Car Accident Lawyers in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Lufkin or anywhere in Angelina County, Texas, you’re not alone. With a crash occurring every 57 seconds across Texas and 251,977 people injured in motor vehicle accidents last year alone, car accidents are a constant threat on our roads. At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for accident victims in East Texas for over 25 years, and we’re here to help you navigate this difficult time.
Our firm’s founder, Ralph Manginello, has been protecting the rights of injured Texans since 1998. With his federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas and experience in complex litigation like the BP explosion case, Ralph brings unmatched expertise to every case. But what truly sets our firm apart is our insurance defense insider, Lupe Peña. Having spent years working for insurance companies, Lupe knows exactly how they try to minimize your claim – and how to beat them at their own game.
The Reality of Car Accidents in Lufkin and Angelina County
Lufkin sits at the intersection of several major highways including US-59, US-69, and State Highway 94, making our roads particularly dangerous. Whether you’re driving through downtown Lufkin, commuting to work at Lufkin Industries, or traveling to Angelina College, the risk of a serious accident is always present.
In Angelina County alone, we see accidents caused by:
- Distracted driving on US-59 near the Loop
- Speeding on State Highway 103
- Failure to yield at busy intersections like Frank Avenue and Denman Avenue
- Drunk driving accidents near local bars and restaurants
- Fatigued driving from long commutes to industrial jobs
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to life-altering:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: These are common in rear-end collisions and can cause chronic pain if not properly treated
- Herniated discs: The force of a collision can damage spinal discs, often requiring surgery
- Broken bones: Fractures to arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis are frequent in high-impact crashes
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Even a “minor” concussion can have long-term effects
- Spinal cord injuries: These can lead to partial or complete paralysis
- Internal injuries: Damage to organs may not be immediately apparent
- Psychological trauma: PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common after serious accidents
In one recent case, our client’s leg was injured in a car accident right here in Lufkin. During treatment, staff infections developed, and doctors had no choice but to perform a partial amputation. This case settled in the millions – but only because we fought for every dollar our client deserved.
Why Insurance Companies Will Try to Undervalue Your Claim
Here’s what you need to know: the insurance company is not on your side. They have one goal – to pay you as little as possible. And they have sophisticated tactics to achieve that goal.
Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years working for insurance companies. He knows their playbook inside and out. Here’s what they’ll try to do to your claim:
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The Quick Cash Trap: They’ll offer you a few thousand dollars within days of your accident. It sounds good when you’re facing medical bills and lost wages, but this is just a fraction of what your case is worth.
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The Recorded Statement Trap: They’ll call you while you’re still recovering and ask for a recorded statement. They’ll ask leading questions designed to make you say things that hurt your case.
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The IME Doctor Scam: They’ll send you to a doctor they’ve hired to evaluate your injuries. These doctors are paid to find ways to minimize your injuries.
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Surveillance: They’ll hire investigators to follow you and film your daily activities, looking for any opportunity to claim you’re not really injured.
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Delay Tactics: They’ll drag out your claim, hoping you’ll get desperate and accept a lowball offer.
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Comparative Fault Arguments: They’ll try to blame you for the accident, even if it wasn’t your fault.
But here’s the good news: because Lupe used to work for them, he knows exactly how to counter these tactics. He knows which doctors they use, how they calculate settlement offers, and how to expose their bad faith practices.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Lufkin Car Accident Case
When you choose Attorney911, you’re not just getting a lawyer – you’re getting a team that knows how to fight insurance companies. Here’s what makes us different:
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Insurance Defense Insider: Lupe Peña’s experience working for insurance companies gives us an unfair advantage. He knows their tactics because he used them.
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Multi-Million Dollar Results: We’ve recovered millions for our clients, including cases settling in the millions for catastrophic injuries.
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Federal Court Experience: Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. This means we can handle complex cases that other firms can’t.
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Personal Attention: At Attorney911, you work directly with Ralph or Lupe, not a case manager. As client Chad Harris said: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client…You are FAMILY to them.”
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No Fee Unless We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis – you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
As Chavodrian Miles shared about his experience: “Leonor got me into the doctor the same day…it only took 6 months amazing.” That’s the kind of service we provide to every client.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Lufkin
If you’ve been in an accident in Angelina County, follow these steps:
- Call 911 and report the accident
- Seek medical attention immediately – many injuries don’t show symptoms right away
- Document everything – take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries
- Exchange information with the other driver
- Get witness contact information
- Do NOT give a recorded statement to any insurance company
- Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate legal guidance
Remember, evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is typically deleted within 7-30 days. Witness memories fade. The insurance company is already building their case against you. Don’t wait – call us now.
How We Prove Liability in Your Case
To win your case, we need to prove four things:
- Duty of Care: The other driver had a legal obligation to drive safely
- Breach of Duty: They violated that obligation through negligence
- Causation: Their negligence directly caused your injuries
- Damages: You suffered actual harm
We gather evidence to prove each element:
- Police reports documenting what happened
- Witness statements supporting your version of events
- Photographs and video of the scene and vehicle damage
- Medical records showing your injuries
- Expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists
- Electronic data from vehicle black boxes
In trucking cases, we also obtain:
- Driver logs and ELD data
- Maintenance records
- Employment files
- Company safety policies
What You Can Recover in Your Car Accident Case
In Texas, accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages:
Economic Damages (No Cap):
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-Economic Damages (No Cap):
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages (Capped):
- Available in cases of gross negligence or malice
- Drunk driving cases often qualify
The value of your case depends on factors like:
- Severity of your injuries
- Cost of medical treatment
- Impact on your ability to work
- Degree of pain and suffering
- Clear liability (was the other driver clearly at fault?)
- Insurance policy limits
In one case, we represented a client who was rear-ended in Lufkin. The impact caused a leg injury that later led to a partial amputation due to complications. This case settled in the millions – but only because we fought for every dollar our client deserved.
The Attorney911 Difference: Former Insurance Defense Attorney Now Fighting For You
Most law firms talk about fighting insurance companies. We actually know how to do it because we used to work for them.
Lupe Peña spent years working for a national defense firm, learning firsthand how large insurance companies value claims. He knows:
- How they calculate settlement offers
- Which doctors they send you to for “independent” medical exams
- How they use surveillance to undermine your claim
- Their delay tactics and how to counter them
- How to beat their algorithms for claim valuation
As Lupe explains: “I’ve reviewed hundreds of surveillance videos and social media posts as 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 10 minutes of you struggling before and after. They’re not documenting your life – they’re building ammunition against you.”
This insider knowledge is why we’re able to recover millions for our clients – because we know exactly how to counter the insurance company’s tactics.
We Handle All Types of Car Accidents in Angelina County
Our firm handles all types of car accident cases in Lufkin and throughout Angelina County:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Hit and run accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Weather-related accidents
We also handle complex cases involving:
- Commercial vehicles
- Trucking accidents
- Rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft)
- Government vehicles
- Defective auto parts
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Lufkin
Q: What should I do immediately after a car accident in Lufkin?
A: After ensuring everyone’s safety and calling 911, document everything. Take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Exchange information with the other driver and get witness contact information. Most importantly, call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 before speaking to any insurance company.
Q: Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
A: No. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that can hurt your claim. Even if they seem friendly, everything you say will be used against you. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney.
Q: How much is my car accident case worth?
A: The value depends on many factors including your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Cases range from $15,000 for minor injuries to millions for catastrophic injuries. We’ve recovered millions for our clients, including cases settling in the millions.
Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Texas?
A: In Texas, you have 2 years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation forever.
Q: What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
A: Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can compensate you. Texas allows inter-policy stacking, which means you may be able to combine multiple UM policies for greater coverage. We can help you navigate this complex process.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
A: Yes, if you were 50% or less at fault. Texas uses a modified comparative fault system. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 20% at fault in a $100,000 case, you can still recover $80,000.
Q: How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
A: At Attorney911, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, typically 33.33% before trial and 40% if the case goes to trial.
Q: What if I have a pre-existing condition?
A: You can still recover compensation if the accident aggravated your pre-existing condition. This is called the “eggshell plaintiff” rule – defendants take victims as they find them. We’ll work with medical experts to prove how the accident worsened your condition.
Q: Should I post about my accident on social media?
A: No. Insurance companies monitor social media looking for posts that can be taken out of context. Even innocent photos can be used against you. We recommend making all profiles private and not posting about your accident or injuries.
Q: How long will my case take to settle?
A: Every case is different. Minor injury cases may settle in 6-12 months, while serious injury cases can take 18-24 months or longer. We don’t settle until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement and we know the full extent of your injuries.
Q: What if I was hit by a drunk driver?
A: You may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. Texas law also allows you to sue the establishment that served the drunk driver if they were obviously intoxicated (dram shop liability). We have extensive experience with these cases.
Q: Can I switch attorneys if I’m unhappy with my current lawyer?
A: Yes. You have the right to change attorneys at any time. If your current attorney isn’t communicating with you or fighting for your best interests, call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’ve taken over many cases from other attorneys.
Q: What if the accident happened in a parking lot?
A: Parking lot accidents are fully compensable. Insurance companies often try to argue that these accidents are always 50/50 fault, but that’s not true. We can prove fault through surveillance video, witness statements, and damage analysis.
Q: What if I was a passenger in the at-fault vehicle?
A: You can still pursue a claim against the driver, even if you were riding with a friend or family member. The driver’s insurance covers passengers. These cases often settle quickly because liability is usually clear.
Why Lufkin and Angelina County Trust Attorney911
At Attorney911, we’re proud to serve the people of Lufkin and all of Angelina County. Whether you’re a student at Angelina College, an employee at Lufkin Industries, or a family enjoying the Ellen Trout Zoo, we understand the unique needs of our community.
We know the local courts, including the Angelina County Courthouse and the judges who preside there. We understand the challenges faced by residents of Lufkin, Diboll, Hudson, and the surrounding areas.
Our firm has the resources to handle cases of all sizes, from minor fender benders to catastrophic injuries. We’ve recovered millions for our clients, including cases settling in the millions for brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death.
But what truly sets us apart is our commitment to our clients. As Glenda Walker shared: “They make you feel like family and even though the process may take some time, they make it feel like a breeze. They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
Call Attorney911 Now – 1-888-ATTY-911
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Lufkin or anywhere in Angelina County, don’t wait. Evidence disappears every day. Surveillance footage is deleted. Witness memories fade. The insurance company is already building their case against you.
Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. With offices serving all of Texas, we’re ready to fight for you.
Remember, when you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’re not just calling a law firm – you’re calling a legal emergency line. We answer 24/7 because accidents don’t wait for business hours.
Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’re here to help.