Ua faaleleia matuia le tililiva. O se taavale faasoa komesina e tatau i le 80,000 pauna e siʻi mai i lou taavale i se mana le malosi e leai se mea taua, ma i se taimi lenei, oʻe suia ai lou olaga ua tumutumu. Afai e ou toe aua le o se tagata e talitonu ai ua faaleleia matuia i se faasasaina taavale 18-uili i Amerika Sāmoa, e leaga nai lo o manaomia se faalauaitele leaga—e tatau ona e maua se tamae faasoa ua suluia i tauvaga, e malamalama i le physics faaleleia o nei tililiva ma le sulusi faaleleia o tulafono faalemalo na faia e puipuia ai i latou.
I le faletaulafoa o Attorney911, matou leaga te faia nai lo o maua faasasaina taavale. Matou tau mo aiga o le olaga ua sau vai ai mai le gugulutia o kamupani taavale, faasavale gugulutia, ma le tupe faamau e tuu i luma o le saogalemu. Ua totoe Ralph Manginello i le 25 tausaga i luma e tu agai i kamupani taavale komesina sili ona tele i Amerika, mauaina ai totogi miliona tala mo tagata victim o le traumatic brain injury, tagata leleisiisi, ma aiga ua leiloa ai mea uma i le oti faasaua. A o se kamupani taavale e faigalue ai se faasavale e le tatau ona nofo i tua o le uili, pe afa e taua mai le kaago i le alatala e pito i le Vaega o Pago Pago ona o le le sao o le faapipii, matou taumafai ai i tagata agafua taavale uma.
O lo matou faletaulafoa e aofia ai se faamanuiaga faapena le insurance companies e leiloa: O Lupe Peña, le matua loia faasoga na totoe faigalue ai i totonu o se faletaulafoa faaleoleo insurance. E iloa malosi e ia le auala e faaleleia, faaitiitia, ma le liaka ai totogi taʻitoasa—aʻo le tatalaina totogi maualalo taeao i le faiga faailoa e faʻaaogaina e latou e faaleleia tagata victim ua leiloa ai. I le taim nei e faʻaaogaina ai e ia lau iloa tauvalea e tau mo oe. E pei ona fai mai le tamāoa Glenda Walker mulimuli ane ia matou maua ai lona totogi maximum, “Na latou tau mo aʻu e maua ai le cent uma e tatau ona ia aʻu.”
A le Faasasaina Taavale 18-Uili i Amerika Sāmoa e Eseese
E leaga o faasasaina taavale faasoa nai lo o tililiva taavale lapoʻa ese. E aofia ai ena i se tulaga leaga ese e pule ai e le Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), tulafono faalemalo maua i le Title 49 o le Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), ma sulusi faaleleia o nofoaga custody e ala mai i le Togafitiga o Pago Pago i nofooga faasoa e le atunuu uma. E mafai ona tatau se taavale 18-uili i le 80,000 pauna—sefululua taimi mamafa o se taavale sedan—maua ai se mana faaleleia faamaualalo i le tililiva. I le 65 maila i le itula, o nei taavale lapoʻa manaomia i le tuvalevaʻa e pito i le lua o le vaega o le taaloga football e taofi, o le tino faaleleia o physics lea e fautuaina ai faasasaina rear-end faaleleia i alatala liliu e tuuina atu ai i togafitiga Amerka Sāmoa.
O le si o Amerika Sāmoa e tuu mai ai eseese hazards mo taavale faasoa. Ua timuga mamafa, humidity maualalo e aafia ai i fono faataulaitu, ma nofu mauga tele e maua ai tulaga mataʻutia e manaomia ai faiaoga faasoga faapitoa ma le puipuiga faaleleia. A o kamupani taavale e tipiato i le siaki fono i lalo o 49 CFR § 396.3, pe afa e faasavale violate tulafono hours-of-service i lalo o 49 CFR § 395.8 e feai ai delivery schedules tuvalevaʻa i le vaega, aiga masisi e totogi ai le totogi.
E ese le mea e pei o faasasaina taavale masani e amataga mai ai le sala i se tasi faasavale, o faasasaina 18-uili i Amerika Sāmoa e masani ona aofia ai tagata agafua tele. Le faasavale, le kamupani taavale, le ona o kaago na overload i le kontena, le kamupani puipuiga na tipiato i repairs fono, ma faapea foi le freight broker na valaau ai se kamupani leai se togafiti mafai ona faasoa le agafua. O lenei faaleleia e manaomia ai o loia e malamalama le auala e ala i le tulafono faalemalo o taavale, e leaga nai lo o tulafono traffic matagalue.
Faalagolagoina o Ituaiga Faasasaina Faaleleia i Amerika Sāmoa
Underride Collisions: O Faasasaina e Oti ai tagata Tele
E tupu underride accidents pe a oso se taavale taʻavale i le tua po le itu o se tractor-trailer ma tafe i lalo o le papa trailer. O nei tililiva e matuia tele i alatala e soka ai Amerika Sāmoa vaega where trucks merge ma le traffic auro. A o se faasavale taavale e taofi vave aunoa ma le faasilasilaga saʻo, pe afa o se trailer leai o underride guards saʻo manaomia i lalo o 49 CFR § 393.86, e mafai ona tipiato le pito o le nofoaga pasegera, maua ai le tipiato o le ulu pe le traumatic brain injury. E tatau i le 400-500 oti underride tausaga uma i le United States, ma o nei faasasaina e fautuaina lava oti mo tagata i totonu o taavale littler.
Matou siaki pe maua e le kamupani taavale le rear impact guards saʻo ma pe faasavale violate 49 CFR § 392.11 i le sosoo vave pe le le faasilasilaga o manatu. O le black box data mai le Truck Engine Control Module (ECM) mafai ona faamaonia le taimi exact e faasavale apply brakes ma pe o ia e savavali i speeds unsafe mo tulaga timuga faaleleia masani i Amerika Sāmoa.
Jackknife Accidents i le Ala Timuga
A o se pusi taavale e paʻu i le taʻitasi i le cab, maua ai se faatulaga “jackknife”, o le faaleleia o lea e masani ona se pileup taavale tele e tapa ai ala atoa. O nei faasasaina e masani ona tupu i nofu mauga ma surfaces timuga maua i Amerika Sāmoa terrain mountainous afa e leiloa ai faasavale control i le taofi. O le jackknifing e masani ona maua mai i le taofi vave i surfaces slick, kaago lelei loaded e sivi ai le center of gravity, pe faaletonu fono e violate 49 CFR § 393.48.
I se pakivi matou na faia e aofia ai se logging truck na jackknifed i se ala mauga timuga, matou na maua ai le kamupani ua gugulutia records puipuiga ma faatagaina ai le trailer e load ma le kaago unsecured e sivi i le transit. O le settlement maua mulimuli ane e sili atu nai le $5 miliona mo le traumatic brain injury ma le vision loss o matou tamāoa.
Rollover Accidents ma Spills Kaago
O le faatasi o Amerika Sāmoa vaega kaago manaoga ma topography challenging e maua ai risks rollover tele. A o taavale faia curves vave i steep descents, pe afa e “sloshes” le kaago liquid i totonu o tanks ona o le lelei loading i lalo o 49 CFR § 393.100, e mafai ona faaleleia ai le rollover faaleleia o nei taavale mamafa. O nei faasasaina e masani ona maua ai crushed taavale, afi fuel maua ai burns mataʻutia, ma faasasaina multi-casualty pe afa o le truck e tapa ai ala motu liliu.
Matou na toe mauaina $2.5 miliona mo le victim o se faasasaina taavale e aofia ai se taavale komesina na rolled ona o kaago improperly secured i lalo o le vaega togafitiga. O le le faaleleia o le cargo loader e folomi ai tulafono faalemalo securement e maua ai se mataʻutia oti e sauvini ai se aiga atoa.
Brake Failure ma Runaway Trucks
O fono problems e fautuaina i le 29% o faasasaina taavale tele i atunuu uma, ma le ea humid, corrosive salt o alatala coastal Amerika Sāmoa e faavavevave ai le system fono deterioration. A o kamupani taavale e tuu i luma o maintenance e sevi ai tupe, violate 49 CFR § 396.3 manaomia o systematic inspection ma repair, o le faaleleia o lea e mafai ona o le brake fade faaleleia i steep downgrades. O runaway truck incidents i nofu mountain na maua ai nisi o faasasaina sili ona mataʻutia i le hisitoli o taavale.
Matou subpoena records maintenance, Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), ma post-trip inspection documents e faamaonia le taimi e iloa ai e kamupani o latou taavale e le saogalemu ae lafo ai i alatala Amerika Sāmoa.
Wide Turn Accidents i Filiunga Vaega
O alatala liliu e pito i togafitiga Amerika Sāmoa e masani ona manaomia ai taavale e faia turns right lautele e paʻu i ai i le ala o traffic e sosoo ai. A faasavale fail e siaki ai lou blind spots saʻo pe fail e faasilasilaga o latou manatu i lalo o 49 CFR § 392.2, taavale littler mafai ona maua tagged i le va o le truck ma le curb, maua ai crushed injuries pe “squeeze play” fatalities. O nei faasasaina e masani ona aofia ai violations o FMCSA rules e aofia ai le puipuiga mirror ma siaki blind spot.
O le 48 Itula Muamua: Puipuiga Faanofoga i Amerika Sāmoa
O le faanofoga i pakivi taavale e leiloa vave—i nisi aso po itula lava. O kamupani taavale e lafo ai rapid-response teams i nofoaga faasasaina vave lava, masani ona aʻo tagata victim e clear mai ambulances. O nei tamae e faigalue mo le puipuiga o manaoga o le kamupani, e leaga o laua.
I Attorney911, matou malamalama o le uati ua amata ona faia i le taimi o le tililiva. I totonu o le 30 aso, e mafai ona overwrite pe faʻaleaga ai le ECM ma Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data. O le Dashcam footage e mafai ona delete i totonu o le vaiaso. O le manatu o le vaʻaivaʻa e vavai, ma faanofoga faaleleia i le nofoaga e faamanu ia i timuga Amerika Sāmoa.
O le mea matou e lafo ai spoliation letters vave ia kamupani taavale, insurers, ma defendants tumaoti uma i totonu o le 24 itula o le faiga o la tatou tamae. O nei faasilasilaga tulai faaleleia e faatagaina ai tagata e leiloa:
- ECM/Black box data faʻasaʻoina speed, braking, ma throttle position
- ELD records faamaomia hours-of-service violations i lalo o 49 CFR § 395
- Driver Qualification Files (DQF) faatumu i lalo o 49 CFR § 391.51
- Pre-trip ma post-trip inspection reports i lalo o 49 CFR § 396.11
- Drug ma alcohol test results i lalo o 49 CFR § 382
- Maintenance ma repair records i lalo o 49 CFR § 396.3
- Dispatch communications ma GPS tracking data
- Dashcam ma forward-facing camera footage
O le matua pule, Ralph Manginello, ua oo i le faia o le faiga i le U.S. District Court mo le Southern District of Texas mai le 1998, maua ai ai lona faiga faaleleleo faaleleleo mo pakivi taavale interstate. O lenei faiga federal e faat againa ai ia ia e navigate i le faaleleia eseese o jurisdiction issues e tupu ai afa e faigalue ai taavale komesina ala i state lines ma territorial boundaries, aofia ai nei foi e tuuina atu ai i ala vaka Amerika Sāmoa.
Faaleleia o Tagata Agafua Taavale Uma
O ni nai faletaulafoa e vaʻaia nai lo o le faasavale taavale. Matou siaki i le entity taavale e fautuaina ai lou faaleleia matuia. I lalo o le doctrine o respondeat superior, o kamupani taavale agafua vicariously mo gugulutia o latou faasavale, ae matou le taofi iina. O matou siaki e faatagaina ai:
Le Kamupani Taavale: Matou siaki CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores, histories inspection, ma patterns o hours-of-service violations. Matou vaʻaia mo gugulutia faigaluega—le faamaomia o CDL credentials i lalo o 49 CFR § 391.11 po le faaloaaina o le history o violations taetu. I le BP Texas City refinery litigation landmark e aofia ai le 2005 explosion oti ai 15 tagata faigalue ma leiloa ai e 170, Ralph Manginello na tau agai ia BP, se kamupani sili ona tele i le lalolagi, faamaomia ai le faia o matou faletaulafoa e faigalue mo Fortune 500 defendants.
Le Ona o le Kaago ma Le Kamupani Loading: O tulafono faalemalo i lalo o 49 CFR § 393.100 manaomia ai kaago securement saʻo ma tiedowns rated e tumau ai i 0.8g deceleration forces. A faiaoga fail e faapipiia ai kontena i le Togafitiga o Pago Pago, pe afa e overload shipping companies taavale sili atu nai le weight ratings, e agafua i latou mo rollovers ma spills maua mulimuli.
Kamupani Puipuiga: Mechanics third-party e faia ai repairs fono gugulutia pe fail e faatagaina inspections tausaga manaomia i lalo o 49 CFR § 396.17 faasoa le agafua mo faasasaina brake failure.
Faiaoga Mea: O tires defective, systems fono, pe mea saogalemu mafai ona maua ai product liability claims faasoa faiaoga.
Freight Brokers: O nei tagatalatele e masani ona faigalue negligently e valaau ai carriers ma records saogalemu leaga e maximize ai la latou margins, violate ai le latou duty of care e faamaomia carrier authority ma insurance.
Faaleleia Mataʻutia ma Tali Totogi
O le physics faaleleia o se taavale 80,000 pauna paʻu i se taavale pasegera 4,000 pauna e fautuaina ai trauma faaleleia. Matou na mauaina settlements miliona tala mo:
Traumatic Brain Injuries ($1.5M – $9.8M): Mai concussions i TBI severe manaomia ai puipuiga o le soifua, e suia ai le agaga, galuega cognitive, ma le tumutumu. I se pakivi e aofia ai se faasasaina taavale na maua ai complications medical ma partial leg amputation ona o staph infection, matou toe mauaina $3.8 miliona.
Spinal Cord Injuries ($4.7M – $25.8M): O paraplegia ma quadriplegia manaomia ai puipuiga o le soifua o le soifua, suiga i le fale, ma le leiloa o le capacity faafailauga. O le tau o le soifua o quadriplegia e mafai ona sili atu nai le $5 miliona i totonu o tau medical direct lava.
Amputations ($1.9M – $8.6M): Pe o le amputation traumatic i le nofoaga pe le tamoa surgical ona o crush injuries, o le leiloa o le vae manaomia prosthetics, rehabilitation, ma vocational retraining.
Oti Faasaua ($1.9M – $9.5M): A o le gugulutia o taavale e oti ai se tagata e talitonu ai, o aiga oti i Amerika Sāmoa e mafai ona toe mauaina mo le leiloa o income, leiloa o consortium, popole, ma tau funeral. Matou o loo i ai se lawsuit $10 miliona e faalauiloa nei faasoa le University of Houston mo fraternity hazing na maua ai acute kidney failure ma rhabdomyolysis, faamaomia ai matou capability e faia litigation faaleleia, high-stakes complex.
O le tulafono faalemalo manaomia ai kamupani taavale e puipuia insurance minimums substantial: $750,000 mo freight general, $1 miliona mo petroleum products, ma $5 miliona mo hazardous materials. O carriers tele e puipuia ai excess coverage sili atu nai le nei minimums, ae accessing i nei tupe manaomia ai faamaomia violations regulatory faalemalo e leiloa ai e nisi o attorney injury personal.
Iloa Faaleoleo Insurance Defense
E pei ona faamanatu ai e tamāoa Chad Harris, “E lei o oe se menemene i a latou ma e lei o oe se tamāoa lava… O oe o se AIGA i a latou.” O lenei faʻaeteete personale e faatasi ai ma faiga leaga aggressive. O le background o Lupe Peña e puipuia kamupani insurance e manaomia ai e ia iloa le playbook o a latou:
- Le auala e faʻaaogaina ai le Colossus software algorithmically e faaitiitia ai le popole ma suffering
- Le auala e tape ai lou “talatalanoa casual” e faʻaaogaina ai faasoa a oe mulimuli ane
- A o latou bluffing e alu i le trial pe afa e totogi ai latou policy limits
- Le auala e faaitiitia ai gaps i le puipuiga medical e liaka ai totogi taʻitoasa
Na fai e Donald Wilcox: “Na fai mai se kamupani ua latou le taliaki lau pakivi. Lei na ou mauaina se valaau mai le Manginello… Lei na ou mauaina se valaau e alu e laveai ma lenei togi filemu.” Matou te talia pakivi e le talia ai e faletaulafoa lenei ona matou o loo maua ai resources ma expertise e manumalo.
O lou Tulaloloa Mulimuli o se Faasasaina Taavale Amerika Sāmoa
Afai e leiloa ai aʻu i Amerika Sāmoa, e maua ai oe eseese challenges. O le nofoaga remote o le teritori e manaomia ai le medical evacuation i trauma centers faaleleia. O tulafono maritime faalemalo e mafai ona intersect ma regulations taavale afa e sivi ai kaago i le va o le Togafitiga o Pago Pago ma nofooga inland. O le statute o limitations mo claims injury personal manaomia ai faiga vave—le faatali sili atu e mafai ona bar lau tulaloloa e toe mauaina ai pea.
Matou tuuina atu consultations aunoa ma le tau taeao. O matou fee structure contingency e manaomia ai e te totogi mea lava pe afai matou e manumalo—standard 33.33% pre-trial, 40% afai e manaomia ai le trial. Matou te advance ai taua investigation atoa, aofia ai expert reconstructionists ma medical specialists.
Hablamos Español. Mo matou tamāoa Spanish-speaking i Amerika Sāmoa, o Lupe Peña e tuuina atu ai representation direct aunoa ma interpreters, faatagaina ai le leiloa o mea i le faaliliu.
O le kamupani taavale na valaau lava la latou loia. O latou adjuster insurance o loo vaʻaia le auala e totogi ai oe itiiti. O le faanofoga e leiloa ai i le taimi matou e faitau ai. O le a le mea e fai e puipuia lau aiga?
Valaau Attorney911 vave i le 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). Matou o loo maua ai 24/7 ona o faasasaina taavale le faatali hours faigalue. Ma ofisa i Houston, Austin, ma Beaumont, ma le faiga faaleleleo federal e faat againa ai matou e faia pakivi i le United States atoa ma ona territories aofia ai Amerika Sāmoa, matou o loo maua ai le reach ma resources e tau i soo se kamupani taavale.
Aua nega e faat againa oe i lalo. Matou te faat againa atili.
1-888-ATTY-911 — 24/7 Legal Emergency Response
ENGLISH
The impact was catastrophic. An 80,000-pound commercial truck bears down on your vehicle with unstoppable force, and in an instant, your life changes forever. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in an 18-wheeler accident in American Samoa, you need more than just legal representation—you need a battle-tested team that understands the devastating physics of these collisions and the complex web of federal regulations designed to prevent them.
At Attorney911, we don’t just handle truck accident cases. We fight for families whose lives have been shattered by negligent trucking companies, reckless drivers, and corporate profit margins that put profits over safety. Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years standing up to the largest commercial carriers in America, securing multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injury victims, amputees, and families who have lost everything to wrongful death. When a trucking company employs a driver who should never have been behind the wheel, or when cargo spills across the highways near Pago Pago Harbor because of improper securement, we hold every single liable party accountable.
Our firm includes a distinct advantage that insurance companies fear: Lupe Peña, our associate attorney who spent years working inside a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how commercial trucking insurers evaluate, minimize, and deny legitimate claims—from the initial lowball offer to the surveillance tactics they use to discredit injured victims. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. As client Glenda Walker told us after we recovered her maximum compensation, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in American Samoa Are Different
Trucking accidents aren’t just bigger car wrecks. They involve a completely different legal landscape governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), federal regulations found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), and complex chains of custody that span from the Port of Pago Pago to distribution centers across the territory. An 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—twenty times the weight of a passenger sedan—creating devastating force upon impact. At 65 miles per hour, these massive vehicles need nearly two football fields to stop, a physics reality that contributes to catastrophic rear-end collisions on the winding routes serving American Samoa’s port facilities.
The tropical climate of American Samoa presents unique hazards for commercial trucking. Heavy rainfall, high humidity affecting brake systems, and steep mountain grades create dangerous conditions that require specialized driver training and vigilant maintenance. When trucking companies cut corners on brake inspections under 49 CFR § 396.3, or when drivers violate hours-of-service regulations under 49 CFR § 395.8 to meet tight delivery schedules at the port, innocent families pay the price.
Unlike typical car accidents where fault might rest solely with one driver, 18-wheeler collisions in American Samoa often involve multiple liable parties. The driver, the trucking company, the cargo owner who overloaded the container, the maintenance company that skimped on brake repairs, and even the freight broker who hired an unqualified carrier may all share responsibility. This complexity means you need attorneys who understand how to navigate federal trucking law, not just local traffic statutes.
Recognizing Catastrophic Truck Accident Types in American Samoa
Underride Collisions: The Most Fatal Crashes
Underride accidents occur when a passenger vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a tractor-trailer and slides underneath the trailer bed. These collisions are particularly deadly on the routes surrounding American Samoa’s port facilities where trucks merge with local traffic. When a truck driver stops suddenly without adequate warning, or when a trailer lacks proper underride guards required under 49 CFR § 393.86, the top of the passenger compartment can be sheared off, resulting in decapitation or catastrophic head trauma. Nearly 400-500 underride deaths occur annually in the United States, and these accidents are almost always fatal for occupants of smaller vehicles.
We investigate whether the trucking company maintained proper rear impact guards and whether the driver violated 49 CFR § 392.11 by following too closely or failing to signal intentions. Black box data from the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) can prove exactly when the driver applied brakes and whether they were traveling at unsafe speeds for the wet, tropical conditions common in American Samoa.
Jackknife Accidents on Wet Highways
When a truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, creating a “jackknife” configuration, the result is often a multi-vehicle pileup that blocks entire roadways. These accidents frequently occur on the steep grades and wet surfaces found in American Samoa’s mountainous terrain when drivers lose control while braking. Jackknifing typically results from sudden braking on slick surfaces, improperly loaded cargo that shifts the center of gravity, or brake system failures that violate 49 CFR § 393.48.
In one case we handled involving a logging truck that jackknifed on a wet mountain road, we discovered the company had falsified maintenance records and allowed the trailer to be loaded with unsecured cargo that shifted during transit. The resulting settlement exceeded $5 million for our client’s traumatic brain injury and vision loss.
Rollover Accidents and Cargo Spills
The combination of American Samoa’s port cargo demands and its challenging topography creates significant rollover risks. When trucks take curves too quickly on steep descents, or when liquid cargo “sloshes” inside tanks due to improper loading under 49 CFR § 393.100, the high center of gravity of these massive vehicles can cause devastating rollovers. These accidents frequently result in crushed vehicles, fuel fires causing severe burns, and multi-casualty incidents when the truck blocks narrow island highways.
We recently recovered $2.5 million for the victim of a truck crash involving a commercial vehicle that rolled due to improperly secured cargo near a port facility. The cargo loader’s failure to follow federal securement regulations created a deadly hazard that devastated an entire family.
Brake Failure and Runaway Trucks
Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes nationwide, and the humid, corrosive salt air of American Samoa’s coastal highways can accelerate brake system deterioration. When trucking companies defer maintenance to save money, violating 49 CFR § 396.3’s requirement for systematic inspection and repair, the result can be catastrophic brake fade on steep downgrades. Runaway truck incidents on mountain passes have resulted in some of the most horrific crashes in trucking history.
We subpoena maintenance records, Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), and post-trip inspection documents to prove when companies knew their trucks were unsafe but sent them onto American Samoa’s highways anyway.
Wide Turn Accidents at Port Intersections
The narrow roads near American Samoa’s port facilities often require trucks to execute wide right turns that swing into oncoming traffic lanes. When drivers fail to check their blind spots properly or fail to signal their intentions under 49 CFR § 392.2, smaller vehicles can become trapped between the truck and the curb, resulting in crushing injuries or “squeeze play” fatalities. These accidents often involve violations of the FMCSA’s rules regarding mirror maintenance and blind spot checking.
The Critical First 48 Hours: Evidence Preservation in American Samoa
Evidence in trucking accident cases disappears quickly—sometimes within days or even hours. Trucking companies dispatch rapid-response teams to accident scenes immediately, often before victims are cleared from ambulances. These teams work to protect the company’s interests, not yours.
At Attorney911, we understand that the clock started ticking the moment the crash occurred. Within 30 days, critical ECM and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data can be overwritten or destroyed. Dashcam footage may be deleted within a week. Witness memories fade, and physical evidence at the scene washes away in American Samoa’s tropical rains.
That’s why we send immediate spoliation letters to trucking companies, insurers, and all potential defendants within 24 hours of being retained. These formal legal notices put parties on notice that they must preserve:
- ECM/Black box data showing speed, braking, and throttle position
- ELD records proving hours-of-service violations under 49 CFR § 395
- Complete Driver Qualification Files (DQF) under 49 CFR § 391.51
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports under 49 CFR § 396.11
- Drug and alcohol test results under 49 CFR § 382
- Maintenance and repair records under 49 CFR § 396.3
- Dispatch communications and GPS tracking data
- Dashcam and forward-facing camera footage
Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas since 1998, giving him federal court experience essential for interstate trucking cases. This federal admission allows us to navigate the complex jurisdictional issues that arise when commercial vehicles operate across state lines and territorial boundaries, including those serving American Samoa’s shipping routes.
Holding All Liable Parties Accountable
Most law firms only look at the truck driver. We investigate every entity that contributed to your catastrophic injuries. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies are vicariously liable for their drivers’ negligence, but we don’t stop there. Our investigation targets:
The Trucking Company: We examine CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores, inspection histories, and patterns of hours-of-service violations. We look for negligent hiring practices—failure to verify CDL credentials under 49 CFR § 391.11 or ignoring a history of drug violations. In the landmark BP Texas City refinery litigation involving the 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 170, Ralph Manginello fought toe-to-toe with one of the world’s largest corporations, demonstrating our firm’s willingness to take on Fortune 500 defendants.
The Cargo Owner and Loading Company: Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 393.100 require proper cargo securement with tiedowns rated to withstand 0.8g deceleration forces. When loaders fail to properly secure containers at the Port of Pago Pago, or when shipping companies overload vehicles beyond weight ratings, they become liable for resulting rollovers and spills.
Maintenance Companies: Third-party mechanics who perform negligent brake repairs or fail to document mandatory annual inspections under 49 CFR § 396.17 share responsibility for brake failure accidents.
Parts Manufacturers: Defective tires, brake systems, or safety equipment can trigger product liability claims against manufacturers.
Freight Brokers: These middlemen often negligently select carriers with poor safety records to maximize their margins, violating their duty of care to verify carrier authority and insurance.
Catastrophic Injuries and Compensation
The sheer physics of an 80,000-pound truck striking a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle causes devastating trauma. We have secured multi-million dollar settlements for:
Traumatic Brain Injuries ($1.5M – $9.8M): From concussions to severe TBI requiring lifelong care, brain injuries alter personality, cognitive function, and independence. In one case involving a car accident that led to medical complications and partial leg amputation due to staph infection, we recovered $3.8 million.
Spinal Cord Injuries ($4.7M – $25.8M): Paraplegia and quadriplegia require lifetime medical care, home modifications, and loss of earning capacity. The lifetime cost of quadriplegia can exceed $5 million in direct medical costs alone.
Amputations ($1.9M – $8.6M): Whether traumatic amputation at the scene or surgical removal due to crush injuries, limb loss requires prosthetics, rehabilitation, and vocational retraining.
Wrongful Death ($1.9M – $9.5M): When trucking negligence kills a loved one, surviving family members in American Samoa can recover for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. We currently have a $10 million lawsuit pending against the University of Houston for fraternity hazing that resulted in acute kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis, demonstrating our capability to handle complex, high-stakes litigation.
Federal law requires trucking companies to carry substantial insurance minimums: $750,000 for general freight, $1 million for petroleum products, and $5 million for hazardous materials. Many carriers carry excess coverage beyond these minimums, but accessing these funds requires proving federal regulatory violations that most personal injury attorneys miss.
Insurance Defense Insider Knowledge
As client Chad Harris testified, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” This personal attention combines with aggressive legal strategy. Lupe Peña’s background defending insurance companies means he knows their playbook:
- How they use Colossus software to algorithmically undervalue pain and suffering
- Why they record your “casual conversation” to use against you later
- When they’re bluffing about going to trial versus when they’ll pay policy limits
- How they exploit gaps in medical treatment to deny legitimate claims
Donald Wilcox put it simply: “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 cases other firms reject because we have the resources and expertise to win.
Your Rights After an American Samoa Trucking Accident
If you’ve been injured in American Samoa, you face unique challenges. The territory’s remote location means medical evacuation to specialized trauma centers may be necessary. Federal maritime laws may intersect with trucking regulations when cargo moves between the Port of Pago Pago and inland facilities. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims requires prompt action—waiting too long can bar your right to recover forever.
We offer free consultations with no upfront costs. Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless we win—standard 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial is necessary. We advance all investigation expenses, including expert reconstructionists and medical specialists.
Hablamos Español. For our Spanish-speaking clients in American Samoa, Lupe Peña provides direct representation without interpreters, ensuring nothing is lost in translation.
The trucking company has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. Evidence is being deleted while you read this. What are you doing to protect your family?
Call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We’re available 24/7 because trucking accidents don’t wait for business hours. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, and federal court admission allowing us to handle cases throughout the United States and its territories including American Samoa, we have the reach and resources to take on any trucking company.
Don’t let them push you around. We push back harder.
1-888-ATTY-911 — 24/7 Legal Emergency Response
