Comanche County Truck Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

The impact of an 80,000-pound steel titan slamming into your passenger vehicle on US Highway 377 or US Highway 67 isn’t just an accident. It’s a life-altering trauma. One second, you’re driving through the heart of Comanche County toward Brownwood or Stephenville, and the next, your world is a twisted mass of metal and shattered glass. In that moment, your life changes, but the trucking company’s life stays the same. They have an army of lawyers and adjusters already moving to protect their bottom line. We believe you deserve a fight that is just as aggressive.

At Attorney911, led by managing partner Ralph Manginello, we have spent the last 25-plus years taking on the largest trucking corporations in the world. Since 1998, Ralph has navigated the complexities of federal court and major litigation, including the landmark BP Texas City Refinery explosion cases. We aren’t just local attorneys; we are trial-tested warriors who understand that when an 18-wheeler, a delivery van, or a dump truck causes a catastrophe in Comanche County, the victims need more than sympathy—they need results.

Our team brings a unique advantage to your case. Associate attorney Lupe Peña used to work on the other side, defending national insurance companies. He knows their playbook. He knows how they try to minimize your pain, delay your payments, and deny your claims. We use that insider knowledge to stay three steps ahead of the insurance adjusters. If you’ve been hurt, don’t wait for them to do the right thing—they won’t. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 and let us start building your defense before the evidence disappears.

The Reality of Trucking Accidents in Comanche County

Comanche County is a critical transit point in the Texas heartland. While it may not have the urban congestion of Houston or Dallas, our roads like State Highway 16 and State Highway 36 are plagued by heavy commercial traffic. We see everything from dairy transport trucks and agricultural haulers to massive components for wind turbine projects and corporate delivery fleets. The rural nature of our roads creates a specific kind of danger: high-speed, two-lane traffic where there is zero room for error.

According to national statistics, over 5,000 people die in trucking accidents every year, and over 125,000 are left with serious, life-changing injuries. Tragically, in 76% of these cases, the person killed is not the truck driver, but the occupant of the smaller vehicle. Physics simply doesn’t play fair. An 18-wheeler is 20 to 25 times heavier than a standard car. When that mass hits you at 65 miles per hour, it carries nearly 80 times the kinetic energy of a sedan.

We’ve seen the aftermath of these collisions across Texas. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families in Comanche County and beyond, including traumatic brain injury recoveries ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million and wrongful death cases reaching as high as $9.5 million. Client Chad Harris said it best: “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” When you’ve been hurt on a Comanche County road, you need a firm that treats your recovery like their own.

The clock is ticking. Within 30 days, a truck’s black box data can be overwritten. Call 888-ATTY-911 today for a free consultation.

Texas Laws Governing Your Comanche County Truck Accident Case

Navigating a personal injury claim in Texas requires a deep understanding of specific state statutes. Because we have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve the entire state, including hard-working families in Comanche County. You need to know how these laws affect your ability to recover compensation.

The Two-Year Statute of Limitations

In Texas, you generally have exactly two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death. Two years might sound like a long time, but in a trucking case, it’s the blink of an eye. We need every day of that time to conduct a thorough investigation, subpoena records, and hire accident reconstruction experts. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever.

Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Rule)

Texas follows a “modified comparative negligence” system. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, provided your percentage of responsibility is 50% or less. If a jury finds you 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are 20% at fault, your total award is reduced by 20%. The trucking company’s lawyers will work tirelessly to shift the blame onto you. Our job is to use the evidence—like Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data and camera footage—to prove that the trucker or the trucking company was the negligent party.

Punitive Damages in Texas

When a trucking company in Comanche County acts with gross negligence or malice—such as knowingly letting an impaired driver behind the wheel or falsifying safety logs—we may pursue punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar conduct. Texas limits these to the greater of $200,000 or two times the economic damages plus an equal amount of non-economic damages up to $750,000. While rare, they are a powerful tool for holding corporations accountable.

Don’t let the trucking company blame you for their negligence. Call 1-888-288-9911 for a free case evaluation.

Proving Negligence: FMCSA Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399)

Interstate trucking is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations (Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations) are the standard we use to prove a company’s negligence. When a truck driver heading through Comanche County toward San Angelo or Abilene violates these rules, they are breaking the law.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

Driver fatigue is a silent killer. Federal law is extremely strict:

• 11-Hour Limit: A driver may only drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 14-Hour Window: A driver cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
• 30-Minute Breaks: Drivers must take a break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
• ELD Mandate: Since 2017, almost all trucks must use an Electronic Logging Device to track these hours automatically.

When we investigate your Comanche County crash, we look for “logbook fatigue.” We subpoena the ELD data to see if the driver was pushed beyond their limits to meet a delivery deadline. Falsifying logs is a major violation that can lead to significant settlements.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification

The company has a duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. They must maintain a Driver Qualification File for every operator. This file must include:

• Employment application and background checks.
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) verification.
• A current Medical Examiner’s Certificate (verified every 2 years).
• Annual driving record reviews.

If a company like Walmart or Amazon puts a driver on the road in Comanche County without verifying their medical fitness or checking for a history of DUIs, they are liable for negligent hiring.

49 CFR Part 396: Maintenance and Inspection

An 80,000-pound truck is only as safe as its weakest part. Regulations require systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance. Every driver must conduct a pre-trip inspection focusing on brakes, tires, and lights. If a truck’s brakes fail on a descent in the hills of Comanche County, we look at the maintenance logs. If the company deferred repairs to save money, they are responsible for every dime of your damages.

Regulations exist to keep you safe. When they are ignored, people get hurt. 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 We Handle in Comanche County

Every accident has a unique mechanical fingerprint. We use engineering and physics to reconstruct exactly how your crash occurred.

Jackknife and Rollover Accidents

A jackknife happens when the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across all lanes of a highway like US 67. This is usually caused by improper braking on wet roads or unbalanced cargo. Rollovers are equally devastating, often occurring on the sharp curves of Comanche County’s backroads when a driver takes a turn too fast or carrying a top-heavy agricultural load. Under 49 CFR § 393.100, cargo must be secured to withstand lateral forces. If it wasn’t, the loading company is liable.

Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Wrecks

An underride collision occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a trailer. Because of the height disparity, the car’s safety features like airbags and crumple zones are bypassed, often leading to decapitation or fatal brain injuries. If a truck was lacking a properly maintained “Mansfield Bar” (rear impact guard required by 49 CFR § 393.86), we hold the manufacturer and the carrier accountable for a preventable tragedy.

Blind Spot and Wide Turn Accidents

Every truck has “No-Zones”—blind spots where you are invisible to the driver. The most dangerous is the right side. We also see many “squeeze play” accidents where a truck swings wide left to make a right turn, crushing a smaller vehicle against a curb. Truckers have a heightened duty to check their mirrors and signal well in advance. If they didn’t, they were negligent.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures

In the summer heat of Comanche County, road temperatures can soar, leading to catastrophic tire blowouts if the tires are worn or under-inflated. A steer-tire blowout at 65 mph causes immediate loss of control. Similarly, brake fade on a long haul can turn a semi-truck into an unguided missile. We investigate 49 CFR § 396.3 violations to prove the carrier failed to maintain their equipment.

Whether you were hit by an 18-wheeler, a delivery van, or a dump vehicle, we are here to help. Call 888-ATTY-911.

Corporate Fleets and Oilfield Vehicles: David vs. Goliath

Comanche County sees massive traffic from branded corporate fleets and vehicles connected to the Texas energy sector. These cases are different from standard car wrecks because you are fighting some of the most powerful entities on Earth.

Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, and UPS

When a Walmart or UPS truck causes a wreck in Comanche County, you aren’t dealing with a typical insurance company. You are dealing with a self-insured corporation. They have deep pockets, but they fight even harder because the money comes directly from their bottom line.

Amazon presents a unique challenge. They use “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs)—independent contractors—to shield themselves from liability. However, we know how to pierce that shield. If Amazon controls the routes, the timing, and monitors the drivers via Netradyne AI cameras, we argue they are an employer under the “Right to Control” test. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with these giants before, and we don’t blink.

The Oilfield Danger

While Comanche County isn’t the center of the Permian Basin, we are a major thoroughfare for oilfield equipment. We see water trucks, sand haulers, and crew vans 24/7. These drivers often work brutal 14-to-16-hour shifts. When a fatigued oilfield worker in a crew van falls asleep or a multi-axle equipment hauler loses a load, we look for both FMCSA and OSHA violations. These cases often involve multiple defendants: the driver, the trucking company, and the oil company that set the dangerous schedule.

We’ve recovered millions for families injured by corporate negligence. Let us fight for you. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Identifying All Liable Parties

Most lawyers only sue the driver. We dig deeper. To maximize your recovery, we look for every insurance policy that may apply. The 16 potentially liable parties include:

1. The Driver: For direct negligence.
2. The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior or negligent hiring.
3. The Cargo Owner: If the cargo was inherently dangerous or improperly disclosed.
4. The Loading Company: For failing to follow 49 CFR Part 393 securement rules.
5. Truck Manufacturer: For design defects like faulty underride guards.
6. Parts Manufacturer: For defective tires or brakes.
7. Maintenance Company: For failing to properly repair the vehicle.
8. Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a known bad safety record.
9. The Truck Owner: If they knowingly leased a dangerous vehicle.
10. Government Entities: If poor road design or unmaintained State Highways in Comanche County contributed.
11. Corporate Parent: Like Amazon Logistics or Walmart Inc.
12. Oilfield Operator: If the worker was on a “journey management plan” for a major oil company.
13. Staffing Agencies: For Providing unqualified drivers.
14. Rental Companies: Like U-Haul or Penske (under negligent maintenance theories).
15. Transit Agencies: For bus accidents.
16. The Federal Government: If the accident involved a USPS vehicle (under the FTCA).

More defendants means more insurance coverage. More coverage means a higher recovery for you. 1-888-ATTY-911.

The 48-Hour Urgency: Preserving Vital Evidence

In Comanche County trucking cases, evidence is the difference between a “he-said, she-said” dispute and a multi-million dollar verdict. But evidence is fragile.

Within 48 hours of an accident, we send formal Spoliation Letters to all defendants. This legally requires them to preserve:

• ECM/Black Box Data: Records speed, braking, and throttle 30 seconds before impact.
• ELD Logs: Proves hours-of-service violations and driver exhaustion.
• Driver Qualification Files: Exposes hiring negligence and bad driving history.
• Telematics/GPS Data: Shows the route and whether the driver was speeding between stops.
• Maintenance Records: Proves whether the brakes or tires were legally compliant.

If they destroy this evidence after receiving our letter, we can ask the judge for a “spoliation instruction.” This tells the jury to assume the destroyed evidence proved the company was guilty. We move fast so you don’t lose your case before it even starts.

Evidence disappears every second you wait. Call (888) 288-9911 now.

Catastrophic Injuries and Life-Changing Losses

A truck collision isn’t a “fender bender.” It’s a high-energy trauma event. Our firm has secured multi-million dollar results for clients facing:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A TBI can change your personality, remove your ability to concentrate, and end your career. We’ve seen TBI settlements reach up to $9.8 million because the lifetime cost of care is staggering. Learn more in our video: The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

When the spine is compromised, the world shrinks. Whether it’s paraplegia or quadriplegia, the cost of home modifications, 24/7 nursing, and medical equipment can exceed $5 million in the first year alone. We fight for settlements that cover your entire lifespan, not just your current bills.

Amputations and Severe Burns

Loss of a limb or 4th-degree burns from a tanker explosion on US 377 are life-altering. You face phantom pain, multiple reconstructive surgeries, and the psychological trauma of disfigurement. Client Kiimarii Yup shared: “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” We fight for that type of total recovery.

The Impact of PTSD

Emotional injuries are just as real as broken bones. If you wake up with nightmares or are now petrified to drive on the highway, you may have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In Texas, mental anguish and lost “enjoyment of life” are compensable damages. Don’t suffer in silence—we make the insurance company pay for your psychiatric care.

Your recovery is our priority. As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” Call 888-ATTY-911.

Maximizing Your Compensation: Commercial Insurance Pools

Why do you need an attorney who specializes in trucks? Because the insurance rules are different.

• General Freight: Federal minimum is $750,000.
• Oil and Large Equipment: Federal minimum is $1,000,000.
• Hazardous Materials: Federal minimum is $5,000,000.

Most 18-wheelers carry a “stack” of insurance: a primary policy, an umbrella policy, and an excess policy. If you have been catastrophically injured, a $100,000 car insurance policy won’t even cover your first week in the ICU. We know how to find the layers of coverage that big carriers try to hide.

We also understand the MCS-90 Endorsement. This is a federal requirement that ensures victims receive at least the minimum legal compensation even if the trucking company’s insurance policy has a technical flaw. Check out our video: The Definitive Guide To MCS 90 Auto Endorsements at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auB5NWcwyag.

Frequently Asked Questions for Comanche County Victims

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Zero upfront. We work on a residency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe us an attorney fee. We advance all the costs of the investigation, experts, and filing fees.

The insurance company offered me $50,000 today. Should I take it?
NO. Insurance companies offer “quick checks” to get you to sign a release. Once you sign, you can never ask for more money—even if you find out next week that you need a $150,000 spinal surgery. Never accept an offer until we have calculated your maximum medical improvement (MMI) and your future care costs.

What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
This is a favorite trick of companies like Amazon and FedEx Ground. They claim they aren’t responsible for “contractors.” We use the “Control Test” to prove that if the company set the route and monitored the driver, they are the employer in the eyes of the law.

Who pays my medical bills while I wait for a settlement?
We help you coordinate care. Many providers in Comanche County will work under an LOP (Letter of Protection), meaning they treat you now and wait to get paid until your case settles. This ensures you get the surgery or physical therapy you need today without going into debt.

How long will my case take?
Simple cases with clear liability may resolve in 6 to 12 months. Complex cases with multiple defendants can take 2 to 3 years. We work to resolve your case as fast as possible without sacrificing a single dollar of its value. As client Angel Walle said: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”

Can I sue if the accident was caused by a loose tire or a shifting load?
Yes. Under 49 CFR Part 393, carriers are strictly responsible for securing their cargo. If a “road gator” (tire debris) or a fallen piece of equipment hit you, the company is liable for negligent maintenance or loading.

Is it normal to have a headache after a crash?
Yes, but it could be a sign of a brain bleed or TBI. Check out our video: Is a Headache Normal After a Car Accident? at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EF82H16eCo. Get medical help immediately.

What if my child was injured in the crash?
Children have unique legal protections and different damage calculations because their injuries affect their entire developing life. We fight for specialized trusts to ensure their future is protected.

I speak Spanish—can your firm help me?
Hablamos Español. Nuestro abogado Lupe Peña es fluido en español y puede proteger sus derechos directamente.

What if I was a passenger in the truck?
Many “team drivers” or trainees are injured by their co-workers. You have a right to sue the driver and the trucking company for your injuries, separate from your workers’ comp claim.

Why Choose Ralph Manginello and Attorney911?

In Comanche County, people value hard work and honesty. That is the foundation of our firm. We aren’t a high-volume “settlement mill” where you never speak to your lawyer. When you call Attorney911, you get Ralph and Lupe. You get 25 years of courtroom experience. You get a team that is currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against a major university and has taken on the world’s largest oil corporations.

We take the cases other firms reject. As 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 back down from a fight, and we don’t let trucking companies bully Texans.

You pay nothing unless we win. Zero upfront costs. Total commitment to your family.

Contact Attorney911 Today — 24/7 Availability

Comanche County is our community. Whether the crash happened in De Leon, Gustine, or the city of Comanche, we are ready to drive to you. We offer remote consultations via Zoom or in-person meetings. The trucking company is already building their defense to deny you justice. It’s time for you to start building your case.

Don’t let an 80,000-pound mistake ruin your future. Put a former insurance defense attorney and a 25-year trial veteran in your corner.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) or email ralph@atty911.com today.

Your fight. Our focus. Your justice. Attorney911.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Case results mentioned (L.2-L.7) are industry landmark cases and not Attorney911 results unless specifically identified in Section 0 or B.