City of Stephenville Truck Accident Lawyers: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks

The impact was catastrophic. You were driving along US-377 or heading through the intersection of Washington and Graham in the heart of City of Stephenville when 80,000 pounds of steel slammed into your vehicle. In an instant, your car was unrecognizable, and your life was changed forever. Whether you were hit by a long-haul 18-wheeler, a dairy truck hauling through Erath County, or an Amazon delivery van rushing to reach Tarleton State University students, you’re now facing a legal emergency.

At Attorney911, we understand that a truck accident is not just a “big car wreck.” It is a complex legal battle against corporate giants with unlimited resources. For over 25 years, our managing partner Ralph Manginello has gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest trucking and insurance companies. We’ve seen how they operate in City of Stephenville and across Texas. We know they have rapid-response teams on the scene before the ambulance even leaves. You need a team that moves even faster.

If you or someone you love was injured in a City of Stephenville truck accident, don’t wait. The trucking company is already building their defense. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” Let our family fight for yours.

Why You Need a Specialized City of Stephenville Truck Accident Attorney

In the aftermath of a wreck on US-67 or US-281 near City of Stephenville, you might be tempted to call any personal injury lawyer. But trucking litigation requires a level of technical expertise that general practitioners simply don’t possess. Ralph Manginello has spent more than two decades holding trucking companies accountable. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, providing our firm with the federal court experience necessary to handle interstate trucking claims.

Furthermore, we bring an insider’s advantage to your case. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working at a national insurance defense firm. He used to defend the very companies we now sue. Lupe Peña knows the insurance company playbook—he knows how they train their adjusters to lowball victims and how they use algorithms to undervalue your suffering. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. When you hire us, you get a team that knows exactly how the “other side” thinks.

Whether your accident involved an 18-wheeler, a dump truck at a City of Stephenville construction site, or a corporate fleet vehicle, we investigate deeper than the competition. We’ve litigated against Fortune 500 defendants including Walmart, Amazon, Coca-Cola, FedEx, and UPS. We’ve even been involved in massive industrial litigation like the BP Texas City Refinery explosion cases. We aren’t intimidated by a company’s size or their legal team.

Call Attorney911 immediately at (888) 288-9911. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us zero upfront costs and no fee unless we win your case.

The Unique Trucking Hazards of City of Stephenville and Erath County

City of Stephenville sits at a critical junction in North Central Texas. As the “Cowboy Capital of the World” and a major hub for the dairy industry, our local roads see a unique mix of commercial traffic. We know the specific hazards of driving in City of Stephenville:

• Dairy and Livestock Transport: Erath County is a leading producer of milk and livestock. This means heavy tankers and livestock trailers are a constant presence on SH-108 and US-377. These vehicles have high centers of gravity, making them prone to rollovers on the winding rural roads outside the City of Stephenville city limits.
• The US-377 Corridor: As the main artery between Brownwood and the DFW Metroplex, US-377 carries thousands of 18-wheelers daily. Fatigued long-haul drivers often push through City of Stephenville on their way to major distribution hubs in Fort Worth, violating federal hours-of-service regulations to meet delivery deadlines.
• University Traffic and Last-Mile Delivery: With the presence of Tarleton State University, City of Stephenville is a high-volume destination for delivery vans from Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. These “last-mile” drivers are often under extreme pressure to meet quotas, leading to reckless driving, distracted driving, and accidents in congested campus areas.
• Construction and Agricultural Equipment: Growth in City of Stephenville brings dump trucks and heavy machinery transport, while our agricultural roots mean tractors and grain haulers frequently share the road. When these heavy vehicles are overloaded or improperly maintained, they become 60,000-pound missiles.

We know these roads. We know the local City of Stephenville courts and juries. We understand that a wreck on a two-lane farm-to-market road requires a different investigative approach than a crash on I-20 to our north. Ralph Manginello and our team use this local familiarity to build the strongest possible case for your recovery.

48-Hour Urgency: Why Acting Now is Critical for Your Case

In a City of Stephenville 18-wheeler accident, evidence disappears at an alarming rate. If you wait even a week to contact an attorney, you may lose the very proof needed to win your case.

The Overwriting of Black Box Data

Most modern commercial trucks are equipped with an Engine Control Module (ECM) or “black box.” This device records critical data points: speed, braking, throttle position, and engine RPM in the seconds leading up to a crash. However, this data is often overwritten within 30 days—or even sooner if the truck remains in service. If the trucking company moves the vehicle before the data is downloaded, that evidence could be gone forever.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELD)

Since 2017, federal law has required most truckers to use Electronic Logging Devices to track their hours. This data can prove that a driver was on the road for 14 or 16 hours without a break, directly violating FMCSA Part 395 regulations. But these records are only required to be kept for six months.

Our Immediate Action Plan

When you call Attorney911, we don’t wait for the police report to arrive. We send formal “spoliation letters” within 24 to 48 hours to the trucking company, the driver, the insurance carrier, and any corporate parent company like Walmart or Amazon. This letter legally mandates that they preserve all evidence, from driver qualification files to internal dashcam footage.

If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, we can pursue severe sanctions in court, including an “adverse inference” instruction where the jury is told to assume the destroyed evidence would have proven the company’s negligence.

Don’t let them hide the truth. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now so Ralph Manginello and our team can lock down the evidence in your City of Stephenville case.

Understanding Accident Types: How Commercial Vehicle Wrecks Happen in City of Stephenville

Truck accidents in City of Stephenville involve physics and mechanics that don’t apply to passenger cars. Because a loaded semi-truck is 20 to 25 times heavier than your sedan, the injuries are almost always catastrophic. We handle every type of commercial vehicle crash:

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle to the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes of US-377. This is usually caused by improper braking or poorly maintained brake systems (violating 49 CFR § 393.48). On wet or slick pavement in City of Stephenville, a jackknifing 18-wheeler can cause multi-vehicle pileups with no warning.

Rollover Crashes

With the heavy dairy tankers and livestock trailers common in Erath County, rollovers are a significant risk. These accidents often happen when a driver takes a curve too fast on SH-108 or overcorrects after a tire blowout. A liquid-filled tanker is particularly dangerous due to “slosh,” which shifts the vehicle’s center of gravity unpredictably.

Underride Collisions

Underride collisions are among the most lethal accidents we see. This happens when a passenger car slides underneath the rear or side of a trailer because the truck lacks proper underride guards. These crashes often result in decapitation or fatal traumatic brain injuries. We investigate whether the trailer met federal safety standards under 49 CFR § 393.86.

Blind Spot and Wide Turn “Squeeze”

Trucks have massive “No-Zones” on all four sides. Many City of Stephenville accidents happen when a truck driver fails to check their mirrors before merging or makes a wide right turn that crushes a vehicle traveling alongside them. If the truck wasn’t equipped with modern blind-spot sensors or cameras, we hold the company accountable.

Corporate Delivery Van Accidents

As Amazon and FedEx drivers rush through City of Stephenville neighborhoods, they often resort to dangerous maneuvers, double-parking, or speeding. Because these vans are often under the 26,001-pound weight limit, they aren’t always subject to the same strict CDL rules as 18-wheelers, which can lead to poorly trained drivers behind the wheel.

Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao

Federal Regulations: Proving Trucking Company Negligence

Every 18-wheeler on the road in City of Stephenville must abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These are not suggestions; they are the law. We use these regulations to prove the trucking company was negligent:

• 49 CFR Part 391 (Driver Qualification): Did the company conduct a background check? Did the driver have a valid medical certificate? If they hired a driver with a history of DUIs or reckless driving, it is a case of negligent hiring.
• 49 CFR Part 395 (Hours of Service): Fatigue is the number one killer in the trucking industry. Drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving in a 14-hour window. We subpoena the ELD logs and dispatch records to see if the company pressured the driver to break these rules to reach City of Stephenville faster.
• 49 CFR Part 396 (Maintenance and Inspection): Trucking companies are required to systematically inspect and maintain their fleets. If a brake failure on US-281 caused your wreck, we demand the maintenance logs for the last year. Often, we find companies deferring repairs to save money—at the cost of your safety.
• 49 CFR Part 382 (Drug and Alcohol Testing): Commercial drivers must pass random drug tests. If a driver was under the influence at the time of your City of Stephenville crash, liability is often clear and punitive damages may be available.

Ralph Manginello and our team have spent 25 years studying these regulations. We know how to spot the “red flags” in a company’s safety records that other firms might miss.

Who is Liable? Identifying All Defendants in Your Case

Most law firms only sue the driver and the trucking company. At Attorney911, we believe in casting a wider net to maximize your recovery. There are often as many as 16 different parties who could be liable for your City of Stephenville truck accident:

1. The Truck Driver: For direct negligence like speeding or distraction.
2. The Trucking Company: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior (employer responsibility).
3. Amazon, Walmart, or other Corporate Parents: If an Amazon DSP van hit you, Amazon will claim they aren’t responsible. We use the “Right-to-Control” test to prove Amazon’s AI cameras and delivery quotas make them the de facto employer.
4. The Cargo Owner/Shipper: If the load was too heavy or toxic materials weren’t disclosed.
5. Loading Companies: If improperly secured cargo shifted, causing a rollover.
6. Maintenance Companies: If a third-party mechanic failed to fix a known brake or tire issue.
7. Parts Manufacturers: If a defective tire (tire blowout) or faulty steering component caused the crash.
8. Freight Brokers: For negligently hiring a carrier with a history of safety violations.
9. Rental Companies: Such as U-Haul or Penske, if they rented a massive truck to an unqualified driver.
10. Governmental Entities: If poor road design on a State Highway contributed to the collision.

By identifying every liable party, we can “stack” multiple insurance policies. This is the difference between being limited to a single $750,000 policy and accessing $5 million, $10 million, or more in coverage for your injuries.

Ready to find out who is really responsible? Call (888) 288-9911 for your free case evaluation.

Catastrophic Injuries and Their Life-Altering Impact

Truck accidents don’t cause bumps and bruises; they cause life-changing trauma. We represent City of Stephenville victims who are suffering from:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A TBI can completely alter your cognitive function, personality, and ability to work. Even a “mild” concussion can lead to years of dizziness, memory loss, and emotional instability. Our firm has recovered settlements ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million for brain injury victims.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

When an 80,000-pound truck impacts a 4,000-pound sedan, the force often breaks the victim’s neck or back. A C4 spinal injury results in quadriplegia and a lifetime of 24/7 care needs. We work with life care planners to calculate every penny of your future medical costs, which can reach $4.7 million to $25.8 million or more.

Amputations

Crush injuries often leave surgeons with no choice but to amputate a limb. The cost of prosthetics (which must be replaced every few years) and the loss of career potential are staggering. We’ve secured multi-million dollar recoveries—including a $3.8+ million settlement for a car accident amputation—for clients facing this new reality.

Severe Burns and Disfigurement

If a dairy tanker or fuel truck catches fire, the resulting burns are agonizing and require dozens of surgeries. The psychological impact of permanent scarring also carries significant weight in a legal claim.

Wrongful Death

We are deeply sorry for your loss. When a trucking company’s greed or negligence kills a loved one in City of Stephenville, we fight for the justice your family deserves. In Texas, a wrongful death claim can recover lost income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish for the survivors. Our wrongful death results regularly reach $1.9 million to $9.5 million.

Hear from our client Glenda Walker: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 and let us do the same for you.

Commercial Truck Insurance: Accessing the Millions You Deserve

Federal law (49 CFR Part 387) requires trucking companies to carry much higher insurance limits than everyday drivers. While a typical Texas driver might have only $30,000 in coverage, a semi-truck must carry at least:

• $750,000 for general non-hazardous freight.
• $1,000,000 for oil or heavy equipment.
• $5,000,000 for hazardous materials (HAZMAT).

For Fortune 500 companies like Walmart or UPS, those numbers are just the beginning. Most of these companies are “self-insured,” meaning they pay the first several million dollars out of their own corporate treasury. This makes them fight harder, but it also reflects their massive ability to pay fair compensation.

However, you will never see a fair offer if you don’t have a lawyer who understands how to navigate these layered policies. Lupe Peña, our former defense attorney, knows exactly where the “extra” insurance money is hidden. We find the primary, the excess, and the corporate umbrella policies to ensure your settlement covers all your needs—not just today, but for twenty years from now.

Learn more in our video: “How Do Car Insurance Companies Calculate Pain and Suffering?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EE9AWT12Kg

Frequently Asked Questions for City of Stephenville Truck Accident Victims

1. How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in City of Stephenville?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, if you are suing a governmental entity (like a city bus or a state vehicle), notice requirements can be as short as 90 days. Because evidence like black box data disappears in 30 days, you should never wait.

2. What if the accident was partially my fault?

Texas follows “modified comparative negligence.” You can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. Your final settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages are $1 million, you would receive $800,000.

3. Will my case have to go to a City of Stephenville courtroom?

Approximately 98% of personal injury cases settle through negotiation or mediation without a trial. However, the best way to get a high settlement is to hire an attorney who is ready for trial. Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has built a reputation as a trial lawyer. Insurance companies know that if they don’t play fair, we will see them in court.

4. Who pays my medical bills while my case is pending?

The trucking company’s insurance won’t pay your bills until the final settlement. We can help you find medical providers in the City of Stephenville area who will work on a “Letter of Protection.” This allows you to get quality care now with no out-of-pocket costs, and the doctors are paid from your eventual settlement.

5. I was hit by an Amazon van—why is their insurance company denying my claim?

Amazon often hides behind “independent contractors.” They claim they aren’t responsible because the driver worked for a small “Delivery Service Partner.” We’ve litigated against Amazon on this exact issue. We prove that because Amazon controls the tech, the route, and the schedule, they are liable for the driver’s actions.

6. Can I recover money for PTSD or being afraid to drive?

Absolutely. Physical injuries are only half the story. PTSD, driving anxiety, and mental anguish are legitimate, compensable “non-economic” damages. As client Kiimarii Yup said after a total loss accident, “1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” We fight for your mental and physical recovery.

7. How much does a City of Stephenville 18-wheeler accident lawyer cost?

You pay us nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, which means we only get paid if we win your case. We advance all costs for expert testimony, accident reconstruction, and filing fees. If we don’t recover money for you, you owe us absolutely nothing.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Multi-Million Dollar Results: A Track Record of Victory

While every case is different, results matter. You wouldn’t hire a doctor who had never performed surgery, so don’t hire a lawyer without a record of winning against big trucking companies. The Manginello Law Firm has recovered:

• $5+ Million for a worker suffering a traumatic brain injury.
• $3.8+ Million for a client who lost a leg after a collision.
• $2.5+ Million in a commercial truck crash recovery.
• $2+ Million for an offshore worker with a back injury.
• $50+ Million total recovered for injured families.

Juries across America are sending messages to negligent companies. In 2024, a Missouri jury awarded $462 million in an underride case. In 2021, a Florida jury awarded $1 billion in a negligent hiring trucking case. These “nuclear verdicts” show that when a trucking company chooses profit over City of Stephenville safety, they pay a heavy price.

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.”

Contact the City of Stephenville Truck Accident Experts at Attorney911

Your life changed in the span of a few seconds on a City of Stephenville road. The medical bills are piling up, the insurance company is calling you to get a recorded statement, and you aren’t sure if you’ll ever be able to return to work.

You don’t have to face this alone. Attorney911 is your first responder in a legal emergency. We have the resources of a large firm but treat you with the personal touch of a boutique practice. When you call us, you aren’t a case number—you are a neighbor in need.

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will send our team to the scene if necessary to secure the proof you need. From the moment you hire us, we take over the phone calls with the insurance adjusters so you can focus on one thing: getting better.

The clock is ticking. The evidence is disappearing. The trucking company’s lawyers are already working against you. Level the playing field today with a firm that has 25 years of winning experience.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911 for your FREE consultation. We are City of Stephenville’s dedicated trucking accident fighters.

Attorney911: Powerful. Proven. Relentless.

Additional Legal Resources for City of Stephenville Residents

• Tarleton State University Students: If you were hit while walking or cycling near campus, special liability rules for pedestrians and school zones may apply. Call us to discuss your “vulnerable road user” rights.
• Dairy Workers and Farmers: If you were injured by a commercial vehicle while operating farm equipment on a public road, we understand the specific Erath County agricultural laws that protect you.
• Spanish Speakers: Lupe Peña provides direct representation with no interpreters needed. Hablamos Español y estamos listos para ayudar a nuestra comunidad en City of Stephenville.

Follow us on YouTube for legal tips: “What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UKRbFprB0E

One call, that’s all. 1-888-ATTY-911.