City of Commerce Truck Accident Lawyer: Fighting for the Seriously Injured
The impact of an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle is unlike anything else on the road. When a massive semi-truck, a delivery van, or an oilfield hauler slams into a passenger car on I-30 outside City of Commerce, the physics are unforgiving. Your car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds; the truck that just hit you is 20 times heavier. In that split second, your life, your family’s security, and your physical health are shattered. If you have been hurt in a commercial vehicle crash in City of Commerce, you aren’t just dealing with a “car accident.” You are in a legal emergency.
At Attorney911, led by managing partner Ralph Manginello, we treat your case with the urgency and aggression it deserves. Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been taking on the world’s largest corporations and making them pay for the devastation they cause. Our legal team, includes experienced trial attorneys and a former insurance defense lawyer, Lupe Peña, who knows the exact playbook trucking companies use to minimize your claim. We don’t just “handle” cases; we win them. Whether you were hit by a Walmart 18-wheeler, an Amazon delivery van, or a grain truck on a rural Hunt County road, we are here to fight for every dime you deserve.
Why Experience Matters After a Truck Accident in City of Commerce
You may see billboards for lawyers all over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and stretching into City of Commerce, but trucking litigation is a highly specialized field. A general practice attorney might not know how to handle the complex layers of liability, the federal safety regulations, or the electronic evidence that defines these cases.
Our founder, Ralph Manginello, brings over 25 years of courtroom experience to your side. Admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, he has the federal court experience necessary to take on interstate trucking carriers in City of Commerce. We have gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 giants like BP during the Texas City refinery litigation—a disaster that resulted in over $2 billion in settlements. We have litigated against Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. This track record proves one thing: we are not intimidated by “deep pockets” or armies of corporate defense lawyers.
When we take your case, we investigate deeper than the competition. We don’t just look at the driver; we look at the carrier, the broker, the loader, and the manufacturer. We analyze the FMCSA data, the engine control modules, and the driver qualification files to prove that the trucking company put profit over your safety on the streets of City of Commerce. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That is the Attorney911 difference.
The Reality of Trucking Accidents in City of Commerce, Texas
City of Commerce sits at a critical junction for freight movement in Northeast Texas. With the heavy flow of commercial traffic on I-30 and the constant movement of trucks serving Texas A&M University-Commerce and our local agricultural industry, the risk is constant. Every day, 18-wheelers carrying everything from consumer goods for Walmart to heavy machinery barrel through City of Commerce at 70 miles per hour.
The statistics are sobering. Nationally, more than 5,000 people are killed in truck-related accidents annually, and 76% of those fatalities occur in the smaller passenger vehicle. In Texas, we see more truck-related deaths than almost any other state. When a driver is fatigued from a long-haul run across the country, distracted by their dispatch system, or operating a rig with faulty brakes, the residents of City of Commerce are the ones who pay the price.
If you have been hit by a truck in City of Commerce, we move within the first 48 hours to secure evidence. Black box data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days, and trucking companies often deploy “rapid response” investigators to the scene before you’ve even been admitted to a trauma center. You need a team that moves just as fast. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate evaluation.
Proving Negligence: The Power of FMCSA Regulations
Every 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle operating in City of Commerce must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These are not merely suggestions; they are federal laws (49 CFR Parts 390-399) designed to prevent catastrophic injuries. When a company ignores these rules to meet a delivery deadline, they are negligent.
We use our deep knowledge of these regulations to build your case in City of Commerce:
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)
Driver fatigue is a silent killer on I-30. Federal law is strict: property-carrying drivers are limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. They cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty and must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours. If the driver who hit you in City of Commerce was “pushed” by their carrier to violate these limits, we will find the proof in their Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification
Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. Under Part 391, they must maintain a Driver Qualification File that includes a valid CDL, a current medical examiner’s certificate, and a background check of the driver’s three-year history. If a carrier hired a driver with a history of DUIs or reckless driving and put them on the roads of City of Commerce, we will hold them liable for negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
An 80,000-pound truck is only as safe as its brakes and tires. Motor carriers must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all vehicles under their control. When we see an accident in City of Commerce caused by a tire blowout or brake failure, we subpoena the carrier’s maintenance records for the last 14 months. If they deferred maintenance to save a few dollars, they owe you compensation.
Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, brings a unique perspective to this process. Having spent years working in insurance defense, he knows how companies attempt to hide these violations. Now he uses that insider knowledge to expose them for our clients in City of Commerce. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Types of Commercial Vehicle Accidents We Handle in City of Commerce
While many firms only focus on standard 18-wheelers, Attorney911 handles accidents involving EVERY type of commercial vehicle on City of Commerce roads.
Jackknife and Rollover Accidents
A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across all lanes of traffic on I-30. If a truck driver in City of Commerce brakes too suddenly on wet pavement or carries a top-heavy load, the truck can roll. These accidents often cause multi-vehicle pileups and catastrophic crush injuries. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injury victims in cases precisely like these.
Underride Collisions
Underride crashes are among the deadliest events on the road. This happens when a passenger car slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer because the truck doesn’t have adequate guards. The results are often fatal decapitations or severe facial trauma. If a truck was illegally parked or moving without proper lighting in City of Commerce, we fight to prove the carrier’s liability for failing to protect other motorists.
Rear-End and Blind Spot Wrecks
Because a loaded semi-truck needs more than 500 feet to stop, rear-end collisions are frequent in stop-and-go traffic near City of Commerce. Furthermore, trucks have massive “No-Zones” or blind spots. If a driver changes lanes without clearing their right side and strikes your vehicle, they have violated the standard of care. Our team uses accident reconstruction experts to prove the driver’s failure to see what was right in front of—or beside—them.
Corporate Fleet and Delivery Van Crashes
City of Commerce is filled with delivery trucks from Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. These drivers are under incredible pressure to hit “last mile” quotas. Amazon often uses “Independent Service Providers” to shield themselves from liability, but we know how to pierce that corporate shield. If a branded delivery van hit you in a residential area of City of Commerce, we go after the corporate parent whose name is on the side of that truck.
Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers
Heavily loaded dump trucks and concrete mixers are common in Hunt County construction zones. These vehicles are inherently unstable and often operated by drivers who lack the experience of long-haul truckers. We hold construction companies accountable for overloaded vehicles and negligent operation that turns a piece of equipment into a deadly weapon on City of Commerce streets.
Oilfield and Industrial Haulers
Northeast Texas has a significant presence of oilfield equipment haulers, water trucks, and tankers. These vehicles often operate on narrow rural roads near City of Commerce that weren’t designed for heavy industry. Between driver fatigue from 12-hour shifts and the weight of “hot shot” loads, the potential for disaster is high. We understand the dual jurisdiction of FMCSA and OSHA that applies to these cases.
Identifying All Liable Parties: Why Our Investigation Goes Further
Most lawyers stop at the driver. We don’t. To maximize your recovery in City of Commerce, we investigate the entire supply chain. In a single trucking accident, we may find 16 different liable parties:
- The Truck Driver: For direct negligence (speeding, distraction, fatigue).
- The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior or negligent supervision.
- The Cargo Owner: If the freight itself was hazardous or improperly disclosed.
- The Loading Company: If an improperly secured or unbalanced load caused a rollover.
- Truck Manufacturers: If a design defect in the steering or brakes caused the crash.
- Parts Manufacturers: For defective tires (blowouts) or failing components.
- Maintenance Companies: If a third-party mechanic failed to adjust the brakes correctly.
- Freight Brokers: For negligently hiring a carrier with a “conditional” or “unsatisfactory” safety rating.
- The Truck Owner: For negligent entrustment of a dangerous vehicle.
- Government Entities: If poor road design or unpatched potholes in City of Commerce contributed to the wreck.
- Corporate Parents: Piercing the shield of companies like Amazon to hold the brand owner accountable.
- Oilfield Operators: For creating unsafe lease road conditions or choosing unsafe contractors.
- Staffing Agencies: If they provided an unqualified driver to a carrier.
- Rental Companies: Holding U-Haul or Penske accountable for negligent maintenance.
- Public Transit Agencies: For bus accidents in the City of Commerce area.
- Federal Government: Following FTCA protocols if a USPS mail truck was involved.
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 that other firms reject because we know how to find liability where others see a dead end.
The 48-Hour Urgency: Preserving Your Evidence in City of Commerce
The moment you hire us, our “black box” protocol begins. Trucking companies are for-profit entities, and they have a massive incentive to “lose” evidence that proves their guilt.
We immediately send a comprehensive Spoliation Letter to every party in the liability chain. This legal notice demands the preservation of:
- ECM/Black Box Data: This records speed, braking, and throttle 30 seconds before the impact.
- ELD Logs: To prove the driver was over their legal hour limits.
- Driver Qualification Files: To see if the driver had a history of accidents in City of Commerce or beyond.
- Maintenance Records: To prove the truck should have been “Out of Service.”
- Dispatch Communications: To show if the company forced the driver to speed.
In City of Commerce, where weather can be extreme, scene evidence like skid marks and debris can disappear quickly. We deploy investigators to photograph the scene, measure visibility, and download all available traffic or business surveillance camera footage before it’s deleted.
Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Don’t let the trucking company bury the truth. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now.
Catastrophic Injuries and the Cost of Your Recovery
Trucking accidents don’t result in “fender benders.” They result in life-altering physical and psychological trauma. We understand that your injuries have a dollar value that must be fought for.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The force of an 18-wheeler impact can cause the brain to slam against the skull, resulting in lifelong cognitive deficits, memory loss, and personality changes. Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for TBI victims, often ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the vertebrae often leads to paraplegia or quadriplegia. These cases require “Life Care Plans” to cover 24/7 nursing care, home modifications, and specialized equipment. We have secured spinal cord settlements ranging from $4.7 million to over $25 million because we know what it costs to live with this injury.
Amputations and Crush Injuries
When a car is crushed by a concrete mixer or a dump truck in City of Commerce, limbs are often lost. We fight for compensation that covers the best prosthetics and extensive rehabilitation, typically seeing settlements in the $1.9 million to $8.6 million range.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Not all injuries are visible. Many of our clients in City of Commerce suffer from debilitating flashbacks, nightmares, and a “vehophobia” or fear of driving after being hit by a massive truck. We treat psychological injuries as the serious, compensable medical conditions they are.
Understanding Commercial Insurance and Damages
In a standard car accident, you may be limited to a $30,000 policy. In a commercial truck accident in City of Commerce, the insurance pools are much larger.
- General Freight Trucks: Must carry at least $750,000.
- Oil and Large Equipment: Must carry at least $1,000,000.
- Hazardous Materials: Must carry at least $5,000,000.
Large carriers like Swift or Werner often have “umbrella” or excess policies that go into the tens of millions. Our job is to “stack” these policies from every liable party we identify. We fight for both economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life).
In some City of Commerce cases, we also pursue Punitive Damages. If a trucking company purposefully ignored safety rules or knowingly put a drunk driver on the road, a jury may award millions specifically to punish them. The “nuclear verdict” trend shows that juries are increasingly willing to hold negligent companies accountable, sometimes with awards exceeding $100 million.
City of Commerce Truck Accident FAQ
How long do I have to file a claim in City of Commerce?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, for a trucking case, waiting that long is a mistake. Your evidence will be gone long before two years pass. You need to act within days.
What if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Texas follows “modified comparative negligence.” As long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, though your payout will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Don’t take the insurance company’s word that you were at fault—we conduct our own independent investigation to prove the truth.
How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Zero dollars upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis. As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We only get paid if we win your case. We advance all the costs of experts and litigation, taking all the financial risk ourselves so you can focus on healing.
Who is responsible if an Amazon van hit me in City of Commerce?
Amazon will likely claim the driver works for an independent Delivery Service Partner (DSP). However, because Amazon dictates the route, the uniform, the monitoring, and the schedule, we push to hold Amazon directly responsible as the corporate parent.
Can I sue for a truck tire blowout?
Yes. If the carrier failed to inspect the tires or used “retreads” on steering axles in violation of safety standards, the trucking company is liable. We preserve the tire remnants for forensic analysis to prove maintenance neglect.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Even if the driver is a “contractor,” the motor carrier who leased the truck is almost always liable under federal law. We know how to pierce “independent contractor” defenses to find the actual source of recovery.
Your Fight Starts With One Call: 1-888-ATTY-911
If you or a loved one has been devastated by a truck accident in City of Commerce, you don’t have to face the trucking company’s lawyers alone. We are first responders to legal emergencies. We have the experience, the resources, and the fearless attitude needed to take on corporate giants.
Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 bring 25+ years of litigation power to Hunt County. We know the courts, we know the federal regulations, and most importantly, we know how to win. As Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911 right now for your free, no-obligation consultation. Hablamos Español. We are available 24/7 to help the residents of City of Commerce get the justice they deserve.
This content is provided for informational purposes only. Every case is unique, and results depend on specific facts. Call Attorney911 for a personalized legal evaluation.
