Jasper Truck Accident Attorney
The impact was catastrophic. You were driving on US-96 or traveling across Highway 190 in Jasper, and in an instant, 80,000 pounds of steel changed your life. When an 18-wheeler slams into a passenger car, it isn’t an accident—it’s a collision between physics and negligence. At Attorney911, we know that your car weighs maybe 4,000 pounds. The truck that hit you weighs twenty times that. It’s not a fair fight on the road, and it isn’t a fair fight in the courtroom unless you have a powerhouse in your corner.
Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been making trucking companies pay for the devastation they cause. With over 25 years of courtroom experience and admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, our founder understands exactly how to hold the biggest corporations on the planet accountable. We don’t just “handle” cases; we hunt for the evidence that trucking companies try to bury. Whether you were hit by a logging truck near the Jasper County line or a delivery van in the heart of town, we treat you like family. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
If you’ve been hurt in a commercial vehicle accident in Jasper, the clock is already ticking. The trucking company’s rapid-response team was likely at the scene before the ambulance left. You need your own response team. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing unless we recover money for you.
Why Truck Accidents in Jasper Are Different
Jasper sits at a critical junction of East Texas commerce. Known as the “Jewel of the Forest,” our area sees a volume of timber and logging traffic that most other Texas cities never encounter. When you combine heavy logging trucks with high-speed highways like US-96, US-190, and SH-63, the risk for catastrophic accidents skyrockets.
We understand the unique dangers of driving in Jasper. We know the blind curves on FM roads where an overloaded log truck can easily lose its center of gravity. We know the intersections where a fatigued driver hauling equipment to an oilfield site might miss a stop sign. Our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense lawyer who used to represent the very companies we now sue. He knows the playbook they use to minimize your pain, and he uses that insider knowledge to fight for every dime you deserve.
The trucking companies operating in Jasper—from regional timber haulers to global giants like Walmart and Amazon—have nearly unlimited resources. We have the horsepower to match them. Our firm has litigated against Fortune 500 companies and was involved in the landmark BP Texas City refinery litigation. We aren’t intimidated by a fleet of corporate lawyers. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for victims of traumatic brain injuries and amputations, and we are ready to do the same for you in Jasper.
Immediate Urgency: The 48-Hour Evidence Window
In Jasper trucking cases, evidence has a way of disappearing. The most critical piece of proof in your case is likely the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM), often called the “black box.” This device records speed, braking, and throttle position in the seconds before impact. But here is the problem: black box data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days, or even sooner if the truck is put back into service.
When you hire Attorney911, we move with lightning speed. Within 24 to 48 hours, we send a formal spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and the driver. This letter puts them on legal notice that they must preserve every scrap of evidence, including:
- ELD Logs: Electronic Logging Devices that prove if a driver was violating federal Hours of Service rules.
- Maintenance Records: Proof of whether the brakes were worn or tires were balding.
- Driver Qualification Files: Background checks that show if a dangerous driver should have never been hired.
- Netradyne or Dashcam Footage: Video evidence that often catches the driver distracted or asleep at the wheel.
If you wait to call an attorney, the trucking company in Jasper may “accidentally” lose the very data that proves they were at fault. Don’t let that happen. Call 888-ATTY-911 right now. We answer at all hours because legal emergencies don’t stick to a 9-to-5 schedule.
Understanding Federal Trucking Regulations (FMCSA)
Trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States, and for good reason. An 80,000-pound truck is a lethal weapon if not operated correctly. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR). When a truck hits you in Jasper, our investigation starts by looking for violations of these rules.
Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395)
Driver fatigue is a leading cause of deaths on Jasper roads. Federal law is clear: a driver can only be behind the wheel for 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They cannot drive past the 14th hour after coming on duty. Yet, we see drivers pressured by their companies to falsify these logs to make Jasper delivery windows. If a driver was fatigued and caused your accident, the trucking company is liable for every violation of Part 395.
Driver Qualifications (49 CFR Part 391)
Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. This means a valid CDL, a current medical certificate, and a background check that clears them of dangerous driving patterns. If a company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or reckless driving and that driver hits you in Jasper, we pursue a claim for negligent hiring under Part 391.
Vehicle Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396)
Every commercial motor vehicle in Jasper must be “systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained.” Drivers must perform a pre-trip inspection every single day. If the brakes failed on Highway 190 because the company skipped a mandatory check, that is a direct violation of Part 396. We subpoena the maintenance logs to prove they prioritized profit over your safety.
Cargo Securement (49 CFR Part 393)
Specific to Jasper’s logging industry, Part 393 mandates how loads must be secured. Uncontained logs or equipment shifting during a turn at high speed can cause a rollover or a spill that traps other drivers. We look for tiedown failures and weight violations that contribute to these devastating wrecks.
Learn more about the rules these companies must follow in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.
Every Type of Commercial Vehicle on Jasper Roads
While many people think of 18-wheelers, many different commercial vehicles pose a threat in Jasper. We handle cases involving the full spectrum of heavy equipment and fleets.
Logging and Timber Trucks
Jasper is home to a massive timber industry. Log trucks are uniquely dangerous because they carry cylindrical, unstable loads on rural roads. If a log falls from a trailer on a bridge or a driver takes a curve too fast, the results are almost always fatal. We have recovered over $5 million for victims of logging-related injuries and understand the specific OSHA and FMCSA rules that govern timber transport.
Oilfield Water and Sand Haulers
As East Texas oil and gas operations expand, Jasper roads are shared with heavy water tankers and frac sand haulers. These drivers often work 14-hour shifts and drive on lease roads that are unpaved and dangerous. We know how to take on major oil companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron when their contractors cause accidents near Jasper.
Corporate Delivery Fleets (Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, UPS)
Amazon and FedEx vans are everywhere in Jasper. These companies use a complex system of “independent contractors” to try and shield themselves from liability. We know how to pierce that shield. Whether it’s an Amazon DSP van rushing to meet a quota or a Walmart truck on an overnight run, we hold the corporate parent accountable for the pressure they put on their drivers.
Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers
A loaded dump truck in Jasper can weigh 60,000 pounds. A concrete mixer with a rotating drum has a dangerously high center of gravity. These vehicles often operate in construction zones where they strike pedestrians or workers. We investigate the construction companies and municipal contractors responsible for these vehicles.
Rental and Moving Trucks (U-Haul, Penske)
Rental trucks are terrifying because U-Haul and Penske put large vehicles into the hands of people with zero commercial training. If an untrained driver in a rented truck hit you in Jasper, we investigate whether the rental company was negligent in entrusting that vehicle to them.
Have you been hit by a corporate vehicle? Call 1-888-288-9911. Our team, led by Ralph Manginello, has over two decades of experience fighting these exact defendants.
Common Truck Accident Types in Jasper
The way an accident happens tells us a lot about who is liable. In Jasper, we see several recurring patterns of commercial vehicle crashes.
Jackknife Accidents
On wet days in Jasper, an 18-wheeler can easily jackknife. This happens when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab. It often results from improper braking or speeding for conditions (a violation of 49 CFR 392.14). A jackknife can sweep across all lanes of US-96, leaving you with nowhere to go.
Rollover Crashes
Rollovers are common on the winding roads around Jasper County. They are usually caused by top-heavy cargo or excessive speed on a curve. Because trucks have a high center of gravity, once a rollover starts, the driver loses all control. These crashes often involve crushing injuries to cars trapped beneath the trailer.
Underride Collisions
Underride crashes are among the most lethal. This is when your car slides beneath the back or side of a trailer. Despite federal rules (49 CFR 393.86) requiring “Mansfield bars” or rear impact guards, many old or poorly maintained trailers in Jasper have faulty guards that fail on impact, leading to decapitation or severe TBI.
Blind Spot “No-Zone” Accidents
Trucks have massive blind spots. If a driver in Jasper changes lanes without checking their mirrors, they can crush your vehicle into a median or another car. Companies are now equipping trucks with cameras to eliminate these spots; if a company fails to use this technology, it can be a sign of negligence.
Brake and Tire Failures
A truck at 65 mph on Jasper’s highways generates massive heat in its brakes. If the maintenance company or carrier deferred repairs to save money, the brakes can fail completely. Similarly, used “retread” tires are prone to blowouts that cause a driver to lose steering. Learn more in our video: “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc.
If you’ve been involved in any of these scenarios, y’all need a lawyer who treats you like family and fights like a tiger. Call 888-ATTY-911 for a free case review from the team Jasper trusts.
Identifying Every Liable Party
One mistake general practice lawyers make is only suing the truck driver. At Attorney911, we know that to maximize your recovery in Jasper, we must identify every single party with a hand in the accident. More defendants mean more insurance policies to stack for your compensation.
- The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior, the carrier is responsible for its driver’s actions. We also sue them for negligent hiring and supervision.
- The Corporate Brand (Amazon/Walmart): If the truck was hauling for a major retailer, we look at the level of control that company had over the delivery to hold them responsible.
- The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If the cargo was improperly loaded by a third party, causing a shift that led to a rollover, that shipper is liable.
- The Maintenance Provider: If a Jasper mechanic signed off on a faulty inspection, they share the blame.
- The Manufacturer: If a tire blew out because of a defect or a brake component failed, we file a product liability claim.
- The Freight Broker: If a broker hired a “bottom-tier” trucking company with a known history of safety violations to save money, that broker is liable for negligent selection.
- Oilfield Operators: In oilpatch wrecks, the lease holder often dictates the dangerous schedules that drivers must follow.
Ralph Manginello and our team dig deep into the contracts to find where the money is. We don’t settle for the easy path; we pursue the maximum recovery for your family.
Catastrophic Injuries and the Cost of Recovery
We understand that a truck accident in Jasper doesn’t just result in a broken bone. It results in a broken life. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families dealing with the most severe trauma.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A TBI can change your personality, your memory, and your ability to earn a living. We’ve seen TBI settlements reach as high as $9.8 million because the lifetime care required is staggering. Even a “mild” concussion can lead to years of cognitive fog. See our guide: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
A spinal injury often means a lifetime in a wheelchair and 24/7 care. Our firm works with life care planners to calculate every penny you will need for home modifications, specialized vans, and ongoing medical treatment. These settlements can range from $4.7 million up to $25.8 million or more.
Amputations
Loss of a limb in a Jasper trucking wreck is a permanent disfigurement that carries an enormous psychological toll. We fight for compensation that covers the best prosthetic technology available and vocational training if you can no longer do your previous job.
Wrongful Death
If you lost a spouse, parent, or child in a Jasper truck accident, no amount of money can bring them back. However, a wrongful death claim provides the financial security your family needs to survive without their income. We have recovered millions for grieving families across Texas and New York.
For serious injuries in Jasper, you need an attorney who isn’t afraid to go to federal court. Call (888) 288-9911 for an aggressive advocate.
The Insurance Defense Advantage
Insurance companies are not your friend. They are for-profit corporations that protect their bottom line by paying you as little as possible. They use algorithms like “Colossus” to assign a low dollar value to your suffering.
This is where the Attorney911 team has an unfair advantage. Lupe Peña spent years on the other side. He worked for a national insurance defense firm, learning exactly how they evaluate claims and where they hide their money. He knows when an adjuster is lying to you about policy limits. He knows how they train their staff to lowball you while you’re still in a hospital bed.
In Jasper, where many victims are hard-working people who just want to be treated fairly, insurance companies take advantage of that honesty. We don’t let them. We know their playbook because we helped write parts of it. We use that insider knowledge to force them to pay fair value. Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.
Jasper Truck Accident FAQ
How long do I have to file a claim in Jasper?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, in trucking cases, you should act much faster. Evidence like ELD data and black box recordings can disappear in as little as 30 days.
Common injuries people search for after a Jasper wreck:
Many victims search for “herniated disc truck accident” or “whiplash from 18 wheeler.” Don’t let an adjuster tell you these are minor. When 80,000 pounds snaps your neck, a herniated disc can lead to a lifetime of chronic pain and potentially spinal fusion surgery. These are significant injuries that deserve significant compensation.
Who pays my medical bills after a truck accident?
The trucking company’s insurance—which must be at least $750,000 by law—is responsible. However, they won’t pay until the end of the case. We help our Jasper clients find vetted, attorney-approved doctors who will treat them under a “Letter of Protection.” This means you get the care you need now, and the doctor gets paid out of the final settlement.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
This is a favorite excuse of companies like Amazon and FedEx. They’ll say, “He doesn’t work for us.” We use the “right to control” test to prove that if the company set the route, dictated the speed, and monitored the driver with cameras, they are the employer regardless of what the contract says.
Can I get a payout for PTSD after an accident?
YES. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and driving phobia are legitimate, compensable injuries. If you are having nightmares or are terrified to drive on Highway 96 after your wreck, those are symptoms that require treatment and deserve compensation. Learn more in our video: “Can I Get a PTSD Payout After a Car Accident?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9803X_jnR4A.
Recovery Statistics and the Jasper Legal Landscape
Texas consistently leads the nation in trucking fatalities and serious injuries. Juries in Jasper County and across the state have shown that they have run out of patience for trucking companies that cut corners. “Nuclear verdicts”—those exceeding $10 million—are becoming common in Texas because juries want to send a message that our lives are worth more than corporate profits.
In 2022, a Texas jury awarded $150 million in a case against Werner Enterprises. These verdicts show that when you prove a pattern of safety violations or logbook falsification, juries will punish the company. While every case is different, having a firm that prepares every case for trial—like we do—gives you maximum leverage at the settlement table.
Our total firm recoveries exceed $50 million. We’ve secured $5 million for a logging injury, $3.8 million for an amputation, and $2.5 million for a truck crash victim. We don’t just settle for what the insurance company offers; we fight for “every dime” you deserve, as client Glenda Walker put it.
Your Jasper Trucking Accident Legal Team
When an 18-wheeler changes your life, you aren’t just looking for “a lawyer.” You are looking for a fighter. You are looking for someone who treats you like family.
Ralph Manginello has spent 25 years in the ring with trucking companies. He brings federal court experience and a history of winning against corporate giants to your case. Paired with Lupe Peña’s insurance defense background, Attorney911 offers a level of representation that most firms simply cannot match.
You pay us nothing upfront. We advance all costs for accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and investigators. If we don’t recover money for you, you don’t owe us a penny in attorney’s fees.
Don’t wait while the evidence in Jasper disappears. Don’t let the insurance adjuster trick you into a lowball offer. Call us today.
Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Fighting for Jasper Families Since 1998.
Whether you were hit on US-96, Highway 190, or any road in East Texas, we are ready to answer your call. You are NOT just a case number to us. You are family. Let’s start your fight today. Hablamos Español. Llame al 888-ATTY-911.