Your Arp Truck Accident Advocates: Powerful Representation for 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Victims

The impact was catastrophic. One moment, you were driving through the pine curtains of East Texas on SH 64; the next, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your life. In Arp, we see the economic engine of our region—the oilfield trucks, the logging rigs, and the massive freight carriers—every single day. But when that engine fails or a driver cuts corners, the families of Smith County are the ones who pay the price.

At Attorney911, we know that a truck accident in Arp isn’t just a bigger version of a car crash. It is a legal emergency. Handling these cases requires more than just a lawyer; it requires a team that understands the complex machinery of federal regulations and the aggressive tactics of multi-billion dollar insurance corporations. Ralph Manginello has spent more than 25 years in the trenches of personal injury law, fighting for victims in Arp and across Texas since 1998. He doesn’t just know the law; he has a proven track record of forced accountability against the world’s largest companies.

When you are hurt in an Arp trucking accident, the clock is already ticking against you. While you are in a hospital bed at Christus Mother Frances or UT Health in Tyler, the trucking company has already deployed a rapid-response team to the scene on Highway 135 or SH 64. Their job is simple: destroy or hide evidence and minimize your claim. Our job is to hit back harder. With a team that includes associate attorney Lupe Peña—a former insurance defense lawyer who used to represent the very companies we now sue—we provide an insider’s advantage. Lupe knows their playbook because he helped write it. Now, he uses that knowledge to maximize recoveries for our clients.

Whether you were hit by an 18-wheeler, a distracted Amazon delivery driver, or a fatigued oilfield water hauler, y’all need a fighter. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we advance all costs, and you pay us absolutely nothing unless we win your case. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Why 25 Years of Trucking Litigation Experience Matters in Arp

Trucking companies are sophisticated. They spend millions of dollars on risk management and legal defense before an accident ever happens. If you’ve been injured on an Arp road, you are facing a defendant with deep pockets and a relentless desire to protect their bottom line. Ralph Manginello has spent his entire career, spanning over two decades, making these companies pay for their negligence.

Since 1998, Ralph has represented victims in some of the most complex litigation in Texas. Our firm was involved in the landmark BP Texas City Refinery litigation, proving that we have the resources and the grit to go toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 giants like BP, Walmart, and Coca-Cola. We bring that same “never back down” mentality to every Arp 18-wheeler accident case.

Our firm’s founder, Ralph Manginello, is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. This federal court admission is critical because many trucking companies are headquartered out of state and will attempt to “remove” your case to federal court to gain a procedural advantage. We are already there, ready to fight. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your family’s future with the same urgency and care we would our own.

The Arp Advantage: Insider Knowledge of Insurance Tactics

You’ve likely seen the billboards for “mega-firms,” but in a place like Arp, you deserve personal attention from an attorney who knows how the other side thinks. Associate attorney Lupe Peña brings a unique perspective to our firm. Having worked for a national insurance defense firm, Lupe spent years watching how adjusters value claims, how they use “independent” medical exams to minimize injuries, and how they pressure victims into lowball settlements.

Today, Lupe uses that insider knowledge as a weapon for the people of Arp. He knows when an insurance company is bluffing and when they are actually scared of a trial. This insight has helped us recover over $50 million for our clients across all practice areas. If you’ve been hit by an 18-wheeler in Arp, you don’t just want a lawyer; you want a team that knows exactly how to break through the insurance company’s defenses.

Navigating the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA)

What most people don’t realize after a wreck on SH 135 is that the truck driver was likely breaking a dozen federal laws before the impact ever occurred. Commercial trucking is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These aren’t just suggestions—they are the law, and they are designed to keep the people of Arp safe.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service and Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is a silent killer on East Texas highways. Under Part 395, property-carrying drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They cannot drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty and must take 30-minute breaks after 8 hours of driving.

In Arp, we see many “short-haul” and oilfield drivers who believe they are exempt from these rules. While some exceptions exist, the pressure to meet delivery quotas often leads to drivers “fudging” their Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data. We subpoena the raw ELD data and engine telematics to prove when a driver was operating while fatigued. If they were past their legal limit, the trucking company is negligent by default.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualifications

The person behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound machine must be qualified. This means they must hold a valid CDL, pass regular medical exams under § 391.41, and have a clean driving record. We frequently find that companies in the Arp area hire “steering wheel holders”—drivers with little experience or documented safety violations—because they are cheaper. We dig into the Driver Qualification File to uncover negligent hiring. If the company didn’t check the driver’s background, they are liable for your injuries from day one.

49 CFR Part 396: Maintenance and Inspection

Every commercial vehicle in Arp must be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained under Part 396. This includes pre-trip and post-trip inspections. Brake failure accounts for 29% of all large truck crashes. If a trucking company skipped an annual inspection or ignored a “soft” brake pedal reported by a driver, they aren’t just negligent—they’re reckless. We examine maintenance logs and mechanic work orders to prove they knew the truck was a rolling hazard.

Every hour counts. Evidence in Arp truck accidents is disappearing right now. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate investigation into FMCSA violations.

Complex Liability: Who Is Responsible for Your Arp Truck Accident?

One reason victims in Arp often receive less than they deserve is that their attorneys don’t look far enough. At Attorney911, we investigate the entire supply chain. In a typical 18-wheeler crash near Arp, any of the following 16 parties may be liable:

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company (Carrier): Under respondeat superior, they are responsible for their drivers.
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If they pressured the carrier to violate HOS rules.
4. The Loading Company: If an improperly secured load shifted and caused a rollover.
5. The Truck Manufacturer: For design defects like faulty steering.
6. Parts Manufacturers: For defective tires or brake components.
7. The Maintenance Company: For failing to repair known mechanical issues.
8. The Freight Broker: For hiring a carrier with a known bad safety record.
9. The Truck Owner: In owner-operator lease-back situations.
10. Government Entities: For dangerous road designs on Smith County roads.
11. The Corporate Parent/Brand Owner: For exercising too much control over a contractor.
12. The Oilfield Operator: For creating hazardous wellsite ingress/egress conditions.
13. The Staffing Company: For providing unqualified labor.
14. The Rental Truck Company: Such as U-Haul or Penske, for negligent maintenance.
15. Transit Agencies/School Districts: For bus-related collisions.
16. The Federal Government: If a USPS mail truck or military vehicle was involved.

By identifying multiple defendants, we can “stack” insurance policies. If one company only has the $750,000 federal minimum but your medical bills for a traumatic brain injury exceed $2 million, we find the other responsible parties to ensure you are fully compensated.

Accident Types Common in Arp and Smith County

Arp’s geography—a mix of high-speed state highways and narrow municipal roads—creates unique accident profiles. Our team led by Ralph Manginello investigates every mechanical and human factor involved in these collisions.

Oilfield Vehicle Accidents (The East Texas Reality)

Arp sits squarely within the East Texas oil patch. We share SH 64 with water trucks, frac sand haulers, and crude oil tankers daily. These vehicles present unique hazards. Water trucks are notoriously top-heavy and prone to slosh-induced rollovers. Sand haulers operate 24/7, leading to extreme driver fatigue.

In an oilfield trucking case, the liability often extends to the lease operator or the E&P company (like ExxonMobil or Diamondback). These companies control the sites and the schedules. If an oilfield truck ran a stop sign because the driver had been on shift for 16 hours, that is an oilfield injury case, a trucking case, and an OSHA violation case all rolled into one. We have experience handling these dual-jurisdiction cases where 29 CFR 1910 worksite rules collide with DOT regulations.

Logging Truck Accidents

With the timber industry active in the Piney Woods surrounding Arp, logging truck accidents are a constant threat. These loads are inherently unstable. A 40-foot timber log that breaks free at highway speed becomes a lethal projectile. We investigate whether the “bunks” and “stakes” were defective, or if the load exceeded the 80,000-pound legal limit. There is no such thing as a minor collision with an uncontained log.

Corporate Fleet and Delivery Van Crashes

Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, and UPS trucks are everywhere in Smith County. Companies like Amazon use “Independent Service Providers” or DSPs as a liability shield. They want you to believe the blue van that hit you wasn’t an Amazon vehicle. We know how to pierce that shield. If Amazon controls the route, the quota, and monitors the driver with Netradyne cameras, they are the employer. We hold the corporate giant accountable, not just the small contractor.

Jackknife and Rollover Collisions

On the curves of SH 135, an empty trailer or an improperly loaded rig can jackknife in an instant. This occurs when the drive wheels lock but the trailer’s momentum keeps it moving, swinging the trailer out perpendicular to the cab. This sweeps across all lanes of traffic, trapping Arp families in a crush zone. Physics doesn’t lie, and our accident reconstruction experts use the truck’s ECM data to prove the driver was traveling too fast for the wet East Texas conditions.

Underride Accidents: The Deadliest Scenario

Underride collisions happen when your car slides beneath the side or rear of a trailer. These are often fatal, resulting in decapitation or catastrophic head trauma because the trailer height bypasses your car’s crumple zones. While federal law (49 CFR 393.86) requires rear guards, many are poorly maintained. Side underride guards are not yet federally mandated, but if a trucking company chose not to install this life-saving technology, we argue they failed their duty of care.

If an 80,000-pound truck changed your life on an Arp road, you need the firm that insurers fear. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Rule

In Arp, we tell our clients: The first 48 hours determine the next 48 years. The trucking company’s lawyers are already working to “lose” the evidence that proves their guilt.

The Electronic “Black Box” (ECM)

Modern trucks include an Engine Control Module (ECM) that records speed, RPM, brake application, and throttle position in the moments before a crash. This data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days or simply by turning the truck’s engine back on. We send formal spoliation letters immediately to ensure this “silent witness” is preserved.

Driver Qualification and Training Records

We don’t just look at the driver’s CDL. We look for their drug test history, their medical certificate, and their “coaching” records. If a company like Walmart or Halliburton saw a pattern of harsh braking or speeding in their internal telematics but didn’t discipline the driver, they are directly liable for the accident that hurt you.

Dashboard and In-Cab Camera Footage

Many corporate fleets use AI-powered cameras like Netradyne or DriveCam. Amazon vans often have four separate cameras recording the road and the driver. This footage is the ultimate evidence of distraction or fatigue. However, these systems often operate on short deletion cycles. Without a lawyer to subpoena this footage, it will be gone before you even file a claim.

Catastrophic Injuries: We Understand the Human Cost

Our firm doesn’t just see medical codes; we see the struggle our Arp neighbors face every day. Whether it’s a traumatic brain injury (TBI) requiring a lifetime of cognitive therapy or a spinal cord injury that has left a family provider paralyzed, we know the stakes.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Even a “mild” concussion from a rear-end truck collision can result in permanent cognitive deficits, mood changes, and memory loss. Our TBI settlements range from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million because we account for the long-term neurodegenerative risks and the loss of career potential. As Ralph Manginello often tells clients, “headaches aren’t normal after a crash”—they are often signs of axonal shearing that an ER might miss.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

A spinal injury from an underride or rollover is life-altering. The lifetime cost of care for a quadriplegic can exceed $5 million. We work with life care planners and vocational experts to ensure your settlement covers home modifications, specialized nursing, and adaptive equipment for the rest of your life. We don’t settle for “enough to get by”—we fight for “every dime you deserve,” as our client Glenda Walker said.

Amputation and Crush Injuries

In the “squeeze play” of a wide-turn accident, victims often suffer traumatic amputations. We’ve recovered over $3.8 million for clients facing medical complications and infections after an accident led to the loss of a limb. We ensure your compensation includes the cost of high-tech prosthetics and the intense physical therapy required to reclaim your independence.

Wrongful Death

If you’ve lost a husband, a wife, or a child on an Arp highway, no check will ever be enough. But the law in Texas allows you to hold the negligent company responsible for the guidance, companionship, and financial support your loved one provided. We pursue these cases with the compassion they deserve and the aggression needed to win awards ranging from $1.9 million to over $9.5 million.

Don’t let them push your family around. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for the powerful representation you need in Arp.

Understanding Texas Trucking Insurance and Damages

In Arp, we deal with the highest insurance policies on the road. While a typical car insurance policy might only have $30,000 in coverage, federal law mandates much higher limits for trucks:

• General Freight: $750,000 minimum.
• Oil and Large Equipment: $1,000,000 minimum.
• Hazardous Materials (Crude/Chemicals): $5,000,000 minimum.

But here is what the insurance adjusters won’t tell you: these are just the floors. Large companies like Halliburton or Walmart carry “excess” or “umbrella” policies that can reach $50 million or $100 million.

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Your claim in Smith County will include economic damages (calculated bills like the LifeFlight transport, trauma surgery, and lost wages) and non-economic damages (the physical pain, the mental anguish of PTSD, and the loss of enjoyment of life). Because our team includes a former insurance defense lawyer, we know how to package these damages so an adjuster can’t ignore them. We have seen firsthand that statistically, victims with experienced attorneys recover significantly more than those who try to go it alone.

The Nuclear Verdict Trend

Juries across the country—and right here in Texas—are sending a message to the trucking industry. In recent years, we have seen “nuclear verdicts” exceeding $10 million, $50 million, and even $1 billion against negligent carriers. While every case is different, these awards prove that when we demonstrate a trucking company’s systematic disregard for your safety, we can win substantial compensation.

Arp Truck Accident FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

1. How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Arp?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if the victim is a minor or if government liability is involved, these timelines can change. More importantly, evidence in Arp crashes disappears in days. You must act now.

2. What if I was partially at fault for the crash on SH 64?
Texas follows a “51% bar” modified comparative negligence rule. This means the people of Arp can still recover damages as long as they were 50% or less responsible for the collision. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Never admit fault at the scene—let the data prove what happened.

3. The insurance company offered me a check today. Should I take it?
Absolutely not. They are trying to “buy” your claim before you know if you have a herniated disc or a TBI. Once you sign their release, you can never go back for more money, even if you need surgery later. Talk to us first—initial consultations are always free.

4. I was hit by an Amazon van in Arp. Can I sue Amazon?
Yes. Even though Amazon uses contractors, our managing partner Ralph Manginello knows how to prove “agency.” If Amazon controlled the timing and the equipment of that driver, they are legally responsible for the crash.

5. How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Zero dollars upfront. We handle all the heavy lifting and expensive investigation costs. We only get paid if and when we win your case via settlement or jury verdict. If we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe us a cent.

6. Can I recover for PTSD after an 18-wheeler wreck?
Yes. Mental anguish and psychological trauma are real, compensable injuries in Texas. If you are afraid to drive on SH 135 or are having nightmares about the crash, that is a non-economic damage we fight to include in your settlement.

7. Does your firm handle cases against oilfield trucking companies?
Yes, East Texas oilfield cases are a pillar of our practice. We understand the specific hazards of produced water haulers, sand trucks, and the pressure that oil companies put on these drivers. We hold the big operators like Chevron and ExxonMobil accountable.

8. Who is responsible if a tire blowout caused the truck to hit me?
The trucking company is responsible for maintaining their tires. If they were running on “bald” tires or used defective retreads to save a few dollars, we hold them liable for negligent maintenance under 49 CFR 396.

9. What if the truck that hit me was from out of state?
That doesn’t matter. Since the accident happened in Arp or within Texas, we can litigate it here. Our federal court experience and Ralph’s dual-state licensure (Texas and New York) give us the ability to handle interstate trucking cases with precision.

10. How long will my Arp trucking case take?
Simple cases can settle in 6 to 12 months. However, complex litigation involving catastrophic injuries and multiple defendants often takes 18 to 36 months. We work to resolve your case as quickly as possible without sacrificing a single dollar of your claim’s value.

Why We Fight for Arp Families

Arp is a hardworking town. We know that when a truck accident sidelines a family provider or injures a child, it disrupts the entire community. We are not a “mill” firm where you are just a file number. At Attorney911, you get direct access to the lawyers. As client Dame Haskett noted, “Ralph reached out personally.” That is the kind of commitment we bring to every Smith County case.

We aren’t afraid of the big rigs, and we aren’t afraid of the fleets of lawyers that Walmart, Amazon, or the oil companies will send to Arp. We’ve been in the ring with them since 1998, and we have the multi-million dollar results to show for it.

Protect Your Rights and Your Future Today

The trucking company has already started building its defense. They have photos from the scene, they’ve interviewed the driver, and they’ve likely already consulted their experts. You are behind. The only way to level the playing field is to get your own fighter—one with 25+ years of experience and a former insurance defense insider on your team.

Don’t let the insurance company decide what your life is worth. Let Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 fight for the justice you deserve. We’ve recovered over $50 million for Texans, and we are ready to go to work for you in Arp.

Your legal emergency is our priority. Call Attorney911 right now at 1-888-ATTY-911.

One call. One fighter. One goal: Maximum compensation for your Arp truck accident.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Call 24/7: 1-888-ATTY-911
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Our firm is proud to serve Arp, Overton, New London, Henderson, Tyler, and all of Smith and Rusk Counties. When disaster strikes on SH 64, SH 135, or I-20, we are your first responder to a legal emergency.™

Granular Analysis of Trucking Company Negligence

When we file a lawsuit in Smith County for an Arp truck accident, we use every tool in our arsenal. We don’t just allege “careless driving.” We dig into the corporate DNA of the company.

Negligent Hiring and the Driver Qualification File

Under 49 CFR 391.51, a motor carrier must keep a DQ file for every driver. We often find:

• Drivers with multiple license suspensions in other states.
• Drivers with positive drug tests that were never reported to the Clearinghouse.
• Drivers who failed their medical exams but were kept on the road anyway.

If a company hired a driver they knew was dangerous, or if they failed to check, that is gross negligence. This allows us to pursue punitive damages, which are designed to punish the company and prevent them from hurting anyone else in Arp.

Negligent Maintenance: The Cost of Cutting Corners

An 18-wheeler’s braking system is complex. If a company defers maintenance on a single brake chamber, it affects the stopping capability of the entire rig. We look for:

• “Out-of-service” violations from roadside inspections.
• Tires with less than the legal 4/32 inch of tread on steer tires.
• Falsified annual inspection stickers.

When we find these patterns, the trucking company can’t argue it was an “accident.” It was a choice. A choice to put profit over the lives of people in Arp.

Negligent Supervision and Fatigue

Many companies in the East Texas oilfield encourage “creative logging”—telling drivers to drive off-the-clock while on lease roads so it doesn’t count against their HOS limits. This is illegal. We use GPS pings and fuel receipts to cross-reference their logs. If the distance between two points is 500 miles but their log shows they were “resting,” we’ve caught them in a lie. That lie is worth millions to your case.

Our Results Speak for Themselves

We have recovered:

• $5+ Million for a Traumatic Brain Injury victim.
• $3.8+ Million for a client suffering from a traumatic amputation.
• $2.5+ Million for a victim of a commercial truck crash.
• Millions for families in wrongful death trucking cases.

As client Donald Wilcox said, “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” We take the tough cases. We take the cases other firms reject. And we win.

The Arp Community Medical Scene

If you’ve been injured, your first stop should be a trauma center. Arp victims often go to:

• Christus Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler: A Level II Trauma Center.
• UT Health Tyler: Also a Level II Trauma Center with advanced neurological capabilities.
• Longview Regional Medical Center: Serving our neighbors to the east.

We work with the medical experts at these facilities and beyond to document the full scope of your injuries. We ensure that your “total body” impact is understood—from the spinal compression to the PTSD that prevents you from sleeping.

Final Call to Action for Arp Residents

You didn’t ask for your life to be turned upside down. You were just driving through Arp, minding your own business, when a negligent trucking company changed everything. Now, you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain.

They have their team. It’s time you get yours.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions, ease your fears, and start the fight for your recovery. With Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of experience and Lupe Peña’s former insurance defense advantage, you are in the best possible hands.

Don’t wait. 1-888-ATTY-911. We fight. We win.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Attorney911 | Powerful. Proven. Your Arp Truck Accident Lawyers.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed until a contract is signed. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Case results mentioned are illustrative of firm experience and vary based on specific facts and insurance availability.