Goliad County Truck Accident Lawyer: Fighting for Your Family After a Catastrophic Commercial Vehicle Crash
The impact of an 80,000-pound truck slamming into your car is a life-altering event that leaves a trail of physical, emotional, and financial destruction. Whether you were traveling on US Highway 59, heading toward the oil patch on US Highway 183, or navigating the rural roads that crisscross Goliad County, a collision with a commercial vehicle isn’t just another car wreck—it’s a legal and medical emergency.
When a truck accident happens in Goliad County, the clock starts ticking immediately. While you are focused on recovery in a hospital bed, the trucking company’s rapid-response team is already at the scene. They are gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and finding ways to minimize or deny your claim. To level the playing field, you need a powerhouse legal team that moves just as fast.
At Attorney911, led by Ralph Manginello with over 25 years of courtroom experience, we understand the unique challenges Goliad County victims face. Since 1998, we have gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations, major insurance carriers, and the world’s largest oil companies. We don’t just know the law; we know the tactics they use to protect their profits. Our team features associate attorney Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense lawyer who used to represent these very companies. Now, he uses his insider knowledge of their playbook to win for us and our clients.
If you’ve been hurt, don’t wait for the evidence to disappear. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your case with the urgency and personal attention it deserves.
Why Goliad County Truck Accidents Are Different
Goliad County occupies a critical position in the South Texas transportation landscape. As a gateway between the Port of Houston, the border crossing at Laredo, and the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale, our local roads are perpetually crowded with heavy commercial traffic. This unique environmental mix creates specific hazards that general practice lawyers often overlook.
The Interstate 69 / US Highway 59 Freight Corridor
US Highway 59, which is being transformed into the I-69 corridor, is the primary artery for interstate and international commerce passing through Goliad County. This stretch of road sees thousands of 18-wheelers carrying everything from consumer goods for Walmart and Amazon to heavy machinery for industrial plants. The high-speed nature of US-59, combined with high-volume freight traffic, makes rear-end collisions and jackknife accidents particularly common and lethal in this area.
Eagle Ford Shale and Oilfield Truck Traffic
Goliad County sits within the reach of the Eagle Ford Shale. This means our local highways and Farm-to-Market (FM) roads are daily routes for specialized oilfield vehicles. You see them every day: overloaded water tankers hauling produced water to disposal wells, pneumatic sand haulers heading to frac sites, and crew vans transporting workers at 4:30 AM. These trucks often operate on two-lane roads like Highway 183 or FM 883—roads that were never engineered to withstand the weight of 80,000-pound industrial convoys.
The Rural Road Hazard
Unlike urban areas where traffic moves slowly, Goliad County’s rural stretches often involve high-speed traffic with limited lighting and narrow shoulders. When a fatigued truck driver or a poorly maintained delivery van loses control on a dark stretch of US-77 or Highway 239, there is nowhere for the smaller vehicle to go. The results are frequently fatal.
Our firm understands these local dynamics. We know the pressure drivers are under to meet delivery windows at distribution centers in neighboring counties, and we know how oil companies cut corners on safety when production targets are on the line. For over two decades, Ralph Manginello has been holding these entities accountable for the damage they do to Texas families.
The Insurance Defense Advantage: Our Insider Edge
One of the greatest benefits we provide to Goliad County victims is our “insider” view of the trucking industry. Lupe Peña spent years working at a national insurance defense firm. He was trained by the very companies you are now fighting against. He saw how they value claims, how they train adjusters to offer “quick-cash” settlements to make cases go away, and how they use algorithmic software to undervalue your pain and suffering.
Now, Lupe Peña fights for you. Because he has sat on the other side of the table, he knows exactly where the insurance companies hide their money. He knows when a “final offer” is’t really final and how to expose a trucking company’s attempt to hide evidence of a failed drug test or an hours-of-service violation. This insider edge is why we’ve successfully recovered over $50 million for our clients.
When you hire Attorney911 to handle your Goliad County truck accident claim, you aren’t just getting a lawyer; you’re getting a strategist who has already read the opponent’s playbook. As another client, Angel Walle, noted, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” We believe in efficiency and maximum recovery.
49 CFR: The Federal Standards That Protect Goliad County Families
Trucking is one of the most regulated industries in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399) to prevent crashes. Whenever an 18-wheeler, tanker, or delivery truck causes an accident in Goliad County, we look for violations of these specific federal laws.
Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS) – Fighting Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a silent killer on our highways. Under 49 CFR Part 395, property-carrying drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They also cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty and must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
In the fast-paced oilfield culture surrounding Goliad County, these rules are frequently broken. Trucking companies often pressure drivers to falsify their Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to keep trucks moving 24/7. When a fatigued driver slams into your car on US-59, we subpoena the ELD logs and GPS data to prove they were driving illegally. If they broke the law, they are negligent—and we will make them pay.
Part 391: Driver Qualifications – Ending Negligent Hiring
Trucking companies have a duty under Part 391 to ensure their drivers are medically fit, properly trained, and hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This includes conducting annual driving record reviews and thorough background checks.
If a carrier hired a driver with a history of DUIs or multiple safety violations just because there was a “driver shortage,” they are guilty of negligent hiring. Our firm investigates the Driver Qualification File for every trucker we sue in Goliad County to see if the company chose profit over public safety.
Part 393 & 396: Maintenance, Brakes, and Cargo Securement
A fully loaded semi-truck at 65 mph needs nearly 525 feet to stop—the length of two football fields. If the brakes aren’t perfectly adjusted or the tires are worn beyond the legal limit (under Part 393), that truck becomes an unguided missile.
In Goliad County, we often see accidents caused by cargo shifting or falling from trucks. Whether it’s oilfield pipe or consumer goods, federal law requires cargo to be contained and secured to withstand extreme forces. We retain accident reconstruction experts to examine the physical evidence and prove that a maintenance or loading failure caused your crash.
Learn more about the technical aspects of these cases in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.
The 48-Hour Urgency: Save the Evidence Now
Trucking companies and corporate fleet operators are notoriously aggressive about managing evidence after an accident. They know that if they can delay your legal action for just a few weeks, key data will vanish. This is why you must act within hours, not weeks.
The Black Box (ECM) and ELD Data
Modern trucks are equipped with Engine Control Modules (ECM) that record speed, braking force, throttle position, and seatbelt usage in the seconds surrounding a crash. However, this data is often overwritten after 30 days of driving. If the truck is put back on the road, the evidence of their negligence is erased forever.
Dashcams and Surveillance
Companies like Amazon and Walmart use Netradyne or DriveCam systems to monitor their drivers. This footage is often deleted on a 7-to-14-day loop unless a “recordable event” is flagged. If the company decides the event wasn’t recordable, that video of the driver texting before hitting you could be gone within the week.
Our Immediate Spoliation Protocol
The moment you hire us, we send a formal “Spoliation Letter” or litigation hold to the trucking company, their insurer, and the truck owner. This legal notice demands the immediate preservation of all electronic and physical evidence. If they destroy data after receiving our letter, we can seek severe sanctions from a Goliad County court, including an “adverse inference” where the jury is told to assume the destroyed evidence was bad for the trucking company.
Don’t let them hide the truth. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 within 48 hours so we can lock down the data before it’s gone.
Every Commercial Vehicle Covered: From 18-Wheelers to Delivery Vans
While people often focus on big rigs, any commercial vehicle poses a threat to your safety when operated negligently. Representative Ralph Manginello and our team handle crashes involving every type of commercial fleet on Goliad County roads.
Corporate Fleet and Last-Mile Delivery Accidents
We have successfully litigated against corporate giants like Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. These companies operate massive fleets, and they use complex legal structures to avoid liability. For example, Amazon often claims their delivery drivers are “independent contractors” through their Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program. We know how to cut through these layers. By showing that Amazon controls the routes, the schedules, the uniforms, and the surveillance in those vans, we hold the corporate parent accountable for the damage their drivers do.
Oilfield Trucks: Water, Sand, and Crude Tankers
If you were hit by a white truck with an orange HAZMAT placard on US-183, you were likely dealing with the oil and gas industry. We understand the specific liabilities of oilfield operators like EOG Resources or ConocoPhillips. Whether it was a water truck rollover caused by the “slosh effect” of liquid cargo or a hot shot truck speeding to a wellsite, these cases require an attorney who understands the interplay between trucking law and oilfield safety regulations.
Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers
Construction projects in Goliad County mean heavy dump trucks and mixers on our roads. These vehicles are among the heaviest on the road—a loaded concrete mixer can weigh over 70,000 pounds. Because they are often top-heavy and operate on uneven ground, they are prone to catastrophic rollovers that crush passenger vehicles beneath them.
Rental Trucks: U-Haul, Penske, and Budget
One of the most dangerous scenarios on Goliad County highways is an untrained driver in a massive rental truck. Companies like U-Haul rent 26-foot trucks to people who have never driven anything larger than a sedan. If the rental company rented to an unqualified driver or failed to maintain the truck’s brakes, they share the blame for your injuries.
Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Motorcyclists
A truck collision with a pedestrian or motorcyclist is almost always catastrophic. There is no protection—no seatbelt, no airbag, and no steel cage. We represent Goliad County residents who have been struck by turning trucks in “right hook” accidents or run off the road by lane-drifting 18-wheelers. We hold drivers accountable for failing to check their “No-Zones” (blind spots).
Catastrophic Injuries: Ensuring You Have the Resources to Recover
Severe truck accidents in Goliad County don’t just leave you with broken bones; they leave you with permanent, life-altering conditions. We have recovered millions of dollars for victims suffering from:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even a “mild” concussion can lead to years of cognitive fog, personality changes, and inability to work. Moderate to severe TBI settlements often range from $1.5M to $9.8M+.
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: Protecting your future means looking at the lifetime cost of care, home modifications, and specialized medical equipment. Settlements for these injuries can reach $25M+ for those requiring 24/7 assistance.
- Amputations and Crush Injuries: When a commercial vehicle traps a victim in their car, the crushing forces can cause loss of limb. These cases require settlements that account for prosthetic replacement and lifetime rehabilitation.
- Wrongful Death: There is no sum of money that replaces a spouse or parent. However, a wrongful death claim in Texas allows your family to seek justice and financial security for the future. Recoveries often range between $1.9M and $9.5M.
We don’t just look at today’s medical bills. We work with life care planners and economists to calculate the REAL cost of your injury over the next 40 years. For more on what your case might be worth, see our guide: “How to Negotiate a Car Accident Settlement” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV0VC5-1CJ8.
Who Is Really Liable? Casting a Wide Net for Maximum Compensation
Most lawyers only sue the truck driver and their employer. That is a mistake that leaves money on the table. At Attorney911, we investigate every link in the chain of commercial activity. In a Goliad County truck accident, there can be up to 16 potentially liable parties, including:
- The Truck Driver: For speeding, fatigue, or distraction.
- The Trucking Company: For negligent training and respondeat superior liability.
- The Corporate Parent (Brand Owner): Like Walmart or Amazon, for exercising control over unsafe routes.
- The Oilfield Operator: For creating dangerous conditions on a wellsite or lease road.
- The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a “conditional” or “unsatisfactory” safety record.
- The Loading Company: For failing to secure a load that shifted and caused a rollover.
- The Maintenance Company: For ignoring a defect in a “service brakes” warning.
- The Parts Manufacturer: For a tire blowout or brake failure caused by a defective product.
- The Rental Company: For negligent entrustment to an untrained driver.
- Government Agencies: If a road design defect or unmaintained guardrail contributed to the crash.
By identifying and “stacking” insurance policies from multiple defendants, we can secure settlements that far exceed the primary policy limits. This is how we ensure our clients get “every dime they deserve” (Glenda Walker).
Understanding Texas Laws in Goliad County
When filing a claim in Goliad County, you are governed by the specific statutes of the State of Texas. You must have an attorney who understands these rules inside and out.
The 2-Year Statute of Limitations
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a formal lawsuit. If your claim involves a government-owned vehicle (like a city bus or a state utility truck), the notice deadlines can be as short as six months. Waiting even a single day past the deadline can bar your claim forever.
Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Rule)
Texas uses a “modified comparative fault” system. This means you can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the crash. If a jury finds you were 20% at fault because you were slightly over the speed limit, your $1 million award would be reduced to $800,000. However, if the trucking company’s lawyers convince a Goliad County jury you were 51% at fault, you get nothing. This is why you need our team to thoroughly investigate and disprove any attempts to shift the blame onto you.
Damage Caps and Punitive Damages
Unlike some states, Texas does not cap non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most trucking cases. This allows for full recovery for the emotional toll of the crash. However, in cases of gross negligence—where the company knew of a danger but intentionally ignored it—you may be entitled to punitive damages. These are designed to PUNISH the offender and discourage others from acting the same way.
Goliad County Truck Accident FAQ
Q: What should I do first if I’m hit by a truck on US-59?
A: Call 911 immediately. If you are physically able, take photos of the truck’s DOT number, the license plates, and the corporate logo on the side of the trailer. Ask for the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who pulled over. Documentation at the scene is the most powerful evidence we have. Then, seek medical care immediately—even if you feel “fine.” Adrenaline often hides the pain of a spinal injury or TBI until hours later.
Q: How much does it cost to hire your firm?
A: Zero upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we advance all costs of hiring expert witnesses, reconstructing the accident, and filing the lawsuit. We only get paid if and when we win your case. If we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe us a cent for our time or expenses. We bear all the risk so you can focus on healing.
Q: The insurance company offered me a $50,000 settlement to pay my bills. Should I take it?
A: NEVER accept a quick settlement without a lawyer’s review. That $50,000 check might cover your initial ER bill, but it won’t cover the surgery you’ll need in six months or the wages you’ll lose over the next three years. Once you sign their release, you can never go back for more—even if your injuries turn out to be permanent. Let us evaluate your case first. 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.”
Q: Can I sue the oil company if a sand truck hit me on a lease road?
A: Yes. In many South Texas cases, the oil company controls the lease road and the traffic pattern. If the road was unmaintained, or if the oil company forced a trucking contractor to operate in unsafe conditions, they can be held liable under premises liability and general negligence theories.
Q: What if the truck driver was from another state?
A: Trucking is interstate commerce. Because we are admitted to federal court in the Southern District of Texas, we can handle cases across state lines. It doesn’t matter where the company is headquartered; if the accident happened in Goliad County, we can pursue them.
Q: Hablan español?
A: Sí. Nuestro equipo, incluyendo al abogado Lupe Peña, habla español con fluidez. Puede comunicarse directamente con nosotros sin necesidad de intérpretes. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Historical Context: Nuclear Verdicts in Trucking
Juries across Texas and the United States are sending a clear message: corporate negligence will not be tolerated. In 2021, a Texas jury awarded over $730 million in a case involving an oversized load fatality. In 2022, Werner Enterprises paid out $150 million in a settlement after two children were killed on a Texas highway.
These “nuclear verdicts” demonstrate that when an experienced firm like Attorney911 presents the evidence of 49 CFR violations, falsified logs, and corporate greed, the results can be substantial. While every case is different, our firm brings this same level of aggressive advocacy to every Goliad County client we serve.
Your Fight for Justice Starts with One Call
You didn’t choose to have your life upended by a negligent trucking company, but you CAN choose how you respond. You can let the insurance company push you around, or you can hire a fighter with a 25-year track record of winning multi-million dollar settlements.
At Attorney911, you aren’t just another file in a cabinet. As Chad Harris said, “You are family to them.” We take care of the legal battle so you can take care of your family. We will investigate the scene, preserve the black box data, identify every liable party, and fight for every dollar you are owed.
Don’t wait. Within 48 hours, the trucking company will already have their defense built. It’s time to build your case.
Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
Powerful. Aggressive. Proven.
Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
raplh@atty911.com | attorney911.com
If you have been injured in Goliad County, whether in Goliad, Fannin, Weser, or anywhere along the highways of South Texas, justice is only one call away. We answer every call. We fight every case. We win for our family. Call us now.
