When an 80,000-pound truck changes your life on a frozen stretch of I-90 in Wayne County, you don’t need just any lawyer—you need a fighter who knows the difference between a fair settlement and financial ruin. We’ve stood beside families in Williamson and Newark as they pieced their lives back together after catastrophic crashes. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the trucking companies that cut corners on the rural routes connecting Wayne County’s apple orchards to the Thruway. And we know that when lake effect snow blankets those farmland roads, the margin for error disappears.
Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years taking on trucking companies and winning. Since 1998, our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injury victims, and we’ve made Fortune 500 corporations pay when their drivers put profits over safety. We’re not based in Manhattan—we’re Texas attorneys with federal court admission who understand that Wayne County families deserve the same aggressive representation that big-city firms promise but rarely deliver. When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’re not getting a case number. You’re getting family. As client Chad Harris told us after his case settled, “You are FAMILY to them.”
The Reality of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Wayne County
Wayne County sits at a dangerous crossroads. The New York State Thruway (I-90) cuts through the northern tier, carrying freight from Ontario to Albany and beyond, while Route 31 and Route 104 serve as vital arteries for the agricultural heartland stretching from Macedon to Wolcott. When winter hits—hard—those routes become treacherous corridors where a single driver’s mistake can end in catastrophe.
We’re talking about a vehicle that weighs 40 tons versus your 4,000-pound sedan. That’s not a crash; it’s a demolition. An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 65 mph needs nearly two football fields to come to a complete stop. When that truck hits black ice near Sodus Bay or jackknifes on the Thruway during a whiteout, you’ve got nowhere to go.
The statistics are brutal. Over 5,000 people die in trucking accidents annually across America, and 76% of those deaths occur to occupants of the smaller vehicle. In Wayne County, where winter weather can turn a routine haul into a deadly gamble, the risk is even higher. We’ve seen what happens when trucking companies push drivers to meet impossible deadlines despite lake effect snow warnings. We’ve documented how cargo shifts on the winding roads near Chimney Bluffs can lead to rollovers that close highways for hours.
But here’s what the trucking companies don’t want you to know: most of these accidents are preventable. They’re caused by violations of federal safety regulations that exist specifically to protect families in Wayne County and across New York.
Federal Regulations That Protect Wayne County Families
Every commercial truck operating on I-90 or crossing into Wayne County from Ontario must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations codified in 49 CFR Parts 390-399. These aren’t obscure technicalities—they’re the safety rules that keep your family alive on the way to the Walmart in Ontario or the apple festival in Williamson.
When we investigate a Wayne County trucking accident, we immediately subpoena records to check for violations of:
49 CFR Part 391 (Driver Qualification): Was the driver properly licensed? Did the trucking company verify his driving record before putting him behind the wheel? Under § 391.11, drivers must be at least 21 years old, physically qualified, and able to read and speak English sufficiently. We’ve found companies that hired drivers with expired medical certifications or failed to check previous employer records as required by § 391.23.
49 CFR Part 395 (Hours of Service): This is where we catch them most often. Federal law limits property-carrying drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty (§ 395.8). They cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, and they must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving (§ 395.3). The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate requires these hours to be tracked automatically—data we demand be preserved within 24 hours of a crash.
49 CFR Part 393 (Vehicle Equipment): Those massive trucks need working brakes, proper lighting, and cargo secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward and 0.5g laterally (§ 393.102). When a load of apples shifts because of inadequate tiedowns or a trailer’s lights fail on a foggy night near Palmyra, that’s a federal violation.
49 CFR Part 396 (Inspection/Repair): Motor carriers must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. Drivers must complete pre-trip inspections (§ 396.13) and post-trip reports (§ 396.11). When brake failures cause accidents on the descent toward the Lake Ontario shore, we pull maintenance records going back 14 months to prove the company knew about defects and ignored them.
49 CFR Part 392 (Driving Rules): No driver shall operate while ill or fatigued to the point it affects safety (§ 392.3). No texting while driving (§ 392.80). No alcohol within 4 hours of driving (§ 392.5). These rules exist because trucking companies will push drivers to their breaking point unless someone forces them to stop.
The Ten Parties Who Might Owe You Money
Most Wayne County residents think they can only sue the truck driver. That’s exactly what the trucking company hopes you believe. In reality, we’re often pursuing claims against ten or more parties:
1. The Driver: Direct negligence for distracted driving, speeding for conditions, or Hours of Service violations.
2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are liable for their drivers’ negligence. But we also hit them for direct negligence—negligent hiring when they failed to check the driver’s record, negligent training when they showed him how to falsify logbooks, or negligent maintenance when they deferred brake repairs to save money.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: Wayne County’s apple industry generates massive truck traffic. If a shipper overloaded a truck or failed to properly secure pallets, they share liability.
4. The Loading Company: Third-party warehouses that loaded the trailer may have distributed weight unevenly, causing rollover risks on the curves near Fair Haven.
5. Truck Manufacturer: Defective brakes or steering systems that failed when the driver needed them most.
6. Parts Manufacturer: Defective tires that blew out on the Thruway or faulty air brake components.
7. Maintenance Company: Third-party mechanics who performed negligent repairs or signed off on unsafe vehicles.
8. Freight Broker: Companies that arranged the shipment may be liable for negligently selecting a carrier with a poor safety record.
9. Truck Owner: In owner-operator scenarios, the individual who owns the tractor may hold separate liability.
10. Government Entities: When poor road design, inadequate signage, or failure to clear snow and ice contributes to the crash.
Each of these parties carries separate insurance policies. While a standard car accident might top out at $30,000 in New York, commercial trucks carry minimum federal insurance of $750,000 for non-hazardous freight, $1 million for oil transport, and $5 million for hazardous materials. When we find multiple liable parties in a Wayne County crash, we’re often looking at pooled coverage exceeding several million dollars.
The Accidents We See in Wayne County
Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s cab and trailer fold into each other like a pocket knife, often blocking all lanes of I-90. These typically occur when drivers brake too hard on slippery surfaces or when empty trailers (common after dropping off loads in Rochester) lose traction. The trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, creating an impassable wall of steel that trailing vehicles cannot avoid.
Rollover Accidents: Wayne County’s rural roads, particularly those connecting farmland to processing facilities, often have soft shoulders and tight turns. Combine that with improperly secured loads of apples or produce, and you’ve got a recipe for destruction. A 40-ton truck rolling over can crush smaller vehicles beneath it.
Underride Collisions: Perhaps the most horrific accidents we handle. When a passenger vehicle strikes the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, the roof of the car is often sheared off. Despite federal requirements for rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86), many trailers have inadequate protection, and no federal standard exists for side underride guards.
Rear-End Collisions: On the Thruway near the Wayne County rest stops, traffic often slows abruptly. A fatigued driver with an 80,000-pound truck cannot stop in time, plowing into smaller vehicles at highway speed.
Tire Blowouts: Extreme temperature fluctuations in Wayne County—from humid summers to subzero winters—degrade tires. When a steer tire blows at 65 mph, the driver loses control instantly, creating a “road gator” debris field that causes secondary accidents.
Cargo Spills: Wayne County’s position as an agricultural hub means trucks carrying produce, feed, and equipment traverse our roads daily. When loaders fail to secure cargo under 49 CFR § 393.100, spilled loads create hazards for miles.
Critical Evidence That Disappears in 48 Hours
Trucking companies don’t play fair. Within hours of a crash on Route 31, they deploy rapid-response teams to protect their interests—not yours. That’s why we act immediately when a Wayne County family calls 1-888-ATTY-911.
Black Box Data (ECM/EDR): The truck’s Engine Control Module records speed, braking, throttle position, and seatbelt use in the seconds before impact. This data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days if the truck returns to service.
ELD Logs: Electronic Logging Devices prove Hours of Service violations. While FMCSA only requires 6-month retention, once we send a spoliation letter, they must preserve everything or face sanctions.
Driver Qualification Files: We demand the complete hiring packet—application, background check, medical certification, training records, and previous employer inquiries. Gaps here prove negligent hiring.
Maintenance Records: 14 months of inspection reports, repair orders, and mechanic notes. When brakes failed on that descent toward Lake Ontario, we want to know if the company knew they were worn.
Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days unless preserved.
Surveillance Video: Traffic cameras and nearby businesses may have captured the crash but typically overwrite footage within weeks.
We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of retention, putting every potential defendant on notice that destroying evidence will result in adverse inference instructions to the jury—or worse, default judgment.
The Injuries That Change Everything
Catastrophic injuries require catastrophic settlements. In New York, you have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit, but waiting is dangerous. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and medical bills pile up.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From concussions to severe diffuse axonal injury. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, chronic headaches, and cognitive deficits. We’ve recovered settlements ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million for TBI victims.
Spinal Cord Injury: Paraplegia and quadriplegia requiring lifetime care. Settlement ranges typically run $4.7 million to $25.8 million depending on the level of injury and victim’s age.
Amputation: Whether traumatic (severed at the scene) or surgical (due to crush injuries), amputations require prosthetics, rehabilitation, and home modifications. Our settlements range from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.
Severe Burns: Fuel tank ruptures and hazmat spills cause third and fourth-degree burns requiring skin grafts and reconstruction.
Wrongful Death: When a Wayne County family loses a loved one, New York law allows recovery for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. These cases often settle between $1.9 million and $9.5 million.
Why Wayne County Cases Are Different
New York follows pure comparative negligence (Section C.4), meaning you can recover damages even if you were 99% at fault—though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of blame. This is critical in “he said, she said” crashes on rural roads where fault might be disputed.
There’s no cap on punitive damages in New York (Section C.4.5). When we prove a trucking company knowingly violated safety regulations—falsifying logs, ignoring maintenance alerts, or hiring a driver with a history of DUIs—they can be forced to pay damages specifically designed to punish them.
The geography matters too. Wayne County’s proximity to the Ontario border means international freight traffic, which carries unique insurance complexities. The agricultural cycle creates seasonal trucking peaks when inexperienced drivers fill in for harvest season. And the weather—those lake effect snows off Ontario that dump two feet of snow overnight—creates conditions where experienced trucking attorneys know to look for violations of § 392.6 (speeding for conditions).
Our Team: Inside Knowledge, Outside Results
Ralph Manginello brings 25 years of experience and federal court admission to every Wayne County case. But here’s your real advantage: our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working for insurance defense firms. He knows exactly how trucking insurers evaluate claims, train adjusters to minimize payouts, and use software like Colossus to lowball victims.
“He knows their playbook because he used to call the plays,” Ralph often says. Now Lupe uses that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery. And yes, hablamos español. For Wayne County’s Hispanic community working in agriculture and trucking, Lupe provides direct representation without interpreters.
We currently have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, but we handle trucking accident cases throughout New York and across the United States. With federal court admission in the Southern District of Texas and New York State Bar admission, Ralph can represent you in Wayne County regardless of where the trucking company is headquartered.
Recent Results That Show What’s Possible
We’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston for hazing-related injuries (2025), demonstrating our capacity to take on institutional defendants with deep pockets.
In trucking specifically, our track record includes:
- $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log at a logging operation
- $3.8+ million for a client who suffered partial leg amputation following a car accident with subsequent medical complications
- $2.5+ million for commercial truck crash victims
- $2+ million for a maritime worker with a back injury under the Jones Act
We were also involved in the BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation (2005), one of the few Texas firms taking on that $2.1 billion disaster. That experience translates directly to Wayne County’s industrial and agricultural trucking cases.
What to Do If You’ve Been in a Wayne County Trucking Accident
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Call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, the police report creates crucial documentation of the scene, weather conditions, and initial fault assessment.
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Seek medical attention. Wayne County residents have access to quality care at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital or Strong Memorial in Rochester. Adrenaline masks pain; internal bleeding and TBIs often don’t show symptoms immediately.
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Document everything. Photograph the truck’s DOT number, license plates, damage to all vehicles, and the surrounding scene. If you’re near the apple orchards or on the Thruway, landmarks matter.
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Do not give recorded statements. The trucking company’s insurer will call. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
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Call 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7. We will send a spoliation letter to preserve black box data within 24 hours. And remember—you pay nothing unless we win. Our contingency fee is 33.33% pre-trial and 40% if litigation is required.
Frequently Asked Questions: Wayne County Truck Accidents
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Wayne County?
New York gives you three years from the accident date for personal injury claims and two years for wrongful death. But waiting is a mistake. Evidence disappears fast in trucking cases. Call us immediately.
What if the truck driver was from Canada or another state?
That actually helps your case. Interstate commerce means federal regulations apply, and we can pursue the carrier in federal court. Ralph’s admission to the Southern District of Texas and New York State Bar gives us flexibility to sue wherever is most advantageous for you.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, liability clarity, and available insurance. But trucking cases carry higher policy limits than car accidents. We’ve seen Wayne County area cases settle for millions when the trucking company violated safety regulations.
Can I recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes. New York follows pure comparative negligence. If you were 20% at fault, you recover 80% of your damages. Even if you were primarily responsible, you can still recover the percentage attributed to the truck driver.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
We work with medical providers who treat on a lien basis—you pay nothing upfront, and they’re paid from your settlement. Don’t let lack of insurance stop you from getting the care you need.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers will go to court—and they pay those lawyers’ clients more. As client Ernest Cano said, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
The Call That Changes Everything
The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. What are you doing?
In Wayne County, where the farmland meets the Thruway and winter storms turn roads into death traps, you need a firm that treats you like family while fighting like warriors. We’ve helped families from Palmyra to Sodus, from Newark to Ontario, recover physically and financially after trucking accidents.
Don’t let them push you around. Don’t let them tell you that delayed injuries aren’t real or that their lowball offer is “the best we can do.” As Glenda Walker told us after we settled her case, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Or 888-288-9911. Or (888) 288-9911. However you dial it, we’re here 24/7. The consultation is free. The advice is priceless. And we don’t get paid unless you do.
Your family. Your future. Your fight. Let’s win this together.
Attorney911. Ralph Manginello, Managing Partner. Lupe Peña, Associate Attorney. Serving Wayne County and all of New York with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.
Remember: In Wayne County and across New York, you have three years to file, but only 48 hours to preserve the evidence that wins your case. Call now.
