Burnet County Truck Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Crashes
The impact of an 80,000-pound commercial truck is never just an accident; it is a life-altering catastrophe. When a semi-truck or heavy haul granite truck slams into a passenger vehicle on the narrow stretches of SH-29 or the busy corridors of US-281 in Burnet County, the laws of physics are not on your side. Your car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. The truck that hit you is twenty times that weight. That is not a fair fight on the road, and without the right legal representation, it won’t be a fair fight in the courtroom either.
At Attorney911, we understand that you are in the midst of a legal emergency. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable for the devastation they leave behind. Since 1998, we have gone toe-to-toe with some of the largest corporations in the world, including BP and Walmart, recovering multi-million dollar settlements for families whose lives were shattered in Burnet County and across Texas. We don’t just handle cases; we protect families. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
If you or a loved one has been injured, you need more than a lawyer—you need a team that understands the internal playbook of the opposition. Our firm includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense lawyer who used to defend the very companies we now sue. He knows exactly how they attempt to minimize, delay, and deny your claim. We use that insider knowledge to stay three steps ahead, ensuring that your rights in Burnet County are protected from day one.
If you need immediate help after a truck accident in Burnet County, call 1-888-ATTY-911. We are available 24/7 to begin the fight for your recovery.
The Unique Dangers of Trucking in Burnet County
Burnet County sits at a critical junction of Central Texas commerce and Hill Country tourism. This creates a volatile mix of high-speed freight traffic, heavy industrial hauling, and families traveling to our lakes and parks.
High-Volume Trucking Corridors
The trucking risk in Burnet County is defined by several key routes:
- US Highway 281: This is the primary north-south artery moving freight between the Rio Grande Valley and North Texas. The stretch of 281 through Marble Falls and Burnet is constantly clogged with long-haul 18-wheelers, many of whose drivers are reaching the limit of their federal hours-of-service mandates.
- State Highway 29: Moving east-west through Bertram and Burnet, SH-29 sees a massive volume of commercial traffic. On these often two-lane stretches, a single mistake by a fatigued truck driver can result in a fatal head-on collision.
- FM 1431: Known for its scenic curves, this road is increasingly used by construction fleets and delivery vans serving the rapid growth in South Burnet County. These winding roads are notoriously dangerous for top-heavy vehicles like concrete mixers and dump trucks.
Industrial and Aggregate Hauling Hazards
Unlike many other regions, Burnet County is home to active granite quarrying and aggregate production. This means our local roads are shared with “belly dumps” and heavy haulers carrying massive loads of stone. These vehicles operate under unique stresses; a granite hauler leaving a quarry near Marble Falls often weighs at or above legal limits, making their braking distance significantly longer than a standard semi-truck. When these industrial vehicles fail to yield at rural intersections in Burnet County, the results are almost always catastrophic.
The Impact of Central Texas Growth
As the Austin metro area expands, the “last-mile” delivery traffic from companies like Amazon and FedEx has exploded in Burnet County. These drivers are often under extreme time pressure to meet delivery quotas, leading to aggressive driving, illegal parking, and blind spot accidents in residential neighborhoods where our children play.
Why Experience Matters: Ralph Manginello’s 25-Year Legacy
When you hire Attorney911, you are hiring a firm led by a 25-year veteran of complex litigation. Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, giving our firm the federal court experience necessary to handle interstate trucking cases. Many trucking companies are based outside of Texas, and their cases often move to federal court. You need an attorney who is already admitted there and knows the local rules.
Our track record speaks for itself. We have recovered over $50 million for Texas families, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries ($1.5M – $9.8M range) and amputations ($1.9M – $8.6M range). We were one of the few Texas firms involved in the historic BP Texas City refinery litigation, proving that we can take on Fortune 500 defendants and win. Whether we are litigating a $10 million lawsuit against a major university or pursuing a negligent trucking carrier in Burnet County, our approach is relentless.
Hablamos Español. Llame al (888) 288-9911 para hablar con nuestro equipo.
The Insurance Defense Advantage: Lupe Peña
One of the greatest assets we provide to our Burnet County clients is the insider perspective of Lupe Peña. Having spent years working for a national insurance defense firm, Lupe has seen firsthand:
- How adjusters are trained to ask leading questions to get you to admit fault.
- The software algorithms (like Colossus) insurers use to intentionally undervalue your pain and suffering.
- The tactics they use to claim your herniated disc was “pre-existing” or “age-related” rather than caused by the 80,000-pound impact.
Now, Lupe fights for you. He knows where the evidence is hidden and how to counter every move the defense makes. When the trucking company’s insurer tries to lowball you after a wreck in Burnet County, we know they are bluffing because we’ve sat in their meetings.
Understanding FMCSA Regulations and Proving Negligence
Commercial trucking in Burnet County is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations, found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), are the floor for safety—not the ceiling. When a trucking company violates these rules, they are breaking the law, and that violation is the foundation of your case.
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)
Fatigue is the single most common cause of 18-wheeler accidents on Burnet County highways. Under federal law:
- The 11-Hour Rule: Drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- The 14-Hour Rule: Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty.
- The 30-Minute Break: A break is mandatory after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
Trucking companies often pressure drivers to “fudge” their logs to make deliveries to Burnet County locations faster. We subpoena Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove when a driver has been behind the wheel too long.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification
Trucking companies have a non-delegable duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. This requires:
- Comprehensive background checks and driving record (MVR) reviews.
- Verification of a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
- Medical examiner certificates to ensure the driver doesn’t have conditions like untreated sleep apnea.
- Initial and random drug/alcohol testing (49 CFR Part 382).
If a company hired a driver with a history of DWI or multiple speeding tickets and that driver hits you in Burnet County, the company is liable for negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
A truck with bad brakes is a 40-ton missile. FMCSA requires daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections. If the maintenance logs show the company deferred repairs on a brake system or ignored a worn tire to save money, they are responsible for the resulting crash on SH-29.
49 CFR Part 393: Cargo Securement
Improperly secured cargo can cause a trailer to shift, leading to a rollover or cargo spill. In Burnet County, where stone and construction materials are frequently hauled, securement is critical. If a granite block falls from a trailer and causes a secondary collision, the loading company and the carrier are both in our crosshairs.
Burnet County Commercial Vehicle Accident Types
We handle every type of commercial vehicle crash, tailoring our investigation to the specific vehicle and road conditions involved.
1. Jackknife Accidents on US-281
When a truck driver on US-281 slams their brakes too hard, the trailer can swing out perpendicular to the cab. This “jackknife” can sweep across all lanes of traffic, leaving Burnet County drivers with literally nowhere to go. These pile-ups often involve dozens of vehicles and catastrophic injuries. Learn more in our video: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.
2. Rollover Crashes on SH-29
Rollovers are frequent on curves where regional drivers fail to adjust their speed for top-heavy loads. Liquid tankers (like those hauling fuel to local gas stations) are especially prone to rollovers due to the “slosh effect” of the cargo. When a truck rolls over in Burnet County, it often crushes smaller vehicles beneath it.
3. Underride Collisions
Among the most lethal accidents, an underride occurs when a car slides beneath the rear or side of a trailer. Burnet County’s low-light rural roads make these especially common at night if the truck lacks proper reflectors or Mansfield bars. These are almost always fatal or result in severe traumatic brain injuries.
4. Granite and Aggregate Truck Accidents
Burnet County’s unique industry brings specialized dump trucks and belly-dumps onto our roads. These trucks often operate over their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), meaning their brakes were never designed to stop the load they are carrying. If you were hit by a construction or quarry truck, we investigate the weight records from the loading site immediately.
5. Corporate Delivery Van Accidents (Amazon, FedEx, UPS)
Amazon “last-mile” vans are everywhere in Marble Falls and Burnet. These drivers are often untrained and exhausted. Amazon will try to claim the driver was an “independent contractor” to avoid liability. We know how to pierce that corporate shield and prove Amazon’s control over the delivery process makes them responsible for your injuries in Burnet County.
6. Concrete Mixer and Garbage Truck Crashes
Heavy residential trucks like concrete mixers and garbage trucks operate in our local neighborhoods. Their massive blind spots and frequent backing make them a top threat to pedestrians and children. If a garbage truck hit you in Burnet County, we investigate their route timing to see if the driver was rushing to finish their shift.
7. Rental Truck Accidents (U-Haul, Penske)
U-Haul rents 26-foot trucks to people with ZERO commercial training. When an inexperienced driver in a rented truck tries to navigate a tight turn in Burnet County and causes a wreck, we hold the rental company accountable for negligent entrustment and maintenance failures.
The trucking company is already building their defense. What are you doing? Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for your free consultation.
16 Parties We Hold Accountable in Your Case
Most law firms in Burnet County only sue the driver. We dig deeper. To maximize your recovery, we investigate every party that touched the truck, the cargo, or the driver’s schedule.
- The Truck Driver: For direct negligence (speeding, distraction, impairment).
- The Trucking Company: For vicarious liability and negligent hiring/supervision.
- The Cargo Owner: If the nature of the cargo wasn’t properly disclosed.
- The Loading Company: For improper weight distribution or securement.
- The Truck Manufacturer: If a design defect (like a fuel tank placement) caused a fire.
- Parts Manufacturers: For defective brakes, tires, or steering systems.
- Maintenance Companies: If a third-party mechanic failed to fix a known safety issue.
- Freight Brokers: For brokering a load to a carrier with a known bad safety record.
- The Truck Owner: If they leased a dangerous vehicle to the carrier.
- Government Entities: If a road design defect or unmaintained pothole on a Burnet County road contributed to the crash.
- Corporate Parents (Walmart, Amazon): To reach the deepest pockets and hold branded fleets accountable.
- Oilfield Operators: If the truck was hauling for a major lease holder under dangerous conditions.
- Staffing Companies: If they provided an unqualified driver to the carrier.
- Rental Companies: For renting oversized vehicles to untrained drivers.
- Transit Agencies/School Districts: If a bus or city vehicle was involved.
- The Federal Government: If the accident involved a USPS vehicle (requires Federal Tort Claims Act procedure).
The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol
In Burnet County, evidence from a truck accident has a “shelf life.” If you wait even a week to hire an attorney, critical proof might be erased.
- ECM/Black Box Data: This records speed, braking, and steering inputs. The trucking company can overwrite this data within 30 days simply by putting the truck back in service.
- ELD Logs: Federal law only requires carriers to keep driver logs for six months.
- Dashcam Footage: Many fleet cameras (like Netradyne or DriveCam) only save “event-triggered” footage for a few days before deleting it.
- The Physical Truck: Companies often rush to repair or scrap the truck to prevent an independent inspection by our experts.
At Attorney911, we send formal Spoliation Letters within 24–48 hours of being hired. This puts the defendants on legal notice that destroying evidence will result in severe court sanctions. We move faster than the insurance investigators reaching the scene.
Catastrophic Injuries and Life-Care Planning
Truck accidents don’t just cause broken bones; they cause permanent changes to your existence. Our firm works with the top medical experts in Texas to document the full scope of your damages.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Even a “mild” concussion from a truck impact can lead to years of cognitive fog, personality changes, and memory loss. Severe TBIs require 24/7 care. Our multi-million dollar results for TBI victims (up to $9.8M) reflect the lifelong cost of these injuries. Learn more: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
A high-energy impact onto the spine can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. These cases command the highest settlements (up to $25.8M+) because they require a “Life Care Plan”—calculating every wheelchair, home modification, and caregiver hour you will need for the rest of your life.
Amputations and Crush Injuries
Being pinned in a car after a crash with an 18-wheeler in Burnet County often leads to traumatic amputations or surgical removals. We have secured $3.8M+ for amputation victims, ensuring they can afford the best prosthetics and rehabilitation.
Wrongful Death in Burnet County
If a loved one was killed on US-281, no amount of money can bring them back. However, a wrongful death claim provides for the family’s future and punishes the company for their negligence. We have recovered over $9.5M in fatal trucking cases, helping families find a path forward.
Calculating the Value of Your Case: Insurance Stacking
Trucking cases are high-value because the insurance requirements are substantial.
- General Freight: $750,000 minimum.
- Oil and Large Equipment: $1,000,000 minimum.
- Hazardous Materials: $5,000,000 minimum.
But in a major crash, even a $1 million policy isn’t enough. We use Insurance Stacking to identify every available policy. If we can prove that the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, and the freight broker all shared fault, we can access four different insurance policies instead of one. This is how we secure “nuclear verdicts” and multi-million dollar settlements for our Burnet County clients.
Burnet County Truck Accident FAQ
How long do I have to file my claim in Burnet County?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the accident. However, specifically for trucking cases, waiting is dangerous. If you wait more than 30 days, the “black box” evidence is likely gone, and the trucking company has already interviewed every witness. Call us today to preserve your rights.
What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
Texas is a modified comparative negligence state with a 51% bar. This means as long as you were 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages. Your total settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If the truck driver was speeding or fatigued, their percentage of fault will almost always be higher than yours.
Can I sue Amazon directly if their delivery van hit me?
Yes. While Amazon uses contractors, they exercise “pervasive control” over those drivers. We litigate against Amazon by showing they control the routes, the timing, and even use AI cameras to monitor the driver’s eyes. This makes them liable for the driver’s mistakes in Burnet County.
How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
At Attorney911, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay Zero Upfront Costs. We advance all the expenses for experts and investigation. We only get paid if and when we win your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing.
What should I do if the insurance company offers me a quick check?
NEVER accept the first offer. These “quick settlements” are lowball offers designed to get you to sign away your rights before you know if you need surgery or have a permanent brain injury. As Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We ensure you don’t leave money on the table.
Who pays my medical bills while I’m waiting for the settlement?
We help our clients coordinate medical care. We can often work with Burnet County doctors who will treat you under a “Letter of Protection,” meaning they agree to wait for payment until your case is settled. You shouldn’t have to choose between your health and your financial future.
Your Fight Starts With One Call: 1-888-ATTY-911
If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident in Burnet County, the clock is already ticking. The trucking company has investigators at the scene. They have lawyers on retainer. They have an army of adjusters ready to deny your claim.
You deserve a fighter in your corner. Ralph Manginello has spent 25 years making trucking companies pay for their negligence. We treat our clients like family, and we don’t stop until justice is served.
Do not let the trucking company win by default. Call Attorney911 right now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for your 100% free, confidential case evaluation. We answer 24/7. Hablamos Español.
Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
Powerful. Proven. Relentless.
Serving Burnet, Marble Falls, Bertram, and all of Burnet County.
