Lenawee County 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything on I-94

You didn’t see it coming. Maybe you were driving home to Adrian after work on I-94. Perhaps you were heading north on US-127 toward Jackson. One moment, traffic was moving normally. The next, an 18-wheeler jackknifed across your lane, or a tired driver drifted across the centerline near Hudson, or a fully loaded grain truck couldn’t stop in time on the ice outside Tecumseh.

If you’re reading this, you’ve experienced the nightmare that haunts every Michigan driver. A run-in with an 80,000-pound commercial truck isn’t just an accident—it’s a life-altering event that leaves you facing catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and an insurance company that’s already working to pay you as little as possible.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for people just like you. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families across America, including a $5 million traumatic brain injury verdict and a $3.8 million settlement for a client who lost a limb. We know what you’re going through, and we know how to help.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Why Trucking Accidents in Lenawee County Are Different

Lenawee County sits at a critical crossroads of American commerce. I-94 cuts through the southern edge of the county, carrying freight between Chicago and Detroit. US-223 connects to Ohio, while US-127 runs north-south through the heart of Michigan. Every day, thousands of commercial trucks pass through our communities—hauling auto parts to Detroit, agricultural products from our farms, and manufactured goods across the Midwest.

This heavy truck traffic creates unique dangers for Lenawee County residents. Our winter weather turns I-94 into an ice rink from November through March. The tight curves on US-127 near Hudson become treacherous when trucks carrying oversize loads miscalculate their speed. The agricultural corridors connecting Adrian to Morenci and Blissfield see overloaded grain trucks during harvest season, creating hazards for local families heading to school or work.

But here’s what makes these cases truly different from regular car accidents: 18-wheelers don’t just cause accidents—they cause catastrophes. The physics are brutal. A fully loaded truck weighs 20 to 25 times more than your family car. At highway speeds, it needs the length of two football fields to stop. When that much kinetic energy hits a passenger vehicle, the results are traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and death.

The legal landscape is just as overwhelming. Unlike a fender-bender between two cars, trucking accidents involve federal regulations, multiple insurance policies, and trucking companies that dispatch rapid-response teams to the scene within hours—sometimes before the ambulance arrives. They have lawyers. They have investigators. They have teams dedicated to protecting their bottom line.

You need someone in your corner who can match that firepower. You need Attorney911.

Meet the Team Fighting for Lenawee County Families

Ralph Manginello: 25 Years of Trucking Justice

Ralph Manginello didn’t become a trial attorney by accident. Since earning his law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1998, he’s built a reputation as a relentless advocate for accident victims. He’s admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, giving him the federal credentials to handle interstate trucking cases nationwide—including right here in Lenawee County.

Ralph’s experience includes going toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 companies. He was one of the attorneys involved in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation—the 2005 disaster that killed 15 workers and injured 170 more. That case ultimately resulted in over $2.1 billion in settlements across the industry. When Ralph takes on a trucking company, he brings that same level of tenacity and resources.

“I’m not afraid to take a case to trial,” Ralph says. “Insurance companies know which lawyers will fold and which ones will fight. We fight.”

Ralph’s track record speaks for itself: over $50 million recovered for clients, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death cases. He currently serves as managing partner of Attorney911, overseeing a practice that has earned a 4.9-star rating from over 251 Google reviews. He’s also a Million Dollar Advocate through the Trial Lawyers Achievement Association—membership that proves he delivers results.

Lupe Peña: The Insurance Defense Insider

Here’s a secret most law firms won’t tell you: they don’t know how insurance companies think. We do. Because our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work for them.

Before joining Attorney911, Lupe spent years at a national insurance defense firm—the same firms that represent trucking companies after accidents. He sat in the strategy sessions. He saw how adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. He knows the algorithms they use to calculate pain and suffering (hint: they undervalue everything), and he knows exactly when they’re bluffing about “policy limits” or “coverage disputes.”

Now, Lupe uses that insider knowledge against them. When he reviews your trucking accident case, he can spot the weaknesses in the insurance company’s position immediately. He knows which arguments they’ll make before they make them, and he knows how to counter them.

Lupe is fluent in Spanish—Hablamos Español—and serves clients in Lenawee County’s Hispanic community directly, without interpreters. If you’re more comfortable speaking Spanish, Lupe will handle your case personally.

A Firm That Treats You Like Family

Our clients say it better than we ever could. Chad Harris, a client who came to us after a serious trucking accident, put it simply: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Donald Wilcox was another victim who had been turned away by other firms. “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.”

And Glenda Walker, who fought for maximum compensation, told us: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

That’s the Attorney911 difference. We’re not a billboard factory that assigns your case to a paralegal and forgets your name. When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you get Ralph’s cell phone number. You get Lupe’s direct line. You get a team that knows your wife’s name, your kids’ names, and exactly how this accident has disrupted your life.

The Clock Is Ticking: Michigan’s Deadlines and Evidence Preservation

Michigan gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a trucking accident. That might sound like plenty of time, but waiting is dangerous—sometimes fatal to your case.

Here’s why: Evidence in trucking cases disappears fast. Extremely fast.

The truck’s Electronic Control Module (ECM)—the “black box”—records critical data like speed, braking, and throttle position. But it can be overwritten in just 30 days, sometimes sooner. The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) that tracks the driver’s hours of service? The trucking company only has to keep those records for six months. Dashcam footage? Often deleted within a week.

Witness memories fade. Skid marks wash away in the rain. The physical truck itself might be repaired, sold, or exported before your lawyer can inspect it.

That’s why, when you call Attorney911 within 24-48 hours of your accident, we immediately send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and any other liable parties. This legal notice puts them on notice that they must preserve all evidence—black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, everything—or face severe sanctions in court.

If you’re reading this and your accident happened recently, don’t wait another day. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.

Understanding the Rules of the Road: FMCSA Regulations

Federal law governs every 18-wheeler on American highways, including those traveling through Lenawee County on I-94. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes strict standards in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR). When truckers or their employers break these rules, they create liability that strengthens your case.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification

Before a driver can legally operate a commercial truck, they must meet strict federal standards. They need a current Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a medical examiner’s certificate showing they’re physically qualified, and a clean driving record—or at least one that the trucking company properly investigated.

The trucking company must maintain a Driver Qualification (DQ) File containing the application, driving record checks from previous employers, road test results, and drug test records. If they hired a driver with a history of DUIs, accidents, or medical conditions that should have disqualified him, that’s negligent hiring—and it makes them liable for your injuries.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service

Driver fatigue causes roughly 31% of fatal truck crashes. That’s why FMCSA limits how long drivers can stay on the road:

• Maximum 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour on duty
• Must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving
• Cannot exceed 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days without a 34-hour reset

Since December 2017, most trucks must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track these hours automatically. These devices don’t lie—they prove when a driver was pushing past their limits, often under pressure from dispatchers to meet delivery deadlines on the I-94 corridor.

49 CFR Part 393: Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement

Trucks must be properly maintained, with functional brakes, tires, lights, and securement systems. Specifically:

• Minimum tread depth of 4/32″ on steer tires, 2/32″ on others
• Properly adjusted brakes meeting federal specifications
• Cargo secured to withstand 0.8 g deceleration forces (sudden stops)
• Aggregate working load limits on tiedowns must equal at least 50% of cargo weight

When Michigan’s winter storms hit Lenawee County, trucking companies that skimp on tire maintenance or brake adjustments turn their vehicles into death machines on ice.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

Trucking companies must systematically inspect and maintain their vehicles. Drivers must perform pre-trip inspections before every shift and post-trip reports noting any defects. These records must be kept for at least one year.

If a driver noted brake problems in a report but the company sent the truck out anyway, that’s negligence. If they skipped inspections to save money, that’s a pattern of dangerous behavior that can support punitive damages.

The Ten Parties Who Could Owe You Money

One of the biggest mistakes other law firms make is only suing the truck driver. That’s like leaving money on the table—lots of money. In an 18-wheeler case, we investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for you.

1. The Truck Driver
The person behind the wheel may be personally liable for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or impairment. We subpoena their cell phone records, drug test results, and driving history.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are responsible for their employees’ negligent actions. Plus, companies can be directly negligent for:

• Negligent hiring (failing to check backgrounds)
• Negligent training (inadequate safety instruction)
• Negligent supervision (ignoring HOS violations)
• Negligent maintenance (cutting corners on repairs)

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper
If the company that loaded the truck demanded overweight cargo, failed to disclose hazardous materials, or provided improper loading instructions, they share liability.

4. The Loading Company
Third-party warehouses near Blissfield or Morenci that physically loaded the cargo may have failed to distribute weight properly or secure the load with adequate tiedowns, leading to rollovers or jackknifes.

5. The Truck Manufacturer
Defective brakes, faulty steer axles, or dangerous fuel tank designs can create product liability claims against companies like Freightliner, Peterbilt, or Volvo.

6. The Parts Manufacturer
Defective Michelin tires, Bendix brake components, or WABCO electronic systems that fail can implicate specific parts makers in your claim.

7. The Maintenance Company
Many carriers outsource repairs to third-party shops. If a mechanic failed to properly service the brakes or issued a false inspection sticker, they’re liable.

8. The Freight Broker
Companies like C.H. Robinson or XPO Logistics that arrange shipments may be liable if they negligently selected a carrier with a terrible safety record just to save a few dollars.

9. The Truck Owner
In owner-operator arrangements, the individual who owns the truck may have separate liability from the company dispatching it.

10. Government Entities
If dangerous road design on US-223 or poor maintenance contributed to the crash—like inadequate warning signs for sharp curves or failure to clear ice—the Michigan Department of Transportation or Lenawee County Road Commission may share liability.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle

Jackknife Accidents

When a truck driver brakes too hard or hits a patch of black ice on I-94 near the Ohio border, the trailer can swing perpendicular to the cab, creating a deadly sweep across multiple lanes. These accidents often involve violation of 49 CFR § 393.48 (brake maintenance) or § 392.6 (speeding for conditions).

Rollover Crashes

Lenawee County’s agricultural roots mean we see plenty of loaded grain trucks and livestock haulers on rural roads. When these high-center-of-gravity vehicles take curves too fast on County Roads 2 or 50, or when cargo shifts improperly, they roll—and crush anything beside them.

Underride Collisions

Among the deadliest accidents imaginable. When a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer, the roof shears off at windshield level. Federal law (49 CFR § 393.86) requires rear impact guards, but many are defective or improperly maintained. Side underride guards aren’t even federally mandated yet, though they should be.

Rear-End Crashes

Trucks need 40% more stopping distance than cars. On the crowded stretches of US-127 near Jackson, a distracted or fatigued driver can slam into stopped traffic. We subpoena the ECM data to prove exactly when—and if—they braked.

Tire Blowouts

Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles destroy roads, and the debris destroys tires. When a truck suffers a steer tire blowout at 70 mph on I-94, the driver often loses control completely. FMCSA requires minimum tread depths (49 CFR § 393.75) and pre-trip inspections (§ 396.13).

Cargo Spills

Improperly secured loads on flatbeds heading to Detroit or Chicago can spill onto Lenawee County highways, creating chain-reaction pileups. The cargo securement rules in 49 CFR §§ 393.100-136 are specific and strict for a reason.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Future

We don’t use the word “catastrophic” lightly. In our decades of practice, we’ve seen how trucking accidents change lives forever.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The force of an 80,000-pound impact causes the brain to slam against the skull, even without direct head contact. Moderate to severe TBIs can cost $1.5 million to $9.8 million over a lifetime in medical care, lost wages, and therapy. Victims may never return to work, recognize their spouses, or live independently again.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
Damage to the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. Lifetime care costs range from $4.7 million to over $25 million. These cases require life-care planners, vocational experts, and aggressive litigation to ensure the victim doesn’t end up in a substandard facility because the money ran out.

Amputation
Whether traumatic (the limb is severed in the crash) or surgical (doctors must remove it later due to crush damage), losing a limb changes everything. Prosthetics cost $5,000 to $50,000 each and need replacement every few years. We’ve secured settlements between $1.9 million and $8.6 million for amputation clients.

Wrongful Death
When a Lenawee County family loses a loved one to a trucking accident, the emotional devastation is compounded by financial hardship. Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act allows recovery for lost income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, funeral expenses, and the deceased’s pain and suffering before death. These cases often settle between $1.9 million and $9.5 million, depending on the victim’s age and earning capacity.

Burn Injuries
Fuel tank ruptures and hazmat spills create fires that cause third and fourth-degree burns. These require skin grafts, plastic surgery, and years of pain management.

Insurance and Damages: The Real Numbers

Federal law requires trucking companies to carry substantial insurance:

• $750,000 for general freight
• $1,000,000 for oil, petroleum, and large equipment
• $5,000,000 for hazardous materials and passenger transport

That’s just the minimum. Many carriers carry $1-5 million in coverage, plus excess/umbrella policies.

But here’s the dirty secret: insurance companies don’t want to pay it. They use software like Colossus to calculate pain and suffering, and they train adjusters to minimize every claim. They’ll argue your injuries were “pre-existing” (they weren’t), that you were partially at fault (you weren’t), or that their policy doesn’t cover this specific situation (it does).

Michigan follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. That means you can recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you’re found 20% at fault, you recover 80% of your damages. But if you’re 51% at fault, you get zero. This makes fighting fault assignments critical.

Unlike some states, Michigan doesn’t cap non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in trucking cases, though medical malpractice has caps. Punitive damages—designed to punish gross negligence—are available when trucking companies knowingly violate safety regulations, falsify logs, or destroy evidence.

What To Do Right Now

If you’re reading this in a hospital room in Adrian, or at your kitchen table in Tecumseh, or worrying about bills in Hudson, here’s your roadmap:

Immediate Steps (Next 24 Hours):

1. If you haven’t already, seek medical attention immediately. Internal bleeding and brain injuries aren’t always obvious.
2. Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. They will use your words against you.
3. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’ll send a spoliation letter to preserve the black box, ELD data, and maintenance records before they disappear.
4. If you’re able, take photos of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and any visible injuries.

The First Week:

1. Follow all medical advice. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition.
2. Keep a journal of your pain levels, limitations, and how the injury affects your daily life.
3. Don’t post about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor Facebook and Instagram.

The Legal Process:

1. We investigate thoroughly—subpoenaing driver qualification files, maintenance records, and dispatch logs.
2. We calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical needs and lost earning capacity.
3. We negotiate aggressively, preparing every case for trial even if we expect to settle.
4. If the insurance company won’t pay what you deserve, we take them to court.

Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every file as if it’s going before a jury. That preparation creates leverage that leads to better settlements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a trucking accident in Lenawee County?
Michigan gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death, the clock starts when the person dies, which might be later than the accident date. But don’t wait—evidence disappears much sooner than three years.

What if the trucking company is from out of state?
Most trucking accidents involve interstate commerce, which means we can often file in federal court. Our federal court admission and experience with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas gives us the capability to handle your case regardless of where the trucking company is headquartered.

How much is my case worth?
Every case is unique, but trucking cases typically involve higher values than car accidents due to the catastrophic nature of the injuries and the higher insurance limits. We’ve recovered settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to multi-millions, depending on the severity of injuries and the strength of liability evidence.

What if I was partially at fault?
Under Michigan’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages as long as you weren’t more than 50% at fault. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you have $1 million in damages but are found 20% at fault, you recover $800,000.

Will my case go to trial?
Probably not—over 95% of cases settle. But we prepare every case for trial because insurance companies offer better settlements when they know you’re ready to go to court.

How do I pay for a lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs for expert witnesses, court filings, and investigations. We only get paid if we win your case—typically 33.33% if settled before trial, 40% if we go to trial.

Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Sí. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and can handle your entire case without interpreters. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

What if other law firms turned me down?
We take cases other firms rejected. Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm declined his case. We took it on and won. Don’t assume you don’t have a case until you talk to us.

Why Lenawee County Families Choose Attorney911

We know you have choices. There are plenty of personal injury billboards on I-94. But here’s why you should call us:

We Know Their Playbook
Lupe Peña used to defend these cases. He knows the settlement formulas insurance companies use, and he knows how to beat them.

We Handle the Big Cases
We’ve gone against Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, Coca-Cola, and BP. We’re not intimidated by corporate defense teams or their endless resources.

We Answer the Phone
Ralph Manginello gives clients his personal cell phone number. You’re not a case number—you’re family, as Chad Harris said.

We Travel to You
While our offices are in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we handle cases across the country. We’ll travel to Lenawee County for depositions, court appearances, and to meet with you personally.

We Don’t Settle for Pennies
Glenda Walker told us we “fought for every dime.” That’s our promise to every client.

Call Now: 1-888-ATTY-911

The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to minimize your claim. Their rapid-response team has already photographed the scene and downloaded the black box data.

What have you done to protect yourself?

If you or a loved one was injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Lenawee County—from the streets of Adrian to the highways of Riga Township, from the curves of US-127 to the straightaways of I-94—call Attorney911 right now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

The consultation is free. The advice is priceless. And you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Hablamos Español. Llame ahora.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
Managing Partner: Ralph Manginello
Associate Attorney: Lupe Peña
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