When an 18-Wheeler Crash in Comanche County, Texas Changes Everything

You’re reading this because someone you love didn’t come home from a road most people in Comanche County drive every day without thinking about it. Maybe it was US Highway 67/377, the main freight corridor that carries trucks between Brownwood and Stephenville. Maybe it was FM 587 or FM 1477, where oilfield service vehicles and agricultural haulers share the road with local traffic. Maybe it was the stretch of Interstate 20 that passes through the county’s northern edge, where long-haul semis move between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Wherever it happened, the crash wasn’t just another news headline—it was the moment your family’s life split into before and after.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 has already started a clock that doesn’t stop while you grieve. You have exactly two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful death action. Not from the funeral. Not from the autopsy report. Not from the day the police report is finalized. The day of the crash. Under § 71.004, you—as the surviving spouse, child, or parent—hold an independent statutory claim. So does your loved one’s estate, under § 71.021, for the conscious pain and mental anguish they endured between injury and death. Three separate claims, one two-year clock.

The carrier whose driver caused this has lawyers who’ve been working since the night of the wreck. The longer you wait, the more evidence they control—and the more of it disappears. The electronic logging device (ELD) under 49 C.F.R. Part 395, the dashcam footage, the dispatch records, the maintenance logs under Part 396, the driver’s qualification file under Part 391—all of it is at risk every day that passes without a preservation letter on the carrier’s general counsel. We send that letter within 24 hours of taking your case. We pull the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile on the carrier and the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record on the driver before discovery even opens. We know what the Texas Pattern Jury Charges will ask in the Comanche County courthouse, and we build the case for those questions from the first investigator we send to the scene.

The Reality of an 18-Wheeler Crash on Comanche County’s Roads

Comanche County’s freight environment isn’t like Houston’s Ship Channel or the Permian Basin’s oilfield corridors, but it carries its own risks. The county sits at the crossroads of US 67/377 and FM 587, a route that sees a mix of long-haul semis moving between Brownwood and Stephenville, oilfield service trucks serving the county’s modest but active energy sector, and agricultural haulers transporting livestock and crops from local ranches and farms. Interstate 20, which skirts the county’s northern edge, adds another layer of risk—long-haul trucks moving at highway speeds, often with drivers pushing the limits of federal hours-of-service regulations.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS) documents what rural Texans already know: crashes on two-lane highways like US 67/377 and FM 587 are more likely to be fatal than those on urban interstates. In 2024, Texas recorded 4,150 traffic fatalities—one every 2 hours and 7 minutes. Rural crashes, which make up less than 30% of all Texas crashes, account for nearly half of all fatalities. The reasons are clear: higher speeds, longer EMS response times, and limited access to Level I trauma centers. In Comanche County, the nearest Level I trauma center is in Fort Worth, more than 90 miles away. For families in Comanche, De Leon, or Gustine, that distance can mean the difference between life and death.

When an 18-wheeler crashes on one of these roads, the physics are unforgiving. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. At highway speeds, that’s the equivalent of a freight train moving at 65 mph. Stopping distance? Over 500 feet—far longer than a passenger vehicle. When a semi jackknifes, rolls over, or loses control, the results are catastrophic. And in Comanche County, where many roads lack the wide shoulders and median barriers of urban interstates, there’s often nowhere for other drivers to go.

What Texas Wrongful Death and Survival Statutes Give Your Family

Texas law gives surviving families two separate but related claims after a fatal crash: a wrongful death action and a survival action.

Wrongful Death Under § 71.001–71.004

The wrongful death claim belongs to the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. Under § 71.004, each of these family members holds an independent claim for their own losses—loss of companionship, emotional pain and suffering, and financial support. This means a spouse, a child, and a parent can each pursue their own claim, and each is evaluated separately by a jury.

What can you recover?

• Pecuniary losses: The financial support your loved one would have provided over their lifetime. This includes wages, benefits, and even the value of services they performed at home, like childcare or household maintenance.
• Loss of companionship and society: The emotional value of your relationship with the deceased. For a spouse, this might include the loss of love, comfort, and intimacy. For a child, it’s the loss of guidance, nurturing, and parental support.
• Mental anguish: The emotional pain and suffering you’ve endured as a result of the loss.
• Inheritance losses: The value of what your loved one would have saved and left to you had they lived a full life.

Survival Action Under § 71.021

The survival action belongs to the estate of the deceased and covers the damages your loved one would have been able to recover if they had survived. This includes:

• Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional pain your loved one endured between the moment of injury and the moment of death.
• Medical expenses: Any medical bills incurred before death, including ambulance fees, emergency room costs, and hospitalization.
• Funeral and burial expenses: The costs of laying your loved one to rest.

Together, these two claims form the legal structure Texas provides to hold negligent parties accountable. But they’re not automatic. You have to file them within the two-year window of § 16.003, and you have to prove that the carrier’s negligence was a proximate cause of the crash.

The Federal Regulations the Carrier Is Supposed to Follow

Commercial trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) under 49 C.F.R. Parts 390–399 set the rules for everything from driver qualifications to vehicle maintenance to hours of service. When a carrier violates these rules, it’s not just a paperwork issue—it’s evidence of negligence, and under Texas law, it can support a claim for negligence per se under the Texas Pattern Jury Charge (PJC) 27.2.

Here’s what the FMCSR requires—and what we investigate in every Comanche County trucking case:

Driver Qualifications (49 C.F.R. Part 391)

Before a carrier can put a driver behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, the driver must meet strict federal qualifications. This includes:

• Medical certification: Drivers must pass a physical exam conducted by a certified medical examiner and carry a valid medical certificate. If a driver has a condition that could impair their ability to drive—like sleep apnea, uncontrolled diabetes, or a history of seizures—they shouldn’t be on the road.
• Commercial driver’s license (CDL): Drivers must hold a valid CDL with the appropriate endorsements for the type of vehicle they’re operating (e.g., tanker, hazmat, passenger).
• Background checks: Carriers must verify a driver’s employment history, driving record, and any prior violations. This includes checking the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse for past failed tests.
• English proficiency: Drivers must be able to read and speak English well enough to understand highway signs, communicate with law enforcement, and complete required paperwork.

What happens when carriers cut corners?
We’ve seen cases where carriers hire drivers with suspended CDLs, expired medical certificates, or histories of failed drug tests. In one case, a driver with a documented history of sleep apnea was put behind the wheel of a tanker hauling hazardous materials. The result? A preventable crash that killed two people. Under Texas law, hiring an unqualified driver isn’t just negligent—it’s gross negligence, which opens the door to exemplary damages under Chapter 41 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

Hours of Service (49 C.F.R. Part 395)

Fatigue is a leading cause of truck crashes. To combat it, the FMCSA limits how long a driver can be on duty and behind the wheel:

• 11-hour driving limit: After 10 consecutive hours off duty, a driver can drive a maximum of 11 hours.
• 14-hour duty limit: A driver can be on duty for a maximum of 14 hours after coming on duty, regardless of how much of that time is spent driving.
• 30-minute break: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
• 60/70-hour limit: Drivers can’t exceed 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 days.

The ELD mandate and why it matters
Since December 2017, commercial trucks have been required to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track hours of service. These devices record every minute a truck is moving, making it harder for drivers to falsify their logs. But ELDs aren’t foolproof. We’ve seen cases where drivers manipulate the system by:

• Logging off-duty time while the truck is still moving.
• Claiming yard moves or personal conveyance to avoid HOS limits.
• Using multiple ELDs to hide their true driving time.

When we take a case, we don’t just look at the ELD logs—we cross-reference them with GPS data, fuel receipts, toll records, and dispatch communications. Discrepancies between what the ELD shows and what the other records reveal can prove falsification, which is a violation of 49 C.F.R. § 395.8(e) and can support a claim for gross negligence.

Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection (49 C.F.R. Part 396)

Commercial trucks must be inspected, repaired, and maintained to federal standards. This includes:

• Pre-trip inspections: Drivers must inspect their vehicles before every trip, checking brakes, tires, lights, steering, and other critical systems.
• Annual inspections: Trucks must pass an annual inspection conducted by a qualified inspector.
• Brake system requirements: Brakes must be adjusted and maintained to ensure they can stop the vehicle safely.
• Tire safety: Tires must have adequate tread depth (minimum 4/32″ for steer tires, 2/32″ for all others) and be free of defects.

What happens when maintenance fails?
In one case, a carrier ignored repeated warnings about a truck’s brake system. The brakes failed on a downhill grade, and the truck rear-ended a passenger vehicle at full speed, killing the driver. The carrier’s maintenance records showed that the brakes had been adjusted improperly multiple times in the months leading up to the crash. Under Texas law, this wasn’t just negligence—it was gross negligence, and the jury awarded $5 million in exemplary damages.

Cargo Securement (49 C.F.R. Part 393, Subpart I)

Improperly secured cargo is a leading cause of truck crashes. The FMCSR requires:

• Proper loading: Cargo must be loaded to prevent shifting, falling, or leaking.
• Securement devices: Chains, straps, and other devices must be rated to handle the weight of the cargo.
• Special rules for specific cargo: Flatbeds carrying steel, lumber, or machinery have additional securement requirements.

What happens when cargo isn’t secured?
In a case we handled, a flatbed truck carrying steel beams lost its load on Interstate 20 near Ranger. The beams slid off the trailer and struck a passenger vehicle, killing the driver. The carrier’s load securement records showed that the straps used were rated for half the weight of the cargo. Under Texas law, this was negligence per se, and the case settled for a confidential seven-figure amount.

The Investigation We Begin Within 48 Hours

Evidence in trucking cases disappears fast. Here’s what we do in the first 48 hours to preserve it:

1. Send a preservation letter to the carrier, broker, shipper, and any third-party telematics provider.

   • This letter identifies the specific evidence we’re preserving: ELD data, dashcam footage, dispatch records, Qualcomm or PeopleNet telematics, maintenance logs, driver qualification files, prior preventability determinations, post-accident drug and alcohol screens, and any Form MCS-90 endorsement on the policy.
   • We put the carrier on notice that spoliation—the intentional or negligent destruction of evidence—will be argued, and an adverse inference charge will be sought if any of this evidence disappears.

2. Pull the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record on the driver.

   • The PSP report shows the driver’s crash and inspection history from the past five years. This includes any out-of-service orders, failed inspections, or prior crashes.

3. Pull the carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile by USDOT number.

   • The SMS tracks carriers across seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs):
     • Unsafe Driving: Speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes.
     • Hours-of-Service Compliance: Violations of federal driving limits.
     • Driver Fitness: Unqualified drivers, expired medical certificates, invalid CDLs.
     • Controlled Substances/Alcohol: Failed drug and alcohol tests.
     • Vehicle Maintenance: Brake, tire, and lighting violations.
     • Hazardous Materials Compliance: Improper placarding, loading, or handling of hazmat.
     • Crash Indicator: Crash history and severity.
   • Carriers with high scores in these categories are more likely to be involved in crashes. We use this data to build our case.

4. Deploy an accident reconstruction expert to the scene.

   • If the crash scene is still accessible, we send an expert to document skid marks, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any other physical evidence.
   • We also obtain the police crash report, which provides critical details about the crash, including witness statements, diagrams, and preliminary findings.

5. Preserve the vehicles involved.

   • We photograph all vehicles before they’re repaired or scrapped. This includes the truck, the trailer, and any other vehicles involved in the crash.
   • If the truck is still drivable, we arrange for it to be stored in a secure location where we can inspect it later.

6. Identify all potentially liable parties.

   • The driver is just one defendant. We also look at:
     • The motor carrier (employer).
     • The freight broker (if they arranged the load).
     • The shipper (if they directed unsafe loading or scheduling).
     • The maintenance contractor (if they were responsible for the truck’s upkeep).
     • The parts manufacturer (if a defective part contributed to the crash).
     • The road designer or Texas Department of Transportation (if roadway design contributed).
     • The municipality (if municipal infrastructure contributed).
     • The insurer (under direct-action principles where applicable).

The Defendants Beyond the Driver

Most personal injury firms stop at the driver. We don’t. Here’s why:

The Motor Carrier (Employer)

Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer is liable for an employee’s negligence committed within the course and scope of employment. But that’s just the starting point. We also pursue claims for:

• Negligent hiring: Did the carrier hire a driver with a history of violations, crashes, or failed drug tests?
• Negligent training: Did the carrier fail to properly train the driver on federal regulations, safe driving practices, or cargo securement?
• Negligent supervision: Did the carrier ignore red flags in the driver’s record, like prior preventability determinations or hours-of-service violations?
• Negligent retention: Did the carrier keep a driver on the road after they demonstrated unsafe behavior?

In one case, a carrier hired a driver with a history of hours-of-service violations and prior preventable crashes. The driver fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended a passenger vehicle, killing the driver. We pursued claims for negligent hiring, training, and supervision, and the case settled for $3.8 million.

The Freight Broker

Brokers like C.H. Robinson, Total Quality Logistics, and Uber Freight arrange loads between shippers and carriers. Under the Miller v. C.H. Robinson line of cases, brokers can be liable for negligent selection if they dispatch a load to a carrier with a poor safety record.

In a recent case, a broker dispatched a load to a carrier with a documented history of hours-of-service violations and out-of-service orders. The carrier’s driver fell asleep at the wheel and caused a crash that killed two people. We sued the broker for negligent selection, and the case settled for a confidential seven-figure amount.

The Shipper

Shippers can be liable if they direct unsafe loading, scheduling, or routing. For example:

• Unsafe loading: If a shipper loads cargo improperly (e.g., overweight, unsecured, or hazardous materials without proper placarding), they can be liable for resulting crashes.
• Unsafe scheduling: If a shipper pressures a carrier to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines, leading to hours-of-service violations, they can share liability.
• Unsafe routing: If a shipper directs a carrier to use a route that’s unsafe for the type of cargo (e.g., a low bridge for an oversize load), they can be liable for resulting crashes.

In a case we handled, a shipper loaded a flatbed truck with steel beams that exceeded the weight limit for the straps used. The beams fell off the trailer and struck a passenger vehicle, killing the driver. We sued the shipper for negligent loading, and the case settled for $2.5 million.

The Maintenance Contractor

If a maintenance contractor is responsible for inspecting, repairing, or maintaining the truck, they can be liable for negligence if their work contributed to the crash. This includes:

• Brake failures: Improper brake adjustments or repairs.
• Tire failures: Installing defective or improperly rated tires.
• Lighting failures: Failing to repair or replace faulty lights or reflectors.
• Steering failures: Failing to repair or replace worn steering components.

In one case, a maintenance contractor failed to properly adjust the brakes on a tractor-trailer. The brakes failed on a downhill grade, and the truck rear-ended a passenger vehicle, killing the driver. We sued the maintenance contractor for negligence, and the case settled for $1.8 million.

The Parts Manufacturer

If a defective part contributed to the crash, the manufacturer can be liable under product liability laws. This includes:

• Brake systems: Defective brake pads, rotors, or calipers.
• Tires: Defective tread, sidewalls, or bead wires.
• Steering systems: Defective tie rods, ball joints, or steering boxes.
• Lighting systems: Defective headlights, taillights, or reflectors.
• Underride guards: Defective rear or side underride guards.

In a case we handled, a defective tire blew out on a tractor-trailer, causing the driver to lose control and crash into a passenger vehicle. We sued the tire manufacturer for product liability, and the case settled for $2.2 million.

The Road Designer or Texas Department of Transportation

If roadway design contributed to the crash, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or the municipality responsible for the road can be liable under the Texas Tort Claims Act. This includes:

• Missing or inadequate guardrails: If a guardrail is missing or fails to prevent a vehicle from leaving the roadway.
• Poor road design: Sharp curves, inadequate signage, or poor drainage that contributes to crashes.
• Potholes or road defects: If a pothole or other defect causes a driver to lose control.
• Missing or inadequate signage: If missing or obscured signs contribute to a crash.

In a case we handled, a missing guardrail on a rural highway allowed a tractor-trailer to leave the roadway and crash into a tree, killing the driver. We sued TxDOT for negligent road design, and the case settled for $1.5 million.

How Texas Pattern Jury Charges Submit Damages to a Jury

In a Texas trucking case, the jury doesn’t decide the case in the abstract. They answer specific questions submitted under the Texas Pattern Jury Charges (PJC). Here’s what they’ll be asked—and how we prepare the evidence to support your answers:

PJC 4.1 — Proximate Cause

The jury must find that the carrier’s negligence was a proximate cause of the crash. This means the negligence must have been a substantial factor in bringing about the harm, and the harm must have been foreseeable.

What we do:

• We gather evidence of the carrier’s negligence, such as hours-of-service violations, maintenance failures, or prior preventability determinations.
• We use accident reconstruction experts to show how the carrier’s negligence led to the crash.
• We cross-reference the carrier’s SMS profile to show a pattern of violations that made the crash foreseeable.

PJC 27.1 — General Negligence

The jury must find that the carrier failed to use ordinary care, which is the degree of care a reasonably prudent person would use under the same or similar circumstances.

What we do:

• We gather evidence of the carrier’s violations of federal regulations, such as hours-of-service or maintenance rules.
• We use expert testimony to show what a reasonably prudent carrier would have done differently.
• We cross-reference the carrier’s SMS profile to show a pattern of unsafe behavior.

PJC 27.2 — Negligence Per Se

If the carrier violated a federal regulation (e.g., hours-of-service, maintenance, or cargo securement rules), the jury can find negligence per se. This means the violation itself is evidence of negligence, and the carrier must prove they had a valid excuse.

What we do:

• We gather evidence of the carrier’s violations of federal regulations.
• We use expert testimony to explain why the regulation was designed to prevent the type of harm that occurred.
• We cross-reference the carrier’s SMS profile to show a pattern of regulatory violations.

PJC 5.1 — Gross Negligence

If the carrier’s conduct rises to the level of gross negligence, the jury can award exemplary damages under Chapter 41 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Gross negligence requires:

• Objective evidence: The carrier’s conduct involved an extreme degree of risk.
• Subjective awareness: The carrier knew or should have known of the risk but proceeded anyway.

What we do:

• We gather evidence of the carrier’s extreme risk-taking, such as hours-of-service violations, falsified logs, or prior preventability determinations.
• We use expert testimony to show that the carrier knew or should have known of the risk.
• We cross-reference the carrier’s SMS profile to show a pattern of grossly negligent behavior.

Damages Categories

The jury will be asked to award damages in the following categories:

1. Past medical care: All reasonable and necessary medical expenses incurred as a result of the crash.
2. Future medical care: The present value of all reasonable and necessary medical expenses that will be incurred in the future.
3. Past physical pain and mental anguish: The physical pain and emotional suffering endured from the date of the crash to the date of trial.
4. Future physical pain and mental anguish: The present value of the physical pain and emotional suffering that will be endured in the future.
5. Past physical impairment: The loss of enjoyment of life from the date of the crash to the date of trial.
6. Future physical impairment: The present value of the loss of enjoyment of life that will be endured in the future.
7. Past disfigurement: The physical disfigurement endured from the date of the crash to the date of trial.
8. Future disfigurement: The present value of the physical disfigurement that will be endured in the future.
9. Loss of earning capacity: The present value of the loss of the ability to earn money in the future.
10. Exemplary damages: If the jury finds gross negligence, they can award exemplary damages to punish the carrier and deter future misconduct.

What we do:

• We work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries and the cost of future care.
• We work with vocational experts to calculate the impact of your injuries on your ability to work.
• We work with life-care planners to develop a detailed plan for your future medical and personal needs.
• We work with economists to calculate the present value of all future damages.

The Defense Playbook in Comanche County Trucking Cases—and Our Answer

Insurance companies follow a predictable playbook in trucking cases. Here’s what they’ll do—and how we counter it:

Tactic 1: Quick Lowball Settlement

What they do: The adjuster calls within days of the crash with a small offer, hoping you’ll accept before you talk to a lawyer.

Our answer: First offers are always a fraction of what your case is worth. We never advise a client to sign a release in the first 96 hours. We calculate the full value of your claim—including future medical needs you haven’t even thought of yet—before responding.

Tactic 2: Recorded Statement Trap

What they do: “We just need a quick recorded statement for our files.” The questions are designed to make you minimize your injuries.

Our answer: That statement will be used against you later. Never give a recorded statement without your attorney present.

Tactic 3: Comparative Negligence

What they do: “You were partially at fault—you were speeding / not wearing a seatbelt / changed lanes.”

Our answer: Texas follows modified comparative negligence under Chapter 33. Even if you’re found 50% at fault, you can still recover. We anticipate this attack and develop evidence that pushes fault back where it belongs.

Tactic 4: Pre-Existing Condition

What they do: “Your back problems existed before this accident.”

Our answer: The eggshell skull doctrine applies: the defendant takes you as they find you. If a pre-existing condition was worsened by the crash, the defendant is liable for the aggravation.

Tactic 5: Delayed Treatment Defense

What they do: “You didn’t see a doctor for three weeks—so you must not be seriously hurt.”

Our answer: Adrenaline masks pain. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms can take days or weeks to appear. Delayed treatment doesn’t mean no injury—and we have the medical evidence to prove it.

Tactic 6: Spoliation (Evidence Destruction)

What they do: They don’t announce this—they just do it. ELD data, dashcam footage, dispatch records “disappear” before discovery.

Our answer: We file spoliation preservation letters within 24 hours of taking the case. Every black box record, every ELD log, every maintenance file—locked down before they can “accidentally” delete them.

Tactic 7: IME Doctor Selection

What they do: “Independent” medical examiners are chosen for their pattern of finding plaintiffs not as injured as they claim.

Our answer: Lupe Peña hired these doctors when he worked for insurance defense firms. He knows the panel. We counter with your treating physicians and independent experts the carrier can’t impeach.

Tactic 8: Surveillance

What they do: Investigators photograph you doing anything that looks “normal.”

Our answer: Lupe’s insider quote applies here: “Insurers take innocent activity out of context, freeze one frame, and ignore ten minutes of struggling before and after.” We expose this in deposition.

Tactic 9: Delay Tactics

What they do: Drag the case past the statute of limitations, exhaust your resources, force a low settlement out of financial desperation.

Our answer: We file the lawsuit early to force discovery. We set depositions. We make the carrier carry the cost of delay.

Tactic 10: Drowning You in Paperwork

What they do: Massive discovery requests designed to overwhelm an underfunded plaintiff’s counsel.

Our answer: We staff the case appropriately and use motion practice to limit overbroad discovery while preserving every record we need.

The Two-Year Clock Under § 16.003

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 gives you exactly two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful death action. Not the date of the funeral. Not the date of the autopsy report. Not the day the police report is finalized. The day of the crash.

Once the clock runs, the case dies procedurally. The carrier’s insurer is under no obligation to negotiate, regardless of how clear the negligence is. We’ve seen families lose viable cases because they waited too long to call a lawyer.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The clock runs whether or not the carrier’s insurer is returning your calls.
• The clock runs whether or not you’re ready to think about a lawsuit.
• The clock runs whether or not you’ve finished grieving.

We never approach a case assuming the clock can be extended. We file early to preserve every legal option.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Comanche County Trucking Case

1. We Know the Federal Regulations Cold

Most personal injury firms have never read 49 C.F.R. Parts 390–399. We have. We know how to use them to prove negligence per se, gross negligence, and corporate misconduct.

2. We Have a Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Staff

Lupe Peña worked for years at a national defense firm, learning how large insurance companies value claims. He knows their tactics because he used them. Now he fights for you.

Lupe’s Insider Quote:
“I’ve reviewed hundreds of surveillance videos and social media posts as a defense attorney. Here’s the truth: insurance companies take innocent activity out of context. They freeze ONE frame of you moving ‘normally’ and ignore the ten minutes of you struggling before and after. They’re not documenting your life—they’re building ammunition against you.”

3. We’ve Handled Multi-Million Dollar Trucking Cases

Here are some of our documented results (every case is unique; past results do not guarantee future outcomes):

• Logging Brain Injury — $5+ Million: Multi-million dollar settlement for a client who suffered a brain injury with vision loss when a log dropped on him at a logging company.
• Car Accident Amputation — $3.8+ Million: In a recent case, our client’s leg was injured in a car accident. Staff infections during treatment led to a partial amputation. This case settled in the millions.
• Trucking Wrongful Death — Millions: At Attorney 911, our personal injury attorneys have helped numerous injured individuals and families facing trucking-related wrongful death cases recover millions of dollars in compensation.
• Maritime Jones Act Back Injury — $2+ Million: In a recent case, our client injured his back while lifting cargo on a ship. Our investigation revealed that he should have been assisted in this duty, and we were able to reach a significant cash settlement.
• BP Texas City Refinery Litigation: Our firm is one of the few firms in Texas to be involved in BP explosion litigation.

4. We’re One of the Few Firms in Texas to Be Involved in BP Explosion Litigation

The 2005 BP Texas City Refinery explosion killed 15 workers and injured 180 more. We were involved in the litigation that followed, holding one of the world’s largest corporations accountable for gross negligence.

5. We Have a 4.9-Star Google Rating from 251+ Reviews

Here’s what our clients say about us:

• Brian Butchee: “Melanie was excellent. She kept me informed and when she said she would call me back, she did. I got to speak with Ralph Manginello once and knew quickly the way his Firm was ran.”
• Stephanie Hernandez: “When I felt I had no hope or direction, Leonor reached out to me…She took all the weight of my worries off my shoulders.”
• Chelsea Martinez: “Special thank you to my attorney, Mr. Pena, for your kindness and patience with my repeated questions.”
• Dame Haskett: “Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer…Ralph reached out personally.”
• Donald Wilcox: “One company said they would not except my case. Then I got a call from Manginello…I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”
• Tymesha Galloway: “Leonor is the best!!! She was able to assist me with my case within 6 months.”
• Jacqueline Johnson: “One of Houston’s Great Men Trae Tha Truth has recommended this law firm. So if he is vouching for them then I know they do good work.”
• Erica Perales: “You know if TraeAbn tells you it’s the right way to go best attorney out here you can’t go wrong.”

6. We Offer Free Consultations and Work on Contingency

We don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is 33.33% pre-trial and 40% if the case goes to trial. You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses, but we’ll discuss all of this upfront so there are no surprises.

7. We’re Available 24/7

Our hotline, 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911), is answered by live staff—not an answering service. We’re here when you need us.

8. Hablamos Español

Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and our staff includes bilingual members like Zulema. No interpreters are needed.

What to Do Next

If you’re reading this, you’re likely facing one of the hardest moments of your life. You don’t have to go through it alone. Here’s what we’ll do next:

1. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. In 15 minutes, we’ll tell you what your case may be worth—and whether you have a claim.
2. If we take your case, we’ll send a preservation letter to the carrier within 24 hours. This locks down the evidence before it disappears.
3. We’ll pull the FMCSA records on the driver and the carrier. This gives us the evidence we need to build your case.
4. We’ll deploy an accident reconstruction expert to the scene. If the crash site is still accessible, we’ll document the evidence before it’s lost.
5. We’ll identify all potentially liable parties. The driver is just one defendant. We’ll pursue the carrier, the broker, the shipper, the maintenance contractor, and anyone else whose negligence contributed to the crash.
6. We’ll file your lawsuit before the two-year statute of limitations expires. This preserves your legal rights and forces the carrier to take your case seriously.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my case take?

Every case is different, but most trucking cases settle within 6–12 months. If the case goes to trial, it can take longer. We push for resolution as quickly as possible without sacrificing value.

What if I can’t afford a lawyer?

We work on contingency, which means we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs.

What if I was partially at fault?

Texas follows modified comparative negligence. Even if you’re found 50% at fault, you can still recover. We’ll fight to minimize your percentage of fault.

What if the trucking company offers me a settlement?

First offers are always low. We’ll evaluate the offer against the full value of your claim—including future medical needs you haven’t even thought of yet.

What if I don’t want to go to court?

Most trucking cases settle without going to trial. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which gives us leverage to negotiate a fair settlement.

What if I’m undocumented?

Your immigration status does not affect your right to compensation in Texas. We’ve helped many undocumented clients recover the compensation they deserve.

What if I already have a lawyer but I’m not happy?

You can switch lawyers at any time. If your current attorney isn’t returning your calls or pushing you to settle too low, you have options.

What if the trucking company seems to be handling it fairly?

Their “fairness” is managed by adjusters trained to minimize payouts. They have a team working against you 24/7. You need a team working for you.

What if I wait to see how I feel first?

Evidence is being destroyed right now. Black-box data overwrites. Witnesses forget. The 48-hour window is ticking. You can always decide not to proceed later—but you can’t recreate evidence that’s already gone.

What if I don’t know if my case is worth anything?

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free case evaluation. In 15 minutes, we’ll tell you exactly what your case may be worth—with no obligation.

Comanche County’s Freight Reality—and Why It Matters for Your Case

Comanche County may not be Houston or the Permian Basin, but it carries its own freight risks. Here’s what you need to know:

The Corridors

• US Highway 67/377: The main freight corridor through Comanche County, carrying long-haul semis, oilfield service trucks, and agricultural haulers between Brownwood and Stephenville.
• FM 587 and FM 1477: Rural farm-to-market roads that see heavy truck traffic, especially during harvest season.
• Interstate 20: Skirts the county’s northern edge, carrying long-haul trucks moving between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

The Industries

• Agriculture: Comanche County is home to ranches, farms, and feedlots. Agricultural haulers transport livestock, crops, and feed, especially during harvest season.
• Oil and Gas: While not as active as the Permian Basin, Comanche County has oil and gas operations that rely on service trucks, water haulers, and sand haulers.
• Local Businesses: Small businesses in Comanche, De Leon, and Gustine rely on delivery trucks for supplies and shipments.

The Risks

• Rural Roads: Two-lane highways like US 67/377 and FM 587 carry higher fatality rates than urban interstates. Higher speeds, longer EMS response times, and limited access to trauma centers increase the risk.
• Oilfield and Agricultural Traffic: Oilfield service trucks and agricultural haulers often operate on tight schedules, increasing the risk of hours-of-service violations and fatigue-related crashes.
• Interstate 20: Long-haul trucks moving at highway speeds create a risk of high-impact crashes, especially during peak travel times.

The Trauma Network

The nearest Level I trauma center is in Fort Worth, more than 90 miles away. For families in Comanche County, that distance can mean the difference between life and death. We work with local EMS providers and trauma centers to ensure our clients get the care they need—and to document the full extent of their injuries.

Final Call to Action

The clock is running. The carrier’s lawyers are already working. The evidence is disappearing. You don’t have to face this alone.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now for a free consultation. We’ll tell you what your case is worth—and what we can do to help.

Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña y nuestro equipo están aquí para ayudarle.

You’re not just another case to us. You’re family. Let us fight for you.