Logs: To determine if faulty brakes or worn tires caused the wreck.
• In-Cab Video Footage: Systems like Netradyne or DriveCam that record driver distraction.

If you’ve been hurt in Burleson County, don’t let the evidence disappear. Call (888) 288-9911 immediately so we can lock down the facts.

Specialized Knowledge of FMCSA Regulations

Proving a trucking company was negligent in Burleson County requires more than showing they hit you. It requires proving they violated the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These are the strict rules found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) that govern every aspect of commercial trucking.

Our firm, led by 25-year veteran Ralph Manginello, uses these regulations as a blueprint for your recovery. When a trucking company violates these rules, it isn’t just a mistake—it’s a violation of federal law.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualifications

Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. Under Part 391, they must maintain a complete Driver Qualification File. We investigate whether the company performed a proper background check, verified the driver’s CDL, and ensured they were medically fit. In Burleson County, we often find that understaffed companies cut corners here, putting dangerous or unqualified drivers on our highways.

49 CFR Part 392: Safe Operation

This regulation prohibits drivers from operating while ill or fatigued (§ 392.3). It also strictly forbids the use of handheld mobile phones (§ 392.82). If we find that a driver was texting or distracted while traveling through Burleson County, this regulation is the key to proving their liability.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

Fatigue is the leading cause of fatal truck wrecks. Federal law limits drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. With the pressure of oilfield production and “just-in-time” delivery near Bryan-College Station, drivers frequently falsify their logs. We cross-reference ELD data with GPS records and fuel receipts to catch them in the lie.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

A truck with bad brakes is a death trap. Every motor carrier is required to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. We subpoena maintenance records to see if the carrier ignored “out-of-service” violations or deferred repairs to save money.

Ralph Manginello’s deep understanding of these rules, combined with Lupe Peña’s knowledge of how insurance companies try to explain away these violations, gives you a significant advantage. As client Chad Harris said after working with us, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your case with the urgency and personal attention it deserves.

Burleson County Oilfield Trucking Accidents

The energy sector is a vital part of the Burleson County economy, particularly with the activity in the Austin Chalk. However, this industry brings specialized heavy vehicles that create unique hazards. Water trucks, frac sand haulers, crude tankers, and equipment movers are a constant presence in Caldwell and on our farm-to-market roads.

Oilfield truck accidents are complex because they often fall under dual jurisdictions: the FMCSA for their travel on public roads and OSHA for their work on wellsite premises. In many cases, the trucking company is a small subcontractor, but the oil company—the “Operator”—is the one setting the dangerous schedules and maintaining the treacherous lease roads.

Ralph Manginello has experience holding the world’s largest oil and gas entities accountable. In a Burleson County oilfield wreck, we look for more than just driver error. We look for:

• Overloaded Vehicles: Sand haulers and water trucks that exceed weight limits, making them impossible to stop or prone to rollovers.
• Inadequate Ingress/Egress: When an oil company fails to provide a safe way for trucks to enter and exit Highway 21, causing T-bone collisions.
• “Hot Shot” Speeding: Small flatbeds rushing parts to a rig under extreme time pressure.
• Driver Exhaustion: Frac crews and drivers working 12- to 16-hour shifts then trying to drive home on rural Burleson County roads.

If you were hit by an oilfield truck, you aren’t just fighting a driver; you may be fighting a multinational corporation with massive resources. You need an attorney who has litigated against Fortune 500 defendants like BP and won. Call 888-ATTY-911 to start your fight.

Commercial Truck Types We Handle in Burleson County

“Truck accident” is a broad term. In Burleson County, we see everything from massive 18-wheelers to local delivery vans. Each vehicle type has its own set of rules and liabilities.

18-Wheelers and Semi-Trucks

The most common and often the most dangerous. These involve standard freight and long-haul operations. Liability often settles on the motor carrier and the driver.

Box Trucks and Delivery Vans

With the rise of e-commerce, Amazon and FedEx vans are everywhere in Burleson County neighborhoods. Amazon frequently uses “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs) to shield themselves from liability. We know how to pierce that shield. If Amazon controls the route, the uniform, the timing, and monitors the driver with four AI cameras, we argue they are the employer regardless of what the contract says.

Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers

These are among the heaviest vehicles on the road. A concrete mixer with a rotating drum has a high center of gravity, making it prone to rollovers on the curves of Highway 36. These often involve construction company liability and general contractor insurance policies.

U-Haul and Rental Moving Trucks

Perhaps the most terrifying trucks on Burleson County roads are those driven by someone with zero training. You don’t need a CDL to rent a 26-foot truck. When an untrained driver misjudges a turn or a stopping distance, the rental company can sometimes be held liable for negligent maintenance or even negligent entrustment if they gave the keys to someone visibly unfit to drive.

Garbage and Waste Trucks

Operating in tight residential areas, these vehicles have massive blind spots. They are responsible for a high number of pedestrian and backing accidents. We hold both local municipalities and private waste companies like Waste Management accountable for these avoidable tragedies.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Recovery Potential

A truck crash doesn’t just damage your car; it changes your life. Ralph Manginello and his firm specialized in cases involving the most serious injuries because we believe families deserve the resources to move forward.

We have recovered multi-million dollar settlements for victims facing:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Our recoveries for TBIs have ranged from $1.5 million to as high as $9.8 million. A brain injury can affect your personality, your memory, and your ability to earn a living. We work with neurologists to document the full neurocognitive impact of your crash.
• Spinal Cord Injury (Paralysis): When an underride accident or rollover causes paralysis, the lifetime cost of care can be astronomical. We use life care planners to ensure your settlement covers every future surgery, home modification, and specialized medical need.
• Amputations: Crush injuries in 18-wheeler accidents often lead to loss of limbs. We have secured settlements from $1.9 million to over $8.6 million for amputation victims.
• Severe Burns: Whether from an oil tanker fire or a fuel leak, burns require painful grafts and years of treatment.
• Wrongful Death: If you lost a loved one in a Burleson County wreck, we offer our deepest condolences. We have recovered between $1.9 million and $9.5 million for grieving families, ensuring the negligent company pays for the life they took.

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 shy away from complex or difficult cases. If there is a way to find justice, Ralph Manginello will find it.

The Liability Web: Who Is Responsible for Your Wreck?

Most lawyers only sue the truck driver. At Attorney911, we know that to maximize your recovery in Burleson County, we must look deeper. There is often a “web of liability” that includes multiple insurance policies.

We investigate:

1. The Driver: For direct negligence like speeding, distraction, or impairment.
2. The Trucking Company: For negligent hiring, training, and supervision.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If the load was too heavy or shifted, causing a rollover.
4. The Loading Company: For failing to secure cargo properly under 49 CFR Part 393.
5. The Maintenance Company: If a third party failed to fix the brakes or tires.
6. The Truck Manufacturer: If a defective part like a tire or steering column failed.
7. The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a known bad safety record.
8. The Corporate Parent: Like Amazon, Walmart, or an oil operator who controlled the dangerous conditions of the job.

More liable parties means more insurance pools. While a driver might have a small policy, a corporate defendant like Sysco or Coca-Cola has tens of millions available. We “stack” these policies to ensure your settlement reflects the true value of your suffering. Our team, featuring the former insurance defense perspective of Lupe Peña, knows exactly how to find these hidden insurance layers.

Understanding Texas Trucking Law in Burleson County

Your case is governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Understanding these rules is a prerequisite for a successful claim.

• Two-Year Statute of Limitations: In Burleson County and across Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, for cases involving government vehicles or wrongful death, these deadlines can be even stricter. Do not wait. The longer you wait, the more likely the trucking company is to “lose” the black box data.
• Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Rule): Texas uses a 51% bar. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the wreck, as long as you are not more than 50% responsible. If a jury finds you 20% at fault, your final award is simply reduced by 20%. The trucking company will try to blame you for everything. We use evidence to shut that defense down.
• Self-Insured Defendants: Large corporations like Walmart and UPS often self-insure for the first several million dollars of a claim. This means they are paying with their own money, which often makes them fight harder. Ralph Manginello has been taking on these companies since 1998 and knows how to push them to the negotiating table.

Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.

What to Do After a Truck Wreck in Burleson County

If you are reading this at a hospital in Bryan or at home in Caldwell, you are already in the most critical phase of your case. What you do now determines the outcome.

1. Seek Medical Care: Go to the ER or an urgent care facility immediately. Adrenaline masks serious internal damage.
2. Call the Police: Ensure a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (Form CR-3) is filed.
3. Take Photos: If possible, take photos of the truck’s DOT number, the license plates, and the road conditions.
4. Do NOT Speak to Adjusters: The trucking company’s insurance adjuster may call you within 24 hours. They may sound friendly, but they are looking for reasons to deny your claim. They will record you and use your words against you later.
5. Call Attorney911: We will handle the calls, the investigators, and the paperwork. You focus on healing.

As client Glenda Walker said, “They make you feel like family and even though the process may take some time, they make it feel like a breeze. They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Burleson County Truck Accident FAQ

Q: How much insurance do trucking companies carry in Texas?
A: By federal law, most 18-wheelers must carry a minimum of $750,000 for standard freight. If they are hauling oil or hazardous materials through Burleson County, that minimum jumps to $1 million or $5 million. Large corporate fleets often carry $50 million or more in “umbrella” policies. We identify every dollar available.

Q: What if a truck hit me while I was walking or on a bicycle in Caldwell?
A: These are among the most tragic cases we handle. Pedestrians and cyclists have zero protection. Because truck bumpers are so high, they often impact pedestrians at chest or head level. We treat these cases with extreme urgency, targeting the driver’s failure to maintain a proper lookout and the company’s lack of blind-spot technology.

Q: Can I sue for a truck accident if the driver was from out of state?
A: Yes. Because trucking is interstate commerce, many cases end up in Federal Court (U.S. District Court). Ralph Manginello is admitted to the Southern District of Texas and has extensive experience litigating in federal venues where many Burleson County trucking cases are heard.

Q: How do you prove a truck driver was fatigued?
A: We go beyond the ELD logs. We look at cell phone data to see if they were awake and on social media when they should have been sleeping. We check fuel receipts and toll records to see if their physical location matches what they wrote in their logs.

Q: What is a “nuclear verdict” and does it apply to my case?
A: A nuclear verdict is an award exceeding $10 million. Juries in Texas have reached many of these in recent years because they are tired of trucking companies cutting corners. While not every case is a $10 million case, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which forces insurance companies to offer higher settlements.

Q: An Amazon van hit me in Somerville, but Amazon says they aren’t responsible. Is that true?
A: Amazon will almost always point to their “independent contractor” agreement with the delivery company. But if Amazon set the schedule, monitored the van with Netradyne, and required the driver to wear an Amazon uniform, we can argue they are the “de facto” employer. Ralph Manginello has gone head-to-head with corporate giants like Amazon and knows how to win this argument.

Q: What if the truck driver was on drugs or alcohol?
A: 49 CFR Part 382 requires trucking companies to perform random drug and alcohol tests. If a driver involved in a Burleson County wreck tests positive, it is a massive violation that can lead to punitive damages—additional compensation meant to punish the company for their recklessness.

Q: How long will my case take?
A: A simple case might resolve in 6 to 12 months. Complex cases with catastrophic injuries can take 2 years or more. However, as client Angel Walle noted, we “solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” We move as fast as the law and your medical treatment allow.

Q: Can I get a payout for PTSD after a truck wreck?
A: Yes. Emotional distress, anxiety, and the fear of driving are real injuries. 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: Do you help with medical bills while the case is ongoing?
A: We can help connect you with medical providers who work under a Letter of Protection (LOP), meaning they treat you now and wait until the case is settled to get paid. You should never have to skip a doctor’s appointment because of money.

Fearless Representation Against Corporate Power

Trucking companies in Burleson County think they can push people around because they have millions of dollars and teams of lawyers. They are used to winning. But they haven’t met Ralph Manginello.

Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 are known for a “tooth and nail” fighting style. We have litigation experience against Walmart, Amazon, Coca-Cola, FedEx, and the world’s largest oil producers. We don’t blink when they threaten us with a long trial. We welcome it.

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, provides a tactical advantage that few firms can offer. Because Lupe Peña spent years defending insurance companies, he knows their pressure points. He knows when they are truly worried and when they are bluffing. He knows the software they use to lowball your pain and suffering. We use that information to fight for the maximum value of your case.

Powerful and Proven: The Attorney911 Track Record

With over $50 million recovered for our clients, our results speak for themselves. We have been recognized by the Trial Lawyers Achievement Association as a Million Dollar Member, but we are most proud of the reviews from our actual clients.

As Kiimarii Yup told us, “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” And as Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”

Whether you were hit on Highway 21, Highway 36, FM 60, or a private lease road near a rig site, Burleson County is our territory. We know our courts, we know our people, and we know our trucking corridors.

Your Fight Starts With One Phone Call

The trucking company’s lawyers are already working on your case. They are looking for ways to blame you, to minimize your pain, and to save their company money. You need a fighter who treats you like family.

You pay us nothing upfront. We advance all the costs of accident reconstruction, medical experts, and vocational specialists. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us a dime.

1-888-ATTY-911
(888) 288-9911

Don’t let the trucking company win. Call Attorney911 today for your free consultation. We are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™, and we are ready to stand with you in Burleson County.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911. Justo y honesto, peleamos por usted.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Serving Burleson County, Texas
Caldwell | Somerville | Snook
Available 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911
ralph@atty911.com | https://attorney911.com

Supplemental Legal Resources for Burleson County Victims

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): The federal agency that sets the rules for all trucking companies. www.fmcsa.dot.gov
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): For current information on Burleson County road conditions and construction zones. www.txdot.gov
• Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): To verify commercial insurance requirements in the state. www.tdi.texas.gov
• OSHA Oil and Gas Extraction: For safety standards governing oilfield trucking on wellsites. www.osha.gov/oil-and-gas-extraction

Learn more about your rights after a crash in our video: “What to Do After a Car Accident?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZp4WV2fZ1k.

If you’ve been injured by a commercial vehicle, whether it’s an 18-wheeler on Highway 21 or a package van in Caldwell, we are here to help. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are ready to take your call. 1-888-ATTY-911.

Comprehensive Injury Taxonomy: What You’re Really Recovering

When Ralph Manginello calculates the value of your Burleson County truck accident case, he looks at far more than just your current medical bills. We investigate “hidden damages” that general practice lawyers often overlook.

Orthopedic and Spinal Damage

A “sore back” after a truck wreck is often a herniated disc. In an 80,000-pound collision, the compression forces on the lumbar and cervical spine are extreme. We hold trucking companies liable for the initial injury and the aggravation of any pre-existing conditions. As Lupe Peña knows from his defense days, insurance companies will call your injury “degenerative.” We use MRIs and expert testimony to prove the truth.

Psychological Trauma and Quality of Life

We seek compensation for “Hedonic Damages”—the loss of enjoyment of life. If you can no longer coach your child’s team in Caldwell or enjoy the lake at Somerville because of your injuries, that is a real, compensable loss. We also fight for spouses through “Loss of Consortium” claims, which address the impact the accident has on your marriage and intimacy.

The “Golden Hour” in Burleson County

In rural areas of Burleson County, being far from a Level I trauma center like those in Bryan can worsen outcomes. We argue that the trucking company is liable for the increased severity of injuries caused by the remote locations they choose to operate in without adequate emergency planning.

You deserve a settlement that covers your entire life, not just the next six months. Attorney Ralph Manginello has 25 years of experience ensuring your future is protected. Call 888-ATTY-911.

Final Word to Burleson County Families

Trucking companies are a necessary part of the Texas economy, but they are not above the law. When they put a tired driver in a poorly maintained truck on Highway 21, they are making a choice to endanger our community.

At Attorney911, we believe in accountability. Whether you were hit by a Walmart truck, a Halliburton water tanker, or a local dump truck, we have the resources, the internal defense knowledge, and the 25 years of courtroom experience to win.

You are not just a client. You are family. Let us fight for you.

1-888-ATTY-911
Attorney911.com
Ralph P. Manginello, Managing Partner
Lupe Peña, Associate Attorney
Powerful. Proven. Prepared.