McKenzie County 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers | Attorney911
When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything
The Bakken oil fields don’t sleep. Neither do the trucks hauling crude across McKenzie County. When an 80,000-pound semi loses control on icy I-94 near Watford City or jackknifes on Highway 85 headed to Williston, there’s no such thing as a “minor” accident. Your life changes in an instant. The medical bills start mounting. The trucking company already has lawyers working to minimize what they owe you.
You need someone who fights back. Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years taking on trucking companies and winning. He’s admitted to federal court, has litigated against Fortune 500 corporations, and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families throughout North Dakota. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña used to work for insurance companies—now he fights against them. That’s your advantage.
In McKenzie County, you have six years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but waiting is dangerous. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. And North Dakota’s modified comparative negligence rules mean the trucking company will try to blame you—if they can pin just 50% of the fault on you, you recover nothing.
Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re available 24/7, and we’ll send a spoliation letter today to preserve critical evidence before it’s gone.
Why Truck Accidents in McKenzie County Are Different
McKenzie County sits at the heart of the Bakken oil formation. This isn’t just farming country anymore—though the wheat and sunflower trucks still roll through Watford City and New Town. Today, you’re sharing the roads with crude oil tankers, water haulers, and equipment transports operating on tight schedules in extreme conditions.
The physics alone make these crashes catastrophic. Your pickup truck weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi weighs 80,000 pounds. That’s twenty times the mass. When they collide at highway speeds on I-94 or Highway 22, the force is devastating. A car needs about 300 feet to stop at 65 mph. A loaded truck needs nearly 525 feet—almost two football fields. On ice-covered roads near Stanley or during whiteout conditions by the Missouri River, that stopping distance becomes deadly.
But there’s another factor at play in McKenzie County: oil field economics. Trucking companies paying drivers by the load often pressure them to violate federal Hours of Service regulations. Maintenance gets deferred to keep trucks moving. And when a tanker rollover spills crude or a brake failure causes a pileup near Belfield, the liable parties aren’t just the driver—they’re massive corporations with armies of lawyers.
Ralph Manginello has made them pay before. And he’ll fight for you.
The Real Cost of North Dakota Winter Trucking
McKenzie County winters don’t forgive mistakes. Temperatures drop to -40°F. Blizzards sweep across the prairie with little warning. Black ice forms without warning on I-29 and I-94. These conditions turn already dangerous 18-wheelers into lethal weapons.
Jackknife accidents happen when truck drivers brake too hard on ice, causing the trailer to swing perpendicular to the cab. We see these frequently on the curves near Williston and during sudden whiteouts on Highway 85.
Rollover accidents occur when drivers take ramps too fast at the Watford City exits or when high winds—common in North Dakota’s open plains—affect high-profile trailers. A loaded tanker doesn’t need much of a gust to flip.
Brake failures are common when trucking companies defer maintenance to keep hauling through the winter rush. The FMCSA requires systematic brake inspections under 49 CFR § 396, but when companies choose profit over safety, you’re the one who pays the price.
Underride collisions—where a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer—are particularly deadly on McKenzie County’s rural highways at night. Without adequate lighting or reflective tape, trucks become invisible until it’s too late.
The Ten Parties Who Might Owe You Money
Most people think you just sue the truck driver. In McKenzie County oil country, that would leave millions on the table. We investigate every potentially liable party because North Dakota trucking accidents often involve complex corporate structures.
1. The Truck Driver
Direct negligence includes speeding for conditions, distracted driving, or hours of service violations. We subpoena their ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data immediately.
2. The Trucking Company / Motor Carrier
Under North Dakota’s vicarious liability laws and federal regulations (49 CFR Part 390), motor carriers are responsible for their drivers’ negligence. Plus, they can be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision. Did they check the driver’s record before sending them into Bakken oil fields? Did they pressure them to drive exhausted?
3. The Oil Company
In McKenzie County, many trucks are hauling crude from the Bakken formation. The oil company that contracted the haul may be liable if they demanded unrealistic delivery schedules or failed to ensure the cargo was safely loaded.
4. The Loading Company
Improperly secured equipment or unbalanced crude oil loads cause rollovers. Under 49 CFR § 393.100-136, cargo must be secured to withstand force tests.
5. The Truck Manufacturer
If defective brakes, steering systems, or underride guards contributed to your crash, the manufacturer can be held strictly liable.
6. The Maintenance Company
North Dakota’s harsh conditions require rigorous maintenance. If a third-party shop failed to inspect brakes or allowed worn tires on the road through Stanley, they share the blame.
7. The Freight Broker
Brokers who arrange transport must verify carrier safety ratings. If they hired an unsafe carrier to save money, they’re liable for negligent selection.
8. Parts Manufacturers
Defective brake components or tire blowouts can turn a routine drive through New Town into a catastrophe.
9. The Truck Owner
In owner-operator situations common in the oil patch, the individual truck owner may carry separate insurance coverage.
10. Government Entities
If poor road design, inadequate signage, or lack of snow removal on county roads contributed to the crash, McKenzie County or the North Dakota DOT may share liability.
FMCSA Regulations That Protect You
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations exist to prevent exactly the kinds of crashes we see in McKenzie County. When trucking companies break these rules, we use those violations to prove negligence.
49 CFR Part 395 – Hours of Service
Truck drivers can’t operate more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. In the oil fields, where time is money, these rules get broken constantly. The ELD mandate requires electronic tracking—we download this data to prove violations.
49 CFR Part 391 – Driver Qualification
Drivers must be medically certified, have valid CDLs, and pass background checks. The Driver Qualification File must be maintained for three years after employment ends. Missing files = negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 393 – Vehicle Safety
This covers everything from brake systems to lighting to cargo securement. Worn brake pads, inadequate underride guards, or improperly secured oilfield equipment all violate federal law.
49 CFR Part 396 – Inspection and Maintenance
Pre-trip and post-trip inspections are mandatory. Annual inspections must be documented. When trucking companies skip these steps to keep trucks rolling through Watford City, they endanger everyone on Highway 85.
49 CFR § 392.3 – Ill or Fatigued Operation
No driver can operate a CMV while their ability is impaired by fatigue, illness, or any cause. This is critical in North Dakota’s oil patch culture where “cowboying it” sometimes means driving exhausted.
The 48-Hour Evidence Race
Here’s what the trucking company doesn’t want you to know: they have lawyers and investigators at the scene before the ambulance leaves. Their job is to protect the company, not you. Meanwhile, evidence that could prove your case is disappearing.
Black box data (ECM) can be overwritten in 30 days or with the next ignition cycle. This data shows speed, braking, and engine performance in the moments before impact.
ELD logs only need to be kept for six months under FMCSA rules—unless we send a spoliation letter immediately to preserve them.
Dashcam footage often gets deleted within a week.
Witness memories fade fast, especially in a transient community like McKenzie County’s oil patch where workers move frequently.
When you call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911, we send preservation letters within 24 hours. We demand the trucking company save ECM data, ELD records, maintenance logs, driver qualification files, and dispatch communications. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, courts can sanction them or instruct juries to assume the destroyed evidence would have helped your case.
As client Chad Harris told us: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your case with the urgency it deserves because we know what’s at stake.
Catastrophic Injuries and North Dakota Law
McKenzie County accidents often involve catastrophic injuries due to the rural setting—emergency services may be 30+ minutes away, and the force of oilfield truck collisions is extreme.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
From concussions to severe cognitive impairment, TBI can require lifetime care. We’ve secured settlements exceeding $5 million for TBI victims because these injuries change everything—your ability to work, your personality, your relationships.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Paralysis from truck rollovers or underride crashes can cost $3-5 million in lifetime care. North Dakota’s damage caps don’t apply to economic damages like medical bills, but pain and suffering awards face limits we’ll discuss below.
Amputations
Crushing injuries in truck accidents often necessitate amputation. Our firm secured $3.8 million for a client who lost a limb after a crash followed by medical complications.
Burns
When tanker trucks explode on I-94—carrying Bakken crude or natural gas condensate—victims suffer devastating thermal injuries requiring years of grafting and reconstruction.
Wrongful Death
If you’ve lost a loved one in a McKenzie County trucking accident, North Dakota gives you just two years to file a wrongful death claim (unlike the six years for personal injury). You can recover lost income, companionship, and mental anguish—but the clock runs fast when you’re grieving.
Understanding Your Financial Recovery
North Dakota trucking companies carry substantial insurance—often $1-5 million per occurrence due to oilfield risks. But accessing that money requires understanding North Dakota’s specific rules.
Comparative Negligence
North Dakota uses a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. If you’re found 49% at fault, you recover 51% of damages. If you’re 50% at fault, you recover nothing. Trucking companies will try to blame you for the weather conditions or claim you were in their blind spot. We build cases that prove their negligence—not yours.
Punitive Damages
When trucking companies act with “fraud, malice, or gross negligence”—like falsifying logbooks, knowingly hiring dangerous drivers, or destroying evidence—North Dakota allows punitive damages. These are capped at the greater of two times compensatory damages or $250,000. But for severe oilfield truck crashes involving gross negligence, we pursue these damages to punish the company and protect future drivers.
Insurance Minimums
While federal law requires $750,000 for general freight, oilfield trucks and hazardous materials carriers must carry $1-5 million. Many Bakken haulers carry higher limits due to the catastrophic potential of their cargo.
As client Glenda Walker said: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We don’t settle for less than full compensation—past medical bills, future care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your McKenzie County Case
25 Years of Experience
Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has taken on Fortune 500 companies like BP in major litigation. That federal court experience matters when trucking cases involve interstate commerce.
Former Insurance Defense Lawyer
Lupe Peña spent years working for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how adjusters evaluate claims—now he uses that insider knowledge to maximize your recovery. He’ll recognize their lowball tactics immediately because he used them.
Multi-Million Dollar Results
We’ve recovered over $50 million for clients, including $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury, $3.8+ million for an amputation case, and $2.5+ million for a truck crash victim. We handle cases other firms reject—client Donald Wilcox was turned down by another company before we got him a “handsome check.”
Local Knowledge, National Resources
We understand McKenzie County’s unique blend of agricultural and oilfield traffic. We know the difference between a wheat truck on Highway 23 and a crude hauler on Highway 85. We also have the resources to take on the largest oil companies and national carriers.
24/7 Availability
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 any time. Truck accidents don’t happen on business hours, and neither does our response.
Hablamos Español
Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish. McKenzie County’s workforce includes many Spanish-speaking oilfield workers, and we provide direct representation without interpreters.
Frequently Asked Questions: McKenzie County Truck Accidents
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in North Dakota?
Six years for personal injury—the longest in the nation. But don’t wait. Evidence disappears fast in trucking cases, and witnesses in the oil patch move frequently. Call immediately.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
We sue both the driver and the company that hired them. Federal regulations and North Dakota law often make the hiring company liable regardless of contractor status.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Trucking cases in McKenzie County often involve $1-5 million policies due to oilfield risks. We’ve secured settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions.
What if I was partially at fault?
You can still recover if you’re less than 50% at fault. Your damages get reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you’re 20% at fault and your damages are $500,000, you recover $400,000.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know you’re ready to go to court. We’ve tried cases against major corporations and won.
How do you prove the driver was fatigued?
We download ELD data showing hours of service violations. We also subpoena dispatch records, fuel receipts, and GPS data to prove the driver was on the road too long—common in oilfield trucking.
What if the trucking company is from out of state?
We can sue them in North Dakota federal court if the accident happened here. Ralph Manginello’s federal court admission allows us to handle interstate cases seamlessly.
Can undocumented workers file claims?
Yes. Immigration status doesn’t prevent you from recovering damages for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. We handle these cases confidentially.
What happens to my medical bills while we wait?
We work with medical providers to hold bills until settlement through Letters of Protection. You focus on healing; we handle the financial pressure.
How soon should I call a lawyer?
Within 24-48 hours. As client Kiimarii Yup told us: “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return.” But that recovery started with immediate action.
The Attorney911 Advantage: Real Results for Real People
We don’t measure success just by dollars—though we’ve won plenty. We measure it by lives changed.
Client Ernest Cano said: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”
Client Angel Walle shared: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
And from Greg Garcia: “In the beginning I had another attorney but he dropped my case although Mangiello law firm were able to help me out.”
When you’re facing an 18-wheeler company in McKenzie County—whether it’s a national oil hauler or a local agricultural carrier—you need that level of dedication. You need someone who treats you like family, not a case number. As Chad Harris put it: “You are FAMILY to them.”
Call Now Before Evidence Disappears
The trucking company is already building their defense. They’ve reported the crash to their insurer. Their safety director is reviewing the driver’s logs. Their lawyer is looking for ways to blame you for the icy roads or the sun glare.
What are you doing?
Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911. Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña.
We offer free consultations. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all investigation costs. And we serve McKenzie County, including Watford City, Williston, New Town, Stanley, Belfield, and surrounding areas.
Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Don’t accept their first lowball offer. Don’t let them destroy evidence that proves their negligence.
Ralph Manginello and the Attorney911 team are ready to fight for every dime you deserve. The call is free. The consultation is free. And we answer 24/7.
1-888-ATTY-911. Because in McKenzie County, when an 80,000-pound truck changes your life, you need a fighter who can win.
