The Impact Was Catastrophic. 80,000 Pounds Against Your Vehicle.
One moment you’re navigating I-90 through Treasure County, heading toward Billings or returning from a job site in the Bakken. The next, an 18-wheeler is jackknifing across the interstate, or locked brakes are sending a rig careening down a mountain grade toward you. These aren’t just “car accidents” scaled up—they’re entirely different beasts, governed by federal law, fought by rapid-response teams of defense attorneys, and capable of wiping out everything you’ve built in an instant.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable. Ralph Manginello has represented commercial vehicle victims since 1998, securing multi-million dollar recoveries for traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death. When you’re facing the aftermath of a Treasure County trucking collision, you need more than a lawyer—you need a team that understands the physics, the federal regulations, and the insurance games these companies play. That includes Lupe Peña, our associate attorney who used to defend insurance companies before joining us. Now he fights against them, wielding insider knowledge of every tactic they’ll use to minimize your claim.
If you’re hurt, the clock is already ticking. Black box data overwrites in 30 days. Evidence melts away with the Montana snow. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now, or read on to understand why Treasure County 18-wheeler accidents demand immediate, experienced legal firepower.
Why Treasure County 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different
The Physics Are Brutal
Your car weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi can hit 80,000 pounds. That’s not a collision—it’s an extinction-level event for your vehicle. An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 65 mph needs roughly 525 feet to stop on dry pavement. On the mountain grades of western Montana, where Treasure County sits at the crossroads of critical freight corridors, that stopping distance stretches even longer. When you factor in black ice on I-94 or sudden whiteout conditions near the confluence of the Yellowstone River, truck drivers often have zero chance of stopping in time.
Federal Regulations Matter Here
Unlike car crashes, 18-wheeler accidents trigger a complex web of federal law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates everything from how long a driver can operate (49 CFR Part 395) to how cargo must be secured (49 CFR § 393.100) to mandatory brake inspections (49 CFR § 396.3). When a trucking company violates these rules—and they often do to meet delivery deadlines—they’re not just negligent. They’re breaking federal law.
Our firm knows these regulations cold. We’ve used hours-of-service violations to prove fatigue, brake maintenance failures to establish systemic negligence, and cargo securement violations to demonstrate liability. In Treasure County, where long-haul drivers push through the night to reach distribution hubs or oilfield sites, 49 CFR § 392.3 violations for fatigued driving are sadly common.
The Insurance Battle Is Real
While Montana requires only $25,000 in liability coverage for personal vehicles, commercial trucks carry between $750,000 and $5 million in federal minimums. That sounds like good news for victims, but here’s the catch: those policies are guarded by adjusters trained to deny, delay, and minimize. They’ll try to get you to sign away your rights before you know the full extent of your injuries.
That’s where Lupe Peña’s background becomes your advantage. He spent years working at a national defense firm, watching adjusters lowball victims and manufacturers hide defects. Now, at Attorney911, he knows exactly when they’re bluffing and when they’re sweating. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We don’t treat you like a case number—we treat you like family, and we fight for every dime you deserve.
Common 18-Wheeler Accident Types in Treasure County
Treasure County’s location along the I-94 corridor and proximity to the Bakken oil fields creates unique hazards. We see specific accident types here that require specialized legal strategies.
Jackknife Accidents on Icy Grades
When a truck driver brakes hard on black ice—the kind that coats I-90 and I-94 during Treasure County’s brutal winters—the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab. The result is a 70-foot wall of steel sweeping across multiple lanes. Jackknifes often involve 49 CFR § 393.48 brake violations or failure to adjust speed for conditions under 49 CFR § 392.6.
Brake Failure on Mountain Passes
The steep grades around Treasure County, particularly on approaches to the higher elevations, punish braking systems. Overheated brakes suffer “fade,” rendering them useless. We investigate maintenance records under 49 CFR § 396.3 to prove the trucking company knew their brake systems were compromised but sent the driver out anyway.
Runaway Trucks
When brakes fail completely on a downgrade, a runaway truck becomes a missile. The driver may be helpless, but the company isn’t. If they overloaded the trailer or failed to conduct proper pre-trip inspections required by 49 CFR § 396.13, they’re liable for the devastation.
Rollover Accidents
Sharp curves on secondary highways, combined with Treasure County’s high winds and top-heavy loads, cause rollovers. Improper cargo loading under 49 CFR § 393.100 is often the culprit—when liquid sloshes or weight shifts, the center of gravity changes instantly.
Underride Collisions
When a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, the results are often fatal decapitations. While 49 CFR § 393.86 mandates rear impact guards, many trailers have inadequate protection, and side underride guards aren’t federally required—yet they should be.
Rear-End Collisions
Given the stopping distance of 80,000 pounds, following too closely under 49 CFR § 392.11 is deadly. We subpoena ECM data to prove the truck was tailgating or distracted when the crash occurred.
Wide Turn Accidents
At intersections in Treasure County’s agricultural areas, trucks swinging wide to make right turns often crush vehicles in the adjacent lane. These “squeeze play” accidents involve driver inexperience and failure to signal under 49 CPLR § 392.2.
Tire Blowouts
Extreme temperature swings in Montana—from summer heat to winter cold—degrade tires rapidly. A blowout causes immediate loss of control. We examine tire maintenance logs to see if the company violated 49 CFR § 393.75 tread depth requirements.
Cargo Spills
Treasure County sees heavy agricultural and oilfield equipment transport. When improperly secured freight spills onto I-94, it creates multi-vehicle pileups and hazmat exposure risks. The loading company and cargo owner share liability under 49 CFR § 393.100-136.
Head-On Collisions
Fatigued drivers crossing center lines on rural highways cause devastating head-on crashes. We immediately demand Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records to check for 49 CFR Part 395 hours-of-service violations—often finding drivers who’ve been awake for 20+ hours pushing through to reach Williston or Billings.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Treasure County?
Don’t let anyone tell you the driver is the only responsible party. We investigate ten potentially liable entities:
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The Driver – For negligent operation, distracted driving, or impairment under 49 CFR § 392.4/5.
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The Trucking Company – Vicarious liability under respondeat superior, plus direct negligence for negligent hiring, training, or supervision. We examine their Driver Qualification Files under 49 CFR § 391.51 to see if they even verified the driver’s CDL and medical certification.
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The Cargo Owner/Shipper – When they demand overweight loads or impose unrealistic delivery schedules that force drivers to violate FMCSA regulations.
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The Loading Company – For improper securement under 49 CFR § 393.102 performance criteria—failure to secure against 0.8g forward deceleration forces.
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Truck/Trailer Manufacturers – For defective air brake systems, faulty ABS, or design defects that contribute to rollovers.
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Parts Manufacturers – Defective tires or brake components that fail under stress.
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Maintenance Companies – Third-party mechanics who negligently repaired brakes or tires, creating the crash conditions.
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Freight Brokers – Who negligently selected carriers with poor safety records (low FMCSA CSA scores) to save money.
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The Truck Owner – In owner-operator arrangements, for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain equipment.
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Government Entities – When poor road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain icy Montana highways contributes to the crash.
Many firms only sue the driver and hope for the $750,000 policy. We dig deeper. In one recent case, we discovered a broker had hired a carrier with a history of brake violations—adding another insurance layer and significantly increasing our client’s recovery.
The Evidence Is Disappearing—Act Now
Treasure County winters don’t just bring snow; they bring evidence destruction. Critical data that proves negligence vanishes fast:
- ECM/Black Box Data: Overwrites within 30 days or when the truck returns to service
- ELD Logs: FMCSA only requires 6-month retention, but we need them now
- Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
- Witness Statements: Memories fade, especially after traumatic events
- Physical Evidence: Trucks get repaired or sold, erasing proof of mechanical failure
When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we immediately dispatch spoliation letters to preserve:
- Electronic Control Module (ECM) data showing speed and braking
- Event Data Recorder (EDR) information from the moments before impact
- Complete Driver Qualification Files (employment apps, background checks, drug tests)
- Maintenance records under 49 CFR § 396.3
- Dispatch logs showing delivery pressure
- Cell phone records proving distracted driving
As client Donald Wilcox told us, “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” We don’t just take cases—we preserve evidence other firms miss.
Montana Law: What Treasure County Accident Victims Must Know
The Clock Is Ticking: 3 Years
Montana gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (MCA § 27-2-204). Three years sounds generous, but in trucking cases, waiting even three months can be fatal to your claim. Evidence spoils. Witnesses move. And the trucking company is building its defense right now.
Modified Comparative Negligence: The 51% Bar
Montana follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault—but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of blame. If you’re found 20% at fault for failing to signal, your $1 million verdict becomes $800,000. If you’re 51% at fault, you recover nothing.
This makes evidence preservation critical. The trucking company will try to blame you—claiming you stopped suddenly on I-94 or merged improperly. We counter with ECM data and ELD logs that tell the objective truth.
No Damage Caps on Compensatory Damages
Unlike some states, Montana doesn’t cap your economic or non-economic damages. Your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life are fully recoverable. However, Montana caps punitive damages at the greater of $10 million or 3% of the defendant’s net worth—though these require proving “actual malice” beyond mere negligence.
Catastrophic Injuries and Life Care
When an 80,000-pound truck hits a passenger vehicle, the physics guarantee catastrophic injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From concussions to severe diffuse axonal injuries requiring lifetime care. Settlements range from $1.5 million to $9.8 million+ depending on cognitive impairment and need for supervision.
Spinal Cord Injury: Paraplegia or quadriplegia from compromised discs or severed cords. Lifetime costs often exceed $4.7 million to $25.8 million when you factor in wheelchairs, home modifications, and lost earning capacity.
Amputation: Whether traumatic (severed at scene) or surgical (due to crushing damage). Prosthetics require replacement every 3-5 years. Values range from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.
Severe Burns: From fuel fires or hazmat spills. Third and fourth-degree burns require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and carry infection risks.
Wrongful Death: When a Treasure County family loses a loved one, we pursue damages for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. These cases often settle between $1.9 million and $9.5 million, though each case is unique.
Our firm recently recovered over $5 million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by falling equipment—a case other firms rejected. We don’t shy away from complex medical causation or hard fights.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Treasure County Case
Federal Court Experience
Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—and his federal experience translates to any federal court, including the District of Montana. Many interstate trucking cases belong in federal court where we can leverage FMCSA regulations more effectively.
Former Insurance Defense Knowledge
Lupe Peña worked inside the system. He knows how carriers evaluate claims, what triggers their settlement algorithms, and when they’re truly afraid to go to trial. As he told KHOU during our $10 million University of hazing litigation, “Enough is enough.” That same tenacity applies to your trucking case.
Spanish Language Services
Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Many truck drivers in the Treasure County region speak Spanish as a first language, and we ensure nothing is lost in translation. Llame hoy al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Three Offices, Statewide Reach
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we handle cases across Montana and nationwide. We know the local federal courts, the medical facilities serving Treasure County (including Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare), and the trucking corridors that crisscross the state.
Multi-Million Dollar Results
- $5+ Million – Traumatic brain injury, workplace/logging accident
- $3.8+ Million – Amputation following car accident complications
- $2.5+ Million – Commercial truck crash recovery
- $2+ Million – Maritime/Jones Act back injury
As client Kiimarii Yup said, “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” Glenda Walker added, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
No Fee Unless We Win
We work on contingency—standard 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs for investigators, experts, and depositions. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
What To Do After a Treasure County Trucking Accident
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Call 911 – Get emergency services and medical attention immediately. Even “minor” injuries can mask TBI or internal bleeding.
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Document Everything – Photograph the truck’s DOT number, license plates, company logos, and all damage. Montana weather changes fast—we need images of road conditions.
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Gather Information – Get the driver’s CDL number, insurance info, and witness contacts. Independent witnesses are gold in comparative negligence states.
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Avoid Recorded Statements – The trucking company’s insurer will call within hours. Politely decline to speak without counsel. They will use your words against you.
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Seek Medical Care – Go to Billings Clinic, St. Vincent, or your local Treasure County provider. Documenting injuries immediately links them to the crash.
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Call Attorney911 – Reach us at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) or (713) 528-9070. We answer 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions for Treasure County Truck Accident Victims
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after an 18-wheeler accident in Treasure County?
Montana law gives you three years from the accident date (MCA § 27-2-204). However, evidence preservation demands immediate action. Black box data may be gone in 30 days. Call us within 48 hours so we can send spoliation letters.
Who pays my medical bills while the case is pending?
We can help arrange treatment under a Letter of Protection (LOP) with Treasure County medical providers, meaning they get paid when we settle. We also look for MedPay coverage under your own policy and can negotiate liens to maximize your recovery.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Under Montana’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover if you’re 50% or less at fault. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of blame. We work to minimize your assigned fault using ECM data and accident reconstruction.
How much is my case worth?
Values depend on injury severity, liability clarity, and available insurance. With federal minimums of $750,000 to $5 million, trucking cases often exceed standard car accident settlements. We’ve recovered millions for catastrophic injuries, but every case requires individual evaluation.
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 have the resources to take cases to verdict—they offer our clients more because they know we’ll fight. As Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
Can I afford a lawyer?
Absolutely. We charge no upfront fees. We only get paid when you do. You can reach us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation in English or Spanish.
What if the truck driver was from out of state?
Interstate commerce means federal jurisdiction. We can pursue the case in Montana federal court or coordinate with counsel in the driver’s home state. Ralph Manginello’s dual Texas/New York bar admission and federal court experience make us uniquely positioned for multi-jurisdictional cases.
How do you prove the driver was fatigued?
We subpoena ELD data under 49 CFR Part 395 to check for 11-hour driving limit violations, 14-hour duty window breaches, and falsified logs. If the driver skipped the mandatory 30-minute break after 8 hours, we prove fatigue caused the crash.
What happens if the trucking company destroys evidence?
We immediately file spoliation notices. If they destroy evidence after receiving notice, courts can issue adverse inference instructions (telling the jury to assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable), impose sanctions, or even enter default judgment. We don’t give them the chance—we preserve everything immediately.
Do you handle cases where a loved one died in the accident?
Yes. We handle wrongful death claims under Montana’s wrongful death statute (MCA § 27-1-513), recovering for lost financial support, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. We treat these families with the compassion they deserve while aggressively pursuing justice.
Contact Attorney911 Today
The trucking company that hit you has lawyers working right now to protect their interests. They have investigators photographing the scene, downloading ECM data, and coaching their driver on what to say. You need the same level of representation.
At Attorney911, we’ve recovered over $50 million for families across America, including multi-million dollar verdicts against Fortune 500 companies like BP following the Texas City explosion. We bring that same firepower to Treasure County.
Whether you’re dealing with a jackknife on I-94, a brake failure on a mountain grade, or a cargo spill on a rural highway, we have the experience, the federal knowledge, and the former insurance defense insight to maximize your recovery.
Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Hablamos Español: Lupe Peña está disponible para consultas en español.
Don’t let the trucking company dictate the narrative. Don’t let evidence disappear into the Montana winter. Your family deserves an advocate who treats you like family, not a file number. As Angel Walle said, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
Let’s fight together. Call Attorney911 now.
