Thompsons Truck Accident Lawyers: Fighting for Fort Bend County Families

When an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle collides with your car on the narrow roads near the Brazos River or the busy intersections of FM 762, your life changes in a split second. A truck accident in Thompsons isn’t just a traffic citation; it’s a legal and medical emergency. At Attorney911, we know that the trucking companies and their insurers aren’t waiting to see how you feel before they start building their defense. Our founder, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years in the trenches of personal injury law, holding corporate giants accountable. Since 1998, we’ve fought to ensure that families in Thompsons and across Fort Bend County receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

Our firm is uniquely positioned to handle the complexities of commercial vehicle litigation. We aren’t just lawyers; we are a strategic team that includes former insurance defense counsel. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working on the “other side” for a national defense firm. He knows the exact playbook these companies use to minimize your suffering and deny your claim. When you choose us to represent you in your Thompsons truck accident case, you’re getting an insider’s advantage that few firms can match. We use that knowledge to push back against lowball offers and fight for every dime you deserve.

The road to recovery after a catastrophic collision in Thompsons is long, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Whether you were hit by an 18-wheeler on Highway 90A, a gravel truck leaving a local quarry, or a delivery van in a residential neighborhood, we have the resources and the tenacity to see your case through to a successful resolution. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and we only get paid if we win your case. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 to schedule your free consultation.

The Unique Trucking Dangers in Thompsons, Texas

Thompsons occupies a unique space in Fort Bend County’s industrial landscape. We see a high volume of heavy truck traffic generated by the W.A. Parish Generating Station, regional agriculture, and the constant flow of gravel and sand haulers coming from quarries near the Brazos River. The mix of rural two-lane roads like FM 2759 and heavy industrial equipment creates a high-risk environment for every commuter.

Our team understands that trucking in Thompsons is different than in other parts of the state. We regularly see accidents caused by overloaded dump trucks and specialized oilfield equipment traveling toward the Eagle Ford Shale or local storage facilities. These vehicles are often operating on roads like FM 762 that were never designed to handle the sheer weight and frequency of modern industrial traffic. When a commercial driver is fatigued after a long shift at the power plant or is rushing to meet a delivery quota at an Amazon fulfillment center in nearby Richmond, the result is often a catastrophic crash that leaves Thompsons families devastated.

If you’ve been injured, the clock is already running. Evidence in Thompsons truck accidents disappears quickly—skid marks fade, debris is cleared, and most importantly, electronic data is overwritten. We recommend contacting us immediately so we can deploy our own investigation team to the scene. Within 48 hours, we send formal spoliation letters to preserve the black box data and driver logs that are essential to proving negligence. Do not wait until the trucking company “corrects” the records; call us at (888) 288-9911 today.

Thompsons 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Accident Types

Not all truck accidents are the same, and the mechanics of the crash often dictate the severity of the injuries. In Thompsons, we represent victims of every type of commercial vehicle collision, focusing on the specific physics and regulatory violations that lead to these life-altering events.

Rear-End Collisions on Thompsons Highways

A fully loaded 18-wheeler traveling at 65 mph needs approximately 525 feet to come to a complete stop—that’s nearly two football fields. On a road like Highway 90A or FM 762, where traffic can stop suddenly for turning farm equipment or industrial entrance gates, a following truck is a 40-ton missile. We find that many Thompsons rear-end accidents are caused by distracted driving or hours-of-service violations. Under 49 CFR Part 395, drivers are strictly limited in their time behind the wheel. When a driver violates these rules to reach a distribution center in Rosenberg or Stafford, their delayed reaction time causes devastating impacts.

Jackknife Accidents and Trailer Swings

A jackknife occurs when the trailer tires lose traction and the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab. This often happens on wet Thompsons roads or during sudden braking maneuvers. Because a jackknifing trailer sweeps across multiple lanes, it often triggers multi-vehicle pileups. We investigate these cases by looking at 49 CFR § 393.48 violations—specifically, whether the truck’s braking system was properly maintained. Ralph Manginello has secured multi-million dollar settlements for victims of jackknife accidents by proving the trucking company deferred essential maintenance to save money.

Rollover Crashes on Industrial Corridors

Rollovers are among the most lethal accidents for both truck drivers and other motorists. In Thompsons, these frequently involve top-heavy vehicles like concrete mixers or gravel trucks making sharp turns on rural curves. The “slosh effect” in a cement mixer or an improperly secured load of pecans or cotton can shift the center of gravity in an instant. If a truck rolls onto your passenger vehicle, there is virtually zero survivable space. We hold companies accountable for 49 CFR § 393.100 securement violations and for failing to train drivers on the unique handling characteristics of these heavy loads.

Underride Collisions: The Decapitation Hazard

An underride collision happens when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a semi-trailer. Because of the height mismatch, the car’s safety features—like airbags and crumple zones—are bypassed, and the trailer shears through the passenger compartment. Many of these fatal accidents in the Thompsons area are caused by poorly lit trailers or missing “Mansfield bars” (guards). We fight for families who have lost loved ones in these horrific crashes, often pursuing punitive damages against carriers who ignored safety guard requirements.

Blind Spot and Wide Turn “Squeeze” Play

Large trucks have massive “No-Zones” on all four sides. In the tighter intersections of Thompsons, a truck driver making a wide right turn might fail to see a smaller car in their right-side blind spot. This “squeeze” can crush a vehicle against a curb or utility pole. We use telematics and in-cab camera data to prove the driver failed to check their mirrors or signal properly. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, uses his insurance defense background to anticipate how the company will try to blame YOU for “lingering” in the blind spot—then we use federal law to show the driver’s ultimate responsibility to clear their turn.

Specialized Thompsons Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

Our expertise extends beyond standard big rigs. We handle cases involving:

• Dump Trucks and Gravel Haulers: Loaded weight can exceed 60,000 lbs, often causing catastrophic crush injuries.
• Garbage and Waste Trucks: Frequent backing in Thompsons residential areas puts pedestrians and children at extreme risk.
• Rental Trucks (U-Haul/Penske): Driven by untrained civilians who don’t understand braking distances or clearance heights.
• Oilfield Vehicles: Water trucks and sand haulers supporting regional energy production often operate on narrow lease roads with fatigued drivers.

Who is Liable for a Thompsons Truck Accident?

Most general practice lawyers only think to sue the driver. At Attorney911, we know that to maximize your recovery, we must identify every link in the chain of negligence. A single truck wreck in Thompsons can involve up to 16 different liable parties, each with their own insurance policy.

1. The Truck Driver: Direct negligence like speeding, texting, or driving under the influence.
2. The Trucking Company (Carrier): Liable for the driver’s actions under respondeat superior and for negligent hiring and training.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If the weight or nature of the cargo caused the instability.
4. The Loading Company: If improperly secured cargo shifted and caused a rollover or spill in Thompsons.
5. Truck and Part Manufacturers: For defective brakes, steering, or tires that failed at a critical moment.
6. Maintenance Companies: If a third party failed to properly adjust brakes or replace worn engine parts.
7. Freight Brokers: For brokering a load to an unsafe carrier with a history of safety violations.
8. Corporate Parent Companies: When an Amazon van or a Walmart truck is involved, the parent corporation’s deep pockets and internal safety mandates come into play.
9. Oilfield Operators: If the accident occurred on a private lease road near Thompsons due to unsafe wellsite traffic management.
10. Rental Truck Companies: Like U-Haul or Penske, if they rented a dangerous vehicle to an obviously unfit driver.

By identifying multiple defendants, we can “stack” insurance coverage. This is critical in catastrophic cases because a small trucking company’s initial policy might not cover your lifetime medical bills. If you’ve been hit by an Amazon delivery driver from the local Richmond station, for example, we look past the individual driver to the $5 million in contingent coverage and the billions in corporate assets. We make sure the “big guys” pay for the damage they cause.

Defeating the “Independent Contractor” Defense

Companies like Amazon and many oilfield service operators try to hide behind a shield, claiming their drivers are “independent contractors.” They want you to believe they aren’t responsible. We’ve fought this battle before and won. We look at the actual control the company exercises: Did they set the route? Did they provide the delivery app? Did they install cameras to monitor the driver? If the answer is yes, they are an employer in the eyes of the law, regardless of what the contract says. Call 888-ATTY-911 and let us pierce the corporate shield for you.

FMCSA Regulations: Proving the Company Broke the Law

Our firm doesn’t just argue “he was a bad driver.” We use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations to prove the trucking company was a lawbreaker. These regulations (49 CFR) are the foundation of a winning Thompsons truck accident case.

Driver Qualifications (Part 391)

Did the company hire a driver with a history of DUIs? Did they fail to verify their medical certificate? Under 49 CFR Part 391, carriers MUST maintain a Driver Qualification File. If they didn’t, it’s negligent hiring. Ralph Manginello has litigated cases where we forced the production of these files only to find they were empty. That’s a “smoking gun” for your case.

Driving Rules and Impairment (Part 392)

This part prohibits driving while ill or fatigued and strictly forbids cell phone use. We subpoena cell tower records to see if the driver was texting in the seconds before they hit you on Highway 90A. We also look for violations of § 392.14 relating to hazardous conditions—if it was a foggy morning in Thompsons and the driver didn’t slow down, they violated federal law.

Equipment and Securement (Part 393)

From brakes and lights to the working load limits of tiedowns, this regulation ensures the truck is a safe machine. Many Thompsons accidents involve sand or gravel falling from trucks because the company failed to use proper tarps or gates. We use 49 CFR § 393.100 securement rules to tie the lack of a simple strap to your life-altering injury.

Hours of Service (Part 395)

Driver fatigue is the #1 threat on our Fort Bend County roads. Federal law limits driving to 11 hours after a 10-hour reset. We pull the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to see the exact second the driver should have been off the road. If they were past their limit, the trucking company is on the hook for every penny of your damages.

Immediate Evidence Preservation: The 48-Hour Window

In Thompsons, the evidence from your crash is at risk from the moment the police clear the road. Fort Bend County’s humidity and occasional heavy rains can erase physical evidence like shadow skid marks and gouge lines in the asphalt. Even more critical is the electronic data inside the truck.

Black Box (ECM) Overwriting: The truck’s Engine Control Module records speed, braking, and steering. However, these systems only keep data for about 30 days—or less if the truck is put back into service. Once that data is overwritten, we lose the best proof that the driver never even hit the brakes.

Spoliation Letters: Within 24-48 hours of you hiring us, we send formal “Litigation Hold” or spoliation letters. These legal documents demand that the company stop all repairs to the truck, preserve all in-cab camera footage (like Netradyne or Lytx systems), and keep the driver’s cell phone data. If they destroy it after receiving our letter, we can ask the judge for “adverse inference” instructions—meaning the jury is told to assume the destroyed evidence was bad for the trucking company.

If you’ve been hurt, don’t give the company time to “clean up.” Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now so we can lock down the proof you need to win.

Catastrophic Injuries and Life-Altering Losses

A strike from an 80,000-pound truck is not a “fender bender.” The kinetic energy dissipated in these crashes causes injuries that require a lifetime of care. We have a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar results for victims suffering from:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From concussions to permanent cognitive loss. We’ve recovered between $1.5M and $9.8M for TBI victims.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Paralysis changes every aspect of your life. Our firm has seen vertebrae-crush cases result in settlements from $4.7M to over $25M.
• Amputations: The crushing force of a dump truck or concrete mixer often results in lost limbs. We fight for settlements in the $1.9M to $8.6M range to cover prosthetics and vocational rehab.
• Internal Organ Damage: Deceleration injuries that cause liver lacerations or splenic ruptures frequently require emergency surgery and long ICU stays.
• Wrongful Death: If you lost a loved one, we pursue the maximum available under Texas law, with case values often reaching between $1.9M and $9.5M depending on income and companionship loss.

Documenting Your Pain and Suffering

Insurance companies will try to call your herniated disc “degenerative” or your whiplash “minor.” We know better. We use medical experts and life care planners to show the jury what your life is actually like. Pain and suffering isn’t just a number; it’s the inability to pick up your grandchild, the 3 AM anxiety that keeps you from sleeping, and the trauma of being afraid to drive on Highway 59. We quantify these non-economic losses to ensure your settlement is truly comprehensive.

What is My Thompsons Truck Accident Case Worth?

When we calculate your damages, we leave nothing on the table. A fair settlement in Fort Bend County must cover:

• Economic Damages: All hospital bills, future surgeries, physical therapy, lost wages, and your “loss of earning capacity”—the difference in what you can earn now versus before you were hurt.
• Non-Economic Damages: Pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Punitive Damages: Large awards designed to punish the trucking company when we prove they acted with gross negligence, like falsifying logs or ignoring a driver’s failed drug test.

Don’t let a “pre-existing condition” argument scare you. Under the “Eggshell Plaintiff” rule, the trucking company is responsible for any AGGRAVATION they caused to your health. If you had a bad back but could work, and now you need a fusion surgery—they pay for that surgery.

Thompsons Truck Accident FAQ

How long do I have to file a claim in Thompsons?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the accident. However, for cases involving government-owned vehicles (like a municipal utility truck), you may have as little as 6 months to file a formal notice. Never wait; call us today to secure your timeline.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Texas follows the 51% Bar Rule. As long as you were not MORE than 50% responsible, you can still recover damages. Your total award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 20% at fault and the damages are $100,000, you receive $80,000.

How do I pay for my medical bills while waiting for a settlement?
We can help. Many Thompsons doctors and specialists work on “Letters of Protection,” meaning they treat you now and wait for payment from the final settlement. We ensure you get the Level I trauma care you need without paying out of pocket.

Who pays my medical bills if the trucker had no insurance?
Federal law requires at least $750,000 in coverage for any interstate truck. If they were operating illegally without it, we look to your own Uninsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and pursue the personal assets of the trucking company owner. We find the money.

What if an oilfield truck hit me on a private road?
Even on private lease roads, negligence laws apply. If the oil company designed a dangerous intersection or failed to suppress dust (causing zero visibility), they are liable. We investigate these as “hybrid” trucking and premises liability cases.

Can I sue the company whose logo was on the truck?
Yes. Under the doctrine of “ostensible agency,” if a company puts its name on a truck, they are telling the public that driver represents them. We use the company’s brand against them to ensure they take responsibility.

How is a truck’s black box used as evidence?
The black box proves the speed at the time of impact and whether the driver was speeding for the conditions on FM 762. It also shows if the driver was distracted—if there was no braking until the exact moment of impact, they weren’t looking at the road.

What are “hidden damages” in a trucking case?
Victims often forget to claim the value of “household services”—the cooking, cleaning, and yard work they can no longer do. We also claim “hedonic damages” for the loss of the pleasure of living your life as you did before.

What if I am an undocumented immigrant?
Your immigration status DOES NOT matter in a Texas personal injury case. You have the same right to safety and compensation as any other resident of Thompsons. We protect your privacy and your rights. Hablamos Español.

Why shouldn’t I settle with the insurance company right away?
Their first offer is always a lowball. They want you to sign a release before you realize you have a permanent spinal injury or need future surgery. Once you sign, your case is over forever. Never sign anything without us reviewing it first.

Powerful & Proven: Why Attorney911 is the Right Choice

When you’re up against a Fortune 500 carrier or a massive oil company, you need a fighter. Ralph Manginello is a member of the Trial Lawyers Achievement Association Million Dollar Member group. He has litigated against BP in the Texas City refinery explosion cases and has successfully taken on Walmart and Amazon. We aren’t intimidated by their fleet of corporate lawyers.

Our firm is the one insurers fear because we prepare every case as if it’s going to a jury. We don’t settle for the easy number; we fight for the right number. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We take that responsibility seriously. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve the entire Texas Gulf Coast, but our heart is right here with the hard-working families of Fort Bend County.

Schedule Your Free Thompsons Consultation Today

The trucking company is already working. Their rapid-response team has likely already interviewed the driver and secured the vehicle. You deserve a team that moves just as fast. Do not let another hour go by without protecting your rights and your family’s future.

1-888-ATTY-911 — We answer 24/7.
Free Consultation. No Fee Unless We Win.
Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña hoy mismo.

Whether you’re in Thompsons, Richmond, or anywhere in Fort Bend County, Attorney911 is your first responder to a legal emergency. Let us handle the insurance company while you focus on healing. Your fight starts with one call. Reach out to Ralph Manginello and the team that knows how to win. 1-888-ATTY-911.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC. Ralph P. Manginello, Managing Partner. Admitted to the Southern District of Texas. 25+ Years Experience. Powerful and Proven representation for Thompsons truck accident victims.