Fighting for Justice After a Liberty Hill Truck Accident
The impact is unlike anything you’ve ever felt. One moment, you’re driving through the intersection of Highway 29 and US-183 in Liberty Hill, headed home or picking up the kids from school. The next, 80,000 pounds of steel and cargo are slamming into your passenger door. An 18-wheeler doesn’t just hit you; it changes your life in a fraction of a second. The physics are brutal. A fully loaded semi-truck is 20 times heavier than your car, and when that much mass is moving at highway speeds, your vehicle’s crumple zones simply aren’t enough. You are left in a legal and medical emergency, and the clock starts ticking the moment the wheels stop spinning.
At Attorney911, we know that Liberty Hill represents the heart of Central Texas growth, but with that growth comes a dangerous surge in heavy truck traffic. Whether you were hit by an interstate long-haul rig on 183 or a massive dump truck heading to a new residential development, you are now facing an army of corporate lawyers whose only job is to make sure you get paid as little as possible. Our founder and managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years in the courtroom making sure that doesn’t happen. Since 1998, he has gone head-to-head with some of the largest corporations in the world to recover multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours.
We don’t just handle your case; we treat you like family. As our client Chad Harris once said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We bring a unique strategic advantage to the table because our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who previously worked in insurance defense. He knows the playbook the trucking companies use to deny claims because he used to help write it. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you.
If you’ve been hurt, don’t wait for the insurance company to do the right thing. They won’t. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
Why Truck Accidents in Liberty Hill Are a Local Emergency
Liberty Hill is no longer the quiet crossroads it used to be. The explosive expansion of Williamson County has turned our local roads into high-volume freight corridors. We see a dangerous mix of industrial traffic, from 18-wheelers carrying goods from the Port of Houston to the localized cement mixers and dump trucks supporting the construction boom in Santa Rita Ranch and Morningstar.
When these vehicles collide with passenger cars on FM 1869 or along the 183 Toll road, the results are almost always catastrophic. The trucking companies know this. That’s why, while you are still in the ambulance being transported to a Level 1 trauma center in Round Rock or Austin, the trucking company has already dispatched a rapid-response team to the crash site. They are there to take photos, interview witnesses, and look for any way to shift the blame onto you.
You need an attorney who moves just as fast. We understand the specific trucking patterns in Liberty Hill and Williamson County. We know which companies are cutting corners on maintenance to meet the demands of Central Texas’s rapid development. We have litigated cases against Fortune 500 giants like Walmart and Amazon, and we have the federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas required to handle complex interstate trucking litigation.
Learn more about your rights in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.
Understanding the Gravity of 18-Wheeler Collisions
Think an 18-wheeler is just a big car? Think again. The sheer disparity in size and weight creates an inherent danger for every Liberty Hill family sharing the road with these giants. A standard passenger car weighs about 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded commercial truck caps out at 80,000 pounds. When that truck hits you at 65 mph, it carries roughly 80 times the kinetic energy of a car-on-car collision.
The Problem of Stopping Distance
Physics doesn’t lie. At highway speeds, a loaded semi-truck needs approximately 525 feet to come to a complete stop—that’s nearly two full football fields. If a truck driver is distracted by a dispatch message or is following too closely on US-183 as traffic slows down near the Liberty Hill city limits, they simply cannot stop in time to avoid hitting you. This is a violation of 49 CFR § 392.11, which prohibits commercial drivers from following more closely than is “reasonable and prudent.”
The Roll of Federal Regulations
The trucking industry is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations, found in 49 CFR Parts 390-399, are the “rules of the road” that every carrier must follow. From mandatory drug testing under Part 382 to strict hours-of-service limits in Part 395, these laws exist to prevent the very accidents we see daily in Liberty Hill. When a trucking company ignores these rules to increase their profit margins, they are not just being negligent—they are breaking federal law.
If you’ve been hit, the trucking company is already building their defense. What are you doing? Call 1-888-ATTY-911.
Types of High-Impact Truck Accidents in Liberty Hill
Every truck accident has a unique mechanical fingerprint. To win your case, we have to understand the physics of how the crash happened and which specific safety regulations the driver or company violated.
Jackknife Accidents on Central Texas Highways
A jackknife occurs when a truck’s drive wheels lock up, causing the trailer to swing out perpendicular to the cab. This often happens on Liberty Hill roads during sudden rainstorms when the asphalt becomes slick. A jackknifing trailer can sweep across three or four lanes of traffic on a highway like 183, creating a massive pileup that leaves victims with no way to escape. These accidents often point to violations of 49 CFR § 393.48, which requires properly functioning brake systems, or 49 CFR § 392.6, which mandates speed reductions in adverse conditions.
Rollover Crashes on Rural Roads
Liberty Hill is surrounded by winding FM roads and county routes that were never designed for high-speed commercial traffic. When an oilfield water truck or a gravel hauler takes a curve too fast on FM 1869, the high center of gravity causes the vehicle to tip. Rollovers are often caused by improper cargo securement (49 CFR § 393.100) or liquid “slosh” in tankers that haven’t been properly baffled. The injuries in these cases are brutal, often involving roof-crush injuries and traumatic brain trauma.
Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Scenario
Among the most horrifying accidents we see are underride collisions. This happens when a passenger car slides underneath the rear or side of a truck trailer. Because the trailer is so high off the ground, the passenger compartment of the car can be partially or completely sheared off. These accidents are almost always fatal or result in catastrophic head and neck injuries. While 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards on trailers, these guards often fail or are completely missing on older equipment.
Rear-End Collisions and Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a silent killer in Williamson County. Drivers pushing through 14-hour days to meet delivery windows at regional distribution centers often lose the alertness necessary to detect slowing traffic. When an 80,000-pound truck rear-ends a stopped car at a light on SH 29, the results are devastating. We look for violations of 49 CFR Part 395, which limits driving time to 11 hours. We know how to subpoena Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove the driver was illegally operating while exhausted.
If you were hit by an 18-wheeler you couldn’t see — and that couldn’t see YOU — you need a fighter. Call Ralph Manginello today at (888) 288-9911.
Identifying the Web of Liable Parties
Most people think only the truck driver is at fault. But an experienced Liberty Hill truck accident lawyer knows that behind every negligent driver is a web of companies that might share responsibility. At Attorney911, we investigate the entire chain of liability to ensure we access every available insurance policy.
1. The Trucking Company (The Motor Carrier)
Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, a trucking company is generally liable for the negligence of its employees. More importantly, we look for direct corporate negligence. Did they hire a driver with a history of DUIs or safety violations? This is “negligent hiring.” Did they fail to train the driver on cargo securement? That’s “negligent training.” We have even litigated cases like the BP Texas City refinery explosion, where corporate culture failures led to disaster. We apply that same scrutiny to trucking carriers.
2. Corporate Parent Companies and Brand Owners
When you are hit by a branded truck—like a Walmart semi or an Amazon delivery van—the parent corporation may be liable. Amazon, for example, often uses “independent contractors” (Delivery Service Partners) to shield themselves from liability. However, we know how to pierce that shield by proving Amazon controls the routes, schedules, and driver behavior through in-cab cameras like Netradyne. Our team includes a former insurance defense attorney who has seen these corporate “shell games” and knows how to win.
3. Construction and Dump Truck Operators
Liberty Hill is a construction zone. Dump trucks and concrete mixers are often operated by small subcontractors working for huge general contractors. If a dump truck from a local quarry rolls over because it was overloaded, the loading company and the general contractor who set the schedule may both be liable. Loaded dump trucks weigh 60,000+ pounds and are subject to FMCSA Parts 390-396 if they cross state lines or weigh over 10,001 pounds.
4. Freight Brokers and Shippers
The company that arranged the load may also be responsible. If a freight broker hires a trucking company that they know has an “Unsatisfactory” safety rating from the FMCSA, they can be sued for “negligent selection.” Every party that touched that load could owe you compensation.
The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency
Evidence in a trucking case is like ice in the Texas sun—it disappears fast. Trucking companies are only required to keep certain records for a few months. Even more critical, the “black box” (Engine Control Module) data in the truck can be overwritten within 30 days of the crash.
The moment you hire us, we send a formal “spoliation letter.” This is a legal demand that the trucking company, the driver, and the insurer preserve every piece of evidence, including:
- ECM Data: Which proves exactly how fast the truck was going and when the brakes were hit.
- ELD Logs: Which show if the driver was faking their hours of service to stay on the road longer.
- Driver Qualification Files: To see if the driver should have even been behind the wheel.
- Maintenance Logs: To determine if the truck had faulty brakes or worn-out tires.
As client Angel Walle said, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” Competence starts with immediate investigation. Don’t wait. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
Catastrophic Injuries and the Path to Recovery
A truck accident doesn’t just result in a few bruises. We are talking about life-altering trauma that requires months or years of medical intervention. We have recovered millions for victims of:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Even with an airbag, the force of an 18-wheeler impact can cause the brain to slam against the inside of the skull. This leads to diffuse axonal injury, cognitive deficits, and personality changes. We’ve seen TBI settlements range from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million because of the lifelong impact on a person’s ability to work and care for their family. Learn more in our video: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.
Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
When an underride or rollover occurs, the spine often bears the brunt of the impact. Whether it results in paraplegia or quadriplegia, the medical costs for the first year alone can exceed $1 million. We work with life care planners to ensure your settlement covers your medical needs for the rest of your life.
Amputation and Crush Injuries
Construction trucks like dump trucks and concrete mixers are especially prone to crushing vehicles in “squeeze play” wide turns. Losing a limb is devastating, with settlements often reaching the $1.9 million to $8.6 million range to account for prosthetics, rehabilitation, and loss of function.
Psychological Trauma (PTSD)
Not all injuries are visible. If you are having nightmares or are afraid to drive on Highway 29 after your crash, you may have PTSD. This is a legitimate medical condition that requires therapy and medication. We fight for compensation for your mental anguish just as hard as your physical pain. Watch our video: “Can I Get a PTSD Payout After a Car Accident?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9803X_jnR4A.
Maximizing Your Compensation Under Texas Law
You only get one chance to settle your case. If you sign a settlement today and realize next year that you need another surgery, you can’t go back for more. This is why we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
We seek recovery for:
- Economic Damages: Emergency room visits, surgeries, future physical therapy, and every dollar of lost income and benefits.
- Non-Economic Damages: The constant pain you feel, the loss of intimacy with your spouse, and the loss of enjoyment of the activities you used to love, like hiking in the Texas Hill Country.
- Punitive Damages: If the trucking company acted with gross negligence—like allowing a driver to stay on the road for 20 hours straight—we may be able to seek punitive damages to punish them and prevent it from happening again.
In Texas, you have just two years from your accident date to file a claim—and if you’re found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. This is the “modified comparative negligence” rule. The trucking company will try to blame you for the crash to save money. We use federal court experience and Ralph Manginello’s 25 years of trial skills to prove they were the ones who put you in danger.
Specific Commercial Vehicles Common in Liberty Hill
You don’t have to be hit by a standard 18-wheeler to have a “truck accident” case. We represent victims of:
Dump Trucks and Gravel Haulers
The quarries around Williamson County send thousands of these 60,000-pound vehicles onto our roads every day. They often lose their loads, breaking windshields and causing drivers to swerve and crash. If you were hit by a dump truck near a Liberty Hill construction site, the developer and the hauling company are both on our radar.
Box Trucks and Delivery Vans
Amazon Prime, FedEx Ground, and UPS trucks are on every residential street in Liberty Hill. These drivers are under extreme pressure to make deliveries on time, which leads to distracted driving and speeding. We know how to cut through the “independent contractor” defenses used by these billion-dollar companies.
Concrete Mixers (Cement Trucks)
A loaded concrete truck weighs 70,000+ pounds. These vehicles have a high center of gravity and a rotating drum that creates a “slosh effect,” making them incredibly prone to rollover accidents, especially at intersections like Loop 332.
Liberty Hill Truck Accident FAQ
How long do I have to file a claim in Liberty Hill?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. However, evidence like black box data can be lost in weeks. You should contact us within 48 hours for the best outcome.
Can I still recover if the accident was partially my fault?
Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. If you were 10% at fault, your total award would be reduced by 10%. We work to prove the truck driver was the primary negligent party.
Who pays my medical bills after the accident?
Ultimately, the trucking company’s insurance should pay. However, they won’t pay your bills as they come in. They will pay one lump sum at the end. In the meantime, we can help you coordinate care with providers who work on a “letter of protection,” meaning they get paid out of your final settlement so you don’t have to pay out of pocket during your recovery.
Why is my truck accident case worth more than a regular car accident?
The insurance minimums are much higher. A standard car in Texas only needs a $30,000 policy. An 18-wheeler must have at least $750,000 to $5,000,000 in coverage depending on what they are hauling. Because the injuries are more severe and the insurance is larger, these cases often settle for seven figures.
What if the truck that hit me was from another state?
Since Liberty Hill serves as a major transit route, this happens often. Ralph Manginello is admitted to federal court (Southern District of Texas) and can handle interstate cases involving trucking companies from anywhere in the country.
Contact Attorney911 For Your Free Case Evaluation
You didn’t choose to be in an accident, but you can choose who fights for you. Don’t let a corporate giant push you around. With over 25 years of experience and $50+ million recovered for families, Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 are ready to go to battle for you.
As Donald Wilcox said after we won his case, “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 don’t care how difficult the case seems—we care about getting you justice.
You pay nothing unless we win. No upfront costs. No hidden fees. We advance all investigation and expert expenses. Your job is to focus on healing; our job is to make them pay.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today. Our Liberty Hill trucking accident legal team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and start the investigation. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911. Your family, your future, and your fight start here.
Complete Guide to FMCSA Violations in Liberty Hill Accidents
When we take a case, we look for violations of the Code of Federal Regulations. These aren’t just suggestions; they are the law.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification
Trucking companies must maintain a file for every driver. If they hired a driver without checking their past driving record in Texas or verifying their CDL, they are liable for negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 393: Parts and Accessories
This regulation covers everything from brakes to lights to tires. If a truck tire blowouts on 183 and causes a rollover, we look at whether the tires met the minimum tread depth required by federal law. Watch our guide: “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc.
49 CFR Part 382: Drug and Alcohol Testing
Every commercial driver in Liberty Hill must be part of a random drug testing pool. If a driver was under the influence of stimulants to stay awake or alcohol to cope with the stress of the job, the carrier is face-to-face with massive liability.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
Trucks must be inspected daily. If a dump truck has squealing brakes or a cracked windshield and the company tells the driver to “just finish the shift,” they have willfully put the public at risk.
The Insurance Defense Advantage
When you call our firm, you aren’t just getting a lawyer; you are getting an insider. Lupe Peña’s background as a defense attorney means we know which settlement offers are “fair” and which ones are “stalling tactics.” Insurance companies like Progressive, State Farm, and commercial carriers like Zurich or Travelers hire experts to find ways to pay you zero. Lupe Peña knows their strategies because he used to use them. Now, he reverses that knowledge to maximize YOUR recovery.
We have seen cases where insurance companies offer $50,000 for a back injury, only for our team to fight and recover over $1 million because we proved the company had a patterns of HOS violations. Don’t leave your future to chance.
Vulnerable Road Users in Liberty Hill
Truck accidents in Liberty Hill don’t just happen to people in cars. We represent:
- Pedestrians and Cyclists: Hit by delivery vans turning right onto Loop 332.
- Motorcyclists: Struck by 18-wheelers changing lanes without checking their “No-Zone” blind spots.
- Passengers: If you were a passenger in a vehicle hit by a truck, you have an independent claim for your injuries.
Each of these victims faces extreme danger. An 80,000-pound truck versus a 600-pound motorcycle is the most extreme mismatch on the road. We know how to prove the truck driver’s visibility duty was breached.
Your Liberty Hill Legal Team
Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been the advocate Williamson County families trust. Whether we are meeting in our Austin office or at your home in Liberty Hill, we provide the personalized attention of a boutique firm with the firepower of a national litigation practice.
The trucking companies have already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. Make the call that levels the playing field.
Attorney911: Powerful & Proven.
1-888-ATTY-911 (888-288-9911)
ralph@atty911.com
https://attorney911.com
Your fight starts with one call: 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer. We fight. We win.
Expanded Discussion on Specific Injuries: Orthopedic Fractures
Most victims in Liberty Hill will search for the specific bone they broke. If a truck’s massive weight impacts your vehicle, the force often breaks the regular bones in your body that are designed to withstand car-to-car impacts.
- Femur Fractures: The femur is the strongest bone in your body. If a truck breaks it, the force was enormous. This often requires surgical rodding and months of bed rest.
- Pelvic Ring Fractures: Common in side-impact truck crashes. These cause massive internal bleeding and often result in permanent mobility limitations.
- Calcaneus (Heel) Fractures: When you brace against the floorboard of your car before impact, the force of the truck can crush your heel bone. These rarely heal to 100% function, making it difficult to stand for the rest of your life.
If you are dealing with any of these, don’t let the insurance company tell you it’s “just a broken bone.” It’s a permanent change to your skeletal structure.
Hidden Damages You Might Not Know About
We look for more than just bills. We look for:
- Household Services: If you used to mow the lawn, cook, and clean, and now you have to hire someone else to do it, that cost is recoverable.
- Lost Benefits: We calculate the loss of your health insurance, 401(k) match, and pension contributions if you can’t return to your career.
- Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions: If you had a “bad back” that didn’t stop you from working, but the truck accident made it so you need surgery, the truck company is 100% responsible for that aggravation.
Liberty Hill residents deserve a lawyer who looks at the FULL picture. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. 24/7 availability.
Specific Cases That Changed the Industry
Across the country, and right here in Texas, juries are tired of trucking companies putting profit over safety. In 2021, a Texas jury awarded over $730 million in the Ramsey v. Landstar Ranger case after an oversize load killed a family member. While every case is different, these “nuclear verdicts” show that when we prove a carrier was gross negligent, juries will hold them fully accountable.
We use these industry trends as leverage in our settlement negotiations. When we tell a trucking company’s insurer that we are prepared to take the case to a Williamson County jury, they listen—because they know our track record for winning.
Comprehensive Investigation Methodology in Liberty Hill
We don’t just take your word for it. We use science.
- Accident Reconstruction: We hire engineers who use laser scanners to recreate the crash in 3D.
- Medical Experts: We use neurologists and surgeons to prove exactly what that impact did to your nervous system.
- Vocational Experts: If you can’t go back to your job in Liberty Hill, we use specialists to prove what your lifetime loss of retirement and earnings will be.
- Electronic Forensic Experts: To pull the data from the truck’s black box before the company can “accidentally” delete it.
Every day you wait, your case gets harder to prove. Call today: 1-888-ATTY-911.
Final Words for Liberty Hill Families
If you are reading this, you are likely in pain and overwhelmed. You may be sitting in a hospital room in Georgetown or at your kitchen table in Liberty Hill, surrounded by medical bills and insurance paperwork. You don’t have to handle this alone. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña built this firm to be the “Legal Emergency Lawyers™” you need when disaster strikes.
We have recovered over $50 million for Texas families because we aren’t afraid of the big rigs or the big corporations. We are the firm insurers fear because we know their secrets and we never settle for a dollar less than you deserve.
As Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That is our promise to you.
Call (888) 288-9911 or visit our website at attorney911.com. We are ready when you are.
Attorney911. Because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it.
1-888-ATTY-911
Consultation is Free. The Result is Everything.
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