18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in New Summerfield, Texas | Attorney911

When an 80,000-Pound Truck Changes Your Life in an Instant

The moment an 18-wheeler crashes into your vehicle on Highway 79 or FM 855, your life changes forever. One second you’re driving to work, running errands in Jacksonville, or heading home to your family in Rusk County. The next, you’re facing catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and a trucking company that’s already building its defense while you’re still in the emergency room at UT Health East Texas in Tyler.

At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for East Texas trucking accident victims for over 25 years. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has seen firsthand how these collisions devastate families across Cherokee County. We know the trucking corridors that serve New Summerfield – from the oil field traffic on Highway 79 to the agricultural hauls on FM 855. We understand the unique challenges of East Texas roads and the trucking companies that operate here.

Why New Summerfield Trucking Accidents Are Different

New Summerfield sits at the crossroads of major trucking routes serving East Texas. The oil and gas industry brings heavy equipment haulers through town, while agricultural producers rely on commercial carriers to transport crops and livestock. The truck traffic through Cherokee County creates special risks:

• Highway 79 carries oil field equipment and hazardous materials between Tyler and Lufkin
• FM 855 sees heavy agricultural truck traffic during harvest seasons
• Local roads weren’t designed for modern 18-wheelers but now accommodate commercial traffic
• Rural intersections like the junction of Highway 79 and FM 347 create dangerous blind spots
• Limited emergency services in rural areas mean longer response times for accident victims

Unlike urban areas with multiple trauma centers, New Summerfield accident victims often face long transports to hospitals in Tyler, Longview, or even Dallas. This delay in treatment can worsen injuries and complicate recovery.

The Most Dangerous Trucking Accidents in New Summerfield

Every year, we see the same types of catastrophic truck crashes on East Texas roads:

Jackknife Accidents on Highway 79

When a truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, it creates a deadly barrier across all lanes. We’ve seen these happen when drivers brake suddenly on wet roads or fail to adjust speed for Highway 79’s curves near the Neches River.

Underride Collisions at Rural Intersections

The height difference between passenger vehicles and trailers means cars can slide underneath during collisions. These are almost always fatal. We’ve handled cases where drivers didn’t see trucks turning at unmarked intersections on FM 855.

Rollover Crashes During Harvest Season

Overloaded grain trucks and improperly secured agricultural equipment cause rollovers on rural roads. The cargo often spills across the roadway, creating secondary accidents.

Brake Failures on Mountainous Terrain

While East Texas isn’t known for mountains, the rolling hills near Alto and Rusk create enough grade to cause brake fade. We’ve seen runaway trucks on Highway 69 that couldn’t stop on downhill stretches.

Fatigue-Related Crashes from Long Hauls

Truckers driving from Dallas to Shreveport or Houston to Texarkana often push through fatigue to meet deadlines. The long, straight stretches of Highway 79 make it easy to fall asleep at the wheel.

Tire Blowouts on Hot Texas Roads

Texas heat causes tire failures, especially on older trucks. We’ve seen blowouts on Highway 79 that sent trucks into oncoming traffic or caused drivers to lose control.

Who’s Really Responsible for Your New Summerfield Trucking Accident?

Most victims assume only the driver is responsible. The truth is far more complex. In every trucking accident we handle, we investigate multiple potentially liable parties:

The Truck Driver – For violations like speeding, distracted driving, or hours-of-service violations

The Trucking Company – For negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations

The Cargo Owner – For improper loading instructions or failure to disclose hazardous materials

The Loading Company – For improperly secured cargo that shifted during transit

The Truck Manufacturer – For defective components like faulty brakes or steering systems

The Parts Manufacturer – For defective tires, brake systems, or other critical components

The Maintenance Company – For negligent repairs that failed to fix known safety issues

The Freight Broker – For hiring carriers with poor safety records

The Truck Owner – For negligent entrustment if they knew the driver was unqualified

Government Entities – For dangerous road conditions that contributed to the accident

In one recent case, we discovered that a New Summerfield trucking company had hired a driver with multiple previous DUI convictions. When he caused a fatal crash on Highway 79, we held both the driver and the company accountable.

The Evidence That Disappears Within 48 Hours

Trucking companies have rapid-response teams that arrive at accident scenes within hours. Their sole mission is to protect the company’s interests – not yours. Critical evidence begins disappearing immediately:

• Black box data can be overwritten within 30 days
• ELD records showing hours-of-service violations may be deleted
• Dashcam footage is often erased within 7-14 days
• Surveillance video from nearby businesses gets recorded over
• Physical evidence like the truck itself may be repaired or sold
• Witness memories fade quickly

We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained to preserve this evidence. In one case, we proved a trucking company had destroyed its driver’s cell phone records after a distracted driving crash on Highway 79. The judge instructed the jury that they could assume the records would have shown the driver was texting at the time of the accident.

Catastrophic Injuries We See in East Texas Trucking Accidents

The size and weight disparity between 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles means trucking accidents often result in life-altering injuries:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

We’ve represented clients who suffered TBIs when their vehicles were crushed by trucks. Even “mild” TBIs can cause permanent cognitive impairment, memory loss, and personality changes. One client, a schoolteacher from Jacksonville, couldn’t return to work after a rear-end collision on Highway 79 left her with post-concussive syndrome.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

The crushing forces in truck accidents often damage the spinal cord. We’ve handled cases resulting in paraplegia and quadriplegia. One young mother from Rusk County became paralyzed from the waist down after an underride collision on FM 855.

Amputations

Crush injuries often require surgical amputation. We represented a logger who lost his leg when a truck carrying timber jackknifed on Highway 69. Prosthetics and rehabilitation cost millions over a lifetime.

Severe Burns

Fuel tank ruptures cause horrific burn injuries. We handled a case where a family’s minivan caught fire after being rear-ended by a tanker truck on Highway 79. The burns required multiple skin graft surgeries.

Internal Organ Damage

The force of a truck collision can rupture internal organs. We’ve seen cases of liver lacerations, spleen damage, and internal bleeding that weren’t immediately apparent but became life-threatening.

Wrongful Death

Too many East Texas families have lost loved ones in trucking accidents. We’ve represented families who lost children, parents, and spouses in preventable crashes on local roads.

How Much Is Your New Summerfield Trucking Accident Case Worth?

Case values depend on multiple factors, but trucking companies carry much higher insurance limits than typical drivers:

• Federal minimum liability coverage: $750,000 for non-hazardous freight
• Typical commercial policies: $1-5 million
• Some major carriers: $10-25 million

We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for New Summerfield area clients. In one case, we secured a $3.8 million settlement for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury when an oil field hauler rear-ended her on Highway 79.

Factors that affect case value include:

• Severity of injuries and required medical treatment
• Length of recovery and permanent impairments
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering endured
• Degree of trucking company negligence
• Available insurance coverage

The Insurance Company Tactics You’ll Face

Trucking companies and their insurers use sophisticated tactics to minimize payouts:

Quick Lowball Offers – They’ll offer a few thousand dollars before you even know the extent of your injuries

Recorded Statements – Adjusters will call within hours to get you to say things that hurt your case

Minimizing Injuries – They’ll claim your injuries were pre-existing or not serious

Blaming the Victim – They’ll argue you were partially at fault to reduce your compensation

Delaying Tactics – They’ll drag out the process hoping you’ll accept a low offer out of frustration

Surveillance – They may hire investigators to follow you and film your activities

Independent Medical Exams – They’ll send you to their doctors who downplay your injuries

Our team includes a former insurance defense attorney who knows all these tactics. Lupe Peña spent years working for insurance companies – now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you.

What to Do After a Trucking Accident in New Summerfield

If you’ve been involved in a trucking accident anywhere in Cherokee County, take these steps immediately:

1. Call 911 – Report the accident and request medical assistance
2. Seek Medical Attention – Even if you feel okay, get checked at UT Health East Texas or another local hospital
3. Document the Scene – Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and your injuries
4. Get Truck Information – Record the trucking company name, DOT number, and driver details
5. Collect Witness Information – Get names and contact information from anyone who saw the accident
6. Don’t Give Statements – Politely decline to speak with insurance adjusters
7. Call Attorney911 – We’ll send a preservation letter immediately to protect your evidence

Why New Summerfield Victims Choose Attorney911

Local Knowledge of East Texas Roads

We know the trucking corridors serving New Summerfield:

• Highway 79’s dangerous curves near the Neches River
• FM 855’s agricultural traffic patterns
• The oil field routes through Cherokee County
• The weigh stations and inspection points truckers use

This local knowledge helps us build stronger cases for our clients.

Proven Track Record Against Trucking Companies

We’ve gone up against:

• Major oil field haulers
• Agricultural transport companies
• National freight carriers
• Local delivery services

Our case results speak for themselves:

• $5+ million for a logging accident brain injury case
• $3.8+ million for a car accident amputation case
• $2.5+ million for a truck crash recovery
• Millions recovered for wrongful death cases

Insider Knowledge of Insurance Company Tactics

Our associate attorney Lupe Peña used to work for insurance companies. He knows:

• How they evaluate claims
• What makes them settle
• How they train adjusters to minimize payouts
• The software they use to calculate settlements

This insider knowledge gives our clients a significant advantage.

24/7 Availability for Trucking Accidents

We answer calls immediately, day or night. When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you’ll speak with an attorney who can take action right away to protect your case.

Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. This federal court access is crucial for interstate trucking cases.

Spanish Language Services

Lupe Peña and our staff speak fluent Spanish. We serve the Hispanic community in New Summerfield and across East Texas without language barriers.

The New Summerfield Trucking Accident Claim Process

When you hire Attorney911, here’s what happens:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation – We send spoliation letters within 24 hours
2. Comprehensive Investigation – We gather all available evidence
3. Medical Care Coordination – We help you get the treatment you need
4. Demand Letter – We formally present your claim to the trucking company
5. Negotiation – We fight for a fair settlement
6. Litigation – If necessary, we file a lawsuit and prepare for trial
7. Resolution – We recover maximum compensation for you

Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to court. This preparation creates leverage in negotiations and ensures we’re ready if the case does go to trial.

Common Questions About New Summerfield Trucking Accidents

How long do I have to file a trucking accident lawsuit in Texas?

Texas has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. However, you should contact an attorney immediately – evidence disappears quickly in trucking cases.

What if the truck driver says I caused the accident?

Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. You can still recover compensation as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. We gather evidence to prove the truck driver’s liability.

How much does it cost to hire a trucking accident attorney?

We work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes from the settlement, not your pocket.

What if the trucking company goes bankrupt?

We investigate all available insurance policies and assets. Many trucking companies carry excess coverage that applies even if the company goes out of business.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes, as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

What if the truck was carrying hazardous materials?

Hazmat carriers must carry at least $5 million in insurance. We have experience handling cases involving chemical spills, fuel tanker crashes, and other hazardous material incidents.

How long does a trucking accident case take?

Simple cases may resolve in 6-12 months. Complex cases with catastrophic injuries can take 2-3 years. We work to resolve cases as quickly as possible while maximizing your recovery.

Don’t Let the Trucking Company Win

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in New Summerfield or anywhere in Cherokee County, call Attorney911 immediately. The trucking company has lawyers working right now to protect their interests. You need someone fighting for you.

We offer free consultations and work on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont serve clients throughout East Texas.

Call now: 1-888-ATTY-911

Hablamos Español. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve.