Your City of Kerens Truck Accident & Commercial Vehicle Authority

The impact of an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle is unlike anything else on our roads. When a tractor-trailer or a high-speed delivery van slams into a passenger car on State Highway 31 or US 287 near City of Kerens, it doesn’t just result in a car wreck—it creates a legal and medical emergency. If you’re reading this, your life or the life of a loved one has likely been changed in an instant. You’ve gone from a normal day in City of Kerens to a world of trauma surgeons, intensive care units, and a mounting pile of medical bills that you didn’t ask for and cannot afford.

At Attorney911, we know exactly what you’re up against because we’ve spent more than two decades in the ring with the world’s largest trucking corporations. Led by our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, who has been fighting for injury victims since 1998, our firm brings a level of technical expertise and aggressive litigation that most local general practitioners simply can’t match. We aren’t just “car wreck lawyers.” We are trucking litigation specialists. We understand the complex web of federal regulations that govern every mile a truck travels through Navarro County, and we know how to hold negligent companies fully accountable.

One of our unique advantages is associate attorney Lupe Peña. Before joining our team to fight for victims, Lupe worked for a national insurance defense firm. He used to be the one defending the insurance companies and the trucking fleets. He knows their playbook, he knows how they value claims, and most importantly, he knows the tactics they use to minimize your suffering. We use that insider knowledge to stay three steps ahead of the defense.

When an 18-wheeler changes your life in City of Kerens, you don’t need a lawyer who is sympathetic—you need a fighter who is proven. We have recovered over $50 million for families across Texas, handling everything from multi-million dollar traumatic brain injury cases to tragic wrongful death claims. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

If you’ve been hurt in a City of Kerens truck accident, the clock is already ticking against you. Evidence is being overwritten, witnesses are forgetting details, and the trucking company’s rapid-response team has likely been on-site before you even left the hospital. Don’t wait. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing at all unless we win your case.

Why Truck Accidents in City of Kerens Are Unique

City of Kerens sits at a critical junction in Navarro County. Situated along State Highway 31 between Corsicana and Tyler, our community sees a constant flow of commercial traffic. We aren’t just seeing local deliveries; we are at the heart of an agricultural and energy corridor where heavy rigs, grain haulers, and oilfield service trucks share narrow two-lane roads with our families.

The physics of these collisions in City of Kerens are devastating. A fully loaded semi-truck is 20 to 25 times heavier than a standard passenger vehicle. At highway speeds on SH 31, that weight creates an exponential amount of kinetic energy. When that energy is transferred into your car, the “crumple zones” designed by manufacturers are often overwhelmed. This is why 76% of people killed in large truck crashes are the occupants of the smaller vehicle, not the truck driver.

Furthermore, City of Kerens often deals with unique environmental hazards. We have high agricultural activity, meaning slow-moving farm machinery often interacts with high-speed commercial freight. We have heavy seasonal hauling that puts overworked, fatigued drivers on our roads during peak harvest times. Our team knows these specific City of Kerens risks because we are deep-rooted Texas attorneys who understand the local landscape.

The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency

The most important thing you need to know right now is that evidence disappears. In City of Kerens, as in the rest of the country, trucking companies are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to keep certain records—but they aren’t required to keep them forever.

For example, the data inside the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM), often called the “black box,” can be overwritten in as little as 30 days or even sooner if the truck is put back into service. This data is the “silent witness” to your accident. It tells us exactly how fast the truck was going, when the driver hit the brakes (or if they hit them at all), and the throttle position in the seconds leading up to the impact.

The moment you hire us, we send out a formal “spoliation letter.” This is a legal demand that the trucking company and its insurance carrier preserve every single piece of evidence related to your City of Kerens accident. If they destroy evidence after receiving this letter, they face severe legal sanctions in court.

We demand the preservation of:

• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: To prove if the driver was violating federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules and was driving while dangerously fatigued.
• Driver Qualification Files: To see if the company hired a driver with a history of DUIs, high-speed accidents, or a lack of proper CDL endorsements.
• Maintenance Records: To determine if a brake failure or tire blowout on SH 31 was the result of the company cutting corners on safety to save a few dollars.
• In-Cab Video: Many major fleets like Walmart and Amazon now use AI-powered cameras that record driver distraction or fatigue in real-time.

Insurance companies will try to settle with you quickly in City of Kerens before you understand the value of this evidence. Don’t let them. As Donald Wilcox, one of our clients, 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.” We take the difficult cases and we find the evidence that others miss.

Types of Commercial Vehicles We Handle in City of Kerens

While “18-wheeler” is the term most people use, “truck accident” in City of Kerens covers a vast range of commercial vehicles. Each one has different regulations, different insurance requirements, and different liable parties. At Attorney911, we handle all of them.

18-Wheelers and Semi-Trucks

The backbone of American freight, these vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Whether it’s a jackknife on a rain-slicked US 287 or an underride collision where a car slides beneath a trailer that lacks proper guards, these are the most common catastrophic cases we litigate. We cite 49 CFR Part 393 for equipment violations and Part 395 for fatigue when these rigs cause chaos in City of Kerens.

Delivery Vans (Amazon, FedEx, UPS)

City of Kerens residents see more “last-mile” delivery vans than ever before. Companies like Amazon use a complex structure of “Delivery Service Partners” (DSPs) to try and shield themselves from liability. They want you to believe the driver doesn’t work for Amazon. We know how to pierce that shield. We look at the level of control Amazon exerts over the City of Kerens routes and delivery scores to hold the corporate giant accountable.

Dump Trucks and Construction Vehicles

Navarro County’s growth means a constant stream of dump trucks hauling gravel and dirt. These trucks are often operated by smaller companies with poor maintenance records. A loaded dump truck is a 60,000-pound hazard, especially if it’s overloaded or has unsecured cargo that falls onto SH 31, causing a chain-reaction crash.

Oilfield Service Trucks

City of Kerens is near active energy production zones. We see water trucks, sand haulers, and crew vans moving at all hours of the night. These drivers are often working 12-to-14-hour shifts before they ever get behind the wheel. We understand the dual jurisdiction of FMCSA and OSHA that applies to these oilfield accidents.

Rental and Moving Trucks

Every weekend in City of Kerens, people rent 26-foot U-Hauls or Penske trucks. These drivers are often entirely untrained and have no idea how much distance they need to stop a 26,000-pound vehicle. When a rental truck company puts a massive vehicle into the hands of an unqualified driver, they can be held liable for negligent entrustment.

Garbage Trucks and Concrete Mixers

These are some of the heaviest and most unstable vehicles on City of Kerens city streets. A concrete mixer has a high center of gravity and a “slosh effect” from the liquid load that makes rollovers common during turns. Garbage trucks have massive blind spots and are involved in a high number of pedestrian and cyclist accidents in residential areas.

Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao

Who Is Really Responsible for Your City of Kerens Accident?

One mistake many lawyers make is only suing the driver. In a City of Kerens commercial vehicle case, the driver is often just the tip of the iceberg. To maximize your recovery, we investigate the entire chain of command.

1. The Trucking Company: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, the company is liable for its employees’ negligence. We also pursue claims for negligent hiring and supervision.
2. The Freight Broker: If a broker hired a “bottom-tier” carrier with a history of safety violations just to save money on a City of Kerens route, that broker may be liable for negligent selection.
3. The Cargo Loader: Improperly secured cargo causes shifts that lead to rollovers. If a third-party company in Corsicana or City of Kerens loaded the trailer incorrectly, they are on the hook.
4. The Manufacturer: If a tire blowout or brake failure was caused by a defective part, we bring in product liability experts to hold the manufacturer accountable.
5. The Corporate Brand (Walmart, Amazon, Coca-Cola): If the truck has a corporate logo, we look to hold the parent company liable for the systems and quotas that pressured the driver into unsafe behavior.

In City of Kerens, we don’t settle for the easy target. We find every insurance policy and every solvent defendant to ensure your family’s future is protected. As Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

FMCSA Regulations: The Key to Proving Negligence

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides the “rules of the road” for every commercial truck in City of Kerens. These are not suggestions; they are federal law. When we prove a violation of these codes, we prove negligence.

• 49 CFR Part 391 (Driver Qualification): Was the driver medically fit? Did they have a valid CDL? If the company hired a driver who shouldn’t have been behind the wheel, that’s a winning argument for us.
• 49 CFR Part 392 (Driving Rules): This covers everything from drug use to texting while driving. In City of Kerens, we’ve seen too many accidents caused by a driver checking their dispatch app instead of the road.
• 49 CFR Part 395 (Hours of Service): This is the most crucial part of many City of Kerens cases. Federal law generally limits drivers to 11 hours of driving. When companies push drivers to “fudge their logs,” they are choosing profit over your life. We use ELD data to catch them in the lie.
• 49 CFR Part 396 (Inspection and Maintenance): Every truck must be systematically inspected. If an 18-wheeler’s brakes failed on a SH 31 curve, we demand the maintenance logs to see the last time those pads were checked.

By citing these specific regulations, we show the insurance company that we aren’t just guessing—we have the law on our side. This technical expertise is why Attorney911 is a Trial Lawyers Achievement Association Million Dollar Member.

Dealing with Catastrophic Injuries in City of Kerens

We understand that you’re not just a case number; you’re a person whose physical and mental health has been shattered. Truck accidents don’t cause simple “fender benders.” They cause catastrophic, life-altering injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

A TBI can happen even without a direct hit to the head. The violent “whiplash” effect of an 80,000-pound impact can cause the brain to collide with the skull, leading to axonal shearing. Victims in City of Kerens may experience memory loss, personality changes, and a permanent inability to return to their jobs. Settlements in these cases often range from $1.5 million to over $9 million.
Learn more: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

A C-level or T-level spinal injury can leave a victim in City of Kerens with partial or total paralysis. The cost of a “Life Care Plan” for these victims—including 24/7 nursing, home modifications, and specialized vehicles—is astronomical. We’ve recovered settlements ranging from $4.7 million to $25.8 million for spinal injuries because we factor in every single dollar you will need for the rest of your life.

Amputations and Crush Injuries

The “squeeze play” of a wide-turning truck or the crushing force of a rollover can result in traumatic limb loss. Beyond the physical pain, there is the ongoing cost of prosthetics and the “phantom limb” pain that can last a lifetime. Our amputation settlements have reached the $8 million range.

Severe Burns and Internal Damage

Fuel tank ruptures on highways near City of Kerens can result in agonizing burns requiring years of skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. Blunt force trauma can also cause internal organ damage that may not be apparent at the scene but can become fatal within hours.

We treat our clients like family because we understand the weight of these injuries. As Ernest Cano shared, “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.”

Maximizing Your Compensation Under Texas Law

Under Texas law, you have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, Texas also follows a “51% modified comparative negligence” rule. This means that if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you recover nothing.

The trucking company’s lawyers will do everything possible to shift the blame to you. They will say you were speeding, that you didn’t have your lights on, or that you were distracted. This is why having Lupe Peña on our team is so vital. Having worked in insurance defense, he knows how they twist the facts to reach that 51% threshold. We build a bulletproof case to prove the truck driver and the carrier were the ones at fault.

We pursue full compensation for:

• Economic Damages: Past and future medical bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of consortium (the impact on your marriage and family).
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, such as a company knowingly keeping a driver with multiple drug violations on the road, we ask the jury to punish the company to ensure it never happens again in City of Kerens.

Why Choose the Manginello Law Firm for Your City of Kerens Case?

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you aren’t getting a call center. You are getting Ralph Manginello and his dedicated team. We are a boutique firm by choice because it allows us to give every client the personal attention they deserve. You won’t be handed off to a paralegal who doesn’t know your name.

• 25+ Years of Courtroom Strength: Ralph Manginello has been litigating since 1998 and is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. He has the federal experience required for interstate trucking cases.
• Inside the Insurance Playbook: With a former defense attorney on staff, we know how to counter the “delay and deny” tactics that trucking companies use to starve out victims.
• The Fortune 500 Factor: We’ve gone toe-to-toe with giants like Walmart, Amazon, BP, and major oil & gas operators. We aren’t intimidated by their size or their legal teams.
• Hablamos Español: Lupe Peña provides direct representation for our Spanish-speaking community in City of Kerens. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911. No hay traductores necesarios.
• Proven Results: We have recovered over $50 million. Whether it was a $5 million logging brain injury or a $3.8 million amputation settlement, we fight for maximum value.

Don’t let the trucking company dictate the terms of your recovery. They have been building their case since the moment of the crash. It’s time to start building yours.

City of Kerens Truck Accident FAQ

How long do I have to file a claim in City of Kerens?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the accident. However, waiting that long is a mistake. Evidence like the truck’s black box and ELD logs can be lost in weeks. You need an attorney to send a spoliation letter immediately.

What if the truck was from another state?
This is very common on our City of Kerens highways. Because these trucks are involved in interstate commerce, the case may be handled in federal court. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the Southern District of Texas is critical for navigating these complex jurisdictional issues.

The insurance company offered me a settlement today. Should I take it?
NO. They are offering you “nuisance value”—a small amount to make you go away before you realize the true extent of your injuries. Once you sign that paper, you can never ask for more. You might have a herniated disc or a TBI that hasn’t fully manifested yet. Never sign anything without a free consultation from Attorney911.

What if I was partially at fault?
As long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages in Texas. Your final settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. We work to minimize your fault by proving the FMCSA violations the truck driver committed.

Can I sue the oil company if an oilfield truck hit me near City of Kerens?
Yes. If the oil company controlled the hauling schedule, failed to vet the trucking contractor, or maintained a dangerous lease road, they can be held liable. These are high-value cases because oil companies carry significant liability policies.

How much does it cost to hire you?
Zero dollars upfront. We work on a contingency fee (usually 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if we go to court). We pay for all the experts, the accident reconstructionists, and the court filings. We only get paid when you get paid.

What if an Amazon van hit me in a City of Kerens neighborhood?
Amazon cases are unique because of the “Delivery Service Partner” model. We pierce this structure by showing how much control Amazon exerts over the driver’s every move. Don’t let the “independent contractor” label stop you from pursuing the company with the real money.

I have a headache that won’t go away after the crash. Is that normal?
Learn more in our video: “Is a Headache Normal After a Car Accident?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EF82H16eCo. A persistent headache can be a sign of a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury. Get medical help and call us.

Call Your City of Kerens Truck Accident Fighters Now

Your family has been through enough. The stress of medical bills, the pain of rehabilitation, and the uncertainty of your return to work should not be exacerbated by a cold insurance company trying to save a buck. You need a team that treats you like family and fights like a tiger.

At Attorney911, we are the Legal Emergency Lawyers™. We answer our phones 24/7. We deploy investigators to the scene. We stand up to Fortune 500 corporations. Every day you wait is a day that the trucking company gets ahead.

Call Attorney Ralph Manginello and his team now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911).
Free Consultation. 24/7 Help. No fee unless we win.

You only get one chance to resolve your case. Don’t leave it to chance. Leave it to experience. Whether you were hit on a busy SH 31 afternoon or a quiet US 287 night near City of Kerens, we are ready to stand in your corner.

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