If you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler on the wide-open highways of Dawson County, you already know the fight you’re facing isn’t fair. An 80,000-pound truck against a 4,000-pound passenger vehicle isn’t a collision—it’s a catastrophe. One moment you’re driving through Montana’s Big Sky Country, and the next, your life changes forever.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years standing up to trucking companies and their armies of lawyers. Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injured families since 1998, and our firm has recovered more than $50 million for clients across the United States. When an 18-wheeler changes everything in an instant, you need a team that knows how to make them pay.
The Brutal Reality of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Dawson County
Dawson County sits along some of Montana’s most dangerous trucking corridors. Interstate 94 cuts through our community, carrying transcontinental freight from the Bakken oil fields to distribution hubs across America. Add in the treacherous stretches of US-12, the heavy agricultural traffic on Montana Highway 16, and the oilfield trucks running between Glendive and Sidney, and you’ve got a perfect storm for devastating accidents.
The numbers don’t lie. Every year, over 5,000 Americans die in commercial truck crashes, with another 125,000 suffering serious injuries. Here in Dawson County, we see the aftermath—crushed vehicles on I-94, jackknifed rigs during January ice storms, and rollover accidents on the curves near the Yellowstone River. When these crashes happen, they don’t just damage cars; they destroy lives.
Why Dawson County Trucking Accidents Are Different
Montana isn’t like other states. Our 3-year statute of limitations gives you more time than some jurisdictions, but waiting is dangerous. Evidence disappears fast on these rural highways. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Witnesses scatter across the vast prairie. And trucking companies know that distance from major cities means they can sometimes get away with cutting corners.
Under Montana’s modified comparative negligence rules, you can recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. But trucking companies and their insurers will try to push as much blame as possible onto you. That’s why you need a team that understands Dawson County courts, knows the local trucking routes, and has the federal court experience to take on these national carriers.
Ralph Manginello brings exactly that. With federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas and dual licensure in Texas and New York, he has the jurisdictional knowledge to handle complex interstate trucking cases. When a crash occurs on I-94 involving a carrier from three states away, you need an attorney who understands how to navigate federal regulations and multiple insurance policies.
The FMCSA Violations That Cause Dawson County Crashes
Most 18-wheeler accidents aren’t “accidents” at all—they’re predictable results of trucking companies breaking federal law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates every commercial vehicle on our roads, and when carriers violate these rules, they create killers.
49 CFR Part 395 – Hours of Service is violated constantly on Montana’s long stretches. Drivers are supposed to stop after 11 hours of driving and take a 30-minute break after 8 hours. But out here on I-94, with the next truck stop hours away, drivers push past their limits. Fatigue causes approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes, and we see it on our highways—drifting tires, delayed reactions, drivers literally falling asleep at the wheel.
49 CFR Part 393 – Vehicle Safety violations kill too. We’ve handled cases where trucks had worn brakes that should have been replaced months ago, tires with insufficient tread for Montana’s icy conditions, and cargo secured with rusty chains that snapped on Highway 16 curves. When a trucking company skips maintenance to save money, they’re gambling with lives on Dawson County roads.
49 CFR Part 391 – Driver Qualification standards exist for good reason. Trucking companies must verify that drivers have valid CDLs, clean medical certifications, and safe driving histories. Yet we’ve seen cases where carriers hired drivers with multiple DUIs or failed to check if they could safely handle mountain grades. That’s negligent hiring, and it makes them liable for every penny of your damages.
Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working for national insurance defense firms before joining Attorney911. He knows exactly how trucking companies hide FMCSA violations and manipulate evidence. Now he uses that insider knowledge against them—finding the violations they hoped you’d never see.
The Accident Types Killing Montanans
Dawson County’s unique geography creates specific dangers you won’t find in urban areas.
Jackknife Accidents happen when drivers brake too hard on I-94’s icy patches, sending trailers swinging across all lanes. When 53 feet of steel slides sideways at 70 mph, there’s nowhere for surrounding vehicles to go.
Rollover Crashes occur frequently on the curves near the Yellowstone River and on US-12’s mountain grades. Overloaded grain trucks taking corners too fast, oil tankers with liquid cargo sloshing on curves, and drivers unfamiliar with Montana’s wind advisory areas—when these vehicles tip, they crush everything beneath them.
Underride Collisions are among the most horrific. When a passenger vehicle strikes the rear of a trailer and slides underneath, the roof gets sheared off. Despite 49 CFR § 393.86 requiring rear impact guards, many trailers have inadequate protection, and side underride guards aren’t federally required at all.
Rear-End Collisions from following too closely (violating 49 CFR § 392.11) are deadly on our rural highways. An 18-wheeler needs nearly two football fields to stop from highway speed. When a trucker is distracted by a phone or simply driving too fast for conditions, that stopping distance becomes a death sentence for the vehicle in front.
Tire Blowouts are epidemic here. Our extreme temperature swings—from summer heat to winter cold—destroy tires. Add in the fact that some carriers run retreads to save money, and you get “road gators”—shredded tire debris that causes multi-vehicle pileups on I-94.
Brake Failure on mountain grades causes runaway trucks. Without proper brake inspection under 49 CFR Part 396, these 80,000-pound missiles descend toward Glendive with no way to stop.
Who’s Really Responsible? (It’s Not Just the Driver)
Most Dawson County residents think the truck driver is the only party responsible. That’s what trucking companies want you to believe. The truth is, multiple parties may owe you compensation:
The Truck Driver – For speeding, distracted driving, violating hours of service, or impaired operation.
The Trucking Company – Under respondeat superior, employers are liable for their drivers’ negligence. Plus, they’re directly liable for negligent hiring, training, and maintenance. If they pressured the driver to exceed hours of service or skip inspections, that’s on them too.
The Cargo Owner/Shipper – In agricultural Dawson County, grain elevators and cattle operations often load trailers improperly. When overweight loads or unbalanced grain shipments cause rollovers, the shipper shares liability.
The Loading Company – Third-party loaders who fail to secure cargo under 49 CFR § 393.100 create deadly hazards.
Truck/Parts Manufacturers – Defective brakes, faulty tires, or steering system failures can lead to product liability claims.
Maintenance Companies – When third-party mechanics perform negligent repairs or pass unsafe vehicles, they become defendants.
Freight Brokers – These middlemen connect cargo with carriers. If they selected a trucking company with terrible safety records (visible on FMCSA’s SaferWeb database), they can be liable for negligent hiring.
Government Entities – When Montana DOT or county road departments fail to maintain safe roads or post adequate warnings on dangerous curves, they may share fault.
We investigate every possible defendant because more liable parties means more insurance coverage. While Montana doesn’t cap punitive damages for trucking cases (unlike some states), finding multiple defendants ensures you can actually collect what a jury awards.
The Evidence That Disappears in 48 Hours
Here’s what trucking companies don’t want Dawson County accident victims to know: critical evidence starts vanishing immediately.
Electronic Control Module (ECM) data—your truck’s “black box”—records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes. But it can be overwritten in 30 days or fewer if the truck continues operating.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records prove hours of service violations. FMCSA only requires trucking companies to keep these for 6 months, and some delete them sooner.
Dashcam footage often gets “lost” within days if it shows the driver at fault.
Driver Qualification Files sometimes get “updated” to remove damaging information about past accidents or failed drug tests.
That’s why we send spoliation letters immediately—within 24 hours of being retained. These legal notices put trucking companies on notice that destroying evidence will result in sanctions, adverse jury instructions, or even default judgment. Lupe Peña’s background in insurance defense taught him exactly how companies try to hide this data, so he knows exactly where to look.
We also demand:
- Pre-trip and post-trip inspection records (49 CFR § 396.11)
- Maintenance logs going back years
- Drug and alcohol testing records
- Cell phone records to prove distracted driving
- GPS tracking data showing the truck’s exact route and speed
Catastrophic Injuries and What They’re Worth
When an 18-wheeler hits a passenger vehicle, catastrophic injuries aren’t just possible—they’re likely.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) range from concussions to permanent cognitive impairment. Victims may suffer memory loss, personality changes, and inability to work. Settlement ranges typically run from $1.5 million to $9.8 million depending on severity and lifelong care needs.
Spinal Cord Injuries can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. With Montana’s harsh winters and rural medical access, these injuries are especially devastating. We’ve seen settlements from $4.7 million to over $25 million for paralysis cases.
Amputations—whether traumatic at the scene or surgical later due to crush injuries—cost between $1.9 million and $8.6 million when you factor in prosthetics, rehabilitation, and lost earning capacity.
Severe Burns from fuel fires or hazmat spills can require years of grafts and reconstruction.
Wrongful Death claims allow families to recover for lost income, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. Montana recognizes both wrongful death actions and survival actions (for the decedent’s pre-death pain and suffering).
As client Glenda Walker told us after we handled her case, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s our promise to every Dawson County family we represent.
Insurance Coverage: Why Trucking Cases Are Different
Unlike regular car accidents where you might be dealing with $30,000 policies, commercial trucks carry massive insurance:
- $750,000 minimum for non-hazardous freight (49 CFR § 387.9)
- $1,000,000 for oil and large equipment transport
- $5,000,000 for hazardous materials
Many carriers carry umbrella policies on top of these minimums. But getting access to that money requires understanding complex commercial insurance endorsements like the MCS-90, which guarantees minimum coverage regardless of policy exclusions.
Trucking companies also play shell games with corporate structures—creating separate LLCs for trucks, cargo, and drivers to limit liability. We pierce those veils to find the real money.
Lupe Peña’s insurance defense background gives us an unfair advantage here. He knows the claims evaluation software (like Colossus) that insurers use to lowball victims. He knows adjusters are trained to offer quick settlements before you realize the full extent of your injuries. And he knows that once we file suit and start taking depositions, the trucking company’s defense costs skyrocket—creating pressure to settle fairly.
What to Do Immediately After a Dawson County Trucking Accident
If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Glendive or recovering at home in Richey, here’s what you need to do right now:
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Seek medical attention immediately—Adrenaline masks injuries. Brain bleeds, internal organ damage, and spinal injuries may not show symptoms for days.
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Document everything—Photograph the truck’s DOT number (usually on the door), license plates, damage to all vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries. In Dawson County’s rural areas, cell service can be spotty, but take the photos anyway—they’ll timestamp when you regain signal.
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Don’t talk to trucking company representatives—They may show up at the scene or hospital with clipboards and sympathetic smiles. They’re building a case against you. Refer them to your attorney.
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Don’t give recorded statements to insurance—Anything you say will be twisted to minimize your claim. Adjusters are trained to ask leading questions like “How are you?”—if you say “fine,” they’ll use it to prove you’re not injured.
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Call Attorney911 immediately—Every hour you wait, evidence disappears. Black box data is being overwritten. Witnesses are forgetting what they saw. And the trucking company is already building their defense.
Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Dawson County Specifics: Know Your Territory
Dawson County’s location creates unique trucking hazards. The Bakken oil formation to the north generates massive oilfield truck traffic—heavy equipment, tankers, and service vehicles traveling between North Dakota’s oil patch and refineries. These aren’t long-haul experts; they’re often oil workers pressed into driving roles without proper training.
Agricultural trucking peaks during fall harvest and spring planting, when overloaded grain trucks and cattle transports crowd Highway 16 and local farm-to-market roads. These seasonal spikes see experienced drivers pushed to exhaustion and inexperienced seasonal drivers making fatal errors.
Winter weather turns I-94 into an ice rink from November through March. Black ice, high winds, and sudden blizzards create conditions where even careful truckers lose control—and careless ones become deadly projectiles.
The stretch of I-94 through Dawson County has limited emergency services. If you’re injured in a crash near the North Dakota border, the nearest trauma center might be hours away. Documenting your injuries properly at the scene becomes even more critical when you’re facing long transport times to medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions for Dawson County Truck Accident Victims
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Dawson County?
Montana gives you 3 years from the accident date for personal injury claims, and 3 years for wrongful death. But waiting is dangerous. Evidence preservation matters more than the deadline. Call us at 888-ATTY-911 within days, not months.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Montana follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. You can recover as long as you’re 50% or less at fault, but your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Don’t let the trucking company convince you that you were more at fault than you actually were—Ralph Manginello knows how to disprove false accusations.
How much is my case worth?
There’s no average settlement for Dawson County trucking accidents. Values depend on injury severity, future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and insurance coverage. We’ve secured multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death cases. Schedule a free consultation to evaluate your specific situation.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which attorneys are willing to go to court—and they pay more to avoid facing Ralph Manginello in front of a Montana jury. Currently, we’re litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a major university, demonstrating our willingness to take on powerful defendants.
Do I really need a lawyer, or can I handle this myself?
You wouldn’t perform surgery on yourself. Don’t handle a catastrophic injury claim alone. Trucking companies have teams of lawyers, accident reconstruction experts, and insurance adjusters working against you from day one. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” At Attorney911, you get a fighter, not just a lawyer.
What’s the difference between a regular car accident and an 18-wheeler case?
Everything. Federal regulations apply. Multiple liable parties exist. Electronic evidence must be preserved immediately. Insurance coverage is exponentially higher. And the injuries are usually catastrophic. You need a firm that understands FMCSA regulations, not just traffic tickets.
Can I afford an attorney?
Yes. We work on contingency—33.33% pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing upfront. We advance all investigation costs. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Call (888) 288-9911 today for a free case evaluation.
What if the driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?
Trucking companies love to claim drivers are “independent contractors” to avoid liability. But under federal law, if the company controls the driver’s routes, schedules, and cargo, they’re likely an employee for liability purposes. We’ll investigate the actual working relationship, not just the label on a 1099 form.
How do I know if the trucking company violated safety regulations?
We obtain their FMCSA safety scores, inspection history, and violation records. A pattern of hours-of-service violations or maintenance failures can prove the company knew it was putting dangerous drivers on Dawson County roads. Lupe Peña’s defense background helps us find violations other attorneys miss.
What happens if the trucking company destroys evidence?
Courts take spoliation seriously. Judges can instruct juries to assume destroyed evidence would have helped your case, impose monetary sanctions, or even enter default judgment. That’s why we send preservation letters immediately.
Why Dawson County Families Choose Attorney911
When Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm rejected his case, “I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” We take the cases other lawyers won’t touch because we know how to win them.
We’re not a billboard factory or a settlement mill. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve clients nationwide, including right here in Dawson County. Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of experience includes federal court litigation and taking on Fortune 500 companies like BP after the Texas City refinery explosion.
Lupe Peña brings something rare: inside knowledge of how insurance companies evaluate claims. He spent years defending them. Now he uses that playbook against them—anticipating their tactics, exposing their tricks, and demanding maximum compensation.
Our 4.9-star Google rating from 251+ reviews reflects how we treat clients. As Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
We know Dawson County. We know the truck stops on I-94. We know the agricultural shipping routes. And we know the federal regulations that trucking companies violate daily on your roads.
Your Next Step: Call Before Evidence Disappears
The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. Their risk management team is already working to make evidence disappear.
What are you doing?
Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re available 24/7 because trucking accidents don’t happen on business hours. We answer calls at 2 AM because we know the black box data won’t wait for morning.
If you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries in a Dawson County 18-wheeler accident—traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, amputation, or wrongful death—don’t settle for less than you deserve. The trucking company has resources. So should you.
Call 1-888-288-9911 today. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are ready to fight for every dime you deserve.
Hablamos Español. Tu pelea es nuestra pelea. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Attorney911 is ready to serve Dawson County from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont. We handle 18-wheeler accident cases nationwide with the local knowledge and federal court experience to take on the biggest trucking companies. Don’t wait—evidence disappears fast, and Montana’s 3-year statute of limitations won’t stop the trucking company from destroying records. Call now.
