San Angelo Truck Accident Lawyer: Fighting for the Injured in West Texas and the Permian Basin
The impact was catastrophic. One moment, you were driving along US-87 toward downtown San Angelo; the next, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your sedan. In that instant, your life changed forever. Whether you were hit by a long-haul 18-wheeler, an oilfield water truck on an FM road in Tom Green County, or a corporate delivery van near the Sunset Mall, you are now facing a legal and financial emergency.
At Attorney911, we recognize that a truck accident in San Angelo isn’t just a bigger car wreck. It is a high-stakes battle against massive corporations, sophisticated insurance teams, and aggressive defense lawyers who are already working to minimize your recovery. You need a fighter in your corner. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable. With admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and a track record of multi-million dollar recoveries, we provide the aggressive federal-court-level representation that complex San Angelo trucking cases demand.
If you’ve been hurt, the clock is already ticking. Evidence in San Angelo truck accidents disappears within days. Contact us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing unless we win your case.
The Unique Dangers of Trucking in San Angelo and Tom Green County
San Angelo sits at a critical crossroads in West Texas. As the “Gateway to the Permian Basin,” our local roads—including US-67, US-87, and US-277—are shared by families, commuters, and a staggering volume of heavy commercial traffic. Unlike urban centers like Houston or Dallas, San Angelo faces a unique mix of long-haul interstate freight and intensive oilfield trucking operations.
On any given day in San Angelo, you are sharing the road with:
- Permian Basin Oilfield Trucks: Overloaded frac sand haulers and produced water tankers frequently travel the two-lane FM roads of Tom Green County. These vehicles often operate under extreme time pressure and on roads never designed for 80,000-pound loads.
- Agricultural Transport: San Angelo’s ranching and farming heritage means a high volume of livestock trailers and grain trucks, which have high centers of gravity and unique cargo-shift risks.
- Corporate Delivery Fleets: Companies like Walmart and Amazon dispatch hundreds of vehicles through San Angelo daily. Our local roads see everything from Walmart 18-wheelers restocked at regional distribution centers to Amazon Prime vans navigating residential neighborhoods near Angelo State University.
- Military Transport: Vehicles serving Goodfellow Air Force Base add another layer of heavy vehicle traffic to our local infrastructure.
When these massive vehicles collide with a passenger car in San Angelo, the physics are never in your favor. A fully loaded semi-truck is 20 to 25 times heavier than a standard car. The resulting kinetic energy at highway speeds is sufficient to crush steel and cause life-altering catastrophic injuries. Our team understands these dynamics. We know San Angelo’s trucking corridors, and we know how to prove when a driver or company prioritized their bottom line over your safety on West Texas roads.
Learn more about your rights in our video guide: “The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxEHIxZTbK8.
The Attorney911 Advantage: Why Experience in San Angelo Matters
Choosing the right attorney after a truck wreck in San Angelo is the most important decision you will make. The trucking company will have investigators at the scene before the smoke clears. You need an equal force on your side.
25+ Years of Courtroom Experience
Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. For over two decades, the Manginello Law Firm has taken on the world’s largest corporations. We were involved in the landmark BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation, a case that resulted in over $2.1 billion in settlements industry-wide. We bring that same level of “Fortune 500” litigation experience to every San Angelo truck accident case we handle. Whether your case is against a local San Angelo hauling company or a global giant like Walmart or Amazon, we have the experience to win.
The Insurance Defense Insider Advantage
Our firm provides a strategic advantage that most San Angelo personal injury firms cannot match. Associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working for a national insurance defense firm. He used to defend the very companies we now sue. Lupe Peña knows the insurance company playbook from the inside. He knows how they train their adjusters to lowball San Angelo victims, how they use “Independent Medical Examiners” to minimize your injuries, and exactly what evidence makes them settle for maximum value. We use this “insider” knowledge to stay three steps ahead of the defense.
Federal Court Admission and Nationwide Reach
Many truck accidents in San Angelo involve out-of-state trucking companies and federal regulations. These cases often move to federal court. Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has extensive experience in federal litigation. We aren’t just local San Angelo lawyers; we are federal-level litigators who understand the complexities of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).
As client Chad Harris says, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We bring this commitment to every family we represent in San Angelo. Call us today at 888-ATTY-911 and let us treat you like family while we fight for every dime you deserve.
Proving Negligence: Violations of FMCSA Regulations in San Angelo
In every San Angelo truck accident case, we look for violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Found in 49 CFR Parts 390-399, these laws are the “gold standard” for safety in the trucking industry. When a driver or company breaks these rules, it isn’t just a mistake—it is evidence of negligence.
We systematically investigate the following regulatory areas in every San Angelo case:
Hours of Service (HOS) and Driver Fatigue (49 CFR Part 395)
Fatigue is a leading cause of truck wrecks on the long, straight stretches of highway surrounding San Angelo. Federal law limits property-carrying drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving and cannot exceed 60/70 hours of on-duty time in a 7/8-day period.
In the San Angelo oilfield sector, we frequently see “logbook “falsification where drivers feel pressured by oil companies to push past their legal limits to finish a sand haul or water delivery. We use Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove when a driver was illegally behind the wheel while dangerously exhausted.
Driver Qualification and Background (49 CFR Part 391)
Trucking companies in San Angelo have a strict duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. Under Part 391, a motor carrier must maintain a Driver Qualification File for every operator, including their driving record, road test results, and a valid medical examiner’s certificate. If a company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or safety violations to drive through San Angelo, they can be held liable for negligent hiring.
Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396)
An 80,000-pound truck is only as safe as its components. 49 CFR § 396.3 requires motor carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all vehicles under their control. We often find that companies operating in the Permian Basin skip routine maintenance to keep their trucks moving during high-production windows. Whether it was worn brake pads that failed on a US-67 overpass or a bald tire that blew out on US-277, we hold negligent companies accountable for deferred maintenance.
Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 CFR Part 382)
Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard than the general public. Drivers are prohibited from using alcohol within four hours of going on-duty and are subject to random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug testing. If a driver in San Angelo caused a crash while under the influence of stimulants, opioids, or alcohol, we work to secure the testing results immediately to prove absolute liability.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para hablar con Lupe Peña hoy mismo sobre su accidente de camión en San Angelo.
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle in San Angelo
Every trucking accident has unique mechanics and causes. In San Angelo, we see specific crash patterns based on our local geography and weather.
Permian Basin Oilfield Truck Rollovers
Oilfield vehicles like water trucks and frac sand haulers have extremely high centers of gravity. When these trucks travel too fast for the narrow, unpaved lease roads or the winding FM roads surrounding San Angelo, the cargo (especially liquid produced water) can “slosh,” causing a catastrophic rollover. These accidents often crush nearby vehicles or lead to hazardous materials spills.
Jackknife Accidents on San Angelo Highways
A jackknife occurs when a truck’s drive wheels lock, causing the trailer to swing perpendicular to the cab. This often happens on San Angelo roads during sudden rainstorms after long periods of heat, when oil and water create slick “ice-like” conditions on the asphalt. A jackknifed 18-wheeler can sweep across all lanes of US-87, leaving motorists with no chance of escape.
Underride Collisions
Among the most fatal accidents in San Angelo are underride collisions, where a car slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer. These often result in “top-shearing” and decapitation. We investigate whether the trucking company failed to maintain proper ICC bumpers or side-guards as required by federal law.
Blind Spot and Wide Turn “Squeeze” Accidents
San Angelo’s urban intersections can be tight for large commercial vehicles. Truckers have massive blind spots, known as “No-Zones.” If a truck driver fails to check their mirrors before a turn near the Concho River or changes lanes into you on the Bryant Blvd corridor, they are liable for the resulting crush injuries.
Rear-End Collisions from Stopping Distance Misjudgment
An 18-wheeler at highway speed needs nearly two football fields to stop. We frequently represent San Angelo victims who were rear-ended because a distracted trucker failed to notice traffic slowing down. These impacts, even at moderate speeds, often result in permanent spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries.
Learn more in our video guide: “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc.
Holding Corporate Giants Accountable: Suing San Angelo’s Solvent Defendants
One of the key reasons to hire Attorney911 is our proven ability to litigate against the world’s largest companies. When you are hit by a corporate fleet vehicle, you aren’t just fighting a driver; you are fighting a global entity with deep pockets and an army of lawyers.
- Walmart Truck Accidents: Walmart operates one of the largest private fleets in the country. Because Walmart is often self-insured, they fight harder to protect their bottom line. We know how to navigate Walmart’s internal risk management systems to force a fair settlement.
- Amazon Delivery Van Accidents: Amazon frequently tries to avoid liability by claiming their drivers work for “Independent Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs). We know how to pierce this corporate shield by proving the level of control Amazon exercises over their drivers’ routes, schedules, and performance monitoring.
- Oil and Gas Company Liability: In San Angelo, accidents often involve contractors working for giants like Pioneer Natural Resources (ExxonMobil), Chevron, or ConocoPhillips. We investigate the “General Contractor” liability of the oil company that hired an unsafe trucking contractor to work on their San Angelo lease.
When a multi-billion dollar corporation caused your pain, we make sure they pay for the damage they’ve done. As Donald Wilcox said after we handled 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.”
Evidence Preservation: The 48-Hour Urgency Rule in San Angelo
In a San Angelo truck accident case, your most important evidence is digital, and it is in the hands of the company that hit you. If you don’t act now, that evidence will disappear.
The Black Box (Engine Control Module)
Nearly all modern commercial trucks operating in San Angelo are equipped with an ECM or “black box.” This device records speed, braking, throttle position, and steering inputs in the seconds leading up to a crash. However, this data is often overwritten after 30 days or if the truck is put back into service. We send formal spoliation letters within 24 hours of being hired to ensure this data is preserved.
ELD Logs and GPS Data
We subpoena Electronic Logging Device data to compare it against the actual route taken through West Texas. This allows us to prove if a driver was speeding between San Angelo hubs or if they falsified their rest breaks.
Driver Qualification Files (DQF)
We demand the company’s internal records to see if they knew the driver was dangerous. Did they fail a drug test? Did they have a medical condition that made them unfit to drive through San Angelo? We find the “smoking gun” in their own files.
Dashcam and Netradyne Footage
Many corporate fleets, especially Amazon and Walmart, use in-cab AI cameras like Netradyne. These cameras record the driver’s face and the road ahead. If the driver was looking at their phone or dozing off when they hit you in San Angelo, that footage is the ultimate proof of negligence. We move fast to lock down this video before it “accidentally” gets deleted.
Don’t wait. Every hour you wait, the trucking company is deleting evidence. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now to protect your case.
Catastrophic Injuries and Multi-Million Dollar Damanges
A truck accident in San Angelo often results in injuries that require a lifetime of care. We don’t just settle for medical bills; we fight for the total life impact of your injuries.
Our firm has documented experience securing multi-million dollar results for:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): $1.5M to $9.8M settlements. Common in high-speed crashes on US-87, these injuries affect memory, personality, and the ability to earn a living. Learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: $4.7M to $25.8M. We work with life care planners to ensure your future needs—home modifications, 24/7 nursing, and medical equipment—are fully covered.
- Amputations: $1.9M to $8.6M. Crush injuries from San Angelo truck accidents often lead to traumatic limb loss, requiring lifetime prosthetic care.
- Wrongful Death: $1.9M to $9.5M. If you lost a loved one in San Angelo, we are deeply sorry for your loss. We hold the negligent parties fully accountable for the loss of companionship, guidance, and financial support your family has suffered.
As Glenda Walker said of our firm, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We aren’t interested in the trucking company’s “best offer.” We are interested in your maximum recovery.
San Angelo Truck Accident FAQ
How long do I have to file a claim in San Angelo?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, in trucking cases, you should never wait. Valuable evidence in San Angelo disappears in days, and trucking companies begin building their defense immediately.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a “51% bar” modified comparative negligence rule. This means as long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, although your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. This is why it is critical to have an attorney like Ralph Manginello who can use physics and ECM data to disprove the trucking company’s attempts to blame you for the San Angelo crash.
How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee. We pay for the investigators, the accident reconstruction experts, and the medical specialists. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us a dime. Our fee is a percentage of the final recovery.
I was hit by a U-Haul/Rental truck in San Angelo. Is the rental company liable?
Under the Graves Amendment, rental companies are generally not liable for their customers’ negligence. However, if the rental company provided a truck with defective brakes to a San Angelo renter or failed to check their license, they can be held liable for negligent maintenance or negligent entrustment.
Can I sue the oil company if a water truck hit me on a lease road near San Angelo?
Yes. If the oil company controlled the traffic patterns on the lease or hired a trucking contractor they knew was unsafe, they can be held responsible under general contractor and premises liability theories.
Contact a San Angelo Truck Accident Attorney 24/7
You were just driving to work, or taking your kids to school, or heading home in San Angelo. You didn’t ask for this fight. But now that you’re in it, you need to win. You need an attorney who treats you like family and fights like a warrior.
Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have recovered over $50 million for Texas families. We have the federal court experience, the insurance defense insider knowledge, and the relentless drive to win your case.
Every hour you wait, the trucking company’s lawyers are getting ahead. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or (713) 528-9070 today for a free consultation. Hablamos Español. Your fight for justice starts with one call.
Attorney911: Powerful & Proven. Legal Emergency Lawyers™ serving San Angelo and the Permian Basin.
Understanding San Angelo’s Liable Parties: 16 People and Companies Who May Owe You Money
Most firms only look at the driver. We look at the entire web of responsibility. Your recovery can be maximized by identifying all 16 potentially liable parties:
- The Driver: For speeding, fatigue, or impairment.
- The Trucking Company: For negligent training and respondeat superior.
- The Corporate Parent (Walmart/Amazon): For setting unsafe delivery quotas.
- The Oilfield Operator: For creating dangerous lease road conditions.
- Cargo Shippers: For overloading trailers beyond legal Tom Green County limits.
- Loading Companies: For improperly secured cargo that caused a shift.
- Maintenance Facilities: For failing to repair known brake issues.
- Truck Manufacturers: For design defects in the fuel system or steering.
- Parts Manufacturers: For defective tires causing blowouts on highway asphalt.
- Freight Brokers: For hiring “bottom tier” carriers with bad safety scores.
- Rental Companies (U-Haul/Penske): For negligent maintenance.
- Staffing Agencies: For providing unqualified drivers to Permian fleets.
- Government Entities: For dangerous San Angelo road designs or missing signage.
- Transit Agencies: For negligent bus operations.
- Federal Government (USPS): Under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
- Third-Party Motorists: Whose negligence might have contributed to the chain reaction.
By identifying multiple defendants, we can “stack” insurance policies, ensuring there is enough money to cover your medical care for life.
Call 888-ATTY-911 now. Don’t let the corporate lawyers win.
The Hidden Damages Checklist: What Your San Angelo Settlement Should Cover
When we calculate your damages, we look far beyond your current hospital bill. We ensure you are compensated for:
- Past and Future Medical Bills: Including every future surgery and prescription.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injury prevents you from returning to the oilfield or your career.
- Lost Benefits: The value of the health insurance and 401(k) match you lost by being unable to work.
- Household Services: The cost of hiring someone to do the things you can no longer do, like mowing the lawn or cleaning the house.
- Mental Anguish and PTSD: The psychological toll of the crash. (Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9803X_jnR4A)
- Loss of Consortium: The impact of your injury on your relationship with your spouse.
- Physical Impairment: Compensation for the permanent loss of use of your body.
“They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years,” says client Angel Walle. We move fast, but we never settle for less than the full value.
Final Urgent Warning for San Angelo Residents
If a truck driver hit you on US-87 or anywhere in Tom Green County, their insurance adjuster might call you TODAY. They might seem helpful. They are NOT. They are recording you to find any reason to blame YOU for the crash. Do not speak to them. Do not sign anything. Call Ralph Manginello at 1-888-ATTY-911 first. Protect your family. Protect your future.
Attorney911: When Disaster Strikes, We Strike Back.
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