18-Wheeler & Trucking Accident Attorneys in Farmers Branch, TX

Every year, thousands of 18-wheeler accidents occur on Farmers Branch roads and highways. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a trucking accident in Farmers Branch, TX, you need an attorney who understands federal trucking regulations and knows how to hold negligent trucking companies accountable.

At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for truck accident victims across Farmers Branch, TX 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 Farmers Branch’s trucking corridors, from I-35E and I-635 to the Dallas North Tollway, where commercial trucks frequently violate federal hours-of-service regulations. This local knowledge, combined with our deep understanding of FMCSA regulations, gives us an advantage in building your case.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different (and More Dangerous)

Unlike car accidents, 18-wheeler crashes involve multiple liable parties, federal safety regulations, and massive insurance policies. Here’s what makes them unique:

1. Size and Weight Disparity

• A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—20-25 times heavier than a passenger car.
• At highway speeds, an 80,000-pound truck carries 80 times the kinetic energy of a car.
• Stopping distance: A truck at 65 mph needs 525 feet to stop—nearly two football fields.

2. Multiple Liable Parties

In a trucking accident, more than one party may be responsible, including:
✅ The truck driver (for speeding, fatigue, distraction, or impairment)
✅ The trucking company (for negligent hiring, training, or supervision)
✅ The cargo loader (for improperly secured or overweight loads)
✅ The truck manufacturer (for defective brakes, tires, or safety systems)
✅ The maintenance company (for failing to inspect or repair the truck)
✅ The freight broker (for negligently hiring an unsafe carrier)

3. Federal Trucking Regulations (FMCSA)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for truck drivers and companies. Common violations we investigate include:

• Hours of Service (HOS) violations (driving beyond 11-hour limit)
• False logbook entries (lying about driving time)
• Brake system failures (poor maintenance)
• Cargo securement violations (unsecured loads causing rollovers)
• Drug and alcohol violations (driving under the influence)
• Unqualified drivers (no valid CDL or medical certification)

4. Higher Insurance Coverage

Unlike car accidents (where insurance may be limited to $30,000–$100,000), trucking companies carry minimum liability coverage of $750,000—and often $1–5 million or more. This means catastrophic injuries can actually be compensated, rather than leaving victims with unpaid medical bills.

Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Farmers Branch, TX

Farmers Branch sits at the intersection of I-35E, I-635, and the Dallas North Tollway—three of the busiest trucking corridors in North Texas. These highways see heavy commercial traffic, increasing the risk of serious accidents.

1. Driver Fatigue (Hours of Service Violations)

• FMCSA Rule: Drivers can only drive 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Reality: Many drivers falsify logbooks or exceed driving limits due to pressure from trucking companies.
• Result: Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel.

How We Prove Fatigue:

• ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data (shows exact driving hours)
• Dispatch records (proves pressure to meet deadlines)
• Cell phone records (shows driver was awake when they shouldn’t have been)

2. Distracted Driving (Cell Phones, GPS, Dispatch Systems)

• FMCSA Rule: Truck drivers cannot use hand-held phones while driving.
• Reality: Many drivers text, call, or use GPS while behind the wheel.
• Result: Distracted drivers cause rear-end collisions, lane departures, and intersection crashes.

How We Prove Distraction:

• Cell phone records (shows calls/texts at the time of the crash)
• ECM/Black Box data (shows sudden braking or no braking before impact)
• Witness statements (other drivers who saw the truck swerving)

3. Improper Cargo Securement (Shifting Loads, Spills, Rollovers)

• FMCSA Rule: Cargo must be properly secured to prevent shifting.
• Reality: Many trucking companies cut corners on tiedowns to save time.
• Result: Unsecured loads cause rollovers, jackknifes, and debris spills on highways.

How We Prove Cargo Violations:

• Cargo manifest (shows what was loaded and how)
• Tiedown inspection records (proves inadequate securement)
• Accident reconstruction (shows how the load shifted)

4. Brake Failures (Poor Maintenance, Worn Brakes)

• FMCSA Rule: Trucks must have properly functioning brakes and regular inspections.
• Reality: Many trucking companies defer maintenance to save money.
• Result: Brake failures cause rear-end collisions, runaway trucks, and catastrophic pileups.

How We Prove Brake Failures:

• Maintenance records (shows deferred repairs)
• Out-of-service violations (proves prior brake issues)
• Post-crash inspection (confirms brake system failure)

5. Underride Collisions (Deadliest Truck Accidents)

• What Happens: A car slides under the trailer of an 18-wheeler, often shearing off the roof and causing decapitation or catastrophic head injuries.
• Why It’s Deadly: The trailer’s height is above the car’s safety features, meaning airbags and seatbelts offer no protection.
• Federal Requirement: Rear underride guards must prevent underride at 30 mph impacts.
• Reality: Many trucks have weak or missing guards, and side underride guards are not required (despite being just as deadly).

How We Prove Underride Violations:

• Guard inspection records (shows missing or defective guards)
• Crash reconstruction (proves the car underrode the trailer)
• Maintenance logs (shows the trucking company knew about the issue)

6. Jackknife Accidents (Trailer Swings Out of Control)

• What Happens: The trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic.
• Why It’s Dangerous: Other vehicles cannot avoid the swinging trailer, leading to multi-vehicle pileups.
• Common Causes:
  • Sudden braking (especially on wet/icy roads)
  • Speeding on curves (centrifugal force causes trailer to swing)
  • Empty or lightly loaded trailers (more prone to jackknifing)

How We Prove Jackknife Causes:

• ECM/Black Box data (shows speed and braking before the crash)
• Skid mark analysis (proves sudden braking)
• Weather records (shows road conditions at the time)

7. Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play” Crashes)

• What Happens: A truck swings wide to the left before making a right turn, creating a gap that cars try to enter. The truck then completes the turn, crushing the car.
• Why It’s Dangerous: Trucks need extra space to turn, but drivers often don’t signal properly or check blind spots.
• Common Locations in Farmers Branch:
  • Intersections along I-35E and I-635
  • Truck stops and distribution centers (where trucks make tight turns)
  • Construction zones (where lanes are narrowed)

How We Prove Wide Turn Negligence:

• Dashcam footage (shows the truck’s turn signal wasn’t used)
• Witness statements (proves the truck cut off the car)
• Intersection cameras (confirms the truck’s path)

Catastrophic Injuries from 18-Wheeler Accidents

Because of the massive size and weight of 18-wheelers, accidents often result in life-altering injuries or wrongful death.

Common 18-Wheeler Injury Types in Farmers Branch, TX

Why These Injuries Are So Expensive

• Medical bills (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation)
• Lost wages (if you can’t work due to disability)
• Future medical care (lifetime treatments, prosthetics, home modifications)
• Pain and suffering (physical and emotional trauma)
• Loss of consortium (impact on family relationships)

How We Prove Negligence in Your Farmers Branch Truck Accident Case

Trucking companies fight hard to avoid responsibility. They have teams of lawyers and rapid-response investigators working to minimize your claim. That’s why you need Attorney911—we know their tactics because our team includes a former insurance defense attorney.

Step 1: Immediate Evidence Preservation (48-Hour Protocol)

Evidence disappears fast in trucking cases. We act immediately to preserve:
✅ ECM/Black Box Data (overwrites in 30 days)
✅ ELD (Electronic Logbook) Records (may be deleted after 6 months)
✅ Dashcam Footage (often erased within 7–14 days)
✅ Surveillance Video (business cameras overwrite in 7–30 days)
✅ Physical Evidence (truck may be repaired, sold, or scrapped)

We send a spoliation letter within 24–48 hours to demand that the trucking company preserve all evidence. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, the court can:

• Instruct the jury to assume the evidence was unfavorable
• Impose monetary sanctions
• Enter default judgment against the trucking company

Step 2: Obtaining Critical Evidence

We subpoena all relevant records to build your case:

Step 3: Accident Reconstruction & Expert Analysis

We work with top experts to prove what happened:
🔹 Accident Reconstructionists (analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, ECM data)
🔹 Mechanical Engineers (inspect brakes, tires, and cargo securement)
🔹 Medical Experts (document injuries and future care needs)
🔹 Vocational Experts (calculate lost earning capacity)
🔹 Economic Experts (determine lifetime costs of injuries)

Step 4: Identifying All Liable Parties

We investigate every possible defendant to maximize your recovery:
✔ Truck Driver (speeding, fatigue, distraction, impairment)
✔ Trucking Company (negligent hiring, training, or supervision)
✔ Cargo Owner/Shipper (overweight or improperly loaded cargo)
✔ Loading Company (improper cargo securement)
✔ Truck Manufacturer (defective brakes, tires, or safety systems)
✔ Parts Manufacturer (faulty components that failed)
✔ Maintenance Company (negligent repairs or inspections)
✔ Freight Broker (negligently hiring an unsafe carrier)
✔ Government Entity (dangerous road design, poor signage)

Step 5: Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Trucking companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to pay you as little as possible. We level the playing field.

Common Insurance Tactics & How We Counter Them:

Step 6: Taking Your Case to Trial (If Necessary)

Most trucking accident cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to court. Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to go to trial—and they offer better settlements to clients with trial-ready attorneys.

Recent Trucking Verdicts in Texas:

• $730 Million (2021) – Landstar Ranger (oversize load killed a woman)
• $150 Million (2022) – Werner Enterprises (two children killed on I-30)
• $37.5 Million (2024) – Trucking verdict in Texas
• $35.5 Million – Family injured in truck accident
• $35 Million (2025) – Largest verdict in Tarrant County

What Juries Consider in Trucking Cases:

• Severity of injuries (catastrophic vs. minor)
• Degree of negligence (gross negligence = punitive damages)
• Insurance coverage available (trucking companies have deep pockets)
• Impact on your life (pain, suffering, disability, loss of enjoyment)

What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Farmers Branch, TX

Your actions in the first 48 hours can make or break your case.

✅ DO THESE THINGS IMMEDIATELY:

1. Call 911 – Report the accident and request police/paramedics.
2. Seek medical attention – Even if you feel fine, internal injuries and TBI may not show symptoms immediately.
3. Document the scene – Take photos/videos of:
   • All vehicles involved (inside and out)
   • License plates (truck and trailer)
   • DOT number (on the truck door)
   • Trucking company name and logo
   • Skid marks, debris, road conditions
   • Your injuries
   • Witness contact information
4. Get the truck driver’s information:
   • Name, CDL number, contact info
   • Trucking company name and contact info
   • Insurance information
5. Do NOT give a recorded statement – Insurance adjusters will use your words against you.
6. Call Attorney911 immediately – We’ll send a spoliation letter to preserve evidence before it’s destroyed.

❌ DO NOT DO THESE THINGS:

❌ Admit fault (even saying “I’m sorry” can be used against you)
❌ Sign anything from the trucking company or insurance adjuster
❌ Post on social media (insurance companies will use your posts to minimize your claim)
❌ Delay medical treatment (insurance will argue your injuries weren’t serious)
❌ Talk to the trucking company’s investigators (they’re not on your side)

Farmers Branch, TX Trucking Accident Case Results

At Attorney911, we’ve recovered millions of dollars for trucking accident victims in Farmers Branch, TX and across Texas. While every case is unique, here are some of our documented results:

Total Recovered for Clients: $50+ Million

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Farmers Branch Truck Accident Case?

1. 25+ Years of Experience Fighting Trucking Companies

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998. He has:
✅ Federal court admission (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas)
✅ Experience in BP explosion litigation against multinational corporations
✅ A track record of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements

2. Insider Knowledge of Insurance Company Tactics

Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years working for a national defense firm. He knows exactly how insurance companies evaluate, minimize, and deny claims—and now he uses that knowledge to fight for you.

3. We Know Farmers Branch’s Trucking Corridors

We understand the unique dangers of Farmers Branch’s highways, including:

• I-35E (heavy truck traffic, frequent lane changes)
• I-635 (high-speed collisions, construction zones)
• Dallas North Tollway (merging traffic, blind spots)
• Distribution centers and truck stops (wide turn hazards)

4. Aggressive Evidence Preservation

We send spoliation letters within 24–48 hours to preserve critical evidence before it’s destroyed. We demand:
✔ ECM/Black Box data (speed, braking, GPS)
✔ ELD records (hours of service violations)
✔ Driver Qualification File (hiring negligence)
✔ Maintenance records (brake/tire failures)
✔ Dashcam footage (driver behavior)

5. No Fee Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case, and our fee comes from the settlement, not your pocket.

6. Bilingual Representation (Hablamos Español)

Many trucking accident victims in Farmers Branch, TX speak Spanish as their primary language. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters.

7. We’ve Fought (and Beaten) Major Trucking Companies

We’ve taken on Fortune 500 trucking operations, including:

• Walmart trucking operations
• Coca-Cola distribution vehicles
• Amazon delivery trucks
• FedEx trucks
• UPS trucks
• Various commercial trucking companies

Farmers Branch, TX Trucking Accident FAQ

1. How much is my 18-wheeler accident case worth in Farmers Branch, TX?

Case value depends on:

• Severity of injuries (catastrophic vs. minor)
• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Degree of negligence (gross negligence = punitive damages)
• Insurance coverage available

Trucking companies carry higher insurance limits ($750K–$5M+), allowing for larger recoveries than typical car accidents.

2. Who can I sue after a truck accident in Farmers Branch, TX?

Multiple parties may be liable, including:

• The truck driver (for speeding, fatigue, distraction, or impairment)
• The trucking company (for negligent hiring, training, or supervision)
• The cargo owner/shipper (for overweight or improperly loaded cargo)
• The loading company (for improper cargo securement)
• The truck manufacturer (for defective brakes, tires, or safety systems)
• The maintenance company (for negligent repairs)
• The freight broker (for negligently hiring an unsafe carrier)

3. What is the statute of limitations for a truck accident in Texas?

In Texas, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, you should never wait—evidence disappears quickly in trucking cases.

4. What if the truck driver says I caused the accident?

Texas follows modified comparative negligence rules. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% responsible. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Example: If you were 20% at fault, you can recover 80% of your damages.

5. How long does a truck accident case take to resolve?

Timelines vary:

• Simple cases with clear liability: 6–12 months
• Complex cases with multiple parties: 1–3 years
• Cases that go to trial: 2–4 years

We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.

6. Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to court. Insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to go to trial—and they offer better settlements to clients with trial-ready attorneys.

7. What if the trucking company offers me a quick settlement?

Never accept the first offer. Insurance companies lowball victims to save money. We calculate full future damages before accepting any settlement.

8. Can I still recover if the truck driver was an independent contractor?

Yes. Even if the driver was an owner-operator, the trucking company may still be liable under negligent hiring, supervision, or entrustment theories.

9. What if the trucking company goes bankrupt?

We investigate all insurance policies (motor carrier liability, trailer interchange, cargo insurance, umbrella policies) to ensure you can recover from available coverage.

10. Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident case?

Yes. Trucking companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to minimize your claim. You need an experienced trucking accident attorney to:

• Preserve critical evidence before it’s destroyed
• Investigate all liable parties
• Negotiate with insurance companies
• Take your case to trial if necessary

Farmers Branch, TX Trucking Accident Resources

Local Hospitals & Trauma Centers

If you’re injured in a truck accident in Farmers Branch, TX, seek medical attention at:

• Medical City Dallas Hospital (Level I Trauma Center)
• Baylor University Medical Center (Level I Trauma Center)
• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas (Level II Trauma Center)
• Methodist Dallas Medical Center (Level I Trauma Center)

Farmers Branch Police Department

• Non-Emergency Number: (972) 243-6200
• Website: www.farmersbranchtx.gov/police

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

• Crash Reports: www.txdot.gov/driver/laws/crash-reports.html
• Farmers Branch Road Conditions: www.drivetexas.org

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

• Carrier Safety Records: safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
• Trucking Company Safety Ratings: ai.fmcsa.dot.gov

Contact Attorney911 for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Farmers Branch, TX, don’t wait—evidence disappears fast. Call Attorney911 now for a free, no-obligation consultation.

📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 www.attorney911.com

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911.

We answer calls 24/7. No fee unless we win.

Farmers Branch, TX Trucking Accident Case Review

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation:
✔ Case evaluation – We’ll review the details of your accident.
✔ Evidence preservation – We’ll send a spoliation letter to protect critical evidence.
✔ Legal options – We’ll explain your rights and the best path forward.
✔ No-pressure advice – You decide if you want to move forward.

Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911

“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