Melissa Truck Accident Lawyer: Fighting for Families After 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

The impact was catastrophic. On US-75 through City of Melissa, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into a family’s sedan. In an instant, everything changed. One moment, you were driving to work or heading home to one of City of Melissa’s growing neighborhoods; the next, you were fighting for your life. When an 18-wheeler changes your world forever, you need more than a lawyer—you need a fighter. Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years taking on trucking companies and winning. He is admitted to federal court, has litigated against Fortune 1 corporations like Walmart and BP, and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families in City of Melissa and across North Texas.

The trucking company that hit you on Highway 121 or FM 5 already has their rapid-response team working. Their insurance adjusters are already looking for ways to pay you less. Their lawyers are already drafting a defense to claim you were at fault. What are you doing? At Attorney911, we believe you deserve the same level of aggressive representation that the billion-dollar corporations have on speed dial.

If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident anywhere in City of Melissa, call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your City of Melissa Truck Accident Case?

Our firm leadership, led by Managing Partner Ralph Manginello since 1998, brings federal court experience in the Southern District of Texas to every case. We don’t just handle “car wrecks.” We specialize in the complex, high-stakes litigation required to hold commercial carriers accountable. Our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense lawyer who used to represent the very companies we now sue. This gives our clients an “insider advantage.” Lupe Peña knows their playbook, he knows how they value claims, and he knows when they are bluffing.

We’ve gone head-to-head with the world’s largest corporations, including BP following the 2005 refinery explosion, and we’ve litigated against self-insured Fortune 500 fleets like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. Whether you were hit by a long-haul 18-wheeler on US-75 or a delivery van in a City of Melissa residential area, we bring a fearless approach to your recovery. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

25+ Years of Experience: Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims for over two decades.
The Insurance Defense Advantage: We know exactly how insurance companies minimize claims because our team includes someone who used to help them do it.
Federal Court Admission: Essential for interstate trucking cases involving the FMCSA.
Multi-Million Dollar Results: Proven settlements for TBI ($1.5M – $9.8M+), Amputations ($1.9M – $8.6M+), and Wrongful Death ($1.9M – $9.5M+).
Hablamos Español: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, providing direct representation to the Hispanic community in City of Melissa.

Learn more in our video guide: The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents.

The Dangerous Reality of Trucking in City of Melissa

City of Melissa sits at a critical crossroads of North Texas freight. With the expansion of US-75 and the heavy volume of trucks moving between Dallas and the Oklahoma border, 18-wheelers are a constant presence. The rapid suburban growth in City of Melissa has also brought a surge of construction vehicle traffic, including dump trucks and concrete mixers, sharing narrow roads like State Highway 5.

An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 65 mph on US-75 through City of Melissa needs 525 feet to stop—nearly two football fields. When a driver is fatigued, distracted, or operating a poorly maintained vehicle, a simple traffic slowdown becomes a mass-casualty event. We understand City of Melissa’s trucking corridors, from the construction zones near the 121 interchange to the high-speed stretches where long-haul drivers routinely violate federal hours-of-service rules.

If you’ve been injured, don’t wait for the evidence to disappear. Call (888) 288-9911 for your free City of Melissa case evaluation.

Common Types of Truck Accidents in City of Melissa

Every truck accident has a different mechanical cause and legal footprint. We investigate the physics and the paper trail of every crash in City of Melissa.

Rear-End Collisions and Driver Fatigue

On the congested stretches of US-75 in City of Melissa, rear-end collisions are common. Due to the massive weight differential, an 18-wheeler striking a passenger car from behind often results in an “override,” where the truck drives over the smaller vehicle. These are frequently caused by driver fatigue. Under 49 CFR Part 395, federal law limits a driver to 11 hours behind the wheel. If the driver who hit you in City of Melissa was on his 14th hour of driving, the trucking company broke the law.

Blind Spot “No-Zone” Accidents

Trucks have four major blind spots. If an 18-wheeler merged into you on the highway in City of Melissa, the driver may claim they “didn’t see you.” This is no excuse. 49 CFR § 393.80 requires properly adjusted mirrors. If the company failed to equip the truck with modern proximity sensors or if the driver failed to check their blind spots, they are liable for your injuries.

Wide Turn “Squeeze Play”

State Highway 5 and local City of Melissa roads often feature tight turns. When an 18-wheeler swings wide to the left to make a right turn, they create a gap that can trap smaller vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians. This “squeeze play” results from the driver failing to account for trailer off-tracking and is a direct violation of safe driving standards.

Tire Blowouts and Maintenance Failures

Trucking companies in City of Melissa often cut corners on maintenance to maximize profits. Under 49 CFR Part 396, every truck must be systematically inspected. A tire blowout at 70 mph on US-75 often points to worn treads or over-inflated tires—violations that we prove through maintenance records and mechanical forensics.

Learn more in our video: Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer.

Jackknife and Rollover Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer momentum exceeds the cab’s braking force, often during sudden stops on slick City of Melissa roads. Rollovers are common when cargo shifts due to improper securement (49 CFR § 393.100). If a truck carrying gravel or heavy equipment rolled over near City of Melissa, we investigate the loading company and the cargo owner.

Underride Collisions

Perhaps the most lethal accident, an underride happens when a car slides beneath a trailer. 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards. If the guard failed or was missing, the trucking company is responsible for the resulting catastrophic head or neck injuries.

Commercial Vehicles Beyond the 18-Wheeler

A truck accident in City of Melissa doesn’t just mean a semi-truck. We handle cases involving the full spectrum of industrial and delivery traffic:

Dump Trucks and Concrete Mixers: Common in City of Melissa’s construction boom. A loaded concrete mixer weighs 70,000 pounds and has a high center of gravity, making it prone to rollovers that crush passenger vehicles.
Garbage and Waste Trucks: These vehicles operate in the early morning in City of Melissa residential neighborhoods. Their constant backing and large blind spots make them a primary threat to pedestrians and children.
Amazon and Delivery Vans: Amazon delivers approximately 10 billion packages a year. If one of their blue vans hit you in City of Melissa, they will try to hide behind an “independent contractor” shield. We know how to pierce that shield.
Rental Trucks (U-Haul, Penske): These are 26,000-pound buses driven by people with no commercial training. If the rental company gave a massive truck to an unqualified driver in City of Melissa, we hold them accountable for negligent entrustment.
Public Transit and School Buses: Accidents involving Melissa ISD buses or regional transit involve sovereign immunity issues. You must act fast; these cases have special notice requirements.

Hit by a company truck in City of Melissa? Call 888-ATTY-911 for an immediate response.

Identifying All Liable Parties: Who Pays for Your Injuries?

Most law firms in City of Melissa only sue the truck driver. At Attorney911, we go deeper. Because more defendants mean more insurance coverage, we investigate the entire chain of command:

The Truck Driver: Negligent operation, distraction, or impairment.
The Trucking Company (Carrier): Liable for the driver’s acts and negligent hiring.
The Corporate Parent (Amazon, Walmart, Sysco): Often the brand owner who controls the delivery schedule.
The Cargo Owner/Shipper: Responsible if the load was hazardous or improperly disclosed.
The Loading Company: Responsible for shifting cargo or overweight violations.
Truck and Parts Manufacturers: Liable for defective brakes or tires.
Maintenance Companies: If they signed off on a faulty inspection.
Freight Brokers: For hiring a carrier with a documented history of safety violations.
Rental Truck Companies: Like U-Haul or Penske, for failing to maintain their fleet.
Government Entities: If poor road design in City of Melissa contributed to the crash.
Oilfield Operators: If the truck was hauling equipment or water to a North Texas wellsite.
Staffing Agencies: For providing unqualified drivers to fleets.
Federal Government: If a USPS truck was involved, requiring a Federal Tort Claims Act filing.

Our former insurance defense attorney, Lupe Peña, knows exactly how these parties and their insurers will try to shift blame among themselves. We don’t let them. We hold every negligent party responsible to maximize your recovery.

The 48-Hour Urgency: Protecting Evidence in City of Melissa

In a City of Melissa truck accident, the clock is ticking. Within 30 days, the Engine Control Module (ECM) or “black box” data can be overwritten. Dashcam footage is often deleted within 7 to 14 days. Trucking companies are notorious for “losing” driver logs that prove Hours of Service (HOS) violations.

The moment you hire us, we send a formal spoliation letter to every potentially liable party. This legal notice demands they preserve:

ECM/Black box data (speed and braking timing)
ELD logs (driving time and rest periods)
Driver Qualification Files (training and drug test results)
On-board camera footage (Netradyne or DriveCam)
Dispatch communications showing schedule pressure

The trucking company’s team is already at work. Call (888) 288-9911 before the evidence disappears.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Future Recovery

We understand the human cost of a truck accident. Whether you are dealing with a permanent disability or the loss of a family member, our firm is committed to the medical and financial resources you need for the long term.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The force of a truck impact in City of Melissa can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull, leading to cognitive deficits and memory loss. We have recovered settlements in the $1.5M to $9.8M range for TBI victims.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Paralysis changes everything. Lifetime care costs for quadriplegia can exceed $5M. We fight for settlements that cover 24/7 care and home modifications.
Amputations and Crush Injuries: Common in wide-turn and override accidents. We pursue compensation for prosthetics and loss of function ($1.9M – $8.6M+ results).
Burn Injuries: Fuel tank ruptures on highways like US-75 lead to permanent disfigurement. We have experience in complex explosion litigation, including the BP refinery disaster.

Learn more in our video: The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries.

Understanding Texas Trucking Laws and Damages

In Texas, and specifically City of Melissa, you have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. However, Texas follows the 51% Bar Rule for modified comparative negligence. This means if a jury finds you were 51% or more at fault for the accident, you recover nothing. If you are 20% at fault, your damages are reduced by 20%.

This is why proving the trucking company’s negligence is vital from day one. We pursue:

Economic Damages: All medical bills, property damage, and the lost earning capacity of a career destroyed by injury.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and “loss of consortium” for the impact on your family life.
Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, such as a company knowingly letting a driver with a history of DUIs operate a truck in City of Melissa.

Learn how we value these losses in our video: What Is Fair Compensation for Pain and Suffering?.

City of Melissa Truck Accident FAQ

How much is my truck accident case worth?

The value of a case in City of Melissa depends on your specific injuries and the insurance available. Because commercial trucks carry $750,000 to $5 million in mandated coverage, these cases are worth significantly more than car accidents. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for clients across practice areas.

What if an Amazon van hit me in a City of Melissa neighborhood?

Amazon uses four AI-powered Netradyne cameras to monitor their drivers. They know exactly when a driver was distracted or speeding. Even if Amazon says the driver was a contractor, their level of control over the route and delivery quota often makes them legally responsible in City of Melissa courts.

Can I sue the gravel truck company for a spill on SH-5?

Yes. 49 CFR § 393.100 requires all cargo to be contained and secured. If spilled gravel or an unsecured tailgate caused you to crash in City of Melissa, the loading company and the carrier are liable for your property damage and physical injuries.

How long does a truck accident case take in Collin County?

Straightforward cases may resolve in 6–12 months, while complex litigation against major corporate defendants in City of Melissa can take 2–3 years. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which often forces insurance companies to offer better settlements sooner.

Do I have to pay you anything upfront?

No. At Attorney911, we work on a contingency fee basis. As client Donald Wilcox said, “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.” You pay nothing unless we win.

Industry Trends: The Rise of Nuclear Verdicts

Juries across America, particularly in Texas, are tired of trucking companies cutting corners. In 2021, a Florida jury awarded $1 billion in an 18-wheeler case involving negligent hiring. In 2022, Werner Enterprises paid $150 million in a settlement following an accident on I-30. These “nuclear verdicts” demonstrate that when we prove a company prioritized its delivery schedule over the safety of City of Melissa families, juries will hold them fully accountable.

Ralph Manginello and his team use these industry trends as leverage. We show the insurance companies that we are trial-ready and focused on a maximum recovery. If they won’t offer a fair settlement, they know we have the resources to take the case to a Collin County jury.

Contact Attorney911 – Your First Responder to a Legal Emergency™

If you are reading this while sitting in a hospital in City of Melissa or the surrounding McKinney area, you are in a legal emergency. The decisions you make in the next 48 hours will impact your family for the rest of your life. Don’t take a lowball offer from an insurance adjuster who is pretending to be your friend. Don’t let a corporate lawyer from Amazon or Walmart convince you that you have no case.

Call Ralph Manginello. Put 25+ years of experience and the insurance defense advantage in your corner. We handle the paperwork, the investigators, and the phone calls with adjusters so you can focus on your medical recovery.

Contact Attorney911 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Toll-Free: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070
Website: attorney911.com
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Your fight starts with one call. We answer. We fight. We win.

Video Resource Library for Truck Accident Victims

Deep Dive: Trucking Negligence and Corporate Liability in City of Melissa

The complexity of a truck accident goes beyond the scene of the crash. When we take a case in City of Melissa, we are not just looking at skid marks; we are looking at corporate culture.

Negligent Hiring and Driver Fitness

Under 49 CFR Part 391, every trucking company must maintain a Driver Qualification File. This file must prove the driver had a valid CDL, a clean medical certificate, and a background check that didn’t reveal a history of reckless driving. If a company hired a driver with a record of multiple speeding tickets or a failed drug test, they are directly liable for “negligent hiring.” In the City of Melissa area, where the demand for drivers is high, some companies take shortcuts. We find them.

Schedule Pressure and the “Speed vs. Safety” Tradeoff

Large retailers like Walmart and logistics giants like FedEx have strict windows for delivery. When a delivery is delayed at a City of Melissa fulfillment center, the pressure falls on the driver to make up time. This pressure leads to speeding, tailgating, and the violation of 49 CFR § 392.6. We subpoena dispatch records and GPS data to show exactly how the company’s own production quotas forced the driver to take dangerous risks on US-75.

Piercing the Independent Contractor Defense

This is the most common battleground in modern trucking law. Companies like Amazon and FedEx Ground will claim that “they don’t own the truck” and the driver “wasn’t their employee.” But under the Right-to-Control Test, if a company sets the route, mandates the uniform, monitors the driver with AI cameras, and has the power to fire them based on performance metrics, and that driver is essentially a full-time delivery person for that brand—they are an employee. Attorney Ralph Manginello has spent his career exposing these “sham contractor” arrangements to get our clients access to the billion-dollar insurance policies their injuries require.

Improper Cargo Securement in North Texas

City of Melissa’s industrial sector involves the transport of heavy building materials. 49 CFR §§ 393.100–136 provides exact standards for tiedowns and load securement. If a steel beam or a load of lumber falls off a truck on a City of Melissa road because the driver used worn straps or too few tiedowns, that is negligence per se. We investigate the loading crew and the cargo owner to see if they provided a “balanced” load for the driver.

Learn more in our video: Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer.

Medical and Financial Damages: How We Calculate Your Full Loss

If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury, a $100,000 settlement is an insult. It won’t cover your first surgery, much less your lifetime needs. In City of Melissa, your recovery should reflect the reality of your life.

The “Eggshell Plaintiff” and Aggravation of Injuries

Insurance adjusters in City of Melissa will often say, “You already had a bad back before the truck hit you.” In Texas law, this doesn’t matter. We apply the Aggravation of Pre-existing Condition doctrine. If you were active and working despite a prior condition, and a truck accident in City of Melissa made it impossible for you to function, the trucking company is 100% responsible for that aggravation.

Life Care Plans for Permanent Disability

For catastrophic cases, we work with medical experts to develop a “Life Care Plan.” This document projects every penny you will need until your expected age of retirement and beyond:

Physical and occupational therapy sessions
New wheelchairs and adaptive technology every 5 years
Caregiver assistance for daily tasks
Modification of your City of Melissa home for accessibility
Vocational retraining if you can no longer perform physical labor

Economic Damages vs. Pain and Suffering

While medical bills are easy to add up, “hedonic damages”—the loss of joint family activities or the inability to pursue a hobby like hiking or sports in North Texas—are harder to value. We use the Multiplier Method and Per Diem Calculations to put a dollar figure on your mental anguish and physical pain. As Glenda Walker said of our firm, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Learn how we negotiate these settlements in: The Ultimate Guide to Car Accident Settlements.

Collin County Courtroom Experience

When your case is filed, it will likely be heard in the Collin County District Courts. Ralph Manginello knows the local rules and the local juries. Juries in City of Melissa and the surrounding area expect honesty and hard work. They don’t like it when large corporations lie or hide evidence. We use our federal court experience and our insider knowledge of the insurance industry to present a clear, compelling case for justice.

Our associate attorney Lupe Peña brings a unique perspective to these courtrooms. Having spent years on the other side, he can often predict the defense’s next move. If they plan to hire a “hired gun” medical expert to say your injuries aren’t real, Lupe knows how to cross-examine them and expose their bias to the jury.

Join the hundreds of families who have trusted Attorney911. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.

Frequently Asked Questions for City of Melissa Residents

I was hit by a truck but the police didn’t give the driver a ticket. Do I still have a case?

Yes. A police officer’s decision at the scene is not the final word on liability. Our investigators often find 49 CFR violations—like falsified logbooks or hidden mechanical defects—that a patrol officer simply doesn’t have the time or training to uncover.

The trucking company called me and offered $20,000 right away. Should I take it?

Absolutely not. This is a “lowball” offer designed to make you waive your rights before you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign that release, you can never go back for more money, even if you need surgery a month from now.

What happens if I was hit by an out-of-state truck driver on US-75?

This is why federal court experience is critical. Under “Diversity Jurisdiction,” cases involving parties from different states can be heard in federal court. Ralph Manginello is admitted to the Southern District of Texas and has the capability to litigate against carriers based anywhere in the United States.

Can I sue for PTSD even if I wasn’t physically hurt that much?

Yes. PTSD and psychological trauma are recognized injuries in Texas. If you are afraid to drive on the highway in City of Melissa or have nightmares after the crash, you are entitled to compensation for mental anguish. Learn more: Can I Get a PTSD Payout After a Car Accident?.

How do I get my car fixed while the case is ongoing?

We help our clients coordinate with insurance for property damage claims while we pursue the larger personal injury case. If you have “UM/UIM” (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage on your own policy, that can often provide immediate relief for vehicle repairs in City of Melissa.

Final Thoughts: Why Every Hour Matters

Right now, the trucking company is hoping you don’t call a lawyer. They are hoping you’ll wait until your medical bills are so high that you’ll take any small offer they give you. They are hoping the data in the ECM black box gets overwritten so they can say “it was a mystery what happened.”

Don’t let them win. City of Melissa families deserve justice. Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have the resources, the 25+ years of experience, and the fighter’s mentality to take on the largest carriers in the world and win.

Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for your free consultation. We are available 24/7. No fee unless we win. Your recovery starts today.

Attorney911 serves the City of Melissa and all of North Texas. We are your first responder to a legal emergency™. If you have been injured, don’t face the corporate giants alone. Put the insurance defense advantage to work for you.