City of Plano Truck Accident Lawyer: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Crashes

The impact was catastrophic. On US-75 in the City of Plano, 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your sedan at highway speed. In an instant, your car was unrecognizable, and your life was changed forever. Whether you were struck by a long-haul 18-wheeler, an Amazon delivery van in a residential neighborhood, or a corporate fleet vehicle near the Legacy West business district, the aftermath of a truck accident is a legal emergency. You aren’t just dealing with a “big car wreck”—you are facing a corporate machine designed to protect its profits at your expense. At Attorney911, we don’t let them get away with it.

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years in the trenches of trucking litigation. Since 1998, he has gone head-to-head with some of the largest corporations and insurance companies in the world, recovering multi-million dollar settlements for families in the City of Plano and across Texas. We understand that right now, you’re overwhelmed by medical bills, physical pain, and the terrifying uncertainty of the future. Our team, led by a 25-year veteran of trucking law, is ready to take the weight off your shoulders and put it back on the negligent parties where it belongs.

When you call us at 1-888-ATTY-911, you’re getting an insider advantage. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working at a national insurance defense firm. He used to defend the very insurance companies we now fight. He knows their playbook, he knows how they value claims, and he knows exactly when they’re trying to lowball you. In the City of Plano, where major highways like the President George Bush Turnpike and the Sam Rayburn Tollway are crowded with commercial traffic, having that insider perspective is the difference between a settlement that barely covers your bills and a recovery that secures your family’s future.

If you’ve been hurt in a commercial vehicle crash, you need to move fast. The trucking company’s rapid-response team was likely at the scene before the ambulance even cleared the City of Plano city limits. They are already building their defense. It’s time you start building your case. Call 888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Understanding the Stakes: Why City of Plano Truck Accidents are Different

Truck accidents in the City of Plano are inherently complex because the legal framework involves more than just standard traffic laws. While a car accident is usually governed by Texas state law, 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle crashes are governed by a massive volume of federal regulations known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Proving that a driver was speeding is one thing; proving that a motor carrier systematically forced its drivers to violate 49 CFR Part 395 hours-of-service rules is what leads to multi-million dollar verdicts.

The City of Plano sits at a critical junction of North Texas commerce. Between the sprawling corporate headquarters of Frito-Lay and Toyota to the constant flow of freight toward the DFW intermodal hubs, our local roads are shared with thousands of commercial vehicles every day. An accident on the Dallas North Tollway involves different physics and different legal requirements than a standard fender bender. An 80,000-pound truck is 20 times heavier than your car. At 65 mph, it requires the length of two football fields to stop. When that momentum hits you, the physics of the impact are unsurvivable without catastrophic injury.

Because our firm founder, Ralph Manginello, is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, we have the federal court experience necessary to handle interstate trucking cases. Many trucking companies are based out of state, and they will try to move your City of Plano case to federal court to gain a procedural advantage. We are already there. We have the resources to litigate against Fortune 500 companies like Walmart, Amazon, and FedEx, and we have a proven track record of securing justice for victims of industrial and vehicular disasters.

If you are suffering, don’t wait for the insurance company to “do the right thing.” They won’t. As client Chad Harris said after working with us, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat every City of Plano case with the urgency and personal attention it deserves.

Texas Trucking Laws: Protecting City of Plano Accident Victims

To win a truck accident case in the City of Plano, your legal team must navigate specific Texas statutes that define how fault is assigned and how much time you have to act. This is not the time for guesswork. Under the guidance of Ralph Manginello, who brings 25+ years of Texas courtroom experience, we build cases that stand up to the strictest scrutiny.

The Two-Year Statute of Limitations

In the City of Plano, and throughout Texas, you generally have exactly two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. While two years might sound like a long time, in the context of a catastrophic truck accident, it is a blink of an eye. Building a winning case requires:

• Subpoenaing thousands of pages of driver and maintenance records.
• Retaining accident reconstruction experts to analyze the physics of the crash.
• Conducting medical evaluations to project the cost of lifetime care.
• Sending immediate spoliation letters to prevent the destruction of “black box” data.

If you miss that two-year deadline, your right to seek compensation is gone forever. There are very few exceptions, and none of them are easy to prove. We recommend contacting a City of Plano attorney within 48 hours of the crash to ensure evidence is preserved.

Modified Comparative Negligence (The 51% Bar Rule)

Texas follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, provided your percentage of responsibility is not greater than 50%. However, your final recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a City of Plano jury finds you were 25% responsible and awards $1 million, you would receive $750,000. If you are found 51% responsible, you recover zero.

Trucking company lawyers in the City of Plano know this rule well. They will look for any reason to blame you—even just 1% more—to save their clients millions of dollars. This is why having Lupe Peña on our team is such a significant advantage for City of Plano victims. Having spent years in insurance defense, Lupe knows exactly which minor details adjusters use to shift blame onto you. We anticipate their arguments and shut them down before they can poison your claim.

If you’ve been hit by a truck on a City of Plano tollway or highway, the clock is already ticking. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now to preserve your rights and your future.

FMCSA Regulations: The Key to Proving Negligence in the City of Plano

When we investigate an 18-wheeler accident in the City of Plano, we aren’t just looking at what happened in the seconds before the crash. We are looking at the weeks, months, and years of conduct leading up to it. Commercial trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States. These regulations, found in 49 CFR Parts 390-399, exist to protect you. When trucking companies break these laws to save time or money, they are negligent.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service and Driver Fatigue

Fatigue is the silent killer on City of Plano highways. An exhausted driver has the same reaction time as someone who is legally intoxicated. Federal law sets strict limits on how long a driver can be behind the wheel:

• The 11-Hour Rule: A driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• The 14-Hour Window: A driver cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
• The 30-Minute Break: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
• The 60/70-Hour Limit: Drivers cannot drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days.

When a driver is rushing to a delivery in the City of Plano and exceeds these limits, they are in direct violation of federal law. We use Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove these violations. If the logs were falsified, we dig deeper into dispatch records and GPS data to expose the lie.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification and Negligent Hiring

Not everyone belongs behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound machine. Motor carriers in the City of Plano have a non-delegable duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. Under Part 391, they must maintain a Driver Qualification File that includes:

• A valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• A current medical examiner’s certificate.
• A 3-year driving history check.
• Annual reviews of the driver’s record.
• A road test certificate.

If a trucking company hired a driver with a history of DUIs or speed violations, or if they failed to verify that a driver was medically fit to operate a semi-truck, the company is liable for negligent hiring. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent 25 years exposing companies that put profits over safety by cutting corners on driver screening.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

A brake failure on the Sam Rayburn Tollway is rarely an “accident”; it is usually the result of maintenance neglect. Part 396 requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance of all commercial vehicles. Drivers must conduct a pre-trip inspection every day and file a post-trip report on any defects. If a trucking company deferred maintenance on worn tires or aging brake pads to keep a truck on the road, they are legally responsible for the resulting crash.

Federal regulations aren’t just red tape—they are tools we use to win your case. If you’ve been injured by a truck in the City of Plano, call Attorney911 today at (888) 288-9911 for a free case review from a team that knows the law inside and out.

Types of Trucking Accidents in the City of Plano

The physics of a trucking accident determine the severity of the injuries and the types of evidence we need to win. In the City of Plano, we see a wide range of commercial vehicle crashes, each requiring a specific investigative approach.

Jackknife and Rollover Accidents

When an 18-wheeler jackknifes, the trailer swings out at an angle, often sweeping across multiple lanes of US-75 or the Bush Turnpike. This usually happens due to sudden braking on wet roads or improperly balanced cargo. Rollovers often occur on highway ramps or curves when a driver is speeding or when a top-heavy load shifts. These accidents frequently cause multi-vehicle pileups, trapping City of Plano families in un-survivable situations. We investigate the trailer’s center of gravity and the driver’s steering inputs using the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) data.

Underride Collisions: The Most Lethal Wrecks

Underride crashes are a nightmare scenario. This happens when a passenger car slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer because the truck doesn’t have adequate guards. The trailer height often shears off the top of the smaller vehicle, leading to decapitation or fatal head injuries. We look at whether the truck’s rear impact guard (Mansfield bar) met federal standards and whether the trucking company failed to equip the trailer with side underride guards.

Blind Spot and Wide Turn “Squeeze” Play

Every truck has “No-Zones”—massive blind spots where your car is invisible to the driver. In the congested urban intersections of the City of Plano, trucks making wide right turns often “squeeze” smaller vehicles between the trailer and the curb. If the driver failed to check their mirrors or signaled too late, they are liable. We also investigate whether the company failed to install modern blind-spot camera systems that could have prevented the tragedy.

Rear-End Collisions and Stopping Distance

A car can stop in about 300 feet at highway speed; a semi-truck needs nearly 525 feet. When a distracted or fatigued driver on the North Dallas Tollway fails to see traffic slowing down, the resulting rear-end collision is devastating. The force of an 80,000-pound truck hitting a 4,000-pound car is enough to cause permanent spinal injury and brain trauma.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures

We aggressively investigate crashes caused by equipment failure. A tire blowout in the City of Plano heat is often the result of using old retreads or overloading the trailer. Brake failure on highway descents is almost always tied to negligent maintenance. We subpoena all service records and purchase orders to prove the company knew the truck was a ticking time bomb.

Whether you were hit by a jackknifed 18-wheeler or a delivery truck during a wide turn, you need an attorney who can prove exactly what went wrong. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation with Ralph Manginello and our experienced team.

Special Cases: Corporate Fleets and Delivery Vans in the City of Plano

If your accident involved a vehicle with a corporate logo—like Amazon, Walmart, FedEx, UPS, or a regional distributor like Sysco—your legal strategy must change. These are not standard trucking cases; they are battles against high-asset corporate giants.

The Problem with Amazon Delivery Van Accidents

Amazon delivers millions of packages a year in the City of Plano. To avoid liability, Amazon often uses a “Delivery Service Partner” (DSP) model. They contract with small local companies to operate the blue-branded vans. When a van hits you, Amazon will claim the driver doesn’t work for them.

Don’t believe it. Amazon controls the routes, the delivery quotas, the uniforms, and monitors the drivers through AI-powered Netradyne cameras. Attorney Ralph Manginello has the experience to pierce this “independent contractor” shield. We show a jury that Amazon’s delivery pressure is what caused the accident, and we hold the parent corporation responsible.

Walmart Truck Accidents: A Fortune 1 Opponent

Walmart operates one of the largest private fleets in the world. When a Walmart semi-truck crashes in the City of Plano, their corporate rapid-response team is deployed immediately. Walmart is self-insured, meaning they pay for accidents out of their own pockets. This makes them exceptionally aggressive in defending claims. You need a lawyer who has gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 companies before. We have litigated against the largest corporations on earth—including BP in the Texas City refinery explosion litigation—and we are not intimidated by Walmart’s army of lawyers.

Food and Beverage Fleet Collisions

In the City of Plano, you see Sysco, US Foods, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola trucks constantly. These vehicles make high-frequency stops in busy commercial areas like the Shops at Legacy. Because they are often running tight schedules to restock restaurants and retail stores, drivers may double-park, block visibility at intersections, or rush through yellow lights. We investigate the company’s internal delivery quotas and dispatch logs to prove that corporate greed outweighed public safety.

Hit by a corporate truck? Don’t let them push you around. Call (888) 288-9911 for a team that has recovered over $50 million for Texas families. Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Who is Liable for Your City of Plano Truck Accident?

Most general practice lawyers only sue the driver. We know better. To maximize your recovery in the City of Plano, we investigate the entire chain of command. More defendants mean more insurance policies, which means more compensation for your catastrophic injuries.

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding, fatigue, or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company (Carrier): Liable for their employees’ actions and for negligent hiring and training.
3. The Cargo Shipper/Loader: If the cargo was improperly secured or overloaded, causing a shift that led to a rollover.
4. The Maintenance Company: If a third-party mechanic failed to fix faulty brakes or steering systems.
5. The Truck/Parts Manufacturer: If a defective tire blew or a design flaw contributed to the crash.
6. The Freight Broker: If they hired an unsafe or unqualified carrier to move the load.
7. The Corporate Parent: If the vehicle was part of a branded fleet like Amazon or FedEx Ground.
8. Government Entities: If a dangerous road design or un-maintained highway on US-75 contributed to the accident.

Our goal is to leave no stone unturned. 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.” We take the tough cases because we have the 25 years of experience required to win them.

Catastrophic Injuries: The High Cost of Truck Accidents

An 18-wheeler accident doesn’t result in “scratches and dents.” It results in life-altering physical and emotional trauma. In the City of Plano, we represent victims who are facing the most difficult periods of their lives.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): $1.5M – $9.8M range. A TBI affects your ability to think, work, and even your personality. We’ve recovered millions for victims who need cognitive therapy and long-term care.
• Spinal Cord Injury (Paralysis): $4.7M – $25.8M range. Whether it’s paraplegia or quadriplegia, the cost of home modifications and lifetime medical care is staggering.
• Amputations: $1.9M – $8.6M range. Loosing a limb means a lifetime of prosthetic replacements, phantom pain, and loss of function.
• Severe Burns: Often caused by fuel tank ruptures, these injuries require excruciating skin grafts and multiple surgeries.
• Wrongful Death: $1.9M – $9.5M range. When a family loses a primary earner or a child, the loss is immeasurable. While money can’t bring them back, a wrongful death claim can provide the financial security your family needs to survive.

If your family’s life changed in an instant on a City of Plano road, call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We offer empathetic, professional help 24/7. Your recovery is our mission.

Evidence Preservation: The 48-Hour Critical Window

Evidence in a City of Plano truck accident is digital, and it is fragile. If you don’t act now, the most important proof of the trucking company’s negligence will be gone forever.

ECM “Black Box” Data: These recorders track speed, RPMs, and brake application. Most systems overwrite this data in 30 days—or as soon as the truck starts driving again. We move immediately to stop the truck from being put back on the road until the data is downloaded.

ELD Driving Logs: Federal law only requires carriers to keep these records for six months. If your case takes longer to develop, that proof of driver fatigue could vanish.

Dashcam and Surveillance: Amazon vans and Walmart trucks often use AI cameras. This footage shows the driver’s eyes, their hands, and the road. This footage is typically kept for only a few days before being deleted by the company’s server.

The Physical Truck: The trucking company will want to repair the truck as fast as possible to get it back on the road. We want our experts to inspect the brakes and tires before they are replaced and the old parts are discarded.

We send formal spoliation letters within hours of being hired. This puts the company on legal notice: if they destroy evidence, we will ask the judge for sanctions and an ivory-inference instruction to the jury. Don’t wait. Call 888-ATTY-911 now.

Commercial Truck Insurance: Maximize Your Recovery

A typical car insurance policy in the City of Plano might only have $30,000 in coverage. That won’t even pay for your first night in the ICU. Trucking companies are different.

• $750,000 Minimum: For most trucks hauling general freight across state lines.
• $1,000,000 Minimum: For trucks hauling oil or heavy equipment.
• $5,000,000 Minimum: For hazardous materials (Hazmat) or passenger buses.

Large corporations like Walmart and UPS carry even more—often $50 million or more in layered “umbrella” and “excess” insurance policies. Accessing this money requires cutting through multiple layers of corporate protection. Because Lupe Peña used to work for insurance companies, he knows exactly where the “excess” layers are hidden. We don’t settle for the first offer; we fight for every cent available to pay for your surgery, your therapy, and your pain and suffering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for City of Plano Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a claim in the City of Plano?
In Texas, you generally have two years. However, in trucking cases, you should contact us within 48 hours to preserve electronic evidence like black box data.

What if I was partially at fault?
Under Texas law, you can still recover as long as you are 50% or less at fault. We fight to minimize any blame the trucking company tries to place on you.

How much does a lawyer cost?
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and zero out-of-pocket costs. We only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is typically 33.33% if settled pre-trial, and 40% if we go to court.

Should I accept a quick settlement?
Never. Trucking companies offer quick cash to make you sign away your rights before the full extent of your injuries—like a herniated disc or a TBI—becomes clear. Always talk to Attorney Ralph Manginello first at 1-888-ATTY-911.

What is my City of Plano truck accident case worth?
Every case is unique. It depends on your total medical bills, lost wages, the degree of the truck driver’s negligence, and available insurance. Catastrophic cases often settle in the seven and eight-figure ranges.

Can I sue the company whose name was on the van?
Yes. Whether it’s an Amazon van or a Frito-Lay truck, we pursue corporate parent liability to ensure you have access to the highest insurance policies available.

What if the driver was on drugs or alcohol?
Commercial drivers are strictly regulated under 49 CFR Part 382. A positive test or a refusal to test is powerful evidence of gross negligence, which may allow us to pursue punitive damages.

Is it normal to be afraid to drive after a truck accident?
Yes. Vehophobia and PTSD are very real. These psychological injuries are legally compensable. We help you recover money for therapy and the loss of enjoyment of life.

How long will my case take?
Simple cases with clear liability may resolve in 6–12 months. Complex litigation against corporate giants like Walmart or Amazon can take 18–36 months. We work as fast as possible without sacrificing the value of your case.

Who will handle my case?
At Attorney911, you aren’t just a file number. As client Dame Haskett said, “Ralph reached out personally.” You get 25+ years of experience from our managing partner and the insider knowledge of our entire team.

Proven Results: Why Juries Award Nuclear Verdicts

The trend of “nuclear verdicts”—jury awards exceeding $10 million—is growing because people are tired of trucking companies cutting corners. In 2021, a Texas jury awarded $730 million against a trucking carrier after a collision killed a 73-year-old woman. In 2022, Werner Enterprises was hit with a $150 million settlement for a crash that killed two children.

While these historical cases are not our own, they show that when a trucking company’s negligence is exposed, juries in City of Plano and across Texas will hold them accountable. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. When the insurance company sees that Attorney911 is on the other side, they know they can’t hide behind lowball offers.

Call Attorney911 Today: Your City of Plano Truck Accident Team

You didn’t ask for this. You were just driving through the City of Plano when an 80,000-pound truck changed your life. Now, the medical bills are piling up, you can’t work, and the insurance company is calling. It’s time to stop being a victim and start being a plaintiff.

Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have been fighting for people like you since 1998. We have the federal court access, the insurance defense insider knowledge, and the 25+ years of courtroom experience to take on the biggest corporations on the planet and win.

As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” We will do the same for you.

Don’t let the evidence disappear. Don’t let the insurance adjuster win. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. We are available 24/7 to answer your call. Hablamos Español. Your consultation is free, and you pay absolutely nothing unless we win your case.

1-888-ATTY-911
Attorney911: Powerful & Proven.
When disaster strikes, we strike back.

Attorney Advertising. The content on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Ralph P. Manginello is licensed in Texas and New York. Member, State Bar of Texas #24007597.