Farmers Branch Truck Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Crashes
The impact of an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer is not just a collision; it’s a life-altering event. When a semi-truck slams into a passenger car on I-35E near the Valwood Parkway or jackknifes across the LBJ Freeway (I-635) in Farmers Branch, the disparity in size and weight means the occupants of the smaller vehicle almost always pay the highest price. At Attorney911, we understand that you aren’t just dealing with a “car wreck.” You’re dealing with a legal emergency that requires the immediate attention of a team that has spent over 25 years in the trenches of trucking litigation.
Since 1998, our founder Ralph Manginello has been holding massive trucking companies and corporate fleets accountable for the devastation they cause on our Texas roads. We know that Farmers Branch serves as a critical artery for North Texas commerce, bisected by some of the busiest freight corridors in the United States. Whether you were hit by a long-haul 18-wheeler, a local delivery van from a nearby fulfillment center, or a specialized industrial vehicle, we offer the aggressive, sophisticated representation needed to take on Fortune 500 defendants and their insurance giants.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, the clock is already ticking. Evidence in Farmers Branch truck accidents can disappear in as little as 30 days. Don’t wait for the trucking company to build its defense. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We are ready to fight for every dime you deserve.
The Unique Dangers of Trucking in Farmers Branch
Farmers Branch occupies a unique position in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Known as a “City in a Park,” it is simultaneously a major industrial and logistics hub. The city is home to the Valwood Improvement District, one of the most prominent industrial parks in Texas, which houses hundreds of distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. This means that every single day, the streets of Farmers Branch are shared with an overwhelming volume of commercial traffic.
The I-35E and I-635 Interchanges
The intersection of I-35E (Stemmons Freeway) and I-635 (LBJ Freeway) is one of the highest-traffic zones in North America. For a truck driver hauling freight from the Port of Houston to the Oklahoma border, Farmers Branch is a major transit point. For a local delivery driver, it’s a maze of high-speed merges and congested interchanges. When 80,000-pound rigs attempt to navigate the “Mixmaster” environment of Northern Dallas County, the margin for error is zero.
A truck traveling at 65 mph on I-35E needs nearly two football fields to come to a complete stop. In the stop-and-go traffic common near Farmers Branch, drivers who are fatigued, distracted, or operating with faulty brakes become high-speed missiles. We’ve seen these crashes happen on the service roads near Webb Chapel Road and along the busy corridors of Luna Road and Midway Road. No matter where it happened, we know the territory.
The Corporate Fleet Presence
Farmers Branch is surrounded by massive e-commerce and retail operations. With major Amazon fulfillment centers and Walmart distribution hubs located in nearby Coppell, Lewisville, and Grapevine, the “last mile” delivery pressure is intense. We see Amazon DSP vans, FedEx Ground trucks, and UPS vehicles constantly rushing to meet quotas on local streets like Valley View Lane.
This pressure creates a dangerous environment where safety often takes a backseat to speed. If you were hit by a branded delivery vehicle, you aren’t just suing a driver; you are potentially going up against some of the largest corporations on the planet. Ralph Manginello and our team have gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations, including BP during the Texas City refinery litigation, and we are not intimidated by their armies of lawyers.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para hablar con nuestro equipo hoy.
The Attorney911 Advantage: Our Insider Knowledge
When you hire a lawyer after a Farmers Branch truck accident, you need to know they have more than just a law degree. You need an advocate who understands how the other side thinks.
The Insurance Defense Edge
Our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who previously worked for a national insurance defense firm. Lupe used to defend the very insurance companies we now fight. He knows their playbook, he knows how they evaluate claims, and he knows the tactics they use to minimize payouts to injury victims. While the insurance adjuster might sound friendly on the phone, their only job is to save their company money. Lupe’s insider experience allows us to anticipate their moves and push back with the truth.
Federal Court and Fortune 500 Experience
Trucking litigation is significantly more complex than a standard car accident. It involve federal regulations, interstate commerce laws, and often, federal court jurisdiction. Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and brings decades of federal litigation experience to every Farmers Branch case. We’ve successfully litigated against massive defendants like Walmart, Amazon, Coca-Cola, FedEx, and UPS.
As client Donald Wilcox shared, “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 take the difficult cases that other firms refuse, and we have recovered over $50 million for Texas families because we aren’t afraid of a fight.
Proven Results in Trucking and Catastrophic Injury Cases
Our track record speaks for itself. We have secured multi-million dollar settlements for victims of catastrophic trauma, including:
- $5+ Million for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and vision loss.
- $3.8+ Million for a victim who suffered a partial limb amputation.
- $2.5+ Million for a commercial truck crash recovery.
- $2+ Million for severe back injuries under the Jones Act.
These aren’t just numbers; they represent the resources needed for a father to provide for his family after he can no longer work, or for a mother to afford the lifetime of care required after a spinal cord injury. If an 18-wheeler has taken your health, your career, or your loved one in Farmers Branch, we are committed to maximizing your recovery.
FMCSA Regulations: How We Prove Negligence in Farmers Branch
Every commercial truck operating in Farmers Branch must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These laws are found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and they exist to protect you. When a company breaks these rules to increase their profit margin, they are liable for the consequences.
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)
Fatigue is a leading killer in Farmers Branch truck accidents. Federal law strictly limits how long a driver can stay behind the wheel. Under Part 395, property-carrying drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They also cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
However, in the highly competitive North Texas shipping corridors, drivers are often pressured to “cook the books.” We use Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove when a driver has exceeded these limits. If a driver spent 16 hours on the road before slamming into you on the LBJ Freeway, we will find the proof.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification
Trucking companies have a non-delegable duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. Under Part 391, carriers must maintain a Driver Qualification File for every operator, including their driving record, medical certificate, and road test results. If a company hired a driver with a history of DWIs or failed to verify their CDL, they are guilty of negligent hiring. We subpoena these files in every Farmers Branch case to see what the company knew about the driver before they put them behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound rig.
49 CFR Part 393 & 396: Parts, Accessories, and Inspections
A truck with worn brakes or bald tires is a tragedy waiting to happen. 49 CFR Part 396 requires every motor carrier to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all vehicles under its control. Part 393 sets specific standards for brakes, lighting, and cargo securement.
Brake problems are a factor in nearly 30% of large truck crashes. If a maintenance company or the carrier skipped inspections to keep a truck on the road in Farmers Branch, they have broken federal law. Our firm works with mechanical experts to perform post-crash inspections that uncover these violations.
49 CFR Part 382: Drug and Alcohol Testing
Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard. A driver is considered impaired at a BAC of .04, half the legal limit for other drivers. Part 382 mandates pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing. If a company failed to perform these tests or ignored a “missed” test, they are directly responsible for the resulting carnage.
Learn more in our video guide: “The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxEHIxZTbK8
Comprehensive Coverage of Truck Accident Types in Farmers Branch
Truck accidents involve unique physics that creates specific, deadly crash dynamics. At Attorney911, we investigate the mechanics of your crash to determine exactly what went wrong.
1. Jackknife Accidents on I-635
A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle, often swept by improper braking on wet or slick roads. In Farmers Branch, where rain can turn our high-speed interchanges into skating rinks, jackknifes often result in multi-vehicle pileups. We look at the ECM (Engine Control Module) data to see if the driver was speeding or braking inappropriately for the conditions, violating 49 CFR § 392.6.
2. Rear-End Collisions and Fatal Force
Because a semi-truck takes 40% longer to stop than your car, rear-end collisions are devastatingly common. When an 18-wheeler strikes a sedan from behind on I-35E, it doesn’t just dent the bumper; it can crush the entire rear passenger compartment. These crashes often indicate a violation of 49 CFR § 392.11 regarding following too closely, or driver distraction.
3. Underride and Override Crashes
Underride collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the side or rear of a trailer. These are among the most lethal accidents we handle in Northern Dallas County, often resulting in decapitation or catastrophic TBI. We investigate whether the truck was equipped with properly maintained Mansfield bars (rear impact guards) as required by 49 CFR § 393.86. If the truck lacked side guards (which are not yet federally mandated but are a known safety feature), we argue that the company was negligent for failing to protect the public.
4. Wide Turn “Squeeze Play”
Farmers Branch has many tight industrial intersections near the Valwood area. Semi-trucks must often swing wide to the left to complete a right-hand turn. If the driver fails to check their mirrors or signal properly, they can “squeeze” a passenger car between the trailer and the curb. 49 CFR § 393.80 requires properly adjusted mirrors, and we prove when a driver failed to use them.
5. Blind Spot (No-Zone) Accidents
An 18-wheeler has four massive blind spots where your car completely disappears. These “No-Zones” extend 20 feet in front of the cab, 30 feet behind the trailer, and across several lanes on either side. If a truck merged into you on the service road near Farmers Branch, the driver may claim they “didn’t see you.” Our job is to prove that “not seeing” is not a defense—it’s negligence.
6. Tire Blowouts and Maintenance Neglect
A steer-tire blowout at 70 mph on a Dallas freeway causes an immediate, uncontrollable pull that can send a truck through a concrete barrier. Many of these blowouts are preventable and caused by running on retreads or under-inflated tires to save a few dollars. We secure the remnants of the tire for expert analysis to prove the carrier violated maintenance standards under 49 CFR Part 396.
Don’t wait. Black box data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
Beyond 18-Wheelers: All Commercial Vehicles in Farmers Branch
While big rigs dominate the headlines, our firm handles cases involving EVERY type of commercial vehicle on the road. Farmers Branch’s industrial density means these specialized vehicles are everywhere.
Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers
A loaded dump truck or concrete mixer can weigh over 60,000 pounds. Because these trucks often work on tight construction schedules near new developments in Farmers Branch, drivers are frequently rushed. Concrete mixers pose a unique threat: the “slosh effect” of liquid concrete can cause the truck to roll over during a relatively slow turn. We hold construction companies and aggregate suppliers accountable when their heavy equipment causes harm.
Garbage and Waste Trucks
Garbage trucks are some of the most dangerous vehicles in residential Farmers Branch neighborhoods. They are top-heavy, have massive blind spots, and are constantly backing up. We’ve seen tragic cases where these vehicles strike pedestrians or cyclists. Because waste management is often handled by municipal or contracted companies, these cases involve complex notice requirements and potentially sovereign immunity caps. You need a lawyer who knows how to navigate these hurdles.
Amazon, Walmart, and Last-Mile Delivery Vans
The blue Amazon vans and branded FedEx trucks are ubiquitous. These vehicles are often Class 4 or 6 commercial vehicles that don’t always require a CDL, meaning the drivers may have minimal training. If you were hit by a delivery van, we pierce the “independent contractor” shield that companies like Amazon use to try and avoid liability. We know that Amazon controls the route, the pace, and the monitoring of these drivers—making them an employer in every sense that matters to a jury.
U-Haul and Rental Truck Accidents
Rental trucks like U-Hauls are a nightmare for road safety. They allow untrained civilians to drive 26-foot trucks that weigh 26,000 pounds. If a rental company rented to an obviously unqualified driver or failed to maintain the truck’s brakes, they are liable. While the Graves Amendment protects rental companies from some liability, it does NOT protect them from their own negligence in maintenance or entrustment.
Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Motorcyclists
If you were struck by a truck while walking or riding a bike in Farmers Branch, you have no protection. These are often “right hook” accidents where a turning truck sweeps a cyclist under its wheels. We fight for pedestrians and riders who face the most extreme injuries, ensuring that the insurance company doesn’t unfairly blame the person with the least amount of steel around them.
Hablamos Español. Llamenos para una consulta gratuita: (888) 288-9911.
Who Is Really Liable? Casting a Wide Net for Recovery
Most law firms only sue the truck driver. We go deeper. At Attorney911, we investigate the entire chain of command. Identifying more liable parties means accessing more insurance policies and higher total compensation for you.
16 Parties We Hold Accountable:
- The Driver: For direct negligence, speeding, or fatigue.
- The Trucking Company (Carrier): For negligent hiring, training, and supervision.
- The Cargo Owner/Shipper: For providing dangerous or mislabeled loads.
- The Loading Company: For improperly securing cargo that shifted and caused a rollover.
- The Truck Manufacturer: For defective design or manufacturing (Product Liability).
- The Parts Manufacturer: For defective brakes, tires, or steering components.
- The Maintenance Company: For failing to repair known mechanical issues.
- The Freight Broker: For brokering a load to a “bottom feeder” carrier with a known bad safety record.
- The Truck Owner: For negligent entrustment of a dangerous vehicle.
- Government Entities: For road design defects or failure to maintain safe highway surfaces in Farmers Branch.
- The Corporate Parent/Brand Owner: Piercing the shield of companies like Amazon or Coca-Cola when they exercise control over the driver.
- Oilfield Operators: If the truck was working for a major E&P company like Pioneer or ExxonMobil.
- Staffing Companies: For providing unqualified drivers to fleets.
- Rental Truck Companies: Like U-Haul or Penske, for negligent maintenance.
- Transit Agencies: Like DART, for bus-related negligence.
- The Federal Government: If the accident involved a USPS mail truck or military vehicle (FTCA claims).
By identifying multiple defendants, we can “stack” insurance policies. If the driver has a $1 million policy but your medical bills are $3 million, we look to the corporate parent’s $50 million umbrella policy. This is how we ensure your settlement covers your LIFETIME of needs.
The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol
The moment a truck accident happens in Farmers Branch, the trucking company is already working against you. Within hours, they have “rapid-response teams” and insurance adjusters at the scene, taking photos, interviewing witnesses, and looking for ways to blame you.
Why You Must Act Now
The most critical evidence is electronic and fragile.
- ECM (Black Box) Data: Records your speed, the truck’s speed, and the exact moment of braking. This data can be overwritten in 30 days or simply by driving the truck again.
- ELD (Electronic Logs): Proves the driver was awake too long. These can be “corrected” or deleted if not preserved.
- Dashcam Footage: Many corporate trucks (especially Amazon and Walmart) have cameras. This footage is often deleted after 7 to 14 days unless a legal hold is placed on it.
What We Do
The day you hire us, we send a formal Spoliation Letter to every liable party. This letter is a powerful legal tool that commands the company to preserve all evidence, from cell phone records to the truck itself. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, we can ask the judge for “adverse inference” instructions—essentially telling the jury that the destroyed evidence was so bad for the company that they had to hide it.
The trucking company is already building their defense. What are you doing? Call 1-888-ATTY-911.
Catastrophic Injuries and the Road to Recovery
A Farmers Branch truck accident doesn’t just cause “pain.” It causes permanent shifts in your physical reality. We work with medical experts, life care planners, and economists to ensure your settlement reflects the true cost of your suffering.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The deceleration force of a truck crash causes the brain to slam against the skull, shearing delicate nerve fibers. Even a “mild” concussion can lead to personality changes, memory loss, and the inability to concentrate at work. Severe TBIs can require 24/7 care. Our firm has recovered settlements ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million for brain injury victims because we understand that your mind is your most valuable asset.
Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
A crushed vertebra in your neck or back can lead to paraplegia or quadriplegia. The medical costs alone for a high-level spinal injury can exceed $1 million in the first year. We fight for compensation that covers home modifications, adaptive vehicles, and daily nursing care—settlements that can reach $25 million for complete spinal severance.
Traumatic Amputation
Losing a limb in a crash or having it surgically removed due to crush injuries is a trauma that never ends. You aren’t just paying for the initial surgery; you’re paying for a lifetime of prosthetics, each costing upwards of $50,000 every few years. We’ve recovered between $1.9 million and $8.6 million for amputation victims to ensure they have the best technology available for their recovery.
PTSD and the “Invisible” Injuries
We take mental health seriously. If you have nightmares, can’t get back on the highway, or feel a sense of terror every time you see a semi-truck, you are likely suffering from PTSD. This is a legally compensable injury. As client Kiimarii Yup said after a total loss, “1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” We fight for your peace of mind just as hard as we fight for your physical health.
Learn more in our video: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ
Understanding Texas Laws and Your Case Value
Farmers Branch truck accidents are governed by specific Texas statutes. Missing a deadline or misunderstanding a rule can cost you everything.
The Two-Year Statute of Limitations
In Texas, you have exactly two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death. While that may seem like a long time, the investigation needed for an 18-wheeler case can take months. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to sue forever—no exceptions.
Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Bar)
Texas follows a “51% Bar Rule.” This means you can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the crash. If a jury finds you 20% at fault because you were slightly speeding, your total award is reduced by 20%. However, if the trucking company convinces a jury you were 51% at fault, you get nothing. This is why the trucking company’s lawyers will fight so hard to blame you—and why you need a fighter like Ralph Manginello to protect you.
No Recovery, No Fee
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay zero upfront costs. We advance all the expenses for expert witnesses, accident reconstruction, and filing fees. We only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe us a dime.
Farmers Branch Truck Accident FAQ
1. What is my truck accident case worth?
There is no “average” settlement. A case value depends on your medical bills, lost earnings, the severity of your injuries, and the amount of insurance available. However, because trucking companies carry much higher limits—$750,000 to $5 million—than passenger cars, these cases often result in six, seven, or even eight-figure recoveries.
2. Can I sue Walmart or Amazon directly if their driver hit me?
If the driver was an employee (like Walmart), the answer is a straightforward yes under respondeat superior. If the driver was an “independent contractor” (like an Amazon DSP), the answer is more complex, but we use the “right of control” test to bring the parent corporation into the lawsuit. These companies have deep pockets and we know how to reach them.
3. Should I sign the release the insurance company sent me?
NEVER sign anything from an insurance company without a lawyer’s review. They often hide “full and final release” clauses in early checks that prevent you from ever asking for more money, even if you need surgery later.
4. How long do these cases take to resolve in Farmers Branch?
A simple case may settle in 6 to 12 months. However, complex cases involving catastrophic injuries or multiple defendants can take 2 to 3 years if they go to trial. We work to resolve your case as quickly as possible without sacrificing the value you deserve.
5. What if the truck driver was from another state?
This is common. Because trucking involves interstate commerce, we often file these cases in federal court. Ralph Manginello’s federal court admission allows us to follow truckers and companies back to their home states to hold them accountable.
6. Do I have to pay for my own medical bills while the case is pending?
You shouldn’t have to. We can often help coordinate medical care with providers who work on “letters of protection,” meaning they wait for payment until your case settles. We ensure you get the best treatment at Farmers Branch-area trauma centers without the immediate financial burden.
Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Farmers Branch Case?
When an 80,000-pound truck changes your life forever, you don’t need a lawyer who handles “a little of everything.” You need specialized trucking litigation experts.
- 25+ Years Experience: Ralph Manginello has been winning since 1998.
- Insider Access: Lupe Peña’s former insurance defense background is your “unfair advantage.”
- Personal Attention: You are family here. As Dame Haskett said, “Ralph reached out personally… Consistent communication throughout.”
- Federal Capability: We take on the biggest companies in federal court—and win.
- Speed and Grit: As Angel Walle said, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
The trucking company has their legal team on the phone before you’re even out of the hospital. You deserve the same level of aggressive protection.
Contact a Farmers Branch Truck Accident Attorney Today
Your future depends on the actions you take in the next 48 hours. Don’t let a negligent trucking company or a massive corporation like Amazon walk away from the damage they’ve caused. At Attorney911, we are the “Legal Emergency Lawyers™.” We answer the phone 24/7, and we are ready to move today.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now for your FREE case evaluation.
Whether you are in Farmers Branch, North Dallas, or anywhere across the great state of Texas, we are your first responder for legal help. You pay nothing unless we recover for you. One call can change everything. Let us handle the fight so you can focus on your family.
Powerful. Proven. Attorney911.
1-888-ATTY-911
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