Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer: Fighting for the Injured After Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

The impact of an 80,000-pound truck slamming into a passenger car on I-35W or I-20 in Fort Worth is catastrophic. In an instant, your car is crushed, your body is broken, and your family’s future is thrown into chaos. While you’re still in the hospital at JPS or Harris Methodist, the trucking company is already moving. They’ve likely already deployed a rapid-response team to the scene to collect evidence that protects their bottom line.

If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident anywhere in Fort Worth, you aren’t just fighting a driver. You’re fighting a massive corporation with a team of lawyers whose only job is to make sure you get paid as little as possible. You need an advocate who has spent decades in the ring with these giants and won.

At Attorney911, led by Ralph Manginello, we’ve been making trucking companies pay for over 25 years. Since 1998, our firm’s founder has handled complex trucking litigation in both state and federal courts. We don’t just know the law—we know the playbook the insurance companies use because our team includes attorneys like Lupe Peña, who used to defend insurance companies. We use that insider knowledge to strip away their defenses and fight for every dime you deserve.

If you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler, a delivery van, or a dump truck in Fort Worth, call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. We are available 24/7 to start protecting your evidence.

Why You Need an Experienced Fort Worth Truck Accident Attorney

Fort Worth is the heart of North Texas logistics. With the Alliance Global Logistics Hub to the north and the constant stream of freight moving along I-35W, I-30, and the I-820 loop, our roads are shared with thousands of commercial vehicles every hour. This density makes Fort Worth one of the highest-risk areas in Texas for catastrophic truck wrecks.

When you hire Attorney911, you’re putting a powerhouse legal team in your corner. Ralph Manginello has secured multi-million dollar settlements for victims of traumatic brain injuries and amputations. Our firm has an admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which is critical because many trucking cases involve interstate commerce and are heard in federal court.

The Insider Advantage: We Know How They Think

Insurance companies have a specific formula for denying trucking claims. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working inside a national defense firm. He saw how adjusters are trained to lowball Fort Worth victims and how they use algorithms to minimize your pain and suffering. Now, he fights for you. We recognize their manipulation tactics the moment they start, and we don’t let them push our clients around.

A Track Record of Success Against Corporate Giants

We aren’t intimidated by big names. Attorney911 has litigated cases against some of the largest corporations and fleet operators in the world, including Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. We even have experience in massive industrial disaster litigation like the BP Texas City refinery explosion. Whether it’s a self-insured retail giant or a multi-national oilfield service company, we have the resources and the tenacity to hold them accountable.

As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We take that responsibility seriously. While we’ve recovered over $50 million for Texas families, we treat every Fort Worth case with the personal attention it deserves.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Rule in Fort Worth Trucking Cases

In the next 48 hours, the most important evidence in your case is at risk of being lost forever. Commercial trucks are equipped with Engine Control Modules (ECM), often called “black boxes,” that record speed, braking, and throttle position in the moments before a crash. This data is objective, and it frequently proves that the truck driver was speeding or never hit the brakes.

But here is the danger: Black box data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days or even sooner if the truck is put back into service.

Trucking companies in Fort Worth know this. They also know that their Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records—which prove hours-of-service violations—only need to be kept for six months by law. If we don’t act now, that data disappears.

Our Immediate Response Protocol

The moment you retain Attorney911, we send a formal spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurance carrier, and any other liable parties. This legal notice demands the preservation of:

• ECM/Black Box Data: Proving speed and braking patterns.
• ELD Logs: Showing if the driver was fatigued or violating federal rest rules.
• Driver Qualification Files: Revealing if the company hired someone with a dangerous driving record.
• Maintenance Logs: Showing if the truck had faulty brakes or worn tires.
• Dashcam and Netradyne Footage: Capturing the actual moments of the collision.

The trucking company’s lawyers are already working on their defense on [real road: I-35W near the Stockyards]. You need someone moving just as fast. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 so we can secure the evidence you need to win.

FMCSA Regulations: Federal Law and Fort Worth Truck Accidents

Every 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle crossing state lines into Fort Worth must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These are not suggestions—they are federal laws found in 49 CFR Parts 390-399. When these laws are broken, people die.

Our firm specializes in identifying these violations and using them to prove negligence. In a Fort Worth truck accident case, we look for violations of:

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

Fatigue is the silent killer on Fort Worth highways. The FMCSA limits drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. Despite these rules, companies often pressure drivers to “push through” to meet delivery windows at Fort Worth distribution centers. When a driver has been awake for 20 hours and slams into your car on I-20, that’s a violation of Part 395 and clear evidence of negligence.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualifications

Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. This means verifying their CDL, conducting annual driving record reviews, and ensuring they pass medical exams. If a company hires a driver with a history of DUIs or uncontrolled epilepsy, they have violated Part 391. We subpoena the Driver Qualification File for every Fort Worth case we handle to identify these hiring failures.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

A 40-ton truck with failing brakes is a weapon. 49 CFR Part 396 requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance. Drivers must perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections. If the maintenance logs show that a truck had “soft” brakes for three weeks and the company never fixed them, they aren’t just negligent—they are reckless.

49 CFR Part 393: Parts and Accessories for Safe Operation

This covers everything from working headlights to cargo securement. In Fort Worth, we see many accidents caused by “phantom” trailers or lighting failures on dark stretches of Highway 287. Violations of Part 393, especially regarding cargo securement and braking systems, are often the root cause of jackknife and rollover accidents.

Comprehensive Coverage of Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accident Types

Not every truck accident in Fort Worth looks the same. A jackknife on I-35W requires a different investigative approach than a delivery van strike in a residential neighborhood. At Attorney911, we have handled every major type of commercial vehicle crash.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out and folds toward the cab, often sweeping across three or four lanes of traffic. These are common on Fort Worth’s bridges and overpasses during sudden rain or ice. Physics tells us that once a jackknife begins, there is almost nothing the driver can do to stop 80,000 pounds of steel. We investigate whether the driver was speeding for the conditions (a violation of 49 CFR § 392.6) or if faulty brakes caused the trailer to skid.

Underride Collisions

Underride crashes are the most lethal. This happens when a smaller passenger car 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 useless. The trailer enters the car at windshield level, often causing decapitation or catastrophic head trauma. We look at whether the truck was equipped with required rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86) and if those guards were properly maintained.

Rollover Accidents

Because trucks have a high center of gravity, they are incredibly prone to tipping. A rollover on a sharp highway ramp, like the interchanges at I-30 and I-820, is usually caused by excessive speed or improperly loaded cargo. If the cargo shifts (a violation of 49 CFR § 393.100), the truck becomes unstable. These accidents often crush nearby vehicles and lead to multi-car pileups.

Blind Spot “No-Zone” Wrecks

18-wheelers have massive blind spots on all four sides. The right side is the most dangerous. If a truck driver merges into your lane on Highway 121 and crushes your car, they will often claim they couldn’t see you. But the law is clear: they have a duty to ensure the lane is clear before moving. We investigate whether the trucking company failed to equip the truck with modern blind-spot sensors or cameras that could have prevented the tragedy.

Wide Turn “Squeeze Play”

When a truck swings left to make a sharp right turn, they often leave a gap. If a car enters that gap and the truck begins the turn, the car is crushed between the trailer and the curb. In dense areas of downtown Fort Worth, these accidents are frequent and often involve pedestrians or cyclists. We prove that the driver failed to signal properly or failed to check their mirrors throughout the entirety of the turn.

Delivery Van and Box Truck Accidents

Amazon, FedEx, and UPS vans are on every street in Fort Worth. These drivers are often under extreme time pressure to meet “last-mile” delivery quotas. Because many of these vans are under 26,001 pounds, the drivers don’t always need a CDL—leading to inexperienced people operating large vehicles they aren’t trained for. We hold companies like Amazon accountable when their “Delivery Service Partners” prioritize speed over the safety of Fort Worth families.

Whether you were hit by a semi, a cement mixer, or a garbage truck, your fight starts with one call: 1-888-ATTY-911.

Liable Parties: Who Is Responsible for Your Fort Worth Truck Accident?

Most general practice lawyers only sue the truck driver. At Attorney911, we go deeper. A single truck wreck in Fort Worth can involve up to 16 different liable parties. The more defendants we identify, the more insurance pools we can access to maximize your settlement.

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding, distraction, or fatigue.
2. The Trucking Company (Carrier): For vicarious liability and negligent hiring or training.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If they knowingly overloaded the truck or failed to disclose hazardous materials.
4. The Cargo Loading Company: If they improperly secured the load, causing it to shift or spill.
5. The Truck Manufacturer: If a design defect like a steering failure caused the crash.
6. The Parts Manufacturer: For defective brakes, tires, or lighting systems.
7. The Maintenance Company: If they signed off on a faulty inspection or performed negligent repairs.
8. The Freight Broker: For negligent selection of an unsafe carrier.
9. The Truck Owner: If they leased a dangerous vehicle to the carrier.
10. Government Entities: If poor road design or uncorrected road hazards on Tarrant County roads contributed to the wreck.
11. Corporate Parent Company: Holding giants like Walmart or Amazon liable for the actions of their subsidiaries or contractors.
12. Oilfield Operator: If the accident involved a water truck or sand hauler working at a wellsite.
13. Staffing Agencies: If they provided an unqualified driver to the carrier.
14. Rental Truck Companies: Companies like U-Haul or Penske if they rented to an unfit driver or failed to maintain equipment.
15. Public Transit Agencies: If a Trinity Metro bus was involved.
16. Federal Government: If a USPS mail truck or military vehicle caused the accident (requiring an FTCA claim).

Piercing the Independent Contractor Shield

Companies like Amazon and FedEx Ground love to claim their drivers are “independent contractors.” They do this to shield themselves from liability. We use the “right-to-control” test to defeat this defense. If Amazon sets the route, dictates the uniform, and monitors the driver via AI cameras, that driver is an employee in the eyes of the law—no matter what the contract says. Ralph Manginello has years of experience piercing these corporate shields to get to the money our clients deserve.

Catastrophic Injuries and Life-Changing Damages

A collision with a commercial vehicle is like being hit by a freight train. The injuries are rarely minor. We represent Fort Worth victims who have suffered:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

A TBI can change your personality, your memory, and your ability to work. Whether it’s a “mild” concussion or a severe brain bleed, the cognitive effects are devastating. We’ve recovered settlements ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million for TBI victims. We work with neurologists and life care planners to ensure your future care is covered.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

When the vertebrae are crushed in a truck accident, the result is often permanent paralysis. Quadriplegia and paraplegia require 24/7 care, home modifications, and specialized equipment. Settlements in these cases can reach $25 million or more because the lifetime medical costs are astronomical.

Amputations

The crushing forces of a truck collision often lead to the loss of limbs. Amputation victims face a lifetime of prosthetic replacements and phantom pain. We secured $3.8 million for one client who lost a leg after medical complications following a crash. We fight to ensure you can afford the best prosthetics and physical therapy available.

Wrongful Death

If you lost a spouse, parent, or child in a Fort Worth truck accident, we are deeply sorry. No amount of money can bring them back, but it can provide security for your children and hold the company accountable. Texas allows for the recovery of lost future income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. Our wrongful death settlements have reached $9.5 million for grieving families.

As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” Let us do the same for you. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Fort Worth Trucking Insurance: $750,000 Is Just the Minimum

Trucking insurance is different than car insurance. While a typical North Texas driver might only have $30,000 in coverage, federal law (49 CFR Part 387) requires commercial trucks to carry significantly more:

• $750,000 for general non-hazardous freight.
• $1,000,000 for large equipment or petroleum.
• $5,000,000 for hazardous materials.

But here’s the thing: For a serious injury case in Fort Worth, $750,000 is not enough.

Large companies like Walmart and UPS are self-insured for their first several million dollars. They also carry umbrella and excess policies that can add $25 million to $100 million in total coverage. The challenge isn’t the lack of money—it’s that these companies have teams of professionals dedicated to making sure you never see a dime of it.

Lupe Peña’s background in insurance defense is your secret weapon. He knows how adjusters evaluate these high-limit policies and how they use “delay, deny, and defend” strategies to wear you down. We don’t settle for lowball offers. We prepare every case as if it’s going to the Tarrant County courthouse for trial. When insurance companies know you’re ready to fight, they start taking your claim seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions for Fort Worth Truck Accident Victims

How long do I have to file a claim in Fort Worth?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the accident. However, you should never wait. If you wait even a month, your black box data on the truck on I-35W may already be gone. The trucking company is building their case today. You should be too.

What if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule (the 51% bar). As long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages. Your settlement is just reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 20% at fault, you still get 80% of your damages. Don’t let the trucking company trick you into thinking you have no case just because you weren’t perfect.

Can I sue for PTSD after a truck accident?
YES. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a real, medically documented injury. Being hit by a massive truck is a violent trauma. If you are having nightmares, flashbacks, or are too afraid to drive on Fort Worth highways, those are non-economic damages that are fully compensable.

Who pays my medical bills while my case is pending?
The insurance company for the truck doesn’t pay your bills as they come in—they pay a lump sum at the end. We can help you find doctors who will treat you on a “letter of protection,” meaning they wait to get paid until your case settles. You should never skip the treatment you need because you’re worried about the cost.

How much does a Fort Worth truck accident lawyer cost?
At Attorney911, you pay nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. If we don’t win money for you, you don’t owe us a penny in attorney’s fees. We also cover all the costs of hiring accident reconstruction experts and medical specialists.

I was hit by a FedEx Ground truck—is that different than FedEx Express?
Yes. FedEx Express drivers are employees, while FedEx Ground uses contractors. This makes the liability chain more complex, but FedEx Ground still carries a massive $5 million contingent policy. We know how to navigate these specific distinctions.

Does it matter that the truck was an oilfield water truck?
Yes. Oilfield accidents in Texas often involve both FMCSA trucking law and OSHA worksite regulations. These cases frequently involve multiple contractors and deeper insurance layers. If you were hit by a truck heading to a nearby drilling site, there may be an oil company with deep pockets behind the trucking subcontractor.

Strategic Representation for All Commercial Vehicle Types

Beyond 18-wheelers, our Fort Worth team handles wrecks involving:

Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers

A loaded dump truck on a construction site near Panther Island weighs 65,000 pounds. A concrete mixer with a rotating drum of wet concrete is even heavier and extremely prone to rollovers due to the “slosh effect.” These trucks are often operated by small subcontractors with poor safety records. We find the general contractor who hired them to ensure there is enough insurance to cover your catastrophic injuries.

Garbage Trucks

Garbage trucks are top-heavy and have massive blind spots. Because they operate in residential Fort Worth neighborhoods, they often strike pedestrians and children. These accidents frequently occur during backing maneuvers where the driver fails to use a spotter or backup cameras.

Moving Trucks (U-Haul, Penske)

Rental trucks are terrifying because they allow someone with zero commercial training to drive a 26-foot vehicle into Fort Worth traffic. If the rental company failed to maintain the brakes or rented to an obviously unfit driver, they can be held liable.

Tow Trucks and Car Carriers

Tow truck operators working on the shoulder of I-820 are at extreme risk. If you were hit by a tow truck, or if a vehicle fell off a car carrier and hit you, we investigate the “Move Over” law violations and improper cargo securement that caused the wreck.

Transit and School Buses

If you were injured while riding a Trinity Metro bus or if your child was hurt on a Fort Worth ISD bus, you are dealing with a government entity. This requires filing a formal tort claim notice within a very short deadline (often 6 months). If you miss this notice, your case is barred forever.

Contact the Fort Worth Truck Accident Specialists Today

When you’re facing a trucking company, you’re facing a global corporation that treats your injuries as a line item on a balance sheet. You deserve a lawyer who treats you like family.

Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have the trial experience, the financial resources, and the insider knowledge to take these companies to court and win. 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.”

Don’t let the evidence disappear. Don’t let the insurance adjuster minimize your pain. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Attorney911: Powerful. Proven. Your first responder to a legal emergency.

Key Contact Information – Fort Worth Service

• Toll-Free: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com
• Offices: Serving Fort Worth from our Houston and Austin hubs, with Beaumont availability.

Whether your accident happened on I-35W, I-30, I-20, or a rural road in Tarrant County, we are ready to fight for you. The clock is ticking—call 888-ATTY-911 today.