Landstar Ligon & Albert Moving & Storage Win MTMC Quality Awards: What It Really Means for Wichita Falls Trucking Safety
Every year, the U.S. Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) recognizes trucking companies and moving services for outstanding performance. In 2002, Landstar Ligon and Albert Moving & Storage of Wichita Falls, Texas, received these prestigious Quality Awards. While the recognition celebrates customer service and operational excellence, it also shines a light on the complex world of military logistics and commercial trucking — a world where safety, compliance, and accountability are non-negotiable.
But here’s what the awards don’t tell you: even the most celebrated trucking companies can have hidden safety risks. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable when their negligence causes catastrophic accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Wichita Falls or anywhere in Texas, you need to understand what these awards really mean — and what they don’t.
The Hidden Risks Behind the Awards
At Attorney911, we’ve seen firsthand how even award-winning trucking companies can fail their drivers — and the public. Here’s what the MTMC awards don’t tell you:
1. The Pressure to Perform Can Lead to Hours of Service Violations
Landstar Ligon’s ability to replace seven trucks in four hours is impressive — but it also raises red flags. How did they do it?
- Did they pull drivers from mandatory rest periods?
- Did they pressure drivers to falsify their logs?
- Did they use drivers who were already over their legal driving limits?
FMCSA Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations (49 CFR § 395) are clear:
– Drivers can drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
– They cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
– They must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
– They cannot drive after 60/70 hours** on duty in 7/8 days.
Violating these rules is illegal — and deadly. Fatigue is a factor in 31% of fatal truck crashes, according to the FMCSA. When a company like Landstar Ligon is praised for “aggressively” using technology to meet last-minute demands, we have to ask: At what cost?
Case in Point: In Werner Enterprises v. United States (2019), a trucking company was held liable for pressuring drivers to violate HOS regulations, leading to a fatal crash. The jury awarded $28 million to the victim’s family.
2. “Enthusiasm” and “Training” Don’t Guarantee Safety
Albert Moving & Storage was praised for meeting requests with enthusiasm and training employees before sending them to a site. But training isn’t compliance — and enthusiasm isn’t a substitute for safety culture.
FMCSA Driver Qualification Standards (49 CFR § 391) require:
– Background checks (including driving records and previous employers)
– Medical certification (to ensure drivers are physically fit)
– Drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment and random)
– Entry-level driver training** (for new drivers)
If Albert Moving & Storage — or any trucking company — cuts corners on these requirements, they put everyone on the road at risk.
Real-World Example: In 2021, a Texas jury awarded $730 million against Landstar Ranger (a different Landstar entity) after a Navy propeller oversize load killed a 73-year-old woman. The verdict included $480 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages — one of the largest trucking verdicts in U.S. history. The jury found that Landstar failed to properly train drivers and ignored safety protocols.
3. Technology Can Be a Double-Edged Sword
Both Landstar Ligon and Albert Moving & Storage were praised for their use of technology:
– Landstar Ligon: “Aggressively makes creative use of numerous media within Internet technology.”
– Albert Moving & Storage: “A website that speeds information flow to customers.”
Technology can improve efficiency — but it can also enable negligence.
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are supposed to prevent HOS violations, but drivers and companies falsify logs or manipulate data.
- GPS and telematics track driver behavior, but companies ignore alerts about speeding, hard braking, or fatigue.
- Dispatch software optimizes routes, but it can also pressure drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines.
FMCSA regulations (49 CFR § 395.8) require ELDs to record driving time accurately. But if a company pressures drivers to “make it work” — like Landstar Ligon did when replacing seven trucks in four hours — the technology becomes a tool for plausible deniability, not safety.
Nuclear Verdict Alert: In 2024, a Missouri jury awarded $462 million in an underride collision case where the trucking company destroyed ELD data after the crash. The jury sent a message: destroying evidence will cost you.
How Trucking Companies Like Landstar and Albert Cut Corners
Awards like the MTMC Quality Awards celebrate what companies do right. But at Attorney911, we focus on what they do wrong — because those are the violations that cause accidents.
1. Negligent Hiring and Training
- Hiring drivers with poor safety records (e.g., multiple accidents, DUI convictions, or HOS violations)
- Failing to verify previous employment (some companies lie about a driver’s history)
- Inadequate training (e.g., no defensive driving, no cargo securement training, no fatigue management)
FMCSA Violation: 49 CFR § 391.23 requires motor carriers to investigate a driver’s safety history for the past three years. If a company skips this step, they’re negligent from day one.
Case Example: In Celadon Group, Inc. v. Jalisco (2017), a trucking company was found liable for negligent hiring after a driver with a history of accidents caused a fatal crash. The jury awarded $20 million.
2. Hours of Service Violations and Driver Fatigue
- Pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines (like replacing seven trucks in four hours)
- Encouraging drivers to falsify logs (paper logs or ELD manipulation)
- Ignoring fatigue alerts from telematics systems
FMCSA Violation: 49 CFR § 395.3 prohibits driving more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Violations are negligence per se — meaning the company is automatically liable if they broke the rule.
Nuclear Verdict: In 2022, a Texas jury awarded $150 million against Werner Enterprises after two children were killed on I-30. The driver had falsified his logs and was fatigued at the time of the crash.
3. Poor Vehicle Maintenance
- Deferring brake repairs (brake failures cause 29% of truck crashes)
- Ignoring tire wear (blowouts cause 11,000 crashes per year)
- Failing to conduct pre-trip inspections (required by 49 CFR § 396.13)
FMCSA Violation: 49 CFR § 396.3 requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance of all commercial motor vehicles. If a company skips inspections or ignores known defects, they’re negligent.
Case Example: In Schneider National Carriers, Inc. v. Bates (2005), a trucking company was held liable for $28 million after a brake failure caused a fatal crash. The company had ignored multiple maintenance alerts.
4. Improper Cargo Securement
- Overloading trucks (exceeding weight limits)
- Failing to use proper tiedowns (required by 49 CFR § 393.100-136)
- Ignoring load distribution (uneven loads cause rollovers)
FMCSA Violation: 49 CFR § 393.102 requires cargo securement systems to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g acceleration rearward, and 0.5g lateral force. If cargo shifts or spills, the company is liable for negligence.
Real-World Impact: In 2024, a $160 million verdict was awarded in Alabama after a rollover left a driver quadriplegic. The jury found that improper cargo securement caused the crash.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Wichita Falls Trucking Accident Case?
1. 25+ Years of Experience Fighting Trucking Companies
Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998. He’s secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for victims of catastrophic trucking accidents.
Ralph’s Philosophy: “Trucking companies have teams of lawyers working to protect them. You deserve the same level of representation — and we provide it.”
2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Company Tactics
Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how trucking companies minimize claims — and now he uses that knowledge to fight for victims.
Lupe’s Advantage: “I’ve seen how insurance adjusters are trained to lowball victims. Now I use that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery.”
3. Federal Court Experience
Ralph Manginello is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas — a critical advantage for interstate trucking cases that may be filed in federal court.
4. Proven Track Record of Results
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for trucking accident victims, including:
– $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury caused by a falling log at a logging company
– $3.8+ million for a car accident victim who suffered a partial leg amputation due to staph infection during treatment
– $2.5+ million for a truck crash recovery
– Millions more for families devastated by wrongful death in trucking accidents
5. No Fee Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case.
6. Bilingual Services for Wichita Falls’ Hispanic Community
Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and our team includes bilingual staff like Zulema, who is praised in client reviews for her kindness and communication.
Hablamos Español. Si usted o un ser querido ha sido lesionado en un accidente de camión en Wichita Falls, llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita.
Call Attorney911 Today: Your Fight Starts Here
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Wichita Falls, North Texas, or anywhere in Texas, call Attorney911 now for a free, no-obligation consultation.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📞 Direct: (713) 528-9070
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 https://attorney911.com
We answer 24/7. The trucking company has lawyers working to protect them. You deserve the same.
Learn more about trucking accident cases in our video guide:
– “The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries”
– “Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?”
– “The Definitive Guide to Commercial Truck Accidents”
Your future depends on what you do next. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. 🚛⚖️