18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers for Judith Basin County, Montana

When 80,000 Pounds Devastates a Rural Montana Life

The wheat fields outside Stanford were still frosted when the call came in. A cattle hauler had crossed the centerline on US Highway 87 near Hobson, and a Judith Basin County family’s sedan was crushed beneath 40 tons of livestock and steel. In an instant, life changed forever.

If you’re reading this, you or someone you love may have experienced the same terror in Judith Basin County. The aftermath isn’t just medical bills and car repairs—it’s fighting a trucking industry that treats rural Montana accidents as numbers on a spreadsheet. You need a fighter who understands federal trucking regulations, catastrophic injury law, and the unique challenges of litigating cases in rural Montana.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent 25+ years taking on trucking companies and winning. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner since 1998, is admitted to federal court and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families across America—including in rural communities like Judith Basin County where justice requires persistence and resources.

The clock is already ticking. Black box data from that truck can be overwritten in 30 days. The trucking company has already called their lawyer. What are you doing to protect your family? Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Hablamos Español.

Why Judith Basin County 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different

The Geography of Danger

Judith Basin County sits in the heart of Montana’s “Golden Triangle,” where wheat fields stretch to the horizon and cattle outnumber people. This rural character creates unique trucking hazards you won’t find in Houston or Chicago.

US Highway 87 slices north-south through the county, connecting Great Falls to Lewistown—a 70-mile stretch with minimal shoulders and long distances between emergency services. Montana Highway 3 runs east-west through Stanford, carrying agricultural freight from the Highwood Mountains to market. These aren’t just roads; they’re lifelines for Montana’s wheat and cattle industries, hammered by heavy trucks daily.

The distances here work against accident victims. When an 18-wheeler jackknifes on ice near Utica, the nearest Level II trauma center might be over an hour away in Great Falls. That delay in care complicates injury documentation. When evidence sits on a frozen shoulder of US-87 overnight, weather destroys skid marks and debris patterns. And when local law enforcement—from the Judith Basin County Sheriff’s Office or Montana Highway Patrol—handles the initial report, they may lack the specialized training to identify FMCSA violations that a trucking attorney would spot immediately.

Winter Weather Realities

Montana’s reputation for brutal winters is reality in Judith Basin County. From November through March, black ice forms unpredictably on US-87. Ground blizzids—winds sweeping snow across open plains—can reduce visibility to zero without warning. These aren’t excuses for truck drivers; they’re factors that make FMCSA regulations even more critical.

Federal law under 49 CFR § 392.3 prohibits truckers from driving when weather conditions make it unsafe, regardless of delivery schedules. When a cattle hauler pushes through a ground blizzard to reach the railhead in Geyser, and they collide with your vehicle on Highway 3, that isn’t just an accident—it’s a federal violation. We’ve seen cases where drivers ignored chain laws or drove with iced-over brake lines because they were hours behind schedule.

Agricultural Trucking Risks

Judith Basin County’s economy runs on agriculture. During harvest season—August through October—the population of truck traffic triples. Combines and grain trucks share narrow county roads with 18-wheelers hauling livestock, fertilizer, and equipment.

This creates unique accident types. Overloaded grain trailers tip on the tight curves near the Judith Mountains. Livestock haulers—often exempt from certain hours-of-service rules under agricultural exceptions—drive while fatigued during calving season. These aren’t standard freight operations; they involve specific federal exemptions and liabilities that most personal injury attorneys miss.

The 15 Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We See in Rural Montana

Jackknife Accidents on Icy Highways

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, creating a deadly wall of steel across the roadway. In Judith Basin County, these often happen when truckers hit their brakes on ice.

The physics are brutal. An empty trailer (common after grain deliveries) has less traction and jackknifes faster than a loaded one. When a driver panic-brakes on black ice near Hobson, the cab stops but the 53-foot trailer keeps momentum, swinging wide and taking out oncoming traffic.

Federal Violations Involved:

• 49 CFR § 393.48 – Brake system malfunctions or improper adjustment
• 49 CFR § 392.6 – Speeding for conditions (driving too fast for ice/snow)
• 49 CFR § 392.3 – Operating while fatigued or impaired by weather

These cases require immediate investigation. We subpoena the truck’s Electronic Control Module (ECM) data to prove the driver was traveling too fast for conditions and braked improperly.

Rollover Accidents on Rural Curves

Montana’s geography includes rolling hills and occasional steep grades. When a loaded cattle truck takes a curve too fast on Highway 3 near the Judith Mountains, or when a grain hauler shifts weight on the uneven shoulders common to Judith Basin County roads, rollovers happen.

Rollovers cause catastrophic crushing injuries. A fully loaded truck weighs 80,000 pounds—twenty times your sedan’s weight. When that mass tips onto a passenger vehicle, survival requires miracle-level luck.

We investigate cargo securement under 49 CFR § 393.100-136. Improperly secured livestock can shift during transit, creating the instability that causes rollovers. Loading company liability often applies in these cases—meaning we pursue not just the driver, but the commercial yard that loaded the animals.

Underride Collisions—The Silent Killer

Perhaps the most horrific trucking accidents involve underrides—when a passenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer, shearing off the roof and decapitating occupants. These happen frequently at dawn and dusk on rural highways like US-87, where light conditions create silhouette effects, and deer movement distracts drivers.

Federal law under 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards on trailers manufactured after 1998, but many older agricultural trailers in Montana lack proper guards. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated yet, though they’re proven lifesavers.

When a Judith Basin County resident dies in an underride collision, we examine the trailer’s compliance with federal guard standards. A missing or defective guard turns a tragic accident into a negligence case with punitive damage potential.

Rear-End Collisions: The Physics Problem

An 18-wheeler at highway speed needs nearly two football fields to stop—525 feet at 65 mph. On US-87, where traffic moves at 70 mph and distances between vehicles often stretch due to sparse traffic, rear-end collisions devastate families.

These accidents usually involve distracted driving or fatigue. The driver was checking their dispatch tablet, or they’d been driving 11 hours straight and nodded off. Under 49 CFR § 392.11, following too closely is a violation. Under 49 CFR § 392.82, using handheld electronic devices while driving is prohibited.

We immediately subpoena cell phone records and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data. If the driver violated the 11-hour driving limit or was texting at the moment of impact, we prove federal negligence.

Wide Turn “Squeeze Play” Accidents

Stanford’s intersections aren’t designed for modern 53-foot trailers. When a truck swings wide to make a right turn from Main Street onto a county road, they create a false gap that motorcyclists or passenger cars enter. The truck then cuts back in, crushing the vehicle against the curb.

These cases involve 49 CFR § 392.11 violations for unsafe lane changes and often involve inadequate driver training. We examine the trucking company’s training records—did they teach their drivers how to navigate tight rural intersections safely?

Blind Spot Accidents: The No-Zone Collisions

18-wheelers have massive blind spots—20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and entire lanes to the sides. On the two-lane highways of Judith Basin County, where passing is common and shoulders are narrow, vehicles lingering in blind spots get sideswiped daily.

49 CFR § 393.80 requires proper mirrors, but mirror checks are the driver’s responsibility. When a truck merges into your lane on US-87 without checking their blind spot, that’s negligence.

Tire Blowouts and Road Gators

Montana’s temperature swings—below zero at night, 60 degrees by afternoon—wreak havoc on tire pressure. Underinflated tires on heavy trucks overheat and explode, creating “road gators” (tire debris) that cause secondary accidents.

We investigate tire maintenance under 49 CFR § 393.75 and § 396.13. If the trucking company skipped pre-trip inspections or used retreads on steer tires (illegal under federal law), we prove mechanical negligence.

Brake Failures on Mountain Grades

While Judith Basin County doesn’t have extreme mountain passes, the approaches to the Highwood Mountains and the grades near the Judith Gap Wind Energy Center create brake-fade scenarios. When descents require constant braking, drums overheat and fail.

49 CFR § 396.3 requires systematic inspection and maintenance. Brake problems are a factor in 29% of truck crashes. We inspect maintenance logs to see if the company deferred repairs to save money—proof of corporate greed over safety.

Cargo Spills and Shifts

Agricultural cargo shifts differently than boxed freight. Grain settles. Liquid surge in tankers creates momentum swings. Livestock moves. When these shifts happen on the curves of Highway 3, trailers overturn or spill onto the roadway.

Federal cargo securement rules under 49 CFR § 393.100 require securement systems to withstand 0.8g deceleration. When loading companies use insufficient tiedowns for baled hay or improperly distribute weight in grain trailers, they create hazards that kill Judith Basin County families.

Head-On Collisions—The Fatal Mistake

US-87 is a two-lane highway with limited passing zones. When a fatigued trucker drifts across the centerline near Windham or a distracted driver crosses into oncoming traffic, the results are almost always fatal.

These involve the most serious FMCSA violations: 49 CFR § 392.3 (fatigue), § 392.4 (drugs/alcohol), and § 392.82 (distraction). We treat these as potential wrongful death cases from day one.

Additional Accident Types

T-Bone Intersections: Stanford’s rural intersections lack traffic lights. When a truck runs a stop sign on a county road, they T-bone crossing traffic.

Sideswipes: On narrow ranch roads, trucks passing farm equipment sometimes clip oncoming cars.

Override Accidents: When brakes fail on a downhill grade, trucks ride up and over smaller vehicles.

Lost Wheels: Improper maintenance causes wheels to detach at highway speeds.

All 10 Liable Parties—We Sue Them All

Most law firms sue the driver and trucking company, then settle for the policy minimums. That leaves money on the table—money your family needs for catastrophic injuries.

At Attorney911, we investigate every potentially liable party. In Judith Basin County cases, this often includes:

The Truck Driver

Direct negligence for speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment. We obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) history and medical certifications under 49 CFR § 391.51.

The Trucking Company/Motor Carrier

Under respondeat superior, employers answer for their employees’ negligence. But we also pursue direct negligence for:

• Negligent Hiring: Did they verify the driver had a clean record, or did they hire someone with known safety violations?
• Negligent Training: Agriculture-hauling requires specific training for livestock or grain—did they provide it?
• Negligent Supervision: Did they monitor ELD logs, or did they turn a blind eye to HOS violations?

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working for insurance defense firms. He knows exactly how trucking companies try to hide their negligence—and he knows how to uncover it. That’s your advantage.

The Cargo Owner/Shipper

When a wheat farmer overloaded a trailer to maximize profit, or when a cattle rancher demanded impossible delivery times, they may share liability.

The Loading Company

Third-party agricultural loaders in Judith Basin County often lack proper training in federal securement rules. When their negligence causes a shift that leads to a rollover, we pursue them.

Truck and Trailer Manufacturers

Defective brake systems, inadequate underride guards, or faulty steering components create products liability claims against manufacturers like Freightliner, Peterbilt, or Great Dane.

Parts Manufacturers

Defective tires, air brake components, or lighting systems create separate claims against parts makers.

Maintenance Companies

Third-party mechanics who performed brake jobs or tire changes and failed to identify safety issues may be liable under 49 CFR § 396.3.

Freight Brokers

Companies like CH Robinson or TQL that arranged the shipment but failed to verify carrier safety records (CSA scores at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) may be liable for negligent selection.

Truck Owner (If Different)

In owner-operator arrangements common in Montana agriculture, the individual truck owner may have separate liability and insurance coverage.

Government Entities

When Montana Department of Transportation fails to maintain US-87 signage, or when dangerous road design contributes to accidents, we pursue government claims—though sovereign immunity limits apply.

Critical Evidence—The 48-Hour Rule

Evidence in Judith Basin County trucking accidents vanishes fast. Within 48 hours of your accident, critical proof may be gone forever. Here is what disappears and why you must act immediately.

ECM/Black Box Data

The truck’s Electronic Control Module records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes in the moments before impact. This data overwrites in as little as 30 days or with subsequent driving events. On a rural route like US-87, where the truck may continue operating between Montana and Canada, that data could be gone within days.

We send spoliation letters immediately—legal notices prohibiting destruction of evidence. Once served, the trucking company faces sanctions if they delete data.

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Records

Since 2017, federal law requires ELDs to track hours of service. These devices prove whether the driver violated the 11-hour driving limit or the 14-hour duty window. However, FMCSA only requires 6-month retention. We must secure these records before they’re purged.

Driver Qualification Files

Under 49 CFR § 391.51, trucking companies must maintain files showing:

• Commercial driver’s license verification
• Medical examiner’s certificates
• Drug and alcohol test results
• Previous employment verification

If the driver had a history of fatigue-related accidents that the company ignored, this file proves negligent hiring.

Maintenance Records

The post-crash inspection reports, brake adjustment logs, and tire inspection records required by 49 CFR § 396.11 often show deferred maintenance. We look for patterns—did this company skip inspections to save money?

Physical Evidence

In rural Judith Basin County, wrecked trucks may sit in impound lots exposed to weather. Tire marks fade on asphalt, especially after Montana rain or snow. We deploy investigators immediately to photograph and measure the scene before evidence washes away.

Witness Statements

Rural accidents have fewer witnesses than urban crashes, but those witnesses—the farmer in the field, the rancher checking fences—have critical information. We locate them fast, before memories fade or they leave the area.

Catastrophic Injuries—The Real Cost

The settlement ranges below come from Attorney911’s actual case results and industry standards for catastrophic trucking injuries. These aren’t hypothetical—they’re what we’ve recovered for families, adjusted for the specific challenges of rural Montana medical care.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): $1.5 Million to $9.8 Million+

When an 80,000-pound truck strikes a passenger vehicle, brain injuries are common. The force causes the brain to impact the skull interior, causing contusions, hematomas, and shearing injuries.

Long-term costs include:

• Cognitive rehabilitation ($1,000-$2,000 per day)
• Lost earning capacity
• 24/7 supervision for severe cases
• Lifetime medication and therapy

We’ve secured multi-million dollar settlements for TBI victims, including a $5+ million settlement for a logging/forestry worker struck by falling equipment—a case with similar physics to trucking impacts.

Spinal Cord Injury: $4.7 Million to $25.8 Million+

Paralysis from trucking accidents creates lifetime dependency. The first year of paraplegia costs average $518,000; each subsequent year averages $68,000. For quadriplegia, first-year costs exceed $1 million.

In rural Judith Basin County, accessibility modifications must account for distance to medical facilities—often requiring specialized transportation or home nursing care that urban victims don’t face.

Amputation: $1.9 Million to $8.6 Million+

Crushing injuries in underride or rollover accidents often require surgical amputation. We secured $3.8+ million for a client who lost a limb after complications from a car accident—the same medical complexity applies to trucking amputations.

Prosthetics require replacement every 3-5 years, costing $5,000-$50,000 per limb. Rural patients need travel costs factored in for fittings at facilities like Hanger Clinic in Billings or Denver.

Wrongful Death: $1.9 Million to $9.5 Million+

When trucking accidents kill, Montana law allows recovery for:

• Lost future income
• Loss of consortium (companionship)
• Mental anguish for survivors
• Funeral expenses
• Punitive damages for gross negligence

We’ve recovered $2.5+ million for trucking accident wrongful death cases, and we’re currently litigating cases involving catastrophic loss.

Severe Burns and Internal Injuries

Tanker explosions and fuel fires on rural highways cause devastating burns. Internal organ damage from crushing forces often requires years of surgical intervention.

Montana Law—Your Rights in Judith Basin County

Statute of Limitations: Three Years

Montana provides three years from the date of the accident to file personal injury lawsuits (MCA § 27-2-204). For wrongful death, the limit is also three years from the date of death.

Do not wait. Three years passes quickly when you’re dealing with surgeries and rehabilitation. Evidence disappears within weeks. Contact us immediately to preserve your rights.

Modified Comparative Negligence: The 51% Rule

Montana follows modified comparative negligence (MCA § 27-1-702). You can recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

If you’re awarded $1 million but found 20% at fault, you receive $800,000. If you’re 51% at fault, you receive nothing. The trucking company will try to blame you—especially in rural accidents where they claim you were speeding on open roads or failed to yield to agricultural equipment. We fight these allegations with ECM data and accident reconstruction.

Damage Caps: None for Most Cases

Unlike medical malpractice cases, Montana imposes no caps on compensatory damages for trucking accidents. This means your full medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering are recoverable.

Punitive damages are capped under MCA § 27-1-220 at $10 million or 3% of the defendant’s net worth, whichever is less. These apply in cases of gross negligence—like knowingly hiring an unsafe driver or falsifying maintenance records.

Federal Preemption Issues

Because trucking is interstate commerce, federal FMCSA regulations often preempt stricter state laws. This works in your favor—federal safety standards provide clear benchmarks for negligence. When a driver violates the 11-hour rule or skips a pre-trip inspection, that’s federal negligence, and federal court jurisdiction may apply.

Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and handles federal trucking cases nationwide. We can file in federal court when necessary to maximize your recovery.

Why Judith Basin County Victims Choose Attorney911

25+ Years of Trucking Litigation Experience

Ralph Manginello has fought trucking companies since 1998. He’s taken on Fortune 500 corporations in the BP Texas City Refinery litigation ($2.1 billion in total industry settlements), and he’s secured multi-million dollar verdicts against major carriers.

The Insurance Defense Advantage

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years defending insurance companies. He knows their playbook:

• How they use algorithms like Colossus to lowball claims
• How they train adjusters to minimize “soft tissue” injuries that are actually serious
• When they’re bluffing about “policy limits”

Now he works for you. As client Chad Harris said: “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Results That Matter

• $5+ Million settlement for traumatic brain injury
• $3.8+ Million for amputation resulting from medical complications
• $2.5+ Million for trucking accident recovery
• $2+ Million for maritime back injuries
• $10 Million lawsuit currently active against University of Houston for hazing injuries (demonstrating our capacity for major litigation)

Client Glenda Walker put it simply: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Federal Court Access

We’re admitted to federal court, crucial for interstate trucking cases. When the trucking company is based in Texas, Oklahoma, or Washington, we can pursue them in federal court anywhere.

Spanish Language Services

Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish. For Judith Basin County’s Hispanic agricultural workers—those loading trucks, driving harvest equipment, or working the wheat fields—this means direct communication without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

No Fee Unless We Win

We work on contingency—33.33% if settled pre-trial, 40% if trial is necessary. You pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs for investigation, expert witnesses, and travel to Judith Basin County. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

As client Donald Wilcox experienced: “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.”

Immediate Action Guide for Judith Basin County Accidents

If You’re Reading This Immediately After an Accident:

1. Call 911 – Ensure police respond and create an accident report. In rural Judith Basin County, response times may be longer, but insist on a report.

2. Seek Medical Attention – Even if Stanford’s medical clinic seems sufficient for minor injuries, request transport to Benefis Health System in Great Falls or St. Peter’s Health in Helena for serious trauma. Documentation saves lives and cases.

3. Document Everything – Photograph the truck’s DOT number (on the door), license plates, and any company logos. In rural areas, trucks may try to leave the scene—photograph everything immediately.

4. Do Not Speak to the Trucking Company’s Insurance – They will call within 24 hours. Refer them to your attorney. Anything you say, even “I’m fine,” will be used against you.

5. Call Attorney911 Immediately – Dial 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911. We answer 24/7. We will send a spoliation letter to preserve black box data within hours.

What We Do Within 48 Hours:

• Send preservation letters to the trucking company, driver, and insurance carrier
• Subpoena ECM and ELD data before it overwrites
• Dispatch investigators to photograph the Judith Basin County accident scene
• Order police reports from the Montana Highway Patrol or Judith Basin County Sheriff
• Begin background checks on the driver and carrier
• Consult with medical experts to establish care plans

Frequently Asked Questions for Judith Basin County Victims

Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit for a trucking accident in Judith Basin County?
A: Montana law gives you three years from the accident date. However, critical evidence like black box data may be gone in 30 days. Call us immediately.

Q: What if the truck driver was from another state?
A: Most 18-wheeler accidents involve interstate commerce. We can pursue the driver and company in federal court or Montana state court. Ralph Manginello’s federal court admission allows us to represent you regardless of where the trucking company is headquartered.

Q: Who pays my medical bills while I wait for settlement?
A: Initially, your health insurance or MedPay coverage pays. We work with medical providers on liens—agreements to pay them from your settlement. In catastrophic cases, we help arrange treatment with specialists who accept lien-based payment.

Q: What if I was partly at fault for the accident on US Highway 87?
A: Montana uses modified comparative negligence. You can recover as long as you were 50% or less at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of blame. Don’t assume you were at fault—the trucking company will try to blame you. Let us investigate.

Q: How much is my Judith Basin County trucking case worth?
A: Values depend on injury severity, insurance coverage, and liability clarity. Catastrophic cases involving TBI or paralysis can reach seven figures. Schedule a free consultation for case-specific evaluation.

Q: Will my case go to trial?
A: Most settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your lawyer will go to court. Currently, we’re litigating a $10 million case against a major university, demonstrating we’re not afraid of big defendants.

Q: Do you handle cases in rural Montana if you’re based in Texas?
A: Yes. We handle trucking accidents nationwide. For Judith Basin County cases, we coordinate with local counsel when necessary, travel to Montana for depositions and hearings, and maintain relationships with Montana medical experts. Federal trucking law applies uniformly across states.

Q: Habla español?
A: Sí. Attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para hablar con Lupe.

Q: What if the trucking company destroys evidence?
A: Once we send a spoliation letter, destruction becomes legal misconduct. Courts can instruct juries to assume the destroyed evidence was harmful to the trucking company, or impose monetary sanctions. We act fast to prevent destruction.

Q: How do I pay for a lawyer if I’m out of work from my injuries?
A: We work on contingency. No upfront fees. We only get paid when you recover money. As client Kiimarii Yup said: “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return.”

Call Attorney911 Today—Before Evidence Disappears

The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyer. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. Their rapid-response team may already be at the scene in Judith Basin County, photographing the wreckage to build their defense.

What are you doing to protect your rights?

Every hour you wait, evidence fades. Skid marks wash away in Montana rain. Witnesses leave the state. Black box data overwrites. The driver gets back in another truck and creates new driving records that overwrite the old ones.

Attorney911 has recovered over $50 million for injury victims. We’ve stood up to BP, Walmart, Amazon, and the largest trucking companies in America. We know how to prove Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration violations. We know how to calculate the true lifetime cost of catastrophic injuries. And we know how to make trucking companies pay.

Call us now: 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911.

Free consultation. No obligation. No fee unless we win. We serve Judith Basin County and all of Montana.

Hablamos Español. Llame hoy.

“They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” — Angel Walle

Your recovery starts with one call. Make it now: 1-888-ATTY-911.