Crandall Truck Accident Lawyer
The impact was catastrophic. You were driving on US-175 through Crandall, perhaps heading home from Dallas or toward Kaufman, when eighty thousand pounds of steel slammed into your life. In an instant, the silence of a routine drive was replaced by the grinding of metal, the shattering of glass, and a future that suddenly feels uncertain.
If you are reading this, you or someone you love has likely been hurt by an 18-wheeler, a delivery van, or a construction truck in Crandall. We understand the physical pain you’re enduring and the financial terror of mounting medical bills. But here is what the trucking company won’t tell you: they already have a team working to deny your claim. Before the ambulance even left the scene on FM 148, their insurance adjusters and lawyers were likely already building a defense.
At Attorney911, we don’t let these corporate giants push our neighbors in Crandall around. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years in the trenches of personal injury law. Since 1998, he has gone head-to-head with some of the largest corporations in America—Walmart, Amazon, and BP—recovering multi-million dollar settlements for families who thought they had no hope. We bring federal court experience to every case, providing the sophisticated litigation power of a big-city firm with the personal attention of a family practice.
The clock is ticking on your evidence in Crandall. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
The Attorney911 Advantage: Why Experience in Crandall Matters
When an 18-wheeler changes your life, you don’t just need a lawyer; you need a strategic advantage. Our firm offers a unique perspective that most personal injury firms in Texas cannot match.
Insider Knowledge of Insurance Tactics
Our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who is fluent in Spanish and, crucially, is a former insurance defense attorney. Lupe used to work for the very companies we now sue. He has seen the playbooks they use to minimize claims and knows exactly how they train their adjusters to lowball victims. He understands the software they use to devalue your pain and the procedural traps they set to get your case dismissed. Today, he uses that “insider” knowledge to fight for you. Hablamos Español. Llame al (888) 288-9911.
Federal Court and Fortune 500 Experience
Interstate trucking is governed by complex federal regulations. Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has a documented history of litigating against Fortune 500 fleets. We were involved in the landmark BP Texas City Refinery litigation, a case that resulted in billions of dollars in settlements. Whether we are facing a regional hauling company or a multinational giant like Amazon, we have the resources and the grit to win.
As our client Chad Harris noted, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We take that responsibility seriously. While we have recovered over $50 million for our clients, including a $5 million settlement for a brain injury and a $3.8 million recovery for an amputation, we treat every Crandall case as if it were our only case.
Crandall’s Dangerous Trucking Corridors: Why Wrecks Happen Here
Crandall is no longer the quiet rural town it once was. As Kaufman County experiences an unprecedented housing and commercial boom, our local roads have become high-volume thoroughfares for heavy commercial traffic.
The US-175 Freight Artery
US-175 is the lifeblood of Crandall, but it is also one of the most dangerous stretches for commercial vehicle accidents. Every day, thousands of 18-wheelers travel this route, connecting the DFW metroplex to East Texas. The transition zones where traffic merges from FM 148 or FM 741 onto the highway are frequent sites of “squeeze play” accidents and high-speed rear-end collisions.
The Construction Truck Surge
Crandall is currently a landscape of new developments, such as Wildcat Ranch. This growth brings a massive influx of heavy construction vehicles. Dump trucks, concrete mixers, and flatbeds hauling building materials are constant fixtures on our local roads. These vehicles often operate under tight deadlines, leading drivers to speed or skip essential safety inspections. A fully loaded concrete mixer can weigh 70,000 pounds; when one of these vehicles rolls over on a narrow Crandall road, the results are almost always fatal for those in passenger cars.
Delivery Van Density
With Amazon fulfillment centers and Walmart distribution hubs located throughout the DFW and Forney area, Crandall’s residential streets are flooded with delivery vans. These drivers are often pushed to meet impossible quotas, leading to distracted driving and multiple-stop accidents in neighborhoods where our children play.
If you’ve been hit on US-175, FM 148, or any Crandall road, don’t wait. Call 888-ATTY-911 now.
Proving Negligence: FMCSA Regulations and Your Case
In a standard car wreck, you only have to prove the other driver was careless. In a Crandall truck accident, we prove the trucking company broke federal law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established strict rules under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) that every commercial carrier must follow.
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (The Fatigue Rule)
Driver fatigue is the silent killer on Texas highways. Federal law limits drivers to 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They are also prohibited from driving beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
In Crandall, we often see accidents where a driver was “pushing through” to get a load to a DFW hub before their clock ran out. We subpoena Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove exactly how long that driver had been behind the wheel. If they were in violation of 49 CFR § 395.3, the trucking company is liable for your injuries.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification
A trucking company has a legal duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. This means verifying their CDL, conducting background checks, and ensuring they have a valid medical certificate. Under 49 CFR § 391.51, the company must maintain a “Driver Qualification File” for every operator.
We often find that companies—especially those serving the Crandall construction boom—hire drivers with histories of drug use, multiple speeding tickets, or even prior DWIs. Hiring an unqualified driver constitutes “negligent hiring,” which can trigger punitive damages to punish the company for its recklessness.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
Brake failure accounts for nearly 30% of all truck crashes. Under 49 CFR § 396.3, motor carriers must systematically inspect and maintain all vehicles under their control. When a 18-wheeler rear-ends a car on US-175 because its brakes were out of adjustment, it’s not just an accident—it’s a violation of federal law.
Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao
Commercial Truck Accident Types in Crandall
The physics of an 80,000-pound truck hitting a 4,000-pound car are brutal. We handle every type of commercial vehicle crash occurring in Crandall.
Jackknife Accidents on US-175
A jackknife occurs when the trailer of a semi-truck swings out perpendicular to the cab. This often happens on the overpasses and curves of US-175 near Crandall, especially during North Texas rainstorms. When a trailer jackknifes, it can sweep across three lanes of traffic, trapping everyone in its path. These accidents often result in multi-vehicle pileups and catastrophic crush injuries.
Rollover Wrecks and Roof Crush
Because trucks have a high center of gravity, they are prone to rolling over—especially when carrying top-heavy loads or traveling too fast on the FM 148 curves. A rollover often results in “roof crush” for the passenger vehicles involved, leading to permanent spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Crash
An underride collision occurs when a car slides beneath the rear or side of a truck trailer. This is a terrifyingly common event at Crandall intersections when a truck stops suddenly or turns wide. These crashes often shear off the top of the passenger car, leading to decapitation or fatal head trauma. Under 49 CFR § 393.86, trucks must have rear impact guards, but these often fail at highway speeds.
Construction and Dump Truck Injuries
If you were hit by a dump truck or a concrete mixer in a Crandall construction zone, the injuries are often unique. These vehicles frequently carry “loose loads” like gravel or debris that can be ejected into your windshield. Furthermore, the slosh effect of liquid concrete in a mixer makes these trucks incredibly unstable during sudden maneuvers.
If you’ve been hurt in any of these scenarios, your fight starts with one call: 1-888-ATTY-911.
Who Is Liable? Identifying the Web of Responsibility
Most lawyers only sue the driver. We dig deeper. In a Crandall trucking accident, there is often a web of liable parties with separate insurance policies.
- The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding or distraction.
- The Trucking Company: For vicarious liability and negligent hiring or maintenance.
- Corporate Parent Companies (Amazon/Walmart): If an Amazon van hit you, Amazon will claim the driver belongs to a “Delivery Service Partner” (DSP) and isn’t their problem. We know how to pierce that shield by proving Amazon’s pervasive control over the route and schedule.
- Loading Companies: If the cargo shifted and caused a rollover, the company that loaded the trailer may be liable for violating 49 CFR § 393.100.
- Maintenance Contractors: If a third party failed to properly repair the truck’s brakes or tires.
- Parts Manufacturers: If a defective tire or steering component caused the crash.
- Government Entities: If a road design defect on a Crandall highway contributed to the incident.
By identifying every liable party, we can “stack” insurance policies. While a driver may only have a small policy, the trucking company must carry at least $750,000 to $1,000,000 in liability coverage, and hazardous material haulers must carry $5,000,000.
48-Hour Evidence Alert: Why Delay Is Deadly for Your Case
Evidence in Crandall trucking cases has an expiration date.
- ECM/Black Box Data: The truck’s “black box” records speed, braking, and engine data. This data is often overwritten in as little as 30 days.
- ELD Logs: Electronic logs that prove fatigue can be deleted after 6 months.
- Dashcam Footage: Many corporate fleets use Netradyne or DriveCam systems that overwrite footage in a matter of days.
- Physical Evidence: Skid marks on the hot Crandall asphalt can fade in 48 hours.
The moment you hire Ralph Manginello, we send formal spoliation letters to every potential defendant. This letter legally compels them to preserve all data. If they destroy it after receiving our notice, we can ask the judge for “adverse inference” instructions, meaning the jury can assume the destroyed evidence proved the company’s guilt.
Don’t let them delete the truth. Call Attorney911 today: (888) 288-9911.
The Human Cost: Catastrophic Injuries in Crandall
We see the aftermath of these crashes every day. We don’t just see a “file”; we see a person whose life has been upended.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A TBI changes how you think, feel, and interact with the world. We have recovered settlements in the $1.5M to $9.8M range for TBI victims. As we discuss in our video, “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ), these cases require neuropsychological experts to prove the long-term cognitive impact.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Truck accidents are a leading cause of quadriplegia and paraplegia. The medical care alone for a high-level spinal injury can exceed $5 million in the first year. We fight for settlements that provide for 24/7 care, home modifications, and specialized medical equipment for the rest of your life.
Internal Organ Damage and Amputation
Crush injuries on Crandall roads often lead to emergency surgeries and amputations. Our firm secured $3.8 million for a client who lost a limb after a crash followed by complications. We understand the physical pain and the “phantom” pain that accompanies these life-changing events.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Many victims are “afraid to drive” after a truck accident. Flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks when seeing a semi on US-175 are real, compensable physical and mental injuries. As we explain in our video, “Can I Get a PTSD Payout After a Car Accident?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9803X_jnR4A), your mental health is a priority.
Understanding Texas Law: Your Rights in Crandall
The Statute of Limitations
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, for a wrongful death claim in Crandall, the clock begins on the date of death. Waiting is a mistake. Every day of delay is a day the trucking company uses to coordinate their defense.
Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Rule)
Texas follows a “51% bar” rule. This means you can recover compensation as long as you are not 51% or more at fault. If you are 20% at fault, your final recovery is reduced by 20%. The trucking company will try to blame you for “speeding” or “not reacting fast enough” to shift fault onto your shoulders. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, uses his insurance defense experience to anticipate and dismantle these blame-shifting tactics.
Maximizing Your Recovery: What You Are Owed
We don’t settle for “good enough.” We fight for the maximum compensation available under Texas law.
Economic Damages:
- Medical Bills: Proving all past bills and projecting the cost of future surgeries and therapy.
- Lost Wages: Not just the paychecks you’ve already missed, but the “Loss of Earning Capacity” if you can never return to your job in Crandall.
- Life Care Plans: For catastrophic injuries, we hire specialists to calculate your needs for decades to come.
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and Suffering: What is it worth to never be able to pick up your grandchild again?
- Mental Anguish: The deep emotional trauma caused by the crash.
- Disfigurement: Compensation for scars and physical changes.
- Loss of Consortium: The impact the injury has on your relationship with your spouse.
Punitive Damages:
If we can prove “gross negligence”—such as a company knowingly letting a driver with a suspended license operate an 80,000-pound truck—we may pursue punitive damages to punish the corporation and prevent this from happening to another Crandall family.
Learn how we calculate these numbers in our guide: “How Do Car Insurance Companies Calculate Pain and Suffering?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EE9AWT12Kg
Truck Accident FAQ for Crandall Residents
1. What should I do immediately after a truck accident on US-175?
First, ensure you are safe and call 911. Seek medical attention immediately—Crandall first responders or local hospitals like Baylor Scott & White in Forney are equipped for trauma. Take photos of the truck’s DOT number and company logo. Most importantly, do not sign anything or give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. Call Ralph Manginello at 1-888-ATTY-911 before you say a word to the company.
2. Can I sue Walmart or Amazon if their driver hit me in Crandall?
Yes. Whether it’s a direct Walmart employee or an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, these corporations have deep pockets and significant liability. We have gone head-to-head with these giants before and know how to bypass their contractor shields.
3. How much does a Crandall truck accident lawyer cost?
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay $0 upfront. We advance all the costs of the investigation, expert witnesses, and court filings. You only pay us if we win your case. If there is no recovery, you owe us nothing.
4. What if the driver was an independent contractor?
This is a favorite defense of big companies. They claim they aren’t responsible for “contractors.” However, if the company controlled the driver’s schedule, route, and appearance (like many Amazon or oilfield trucks), the law often treats them as employees. We know how to pierce this defense.
5. How long will my case take?
Simple cases with clear liability may settle in 6 to 12 months. However, complex litigation against major trucking companies in Crandall can take 18 to 24 months, especially if the case goes to trial. Our goal is to move as quickly as possible without sacrificing the value of your claim. As Angel Walle said, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
6. What if my loved one was killed?
We are deeply sorry. You may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Texas allows a surviving spouse, children, or parents to recover for the loss of companionship, mental anguish, and lost financial support. Call us for a compassionate, confidential consultation.
7. Can I get a settlement if I don’t have health insurance?
Yes. In many cases, we can help you find “vetted, attorney-approved” doctors who will treat you today on a medical lien (Letter of Protection). This allows you to get the care you need now, and the doctor is paid out of the final settlement.
8. Why can’t I just use my local car accident lawyer?
Trucking cases are not “big car accidents.” They involve federal FMCSA law, catastrophic injuries, and teams of corporate defense lawyers. You need an attorney like Ralph Manginello who has spent 25 years specializing in this exact field.
9. What is a “Nuclear Verdict”?
These are jury awards that exceed $10 million. They happen when a jury is so outraged by a trucking company’s disregard for safety that they award massive damages. While every case is different, recent Texas verdicts have reached $730 million and $150 million. These results drive up settlement offers for all our clients.
10. What if the truck that hit me was from another state?
That is common on US-175. Because trucking is interstate commerce, we can often file your case in federal court. Our federal court admission and experience with multi-state licensure (Texas and New York) ensure we can follow the company wherever they are based.
Powerful & Proven: Ready to Fight for Crandall Families
At Attorney911, we believe that when a trucking company cuts corners for profit and hurts someone in our community, they should pay—every dime. We’ve recovered over $50 million for people just like you. From the BP explosion litigation to current $10 million hazing lawsuits against major universities, our track record shows we don’t back down.
Client Donald Wilcox shared, “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.” If other firms have turned you down or told you your case is too difficult, call us. We take the cases that others are afraid of because we have the experience to win them.
Your Recovery Starts With One Call
The trucking company’s legal team is already working. Their evidence is already being processed. Their adjusters are already calculating how to pay you the bare minimum. You deserve an advocate who moves just as fast and fights even harder.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Available 24/7. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al (888) 288-9911 para una consulta gratis. Su recuperación, su justicia, y su futuro son nuestra prioridad. Attorney911: Your first responder in a legal emergency.™
Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Crandall 18-Wheeler & Commercial Vehicle Accident Specialists
Toll-Free: 1-888-ATTY-911
Main Office: 1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
Austin Office: 316 West 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Beaumont Office: Available for Meetings
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: https://attorney911.com
