18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in City of Andrews, Texas
Every year, thousands of 18-wheeler accidents occur on Texas highways. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a trucking accident in City of Andrews, you need an attorney who understands federal trucking regulations and how to hold negligent trucking companies accountable.
At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for truck accident victims across West Texas for over 25 years. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has federal court experience and has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes. We know City of Andrews’ trucking corridors, from US-385 to the distribution centers where drivers may be violating federal hours-of-service regulations. This local knowledge, combined with our understanding of FMCSA regulations, gives us an advantage in building your case.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different
18-wheeler accidents are fundamentally different from car accidents because:
- Size and Weight: A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – 20-25 times heavier than a passenger car
- Stopping Distance: At 65 mph, an 18-wheeler needs nearly two football fields (525 feet) to stop
- Multiple Liable Parties: We investigate truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo owners, maintenance companies, and manufacturers
- Federal Regulations: Trucking companies must comply with strict FMCSA safety rules
- Higher Insurance Limits: Trucking companies carry $750,000 to $5,000,000 in insurance coverage
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in City of Andrews
Our experience handling trucking cases in West Texas has shown us the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents:
Driver Fatigue (Hours of Service Violations)
FMCSA regulations limit drivers to:
- 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- 14-hour on-duty window
- 30-minute break after 8 hours driving
- 60/70 hour weekly limits
Fatigued driving causes approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes. We obtain ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data to prove HOS violations.
Distracted Driving
- Cell phone use (49 CFR § 392.82 prohibits hand-held phone use)
- Dispatch communications
- GPS navigation
- Eating/drinking while driving
Improper Maintenance
- Brake failures (cause 29% of truck accidents)
- Tire blowouts (11,000+ crashes yearly)
- Worn or damaged underride guards
- Lighting and reflector deficiencies
Cargo Securement Failures
Improperly secured cargo causes rollovers and spills. FMCSA regulations (49 CFR § 393.100-136) require:
- Cargo must withstand 0.8g deceleration forward
- 0.5g acceleration rearward and laterally
- Proper tiedowns based on cargo weight and length
Speeding and Reckless Driving
- Following too closely (49 CFR § 392.11)
- Excessive speed for conditions (49 CFR § 392.6)
- Improper lane changes
Drug and Alcohol Use
- 49 CFR § 392.4 prohibits Schedule I substances
- 49 CFR § 392.5 prohibits alcohol use within 4 hours of driving
- Random drug testing required
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle
| Accident Type | Common Causes | Typical Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| Jackknife Accidents | Sudden braking, wet/icy roads, improper loading | Multi-vehicle pileups, fatalities |
| Underride Collisions | Missing/inadequate underride guards, sudden stops | Decapitation, catastrophic head/neck injuries, death |
| Rollover Accidents | Speeding on curves, top-heavy loads, overcorrection | Crushing injuries, cargo spills, fatalities |
| Rear-End Collisions | Following too closely, brake failures, distraction | Whiplash, spinal cord injuries, TBI |
| Wide Turn Accidents | Improper turn technique, failure to signal | Pedestrian/cyclist deaths, vehicle crushing |
| Blind Spot Accidents | Failure to check mirrors, improper mirror adjustment | Sideswipe injuries, loss of control |
| Tire Blowout Accidents | Underinflation, overloading, manufacturing defects | Loss of control, rollovers, multi-vehicle accidents |
| Brake Failure Accidents | Poor maintenance, overheating, defective components | High-speed impact collisions, pileups |
| Cargo Spill Accidents | Improper securement, container failures | Burns, chemical exposure, explosions, fires |
Catastrophic Injuries from 18-Wheeler Accidents
Due to the massive size and weight disparity, trucking accidents often cause catastrophic injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Mild (concussion) to severe (coma)
- Symptoms: headaches, memory loss, cognitive deficits, personality changes
- Lifetime care costs: $85,000 to $3,000,000+
Spinal Cord Injury
- Paraplegia (loss of function below waist)
- Quadriplegia (loss of function in all four limbs)
- Lifetime care costs: $1.1 million to $5 million+
Amputation
- Traumatic or surgical amputation
- Prosthetic limbs: $5,000 – $50,000+ each
- Lifetime impact: career limitations, psychological trauma
Severe Burns
- Fuel tank ruptures, hazmat spills
- First-degree to fourth-degree burns
- Multiple reconstructive surgeries
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Internal Organ Damage
- Liver lacerations, spleen rupture, kidney damage
- Internal bleeding, organ removal
- Long-term health complications
Wrongful Death
- Lost future income
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Funeral expenses
- Mental anguish
Evidence We Preserve in City of Andrews Trucking Cases
Evidence in trucking cases disappears quickly. We act immediately to preserve:
Electronic Data (Must Be Preserved Within 48 Hours):
- ECM/Black Box data (overwrites in 30 days)
- ELD logs (hours of service records)
- GPS/telematics data
- Dashcam footage
- Cell phone records
Driver Records:
- Driver Qualification File
- Employment application and background check
- Medical certification
- Drug and alcohol test results
- Training records
- Previous accident history
Vehicle Records:
- Maintenance and repair records
- Inspection reports
- Tire replacement history
- Brake inspection and adjustment records
- The physical truck and trailer
Company Records:
- Hours of service records for 6 months prior
- Dispatch logs
- Safety policies and procedures
- Training curricula
- CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores
Liable Parties in City of Andrews Trucking Accidents
In addition to the truck driver, multiple parties may be liable:
-
Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
- Vicarious liability for driver’s negligence
- Negligent hiring, training, or supervision
- Negligent maintenance
- Pressuring drivers to violate HOS regulations
-
Cargo Owner/Shipper
- Improper loading instructions
- Failure to disclose hazardous cargo
- Requiring overweight loading
-
Cargo Loading Company
- Improper cargo securement
- Unbalanced load distribution
- Exceeding weight ratings
-
Truck/Trailer Manufacturer
- Design defects (brake systems, stability control)
- Manufacturing defects (faulty welds, component failures)
- Failure to warn of known dangers
-
Parts Manufacturer
- Defective brakes, tires, or steering components
- Substandard materials
-
Maintenance Company
- Negligent repairs
- Failure to identify critical safety issues
- Using wrong or substandard parts
-
Freight Broker
- Negligent selection of unsafe carriers
- Failure to verify carrier insurance and authority
-
Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)
- Negligent entrustment
- Failure to maintain owned equipment
FMCSA Regulations That Prove Negligence
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399) establish the standard of care for trucking companies. Common violations we find:
Part 391 – Driver Qualification
- Hiring unqualified drivers
- Incomplete Driver Qualification Files
- Expired medical certificates
- No background checks
Part 392 – Driving Rules
- Speeding for conditions
- Following too closely
- Distracted driving
- Drug/alcohol violations
Part 393 – Vehicle Safety
- Brake system deficiencies
- Worn or damaged tires
- Inadequate underride guards
- Improper lighting
Part 395 – Hours of Service
- Driving beyond 11-hour limit
- No 30-minute breaks
- Exceeding 14-hour duty window
- False log entries
Part 396 – Inspection & Maintenance
- No pre-trip inspections
- Ignoring known defects
- Deferred maintenance
- No annual inspections
The Attorney911 Advantage
1. 25+ Years of Trucking Litigation Experience
Ralph Manginello has been fighting trucking companies since 1998. Our firm has handled cases against Walmart, Coca-Cola, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and other major carriers.
2. Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Staff
Our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how insurance companies evaluate, minimize, and deny trucking accident claims – and now he uses that knowledge to fight for you.
3. Federal Court Experience
We’re admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas – essential for handling interstate trucking cases.
4. Rapid Evidence Preservation
We send spoliation letters within 24-48 hours to preserve black box data, ELD logs, and other critical evidence before it’s destroyed.
5. Multi-Million Dollar Results
We’ve recovered millions for trucking accident victims, including:
- $5+ Million – Logging Brain Injury Settlement
- $3.8+ Million – Car Accident Amputation Settlement
- $2.5+ Million – Truck Crash Recovery
- Millions for families in wrongful death cases
6. Bilingual Services
Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters.
7. Three Texas Offices
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we’re never far from City of Andrews.
What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in City of Andrews
- Call 911 – Report the accident and request medical assistance
- Seek Medical Attention – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked immediately
- Document the Scene – Take photos of:
- All vehicle damage
- The accident scene and road conditions
- Skid marks and debris
- Your injuries
- The truck’s license plate and DOT number
- The trucking company name and logo
- Get Witness Information – Names and phone numbers
- Do NOT Give Recorded Statements – Insurance adjusters work for the trucking company
- Call Attorney911 Immediately – 1-888-ATTY-911
How We Build Your City of Andrews Trucking Case
Phase 1: Immediate Response (0-72 Hours)
- Accept case and send preservation letters same day
- Deploy accident reconstruction expert to scene if needed
- Obtain police crash report
- Photograph client injuries with medical documentation
- Photograph all vehicles before they are repaired or scrapped
- Identify all potentially liable parties
Phase 2: Evidence Gathering (Days 1-30)
- Subpoena ELD/black box data downloads
- Request driver’s paper log books (backup documentation)
- Obtain complete Driver Qualification File from carrier
- Request all truck maintenance and inspection records
- Obtain carrier’s CSA safety scores and inspection history
- Order driver’s complete Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
- Subpoena driver’s cell phone records
- Obtain dispatch records and delivery schedules
Phase 3: Expert Analysis
- Accident reconstruction specialist creates crash analysis
- 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 comprehensive care plans
- FMCSA regulation experts identify all violations
Phase 4: Litigation Strategy
- File lawsuit before statute of limitations expires (2 years in Texas)
- Pursue aggressive discovery against all potentially liable parties
- Depose truck driver, dispatcher, safety manager, maintenance personnel
- Build case for trial while negotiating settlement from position of strength
- Prepare every case as if going to trial
Damages You Can Recover
Economic Damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Life care costs
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages:
Available when the trucking company acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct, or conscious indifference to safety.
City of Andrews Trucking Corridors We Know
City of Andrews sits at the intersection of several major trucking routes:
- US-385: Primary north-south route connecting to US-62 and I-20
- SH-115: East-west route serving the Permian Basin oil fields
- FM-181: Connects to Odessa and Midland
- Distribution Centers: Oilfield supply companies, agricultural equipment dealers
- Oil Field Trucking: Heavy equipment transport to Permian Basin drilling sites
We understand the unique challenges of these routes, including:
- Oilfield truck traffic patterns
- Permian Basin supply chain demands
- Weather conditions affecting West Texas highways
- Local weigh stations and inspection points
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your City of Andrews Trucking Case
✅ 25+ years fighting trucking companies – Since 1998
✅ Former insurance defense attorney on staff – Knows their tactics
✅ Federal court admission – Essential for interstate trucking cases
✅ Multi-million dollar results – Proven track record
✅ Rapid evidence preservation – We act immediately
✅ Bilingual services – Hablamos Español
✅ Three Texas offices – Houston, Austin, Beaumont
✅ No fee unless we win – You pay nothing upfront
What Our Clients Say
“They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”
— Glenda Walker, Attorney911 Client
“You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
— Chad Harris, Attorney911 Client
“They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
— Angel Walle, Attorney911 Client
“Ralph reached out personally.”
— Dame Haskett, Attorney911 Client
Free Consultation – Call Now
If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in City of Andrews, call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. Our City of Andrews trucking accident attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Remember: Evidence in trucking cases disappears fast. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Dashcam footage gets deleted. Witnesses forget. Call us immediately to protect your rights.
Attorney911 – The Firm Insurers Fear
1-888-ATTY-911 | ralph@atty911.com
Hablamos Español
We fight for trucking accident victims in City of Andrews and across West Texas.
