Fatal 18-Wheeler and Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Murphy, Texas

You are reading this because someone you love did not come home from one of Murphy’s busiest freight corridors. A fully loaded eighteen-wheeler—whether you call it a semi-truck, a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler—changed everything for your family on a road most people in Murphy drive every day without thinking about it. The crash happened on US-75, President George Bush Turnpike, or one of the feeder routes connecting Murphy to Plano, Richardson, and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The carrier’s insurer has already assigned an adjuster, and the clock Texas law gives you to act has already started.

We know what you are facing because we have represented hundreds of families in Collin County and across Texas who lost loved ones in catastrophic commercial-vehicle crashes. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 gives you exactly two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful-death action. That clock does not stop for grief, for funeral arrangements, or for the carrier’s adjuster to return your calls. Once it runs, the case dies procedurally, and the carrier walks away from a viable claim because the file was never opened.

We open the file the same day you call 1-888-ATTY-911. Within 24 hours, we send a preservation letter to the motor carrier, the broker, the shipper, and any third-party telematics provider. That letter locks down the truck’s electronic control module (ECM), the electronic logging device (ELD) under 49 C.F.R. Part 395 Subpart B, the dashcam footage, the dispatch communications, the Qualcomm or PeopleNet telematics feed, the maintenance records under 49 C.F.R. Part 396, the driver-qualification file under 49 C.F.R. § 391.51, the prior preventability determinations, the post-accident drug and alcohol screens under 49 C.F.R. § 382.303, and any MCS-90 endorsement on the policy. We put the carrier on notice that spoliation—the destruction of evidence—will be argued, and an adverse-inference charge will be sought if any of that disappears.

By the time the defense files its answer, the record is locked. We have already pulled the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record on the driver and the Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile on the carrier by USDOT number. We know what the Texas Pattern Jury Charge will ask in Collin County District Court, and we build the case for those questions from the first investigator we send to the scene.

The Reality of Fatal 18-Wheeler Crashes in Murphy and Collin County

Murphy sits inside the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan statistical area (MSA), where Interstate 75 (US-75), President George Bush Turnpike (SH-190), and State Highway 121 carry some of the highest commercial-vehicle volume in North Texas. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) reports that Collin County alone recorded 15,348 crashes in 2024, with 67 of them fatal—a rate that places Collin among the top 10 Texas counties for total crashes and among the most dangerous for commercial-vehicle involvement.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS) shows that US-75 between SH-121 and the Collin/Denton county line is a documented high-crash corridor, with elevated fatality rates concentrated in the freight-heavy segments. The President George Bush Turnpike (SH-190), which loops Murphy and connects to Interstate 30, I-20, and I-635, carries a mix of long-haul interstate freight, regional less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers, and last-mile delivery fleets—including Amazon DSP independent contractors, FedEx Ground contractors, and UPS. The SH-121 corridor through Murphy and Plano is a known chokepoint, where stop-and-go congestion during the morning and evening commutes routinely produces rear-end collisions and lane-change crashes involving commercial vehicles.

When a fully loaded 18-wheeler crashes on one of these corridors, the physics are unforgiving. An 80,000-pound tractor-trailer traveling at highway speed generates 525 feet of stopping distance under ideal conditions. In Murphy’s urban and suburban environment—where traffic signals, school zones, and residential crossings interrupt freight flow—the margin for error is measured in seconds, not minutes. A single moment of distraction, a single missed mirror check, or a single hours-of-service violation can turn a routine commute into a catastrophic event.

What Texas Wrongful-Death and Survival Statutes Give Your Family

Texas law gives surviving families a structured set of claims under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 71. The statute recognizes that a single fatal injury produces multiple harms, and it distributes those harms among the people who suffer them most.

Wrongful-Death Claims Under § 71.004

Under § 71.004, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the decedent each hold an independent wrongful-death claim. These are not derivative claims—they belong to the survivors, not to the estate. Each claimant can recover for:

• Pecuniary loss—the financial support the decedent would have provided over their lifetime, including lost wages, benefits, and household services.
• Loss of companionship and society—the emotional bond between the survivor and the decedent.
• Mental anguish—the emotional pain and suffering caused by the loss.

For example, if the decedent was a parent who provided financial support and emotional guidance to their children, each child holds an independent claim for the loss of that support and companionship. If the decedent was a spouse who contributed to the household through income, childcare, and shared responsibilities, the surviving spouse holds a claim for the loss of that partnership.

Survival Action Under § 71.021

Under § 71.021, the estate of the decedent holds a survival action—a claim for the damages the decedent would have recovered if they had survived. This includes:

• Pain and mental anguish the decedent endured between the moment of injury and the moment of death.
• Medical expenses incurred between injury and death.
• Funeral and burial expenses (though these are often addressed separately under the estate’s probate administration).

The survival action is not about replacing the decedent—it is about holding the carrier accountable for the suffering the decedent endured before they died.

The Two-Year Clock Under § 16.003

Both the wrongful-death claims and the survival action are subject to the two-year statute of limitations under § 16.003. The clock starts on the date of the fatal injury, not the date of death, not the date of the funeral, and not the date the autopsy report is finalized. If the case is not filed within two years, the claims die procedurally, and the carrier’s insurer is under no obligation to negotiate—regardless of how clear the negligence is.

We never approach a case assuming the clock can be extended. We file early to force discovery, to set depositions, and to make the carrier carry the cost of delay.

The Federal Regulations the Carrier Is Supposed to Operate Under

Every commercial motor carrier operating in Murphy is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) under 49 C.F.R. Parts 390 through 399. These regulations are not suggestions—they are the minimum safety standards the federal government imposes on carriers to protect the public. When a carrier violates these regulations, and that violation contributes to a crash, Texas law treats the violation as negligence per se under Texas Pattern Jury Charge 27.2. That means the jury does not decide whether the carrier was negligent—they only decide whether the violation caused the crash and what the damages are.

Hours of Service (49 C.F.R. Part 395)

The hours-of-service (HOS) regulations under 49 C.F.R. Part 395 are designed to prevent driver fatigue—the single most common, and most provable, form of carrier negligence in Murphy trucking cases. The rules cap a property-carrying commercial driver at:

• 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour duty window, after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• A 70-hour cap over 8 consecutive days, with a 34-hour restart required to reset the clock.

The electronic logging device (ELD) mandate under 49 C.F.R. Part 395 Subpart B records every minute the truck moves. When the ELD log shows a driver in “on-duty not driving” status at the moment of the crash but the dashcam shows the truck at highway speed, we have a falsified log. That is no longer ordinary negligence—it is the gross-negligence predicate under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 41, which opens the door to exemplary damages.

Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, worked for years at a national insurance defense firm, where he calculated claim valuations and hired independent medical examiners. He knows how carriers manipulate HOS logs. Now, he exposes it.

Driver Qualification (49 C.F.R. Part 391)

The driver qualification file under 49 C.F.R. § 391.51 is the carrier’s pre-hire screening record. It includes:

• The Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report from the FMCSA, which documents the driver’s crash and inspection history.
• The road test and medical examiner’s certificate.
• The criminal history check and prior employer reference checks required under 49 C.F.R. § 391.23.
• The prior preventability determinations—the carrier’s own internal record of whether the driver was at fault in prior crashes.

If the carrier hired a driver with a documented history of hours-of-service violations, falsified logs, or preventable crashes, that is negligent hiring—a direct claim against the corporate defendant, not derivative respondeat superior liability. Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 72, the defense will move to bifurcate the trial to keep the hiring file out of the first-phase jury. We are ready for that motion before they file it.

Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection (49 C.F.R. Part 396)

The vehicle maintenance and inspection regulations under 49 C.F.R. Part 396 require carriers to:

• Perform pre-trip inspections under § 396.13, including checks of brakes, tires, lights, coupling devices, and cargo securement.
• Maintain monthly brake-system inspections and annual comprehensive inspections.
• Keep maintenance records for at least one year under § 396.3.

When a brake system fails, a tire blows, or a coupling device separates, the carrier’s maintenance file becomes the documentary spine of the case. If the file shows missed inspections, ignored repair orders, or falsified records, that is negligent maintenance—another direct claim against the carrier.

Cargo Securement (49 C.F.R. Part 393 Subpart I)

The cargo securement regulations under 49 C.F.R. Part 393 Subpart I require carriers to secure cargo so it can withstand:

• 0.8g deceleration in the forward direction.
• 0.5g acceleration in the rearward direction.
• 0.5g acceleration in the lateral direction.

When cargo shifts, spills, or falls from a truck, the securement records—including the bill of lading, the loading diagram, and the load-securement checklist—become critical evidence. If the records show the cargo was improperly loaded or secured, the shipper, the loader, and the carrier all share liability.

Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 C.F.R. Part 382)

The drug and alcohol testing regulations under 49 C.F.R. Part 382 require carriers to conduct:

• Pre-employment drug screens under § 382.301.
• Post-accident drug and alcohol screens under § 382.303 within 8 hours for alcohol and 32 hours for drugs.
• Random testing at an annual rate of 50% for drugs and 10% for alcohol.
• Reasonable suspicion testing when a supervisor observes signs of impairment.

If the post-accident screen returns positive, the case stops being ordinary negligence. It becomes gross negligence under Chapter 41, which opens exemplary damages by clear and convincing evidence. The carrier’s defense lawyer knows the math: a driver-positive screen, combined with prior preventability determinations the carrier ignored, combined with a hiring file that shows the carrier knew or should have known—this is the case adjusters fear.

We pull the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query history, the prior-employer reference checks, and every Random Test, Reasonable Suspicion Test, Return-to-Duty Test, and Follow-Up Test the carrier was required to perform. A commercial driver with a positive screen and a carrier that kept dispatching him is not an unfortunate event—it is a corporate decision Texas law lets us put in front of a Collin County jury.

The Investigation We Begin Within 48 Hours

Within hours of taking your case, we execute a four-phase investigation protocol designed to lock down evidence before the carrier can destroy it, to identify every liable party, and to build the case for trial from day one.

Phase 1: Immediate Response (0 to 72 Hours)

• Send the preservation letter to the motor carrier, the broker, the shipper, and any third-party telematics provider. The letter identifies:
  • The truck’s electronic control module (ECM).
  • The electronic logging device (ELD) under 49 C.F.R. Part 395 Subpart B.
  • The dashcam footage (forward-facing and driver-facing).
  • The dispatch communications and routing records.
  • The Qualcomm or PeopleNet telematics feed.
  • The maintenance records under 49 C.F.R. Part 396.
  • The driver-qualification file under 49 C.F.R. § 391.51.
  • The prior preventability determinations.
  • The post-accident drug and alcohol screens under 49 C.F.R. § 382.303.
  • Any Form MCS-90 endorsement on the policy.
• Put the carrier on notice that spoliation will be argued, and an adverse-inference charge will be sought if any of that disappears.
• Pull the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record on the driver.
• Pull the carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile by USDOT number.
• Open the FMCSA SAFER profile.
• Identify all potentially liable parties for the preservation list.

Phase 2: Evidence Gathering (Days 1 to 30)

• Subpoena the ELD and black-box data downloads.
• Request the driver’s paper log books (backup documentation).
• Obtain the complete Driver Qualification File from the carrier.
• Request all truck maintenance and inspection records.
• Obtain the carrier’s CSA safety scores and inspection history.
• Order the driver’s complete Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
• Subpoena the driver’s cell phone records.
• Obtain dispatch records and delivery schedules.
• Pull surveillance footage from businesses near the scene before auto-deletion (typically 7–14 days for retail systems, 30–60 days for Ring doorbells).

Phase 3: Expert Analysis

• Accident reconstruction specialist creates a crash analysis, including:
  • Deceleration analysis to determine speed at impact.
  • Perception-reaction time to assess whether the driver could have avoided the crash.
  • Haddon Matrix to identify pre-crash, crash, and post-crash factors.
  • Event Data Recorder (EDR) interpretation to cross-reference against ELD and dashcam data.
• Medical experts establish causation and future-care needs, including:
  • Neuropsychological evaluations for traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  • Spinal cord injury specialists for paralysis cases.
  • Burn specialists for thermal and chemical injuries.
  • Life-care planners to project lifetime medical and attendant-care costs.
• Vocational experts calculate lost earning capacity.
• Economic experts determine the present value of all damages.
• FMCSA regulation experts identify all violations and their role in causing the crash.

Phase 4: Litigation Strategy

• File lawsuit before the two-year statute of limitations under § 16.003 expires.
• Pursue full discovery against all potentially liable parties.
• Depose the truck driver, dispatcher, safety manager, and maintenance personnel.
• Build the case for trial while negotiating settlement from a position of strength.
• Prepare every case as if going to trial—that creates negotiating strength.

The Defendants Beyond the Driver

In a fatal 18-wheeler crash in Murphy, the driver behind the wheel is one defendant—rarely the most exposed. The carrier that hired them, the broker that arranged the load, the shipper that directed the haul, the maintenance contractor, the parts manufacturer, the road designer, and the corporate parent all share liability. We name them all.

The Motor Carrier Employer

The carrier is liable under respondeat superior for the driver’s negligence committed within the course and scope of employment. The “going and coming rule” exempts ordinary commuting, but exceptions apply when:

• The driver was on a special errand for the employer.
• The driver was operating an employer-mandated vehicle.
• The job required travel as an integral part of the work (e.g., trucking, delivery, rideshare).

Even if the driver was technically an independent contractor, the carrier may still be liable under the three Independent Contractor Defeat Tests:

1. ABC Test: The worker is presumed an employee unless all three prove true:

   • Free from company control.
   • Performs work outside the company’s usual course of business.
   • Customarily engaged in an independently established business.
   • Amazon DSP drivers, FedEx Ground ISP drivers, and oilfield trucking contractors almost always fail prong (B)—delivering packages is Amazon’s business; hauling frac sand is the oilfield company’s business.

2. Economic Reality Test: Examines:

   • Degree of company control.
   • Worker’s opportunity for profit or loss.
   • Investment in equipment relative to the company.
   • Whether the work requires special skill.
   • Permanency of the relationship.
   • Whether the service is integral to the company’s business.

3. Right-to-Control Test: Does the company retain the right to control how the work is done (not just what is done)? Setting routes, schedules, delivery quotas; requiring uniforms; providing equipment; mandating training; monitoring performance through cameras and apps; authority to terminate—these are all hallmarks of an employment relationship.

The Freight Broker

Brokers like C.H. Robinson, Total Quality Logistics, and Uber Freight arrange loads between shippers and carriers. Under Miller v. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (9th Cir. 2020) and its progeny, brokers have a duty to vet carriers for safety. If they dispatch a load to a carrier with a documented safety record—such as a carrier with a Conditional or Unsatisfactory safety rating from the FMCSA, or a carrier with a Crash Indicator BASIC score in the 90th percentile or higher—the broker shares liability for negligent selection.

The Shipper

The shipper that directed the load may be liable if:

• They directed unsafe loading (e.g., overloading, improper securement).
• They directed unsafe scheduling (e.g., forcing a driver to meet an unrealistic delivery window).
• They failed to disclose hazardous cargo characteristics (e.g., flammable, corrosive, or pressurized materials).

The Maintenance Contractor

If the carrier outsourced maintenance to a third-party contractor, and that contractor failed to perform required inspections or repairs, the contractor is directly liable for negligent maintenance.

The Parts Manufacturer

If a defective part—such as a brake system, tire, steering component, or coupling device—contributed to the crash, the manufacturer is liable under Texas product liability law for:

• Design defect (the product was unreasonably dangerous as designed).
• Manufacturing defect (the product deviated from its intended design).
• Marketing defect (failure to warn of known dangers).

The Road Designer or Government Entity

If a defective roadway condition—such as a missing guardrail, a pothole, a shoulder drop-off, or inadequate signage—contributed to the crash, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or the municipality responsible for road design or maintenance may be liable under the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA).

The TTCA waives sovereign immunity for injuries caused by:

• The use of motor vehicles by government employees.
• Premise defects on government property.
• Defective conditions of tangible property.

However, the TTCA imposes:

• A six-month notice requirement under § 101.101.
• Damage caps under § 101.023:
  • $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for municipalities.
  • Higher caps for state agencies.

We analyze every case for potential government liability and file the required notice within the six-month window.

The Parent Corporation

If the carrier is a subsidiary of a larger corporation, we pursue the parent under alter-ego or single-business-enterprise theory. This applies when:

• The parent and subsidiary share officers, directors, or employees.
• The parent controls the subsidiary’s day-to-day operations.
• The parent treats the subsidiary’s assets as its own.
• The subsidiary is under-capitalized or used to shield the parent from liability.

The Cargo Loaders

If the cargo was improperly loaded or secured, the loading crew at the terminal of origin may share liability. This applies to:

• Oversize or overweight loads that violate state or federal regulations.
• Improperly balanced loads that cause rollovers or loss of control.
• Hazardous materials that were improperly classified, packaged, or labeled.

How Texas Pattern Jury Charges Submit Damages to a Collin County Jury

A Collin County jury does not decide your case in the abstract. They decide the specific questions submitted under the Texas Pattern Jury Charges (PJC). Every fact we develop, every document we pull, and every deposition we take is built around the questions the jury will actually answer.

PJC 27.1: General Negligence

The jury is asked:

• Did the defendant’s negligence proximately cause the occurrence in question?
• What sum of money, if paid now in cash, would fairly and reasonably compensate the plaintiff for their damages?

PJC 27.2: Negligence Per Se

If a federal or state regulation was violated, the jury is asked:

• Did the defendant violate [specific regulation]?
• Was the violation a proximate cause of the occurrence?
• What sum of money would compensate the plaintiff?

PJC 4.1: Proximate Cause

The jury is asked:

• Was the defendant’s negligence a proximate cause of the occurrence?
• “Proximate cause” means a cause that was a substantial factor in bringing about the occurrence, and without which the occurrence would not have happened.

PJC 5.1: Gross Negligence

If the case involves gross negligence under Chapter 41, the jury is asked:

• Did the defendant act with gross negligence?
  • “Gross negligence” means an act or omission that, when viewed objectively from the standpoint of the defendant at the time of the occurrence, involved an extreme degree of risk, considering the probability and magnitude of the potential harm to others, and of which the defendant had actual, subjective awareness of the risk involved, but nevertheless proceeded with conscious indifference to the rights, safety, or welfare of others.
• What sum of money, if any, should be assessed against the defendant as exemplary damages?

PJC 7.1: Wrongful Death

For wrongful-death claims, the jury is asked to award damages for:

• Pecuniary loss (financial support the decedent would have provided).
• Loss of companionship and society.
• Mental anguish.

PJC 7.2: Survival Action

For the survival action, the jury is asked to award damages for:

• Pain and mental anguish the decedent endured between injury and death.
• Medical expenses incurred between injury and death.
• Funeral and burial expenses.

PJC 9.1: Physical Pain and Mental Anguish

For non-fatal injuries, the jury is asked to award damages for:

• Past physical pain and mental anguish.
• Future physical pain and mental anguish.

PJC 9.2: Physical Impairment

The jury is asked to award damages for:

• Past physical impairment.
• Future physical impairment.

PJC 9.3: Disfigurement

The jury is asked to award damages for:

• Past disfigurement.
• Future disfigurement.

PJC 9.4: Loss of Earning Capacity

The jury is asked to award damages for:

• Past loss of earning capacity.
• Future loss of earning capacity.

PJC 9.5: Medical Care

The jury is asked to award damages for:

• Past medical care.
• Future medical care.

The Defense Playbook in Murphy Trucking Cases—and Our Answer

The carrier’s defense lawyer has a script. We have heard every line of it before we walk into the courtroom. Here’s what they will argue, and how we answer.

Defense Tactic 1: Quick Lowball Settlement

What they do: The adjuster calls within days of the crash and offers a small settlement designed to be accepted before you talk to a lawyer.

Our answer: First offers are always a fraction of case value. We never advise a client to sign a release in the first 96 hours—and we calculate full damages before responding.

Defense Tactic 2: Recorded Statement Trap

What they do: “We just need a quick recorded statement for our files.” The questions are trained to make you minimize your injuries.

Our answer: That statement is used against you later. Never give a recorded statement without your attorney present.

Defense Tactic 3: Comparative Negligence

What they do: “You were partially at fault—you were speeding / not wearing a seatbelt / changed lanes.”

Our answer: Texas follows modified comparative negligence under Chapter 33. Even at 50% fault, you recover. We anticipate this attack and develop evidence that pushes fault back where it belongs.

Defense Tactic 4: Pre-Existing Condition

What they do: “Your back problems existed before this accident.”

Our answer: The eggshell skull doctrine: the defendant takes the plaintiff as they find them. If a pre-existing condition was worsened by the crash, the defendant is liable for the aggravation.

Defense Tactic 5: Delayed Treatment Defense

What they do: “You didn’t see a doctor for three weeks—so you must not be seriously hurt.”

Our answer: Adrenaline masks pain. TBI symptoms can take days or weeks to appear. Delayed treatment does not mean no injury—and we have the medical evidence to prove it.

Defense Tactic 6: Spoliation (Evidence Destruction)

What they do: ELD data, dashcam footage, dispatch records “disappear” before discovery.

Our answer: We file spoliation preservation letters within 24 hours of taking the case. Every black-box record, every ELD log, every maintenance file—locked down before they can “accidentally” delete them.

Defense Tactic 7: IME Doctor Selection

What they do: “Independent” medical examiners chosen for their pattern of finding plaintiffs not as injured as they claim.

Our answer: Lupe Peña hired these doctors when he worked for insurance defense firms. He knows the panel. We counter with the victim’s treating physicians and independent experts the carrier cannot impeach.

Defense Tactic 8: Surveillance

What they do: Investigators photograph you doing anything that looks “normal.”

Our answer: Lupe’s insider quote: “Insurers take innocent activity out of context, freeze one frame and ignore ten minutes of struggling before and after. They’re not documenting your life—they’re building ammunition against you.”

Defense Tactic 9: Delay Tactics

What they do: Drag the case past the statute of limitations, exhaust your resources, force a low settlement out of financial desperation.

Our answer: We file lawsuit early to force discovery. We set depositions. We make the carrier carry the cost of delay.

Defense Tactic 10: Drowning You in Paperwork

What they do: Massive discovery requests designed to overwhelm an underfunded plaintiff’s counsel.

Our answer: We staff the case appropriately and use motion practice to limit overbroad discovery while preserving every record we need.

The Two-Year Clock Under § 16.003

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 gives you exactly two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful-death action. The clock runs whether or not:

• The carrier’s insurer is returning your calls.
• You have received the autopsy report.
• You have finalized funeral arrangements.
• You feel ready to think about a lawyer.

Once the clock runs, the case dies procedurally, and the carrier’s insurer is under no obligation to negotiate—regardless of how clear the negligence is.

We never approach a case assuming the clock can be extended. We file early to force discovery, to set depositions, and to make the carrier carry the cost of delay.

How Attorney 911 Approaches Your Murphy Case

We do not stop at the driver. We sue the trucking companies behind them.

We Name Every Liable Party

The driver in the cab who crashed into your family is one defendant—rarely the most exposed. The motor carrier that hired them, the broker that arranged the load, the shipper that directed the haul, the maintenance contractor, the parts manufacturer, the road designer, and the corporate parent all share liability. We name them all.

We Pull Federal Data Before Discovery Formally Opens

Within 48 hours of taking your case, we:

• Pull the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record on the driver.
• Pull the carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile by USDOT number.
• Open the FMCSA SAFER profile.
• Identify all potentially liable parties for the preservation list.

We Lock Down Evidence Before the Carrier Can Destroy It

We send a preservation letter that identifies:

• The truck’s electronic control module (ECM).
• The electronic logging device (ELD) under 49 C.F.R. Part 395 Subpart B.
• The dashcam footage (forward-facing and driver-facing).
• The dispatch communications and routing records.
• The Qualcomm or PeopleNet telematics feed.
• The maintenance records under 49 C.F.R. Part 396.
• The driver-qualification file under 49 C.F.R. § 391.51.
• The prior preventability determinations.
• The post-accident drug and alcohol screens under 49 C.F.R. § 382.303.
• Any Form MCS-90 endorsement on the policy.

We put the carrier on notice that spoliation will be argued, and an adverse-inference charge will be sought if any of that disappears.

We Build the Case for Trial from Day One

We:

• File lawsuit before the two-year statute of limitations under § 16.003 expires.
• Pursue full discovery against all potentially liable parties.
• Depose the truck driver, dispatcher, safety manager, and maintenance personnel.
• Build the case for trial while negotiating settlement from a position of strength.
• Prepare every case as if going to trial—because that creates negotiating strength.

We Know the Collin County Jury Pool

Collin County juries are among the most sophisticated in Texas for commercial-vehicle litigation. We know what the Texas Pattern Jury Charge will ask, and we build the case for those questions from the first investigator at the scene.

What Your Case May Be Worth in Murphy, Texas

What your case is worth in Murphy depends on what the records show—the carrier’s hours-of-service compliance, the driver’s prior preventability determinations, the maintenance file on the truck, the speed and physical evidence at the scene, the survivor’s medical record, and what the jury pool in Collin County District Court has historically valued.

Multi-Million Dollar Case Results

Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. But here’s what we have recovered for clients in cases like yours:

• Logging Brain Injury — $5+ Million: Multi-million dollar settlement for a client who suffered a brain injury with vision loss when a log dropped on him at a logging company.
• Car Accident Amputation — $3.8+ Million: In a recent case, our client’s leg was injured in a car accident. Staff infections during treatment led to a partial amputation. This case settled in the millions.
• Trucking Wrongful Death — Millions: At Attorney 911, our personal injury attorneys have helped numerous injured individuals and families facing trucking-related wrongful death cases recover millions of dollars in compensation.
• Maritime Jones Act Back Injury — $2+ Million: In a recent case, our client injured his back while lifting cargo on a ship. Our investigation revealed that he should have been assisted in this duty, and we were able to reach a significant cash settlement.
• BP Texas City Explosion Litigation: Our firm is one of the few firms in Texas to be involved in BP explosion litigation.

Texas Nuclear Verdict Context

Texas juries have returned nine-figure verdicts against motor carriers when the evidence shows:

• The carrier put a known-dangerous driver behind the wheel.
• The carrier ignored a hours-of-service pattern its safety department flagged.
• The carrier destroyed evidence after a fatal crash.

The exemplary-damages predicate under Chapter 41 requires clear and convincing evidence of gross negligence—and when a Murphy case carries that record, the verdict ceiling moves from compensatory damages alone into the kind of corporate-conduct judgment that shapes how a national carrier operates afterward.

Insurance adjusters in Murphy know the Collin County jury pool. We build the case so they reckon with it.

Client Testimonials: Families We’ve Helped in Texas

“Melanie was excellent. She kept me informed and when she said she would call me back, she did. I got to speak with Ralph Manginello once and knew quickly the way his Firm was ran.”
— Brian Butchee

“When I felt I had no hope or direction, Leonor reached out to me…She took all the weight of my worries off my shoulders.”
— Stephanie Hernandez

“Special thank you to my attorney, Mr. Pena, for your kindness and patience with my repeated questions.”
— Chelsea Martinez

“Consistent communication and not one time did i call and not get a clear answer…Ralph reached out personally.”
— Dame Haskett

“I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.”
— Ambur Hamilton

“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client…You are FAMILY to them.”
— Chad Harris

“They went above and beyond! Special thank you to Ralph and Leanor.”
— Diane Smith

“One of Houston’s Great Men Trae Tha Truth has recommended this law firm. So if he is vouching for them then I know they do good work.”
— Jacqueline Johnson

“You know if TraeAbn tells you it’s the right way to go best attorney out here you can’t go wrong.”
— Erica Perales

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Murphy Trucking Case?

Ralph Manginello: 27+ Years of Texas Personal Injury Litigation

Ralph Manginello has represented trucking accident victims and personal injury clients since 1998. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and has spent his career fighting for families in communities like Murphy. When your case is filed in Collin County District Court, Ralph’s 27+ years of federal court experience mean he is standing in a courtroom he knows—not one he is visiting.

Lupe Peña: The Insurance Defense Advantage

Lupe Peña worked for years at a national defense firm, where he learned firsthand how large insurance companies value claims. He knows:

• Which independent medical examiners (IMEs) they favor—and how to counter them.
• How they calculate Colossus valuations—and how to push past the algorithm’s ceiling.
• Which surveillance tactics they use—and how to expose them in deposition.

Lupe’s defense experience is now your advantage.

We Know the Carrier Playbook Because We Ran It

We anticipate the carrier’s arguments before they make them. We know:

• They will argue the driver did nothing wrong.
• They will argue comparative fault on your loved one.
• They will argue pre-existing conditions.
• They will argue delayed treatment.

We develop evidence that answers each of these frames—and we do it before the carrier files its first motion.

We Speak Spanish

For the 30% of Collin County residents who speak Spanish at home, we provide bilingual representation from the first call to the final court appearance. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, and our staff includes bilingual case managers like Zulema, who is repeatedly praised for her translation services.

“Especially Miss Zulema, who is always very kind and always translates.”
— Celia Dominguez

Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Truck Accidents in Murphy

How long do I have to file a wrongful-death lawsuit in Texas?

Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003 gives you two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful-death action. The clock runs whether or not the carrier’s insurer is returning your calls. We file early to force discovery and to make the carrier carry the cost of delay.

Who can file a wrongful-death claim in Texas?

Under § 71.004, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the decedent can each file an independent wrongful-death claim. The estate can also file a survival action under § 71.021 for the pain and suffering the decedent endured between injury and death.

What damages can I recover in a wrongful-death case?

Under the Texas Pattern Jury Charges, you can recover:

• Pecuniary loss (financial support the decedent would have provided).
• Loss of companionship and society.
• Mental anguish.
• Funeral and burial expenses (through the survival action).
• Exemplary damages (if the carrier’s conduct rises to gross negligence under Chapter 41).

Can I sue the trucking company, or just the driver?

We sue the trucking company, the broker, the shipper, the maintenance contractor, the parts manufacturer, and any other party whose negligence contributed to the crash. The driver is one defendant—rarely the most exposed.

What if the truck driver was drunk or on drugs?

If the post-accident drug and alcohol screen under 49 C.F.R. § 382.303 returns positive, the case becomes gross negligence under Chapter 41, which opens exemplary damages. We pull the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query history, the prior-employer reference checks, and every Random Test, Reasonable Suspicion Test, Return-to-Duty Test, and Follow-Up Test the carrier was required to perform.

What if the trucking company says the driver was an independent contractor?

Many carriers—including Amazon DSP, FedEx Ground, and oilfield service companies—attempt to avoid liability by claiming the driver was an independent contractor. We defeat this defense using the three Independent Contractor Defeat Tests:

1. ABC Test (the driver fails prong B—delivering packages is Amazon’s business).
2. Economic Reality Test (the carrier controls routes, schedules, and performance metrics).
3. Right-to-Control Test (the carrier retains the right to control how the work is done).

What if the truck was owned by the government or a school district?

If the truck was a government vehicle (e.g., TxDOT, city garbage truck, school bus), the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA) applies. We file the required six-month notice under § 101.101 and pursue the case under the damage caps in § 101.023.

What if the trucking company offers me a settlement?

First offers are always a fraction of case value. We never advise a client to sign a release in the first 96 hours—and we calculate full damages before responding.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney 911?

We work on a contingency fee:

• 33.33% pre-trial.
• 40% if the case goes to trial.

There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.

What should I do if the insurance company calls me?

Never give a recorded statement without your attorney present. The questions are trained to make you minimize your injuries. Refer all calls to us at 1-888-ATTY-911.

What if I don’t live in Murphy?

We represent clients across Texas. If your loved one was killed in a truck crash in Murphy, we can file the case in Collin County District Court—the venue where the crash occurred.

Can I switch lawyers if I’m not happy with my current attorney?

Yes. You can switch lawyers at any time. If your current attorney is not returning calls, not updating you, or pushing you to settle too low, you have options. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free case evaluation.

Murphy’s Freight Reality: Why This Happens Here

Murphy sits at the intersection of US-75, President George Bush Turnpike (SH-190), and State Highway 121—three of the busiest freight corridors in North Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States, and Murphy is a critical node in its logistics network.

The Corridors That Define Murphy’s Risk

• US-75: A major north-south freight artery connecting Dallas to Sherman and the Oklahoma border. The stretch between SH-121 and the Collin/Denton county line is a documented high-crash corridor, with elevated fatality rates involving commercial vehicles.
• President George Bush Turnpike (SH-190): A 52-mile tollway that loops Murphy and connects to I-30, I-20, and I-635. It carries a mix of long-haul interstate freight, regional LTL carriers, and last-mile delivery fleets.
• State Highway 121: A critical east-west route through Murphy and Plano, where stop-and-go congestion during rush hours routinely produces rear-end collisions and lane-change crashes involving commercial vehicles.

The Carriers That Run Murphy’s Roads

Murphy’s freight environment is dominated by:

• Long-haul interstate carriers: Werner Enterprises, J.B. Hunt, Schneider National, Knight-Swift, CRST, Heartland Express.
• Last-mile delivery fleets: Amazon DSP independent contractors, FedEx Ground contractors, UPS.
• Regional LTL carriers: Old Dominion, Saia, Estes Express, ABF Freight.
• Food and beverage distributors: Sysco (headquartered in Houston), US Foods, HEB.
• Refuse and construction fleets: Waste Management, Republic Services, GFL Environmental.
• Oilfield service trucking: Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes (for the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale regions, which feed freight through North Texas).
• School bus contractors: Durham School Services, First Student, National Express (serving Plano ISD, Richardson ISD, and other Collin County school districts).

The Industrial Anchors That Shape Murphy’s Freight

• Plano’s corporate headquarters: Toyota North America, J.C. Penney, Frito-Lay, Capital One, and other major employers generate significant commercial traffic.
• The Telecom Corridor: A concentration of tech and telecommunications companies along US-75 and SH-121 that rely on just-in-time delivery networks.
• Richardson’s innovation district: Home to UT Dallas and a growing tech sector, with corresponding freight demand.
• The broader Dallas-Fort Worth logistics hub: Murphy’s proximity to AllianceTexas (one of the largest inland ports in the U.S.), DFW International Airport, and the BNSF and Union Pacific rail yards makes it a critical node in the regional supply chain.

The Climate and Weather That Compound the Risk

Murphy’s climate exposes commercial drivers to:

• Ice and freezing rain: The February 2021 winter storm paralyzed North Texas, producing jackknife and multi-vehicle pileups on US-75 and SH-190.
• Heat-stressed asphalt: Summer temperatures routinely exceed 100°F, increasing the risk of tire blowouts and brake-system failures.
• Severe thunderstorms: High winds and flash flooding can create hazardous driving conditions, particularly for high-profile vehicles like 18-wheelers.
• Dense fog: Morning fog in low-lying areas can reduce visibility to near-zero, increasing the risk of multi-vehicle pileups.

The Trauma Network Serving Murphy

Murphy is served by:

• Medical City Plano (Level II trauma center).
• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano (Level III trauma center).
• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.
• Children’s Medical Center Plano (for pediatric trauma).

For catastrophic injuries, patients are often transported to:

• Parkland Memorial Hospital (Level I trauma center, Dallas).
• Baylor University Medical Center (Level I trauma center, Dallas).
• UT Southwestern Medical Center (Level I trauma center, Dallas).

EMS response times in Murphy average 6–8 minutes, but rural stretches of Collin County can see delays of 15–20 minutes—a critical factor in fatality outcomes.

The Next Step: Call 1-888-ATTY-911

The carrier that killed your loved one has lawyers who have been working since the night of the crash. The longer you wait, the more evidence they control—and the more of it disappears.

We send the preservation letter that locks it down. We pull the FMCSA records before discovery formally opens. We build the case so the carrier’s insurer knows they are facing a Collin County jury.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free consultation. We are available 24/7, and we answer our phones with live staff—not an answering service.

Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña maneja su caso personalmente. Su estatus migratorio NO importa—usted tiene derechos.

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Contact us for a free consultation about your specific situation.