Combine Truck Accident Lawyer: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

The impact of an 80,000-pound steel machine slamming into a passenger vehicle on Highway 175 or I-20 near Combine is an event that rewrites a family’s history in a single second. At Attorney911, we have spent more than 25 years witnessing the aftermath of these collisions—the broken bodies, the mounting medical debt, and the aggressive tactics of trucking company lawyers who arrive at the scene before the sirens have حتى faded. If you or a loved one has been injured by a commercial vehicle in Combine, you aren’t just facing a “car wreck.” You are entering a complex legal battle against a billion-dollar industry that prioritizes its delivery schedules over your safety.

Led by Ralph Manginello, our firm brings a unique level of weight to every case we handle. Since 1998, Ralph has navigated the federal courtrooms of the Southern District of Texas and local courts across Dallas County, holding companies like Walmart, Amazon, and FedEx accountable. We don’t just know the law; we have an insider’s view of the opposition. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, previously worked for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how these companies calculate their lowball offers and what they fear most in a courtroom. Whether you were hit by a long-haul 18-wheeler, an Amazon delivery van in a residential Combine neighborhood, or an overloaded dump truck on an FM road, we have the experience to hit back harder.

We understand the trauma you are experiencing because we are currently litigating high-stakes cases, including a $10 million lawsuit involving severe institutional negligence and catastrophic physical injury. This same relentless energy is applied to every Combine truck accident victim we represent. You are never just a file number to us. As our client Chad Harris noted, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you are calling a team that fights tooth and nail for every dime you deserve.

Why Truck Accidents in Combine Are Uniquely Dangerous

Combine sits at a dangerous crossroads of rural transition and major freight logistics. With heavy traffic flowing along I-20 and the constant stream of commercial vehicles on US-175 moving into the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, our community is uniquely exposed to the risks of the trucking industry. A standard passenger car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. This 20-to-1 weight disparity means that in any collision, the physics are stacked against you.

In Combine, we see a specific mix of commercial traffic that creates unique hazards. On the long stretches of I-20, driver fatigue is a primary killer as long-haulers push their legal limits to reach distribution hubs. On the narrow, two-lane roads like FM 1389 or FM 3039, the danger comes from oversized agricultural equipment and heavily loaded dump trucks serving the growth of Dallas County. When these massive vehicles enter the tight turns and soft shoulders of our local roads, even a minor lapse in judgment results in a life-altering tragedy.

If you’ve been involved in a wreck, you need to understand that the trucking company has likely already dispatched a “Rapid Response Team” to the Combine crash site. These teams are composed of investigators and lawyers whose only job is to secure evidence that favors the company and find ways to blame you for the accident. While you are focusing on medical treatment at a trauma center like Baylor Scott & White in nearby Sunnyvale or Mesquite, they are already building their defense. We counter this by moving just as fast. We send formal spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained to ensure that the truck’s electronic evidence and maintenance records aren’t “accidentally” erased.

Learn more about your rights in our video guide: The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries.

Federal Trucking Regulations: Proving Company Negligence

Most local drivers in Combine don’t realize that every commercial vehicle on our roads must comply with thousands of pages of federal law known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). When an 80,000-pound truck causes a wreck on Highway 175, our investigation almost always reveals that the trucking company was cutting corners on these safety requirements to increase their profit margins.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service and Driver Fatigue

Trucker fatigue is a silent epidemic on the highways surrounding Combine. Under 49 CFR § 395.3, property-carrying drivers are strictly limited to 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They are also prohibited from driving beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. However, in our 25+ years of experience, we’ve seen that trucking companies often pressure drivers to falsify their logs to stay on the road longer. When a driver has been behind the wheel for 16 hours and passes through Combine, their reaction time is equivalent to someone who is legally intoxicated. We subpoena Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove these violations and hold the carrier accountable for every minute they illegally kept that driver on the road.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification and Negligent Hiring

A trucking company in Combine has a non-delegable duty to ensure their drivers are qualified and safe. According to 49 CFR § 391.11, a carrier must verify a driver’s commercial license, medical certification, and previous 3-year driving history. When we litigate against major fleets, we often find that the carrier ignored a history of speeding or prior wrecks just to keep their seats filled. This leads to a powerful claim for negligent hiring.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance

It is unacceptable for an 80,000-pound vehicle to lose its brakes because a company wanted to save a few hundred dollars on maintenance. 49 CFR § 396.3 requires motor carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all motor vehicles subject to their control. If a truck’s tire blowouts on I-20 near Combine caused your accident, we look at the tire tread depth records (which must be at least 4/32 inch on steer tires under § 393.75) and the mechanical history to prove the company knew the vehicle was a rolling hazard.

If you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler in Combine, the evidence is already at risk. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free consultation. Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña.

Types of Truck Crashes We Handle in Combine

Every commercial vehicle accident has its own mechanical footprint. Our team understands the physics of these crashes and uses that knowledge to build high-value cases for our clients in Combine and throughout Dallas County.

• Jackknife Accidents: These occur when a truck’s drive wheels lock up, causing the trailer to swing perpendicular to the cab. On the wet or icy roads of North Texas, a jackknifed rig can block all lanes of I-20, leaving Combine commuters with nowhere to go.
• Underride Collisions: These are among the most lethal accidents. When a smaller car strikes the side or rear of a trailer and slides underneath, the results are often fatal. We investigate whether the trailer was equipped with properly maintained rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86) or if the carrier failed to install available side underride technology.
• Wide Turn “Squeeze Play”: Commercial drivers often swing left before making a right turn. If they fail to check their mirrors or signal properly, they can “squeeze” a vehicle in Combine between the truck and the curb.
• Rollover Accidents: High-profile trucks and improperly secured cargo can lead to rollovers, especially on the sharp exit ramps along the Mesquite/Combine border. We look at the cargo securement records under 49 CFR § 393.100 to see if a shifting load destabilized the vehicle.
• Rear-End Collisions: Because a semi-truck needs 40% more stopping distance than a car, distracted or fatigued drivers often plow into stopped traffic in Combine. A fully loaded truck at highway speed needs nearly two football fields to stop. If they didn’t, we prove why.
• Tire Blowouts: We have extensive experience handling cases where a “road gator” or tire debris caused a multi-vehicle pileup. You can learn more in our video: Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer.

Corporate Fleets: Taking on Walmart, Amazon, and FedEx

If the truck that hit you featured a corporate logo, your case just became significantly more complex. Large corporations like Walmart and Amazon have their own unique legal shields designed to prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve. We know how to pierce those shields.

The Amazon “Independent Contractor” Defense

If an Amazon delivery van causes an accident in Combine, Amazon will almost certainly tell you that they aren’t responsible because the driver was an “independent contractor” for a Delivery Service Partner (DSP). We have litigated against this exact setup. We show that Amazon exerts total control over the routes, the packages, the uniforms, and even the AI cameras (Netradyne) monitoring the driver. If they control the work, they are the employer under the law, and we hold them accountable as such.

Walmart’s Self-Insured Resistance

Walmart operates one of the largest private fleets in the world, with over 12,000 trucks. They are “self-insured,” which means they pay claims out of their own corporate coffers up to a massive threshold. This makes them fight harder and more aggressively than a typical insurance company. Because Ralph Manginello has gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 giants like BP in refinery explosion litigation, he is not intimidated by Walmart’s army of lawyers. We know their internal safety manuals (like the Smith System) and we use their own standards to prove their drivers were negligent on Combine roads.

Whether it’s a Sysco food truck making deliveries, a FedEx Ground truck on an interstate run, or a UPS package car, we understand the corporate architecture of these fleets. We identify the parent companies and all layers of insurance to maximize your financial recovery.

Identifying All Liable Parties: Who Pays for Your Injuries?

One reason many Combine victims fail to receive full compensation is that their lawyers only sue the truck driver. To recover the multi-million dollar settlements our firm is known for, we investigate the entire chain of command. A single 18-wheeler accident near Combine can involve 16 or more liable parties:

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company (Carrier): Under the doctrine of respondeat superior (vicarious liability).
3. Cargo Owners/Shippers: If they required an overweight or unsafe load.
4. Loading Companies: If the cargo was improperly secured, leading to a shift or spill.
5. Truck Manufacturers: For design defects like faulty steering or fuel tank placement.
6. Parts Manufacturers: If a defective tire or brake component failed.
7. Maintenance Companies: For failing to repair known mechanical issues.
8. Freight Brokers: For negligent selection of an unsafe carrier.
9. Truck Owners: For negligent entrustment of a dangerous vehicle.
10. Government Entities: For road design defects on local Combine streets.
11. Corporate Parent Brands: (Amazon, FedEx, etc.) for systemic safety failures.
12. Oilfield Operators: If the truck was hauling for a regional drilling operation.
13. Staffing Companies: If they provided an unqualified driver.
14. Rental Companies: (U-Haul, Penske) for failing to maintain rental equipment.
15. Transit Agencies: If a public bus was involved.
16. The Federal Government: If a USPS or military vehicle caused the crash.

By identifying every party that contributed to the wreck, we access multiple insurance pools, often stacking coverage that totals millions of dollars. For more on this, watch: Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?.

The 48-Hour Urgency: Save the Evidence

In Combine, the most critical evidence in your case is at high risk of being lost within days. The trucking company’s insurance team is already working to secure the “black box” data and the driver’s personnel file. You need to act now.

The Engine Control Module (ECM) records your speed, RPMs, throttle position, and exactly when the brakes were applied. Most modern systems overwrite this data within 30 days of daily driving. Furthermore, the ELD logs prove if a driver was violating hours-of-service laws—records the carrier is only required to keep for 6 months under federal law. If the truck is repaired or sold before it can be inspected by our experts, that evidence is gone forever. Call 888-ATTY-911 immediately so we can send a “litigation hold” to prevent the destruction of this data.

Catastrophic Injuries and Their True Cost

We take your injuries personally. When an 80,000-pound truck hits a car in Combine, the force is equivalent to being struck by a falling building. The resulting injuries require a lawyer who understands both the medicine and the long-term financial impact.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Even a “mild” concussion can cause lifelong cognitive impairment. Our firm has recovered settlements in the $1.5M to $9.8M range for TBI victims. We work with neurologists to document personality changes, memory loss, and the need for 24/7 care.
• Spinal Cord Injury: Paralysis is a life-altering event. We have secured settlements ranging from $4.7M to $25.8M for spinal injuries. We hire life-care planners to calculate the cost of medical equipment, home modifications, and professional nursing for your entire remaining lifespan.
• Amputations: The crushing force of a commercial truck often results in the loss of limbs. Settlements in these cases can range from $1.9M to $8.6M, covering the cost of advanced prosthetics and vocational rehabilitation.
• Wrongful Death: If you have lost a family member in a Combine truck accident, we are profoundly sorry. We fight for the $1.9M to $9.5M+ settlements that provide for surviving spouses and children, covering lost earnings and the deep mental anguish of such a loss.

We also represent Combine residents suffering from “less visible” but equally debilitating injuries, such as herniated discs, internal organ damage, and severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Insurance companies will try to call your back pain “degenerative” or your anxiety “pre-existing.” With Lupe Peña’s background in insurance defense, we know how to shut those arguments down.

Learn more in our video: The Ultimate Guide to car Accident Settlements.

Texas Laws: Navigating Your Combine Claim

Because Combine is in the Great State of Texas, your case is governed by specific rules that the trucking company will use to try and reduce your payout.

Statute of Limitations: In Texas, you have exactly two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to recovery forever. For cases involving government entities (like a Dallas County school bus or a USPS truck), the notice period can be as short as six months.

Modified Comparative Negligence: Texas follows a “51% Bar Rule.” This means as long as you are 50% or less at fault for the wreck, you can recover damages. However, your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault. If the trucking company can trick you into admitting even 10% fault during a recorded statement, they save themselves hundreds of thousands of dollars. Never speak to an adjuster until you’ve called us.

No Cap on Damages: Unlike some other types of cases, Texas does NOT cap the amount of money you can receive for pain and suffering or mental anguish in an 18-wheeler accident. This is why “nuclear verdicts” in Texas frequently exceed $50 million. Our goal is to ensure the jury understands the full extent of your suffering.

Calculate your potential recovery with: How Do Car Insurance Companies Calculate Pain and Suffering?.

FAQ: What Combine Residents Need to Know

How much insurance does a trucking company have?

Federal law (49 CFR Part 387) requires non-hazmat trucks to carry a minimum of $750,000. If they are hauling oil, that jumps to $1 million. If they are hauling hazardous chemicals through Combine, they must have at least $5 million. Many large carriers have umbrella policies that reach $50 million or more.

What if I was hit by a U-Haul or rental truck in Combine?

Rental truck cases are unique. Under the Graves Amendment, the rental company (U-Haul, Penske) usually isn’t liable for the driver’s mistakes—BUT they are liable for their own negligence. If they rented that 26-foot truck to an unqualified driver or failed to maintain the brakes, we can sue them directly.

Can I sue the company whose name was on the delivery van?

Yes. If an Amazon van or a FedEx truck hit you, we pursue “ostensible agency” and corporate liability. If they put their name on the truck and control the delivery, they shouldn’t be allowed to hide behind a subcontractor when someone gets hurt.

How long will my case take to settle?

Simple cases can settle in 6 to 12 months. However, cases with catastrophic injuries or corporate defendants in Combine often take 18 to 36 months to reach their maximum value. We never settle early just to get a check; we settle when the amount covers your entire future.

What if the truck driver was on drugs or alcohol?

Federal law (49 CFR Part 382) requires immediate drug and alcohol testing after a serious crash. If the driver fails, it is an automatic finding of negligence. In many cases, this allows us to pursue punitive damages to punish the company for having an impaired driver on our Combine streets.

Trust the Firm that Insurers Fear

At Attorney911, we are more than just lawyers; we are your first responders to a legal emergency. We have recovered more than $50 million for our clients because we prepare every case as if it’s going to a jury. When insurance adjusters see Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña on a file, they know they aren’t getting away with a lowball offer.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay zero upfront costs. We advance all the money for accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and investigators. If we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe us a single dime in attorney’s fees. This removes the barrier to justice for Combine families.

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 take the tough cases, we find the hidden evidence, and we don’t back down.

Your fight for justice in Combine starts with one call. We are available 24/7 to help you through this crisis.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now for a 100% FREE consultation.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
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Summary of FMCSA Compliance in This Article:

• Part 390: General safety applicability for Combine commercial vehicles.
• Part 391: Driver qualifications and the carrier’s duty to screen.
• Part 392: Rules of the road, including prohibitions on fatigue.
• Part 393: Equipment requirements (brakes, lights, securement).
• Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS) limits and ELD requirements.
• Part 396: Mandatory systematic inspection and maintenance logs.