Union County, Mississippi 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers: Your Fight for Justice Starts Here

An 80,000-pound tractor-trailer doesn’t give you a second chance. When one of these massive machines tears through your life on the highways of Union County, Mississippi—whether it’s on I-22 rushing toward Memphis or the winding rural roads near New Albany—the devastation is immediate and irreversible. You’re not just dealing with a car accident. You’re facing a corporate adversary with teams of lawyers, millions in insurance coverage, and a playbook designed to minimize your suffering.

But you don’t have to face them alone.

We’re Attorney911, and for over 25 years, Ralph Manginello has been the voice trucking accident victims in Union County and across the South rely on when everything changes in an instant. We know the backroads of Mississippi just as well as we know the federal regulations that govern every 18-wheeler on the road. And we know exactly how to make negligent trucking companies pay for the carnage they’ve caused.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident anywhere in Union County—from Sherman to Myrtle, from Blue Springs to the heart of New Albany—this guide will show you exactly what you’re up against and exactly how we fight to win.

The Union County Trucking Corridor: Beautiful Country, Deadly Roads

Union County sits at a critical juncture in North Mississippi’s freight network. Interstate 22 cuts straight through the county, carrying thousands of commercial trucks daily between Memphis and Birmingham. Interstate 69 runs nearby, creating a convergence of high-speed commercial traffic that puts local families at constant risk. US-78 and the county’s state highways—like MS-30 and MS-348—serve as vital connectors for timber trucks hauling from the region’s forests and poultry transports moving product to processing plants.

This isn’t just a scenic corner of Mississippi. It’s a freight corridor. And where there’s freight, there’s pressure. Trucking companies push drivers to meet impossible deadlines. Drivers push past federal hours-of-service limits. Maintenance gets deferred. Training gets skipped.

We’ve seen what happens when a fatigued trucker falls asleep on I-22 near New Albany. We’ve handled cases where improperly secured timber loads shifted on narrow county roads, causing rollovers that destroyed families. We know that jackknife on a rainy Mississippi morning isn’t just an accident—it’s often the inevitable result of a trucking company cutting corners.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Union County Are Different

Forget everything you know about car accidents. A collision with an 18-wheeler isn’t a fender-bender scaled up—it’s an entirely different species of catastrophe.

The physics alone are terrifying. A fully loaded semi-truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds—twenty times heavier than the average sedan. When that much mass hits you at 65 miles per hour on I-22, the impact force isn’t just dangerous; it’s often unsurvivable.

But the real difference isn’t just the steel. It’s the system.

Unlike a simple car accident where you might exchange insurance cards with a neighbor, trucking accidents involve a web of corporations: the driver, the motor carrier, the freight broker who brokered the load, the maintenance company that serviced the brakes, the cargo loader who balanced the weight. Each has insurance—often between $750,000 and $5 million in coverage—and each has a lawyer ready to point the finger at someone else.

In Union County, you’re dealing with federal regulations (49 CFR) that most personal injury lawyers barely understand. You’re dealing with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that record every second of a driver’s day. You’re dealing with black boxes that track speed, braking, and engine performance—but that data gets overwritten in as little as 30 days if you don’t act fast.

That’s why you need a team that knows the difference between Section 391 Driver Qualification requirements and Section 393 Cargo Securement standards. You need someone who can dissect a Driver Qualification File and find the negligent hiring practices. You need Attorney911.

The Attorney911 Advantage: Real Experience, Real Results

When Ralph Manginello founded Attorney911 in 1998, he didn’t just hang a shingle and hope for the best. He spent over two decades building a reputation as a trial lawyer who refuses to back down from billion-dollar corporations. He’s admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—and that federal court experience matters when your truck accident case crosses state lines or involves interstate commerce.

But credentials aren’t just about what they claim. They’re about what they deliver.

We don’t just settle cases. We prepare every single one for trial. Insurance companies know which law firms have the resources and nerve to take a case all the way to verdict—and which ones will fold for the first lowball offer. When you hire Attorney911, you’re telling the trucking industry that you won’t be bullied, rushed, or underpaid.

Our team includes Associate Attorney Lupe Peña, who spent years working inside a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how adjusters are trained to minimize your claim, which algorithms they use to calculate your pain, and when they’re bluffing about their “final offer.” Now he uses that insider knowledge against the very companies he used to defend. That’s the kind of advantage you can’t put a price on—but it might be the difference between a $50,000 settlement and a $5 million verdict.

We’re also proud to serve Union County’s Hispanic community. Hablamos Español, and Lupe Peña provides direct representation without interpreters. When your family’s future is on the line, you deserve to understand every word of your legal strategy in the language you’re most comfortable speaking.

The $50 Million Question: What Your Case Could Be Worth

Let’s talk numbers—because we know that’s what you’re wondering at 3 a.m. when the pain medication isn’t working and the bills keep piling up.

Trucking companies carry massive insurance policies. Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, interstate carriers must maintain minimum liability coverage of $750,000 for non-hazardous freight, $1 million for oil and large equipment, and $5 million for hazardous materials. Many carriers carry $1 to $5 million or more in coverage.

Compare that to Mississippi’s minimum car insurance requirement of just $25,000. When a semi-truck hits you, there’s actually money there to pay for your catastrophic injuries.

We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for clients across the South, including:

• $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log
• $3.8+ million for a car accident victim who suffered a partial leg amputation due to medical complications
• $2.5+ million in commercial truck crash recoveries

Our wrongful death settlements have ranged from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, depending on the circumstances and the extent of the trucking company’s negligence. Spinal cord injury cases—paraplegia and quadriplegia—can command $4.7 million to $25.8 million or more when you account for lifetime medical care and lost earning capacity.

Mississippi follows pure comparative fault rules (Section 11-7-15 of the Mississippi Code), which means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you’re found 20% responsible and your damages are $1 million, you still recover $800,000. Unlike some states where even 1% fault bars recovery, Mississippi protects your right to compensation.

Mississippi does impose a $20 million cap on punitive damages in most personal injury cases, but there’s no cap on economic and non-economic damages. That means the full cost of your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress is recoverable.

Critical timing: Mississippi gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (Section 15-1-49), and three years for wrongful death claims. But waiting even a week can be disastrous. Evidence disappears. Black box data gets overwritten. Witnesses’ memories fade. In Union County truck accidents, we ideally want to start our investigation within 48 hours.

Immediate Damage: 48 Hours That Decide Your Case

Here’s something the trucking companies don’t want you to know: the fight for your case starts before you even leave the hospital.

Within hours of a serious accident on I-22 or any Union County highway, the trucking company dispatches a rapid-response team to the scene. These investigators—often working for the very insurance company that will eventually lowball you with an insulting offer—are already photographing, measuring, and collecting evidence to protect the trucking company’s interests. They’re hoping you haven’t called a lawyer yet.

Meanwhile, critical evidence is ticking away like a time bomb:

• ECM/Black Box Data: The truck’s electronic control module records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes. This objective data often contradicts the driver’s story—but it can be overwritten in as little as 30 days with new driving events.
• ELD Records: Electronic Logging Devices track Hours of Service compliance. Since the ELD mandate took full effect in 2019, these devices have revolutionized truck crash litigation by proving when drivers violate the 11-hour driving limit or the 14-hour duty window. FMCSA only requires 6-month retention of these records.
• Dashcam Footage: Many trucks now have forward-facing and driver-facing cameras. That footage showing your accident might be deleted in 7-14 days if we don’t demand preservation immediately.
• Driver Qualification Files: These contain the driver’s employment history, medical certifications, drug test results, and previous violations. Trucking companies must keep them for three years after termination—but only if we subpoena them before they’re “accidentally” purged.
• Surveillance Video: Gas stations and businesses along Highway 30 or near the I-22 interchanges may have caught the accident on camera—but most security systems overwrite footage every 7-30 days.

When you call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911, we don’t just offer sympathy—we send spoliation letters immediately. These legal notices put the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties on notice that litigation is anticipated and all evidence must be preserved. Destroy evidence after receiving our letter, and courts can sanction them or instruct the jury to assume the destroyed evidence would have helped your case.

We also deploy accident reconstruction experts to Union County scenes while the skid marks are still fresh. We photograph the damage before the vehicles are repaired or scrapped. We canvass for witnesses before they leave the state. We send preservation demands to ensure that ELD data and black box downloads happen before it’s too late.

FMCSA Regulations: The Rules They Broke

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399) govern every aspect of commercial trucking. When drivers or motor carriers violate these rules, they create civil liability. Here are the regulations we investigate in every Union County truck accident case:

Part 390: General Applicability

Defines who must comply—basically anyone operating a vehicle over 10,001 pounds in interstate commerce. If they crossed state lines or carried cargo that did, these rules apply.

Part 391: Driver Qualification

Before a driver can legally operate an 18-wheeler, the motor carrier must maintain a Driver Qualification File containing:

• A current medical examiner’s certificate (showing the driver passed a DOT physical within the last 24 months)
• A valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) appropriate for the vehicle class
• A road test certificate or equivalent
• An annual review of the driving record
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test results (Section 382)

We dig into these files because negligent hiring is a direct corporate liability. If the trucking company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or logbook violations without proper vetting, that’s not just the driver’s fault—it’s the company’s.

Part 392: Driving Rules

This section covers the actual operation of the vehicle. Critical violations include:

• Section 392.3: Operating while fatigued, ill, or impaired. We prove this through ELD data showing violations of the Hours of Service rules.
• Section 392.4: Using drugs or Schedule I substances while on duty.
• Section 392.5: Alcohol use—specifically, a driver cannot use alcohol within four hours of going on duty or operate with a BAC of .04 or higher (half the limit for passenger car drivers).
• Section 392.11: Following too closely. The stopping distance for an 80,000-pound truck at 65 mph is approximately 525 feet—nearly two football fields.
• Section 392.82: Hand-held mobile phone use while driving is strictly prohibited for commercial drivers.

Part 393: Parts and Accessories

Covers vehicle equipment, including:

• Section 393.40-55: Brake requirements. Approximately 29% of truck accidents involve brake problems.
• Section 393.75: Tire requirements (minimum tread depth of 4/32-inch on steer tires, 2/32-inch on others).
• Section 393.100-136: Cargo Securement. Cargo must be secured to prevent shifting, falling, or leaking. The aggregate working load limit of tiedowns must be at least 50% of the cargo weight.

Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

The most frequently violated regulations—and the most deadly:

• 11-Hour Rule: No driving after 11 hours (must have 10 consecutive hours off-duty first)
• 14-Hour Rule: Cannot drive after the 14th consecutive hour on duty
• 30-Minute Break: Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60/70-Hour Rule: Cannot drive after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days

Fatigue is involved in approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes. When we download ELD data showing a driver exceeded these limits, we have proof of negligence.

Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

Motor carriers must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. Drivers must complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and the company must retain maintenance records for one year.

When a trucking company defers brake repairs or uses worn tires to save money, they violate Section 396.3—and they put your family at risk on Mississippi highways.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Union County

Not all truck accidents are the same. The mechanism of the crash determines what evidence we seek and who we hold accountable.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, creating a deadly V-shape that sweeps across multiple lanes. Common on I-22 during Mississippi’s notorious ice storms or when drivers brake improperly on wet roads. Causes include sudden braking, equipment failure, or empty trailers (which have less traction). We analyze ECM data for brake application timing and maintenance records for brake defects.

Underride Collisions

The most fatal type of truck accident. When a passenger vehicle hits the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, the top of the car is often sheared off. Approximately 400-500 people die annually in underride crashes. Federal law (49 CFR 393.86) requires rear impact guards on trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998, but there’s no federal requirement for side underride guards. We inspect the guards for compliance and look at lighting and visibility factors.

Rear-End Collisions

Eighteen-wheelers require 40% more stopping distance than cars. When a truck rear-ends you, it’s often because the driver was distracted, fatigued, or speeding. We subpoena ELD logs for Hours of Service violations and ECM data to prove the driver didn’t brake until it was too late.

Rollovers

Union County’s mix of interstate speeds and rural curves creates rollover risks, especially for top-heavy tankers or improperly loaded flatbeds. High center of gravity, excessive speed on curves, and cargo shifts (violations of Section 393.100) cause these devastating accidents.

Wide Turn Accidents

Trucks need massive space to turn. When an 18-wheeler swings wide to make a right turn in downtown New Albany or on narrow county roads, they can crush vehicles in the “squeeze play” zone. These cases often involve failure to signal or check mirrors (Section 392.11).

Blind Spot Accidents

Trucks have massive blind spots—20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and large zones on either side (worse on the right). When a truck driver changes lanes without checking mirrors or using turn signals, they violate the basic rules of safe operation.

Tire Blowouts

Mississippi’s extreme summer heat (often exceeding 95°F in Union County) causes tire failures. Underinflated tires, exceeding weight ratings, or using worn tires (below 2/32-inch tread) violates Section 393.75. A blown steer tire can cause immediate loss of control.

Brake Failures

Poorly maintained brake systems cause approximately 29% of truck crashes. We inspect maintenance records for deferred repairs and analyze whether the carrier violated the systematic inspection requirements of Section 396.3.

Cargo Spills and Shifts

Union County’s timber industry means logging trucks on rural roads. When logs aren’t secured properly or when poultry trucks distribute weight unevenly, a shift can cause rollover or the cargo can spill onto the roadway. Cargo securement violations under Section 393.100 are strict liability issues.

Head-On Collisions

When a fatigued or distracted trucker crosses the centerline on a two-lane county road or I-22, the results are catastrophic. We check ELD data for Hours of Service violations and cell phone records for distracted driving (Section 392.82).

Who Pays: All Liable Parties in Your Union County Truck Accident

Most law firms make the mistake of only suing the driver and maybe the trucking company. That’s leaving money on the table—and justice unserved.

Under Mississippi law and federal regulations, we pursue claims against every potentially liable party:

1. The Truck Driver

Direct negligence for speeding, distraction, fatigue, impairment, or traffic violations. We obtain their driving history, drug test results, and cell phone records.

2. The Motor Carrier (Trucking Company)

This is usually your primary defendant. Under respondeat superior (let the master answer), employers are vicariously liable for their employees’ negligence. But we also pursue direct negligence claims for:

• Negligent Hiring: Failing to check the driver’s record or hire unqualified drivers
• Negligent Training: Inadequate safety training or hours-of-service education
• Negligent Supervision: Failing to monitor ELD compliance or fatigued driving
• Negligent Maintenance: Deferring critical repairs to save money

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper

If they required overweight loading, failed to disclose hazardous materials, or pressured the carrier to violate safety rules to meet deadlines.

4. The Loading Company

Third-party loading companies that improperly secured cargo or created unbalanced loads violate Section 393.100. This is common in Union County with timber and agricultural loads.

5. Truck and Trailer Manufacturers

Defective brakes, fuel tank placement causing fires, or stability control failures can create product liability claims against manufacturers.

6. Parts Manufacturers

Defective tires, brake components, or steering systems. We preserve failed components for metallurgical testing.

7. Maintenance Companies

Third-party mechanics who negligently repaired or inspected the truck. They can be liable for brake failures or other mechanical defects.

8. Freight Brokers

Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent selection of carriers with poor safety records or inadequate insurance.

9. Truck Owner (if different from carrier)

In owner-operator arrangements, the owner may be liable for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain.

10. Government Entities

If the Mississippi Department of Transportation or Union County failed to maintain safe roads—poor signage, inadequate banking on curves, or failure to clear debris—sovereign immunity may be waived under certain conditions.

Catastrophic Injuries: When “Minor” Isn’t an Option

The injuries from an 18-wheeler accident aren’t sprains and bruises. We’re talking about life-altering trauma that requires millions in lifetime care.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

From concussions to severe diffuse axonal injury. Symptoms include memory loss, cognitive deficits, personality changes, and chronic headaches. Lifetime care costs can exceed $3 million. Settlements range from $1.5 million to $9.8+ million depending on severity.

Spinal Cord Injury

Paraplegia (lower body paralysis) and quadriplegia (four-limb paralysis) are common in underride and rollover accidents. Lifetime costs range from $1.1 million to $5+ million. We work with life care planners to ensure your settlement covers home modifications, wheelchairs, and 24/7 attendant care.

Amputations

Traumatic amputations at the scene or surgical amputations due to crush injuries. Prosthetics cost $5,000 to $50,000+ each and need replacement every 3-5 years. Our amputation settlements have ranged from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.

Severe Burns

Fuel tank ruptures and hazmat spills cause thermal burns requiring skin grafts, reconstruction, and psychological treatment for disfigurement.

Wrongful Death

When a trucking accident takes a loved one, Mississippi law allows surviving spouses, children, and parents to recover for loss of consortium, lost support, and mental anguish. We’ve secured wrongful death settlements ranging from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.

The Evidence We Preserve: Your Case in the Details

We treat every Union County truck accident like the major litigation it is. Our investigation includes:

• Immediate Scene Documentation: Photographing and measuring before the evidence washes away in Mississippi rain
• ECM/EDR Downloads: The truck’s black box data showing speed, braking, and throttle position
• ELD Data: Hours of Service compliance records proving fatigue violations
• Driver Qualification Files: Employment applications, background checks, medical certs
• Maintenance Records: Brake inspections, tire changes, repair orders
• Cell Phone Records: Proving distracted driving violations of Section 392.82
• Toxicology Reports: Post-accident drug and alcohol testing
• Witness Statements: Before memories fade or witnesses leave the state
• Cargo Documentation: Bills of lading, weight tickets, loading manifests
• FMCSA Safety Data: The carrier’s CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores showing patterns of violations

Mississippi Law: Your Rights in Union County

Understanding the legal landscape in Union County and Mississippi helps you know what to expect:

Statute of Limitations: Three years from the accident date for personal injury and wrongful death claims. But evidence preservation has much shorter deadlines—call us within 48 hours.

Comparative Fault: Mississippi is a pure comparative negligence state (Section 11-7-15). You can recover even if you were 99% at fault, though your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. This is more favorable than contributory negligence states that bar recovery entirely.

Punitive Damages: Mississippi Code Section 11-1-65 caps punitive damages at $20 million, but there’s no cap on economic and non-economic compensatory damages.

Damages Available: Medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, and funeral expenses in wrongful death cases.

Why Clients Choose Attorney911

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what our clients say:

Chad Harris put it best: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Donald Wilcox found us after another firm gave up: “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.”

Glenda Walker appreciated our tenacity: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Ernest Cano summed up our approach: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”

We’ve earned a 4.9-star rating on Google from 251+ reviews because we treat you like family, not a case number. We answer our phones 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911. And we never charge a fee unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions About Union County Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Mississippi?
Three years from the accident date, but evidence disappears much faster. Call within 48 hours.

What if the trucking company offers me a quick settlement?
Don’t sign anything. Quick offers are always lowball offers designed to get you to waive your rights before you know the full extent of your injuries. As client Kiimarii Yup discovered after losing everything in an accident: with the right legal team, “1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—33.33% if we settle pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You never pay out of pocket. We advance all investigation costs.

What if I was partially at fault?
Mississippi’s pure comparative fault law means you can still recover, minus your percentage of fault. Even if you were 30% responsible, you recover 70% of your damages.

Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your lawyer has federal court experience and a willingness to go before a Union County jury.

Do you handle cases involving truck driver fatigue?
Absolutely. Hours of Service violations are some of the most common causes of accidents on I-22. We download ELD data to prove fatigue.

What about Spanish-speaking clients?
Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña provides direct representation without interpreters.

Your Next Step: The Call That Changes Everything

The trucking company has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already building a file on you. Their rapid-response team has already photographed the scene.

What are you doing?

Every hour you wait, evidence disappears. Every day you delay, the trucking company gets stronger. And every moment you spend worrying about bills instead of healing is a moment they win.

You don’t have to fight alone. We’ve been making trucking companies pay for 25+ years. We’ve taken on Fortune 500 corporations in the BP Texas City refinery litigation. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a major university. We know how to stand up to power—and win.

If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident in Union County, Mississippi—whether it was on I-22 near Sherman, on Highway 30 near New Albany, or on any of the rural roads connecting our communities—call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now.

The consultation is free. The advice is priceless. And you don’t pay a cent unless we win your case.

Don’t let them get away with it. Don’t let them minimize your pain. And don’t let them destroy the evidence that proves their negligence.

Call Attorney911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 (888-288-9911). We’re standing by 24/7 to fight for Union County families.

Ralph Manginello and the Attorney911 team are ready to fight for you.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Serving Union County, Mississippi and Beyond
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