Matagorda County Truck Accident Attorneys: Powerful Representation for Commercial Vehicle Victims

The impact was catastrophic. On a stretch of State Highway 35 near Bay City, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into a family vehicle. In an instant, a routine trip through Matagorda County became a life-altering emergency. One moment, you’re navigating the traffic near the Port of Palacios; the next, you’re fighting for your life because a commercial truck driver was fatigued, distracted, or operating a vehicle with failing brakes. When an 18-wheeler changes your life forever in Matagorda County, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a fighter who understands the local roads and the federal laws that govern these massive machines.

At Attorney911, we specialize in high-stakes trucking litigation. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years taking on the world’s largest trucking companies and winning. Since 1998, we’ve recovered over $50 million for Texas families, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries and wrongful death cases. We aren’t intimidated by the teams of corporate lawyers that companies like Walmart or Amazon send to Matagorda County; we’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 giants like BP and made them pay.

If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident anywhere in Matagorda County, the clock is already ticking. Evidence disappears within days, and the trucking company’s rapid-response team is already building a defense to ensure you get paid as little as possible. Don’t wait until the black box data is overwritten. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. Hablamos Español.

The Unique Dangers of Trucking in Matagorda County

Matagorda County sits at a critical junction of coastal logistics, heavy agriculture, and industrial energy production. Whether it’s 18-wheelers hauling equipment to the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station or grain trucks moving through the rice fields near Blessing, the sheer volume of heavy vehicle traffic on State Highway 35, SH 60, and SH 111 creates a high-risk environment for every passenger vehicle driver.

Our firm understands why trucking in Matagorda County is specifically dangerous. The regional economy depends on heavy hauling, but our roads weren’t always engineered for the current density of 80,000-pound loads. We see specific hazards here that aren’t as prevalent in other parts of Texas:

• Coastal Fog and Poor Visibility: On early winter mornings near Palacios and Matagorda Bay, thick Gulf Coast fog can reduce visibility to near zero. When a commercial driver fails to adjust their speed for these conditions—a direct violation of 49 CFR § 392.14—they turn their truck into an unguided missile.
• Heavy Industrial Hauling: The presence of the nuclear power plant and local chemical facilities means Matagorda County sees highly specialized, oversized loads. These vehicles require escort vehicles and stringent safety protocols. When these steps are skipped, catastrophic underride and rollover accidents occur on narrow two-lane FM roads.
• Agricultural Rushes: During harvest seasons, Matagorda County roads are flooded with heavy grain trucks and farm equipment moving between fields and silos. These trucks are often older, less maintained, and prone to mechanical failures like brake expiration or tire blowouts.
• Oilfield Transit: While Matagorda County isn’t the heart of the Permian Basin, it serves as a vital transit corridor for equipment and supplies moving toward the Eagle Ford Shale. Overloaded sand haulers and water trucks frequently use SH 35, often driven by operators who have been behind the wheel for 14+ hours in violation of federal rest requirements.

If your family was caught in the middle of a collision on a Matagorda County road, you need a legal team that knows these roads and knows how to prove that the trucking company put profit over your safety. Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 are ready to investigate the specific conditions that led to your crash.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Matagorda County Truck Accident Case?

Following a serious commercial vehicle wreck, your phone will start ringing. It will be insurance adjusters looking to record your statement and offering “quick” settlements that don’t cover 10% of your long-term medical needs. You need an advocate who has seen their playbook before.

The Insurance Defense Advantage: Lupe Peña

Our firm provides a unique tactical advantage that most personal injury firms in Matagorda County can’t match. Our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who spent years working inside a national insurance defense firm. Lupe used to represent the very insurance companies we now fight against. He knows exactly how they value claims, how they train their adjusters to manipulate victims, and where they hide the extra “umbrella” coverage that can turn a small settlement into a multi-million dollar recovery. Lupe knows their playbook because he helped write it. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you.

Federal Court Admission and Nationwide Capability

Not every lawyer can handle an 18-wheeler case. These cases often involve out-of-state companies and federal regulations, requiring admission to federal court. Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which serves Matagorda County. This means we can file your case in federal court if it provided a strategic advantage, ensuring we aren’t limited by state-level barricades that corporate defendants use to hide.

A Proven Track Record of Success

We don’t just talk about results; we deliver them. Our firm is a member of the Trial Lawyers Achievement Association Million Dollar Member group. We’ve secured landmark recoveries, including:

• $5+ Million for a victim of a traumatic brain injury in a heavy vehicle accident.
• $3.8+ Million for a client who suffered an amputation following a catastrophic collision.
• $2.5+ Million specifically in commercial truck crash recoveries.

As client Chad Harris said after we handled his case, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We bring that family-first mentality to every Matagorda County client we represent.

Don’t let a corporate giant push you around. Call the Legal Emergency Lawyers™ at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Comprehensive Coverage of Matagorda County Truck Accident Types

Commercial vehicle accidents are physically different from car accidents. The sheer mass of a truck creates unique collision mechanics that require specialized engineering knowledge to unpack. At Attorney911, we investigate every type of commercial wreck that occurs on Matagorda County highways.

Jackknife Accidents on State Highway 35

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across three or four lanes of traffic. On SH 35, where traffic often moves at high speeds, a jackknife creates a wall of steel that trailing vehicles cannot avoid. These accidents are frequently caused by improper braking techniques or imbalanced cargo. We cite 49 CFR § 393.100 to prove that the cargo was improperly secured, making the trailer unstable and causing the driver to lose control during a sudden stop.

Rollover Crashes and High Center of Gravity

Because trucks used in the Matagorda County industrial and agricultural sectors are often top-heavy, rollovers are a constant threat. Whether it’s a concrete mixer turning too fast onto SH 60 or an overloaded grain truck taking a curve on an FM road, the results are almost always fatal for nearby motorists. We use ECM (Engine Control Module) data to prove the driver was exceeding the safe speed for the curve—even if they were technically under the posted speed limit.

Deadly Underride Collisions

Underride collisions are among the most horrifying accidents we handle in Matagorda County. This happens when a passenger car slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer because the truck lacks proper Mansfield bars or underride guards. These accidents often result in decapitation or catastrophic head injuries. If the truck that hit you wasn’t equipped with federal-standard rear impact guards as required by 49 CFR § 393.86, the trucking company is liable for your loss.

Blind Spot and Wide Turn “Squeeze” Accidents

In the more congested areas of Bay City, delivery trucks from companies like FedEx and UPS often cause “squeeze play” accidents. An 18-wheeler making a wide right turn might swing left first, leading a car into the gap before crushing them against the curb. Federal law (49 CFR § 393.80) requires trucks to be equipped with mirrors that provide a clear view of these “No-Zones.” If a driver merged into you or crushed your vehicle because they weren’t checking their blind spots, we hold them accountable.

Tire Blowouts and Maintenance Neglect

The extreme Matagorda County summer heat is brutal on heavy-duty tires. However, heat is no excuse for a blowout. Trucking companies are required under 49 CFR Part 396 to perform systematic inspections and maintenance. Many blowouts are caused by using “retreads” on steering axles or ignoring low tread depth to save a few dollars. When a tire disintegrates on the highway, it can cause the driver to lose steering and cross the centerline into oncoming traffic.

18-Wheeler Rear-End Collisions

An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 65 mph needs the length of nearly two football fields to stop. When a fatigued driver in Matagorda County is distracted by their dispatch device or falls asleep because they’ve violated hours-of-service rules (49 CFR Part 395), they cannot stop in time for traffic. The force of a rear-end impact from a semi-truck is equivalent to being hit by a small building.

Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao

Specialized Commercial Vehicle Litigation in Matagorda County

“Truck accident” doesn’t just mean 18-wheelers. Attorney911 handles cases involving every type of commercial vehicle that shares our roads.

Corporate Delivery Fleet Accidents (Amazon, Walmart, UPS)

Matagorda County sees constant traffic from corporate delivery vehicles.

• Amazon Delivery Vans: Amazon often tries to shield itself from liability by using “Independent Service Providers.” They’ll tell you the driver wasn’t an Amazon employee. But because Amazon controls the routes, the timing, and even the cameras inside the van, we can often pierce that shield and sue Amazon directly.
• Walmart Transportation: As a direct carrier, Walmart is vicariously liable for its drivers. They are self-insured and fight like hell. Our associate Lupe Peña knows their defense tactics from his time in insurance defense.
• UPS and FedEx: High-pressure delivery windows lead to reckless driving. If a branded delivery truck hit you in Bay City, we know how to find the million-dollar policies that cover these fleets.

Dump Trucks and Construction Vehicles

With the ongoing industrial expansion in the region, dump trucks and concrete mixers are everywhere. These trucks are often operated by small subcontractors with poor safety records. Because a loaded dump truck weighs 60,000+ lbs, a collision with one is just as deadly as an 18-wheeler wreck. We investigate the construction company that hired the truck, often finding that they failed to vet the driver’s safety history.

Rental Moving Trucks (U-Haul, Penske)

Rental trucks are uniquely dangerous because they put a 26,000-pound vehicle into the hands of an untrained civilian with no CDL. If a rental truck hit you in Matagorda County, we investigate whether the rental company (like U-Haul or Penske) was negligent in renting to an obviously unfit driver or failed to maintain the truck’s braking system.

Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrians and Cyclists

If you were struck by a commercial vehicle while walking or cycling in Palacios or Bay City, your injuries are likely life-threatening. Trucks have massive blind spots, particularly during right turns (the “right hook” accident). We prove that the driver violated the heightened duty of care they owe to pedestrians and cyclists in Matagorda County urban areas.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Proving Negligence: The FMCSA Regulatory Framework

Trucking companies are governed by a strict set of federal laws known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399). When we sue a trucking company, we don’t just say they were “careless”—we prove they broke federal law.

In Matagorda County, we frequently see violations of 49 CFR § 395.8, which requires the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). Trucking companies often pressure drivers to “off-log” or falsify their hours to get a load to the Port of Houston or a Matagorda County job site on time. At Attorney911, we know how to cross-reference ELD data with GPS and fuel receipts to prove a log was falsified.

Determining All Liable Parties: Who Really Pays?

Most lawyers only sue the driver. We know better. In a Matagorda County truck accident, there is often a web of responsible parties. Each party we add to the lawsuit brings a new insurance policy to the table, maximizing your potential recovery.

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): Liable for the driver’s actions under respondeat superior and for their own negligent hiring.
3. The Corporate Parent (Walmart, Amazon, ExxonMobil): If the company whose name is on the truck exercised control over the driver, they are responsible.
4. The Cargo Loading Company: If the accident was caused by a shifting load or a cargo spill, the company that loaded the truck is liable.
5. The Maintenance Provider: If a third-party mechanic in Matagorda County failed to fix the brakes correctly, they share the blame.
6. The Truck/Parts Manufacturer: In cases of tire delamination or brake failure, a product liability claim against the manufacturer may be the key to a multi-million dollar verdict.
7. Freight Brokers: Companies that connect shippers to trucking firms can be liable for “negligent selection” if they hired a carrier with a known bad safety record.
8. Government Entities: If a poorly designed intersection or unmaintained road in Matagorda County contributed to the crash, we look at the municipality’s responsibility.

Ready to find out who is really responsible? Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

The 48-Hour Urgency: Preserving Evidence Before It’s Deleted

What many victims in Matagorda County don’t realize is that the most important evidence in an 18-wheeler case is electronic, and it belongs to the trucking company. Black box (ECM) data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days. If the truck is put back on the road and continues driving, the data from YOUR accident can be deleted forever.

This is why you must contact us immediately. Within 24-48 hours of being retained, we send a formal spoliation letter to the trucking company and their insurer. This letter legally mandates that they:

• Preserve all ECM and EDR data (speed, braking, steering).
• Download and save all Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data.
• Retain any dashcam or in-cab video footage (Netradyne, DriveCam).
• Save all dispatch communications and GPS route history.
• Preserve the physical vehicle and any failed parts (tires, brake pads).

If they destroy this evidence after receiving our letter, we can ask the judge for “spoliation sanctions,” which can include telling the jury to assume the destroyed evidence proved the company was guilty. Our firm has the resources to deploy accident reconstruction experts to Matagorda County scenes within hours to map skid marks and photograph debris before the rain or traffic washes it away.

Recovering for Catastrophic Injuries in Matagorda County

A truck accident doesn’t leave you with a few bruises. It leaves you with life-altering trauma. We have extensive experience representing victims suffering from:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The violent forces of a truck collision often cause the brain to impact the skull (coup-contrecoup). Even a “mild” concussion can lead to lifelong memory loss, personality changes, and cognitive deficits. Our firm has recovered settlements ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million for TBI victims. We work with neurologists to document the full neuro-impact of your injury.
Learn more in our video: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

When an 80,000-lb truck crushes a car, the spine is often the first thing to break. We represent quadriplegic and paraplegic victims, securing settlements that range from $4.7 million up to $25 million+. These funds are vital for life care plans, wheelchair-accessible homes, and 24/7 nursing care.

Amputations and Crush Injuries

Losing a limb in an 18-wheeler wreck near Bay City is a terrifying reality. We’ve recovered $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation victims to cover the cost of high-tech prosthetics, phantom limb pain treatment, and occupational therapy.

Wrongful Death Claims

We are deeply sorry if you lost a loved one in a Matagorda County truck crash. While no amount of money replaces a family member, a wrongful death claim (ranging from $1.9M to $9.5M in our experience) provides accountability and financial security for the survivors. We pursue loss of consortium, lost future earnings, and funeral expenses with the respect your family deserves.

Commercial Truck Insurance: Accessing the Millions

Trucking cases are high-value because the insurance requirements are high. While a car driver might only have $30,000 in coverage, federal law (49 CFR Part 387) requires commercial trucks to carry much more:

• General Freight: $750,000 minimum.
• Oil/Petroleum: $1,000,000 minimum.
• Hazardous Materials: $5,000,000 minimum.

Most large fleets operating in Matagorda County carry far more—often $10 million to $50 million in “layered” or “stacked” insurance. However, the insurance company will never tell you how much is available. They’ll offer you $100,000 and hope you go away. We use the discovery process to find every dollar of available coverage.

Learn more about insurance tactics in our video: “The Definitive Guide To MCS 90 Auto Endorsements” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auB5NWcwyag

Matagorda County Truck Accident FAQ

1. How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Matagorda County?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, in trucking cases, you shouldn’t wait more than a few days. Evidence like ELD logs and black box data are at risk immediately. Every day you wait is a day the trucking company uses to hide the truth.

2. Should I talk to the insurance adjuster from the trucking company?
No. Never. They are trained to sound “helpful” while leading you into statements that hurt your case. They might ask “How are you doing today?” and if you say “I’m okay,” they’ll use that to argue you aren’t really injured. Let us handle all communication. Our associate Lupe Peña knows their tricks inside and out.

3. What if I was partially at fault for the accident on SH 35?
Texas follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule (the 51% bar). As long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages. Your total settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. We fight to ensure the trucking company doesn’t unfairly shift the blame onto you.

4. How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Zero upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. We advance all the costs of experts, filing fees, and investigation. If we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe us a dime.

5. Can I sue for PTSD after a truck wreck in Matagorda County?
Yes. Emotional distress and mental anguish are legally compensable non-economic damages. If you’re having nightmares, driving anxiety, or flashbacks after being hit by an 80,000-pound truck, that trauma has a real legal value.

6. What if the driver was an independent contractor for Amazon or FedEx?
This is a standard defense. We look at the “Right to Control” test. If Amazon controlled the route, the timing, and monitored the driver, they can often be held liable as the employer, regardless of what the contract says.

7. Who pays my medical bills while the case is pending?
While the trucking company is ultimately responsible, they won’t pay your bills as they come in. We coordinate with medical providers in the Matagorda County area to arrange treatment under “Letters of Protection,” allowing you to get the surgery or therapy you need now without paying out of pocket until the case settles.

Don’t Wait — The Trucking Company Is Already Working

Every hour you wait, the trucking company is building their defense. They have already called their lawyers. They have already started interviewing witnesses. They are hoping you’ll wait a few months so the black box data is gone and your medical treatment has gaps.

Don’t give them that advantage. Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 represent victims in Bay City, Palacios, Blessing, Matagorda, and throughout the county. We treat our clients like family, and we fight for every dime you deserve. 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.”

Your fight starts with one call: 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer. We fight. We win. Hablamos Español. Available 24/7. Call (888) 288-9911 now.