18-Wheeler & Trucking Accident Attorneys in Mono County

When the Mountains Turn Deadly: Your Trusted Legal Team for Mono County Truck Crashes

Every month, thousands of massive commercial trucks navigate the winding highways through Mono County. When one of those 80,000-pound vehicles makes a mistake—when brakes fail on a steep descent or a distracted driver drifts across the centerline on Highway 395—the results aren’t just accidents. They’re catastrophes. They’re life-altering events that leave victims facing years of medical treatment, lost income, and permanent disabilities.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Mono County—from the busy corridors of Highway 395 to the remote stretches near Mammoth Lakes to the border crossings near Nevada—you need more than a lawyer. You need a fighter who knows these mountains, knows federal trucking law, and knows how to make shipping companies pay.

We’ve been that fighter for over 25 years.

At Attorney911, we’ve helped hundreds of families across California recover. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. Federal court. State court. Boardrooms. Courtrooms. Wherever it takes to win, that’s where Ralph goes. And when you’re up against the massive insurance companies that protect trucking corporations, you want someone who has secured multi-million dollar verdicts—including a $5+ million settlement for a traumatic brain injury victim and a $3.8+ million recovery for an amputation case.

But here’s what makes us different from other firms: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years defending insurance companies before joining our team. He knows exactly how claims adjusters minimize settlements—because he used to sit across the table making those decisions. Now he fights against those tactics. That insider knowledge gives our clients a massive advantage when negotiating with trucking insurers.

When disaster strikes in Mono County, we’re ready. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. Consultations are free. We work on contingency—you don’t pay unless we win.

Why Mono County Is a High-Risk Zone for Trucking Accidents

Mono County isn’t just another place on the map. It’s a corridor where extreme geography meets heavy commercial traffic.

The Dangerous Terrain:
The county sits high in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, with mountain passes that challenge even experienced truckers. Highway 395—the primary north-south artery—runs through communities like Bridgeport, Lee Vining, and the Mammoth Lakes area. This highway sees massive truck traffic transporting goods between Northern California and Nevada, plus commercial logging trucks, fuel tankers serving remote communities, and delivery vehicles supplying resort towns.

Highway 6 cuts through the county east-west, connecting Bishop to Tonopah, Nevada—another critical trucking route through rugged terrain. These aren’t wide, flat interstate highways. They’re two-lane mountain roads with steep grades, sharp curves, and weather that can change in minutes.

The Weather Factor:
Mono County experiences some of California’s most extreme driving conditions. Winter brings snow and black ice to Highway 395 and mountain passes. Summer brings tourists—thousands of RVs and passenger cars mixing with commercial trucks. Spring and fall can bring sudden fog or flash flooding. An 18-wheeler needs 525 feet to stop from 65 mph on dry pavement. On ice? That distance doubles or triples.

When trucking companies send drivers through Mono County without proper training, when they press drivers to meet deadlines despite Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hour limits, when they defer brake maintenance to save money—the consequences happen here, on these mountain roads. And those consequences often mean head-on collisions, rollovers into canyons, or jackknifes that block both lanes of Highway 395 for hours.

California Law Applies:
In California, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against a trucking company or driver (California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). Wait longer, and you lose your right to recover compensation—no matter how serious your injuries.

California also follows “pure comparative fault” rules. That means even if you were partially at fault for the accident—say, 30% at fault for a collision near Topaz Lake—you can still recover 70% of your damages. Some states cut you off completely if you’re partially at fault. California doesn’t. But the trucking company’s lawyers will try to pin as much blame on you as possible. That’s why you need attorneys who know Mono County and know how to fight back.

Catastrophic Injuries: What Happens When 80,000 Pounds Hit a 4,000-Pound Car

The physics are brutal. A fully loaded commercial truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds under federal regulations (49 CFR § 658.17). Your sedan weighs about 3,500 to 4,500 pounds. When those two collide, the passenger vehicle always loses.

We’ve seen what these crashes do to human bodies. Over 25 years handling Mono County trucking cases, we’ve helped victims recover from:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI):
The force of a truck impact causes the brain to slam against the skull. Symptoms might not show immediately—victims walk away from crashes feeling “fine,” only to develop severe headaches, memory loss, or personality changes days later. TBI cases often settle for between $1.5 million and $9.8 million depending on severity, but that money isn’t a windfall—it’s necessary to pay for cognitive therapy, lost earning capacity, and lifelong care.

Spinal Cord Injuries:
Mono County’s mountain roads are unforgiving. When trucks lose control on curves and strike smaller vehicles, spinal injuries often result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. These cases can range from $4.7 million to over $25 million in settlements due to the massive lifetime care costs.

Amputations:
When a passenger car gets crushed or when underride accidents occur—where the car slides under the trailer—limbs may be severed at the scene or require surgical amputation later due to crush injuries. Our firm secured $3.8 million for a client who lost a leg after a car crash complicated by medical treatment. We know what prosthetic costs mean for your future.

Severe Burns:
Fuel tank ruptures are common in mountainous Mono County rollovers. When a tanker spills and ignites, or when diesel sprays over hot engines after a collision, victims suffer third-degree burns requiring skin grafts and months of rehabilitation.

Wrongful Death:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 5,000 people die annually in commercial truck crashes nationwide. When that happens in Mono County—on Highway 395 near Walker, or on Highway 6 near the Nevada line—surviving family members can pursue wrongful death claims ranging typically from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, depending on the deceased’s age, income, and circumstances.

This is why trucking companies operate under strict federal insurance minimums—$750,000 for standard freight, $1 million for oil haulers, and $5 million for hazmat carriers under 49 CFR § 387.303. They know the damage their vehicles can cause. When they fail to prevent it, they must pay.

The Federal Rules Trucking Companies Break: FMCSA Violations That Prove Negligence

Every 18-wheeler operating in Mono County must comply with federal regulations known as the FMCSA rules, codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR). These aren’t suggestions—they’re safety mandates. When trucking companies violate them, they create liability.

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395):
This is the most commonly violated regulation leading to accidents. Truck drivers cannot:

• Drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty (§ 395.8)
• Drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty (§ 395.8)
• Drive after accumulating 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days (§ 395.3)

Fatigue causes approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes. Yet we see trucking companies pressure drivers to push through Mono County’s mountain passes despite these limits. That’s why we immediately subpoena Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data—the federally mandated electronic records that replaced paper logbooks on December 18, 2017.

Driver Qualification Failures (49 CFR Part 391):
California trucking companies must verify their drivers are qualified. They must maintain Driver Qualification Files containing:

• Annual motor vehicle record reviews (§ 391.25)
• Medical examiner’s certificates (§ 391.45)
• Three-year employment history verification (§ 391.23)
• Proof of CDL and training (§ 391.11)

If a Mono County trucking accident involves an unlicensed driver or one with a poor safety record the company ignored, that’s negligent hiring—a direct path to holding the company liable.

Vehicle Maintenance Negligence (49 CFR Part 396):
Brake problems contribute to roughly 29% of truck crashes. Federal law requires:

• Annual inspections (§ 396.17)
• Pre-trip and post-trip driver inspections (§ 396.11, § 396.13)
• Immediate repair of out-of-service defects (§ 396.7)

When trucks descend the steep grades near Mono County without proper brake maintenance, brake fade occurs. The driver pumps the brakes, they overheat, and suddenly an 80,000-pound vehicle has no way to stop. We subpoena maintenance records immediately to prove the company knew about needed repairs and ignored them.

Cargo Securement Failures (49 CFR Part 393):
Loads must be secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g acceleration rearward, and 0.5g lateral forces (§ 393.102). On Mono County’s curves, improperly secured logging loads or construction equipment can shift, causing rollovers or jackknifes.

Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 CFR Part 382):
Drivers must pass pre-employment drug tests and random testing. Post-accident testing is required when accidents result in injury or vehicle disabling (§ 382.303). If a driver is impaired, liability is clear—and punitive damages may be available.

All the Parties Who May Owe You Money

Most accident victims think they can only sue the truck driver. That’s exactly what the trucking company wants you to think. In reality, we often pursue multiple defendants to maximize your recovery under California’s joint and several liability rules.

1. The Truck Driver
Direct negligence for speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Under respondeat superior, employers are liable for their employees’ negligence during work. Plus, we often find direct negligence: negligent hiring (not checking the driver’s record), negligent training (sending rookies into Mono County’s mountain passes unprepared), negligent supervision (ignoring ELD violations), and negligent maintenance (skipping brake checks to save money).

3. The Cargo Owner / Shipper
If a shipper overloaded the truck or failed to disclose hazardous materials, they share liability.

4. The Loading Company
Third-party warehouses that improperly secured loads can be sued when cargo shifts cause Mono County rollovers.

5. Truck and Parts Manufacturers
Defective brakes, steering systems, or tires can trigger product liability claims against manufacturers like Detroit Diesel or Michelin.

6. Maintenance Companies
Third-party garages that performed negligent brake work or missed critical safety issues.

7. Freight Brokers
Shipping brokers who arrange transport but negligently select carriers with poor safety records can be liable under California’s negligence standards.

8. The Truck Owner (if different from carrier)
In owner-operator situations, the vehicle owner may share liability through negligent entrustment.

9. Government Entities
When Mono County or Caltrans knows about dangerous road conditions—like inadequate signage for sharp curves on Highway 6 or failing to clear black ice—and doesn’t fix them, they may share liability. These cases have shorter deadlines and special notice requirements, so call immediately.

The 48-Hour Evidence Crisis: Why You Must Call Now

Here’s what the trucking company doesn’t tell you: They’ve already called their lawyers. Their “rapid response team” is likely heading to the scene while you’re still in the ambulance.

Critical evidence disappears fast:

• ECM Data (Black Box): The Engine Control Module records speed, braking, and throttle position before impact. It can be overwritten in as little as 30 days or with new ignition cycles.
• ELD Data: Hours of service records might only be saved for 6 months under FMCSA rules (§ 395.8(k)(1)), but once we send a spoliation letter, preservation obligations kick in.
• Dashcam Footage: Many trucks have forward-facing cameras. Footage often records over after 7-14 days.
• Witness Memories: Tourists on Highway 395 leave Mono County quickly. Their contact info and memories fade fast.
• The Physical Truck: The vehicle may be repaired, sold, or destroyed, taking critical brake and tire evidence with it.

We send spoliation letters—formal legal demands to preserve evidence—within 24 hours of being retained. We don’t wait. Because in Mono County’s remote areas, evidence has a way of “disappearing” when trucking companies face liability.

As client Chad Harris told us after we handled his case: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Donald Wilcox, another client whose case had been rejected by another firm, 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.”

We fight for maximum recovery. As Glenda Walker put it: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Types of Trucking Accidents We See in Mono County

Jackknife Accidents
When a truck’s trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often on icy Highway 395 near Bridgeport or during sudden braking on descents. These block both lanes and cause multi-car pileups.

Rollover Accidents
Mono County’s sharp curves and steep grades make trucks prone to tipping—especially tankers with liquid cargo that sloshes and shifts the center of gravity.

Underride Collisions
When cars slide under the trailer. Rear underride guards are required under 49 CFR § 393.86, but side guards aren’t federally mandated yet—leaving Mono County drivers vulnerable to decapitation injuries on narrow Highway 6.

Rear-End Collisions
Trucks need 40% more stopping distance than cars. When a trucker falls asleep on straight stretches of Highway 395 or checks a dispatcher tablet instead of the road, they rear-end smaller vehicles with devastating force.

Brake Failure Accidents
Descending from Conway Summit or Deadman Summit with overheated brakes leads to runaway trucks. FMCSA requires brake inspections under Part 396—violations prove negligence.

Tire Blowouts
Extreme temperature changes in Mono County—from desert heat near the Nevada line to freezing mountain passes—cause tire failures. When retread tires blow on logging trucks or tankers, the debris creates chain-reaction crashes.

Wide Turn Accidents
Trucks swinging wide to navigate tight turns in towns like Mammoth Lakes or Bishop sometimes clip passenger cars in adjacent lanes—the “squeeze play” that crushes vehicles against curbs.

Blind Spot Crashes
The “No-Zone” around trucks is deadly. When drivers change lanes on Highway 395 without checking passenger vehicles riding in blind spots, sideswipe accidents push cars off the road.

Your Questions Answered: Mono County Trucking Accident FAQs

How long do I have to sue after a trucking accident in Mono County?
California gives you two years from the accident date under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. But waiting is dangerous—call us immediately to preserve evidence.

What if I was partially at fault?
California follows pure comparative fault. If you’re 30% at fault, you recover 70% of damages. Don’t let the trucking company convince you that any fault on your part bars recovery—it doesn’t.

How much is my case worth?
That depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. California caps punitive damages (unlike some states), but trucking cases often involve multiple insurance policies totaling $1-5 million. Our TBI cases have settled for $1.5M-$9.8M; amputation cases for $1.9M-$8.6M.

Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers will actually take cases to verdict—and they pay more to those lawyers. With Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of trial experience and federal court admission (Southern District of Texas), we’re ready if they won’t offer fair value.

Do you handle cases for Spanish speakers?
Sí. Hablamos Español. Associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters needed. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

What if the trucking company contacts me?
Don’t speak to them. Don’t give recorded statements. Their adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. Let us handle all communications.

How do I pay for medical care while waiting for settlement?
We can help connect you with medical providers willing to work on liens—meaning they get paid when your case settles. You shouldn’t have to choose between bankruptcy and treatment.

Why Attorney911 Is the Right Choice for Mono County Victims

Real Results, Not Promises:

• $5+ million for traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases
• $3.8+ million for amputation victims
• $2.5+ million for commercial trucking crashes
• $2+ million for maritime/back injury cases
• 251+ Google Reviews with a 4.9-star average

Insider Knowledge:
Lupe Peña worked for insurance defense firms before joining us. He knows the playbook. He knows when they’re bluffing. That knowledge translates to higher settlements for you.

Federal Experience:
Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and holds dual Texas/New York bar licenses. When interstate trucking cases get complicated, this matters.

Three Offices, One Mission:
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve clients across California and beyond. While we’re based in Texas, we handle serious trucking accident cases nationwide, including Mono County’s unique mountain terrain.

Contingency Fees—No Risk to You:
You pay 33.33% if settled before trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay $0 upfront. We advance all costs. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

Media Recognition:
Our work has been featured on KHOU 11, ABC13 Houston, and the Houston Chronicle—most recently for our ongoing $10 million litigation against the University of Houston regarding fraternity hazing (showing we can take on institutional defendants when they cause harm).

If You’ve Been Hit by a Truck in Mono County, Call Now

The clock is ticking. Evidence is disappearing. The trucking company already has lawyers working to minimize what they pay you.

You need someone fighting for every dime you deserve. Someone who knows Highway 395. Someone who knows the FMCSA regulations inside and out. Someone with a former insurance defense attorney on the team who knows exactly how the other side thinks.

That someone is Attorney911.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now.

We’re available 24/7. Consultations are free. And remember—you don’t pay unless we win.

Your fight starts with one phone call. Make it now, before the evidence vanishes into the Mono County mountains.

888-ATTY-911
1-888-288-9911
Hablamos Español

Mono County 18-wheeler accident attorneys serving Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining, June Lake, Walker, Coleville, and all communities along Highway 395 and Highway 6. We handle cases involving jackknife accidents, rollovers, underride collisions, brake failures, driver fatigue, and all FMCSA violations.