Fatal 18-Wheeler and Tractor-Trailer Crashes in Simonton, Texas

You are reading this because someone you love did not come home. The roads that connect Simonton to Houston, Katy, and the broader Fort Bend County region carry some of the heaviest commercial truck traffic in Texas. Interstate 10, U.S. Highway 90, and the Grand Parkway (State Highway 99) are the arteries that keep our community supplied, but they are also the corridors where fully loaded 18-wheelers, traveling at highway speeds, can turn a routine drive into a life-altering catastrophe in seconds.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 has already started a clock that does not stop while you grieve. You have two years from the date of the fatal injury to file a wrongful death action under § 71.001. Under § 71.004, you—as the surviving spouse, child, or parent—hold an independent statutory claim. So does your loved one’s estate, under § 71.021, for the conscious pain and mental anguish they endured between injury and death. The carrier whose driver caused this tragedy 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 open the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Pre-Employment Screening Program record on the driver and the Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile on the carrier before discovery formally opens. We know what the Pattern Jury Charge will ask in the Fort Bend County venue, and we build the case for those questions from the first investigator we send to the scene.

The Reality of a Fatal 18-Wheeler Crash on Simonton’s Roads

Simonton sits within the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan statistical area (MSA), where the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS) documented 115,173 crashes in 2024 alone—nearly 21% of all Texas crashes in a single year. Of those, 498 were fatal, and commercial vehicles were involved in a disproportionate share. On Interstate 10, which runs just north of Simonton through Katy and into Houston, the crash rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is 152.18—one of the highest in the state. The stretch between the Grand Parkway (SH 99) and the West Loop (I-610) is particularly dangerous, with rear-end collisions, lane-departure crashes, and underride incidents occurring with alarming frequency.

When a fully loaded tractor-trailer—weighing up to 80,000 pounds—crashes on one of these corridors, the physics are unforgiving. A rear-end collision at highway speed generates forces equivalent to 20 to 40 times the force of gravity (G-forces), far beyond what a passenger vehicle’s safety systems are designed to absorb. Underride crashes, where a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer, often result in decapitation or catastrophic head injuries because the impact occurs above the vehicle’s crumple zone. These are not accidents. They are preventable failures of duty—failures that Texas law holds carriers accountable for.

What Texas Wrongful Death and Survival Statutes Give Your Family

Texas law provides a structured framework for holding negligent parties accountable after a fatal crash. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 71.001 et seq., the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased each hold an independent wrongful death claim. These claims are not merged into a single “family” claim; they are separate legal actions that recognize the unique loss each survivor experiences.

• § 71.004 (Wrongful Death Claims): Distributes the claim among the surviving spouse, children, and parents. Each claimant recovers for their own losses—loss of companionship, emotional pain and suffering, and pecuniary losses (financial support the deceased would have provided).
• § 71.021 (Survival Action): Preserves the deceased’s own claim for the pain, suffering, and mental anguish they endured between the time of injury and death. This claim is brought by the estate and can include medical expenses incurred before death, as well as compensation for the conscious suffering the deceased experienced.
• § 16.003 (Statute of Limitations): You have two years from the date of the fatal injury to file these claims. The clock runs whether or not the carrier’s insurer is returning your calls. Once the two-year window closes, the case is barred forever—regardless of how clear the negligence is.

For families in Simonton, this means that a fatal crash involving a loved one is not one case—it is a coordinated set of claims that must be filed within the two-year window or they die procedurally. We file them that way, ensuring that every survivor’s loss is recognized and compensated under Texas law.

The Federal Regulations the Carrier Is Supposed to Operate Under

Commercial trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States, governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) under 49 C.F.R. Parts 382 through 399. These regulations establish the minimum safety standards that carriers and drivers must follow. When a carrier violates these rules, Texas law allows those violations to be used as evidence of negligence per se—meaning the violation itself is proof of negligence, and the jury does not need to decide whether the conduct was reasonable.

Here are the key regulations that most often apply in fatal 18-wheeler crashes in Simonton:

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

The HOS rules are designed to prevent driver fatigue, one of the leading causes of commercial vehicle crashes. Under these rules:

• A property-carrying commercial driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours within a 14-hour on-duty window, after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
• Drivers are limited to 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days, depending on their schedule.

How We Prove Violations:

• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: Since December 2017, commercial drivers have been required to use ELDs to record their hours. These devices capture every minute the truck is in motion. We subpoena the ELD data and cross-reference it with dispatch records, fuel receipts, and GPS data to identify falsified logs.
• Dispatch Records: Carriers often pressure drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, leading to HOS violations. We examine dispatch communications to uncover evidence of coercion.
• Prior Violations: The FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) tracks carriers’ compliance with HOS rules. If the carrier has a history of violations, we use that pattern to establish a culture of negligence.

2. Driver Qualification – 49 C.F.R. Part 391

Carriers are required to thoroughly vet their drivers before hiring them. This includes:

• Background Checks: Verifying the driver’s employment history, motor vehicle record (MVR), and criminal background.
• Medical Certification: Ensuring the driver is physically qualified to operate a commercial vehicle.
• Road Test: Confirming the driver’s ability to safely operate the specific type of vehicle they will be driving.

How We Prove Violations:

• Driver Qualification File (DQF): We subpoena the DQF, which must include the driver’s application, medical certificate, road test results, and prior employment checks. If the carrier hired a driver with a history of crashes, DUI convictions, or medical conditions that should have disqualified them, we hold the carrier liable for negligent hiring.
• Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) Report: The FMCSA maintains a database of a driver’s crash and inspection history for the past five years. We pull this report to identify red flags the carrier ignored.
• Medical Examiner’s Certificate: Drivers must undergo a physical exam every two years. If the driver had a condition that should have disqualified them (e.g., untreated sleep apnea, uncontrolled diabetes), the medical examiner’s failure to flag it can be evidence of negligence.

3. Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection – 49 C.F.R. Part 396

Carriers are required to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. This includes:

• Pre-Trip Inspections: Drivers must inspect their vehicle before each trip, checking brakes, tires, lights, and other critical systems.
• Periodic Inspections: Vehicles must undergo a thorough inspection at least once every 12 months.
• Repairs: Any defects identified during inspections must be repaired before the vehicle is operated.

How We Prove Violations:

• Maintenance Records: We subpoena the carrier’s maintenance logs to identify patterns of deferred maintenance or falsified inspection reports.
• Post-Crash Inspections: After a crash, law enforcement and FMCSA inspectors often conduct a thorough examination of the vehicle. If they identify defects (e.g., worn brake pads, bald tires, faulty lighting), we use those findings to establish negligence.
• Black Box Data: Many commercial vehicles are equipped with Event Data Recorders (EDRs), similar to the “black boxes” in airplanes. These devices record speed, braking, and other critical data in the seconds before a crash. We download this data to reconstruct the crash and identify mechanical failures.

4. Cargo Securement – 49 C.F.R. Part 393, Subpart I

Improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The cargo securement rules require:

• Cargo must be immobilized or secured to prevent shifting or falling from the vehicle.
• Specific securement methods must be used for different types of cargo (e.g., logs, steel coils, heavy machinery).

How We Prove Violations:

• Accident Reconstruction: We hire experts to analyze the crash scene and determine whether cargo shifting contributed to the crash. This can include reviewing photographs, videos, and physical evidence from the scene.
• Loading Records: We subpoena records from the shipper or loader to determine whether they followed proper loading procedures. If the cargo was improperly loaded, the shipper may share liability.

5. Drug and Alcohol Testing – 49 C.F.R. Part 382

Commercial drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Carriers are required to:

• Conduct pre-employment drug testing.
• Perform random drug and alcohol tests throughout the year.
• Conduct post-accident testing if the crash results in a fatality or if the driver receives a citation.

How We Prove Violations:

• Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse: The FMCSA maintains a database of drivers who have failed drug or alcohol tests. We query this database to determine whether the driver had a history of violations.
• Post-Accident Test Results: If the driver tested positive for drugs or alcohol after the crash, we use that evidence to establish gross negligence, which can open the door to exemplary (punitive) damages under Texas law.
• Prior Violations: If the carrier knew or should have known about the driver’s substance abuse history but continued to employ them, we hold the carrier liable for negligent retention.

The Investigation We Begin Within 48 Hours

Evidence in commercial vehicle crashes disappears quickly. Carriers and their insurers know this, and they often act to destroy or “lose” critical evidence before you even have a chance to hire an attorney. We move fast to preserve the evidence that will prove your case.

1. Preservation Letters

Within 24 hours of taking your case, we send a preservation letter to the carrier, the broker, the shipper, and any third-party telematics providers. This letter demands that they preserve:

• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: The ELD records every minute the truck was in motion. This data is critical for proving HOS violations.
• Black Box / Event Data Recorder (EDR) Data: The EDR captures speed, braking, and other critical data in the seconds before a crash.
• Dashcam Footage: Many commercial vehicles are equipped with forward-facing and driver-facing cameras. This footage can provide irrefutable evidence of what happened.
• Dispatch Records: These records show the driver’s schedule, route, and any communications with the carrier.
• Maintenance Records: These records can reveal whether the carrier ignored critical repairs.
• Driver Qualification File (DQF): This file contains the driver’s employment history, medical certification, and training records.
• Post-Accident Drug and Alcohol Test Results: These results can prove impairment, which is critical for establishing gross negligence.
• Form MCS-90 Endorsement: This is a federal insurance endorsement that guarantees payment to injured third parties, even if the carrier’s policy would otherwise exclude coverage.

We put the carrier on notice that spoliation of evidence—the intentional or negligent destruction of evidence—will be argued in court, and we will seek an adverse inference instruction, which allows the jury to assume that the destroyed evidence would have been unfavorable to the carrier.

2. FMCSA Records Pull

Before discovery formally opens, we pull the following records from the FMCSA:

• Safety Measurement System (SMS) Profile: The SMS tracks the carrier’s compliance with seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs):

  1. Unsafe Driving: Speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes.
  2. Hours-of-Service Compliance: Violations of the HOS rules.
  3. Driver Fitness: Unqualified drivers, expired medical certificates.
  4. Controlled Substances/Alcohol: Drug and alcohol violations.
  5. Vehicle Maintenance: Unrepaired defects, falsified inspection reports.
  6. Hazardous Materials Compliance: Improper handling of hazardous materials.
  7. Crash Indicator: Frequency and severity of crashes.

  The SMS assigns a percentile rank to each carrier, with higher percentiles indicating worse safety performance. If the carrier that caused your loved one’s death has a high percentile in any BASIC, we use that pattern to establish a culture of negligence.

• Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) Report: This report provides a five-year history of the driver’s crashes and inspection violations. We use this report to identify red flags the carrier ignored during the hiring process.

• MCS-150 Form: This is the carrier’s registration form, which includes information about the carrier’s operations, fleet size, and insurance coverage.

3. Accident Reconstruction

We hire accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash scene and determine exactly what happened. These experts use:

• Physical Evidence: Skid marks, vehicle damage, debris patterns.
• Electronic Data: ELD records, EDR data, GPS data.
• Witness Statements: Testimony from drivers, passengers, and bystanders.
• Photographs and Videos: Dashcam footage, traffic camera footage, surveillance footage from nearby businesses.

The reconstruction expert’s report provides a scientific explanation of how the crash occurred, which is critical for proving negligence.

4. Medical and Financial Experts

We work with a team of experts to calculate the full value of your claim:

• Medical Experts: These experts review your loved one’s medical records to determine the extent of their injuries, the pain and suffering they endured, and the cost of future medical care (if applicable).
• Vocational Experts: These experts calculate the deceased’s lost earning capacity, taking into account their age, occupation, education, and career trajectory.
• Economic Experts: These experts determine the present value of all economic damages, including lost wages, medical expenses, and funeral costs.
• Life Care Planners: For catastrophic injuries, these experts develop a detailed plan for the victim’s future care needs, including medical treatment, rehabilitation, and assistive devices.

The Defendants Beyond the Driver

In a fatal 18-wheeler crash, the driver is rarely the only party at fault. Texas law allows us to pursue claims against every party whose negligence contributed to the crash. This can include:

1. The Motor Carrier (Trucking Company)

The carrier is vicariously liable for the driver’s negligence under the doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees. Additionally, the carrier can be directly liable for its own negligence in:

• Hiring: Failing to properly vet the driver.
• Training: Failing to provide adequate training.
• Supervision: Failing to monitor the driver’s compliance with safety rules.
• Dispatch: Pressuring the driver to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, leading to HOS violations.
• Maintenance: Failing to properly inspect and repair the vehicle.

2. The Freight Broker

Freight brokers arrange the transportation of goods but often claim they are not responsible for the actions of the carriers they hire. However, under Miller v. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (9th Cir. 2020) and its progeny, brokers can be held liable for negligent selection if they hire a carrier with a documented history of safety violations. We investigate whether the broker conducted due diligence before hiring the carrier and whether they ignored red flags in the carrier’s SMS profile.

3. The Shipper

The shipper is the company that arranged for the goods to be transported. In some cases, the shipper can be held liable for:

• Unsafe Loading: Directing the carrier to load the cargo in a way that violates federal regulations.
• Unrealistic Scheduling: Pressuring the carrier to meet delivery deadlines that violate HOS rules.
• Hazardous Materials: Failing to properly classify, package, or label hazardous materials.

4. The Maintenance Contractor

If the carrier outsourced vehicle maintenance to a third-party contractor, that contractor can be held liable for failing to properly inspect and repair the vehicle. We subpoena the contractor’s records to determine whether they ignored critical defects.

5. The Parts Manufacturer

If a defective part (e.g., brakes, tires, steering system) contributed to the crash, the manufacturer can be held liable under product liability laws. We work with experts to identify defects and pursue claims against the manufacturer.

6. The Road Designer (Government Entity)

If a dangerous road condition (e.g., missing guardrails, inadequate signage, poor lighting) contributed to the crash, the government entity responsible for designing or maintaining the road can be held liable under the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA). However, the TTCA imposes strict requirements:

• Notice Requirement: You must provide written notice of the claim to the government entity within six months of the crash.
• Damages Cap: The TTCA limits recovery to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for municipalities, and higher caps for state agencies.
• Sovereign Immunity: The government is immune from liability unless the claim falls within one of the TTCA’s narrow exceptions (e.g., use of a motor vehicle, premise defect, defective condition of tangible property).

We investigate whether road design played a role in the crash and, if so, we pursue claims against the responsible government entity.

How Texas Pattern Jury Charges Submit Damages to a Jury

In a Texas wrongful death and survival action, the jury is asked to answer specific questions submitted under the Texas Pattern Jury Charges (PJC). These questions determine the amount of compensation the family will receive. The key PJC submissions in a fatal 18-wheeler crash include:

1. PJC 27.1 – General Negligence

This question asks the jury to determine whether the defendant was negligent and whether that negligence was a proximate cause of the crash. If the jury answers “yes,” they move on to the damages questions.

2. PJC 27.2 – Negligence Per Se

If the carrier violated a federal regulation (e.g., HOS rules, driver qualification rules, maintenance rules), the jury is asked whether that violation was a proximate cause of the crash. If the jury answers “yes,” the carrier is automatically found negligent.

3. PJC 5.1 – Gross Negligence

Gross negligence is the predicate for exemplary (punitive) damages under Texas law. To find gross negligence, the jury must determine that the carrier’s conduct involved:

• An objective risk of serious harm.
• The carrier’s subjective awareness of that risk.
• The carrier’s conscious disregard of the risk.

Examples of gross negligence in commercial vehicle crashes include:

• Falsifying HOS logs to conceal violations.
• Ignoring prior preventability determinations involving the same driver.
• Hiring a driver with a history of DUI convictions or failed drug tests.
• Failing to repair critical defects identified during inspections.

If the jury finds gross negligence, they can award exemplary damages to punish the carrier and deter future misconduct.

4. Damages Questions

The jury is asked to award compensation for the following categories of damages:

a. Wrongful Death Damages (PJC 71.1 – 71.4)

• Pecuniary Losses: The financial support the deceased would have provided to their family (e.g., lost wages, benefits, inheritance).
• Loss of Companionship and Society: The emotional loss suffered by the surviving spouse, children, and parents.
• Mental Anguish: The emotional pain and suffering endured by the surviving family members.

b. Survival Action Damages (PJC 71.5 – 71.8)

• Pain and Suffering: The conscious pain and mental anguish the deceased endured between the time of injury and death.
• Medical Expenses: The cost of medical treatment the deceased received before death.
• Funeral and Burial Expenses: The cost of the deceased’s funeral and burial.

c. Exemplary Damages (PJC 41.1 – 41.3)

If the jury finds gross negligence, they can award exemplary damages to punish the carrier. Under Texas law, exemplary damages are capped at:

• The greater of $200,000 or two times the amount of economic damages plus up to $750,000 in non-economic damages.

However, there is no cap on exemplary damages if the underlying conduct constitutes a felony, such as intoxication manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.

The Defense Playbook in Simonton Trucking Cases—and Our Answer

Carriers and their insurers follow a predictable playbook to minimize payouts. We have seen every tactic before, and we know how to counter them.

1. Quick Lowball Settlement

What They Do: The adjuster calls within days of the crash and offers a small settlement, hoping you will accept before you know the full extent of your damages.

Our Counter: First offers are always a fraction of what your case is worth. We never advise a client to sign a release in the first 96 hours. We calculate the full value of your claim—including future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and non-economic damages—before responding to any offer.

2. Recorded Statement Trap

What They Do: The adjuster asks for a “quick recorded statement for our files.” They ask questions designed to make you minimize your injuries or admit fault.

Our Counter: That statement will be used against you later. Never give a recorded statement without your attorney present.

3. Comparative Negligence

What They Do: The adjuster argues that you or your loved one was partially at fault—for example, by speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, or changing lanes unsafely.

Our Counter: Texas follows modified comparative negligence under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. Even if the deceased was 50% at fault, you can still recover damages. We develop evidence to push fault back where it belongs—on the carrier.

4. Pre-Existing Condition Defense

What They Do: The adjuster argues that your loved one had pre-existing medical conditions that contributed to their injuries or death.

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

5. Delayed Treatment Defense

What They Do: The adjuster argues that because your loved one did not seek medical treatment immediately, their injuries must not have been serious.

Our Counter: Adrenaline masks pain. Traumatic brain injury (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.

6. Spoliation (Evidence Destruction)

What They Do: The carrier “loses” critical evidence, such as ELD data, dashcam footage, or maintenance records.

Our Counter: We send preservation letters within 24 hours of taking your case. If the carrier destroys evidence, we argue spoliation and seek an adverse inference instruction, which allows the jury to assume the destroyed evidence would have been unfavorable to the carrier.

7. Independent Medical Examiner (IME) Selection

What They Do: The carrier sends you to an “independent” medical examiner who is chosen for their pattern of finding plaintiffs not as seriously injured as they claim.

Our Counter: Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, hired these doctors when he worked for insurance defense firms. He knows their playbook. We counter with the opinions of your treating physicians and independent experts the carrier cannot impeach.

8. Surveillance

What They Do: Investigators follow you and photograph you doing anything that looks “normal,” such as walking to your car or carrying groceries.

Our Counter: Lupe’s insider quote applies here: “Insurance companies take innocent activity out of context. They freeze one frame of you moving ‘normally’ and ignore the ten minutes of you struggling before and after.” We expose this tactic in deposition.

9. Delay Tactics

What They Do: The carrier drags out the case, hoping to exhaust your resources and force a low settlement out of financial desperation.

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

10. Drowning You in Paperwork

What They Do: The carrier serves massive discovery requests designed to overwhelm an underfunded plaintiff’s counsel.

Our Counter: 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 and Remedies Code § 16.003 imposes a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death and personal injury claims. The clock starts running on the date of the fatal injury, not on the date of the funeral, the autopsy report, or the police report. Once the two-year window closes, the case is barred forever—regardless of how clear the negligence is.

For families in Simonton, this means:

• If your loved one was killed in a crash on January 1, 2025, you have until January 1, 2027, to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
• The clock runs whether or not the carrier’s insurer is returning your calls.
• The carrier’s lawyers are counting on grief to make you miss the deadline.

We do not let that happen. We file your case early to preserve evidence, force discovery, and send a message to the carrier that you are serious about holding them accountable.

How Attorney 911 Approaches Your Simonton Case

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, you are not just hiring a law firm—you are gaining a team that has been fighting for Texas families since 2001. Here’s what we do for you:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation

Within 24 hours of taking your case, we:

• Send preservation letters to the carrier, broker, shipper, and any third-party telematics providers, demanding that they preserve all evidence.
• Pull the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report on the driver.
• Pull the carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) profile by USDOT number.
• Open the FMCSA SAFER profile to identify all potentially liable parties.

2. Thorough Investigation

We leave no stone unturned in investigating your case:

• Accident Reconstruction: We hire experts to analyze the crash scene and determine exactly what happened.
• ELD and Black Box Data: We subpoena the ELD and EDR data to prove HOS violations and reconstruct the crash.
• Maintenance Records: We subpoena the carrier’s maintenance logs to identify patterns of deferred maintenance.
• Driver Qualification File (DQF): We subpoena the DQF to identify red flags in the driver’s employment history.
• Dispatch Records: We subpoena dispatch records to uncover evidence of coercion or unrealistic scheduling.
• Surveillance Footage: We obtain footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and dashcams before it is overwritten.

3. Multi-Defendant Strategy

We do not stop at the driver. We pursue every party whose negligence contributed to the crash, including:

• The motor carrier (for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and maintenance).
• The freight broker (for negligent selection of an unsafe carrier).
• The shipper (for unsafe loading or unrealistic scheduling).
• The maintenance contractor (for failing to properly inspect and repair the vehicle).
• The parts manufacturer (for defective parts).
• The government entity (for dangerous road conditions under the Texas Tort Claims Act).

4. Aggressive Litigation

We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, which gives us leverage in settlement negotiations:

• Filing the Lawsuit: We file your case before the statute of limitations expires.
• Discovery: We serve interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission to uncover evidence of negligence.
• Depositions: We depose the driver, dispatcher, safety manager, and maintenance personnel to lock in their testimony.
• Mediation: We engage in settlement negotiations to achieve a fair resolution without the need for trial.
• Trial: If the carrier refuses to offer a fair settlement, we take your case to trial and fight for the compensation you deserve.

5. Compassionate Client Care

We understand that you are going through one of the most difficult times of your life. We provide:

• 24/7 Availability: You can reach us anytime, day or night.
• Bilingual Support: Hablamos español. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, is fluent in Spanish, and our staff includes bilingual team members.
• Transparent Communication: We keep you updated on the progress of your case and answer your questions promptly.
• No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee is 33.33% pre-trial and 40% if the case goes to trial. You may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your Simonton Trucking Case?

When you are facing the aftermath of a fatal 18-wheeler crash, you need a law firm that has the experience, resources, and dedication to hold the negligent parties accountable. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Ralph Manginello’s 27+ Years of Experience

Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been representing injury victims in Texas since 1998. He is admitted to practice in federal court and has extensive experience litigating complex commercial vehicle cases. His background includes:

• Federal Court Admission: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas (including the Houston Division, which covers Fort Bend County).
• BP Texas City Refinery Litigation: Our firm is one of the few firms in Texas to be involved in BP explosion litigation, which involved claims arising from the 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 180 others.
• University of Houston Hazing Lawsuit: In 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and 13 other defendants on behalf of a student who suffered severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure during a hazing incident.

2. Lupe Peña’s Insurance Defense Advantage

Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, worked for years at a national insurance defense firm, where he learned firsthand how large insurance companies value claims. He knows their tactics because he used them—and now he uses that knowledge to fight for you.

Here’s what Lupe has to say about insurance company tactics:
“I’ve reviewed hundreds of surveillance videos and social media posts as a defense attorney. Here’s the truth: insurance companies take innocent activity out of context. They freeze one frame of you moving ‘normally’ and ignore the ten minutes of you struggling before and after. They’re not documenting your life—they’re building ammunition against you.”

3. Our Multi-Million Dollar Case Results

We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients in commercial vehicle cases. Here are some of our results (every case is unique; past results do not guarantee future outcomes):

• 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.
• DWI Defense – Breathalyzer: Our client was charged with drunk driving based on a breath test. Our investigation revealed that a police department employee was not properly maintaining the breathalyzer machines. The charges were dismissed.

4. Our 4.9-Star Google Rating

We are proud of our 4.9-star rating on Google, based on 251+ reviews from clients who trust us to fight for their rights. Here’s what some of our clients have to say:

• Brian Butchee: “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.”
• Stephanie Hernandez: “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.”
• Chelsea Martinez: “Special thank you to my attorney, Mr. Pena, for your kindness and patience with my repeated questions.”
• Jacqueline Johnson: “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.”
• Erica Perales: “You know if TraeAbn tells you it’s the right way to go best attorney out here you can’t go wrong.”

5. Our Three Office Locations

We have offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, allowing us to serve clients across Texas. Our primary office is located at:

• 1177 West Loop South, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027

6. Our Commitment to the Community

We are proud to serve the Simonton community and are committed to making our roads safer for everyone. Ralph Manginello is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston and has published 290+ educational videos to help injury victims understand their rights.

What This Means for Your Simonton Case

If your loved one was killed in a fatal 18-wheeler crash in Simonton, you have legal rights under Texas law. The carrier and its insurer will try to minimize your claim, but you do not have to face them alone. We will fight for the compensation you deserve, including:

• Medical expenses incurred before your loved one’s death.
• Funeral and burial expenses.
• Lost wages and benefits your loved one would have provided.
• Loss of companionship, love, and society.
• Emotional pain and suffering.
• Exemplary (punitive) damages if the carrier’s conduct was grossly negligent.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a Free Consultation

The clock is ticking. Evidence is disappearing. The carrier’s lawyers are already working against you.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and help you understand what your case may be worth.

Hablamos español. Lupe Peña y nuestro equipo están listos para ayudarle.

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