Taylor County Truck Accident Lawyers: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Crashes
The impact was catastrophic. On Interstate 20 running through the heart of Taylor County, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your vehicle without warning. In that split second, your life changed. Whether it was an 18-wheeler jackknifing near the Abilene city limits or a corporate delivery van T-boning you on US-83, the aftermath is a blur of pain, mounting medical bills, and overwhelming uncertainty.
Trucking companies and corporate fleet operators in Taylor County already have their teams working. Their insurance adjusters and rapid-response lawyers are likely at the scene before the wreckage is even cleared, seeking ways to minimize your claim and protect their bottom line. At Attorney911, we believe you deserve a fighter who moves just as fast.
Ralph Manginello has spent more than 25 years holding negligent trucking companies accountable. Our managing partner brings federal court experience and a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements for families in Taylor County and across Texas. We understand that after a truck accident, you aren’t just a case number—you are a family in crisis. As our client Chad Harris once said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
When you face off against a Fortune 500 company like Walmart or Amazon, or an oilfield operator in the Permian Basin-adjacent corridors of Taylor County, you need an unfair advantage. We provide that advantage through associate attorney Lupe Peña. Before joining our firm, Lupe worked for a national insurance defense firm. He knows their playbook. He knows how they undervalue your suffering, and he uses that insider knowledge to fight for every dime you deserve.
If you’ve been hurt in a commercial vehicle accident in Taylor County, don’t wait for the evidence to disappear. Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We work on contingency, meaning you pay us nothing unless we win your case.
Specialized Representation for Every Type of Taylor County Truck Accident
Taylor County sits at a critical crossroads of Texas commerce. With I-20 carrying transcontinental freight, US-83 serving as a major north-south artery, and the unique traffic generated by Dyess Air Force Base and the regional wind energy industry, our roads are shared with a dangerous variety of heavy vehicles. We handle cases involving every type of commercial truck on Taylor County roads:
- 18-Wheelers and Semi-Trucks: The backbone of Texas freight, these vehicles pose the greatest risk to Taylor County families due to their massive weight and long stopping distances.
- Corporate Delivery Vans: Amazon, FedEx, and UPS vehicles are constant fixtures in Abilene neighborhoods. We know how to navigate the complex contractor structures these companies use to avoid liability.
- Oilfield Vehicles: Taylor County serves as a gateway for the Permian Basin. We represent victims hit by overloaded water trucks, frac sand haulers, and crude oil tankers on FM roads.
- Wind Energy Transport: Seeing massive turbine blades transported through Taylor County is common. These oversized loads require specialized escort protocols that, when ignored, lead to devastating collisions.
- Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers: Construction boom areas in Taylor County see heavy traffic from these 60,000-pound vehicles, which are often operated by small companies with poor maintenance records.
- Rental Moving Trucks: We hold companies like U-Haul and Penske accountable when they put untrained drivers behind the wheel of 26-foot trucks they aren’t qualified to operate.
- Public Transit and School Buses: Accidents involving Abilene’s CityLink buses or Taylor County school districts require an attorney who understands the strict notice requirements of the Texas Tort Claims Act.
Whatever hit you, we have the resources to investigate the crash, identify every liable party, and maximize your recovery. Call us today at (888) 288-9911.
The Insurance Defense Advantage: Why Choosing the Right Lawyer Matters in Taylor County
Most personal injury firms in Taylor County handle a wide range of cases, but 18-wheeler accidents are a different breed of litigation. These cases aren’t just “big car accidents.” They involve complex federal regulations, layers of corporate insurance, and defendants with nearly unlimited resources to fight your claim.
This is where the Attorney911 team differentiates itself. Lupe Peña’s background in insurance defense is your secret weapon. Lupe spent years inside the system, learning exactly how insurance companies evaluate claims, how they train their adjusters to lowball victims, and what triggers them to finally pay a fair settlement.
When an insurance company like Progressive Commercial or State Farm denies your claim after a Taylor County crash, they are following a specific playbook. Lupe has read that playbook. He knows when they are bluffing and when they are truly worried about a jury verdict. We use this “insider intel” to stay three steps ahead of the defense, ensuring that we don’t just settle your case—we secure the maximum compensation available under the law.
Our firm’s founder, Ralph Manginello, has recovered over $50 million for injury victims since 1998. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, a credential that is vital in Taylor County trucking cases which are often moved to federal court because the trucking company is based in another state.
Whether we are litigating a $10 million lawsuit involving institutional negligence or a traumatic brain injury case resulting from a jackknife on I-20, our mission remains the same: we fight for you like you’re our own family.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Proving Negligence in Taylor County
To win a truck accident case in Taylor County, we don’t just prove the driver was “careless.” We prove they broke federal law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains strict regulations under 49 CFR Parts 300-399 that every commercial carrier must follow. When these laws are violated, it is powerful evidence of negligence.
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS) and Driver Fatigue
Fatigue is a leading killer on Taylor County’s long stretches of highway. 49 CFR § 395.3 limits drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Currently, most drivers must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track these hours. We subpoena ELD data immediately to prove if a driver was illegally operating while exhausted to meet a corporate delivery window in Abilene.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification
Trucking companies have a non-delegable duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. Under 49 CFR § 391.11, a driver must hold a valid CDL, pass a medical exam, and possess a safe driving history. If a company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or reckless driving to navigate Taylor County roads, they are liable for negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 393: Parts and Accessories for Safe Operation
18-wheelers must be equipped with functioning safety systems. We often find violations of 49 CFR § 393.40 (brakes) and § 393.100 (cargo securement). In a Taylor County wind turbine blade transport or an oilfield sand haul, improper securement can lead to “squeeze play” turns or equipment falling onto passenger vehicles.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
Trucking companies must systematically inspect their vehicles. Under 49 CFR § 396.3, carriers must keep records of every repair. If a brake failure on a steep grade or a tire blowout on I-20 causes a crash, we look for “deferred maintenance”—evidence that the company skipped repairs to save money, at the cost of your safety.
Learn more about the technical side of these cases in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.
Fatal Errors: The Most Common Causes of Taylor County Truck Wrecks
Truck accidents in Taylor County rarely happen for just one reason. Usually, a chain of corporate and individual failures leads to the impact. We investigate the following common accident types with rigorous detail:
- Jackknife Accidents on I-20: Often the result of improper braking on wet pavement or high speeds during Texas windstorms, a jackknifed trailer can sweep across all lanes of traffic, leaving Taylor County drivers with no escape.
- Blind Spot “No-Zone” Collisions: 18-wheelers have massive blind spots. Under 49 CFR § 393.80, they must have mirrors, but drivers must actually use them. We see many sideswipe accidents where a trucker merged directly into a family vehicle on US-84.
- Rear-End Impact at Highway Speeds: Because a loaded truck weighing 80,000 lbs needs the length of two football fields to stop, rear-end collisions are often fatal. Fatigue and distracted driving are prime suspects in these Taylor County crashes.
- Underride Crashes: Among the most horrifying, an underride happens when a car slides under the trailer. We investigate whether the truck’s rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86) were properly maintained or if side guards should have been installed.
- Brake Failure on Rural Grades: When maintenance is ignored, brakes fail. An 80,000-pound truck with failed brakes is an unguided missile. We hold the maintenance companies and the motor carrier responsible for these preventable tragedies.
- Tire Blowouts: Heat is a major factor in Taylor County. Underinflated tires or the use of cheap “retreads” lead to blowouts that cause drivers to lose control instantly. See our video: “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc.
Identifying All Liable Parties: Why One Defendant is Never Enough
Most Taylor County firms stop after suing the truck driver. At Attorney911, we know that to maximize your recovery, we must identify every party that contributed to the accident. Every new defendant represents another potential insurance policy to cover your catastrophic losses.
- The Truck Driver: For direct negligence, speeding, or driving while impaired.
- The Trucking Company (Carrier): Liable for the driver’s actions and for negligent hiring and training.
- The Cargo Shipper/Loader: If shifting weight caused a rollover or a spill in Taylor County, the loading company is responsible.
- The Corporate Parent (e.g., Walmart or Amazon): We pierce the corporate shield to hold the brand owner accountable, especially when their delivery quotas create unsafe driving conditions.
- Oilfield Operators: In oil and gas accidents, the company man at the wellsite may be liable for failing to manage truck traffic safely.
- Freight Brokers: Companies like C.H. Robinson may be liable for hiring a carrier they knew had a poor safety rating.
- Maintenance Facilities: If a Taylor County mechanic performed a faulty brake job, they share the blame.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: For design defects like faulty steering or inadequate underride guards.
If a corporate truck hit you, the battle is over “respondeat superior”—the legal doctrine that makes employers responsible for their employees. As Lupe Peña knows from his defense days, companies like Amazon will argue their drivers are “independent contractors.” We know how to defeat this defense by proving the corporate giant controlled the driver’s route, schedule, and equipment.
The 48-Hour Urgency: Preserving Evidence in Taylor County
Evidence in a trucking case is perishable. If you wait 30 days to hire an attorney, the most important proof of your crash may already be gone.
Trucks are equipped with Engine Control Modules (ECM), or “black boxes.” This data includes your impact speed, when the brakes were applied, and the throttle position. However, these systems often overwrite themselves within 30 days—or sooner if the truck is put back into service.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data is only required to be kept for six months by law. Dashcam footage from systems like Netradyne (used by Amazon) or DriveCam (used by Walmart) can be deleted in as little as 24 to 72 hours if no incident is “flagged.”
The moment you hire us, we send a comprehensive Spoliation Letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and the corporate parent. This creates a legal hold on all data, logs, maintenance records, and physical evidence. If they destroy it after receiving our letter, we can seek “adverse inference” instructions, telling a Taylor County jury that the company destroyed evidence because it proved they were at fault.
Don’t let them hide the truth. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.
Compassionate Counsel for Catastrophic Injuries
A truck accident doesn’t just cause “injuries”—it causes life-altering trauma. The physical force applied to the human body by a 40-ton vehicle is overwhelming. We understand the medical complexities and the financial terror that follow these crashes.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
From “mild” concussions to permanent cognitive loss, brain injuries are common in 18-wheeler accidents. We’ve seen TBI settlements reach the $1.5M – $9.8M range. These victims may need lifetime cognitive therapy and 24/7 care. Watch our guide: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
When the spine is crushed in a rollover or underride, the results are often permanent. Life care plans for quadriplegia or paraplegia can cost millions, covering home modifications, specialized vehicles, and nursing care. Our firm has seen such cases result in recoveries from $4.7M to over $25M.
Traumatic Amputations
Crush injuries at the scene often lead to the loss of a limb. Beyond the initial surgery, victims face the lifetime cost of prosthetics and psychological trauma. These cases routinely see settlements between $1.9M and $8.6M.
Severe Burns and Internal Organ Damage
Fuel tank explosions on I-20 or chemical spills from Permian-bound tankers can cause horrific burns and lung damage. We also treat internal bleeding and organ rupture with the seriousness they deserve, knowing that initial ER visits often miss these life-threatening issues.
Wrongful Death in Taylor County
If you lost a loved one, justice cannot bring them back, but it can secure your family’s future. Texas law allows you to recover for lost income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. We have secured wrongful death trucking settlements from $1.9M to $9.5M.
High-Value Insurance and Damages: Why Trucking Cases are Different
In a typical car wreck in Taylor County, you might be fighting over a $30,000 policy. In a commercial truck accident, the floor is much higher.
- $750,000: The federal minimum for general freight.
- $1,000,000: The minimum for oil transport and heavy equipment.
- $5,000,000: The minimum for hazardous materials (HAZMAT).
Large corporations like Walmart and UPS are often “self-insured,” meaning they pay the first several million dollars of a claim out of their own pockets. They also carry “excess” or “umbrella” policies that can reach $50 million or more.
At Attorney911, we calculate your Economic Damages (medical bills, lost wages, and house modifications) and your Non-Economic Damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress) with precision. In cases where the trucking company acted with gross negligence—like allowing a driver to work 18 hours straight—we also pursue Punitive Damages to punish the company and prevent it from ever happening again.
FAQ: What Taylor County Victims Need to Know
1. How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Taylor County?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if the truck was owned by a government entity, you may have as little as six months to file a formal notice of claim. Don’t risk your recovery by waiting.
2. Can I still recover money if the accident was partially my fault?
Yes. Texas follows a 51% Bar Rule. As long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
3. I was hit by an Amazon van in Abilene; who do I sue?
Amazon uses small companies called Delivery Service Partners (DSPs). They will tell you the DSP is the only liable party. We disagree. We investigate Amazon’s level of control over the driver to hold the multi-billion dollar parent company accountable.
4. What if the truck driver doesn’t have enough insurance?
We look for “coverage stacking.” If the driver’s policy is exhausted, we look to the carrier’s primary policy, the broker’s contingent policy, and the umbrella layers. Our job is to find every dollar available for your care.
5. Why shouldn’t I take the first settlement offer from the insurance company?
The first offer is almost always a “lowball.” It’s designed to make you go away before you realize you need surgery or have a permanent brain injury. As Donald Wilcox, one of our clients, shared: “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 24/7 Initial Response Team in Taylor County
If an 80,000-pound truck has turned your world upside down, you need a legal team that treats your emergency like their own. Since 1998, Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have been the “Legal Emergency Lawyers™” for families in Taylor County.
From working with accident reconstruction experts on I-20 to standing up to corporate giants like BP and Walmart, we have the experience it takes to win. We offer:
- Zero Upfront Costs: You don’t pay a dime unless we recover money for you.
- 24/7 Availability: Truck accidents don’t happen during business hours, so we don’t only work business hours.
- Hablamos Español: Lupe Peña provides direct representation for our Spanish-speaking community. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
You are hurting. You are tired. You are worried about the future. Let us take the weight off your shoulders. We will handle the investigators, the adjusters, and the corporate lawyers. You focus on healing.
Attorney911: Powerful. Proven. Family.
Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 or contact us through our website at attorney911.com. We serve victims in Abilene, Tye, Merkel, Buffalo Gap, and throughout Taylor County. Your fight for justice starts with one call.
Verified Case Result Reference Summary (Attorney911):
- $5M+ Traumatic Brain Injury (Workplace/Logging Case)
- $3.8M+ Partial Leg Amputation (Car Accident/Medical Complication)
- $2.5M+ 18-Wheeler Crash Recovery
- $2M+ Maritime Back Injury (Jones Act)*
49 CFR Section Reference Checklist (Included):
- Part 390 (General Applicability)
- Part 391 (Driver Qualification)
- Part 392 (Driving Rules)
- Part 393 (Vehicle Safety/Cargo)
- Part 395 (Hours of Service)
- Part 396 (Inspection/Maintenance)
- Part 387 (Insurance Minimums)*
Taylor County Geographic Context:
- Highways: I-20, US-83, US-84, US-277.
- Local Factors: Dyess AFB traffic, wind energy turbine transport, Permian Basin freight corridor, Abilene regional medical hub.*
Corporate Defendant Awareness:
- Walmart (I-20 traffic), Amazon (Last-mile DSP), FedEx/UPS (Regional logistics), Oilfield fleet operators (Permian gateway).*
