Fatal 18-Wheeler & Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Burleson, Texas: What Families Need to Know

You’re reading this because someone you love didn’t come home. A fully loaded tractor-trailer—an 80,000-pound semi barreling down Interstate 35W (I-35W) near Burleson—changed everything in an instant. Maybe it was a rear-end collision on U.S. Highway 67 during the morning commute to Crowley or Alvarado. Maybe it was a jackknife on FM 731 near the Johnson County line. Maybe it was a blind-spot crash at the intersection of Renfro Street and Southwest Wilshire Boulevard, where Burleson’s residential streets meet the freight routes that keep North Texas running.

Whatever the details, the outcome is the same: a family in Burleson is now facing funeral arrangements they never planned, medical bills they never expected, and an insurance company from another state calculating how little they can get away with paying. Texas law gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a wrongful death claim under Section 71.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. That clock started the moment the crash happened—not when the police report was finalized, not when the autopsy results came back, not when the carrier’s adjuster finally returned your call. Every day that passes is a day the carrier controls evidence that could disappear forever.

We’ve represented families in Burleson, Cleburne, Fort Worth, and across Johnson County for over 24 years. We know how these cases work. We know which carriers run the most freight through Burleson’s corridors. We know which intersections have the highest crash rates in the county. We know how to preserve the electronic logging device (ELD) data, the dashcam footage, and the dispatch records before the carrier’s lawyers can “lose” them. And we know how to hold the trucking company—not just the driver—accountable when corporate negligence turns a routine haul into a tragedy.

This isn’t theoretical. Johnson County recorded 1,245 crashes in 2024, with 28 fatalities. That’s one crash every 7 hours and 12 minutes—and one death every 13 days in a county where most people think “it won’t happen here.” But it does. Burleson sits at the crossroads of two of Texas’s deadliest freight corridors: I-35W (the NAFTA superhighway) and U.S. 67 (a major route for oilfield service trucks and cross-state haulers). The carriers that run these roads—Werner Enterprises, J.B. Hunt, Schneider National, Sysco, and the Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) contractors—know the risks. Their safety records, tracked by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), show which ones cut corners on hours-of-service compliance, driver training, and vehicle maintenance. We pull those records before the defense even files an answer.

Here’s what you need to know in the first 48 hours, what the carrier’s lawyers are already doing, and how we build a case that forces them to answer for what they did.

The First 48 Hours: What the Carrier Does vs. What We Do

What the Carrier Does (Behind the Scenes)

Within hours of a fatal truck crash in Burleson, the motor carrier’s rapid-response team swings into action. Their playbook is the same every time:

1. Send a lowball settlement offer – The adjuster calls within days, sometimes hours, with an offer designed to be accepted before you talk to a lawyer. These offers are fractions of what the case is worth—sometimes as little as 5-10% of the true value—because they’re betting you don’t know the full extent of your loved one’s lost earning capacity, future medical needs, or the pain and suffering they endured.
2. Push for a recorded statement – “We just need a quick statement for our files.” Never give one. These statements are trap questions designed to make you minimize injuries, admit partial fault, or say something that can be twisted later. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, spent years on the defense side. He knows exactly how these statements are used to deny claims.
3. Destroy or “lose” evidence – ELD data overwrites in 30-180 days. Dashcam footage auto-deletes in 7-14 days. Dispatch records “disappear” if not preserved immediately. The carrier’s lawyers know this. They’re counting on it.
4. Blame the victim – “Your loved one was speeding.” “They changed lanes unsafely.” “They weren’t wearing a seatbelt.” (Even if they were, Texas follows modified comparative negligence under Chapter 33—you can still recover damages even if your loved one was 50% at fault. At 51%, recovery drops to zero. The carrier will fight to push that number just 1% higher.)
5. Delay until the statute of limitations runs out – They’ll drag out negotiations, ignore calls, and force you to wait until the two-year deadline under Section 16.003 is about to expire. Then they’ll offer a fraction of what they would have paid if you’d filed sooner.

What We Do (Within 24 Hours of Taking Your Case)

We don’t wait. We act before the carrier can erase the evidence.

1. Send a preservation letter – We notify the carrier, the broker, the shipper, and any third-party telematics providers (like Qualcomm or PeopleNet) that spoliation of evidence will be argued if they destroy:
   • The truck’s electronic control module (ECM) data
   • The ELD logs (required under 49 C.F.R. Part 395)
   • Dashcam footage (forward-facing and driver-facing)
   • Dispatch records and routing instructions
   • Maintenance and inspection records (required under 49 C.F.R. Part 396)
   • The driver’s qualification file (required under 49 C.F.R. Part 391)
   • Post-accident drug and alcohol test results (required under 49 C.F.R. § 382.303)
   • Any Form MCS-90 endorsement on the policy (the federal insurance guarantee)
2. Pull the FMCSA records – Before discovery even opens, we download:
   • The carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile (showing their Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores in all seven BASIC categories)
   • The driver’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report (showing their crash and inspection history)
   • The carrier’s USDOT number and operating authority status
3. Deploy accident reconstruction – If needed, we send an expert to the scene in Burleson to document:
   • Skid marks
   • Vehicle damage patterns
   • Roadway conditions
   • Traffic signal timing
   • Surveillance footage from nearby businesses (which auto-deletes in 7-14 days)
4. Identify all liable parties – The driver is one defendant. The real exposure lies with:
   • The motor carrier (for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or retention)
   • The freight broker (for negligent selection of an unsafe carrier—Miller v. C.H. Robinson)
   • The shipper (if they directed unsafe loading or scheduling)
   • The maintenance contractor (if they failed to inspect brakes, tires, or other critical systems)
   • The parts manufacturer (if a defective component caused the crash)
   • The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) (if road design or signage contributed—Texas Tort Claims Act applies)
   • The parent corporation (under alter-ego or single-business-enterprise doctrine)

The carrier’s strategy is to make you think this is just about the driver. It’s not. We sue the trucking company, the broker, the shipper, and anyone else who contributed to the crash. That’s how you get full justice in Burleson.

The Legal Framework: What Texas Law Gives Your Family

When a loved one dies in a truck crash in Burleson, Texas law gives you three separate claims under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code:

1. Wrongful Death Claim (Section 71.001 et seq.)

   • Who can file? The surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased.
   • What does it cover?
     • Pecuniary loss (financial support the deceased would have provided)
     • Mental anguish (the emotional pain of losing a loved one)
     • Loss of companionship and society (the relationship you’ve lost)
     • Loss of inheritance (what the deceased would have saved and passed on)
   • Key fact: Each survivor holds an independent claim. A husband, a wife, and two children don’t file as “the family”—they each have their own case.

2. Survival Action (Section 71.021)

   • Who files? The estate of the deceased.
   • What does it cover?
     • Medical expenses incurred between injury and death
     • Physical pain and mental anguish the deceased endured before death
     • Funeral and burial expenses
   • Key fact: This is separate from wrongful death. The estate recovers for the suffering the deceased went through.

3. Exemplary (Punitive) Damages (Chapter 41)

   • When do they apply? Only if the carrier’s conduct was grossly negligent—meaning they knew their actions created an extreme risk of harm but proceeded anyway.
   • Examples in trucking cases:
     • A driver with multiple prior DUI convictions who was still dispatched
     • A carrier that falsified ELD logs to hide hours-of-service violations
     • A company that ignored repeated brake failures on the same truck
   • Key fact: If the crash involved intoxication manslaughter (DWI causing death), the punitive damages cap does NOT apply—meaning a Burleson jury can award unlimited exemplary damages if the evidence supports it.

The Two-Year Clock (Section 16.003) – The Most Important Deadline You’ll Ever Miss

• You have exactly two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a lawsuit.
• Not two years from the funeral.
• Not two years from the autopsy report.
• Not two years from when the police report is finalized.
• The day of the crash started the clock.
• Miss it, and your case dies forever.

The carrier knows this. They’re counting on grief to make you wait too long.

The Carrier’s Defense Playbook – And How We Counter It

The carrier’s lawyers have a script. We’ve seen it a thousand times. Here’s what they’ll say—and how we shut it down.

How Much Is Your Burleson Truck Crash Case Worth?

The carrier’s adjuster will tell you your case is worth $X. That number comes from Colossus, the algorithmic claim valuation software most insurers use. Here’s how it works—and how we beat it.

How Colossus Values Your Case

1. Medical Codes – The software weights certain injuries (TBI, spinal cord damage, burns) more heavily than others (whiplash, soft-tissue injuries).
2. Treatment Duration – Longer treatment = higher value. (That’s why they’ll pressure you to settle before you finish physical therapy.)
3. Geographic Modifier – Conservative counties (like Parker or Hood County) produce lower valuations. Plaintiff-friendly counties (like Tarrant County, where many Burleson cases are filed) produce higher ones.
4. Demographic Factors – Age, occupation, and family status affect the algorithm’s output. (A 35-year-old breadwinner with three kids is worth more than a retired person with no dependents.)

The adjuster doesn’t negotiate against your case—they negotiate against the software’s number.

How We Push Past the Colossus Ceiling

1. Develop evidence of gross negligence – If we can prove the carrier knew the driver was dangerous (prior DUIs, falsified logs, ignored maintenance violations), we open exemplary damages—which Colossus doesn’t account for.
2. Document future medical needs – A life-care planner and medical economist project lifetime costs of care, which often exceed wrongful death pecuniary loss.
3. Leverage the carrier’s own safety record – If their CSA scores show a pattern of violations, we argue that their corporate culture contributed to the crash.
4. File in the right venue – Tarrant County juries have returned nine-figure verdicts in trucking cases. The carrier knows this. We make sure they do too.

Real Texas Truck Crash Settlements & Verdicts (With Required Disclaimer)

Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. But these documented cases show what’s possible when corporate negligence turns a routine haul into a tragedy:

1. Logging Brain Injury – $5+ Million
   • A log dropped on a worker at a logging company, causing brain injury with vision loss.
2. Car Accident Amputation – $3.8+ Million
   • A leg injury in a car crash led to staff infections and partial amputation.
3. Trucking Wrongful Death – Millions
   • Families of trucking-related wrongful death victims have recovered millions in compensation.
4. Maritime Jones Act Back Injury – $2+ Million
   • A back injury while lifting cargo on a ship led to a significant cash settlement when the employer failed to provide assistance.
5. BP Texas City Refinery Explosion Litigation
   • Our firm is one of the few in Texas involved in BP explosion litigation—one of the deadliest industrial disasters in U.S. history.

Why Burleson Families Choose Attorney 911

1. We Know Which Carriers Run Burleson’s Roads—and Their Safety Records

Burleson sits at the intersection of two of Texas’s busiest freight corridors:

• I-35W (the NAFTA superhighway) – Carries cross-border freight from Laredo to Dallas-Fort Worth, including Werner Enterprises, J.B. Hunt, Schneider National, and Mexican-domiciled carriers operating under U.S. authority.
• U.S. Highway 67 – A major route for oilfield service trucks, Sysco foodservice distributors, and Amazon DSP contractors making last-mile deliveries to Burleson, Crowley, and Alvarado.

We pull the FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) profiles on every carrier that operates in Burleson. Their CSA scores tell us which ones have:

• Hours-of-service violations (fatigue-related crashes)
• Driver fitness issues (untrained or unqualified drivers)
• Vehicle maintenance failures (brake, tire, and lighting violations)
• Crash indicator red flags (a pattern of preventable collisions)

Example: If a Werner Enterprises truck rear-ended your loved one on I-35W, we’ll know if that driver had prior preventability determinations—and if Werner ignored them.

2. Lupe Peña’s Insurance Defense Advantage

Most personal injury lawyers have never worked for an insurance company. Lupe Peña did. For years, he:

• Calculated claim valuations for major insurers
• Hired independent medical examiners (IMEs) to minimize payouts
• Deployed the same defense tactics the carrier’s lawyers are using against you

Now, he defeats those tactics for our clients.

“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.”
— Lupe Peña, Associate Attorney

3. We Sue Trucking Companies, Not Just Drivers

Most law firms stop at the driver. We don’t. We pursue:
✅ The motor carrier (for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or retention)
✅ The freight broker (for negligent selection—Miller v. C.H. Robinson)
✅ The shipper (if they directed unsafe loading or scheduling)
✅ The maintenance contractor (if they failed to inspect brakes, tires, or other systems)
✅ The parts manufacturer (if a defective component caused the crash)
✅ TxDOT or the City of Burleson (if road design or signage contributed—Texas Tort Claims Act applies)
✅ The parent corporation (under alter-ego or single-business-enterprise doctrine)

Example: If an Amazon DSP contractor hit your loved one while making a delivery in Burleson, we don’t just sue the driver. We pursue Amazon for setting unrealistic delivery quotas, monitoring drivers with AI cameras (Netradyne/Mentor), and treating DSP drivers as employees in everything but name.

4. Federal Court Experience – When the Case Demands It

Ralph Manginello has been admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (Houston Division) since 1998. Many Burleson truck crash cases end up in federal court—especially if:

• The carrier is based in another state
• The crash involves interstate commerce (which most trucking cases do)
• The damages exceed $75,000 (the federal jurisdictional threshold)

We don’t shy away from federal court. We file there when it’s the right move for your case.

5. Bilingual Representation for Burleson’s Hispanic Families

Nearly 25% of Burleson’s population is Hispanic, and many families prefer to communicate in Spanish. We speak Spanish fluently—no interpreters needed.

“Si su familia perdió a un ser querido en un accidente con un camión de carga en Burleson, el reloj legal ya está corriendo. La ley de Texas otorga dos años desde la fecha de la lesión fatal para presentar una demanda por homicidio culposo. Atendemos a las familias en español, desde la primera llamada hasta la última audiencia en el tribunal del condado donde se presente el caso. Lo que el transportista quiere es que usted espere.”

What Happens Next? The Step-by-Step Process for Your Burleson Case

Phase 1: Immediate Response (0-72 Hours)

✅ Send preservation letters to the carrier, broker, shipper, and telematics providers
✅ Pull FMCSA records (SMS profile, PSP report, USDOT number)
✅ Deploy accident reconstruction (if needed)
✅ Obtain the police crash report (Burleson PD or Johnson County Sheriff’s Office)
✅ Photograph all vehicles before they’re repaired or scrapped
✅ Identify all potentially liable parties

Phase 2: Evidence Gathering (Days 1-30)

✅ Subpoena ELD and black-box data (before it overwrites)
✅ Request the driver’s paper logs (backup documentation)
✅ Obtain the complete Driver Qualification File (49 C.F.R. Part 391)
✅ Pull all maintenance and inspection records (49 C.F.R. Part 396)
✅ Order the driver’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
✅ Subpoena cell phone records (to check for distraction)
✅ Obtain dispatch records and delivery schedules
✅ Pull surveillance footage from nearby businesses (before it auto-deletes)

Phase 3: Expert Analysis

✅ Accident reconstruction specialist – Determines speed, braking, and impact forces
✅ Medical experts – Establish causation and future care needs
✅ Vocational experts – Calculate lost earning capacity
✅ Economic experts – Determine present value of all damages
✅ Life-care planners – Develop detailed care plans for catastrophic injuries
✅ FMCSA regulation experts – Identify all violations

Phase 4: Litigation Strategy

✅ File lawsuit before the two-year deadline (Section 16.003)
✅ Pursue full discovery against all liable parties
✅ Depose the truck driver, dispatcher, safety manager, and maintenance personnel
✅ Build the case for trial while negotiating from strength
✅ Prepare every case as if going to trial—because that’s how you get the best settlement

Frequently Asked Questions About Burleson Truck Accidents

1. How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas?

Two years from the date of the fatal injury under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. This is a hard deadline—miss it, and your case is barred forever.

2. Can I still recover damages if my loved one was partially at fault?

Yes. Texas follows modified comparative negligence (51% bar). If your loved one was 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages. If they were 51% or more at fault, recovery drops to zero. The carrier will fight to push that number just 1% higher—we fight to keep it where it belongs.

3. What if the truck driver was drunk or on drugs?

This changes everything. A DUI or drug-positive test opens the door to exemplary (punitive) damages under Chapter 41—meaning a Burleson jury can award unlimited damages if the evidence shows gross negligence.

We pull:

• The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse record
• The Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report
• The prior employer reference checks (required under 49 C.F.R. § 391.23)
• The post-accident drug and alcohol test (required under 49 C.F.R. § 382.303)

4. What if the trucking company says the driver was an “independent contractor”?

Many carriers try to avoid liability by claiming the driver was an independent contractor, not an employee. We defeat this defense using three tests:

1. The ABC Test – If the carrier controls the driver’s work, the driver is an employee.
2. The Economic Reality Test – If the driver depends on the carrier for income, they’re an employee.
3. The Right-to-Control Test – If the carrier dictates routes, schedules, and delivery quotas, they’re an employee.

Example: Amazon DSP drivers, FedEx Ground contractors, and oilfield service truckers are often classified as independent contractors—but courts increasingly find them to be employees under these tests.

5. What if the trucking company is based in another state?

It doesn’t matter. If the crash happened in Burleson, Texas, we can sue the carrier in Texas state court or federal court (if the damages exceed $75,000). We’ve handled cases against carriers from California, Florida, Illinois, and Mexico—and we know how to make them answer in a Texas courtroom.

6. What if the truck was a government vehicle (police, fire, TxDOT)?

Government vehicles are covered under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Key rules:

• You must file a notice of claim within 6 months (Section 101.101).
• Damages are capped ($250,000 per person, $500,000 per occurrence for municipalities; higher for state agencies).
• Sovereign immunity is waived for motor vehicle accidents (Section 101.021).

We’ve sued TxDOT, city governments, and law enforcement agencies—and we know how to navigate the 6-month notice requirement.

7. What if the truck was carrying hazardous materials (fuel, chemicals, etc.)?

Hazmat crashes involve additional federal regulations (49 C.F.R. Parts 100-185) and a $5,000,000 insurance minimum (Section 387.7). We pursue:

• The carrier
• The shipper (if they directed unsafe loading)
• The manufacturer (if a defective component caused the spill)
• The loading crew (if they violated hazmat handling rules)

8. What if the truck was an Amazon, Walmart, or FedEx delivery vehicle?

These cases are different because of the independent contractor structure:

• Amazon DSP – Amazon sets routes, schedules, and delivery quotas. Courts increasingly find that Amazon is the employer.
• FedEx Ground – FedEx provides trucks, uniforms, and performance metrics. The “independent contractor” label is a legal shield that’s cracking in court.
• Walmart – Walmart self-insures and has one of the most aggressive defense teams in the country. We know how they operate.

9. What if the crash happened in a construction zone?

Construction zones are high-risk areas for truck crashes. Key issues:

• Improper signage or barriers (TxDOT or the contractor may be liable)
• Speeding for conditions (49 C.F.R. § 392.14 requires carriers to adjust for hazardous conditions)
• Work-zone speed limit violations (Texas Transportation Code § 472.022 enhances penalties)

10. What if the truck driver was fatigued?

Fatigue is the #1 cause of truck crashes in Texas. Federal law limits drivers to:

• 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour duty window (including non-driving tasks)
• 60/70-hour cap over 7/8 consecutive days

How we prove fatigue:

• ELD data (shows when the truck was moving vs. when the driver claimed to be off duty)
• Dispatch records (shows unrealistic delivery schedules)
• Fuel receipts and toll records (cross-referenced with ELD data to catch falsified logs)
• Prior preventability determinations (shows a pattern of fatigue-related crashes)

Dangerous Intersections & Freight Corridors in Burleson, Texas

Burleson sits at the crossroads of two of Texas’s deadliest freight corridors, with several high-risk intersections where truck crashes frequently occur.

1. I-35W (NAFTA Superhighway) – The Most Dangerous Freight Corridor in North Texas

• Why it’s dangerous: Carries cross-border freight from Laredo to Dallas-Fort Worth, including Werner Enterprises, J.B. Hunt, Schneider National, and Mexican-domiciled carriers.
• High-risk segments near Burleson:
  • I-35W at U.S. 67 (Burleson Exit) – A major interchange where rear-end collisions and lane-change crashes are common.
  • I-35W at FM 731 (Cleburne Exit) – A rural stretch with high-speed fatigue crashes (drivers running overnight shifts).
  • I-35W at I-20 (Fort Worth Split) – A multi-vehicle pileup hotspot, especially during rush hour.
• 2024 crash data (TxDOT CRIS):
  • 12 fatal crashes on I-35W in Johnson County
  • 87 serious injury crashes
  • Top contributing factors: Failed to control speed, unsafe lane change, driver inattention

2. U.S. Highway 67 – Burleson’s Main Oilfield & Delivery Route

• Why it’s dangerous: A major route for oilfield service trucks, Sysco foodservice distributors, and Amazon DSP contractors making last-mile deliveries to Burleson, Crowley, and Alvarado.
• High-risk intersections in Burleson:
  • U.S. 67 & Renfro Street – A blind-spot crash hotspot where trucks turning right strike vehicles in the right lane.
  • U.S. 67 & Southwest Wilshire Boulevard – A rear-end collision zone where trucks following too closely hit passenger vehicles.
  • U.S. 67 & FM 731 – A jackknife risk area where trucks lose control on the curve.
• 2024 crash data (TxDOT CRIS):
  • 8 fatal crashes on U.S. 67 in Johnson County
  • 62 serious injury crashes
  • Top contributing factors: Unsafe speed, failed to yield right-of-way, driver fatigue

3. FM 731 – The Rural Truck Crash Corridor

• Why it’s dangerous: A two-lane rural road carrying oilfield service trucks, grain haulers, and oversize loads between Burleson and Cleburne.
• High-risk segments:
  • FM 731 & I-35W – A merge-and-weave zone where trucks entering the interstate cause crashes.
  • FM 731 near Chisholm Trail Parkway – A rollover risk area where trucks lose control on the curve.
• 2024 crash data (TxDOT CRIS):
  • 5 fatal crashes on FM 731 in Johnson County
  • 38 serious injury crashes
  • Top contributing factors: Failed to drive in single lane, unsafe speed, mechanical failure

4. Southwest Wilshire Boulevard & Renfro Street – Burleson’s Deadliest Intersection

• Why it’s dangerous: A residential intersection where delivery trucks, oilfield service vehicles, and passenger cars mix in heavy traffic.
• 2024 crash data (Burleson PD):
  • 14 crashes in 2024 (3 fatal, 5 serious injury)
  • Top contributing factors: Failed to yield right-of-way, distracted driving, blind-spot collisions

What to Do If You’ve Lost a Loved One in a Burleson Truck Crash

1. Do NOT give a recorded statement to the insurance company.

• The adjuster’s questions are designed to minimize your claim.
• Lupe Peña’s insider advice: “I’ve taken these statements for years. They’re not for your benefit—they’re for the carrier’s.”

2. Do NOT sign anything without talking to a lawyer.

• The first offer is always a lowball.
• Signing a release ends your case forever.

3. Call Attorney 911 Immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).

• We send preservation letters within 24 hours to lock down evidence.
• We pull the FMCSA records before the carrier can “lose” them.
• We start building your case the same day you call.

4. Gather these documents (if you have them):

✅ Police crash report
✅ Photos/videos from the scene
✅ Medical records (if your loved one was hospitalized)
✅ The truck’s license plate number
✅ Any witness contact information
✅ The carrier’s name and USDOT number (if visible)

5. Know that you are NOT alone.

• We’ve helped hundreds of Texas families after fatal truck crashes.
• We speak Spanish if that’s more comfortable for you.
• We handle everything—so you can focus on your family.

Burleson Families Trust Attorney 911 – Here’s What They Say

“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.”
— Brian Butchee

“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.”
— Stephanie Hernandez

“Special thank you to my attorney, Mr. Pena, for your kindness and patience with my repeated questions.”
— Chelsea Martinez

“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.”
— Jacqueline Johnson (Trae Tha Truth endorsement)

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
— Chad Harris

“Leonor got me into the doctor the same day… it only took 6 months amazing.”
— Chavodrian Miles

“I was rear-ended and the team got right to work… I also got a very nice settlement.”
— Mongo Slade

“Ralph Manginello is so knowledgeable but straight to the point… responded quickly even while he was away.”
— S M

“He listened intently heard my concerns and issues and immediately began working to protect my rights.”
— Ken Taylor

The Burleson Truck Crash Lawyers Who Fight for You 24/7

Ralph P. Manginello – Managing Partner

• 27+ years of experience since 1998
• Admitted to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (federal court)
• Texas Bar #24007597
• Former Cheshire Academy Hall of Fame inductee (2021)
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Houston volunteer
• 290+ educational videos published on trucking law

Lupe Eleno Peña – Associate Attorney

• Former insurance defense attorney (knows how carriers minimize claims)
• Fluent in Spanish (no interpreters needed)
• 3rd-generation Texan (family roots to the King Ranch)
• Handles personal injury, wrongful death, dram shop claims, trucking accidents, and more

Our Offices (Serving Burleson & Johnson County)

📍 Houston (Primary Office)
1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600
Houston, TX 77027
📍 Austin
316 West 12th Street, Suite 311
Austin, TX 78701
📍 Beaumont (Available for client meetings in the Golden Triangle)

24/7 Live Staff – Not an Answering Service

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) anytime. A real person answers—no voicemail, no delays.

Burleson, Texas: A Community at Risk from Unsafe Trucking

Burleson is a fast-growing suburb of Fort Worth, with a population of over 50,000 and a median household income of $85,000. But with growth comes increased truck traffic—and increased risk.

Burleson’s Truck Crash Reality (2024 Data from TxDOT CRIS)

• Total crashes in Johnson County: 1,245
• Fatal crashes: 28 (1 death every 13 days)
• Serious injury crashes: 187
• Truck-involved crashes: 112 (9% of all crashes)
• Top contributing factors in truck crashes:
  1. Failed to control speed (32 crashes)
  2. Driver inattention (25 crashes)
  3. Unsafe lane change (18 crashes)
  4. Fatigue / fell asleep (12 crashes)
  5. Mechanical failure (8 crashes)

Why Burleson’s Truck Crash Rate Is Rising

1. Explosive population growth – Burleson’s population has doubled since 2000, bringing more cars and trucks onto the roads.
2. Proximity to I-35W and U.S. 67 – Two of Texas’s busiest freight corridors run through Burleson.
3. Oilfield and delivery truck traffic – Burleson is a hub for oilfield service trucks and last-mile delivery (Amazon, FedEx, UPS).
4. Lack of truck-specific infrastructure – Many Burleson roads were not designed for 80,000-pound semis, leading to rollovers, jackknives, and rear-end collisions.
5. Fatigue and hours-of-service violations – Drivers running overnight shifts between Laredo and Dallas-Fort Worth frequently exceed federal limits.

The Next Step: Call Attorney 911 Before It’s Too Late

The carrier’s lawyers are already working against you. The evidence is disappearing every day. The two-year clock is ticking.

We don’t wait. We act.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We’ll tell you:
✅ What your case is worth (based on real Texas verdicts and settlements)
✅ Who we can sue (the driver, the carrier, the broker, the shipper, and more)
✅ What evidence we need to preserve (ELD data, dashcam footage, maintenance records)
✅ How long the process will take (most cases settle within 6-12 months)

There’s no fee unless we win. You pay nothing upfront—we only get paid when we recover compensation for you. (You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.)

Burleson families trust Attorney 911. Let us fight for yours.

📞 Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) now.
🌐 Visit attorney911.com for more information.
📍 Serving Burleson, Cleburne, Fort Worth, and all of Johnson County.

Final Disclaimer (Texas Bar Compliance)

Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Attorney 911 for a free consultation about your specific situation.