Ward County Truck Accident and Commercial Vehicle Injury Guide

The impact of an 80,000-pound truck isn’t just a traffic event; it’s a life-altering catastrophe. In Ward County, we see the reality of this every single day. Whether you were traveling on I-20 near Monahans, navigating the heavy industrial traffic on SH 18, or crossing through the sandhills on SH 115, the dangers are constant. Here in the heart of the Permian Basin, our roads are shared with a relentless convoy of frac sand haulers, produced water tankers, and massive corporate fleets.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, you aren’t just dealing with a “car wreck.” You are entering a legal battle against some of the most powerful corporations on the planet. At Attorney911, led by Ralph Manginello, we offer the aggressive, sophisticated representation you need to level the playing field. With 25+ years of experience and a team that includes former insurance defense insight, we know the playbook the trucking companies use to minimize your suffering. We don’t let them.

Why Experience Matters on Ward County’s Dangerous Corridors

Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been holding negligent parties accountable for the devastation they leave behind. Our managing partner brings federal court experience—having been admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—which is critical because 18-wheeler cases often involve interstate commerce and federal regulations governed by the FMCSA.

We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations, including BP during the 2005 Texas City refinery litigation, and we’ve litigated against giants like Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. In Ward County, where the oil and gas industry dictates the flow of traffic, this Fortune 500 experience is your greatest asset. We aren’t intimidated by their teams of lawyers because we’ve beaten them before.

Our firm has recovered over $50 million for families across Texas. This includes multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries (ranging from $1.5M to over $9.8M) and partial leg amputations resulting from catastrophic collisions. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We carry that philosophy into every Ward County case we handle.

The Insurance Defense Advantage: Lupe Peña

One of our primary weapons at Attorney911 is associate attorney Lupe Peña. Before joining our side of the aisle, Lupe worked for a national insurance defense firm. He used to defend the very companies we now fight. He knows how adjusters are trained to lowball you, he understands the algorithms they use to value your pain, and he knows exactly where they hide the money in their complex, layered insurance structures.

This insider knowledge gives our Ward County clients an unfair advantage. We don’t guess what the defense is thinking—we already know. Plus, Lupe is fluent in Spanish, allowing us to serve our community directly without the need for interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Urgent: The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Window in Ward County

When a truck accident happens on I-20 or a lease road near Pyote, the trucking company’s rapid-response team is often at the scene before the ambulance even reaches the hospital. They are there to protect their profits, not you. They are looking for ways to blame the road, the weather, or even YOU.

The clock is ticking on critical evidence:

• ECM/Black Box Data: This records the truck’s speed, braking, and throttle position. It can be overwritten in as little as 30 days.
• ELD Logs: Electronic Logging Devices prove if a driver was violating federal Hours of Service rules. These can be “lost” or deleted if not preserved.
• Dashcam Footage: Amazon, Walmart, and Halliburton trucks are often equipped with AI-powered cameras like Netradyne. This footage is often purged within days unless a legal hold is placed.

We send formal spoliation letters within 24–48 hours of being hired to ensure this evidence is locked down. Every hour you wait is an hour the trucking company uses to build their defense. Don’t give them a head start. Call 888-ATTY-911 today.

The Legal Landscape of Ward County, Texas

Navigating the aftermath of an 18-wheeler accident requires a deep understanding of Texas state laws. We know the inner workings of the courts serving Ward County and how to maximize your recovery within the Texas legal framework.

Statute of Limitations: Your Two-Year Deadline

In Texas, you have exactly two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. While this may seem like a long time, in a complex trucking case, it is incredibly short. Investigating the 16+ liable parties we typically pursue, subpoenaing federal records, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts takes time. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation forever.

Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Bar Rule)

Texas follows a “proportionate responsibility” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident—as long as your fault is not more than 50%. If a jury finds you 51% responsible, you recover nothing. This is why trucking companies fight so hard to shift blame onto Ward County drivers. They want to push your fault over that 50% line to avoid paying a dime. Our job is to use the truck’s own electronic data to prove their negligence was the primary cause.

No Cap on Compensatory Damages

Unlike some states, Texas does not cap the amount of economic or non-economic (pain and suffering) damages you can recover in a trucking accident case. However, there are complex caps on punitive damages, which are intended to punish gross negligence. Texas law typically limits punitive damages to the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages (up to $750,000).

Federal Trucking Regulations: Proving Negligence in Ward County

Every 18-wheeler passing through Barstow or Monahans must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). When a company or driver violates these rules—codified in 49 CFR Parts 390–399—they are considered “negligent per se.” We use these regulations as a roadmap to prove our case.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (The Fatigue Factor)

Driver fatigue is a silent killer on Ward County’s long stretches of I-20. Federal law is strict:

• 11-Hour Driving Limit: Drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off.
• 14-Hour Window: A driver cannot drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty.
• 30-Minute Break: Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving.

Trucking companies often pressure drivers to “push through” to meet delivery windows at distribution centers or wellsites. If a driver was behind the wheel for 16 hours straight before hitting you, that company broke federal law.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualifications

The trucking company has a duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. Under Part 391, they must maintain a Driver Qualification File containing background checks, road test certificates, and current medical examiners’ certificates. If they hired a driver with a history of DWIs or untreated sleep apnea, they are liable for negligent hiring.

49 CFR Part 393: Parts and Accessories

This part governs everything from brake systems to cargo securement. In Ward County, we frequently see violations involving:

• Part 393.40-55 (Brakes): 29% of truck accidents involve brake failure.
• Part 393.100 (Cargo): Improperly secured frac sand or oilfield equipment shifting during a turn on a narrow FM road causes devastating rollovers.

Dual Jurisdiction: FMCSA and OSHA in the Oilfield

When an accident happens on a private lease road or wellsite in Ward County, it’s not just a trucking case—it’s also an OSHA case. Under 29 CFR 1910, oilfield operators have a duty to maintain a safe worksite, including traffic management. If a water truck rolls over because a lease road was poorly maintained or lacked proper signage, BOTH the trucking company and the oil company (Party #12 in our liability chain) may be responsible.

Commercial Truck Accident Types in Ward County

The mechanics of a truck accident determine the severity of your injuries and who we hold accountable. In Ward County, our unique industry mix creates specific, high-risk scenarios.

1. Oilfield Vehicle Accidents (The Basin Reality)

Ward County sits atop one of the most productive oil regions on Earth. That production requirements thousands of truck trips per well, per year.

• Frac Sand Haulers: These pneumatic trailers are often overloaded and top-heavy. Drivers running 24/7 shifts to keep a “frac spread” moving are prone to fatigue-related rollovers on the curves of SH 18.
• Produced Water Tankers: With 130-barrel capacities, the “slosh effect” of shifting liquid makes these tankers incredibly unstable. When an overloaded water truck loses control on a narrow county road, there is no room for error.
• Crew Transport Vans: At 4:00 AM, crew vans carrying a dozen workers are a common sight. 15-passenger vans have a documented history of rollovers. If an oilfield staffing company put you in an unsafe van with a fatigued driver, we hold them accountable.
• Crude Tankers: Hauling hazardous materials classifies these as high-risk, requiring $5 million in minimum insurance under 49 CFR 387.

2. Corporate Delivery and Fleet Accidents

Ward County isn’t just oil; we are a major transit corridor for national retailers.

• Walmart Truck Accidents: Walmart operates roughly 12,000 trucks. Because they are a direct employer (not a contractor model), they are directly liable for their drivers’ actions. As a self-insured giant, Walmart fights hard to protect its bottom line. We’ve litigated against them before.
• Amazon Delivery Van Crashes: Amazon uses “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs) to shield themselves from liability. They’ll tell you the driver wasn’t an Amazon employee. We counter this by showing Amazon controls the routes, the timing, and even monitors the driver via AI cameras. We pierce that contractor shield.
• FedEx and UPS Wrecks: Whether it’s a FedEx Ground contractor or a direct UPS employee, these drivers are under extreme time pressure, especially during “peak season,” leading to high-speed rear-end collisions on I-20.

3. Jackknife and Rollover Accidents

A jackknife happens when the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab. On the slick, oil-coated roads of Ward County after a light rain, this is a constant threat. Physics tells us that a fully loaded 18-wheeler handles differently than an empty one. If the driver fails to adjust for a curve on SH 115, the high center of gravity will cause a catastrophic rollover, crushing any smaller vehicle in its path.

4. Brake Failure and Runaway Trucks

Trucking companies often defer maintenance to save money. But when a 70,000-pound concrete mixer or dump truck has worn brake pads, it becomes a “unguided missile.” Proving negligent maintenance under 49 CFR 396 is a cornerstone of our litigation strategy.

Identifying All 16 Liable Parties

Most firms only sue the driver. At Attorney911, we know that to maximize your recovery in Ward County, we must identify EVERY party whose negligence contributed to the crash. More defendants mean more insurance pools.

1. The Driver: For direct negligence (speeding, distraction, fatigue).
2. The Trucking Company: For vicarious liability and negligent training.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If they pressured the carrier to violate safety rules.
4. The Loading Company: If improperly secured sand or pipe caused a shift.
5. The Truck Manufacturer: For design defects like faulty underride guards.
6. The Parts Manufacturer: For defective tires or brake components.
7. The Maintenance Company: For failing to identify critical mechanical issues.
8. The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a “conditional” or “unsatisfactory” safety rating.
9. The Truck Owner: If they leased a dangerous vehicle to the carrier.
10. Government Entities: If a known road hazard in Ward County went unaddressed.
11. The Corporate Parent (Amazon/Walmart): Piercing the corporate veil to find the real money.
12. The Oilfield Operator (E&P Company): For unsafe lease roads or worksites.
13. The Staffing Agency: For providing unqualified or unlicensed drivers.
14. The Rental Truck Company (U-Haul/Penske): For renting to untrained drivers or negligent maintenance.
15. The School District/Transit Agency: In cases involving bus accidents.
16. The Federal Government: If a USPS or military vehicle was involved (requiring an FTCA claim).

Catastrophic Injuries and Their Life-Long Cost

We understand that a truck accident doesn’t just hurt; it changes who you are. We’ve seen the devastation these 80,000-pound impacts cause.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Even a “mild” concussion can lead to memory loss, cognitive fog, and personality changes. Severe TBIs can require 24/7 care. Our firm has recovered up to $9.8M for TBI victims.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia) requires home modifications, wheelchairs, and lifetime medical monitoring. Lifetime costs for high-level quadriplegia can exceed $5 million.
• Amputations: We secured $3.8 million for a client who lost a limb after an accident. The cost isn’t just the surgery; it’s the lifetime of prosthetic replacements and phantom pain.
• Internal Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma to the spleen, liver, or kidneys often requires multiple surgeries and leaves victims with chronic health issues.
• Psychological Trauma (PTSD): The fear of driving after being hit by a semi is real. PTSD, driving anxiety, and “vehophobia” are all legally compensable injuries in Ward County.

“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.” — Donald Wilcox, Client Success Story.

Ward County Truck Accident FAQ

Q: How much is my Ward County truck accident case worth?
A: Every case is unique, but trucking accidents generally result in much higher settlements than car accidents because of the $750,000 to $5 million insurance minimums. Your case value depends on your medical bills, lost lifetime earnings, and the severity of the company’s negligence. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for clients precisely because we know how to calculate “hidden” damages like loss of household services and future care plans.

Q: I was hit by an Amazon van in Monahans—can I sue Amazon?
A: Yes, but it’s a fight. Amazon will claim the driver works for a third party. We use the “right-to-control” test to prove that because Amazon dictates the driver’s route, schedule, and behavior via in-van cameras, they are the effective employer and are liable for your injuries.

Q: What if the truck that hit me was an oilfield water truck on a lease road?
A: This is a complex “dual-jurisdiction” case. We look at the trucking company for FMCSA violations and the oil company for OSHA violations and premises liability. Oil companies have deep pockets and often carry tens of millions in excess coverage.

Q: Can I afford to hire Attorney911?
A: Yes. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are ZERO upfront costs for you. We pay for the investigators, the experts, and the court filings. You pay us absolutely nothing unless we win your case.

Q: How long do I have to act?
A: Evidence in Ward County begins disappearing immediately. Black box data overwrites, and the heat often degrades physical evidence. While you have two years to file, you should call an attorney within the first 48 hours to preserve your claim.

Take Action: Call Ward County’s Truck Accident Fighters

When you’re hurt, the insurance company wants you to feel alone and overwhelmed. They want you to take a quick, lowball “nuisance” settlement before you realize you need surgery or can never return to work. Don’t let them win.

Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have spent the last 25 years making trucking companies pay. We treat our clients like family, providing the personal attention you won’t get from a massive billboard firm. As Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

The fight for your future starts with one call. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and start the investigation into your Ward County truck accident.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

Houston Main Office: 1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
Austin Office: 316 West 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Beaumont: Available for meetings

Your recovery. Your justice. Your 911.

Detailed Loss and Damage Taxonomy for Ward County Victims

To truly value a trucking case, an attorney must look beyond the immediate medical bill. We investigate and demand compensation for:

Economic Losses

• Past Medical Expenses: ER visits at local trauma centers, ambulance fees, and initial surgeries.
• Future Medical Care: Projected costs for subsequent surgeries, hardware removal, and lifelong physical therapy.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If you are a 35-year-old oilfield worker who can no longer do physical labor, you’ve lost 30 years of high-paying career potential. This can be worth millions.
• Household Services: The dollar value of the cooking, cleaning, and yard work you can no longer perform for your family.

Non-Economic Losses

• Pain and Suffering: The actual, physical agony you endure every day.
• Mental Anguish: The anxiety of wondering how you will provide for your children while you are disabled.
• Loss of Consortium: The impact your injuries have on your relationship with your spouse and children.
• Disfigurement: The permanent psychological toll of scarring from burns or amputations.

Final Word on Ward County Corporate Defendants

If your accident involved a truck from Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Pioneer, or Diamondback, you aren’t just fighting a driver. You are fighting a multi-billion dollar entity. These companies aren’t just “solvent defendants”—they are Goliaths. They use captive insurance companies based in offshore jurisdictions to hide assets. We know how to cut through the corporate jargon and find the responsibility.

The Permian Basin is the backbone of the Texas economy, but it shouldn’t be built on the broken bodies of Ward County drivers. We are here to make sure these companies realize that safety isn’t an option—it’s a requirement.

Don’t wait for the evidence to disappear. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 and let us start the fight for you.