City of Tyler Truck Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Victims of 18-Wheeler and Commercial Vehicle Wrecks
The impact of an 80,000-pound semi-truck slamming into a sedan on Interstate 20 near City of Tyler is more than just a traffic accident; it is a life-altering event. In that split second, your car—weighing maybe 4,000 pounds—is no match for the sheer physical force of a massive commercial rig. Whether you were struck while commuting on Loop 323 or caught in a jackknife pileup on Gentry Parkway, the aftermath is devastating. Your family’s future, your health, and your livelihood are suddenly at risk because a trucking company chose to cut corners.
At Attorney911, we understand that you aren’t just looking for a lawyer; you’re looking for a fighter who can navigate the complex web of federal regulations and corporate defense tactics that follow a major crash. Since 1998, our managing partner Ralph Manginello has been taking on the world’s largest corporations and making them pay for the harm they cause. With over 25 years of experience in both state and federal courts, we provide the aggressive, high-stakes representation necessary to secure the multi-million dollar settlements our clients deserve. If you have been hurt in a truck accident in City of Tyler, call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate intervention.
Why Experience Matters After a Tyler Truck Accident
Trucking companies do not wait for the ambulance to arrive before they start building their defense. Within hours of a collision on a City of Tyler highway, the motor carrier has likely dispatched a “rapid response team” consisting of specialized investigators and defense attorneys. Their goal is simple: minimize their liability and protect their bottom line.
You need a team that moves just as fast. We bring a unique “insider advantage” to every case we handle in City of Tyler. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working at a national insurance defense firm. He has seen the playbook they use to deny claims and minimize the suffering of victims. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to deconstruct their defenses. We know how they value claims, we know when they are bluffing, and we know exactly where they hide the evidence that proves their negligence.
Our firm is powerful and proven. We have litigated against some of the biggest names in the industry, from Walmart and Amazon to FedEx, UPS, and major oil and gas operators. When we represent a family in City of Tyler, the defendants know we are prepared to go to trial. We have already recovered over $50 million for our clients, including multi-million dollar results for traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death cases. As our client Chad Harris noted, at our firm “you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY.”
The Crossroads of Danger: Truck Traffic in City of Tyler
City of Tyler sits at the heart of Smith County, serving as the primary logistics and medical hub for Northeast Texas. This unique position means our local roads are shared with a high volume of heavy commercial traffic. The trucking corridors serving City of Tyler are among the busiest and most dangerous in the state.
Interstate 20 and the East Texas Freight Route
Interstate 20, running just north of the City of Tyler city limits, is a dominant east-west artery carrying thousands of 18-wheelers daily from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex toward Louisiana. This stretch is notorious for fatigue-related accidents. Drivers who have been behind the wheel for 10 or 11 hours are often hitting their limit as they pass through Smith County. When a driver loses focus for even two seconds at 70 mph, their 80,000-pound rig becomes an unguided missile.
US-69 and the North-South Corridor
US-69, which becomes Broadway Avenue as it enters City of Tyler, carries a constant stream of regional freight. From heavy logging trucks coming out of the East Texas Piney Woods to delivery vans serving the retail centers near the Village at Cumberland Park, the mix of high-speed commercial traffic and local commuters creates a high-risk environment. The intersections along Gentry Parkway and the convergence of US-69/Loop 323 see frequent T-bone and wide-turn accidents.
Toll 49 and the Bypass Dangers
The development of Toll 49 was intended to divert heavy truck traffic around City of Tyler, but it has created new hazards. The high speeds and heavy loads on these newer roads increase the severity of rollover accidents and tire blowouts. When a concrete mixer or a frac sand hauler loses control on Toll 49, the lack of traditional congestion often means the impact occurs at much higher velocities, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Learn more in our video guide: “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao.
Proving Negligence: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA)
Unlike a standard car wreck, 18-wheeler cases are governed by a massive body of federal law known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399). These rules are the “safety manual” for the industry, and when a trucking company in City of Tyler violates them, they are effectively breaking the law.
Driver Qualification (49 CFR Part 391)
Trucking companies have a non-delegable duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. Under Part 391, they must maintain a complete Driver Qualification File for every operator. This includes checking their driving history (MVR), verifying their medical certificate, and investigating their previous employment. When a company like Walmart or a local City of Tyler oilfield contractor puts a driver on the road with a history of safety violations or medical issues, we hold them liable for negligent hiring.
Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395)
Driver fatigue is the silent killer on City of Tyler highways. Federal law (49 CFR § 395.3) strictly limits driving time to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Drivers are also limited by the “14-hour window” and mandatory 30-minute breaks. With the implementation of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), companies can no longer hide behind paper logs. We subpoena the ELD data immediately to prove the driver was operating while fatigued — a direct violation that establishes clear negligence.
Inspection and Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396)
An 80,000-pound truck is only as safe as its weakest part. Every motor carrier is required by 49 CFR § 396.3 to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” their vehicles. This includes pre-trip and post-trip inspections. If your accident on Loop 323 was caused by a brake failure or a tire blowout, we look at the maintenance logs to see if the company chose to defer a $500 repair to keep the truck moving, ultimately costing you your health.
Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 CFR Part 382)
The safety of City of Tyler families depends on sober drivers. FMCSA Part 382 requires pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing. If a driver involved in a City of Tyler crash tests positive, or if the company failed to perform the required random screenings, it is a catastrophic failure of corporate oversight.
For more information, watch our video: “Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0MT3CKbUb4.
48-Hour Evidence Preservation: The Clock is Ticking
The most critical period in any City of Tyler trucking case is the first 48 hours. Information that can prove your case is incredibly fragile and often in the hands of the very people who hit you.
- ECM/Black Box Data: The Engine Control Module records speed, braking, and steering inputs. This data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days or even sooner if the truck is returned to service.
- Dashcam Footage: Many corporate fleets like Amazon and FedEx now use AI-powered cameras (like Netradyne). This footage is often only retained for a few days unless an “event” is triggered.
- The Physical Scene: In the City of Tyler heat, skid marks on asphalt can fade in days. Physical debris is cleared away by TXDOT crews quickly to reopen traffic.
We send formal spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. These letters put the trucking company on legal notice to preserve the truck, the logs, the data, and the driver’s records. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, we can request an “adverse inference” instruction from the judge, telling the jury they must assume the destroyed evidence proved the trucking company was at fault.
Don’t wait until the evidence is gone. Call (888) 288-9911 immediately.
Catastrophic Injuries and Tyler’s Medical Resources
We recognize that truck accidents cause more than just property damage; they shatter lives. A collision with a commercial vehicle in City of Tyler often results in injuries that require a lifetime of care.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The violent force of a semi-truck impact causes the brain to slam against the skull, resulting in bruising, bleeding, or axonal shearing. Even a “mild” concussion can lead to permanent cognitive deficits. We have recovered multi-million dollar settlements for TBI victims, with results ranging from $1.5M to over $9.8M. Learn more about your rights in: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or total paralysis. Living with paraplegia or quadriplegia after a City of Tyler accident means a lifetime of medical equipment, home modifications, and 24/7 assistance. Our firm calculates the full “life care plan” to ensure you are covered for the next 40 or 50 years, not just the next 6 months.
Amputation and Crush Injuries
When a smaller vehicle is crushed by a truck’s turning tires or pinned against a concrete barrier on Toll 49, traumatic amputation is a terrifying reality. Rebuilding your life with a prosthetic limb is a grueling process. We have secured amputation settlements ranging from $1.9M to $8.6M to cover the astronomical costs of lifelong prosthetic replacement and rehabilitation.
Wrongful Death
If you have lost a loved one on a City of Tyler road, no amount of money can bring them back. However, a wrongful death claim ensures that the negligent company is held accountable and that your family’s financial future is secured. Texas law allows for the recovery of lost future income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.
If your accident occurred near the Downtown City of Tyler area, you were likely transported to the trauma centers at UT Health East Texas or CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital. These facilities provide world-class emergency care, but the bills they generate are staggering. We work to ensure these costs are paid by the negligent trucking company, not your family.
Commercial Vehicle Types on Tyler Roads
Our expertise goes beyond standard 18-wheelers. We represent victims across City of Tyler in cases involving every type of commercial vehicle:
- Dump Trucks and Gravel Haulers: Heavy and often overloaded, these trucks frequent City of Tyler construction sites and the quarries surrounding Smith County. They are prone to rollovers and cargo spills.
- Garbage and Waste Trucks: Operating in City of Tyler residential neighborhoods, these vehicles have massive blind spots and frequent stopping patterns that lead to rear-end and pedestrian accidents.
- Concrete Mixers: The rotating drum of a cement mixer creates an unstable center of gravity. A concrete truck rollover in a City of Tyler intersection is almost always catastrophic.
- Delivery Vans (Amazon/FedEx/UPS): The pressure to meet delivery quotas often forces drivers to speed through local streets. We pierce the “independent contractor” shield that Amazon uses to avoid liability.
- Oilfield Vehicles: City of Tyler is a gateway to the Northeast Texas oil patch. We handle cases involving water trucks, frac sand haulers, and crew transport vans that operate on narrow, dangerous FM roads.
- Rental Trucks (U-Haul/Penske): When an untrained driver is put behind the wheel of a 26-foot box truck on Broadway, the results are predictable. We hold rental companies accountable for negligent entrustment.
Multi-Party Liability: Who is Responsible?
Most firms only sue the driver. We investigate further to maximize your recovery. In a typical City of Tyler truck accident, liability may extend to:
- The Trucking Company: For vicarious liability and negligent supervision.
- The Cargo Owner: If the load was improperly balanced or hazardous.
- The Maintenance Provider: If a third party failed to repair the brakes or steering.
- The Freight Broker: For negligent selection of an unsafe carrier.
- Corporate Parent Companies: When a Walmart or Amazon branded truck is involved.
- Manufacturers: If a design defect in the truck or tires caused the crash.
By identifying all 16 potentially liable parties, we stack multiple insurance policies—accessing the $1M, $5M, or even $100M in coverage that large corporations carry.
Tyler, Texas Truck Accident FAQ
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in City of Tyler?
In Texas, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the accident. However, in trucking cases, you should act within 48 hours to preserve evidence.
What is my case worth?
There is no average settlement, but trucking cases involve much higher insurance policies than car accidents ($750k to $5M minimum). Your recovery depends on the severity of your injuries and the degree of the company’s negligence.
What if I was partially at fault?
Texas follows a 51% bar rule. As long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Should I accept the first offer from the insurance adjuster?
NO. The first offer is almost always a lowball designed to make you go away before you know the full cost of your future medical needs. Watch our video: “What Should You Not Say to an Insurance Adjuster?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UKRbFprB0E.
Can I sue Amazon if their delivery driver hit me?
Yes. Even though Amazon claims their drivers are contractors, we know how to prove they exercise sufficient control to be held liable. We have litigated this exact issue before.
Hablamos Español. Si usted o un ser querido ha sido herido en un accidente de camión en City of Tyler, el abogado Lupe Peña puede ayudarle. El trabajó para las compañías de seguros por años y ahora pelea por nuestra gente. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita.
Demand Justice with Attorney911
The trucking company that changed your life on I-20 or Toll 49 has an army of lawyers. You deserve a team that is just as powerful, just as experienced, and significantly more dedicated to your recovery. Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have spent over two decades fighting for the families of City of Tyler. We treat you like family because we understand what is at stake.
You pay nothing unless we win. No upfront costs, no hidden fees—just a relentless pursuit of the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Whether you are dealing with a permanent disability or the loss of a loved one, we are ready to stand in the ring with the corporate giants for you.
Your fight starts with one call. Don’t let the trucking company win by waiting.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) today for your free, no-obligation City of Tyler truck accident consultation. We are available 24/7 to answer your call.
