City of Memphis Truck Accident Lawyer

The moment an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle slams into your sedan on a stretch of US Highway 287, your life splits into a “before” and an “after.” In the “after,” you’re facing a legal emergency that moves with terrifying speed. While you’re focused on recovery in a hospital bed, the trucking company has already activated a “go-team.” They have investigators on the scene in City of Memphis before the debris is even cleared, working to protect their billion-dollar bottom line.

At Attorney911, we believe you deserve a fight that is just as aggressive and just as sophisticated. Led by our managing partner Ralph Manginello, who has been fighting for injury victims since 1998, we bring over 25 years of courtroom experience to every case in City of Memphis. We aren’t just local attorneys; we are trial lawyers with federal court admission in the Southern District of Texas, prepared to take on multinational corporations and the world’s largest insurance carriers.

Our firm offers a unique advantage that other firms can’t match. Our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who previously worked for a national insurance defense firm. He knows their playbook because he helped write it. He understands how insurance companies in City of Memphis evaluate, minimize, and deny claims. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families devastated by trucking accidents, and we are ready to do the same for you.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in City of Memphis are Different

A truck accident in City of Memphis isn’t just a “big car wreck.” It is a complex collision involving federal law, massive weight differentials, and layers of corporate liability. When a fully loaded semi-truck traveling through Hall County strikes a passenger vehicle, the physics aren’t even. Your car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. The truck that hit you weighs 80,000. That’s a 20-to-1 weight disparity.

This weight difference means that an 18-wheeler traveling at 65 mph on the highways surrounding City of Memphis carries nearly 80 times the kinetic energy of a standard car. That energy has to go somewhere during impact—and usually, it’s absorbed by the smaller vehicle and its occupants.

Beyond the physics, the legal landscape is vast. While a car accident usually involves one driver’s insurance policy, a commercial vehicle wreck in City of Memphis can involve up to 16 different liable parties. From the driver to the carrier, the ship-owner to the cargo loader, and even the corporate parent company of a last-mile delivery fleet—we investigate every link in the chain. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has a documented history of litigating against giants like Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. We understand how these self-insured corporations operate and how to force them to pay fair compensation.

If you’ve been hurt, the clock is already ticking. In Texas, you have a two-year statute of limitations to file your claim, but the most critical evidence can disappear in as little as 30 days. Contact Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—you pay us nothing unless we win your case.

Our Record of Success Against Global Corporations

When you hire a lawyer for a truck accident in City of Memphis, you need to know they have the resources to go toe-to-toe with the world’s largest companies. Since our founding, we have recovered over $50 million for families across Texas. Ralph Manginello’s experience includes going up against multinational corporations in high-stakes litigation, including the landmark BP refinery explosion litigation.

Our results speak for themselves:

• $5+ Million Recovery for a traumatic brain injury victim involved in a workplace logging accident.
• $3.8+ Million Recovery for a client who suffered a leg amputation following a car accident with medical complications.
• $2.5+ Million Recovery specifically for a commercial trucking crash victim.
• Multi-million dollar recoveries in wrongful death cases involving 18-wheeler negligence.

As client Donald Wilcox said after we won his case: “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 don’t shy away from difficult cases, and we don’t back down from corporate bullies. Whether you were hit by a Walmart 18-wheeler or an Amazon delivery van, we have the experience and the tenacity to hold them accountable.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)

The trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated sectors in the United States. Every commercial motor vehicle operating in or through City of Memphis must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, codified in 49 CFR Parts 300-399. Proving a violation of these federal laws is often the key to establishing negligence and securing a multi-million dollar verdict.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

Driver fatigue is a silent killer on the long stretches of US Highway 287. Federal law is clear: drivers of property-carrying vehicles are limited to 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. They cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty and must take a mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. Furthermore, they are prohibited from driving after being on duty for 60/70 hours in 7/8 days.

When trucking companies pressure drivers to ignore these limits to make City of Memphis delivery windows, they are breaking the law. We use Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to catch them in the act. If a driver was on their 15th hour of work when they hit you, that is negligence per se.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification

It is a violation of federal law for a motor carrier to put an unqualified driver behind the wheel. Under Part 391, carriers must maintain a thorough Driver Qualification File for every operator. This includes a valid CDL, a current medical examiner’s certificate, an annual driving record review, and a documented background check. If a company hires a driver with a history of DUIs or multiple safety violations and that driver causes a wreck in City of Memphis, we hold the company liable for negligent hiring.

49 CFR Part 393 & 396: Maintenance and Safety

Brake failure accounts for approximately 29% of all large truck crashes. 49 CFR Part 396 requires every motor carrier to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all vehicles under its control. Drivers must conduct a pre-trip and post-trip inspection every day. If an 18-wheeler can’t stop at a red light in City of Memphis because its brakes were out of adjustment, it’s not an accident—it’s a preventable failure caused by corporate greed and deferred maintenance.

Types of Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

The mechanics of a truck crash are unique, and understanding the physics of the impact is essential for accident reconstruction. We work with world-class engineers to prove how the negligence occurred on City of Memphis roads.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when an 18-wheeler’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, resembling a folding pocket knife. This often happens on highways like US-287 during sudden braking or because of improperly balanced cargo. When a trailer jackknifes, it sweeps across multiple lanes of traffic, leaving drivers with no escape route. This is often a violation of 49 CFR § 392.6, which prohibits speeding for prevailing road conditions.

Underride Collisions

Underride crashes are among the most lethal. They occur when a passenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer of a truck, often shearing off the car’s roof and results in decapitation or catastrophic head injuries. While 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards (Mansfield bars), many are poorly maintained or fail on impact. Side underride accidents, which have no current federal guard requirement, are a specialized area of our practice where we fight to prove the trucking company failed to provide an “unreasonably dangerous” vehicle.

Rollover Accidents

High centers of gravity make 18-wheelers, concrete mixers, and garbage trucks prone to rollovers. Whether it’s an overloaded sand hauler near an oilfield or a delivery truck taking a curve too fast in a City of Memphis neighborhood, rollovers often indicate a violation of cargo securement rules under 49 CFR Part 393.

Wide Turn “Squeeze Play”

Truck drivers must swing wide to the left to execute a right-hand turn. If they fail to signal properly or check their right-side mirrors, they can crush a smaller vehicle between the trailer and the curb. This is a common occurrence in urban areas of City of Memphis and often involves delivery vehicles like those from Coca-Cola or Sysco.

Blind Spot (No-Zone) Accidents

Trucks have massive blind spots: 20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and multiple lanes to the sides. However, “I didn’t see them” is not a legal defense. Federal law (49 CFR § 393.80) requires specific mirror configurations to minimize these blind spots. If a driver changes lanes into your vehicle, they have failed in their duty of care.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures

In the extreme Texas heat that hits City of Memphis, poorly maintained tires are ticking time bombs. A steer tire blowout sends 80,000 pounds into an uncontrollable skid. We investigate maintenance records to see if the company used retreads on steer axles (often illegal) or deferred changing worn pads.

Corporate Fleet and Delivery Vehicle Crashes

Not every commercial accident involves an 18-wheeler. City of Memphis roads are increasingly crowded with corporate delivery vehicles that have their own unique liability challenges.

Walmart Truck Accidents

Walmart operates one of the largest private fleets in the world. Their trucks are everywhere in Texas. Because Walmart is self-insured for significant amounts, their claims adjusters are notoriously aggressive. They will try to get you to sign a release before you even know the full extent of your injuries. Ralph Manginello has years of experience litigating against Walmart and knows how to pierce their corporate defense.

Amazon Delivery Van Accidents

Amazon uses a “Delivery Service Partner” (DSP) model to try and distance themselves from liability. They will claim the driver who hit you doesn’t work for Amazon. Don’t buy it. Amazon sets the routes, monitors the drivers with four AI-powered Netradyne cameras, and dictates the schedule. We use those “indicia of control” to hold Amazon accountable for the accidents their delivery pressure causes in City of Memphis.

Food and Beverage Distribution (Sysco, Coca-Cola)

If you were hit by a Sysco refrigerated truck or a Coca-Cola delivery vehicle, you are likely dealing with an employee-driver. This makes the parent company directly liable under respondeat superior. These vehicles often make frequent stops, creating hazards for pedestrians and cyclists in City of Memphis.

Rental Truck Accidents (U-Haul, Penske)

Rental trucks are uniquely dangerous because the driver often has ZERO commercial training. U-Haul and Penske rent 26,000-pound trucks to anyone with a standard driver’s license. While the Graves Amendment protects rental companies from vicarious liability, we pursue them for negligent maintenance and negligent entrustment when they give a massive vehicle to an obviously unfit driver.

Accidents Involving Vulnerable Road Users

In City of Memphis, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists have essentially zero protection against a commercial truck.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

The “right hook” is the most common way cyclists are killed by trucks—a driver turns right at an intersection without checking their blind spot, sweeping the cyclist under the rear wheels. For pedestrians, the sheer height of a truck bumper means the primary impact is at the head or chest level. These cases involve the highest possible damages and require an attorney who understands the heightened duty of care truck drivers owe to those outside of vehicles.

Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists are often blamed by insurance adjusters who prey on “biker prejudice.” Our job is to show the jury that the accident wasn’t caused by the motorcycle’s speed, but by the truck driver’s failure to share the road. An 80,000-pound truck vs. a 600-pound motorcycle is never a fair fight.

Who is Liable? The 16-Party Deep Dive

We don’t just sue the driver. We cast a wide net to ensure there is enough insurance coverage to pay for the rest of your life.

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence.
2. The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior.
3. The Cargo Owner: If the freight itself caused the crash.
4. The Loading Company: For improperly secured or unbalanced loads.
5. The Truck Manufacturer: If a steering or frame defect contributed.
6. The Parts Manufacturer: For defective tires or brakes.
7. The Maintenance Company: For negligent inspections or repairs.
8. The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a known bad safety record.
9. The Truck Owner: If they leased a dangerous vehicle to a carrier.
10. Government Entities: If poor road design or uncleaned debris caused the wreck.
11. Corporate Parent Company: Breaking through the subsidiary shield (Amazon, FedEx).
12. Oilfield Operator: If the accident happened near a wellsite or on a lease road.
13. Staffing Company: For failing to vet the driver’s background.
14. Rental Truck Company: Dealing with U-Haul or Penske negligence.
15. Public Transit Agency: If a bus was involved (strict notice deadlines apply).
16. Federal Government: Following the Federal Tort Claims Act for USPS accidents.

Most general practice lawyers in City of Memphis won’t investigate these deeper layers. We do. More defendants means more insurance pools, and more insurance pools mean a higher recovery for you.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Window

In a City of Memphis truck accident, the evidence starts dying the second the crash ends. The black box (ECM) in the truck records speed, hard-braking events, and GPS location. However, this data is often on a 30-day overwrite cycle. If the truck is put back into service, the evidence of your accident is erased forever.

Within 24 to 48 hours of being hired, our team sends a formal Spoliation Letter to every liable party. This letter is a legal mandate that they must “freeze” all evidence, including:

• ECM Multi-data: Braking, throttle, and fault codes.
• ELD Logs: Proving hours-of-service violations.
• Driver Qualification Files: Exposing hiring negligence.
• Maintenance Logs: Showing pre-existing brake or tire issues.
• In-cab Video: Netradyne or DriveCam footage showing the driver’s actions.

If a company destroys evidence after receiving our letter, we ask the judge for an “adverse inference” instruction. This tells the jury they can assume the destroyed evidence proved the company was guilty. This is a case-winning strategy that Ralph Manginello has used to secure maximum settlements.

Catastrophic Injuries and Life Impact

We understand that a trucking accident in City of Memphis is a physical and emotional trauma. We handle the legal battle so you can focus on the medical one.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A brain injury doesn’t just hurt; it changes who you are. Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements in the $1.5M to $9.8M range for TBI victims. We work with neurologists and life care planners to document cognitive deficits, memory loss, and the lifetime of therapy needed for a “moderate to severe” TBI.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

A C-level or L-level spinal injury is a lifelong transition. With medical costs exceeding $5 million for many quadriplegia cases, we fight for settlements in the $4.7M to $25.8M range. We ensure your home modifications, 24/7 nursing care, and specialized transport are fully funded.

Amputations and Crush Injuries

Losing a limb isn’t just a physical loss; it’s an economic one. Between prosthetic replacements every 3-5 years and phantom limb syndrome, our amputation settlements typically range from $1.9M to $8.6M.

Internal Organ Damage and Bone Fractures

The force of a seatbelt during a truck crash can rupture a spleen or lacerate a liver. A crushed pelvis or shattered femur can lead to a lifetime of arthritis and mobility issues. We never let the insurance company call these “minor injuries.” If it requires surgery, it is a major event.

Psychological Injuries (PTSD)

If you find yourself having nightmares about the crash, or you’re too afraid to get back on the highway in City of Memphis, you have a legitimate, compensable injury. PTSD is as real as a broken bone. We ensure you have the psychiatric documentation to recover for your mental anguish and lost enjoyment of life.

Wrongful Death: Caring for Surviving Families

We are deeply sorry if you are reading this because you lost a loved one. No amount of money brings back a family member, but it can provide security for those left behind. In City of Memphis, a wrongful death claim allows you to recover for:

• Lost future earnings (the income the deceased would have brought home).
• Loss of companionship and consortium.
• Loss of parental guidance for surviving children.
• The decedent’s pain and suffering prior to death (Survival Action).

Our wrongful death trucking settlements have reached the multi-million dollar range, providing stable futures for spouses and children left in the wake of a tragedy.

Commercial Insurance and Your Potential Recovery

One of the biggest reasons people call Attorney911 is that they realize the trucking company’s insurance is significantly higher than a car’s.

By federal law (49 CFR Part 387), minimum liability is:

• $750,000 for general freight.
• $1,000,000 for oil or heavy equipment.
• $5,000,000 for Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT).

Large carriers like Werner or J.B. Hunt often have umbrella policies in the hundreds of millions. But they won’t give it up easily. They hire elite defense firms to argue that your injuries were “pre-existing” or that you were at fault for the crash. That is why our team includes a former defense lawyer. We know their “rounding” tactics and their attempts to blame victims.

City of Memphis follows the Texas 51% Bar Rule. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault—as long as you aren’t more than 50% responsible. We fight to keep your percentage of fault as low as possible, protecting your total award.

City of Memphis Truck Accident FAQ

How long do I have to file a claim in City of Memphis?

In Texas, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, for government-owned vehicles (like public buses), there may be “notice of claim” deadlines as short as 6 months. If a USPS truck was involved, specific Federal Tort Claims Act hurdles apply. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 today to ensure you don’t miss a deadline.

What if I was hit by an independent contractor trucker?

The company will use this as a shield. We use “tests of control” to pierce it. If the company dictated the route, provided the trailer, or monitored the driver via GPS, they can’t hide behind the “independent contractor” label. We’ve won these battles against Amazon and FedEx Ground before.

Is my case worth a million dollars?

Every case is different, but million-dollar cases share three things: clear liability on the trucking company, catastrophic injury (TBI, surgery, or permanent impairment), and deep-pocketed defendants (like a corporate fleet). If a truck driver was high on amphetamines or had been awake for 20 hours, punitive damages can push a case into the multi-million dollar “nuclear verdict” range.

Can I sue the oil company if a sand truck hit me?

If the truck was heading to an oilfield wellsite near City of Memphis, yes. We often name the operator (like ExxonMobil or Chevron) for negligent hiring or for creating unsafe conditions on private lease roads.

Who pays my medical bills while I wait for a settlement?

The trucking company won’t pay your bills week-to-week. We help our clients get treatment through “Letters of Protection” (LOPs) with vetted, attorney-approved doctors. This allows you to get the surgery or therapy you need now, with the providers waiting for payment until the case resolves.

Contact the City of Memphis Truck Accident Experts

If you’ve been injured by an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle, you are in a David vs. Goliath fight. The trucking company already has a team. You need yours.

At Attorney911, we are the firm insurers fear. We have the 25+ years of experience, the federal court admission, and the inside knowledge of insurance defense tactics. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your search for justice as our own legal emergency.

Don’t let the evidence disappear. Don’t let the insurance adjuster talk you into a lowball offer. Call Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 right now at 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911. We are available 24/7 to begin the fight for your recovery in City of Memphis. No fee unless we win. Your future starts with one call.

The Strategy for Maximum Recovery in Hall County

When we represent a client in City of Memphis, we don’t just plan for a settlement; we prepare for a jury. We find that the best settlements happen when the trucking company realize that we are ready to take them to court. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, is exactly that kind of trial lawyer.

We build your case using a multi-phase investigation:

1. Immediate Scene Investigation: We photograph road skid marks on US-287 before they fade in the Panhandle sun.
2. Electronic Forensics: We download the ECM “black box” to prove the truck was speeding.
3. Carrier Audit: We subpoena the safety scores and previous violation history of the trucking company.
4. Medical Correlation: We hire experts to link the physics of the truck crash to the specific tears in your discs or the axons in your brain.
5. Corporate Veil Piercing: We find the parent company and their excess insurance policies.

This comprehensive approach is why Angel Walle said of us: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” We are efficient, we are aggressive, and we are proven.

If you are hurting in City of Memphis, the path to justice is one call away. Reach out to Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. Let us take the weight of the legal battle off your shoulders so you can focus on healing your body and your family.

We’ve made the world’s largest corporations pay before, and we are ready to do it again for you. Call now: (888) 288-9911. We answer. We fight. We win.