Dallas Truck Accident and Commercial Vehicle Attorneys

When an 80,000-pound truck slams into your passenger vehicle on I-35 near the Dallas Mixmaster, your life changes in a split second. The force of a commercial vehicle collision is unlike anything else on the road, and the legal battle that follows is just as intense. At Attorney911, we know that after a catastrophic wreck, you aren’t just looking for legal advice—you’re looking for a lifeline.

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has spent over 25 years in the courtroom fighting for families who have been devastated by corporate negligence. Since 1998, he has gone toe-to-toe with some of the largest companies in the world, including BP during the Texas City refinery litigation that resulted in over $2.1 billion in settlements. This level of high-stakes experience is what we bring to every Dallas trucking accident case. We aren’t intimidated by the teams of lawyers that Walmart, Amazon, or FedEx send to protect their billions. We outwork them, out-investigate them, and we win.

Winning a trucking case in Dallas requires an insider’s perspective. That’s why we are proud to have Lupe Peña on our team. Before joining us to fight for victims, Lupe worked as an attorney for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how insurance companies evaluate, delay, and minimize your suffering. He has seen their playbook from the inside, and now he uses that knowledge to stay three steps ahead of them. Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Whether you were hit by an 18-wheeler on I-20, a delivery van in the Bishop Arts District, or an overloaded dump truck on I-635, the clock is already ticking. Evidence disappears within hours, and the trucking company’s rapid-response team is likely already at the scene. You need a team that moves faster. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911.

Why Dallas is an Epicenter for Trucking Accidents

Dallas sits at the crossroads of the American logistics network. We are the gateway to the NAFTA corridor, the heart of the “Texas Triangle,” and home to some of the busiest distribution hubs in the world. While this fuels our local economy, it also makes Dallas one of the most dangerous places in the country for truck accidents.

Our highways—I-35E, I-30, I-45, and I-20—are the primary arteries for freight moving across North America. The convergence of these routes in downtown Dallas, known as the “Mixmaster,” creates a constant bottleneck where heavy commercial vehicles must perform complex maneuvers in dense traffic. When a fatigued driver operating a delivery truck for a company like Amazon or a semi-truck for Walmart loses focus in the Dallas Mixmaster, the results are almost always catastrophic.

In South Dallas, the logistics and distribution clusters in Wilmer and Hutchins send thousands of trucks through our residential and commercial areas every single day. These aren’t just 18-wheelers; they are last-mile delivery vans, box trucks, and gravel haulers serving the endless construction boom in North Texas. Each one represents a unique set of federal regulations and potential liable parties. At Attorney911, our founder Ralph Manginello has secured multi-million dollar recoveries for victims because we understand the specific traffic patterns and corporate pressures that define Dallas trucking.

We’ve recovered over $50 million for Texas families, including $2.5 million for a single truck crash recovery and multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries and amputations. As client Chad Harris told us, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We treat your Dallas truck accident case with the personal attention it deserves, backed by the resources of a firm that handles $10 million lawsuits against major institutions.

If you’ve been hurt, don’t wait for the insurance company to call. They aren’t on your side. Call the firm that insurers fear: 1-888-ATTY-911.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA) in Dallas Cases

Proving negligence in a Dallas truck accident isn’t just about showing who hit whom. It’s about proving that the trucking company broke the law. Commercial trucking is governed by a strict set of federal laws known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399).

When we investigate a wreck on I-45 or Central Expressway, Ralph Manginello and our team look for specific violations of these rules to establish liability. These regulations exist because an 80,000-pound truck is a dangerous instrument that requires strict oversight.

Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395)

Driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck wrecks in North Texas. Under Part 395, drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They cannot drive past the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty and must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.

Despite these laws, corporate delivery pressure in Dallas hubs often forces drivers to falsify their Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data. If a driver was pushing through a 14-hour shift to reach an Amazon fulfillment center in Coppell, they were breaking federal law, and they are responsible for your injuries.

Driver Qualification (49 CFR Part 391)

Trucking companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are fit for the road. This includes verifying their CDL, medical examiner’s certificate, and conducting a thorough background check. We often find that companies hire drivers with a history of DUIs or safety violations just to keep trucks moving. This is known as negligent hiring, and it is a powerful tool Ralph Manginello uses to secure maximum compensation.

Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396)

Every commercial vehicle in Dallas must be systematically inspected and maintained. Part 396 requires drivers to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections. If an 18-wheeler’s brakes fail on a steep ramp off I-35 because the company skipped a scheduled maintenance check, that company is liable. We subpoena maintenance logs and mechanic work orders to prove they prioritized profit over your safety.

Parts and Accessories (49 CFR Part 393)

From lighting and reflectors to underride guards and cargo securement, Part 393 dictates the safety equipment every truck must carry. We’ve seen cases where a lack of proper retroreflective tape made a trailer invisible at night on a dark stretch of I-20, leading to a fatal underride collision.

The complexity of these regulations is why you need an attorney with over 25 years of experience. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña know these CFR parts backward and forward. We use them to build a wall of evidence that insurance companies can’t hide behind.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 to put our federal court experience to work for you.

Common Types of Dallas Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents

The physics of a trucking accident determines the severity and type of injury. In Dallas, our unique road layout leads to specific accident patterns that we investigate daily.

Jackknife Accidents on I-635

Common on the LBJ Freeway during Dallas’s sudden rainstorms, a jackknife happens when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab. This often occurs due to improper braking or speeding on wet roads. An empty trailer is actually more prone to jackknifing than a full one, and when it happens atop a crowded freeway, it can sweep across four lanes of traffic.

Rollover Crashes on Entrance Ramps

The high center of gravity of a semi-truck makes it extremely unstable during turns. We often see rollovers on the tight cloverleaf ramps connecting Dallas’s major interstates. If a driver takes a ramp at excessive speed or has an improperly balanced load, the truck can tip, crushing any passenger vehicle alongside it.

Underride Collisions

Perhaps the most lethal type of accident, underride collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the back or side of a trailer. Despite federal requirements for rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86), many are poorly maintained or fail on impact. Side underride, which currently has no federal guard requirement, is a frequent danger when trucks perform wide turns on Dallas city streets.

Blind Spot (No-Zone) Accidents

An 18-wheeler has four major blind spots: directly in front, directly behind, and large swaths on both sides (especially the right). When a driver changes lanes on North Central Expressway without verifying the “No-Zone” is clear, they can side-swipe a vehicle, causing a loss of control or a multi-car pileup.

Delivery Van Accidents (Amazon/FedEx/UPS)

Dallas is full of blue Amazon vans and white FedEx Ground trucks. These drivers are under extreme pressure to meet delivery quotas, which leads to distracted driving, illegal parking, and failure to yield in residential neighborhoods. We know how to pierce the “independent contractor” shield that companies like Amazon use to avoid liability.

Construction Truck Wrecks (Dump Trucks & Concrete Mixers)

With constant construction in the DFW Metroplex, dump trucks and concrete mixers are everywhere. A loaded concrete mixer can weigh 70,000 pounds and has an unstable “slosh effect” that causes rollovers. Dump trucks often suffer from tire blowouts due to overweight loads and poor maintenance.

Vulnerable Road User Accidents

If you were a pedestrian struck by a delivery truck in Uptown or a cyclist hit by a wide-turning truck in Deep Ellum, your injuries are likely life-changing. We hold these companies to a heightened duty of care for those who have no steel cage to protect them.

Regardless of how your accident happened, Ralph Manginello and Attorney911 have the experience to prove fault. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries ranging from $1.5 million to over $9.8 million. We are ready to do the same for you. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Who Is Liable for Your Dallas Truck Accident?

One of the biggest mistakes a general practice lawyer makes is only suing the truck driver. At Attorney911, we know that to maximize your recovery, we must cast a wide net. There are often 16 or more potentially liable parties in a single Dallas trucking collision.

The Driver and the Motor Carrier

Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, the trucking company is usually liable for the negligence of its employees. But we also look for direct negligence by the company, such as failing to monitor ELD logs or pushing a driver to work 16-hour shifts.

Corporate Parents and Brand Owners

When a Walmart or Amazon truck is involved, we don’t just look at the driver. We look at the corporate parent. Even if they claim the driver was an “independent contractor,” we use the “right-to-control” test to prove that because the parent company controlled the route, the speed, and the delivery window, they are ultimately responsible.

Shippers and Cargo Loaders

If an improperly secured load of steel coils from a Dallas rail yard shifts and causes a rollover, the company that loaded the truck is liable. Federal regulations (49 CFR § 393.100) are very specific about how cargo must be contained and secured.

Product and Parts Manufacturers

If a tire blowout on I-35 was caused by a manufacturing defect, or if the brakes failed because of a faulty component, we pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer. This adds another multi-million dollar insurance pool to your case.

Third-Party Maintenance Companies

Many Dallas fleets outsource their maintenance. If a third-party shop failed to identify worn brake pads or defective steering during a mandated inspection, they share the blame for your crash.

Freight Brokers

Brokers who hire “bottom of the barrel” carriers with failing safety scores just to save a few dollars are increasingly being held liable for “negligent selection.”

Government Entities and Public Transit

If you were hit by a DART bus or a city-owned dump truck, you are dealing with sovereign immunity. You must file a formal notice of claim within a very short window—sometimes as short as 90 days. Ralph Manginello’s federal court admission and 25+ years of experience are critical when taking on government agencies.

More defendants means more insurance coverage. By identifying every liable party, we ensure you have access to the maximum possible compensation. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 to start our investigation.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Rule

In a Dallas truck accident, the first 48 hours are a race against time. While you are in the hospital at Parkland or Baylor University Medical Center, the trucking company is already working to destroy evidence.

What Disappears First?

• ECM (Black Box) Data: This records your speed, braking, and steering in the seconds before impact. It can be overwritten in 30 days or the next time the truck is driven.
• ELD Logs: Electronic logs prove hours-of-service violations, but carriers are only required to keep them for six months.
• Dashcam Footage: Many corporate fleets like Amazon and Walmart use Netradyne or DriveCam systems. This footage is often deleted within days unless a formal preservation demand is made.
• The Vehicle Itself: Trucking companies want to get their trucks back on the road. They will repair the damage as fast as possible, destroying the physical evidence of the impact forces.

The Spoliation Letter

The moment you hire Attorney911, we send a formal “spoliation letter” to every liable party. This is a legal demand that they preserve all data, logs, and physical evidence. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, we can ask the court for “adverse inference” instructions, meaning the jury will be told to assume the destroyed evidence proved the company was guilty.

Ralph Manginello’s team moves with military precision. We deploy accident reconstruction experts to Dallas highways to document skid marks and debris fields before they are washed away or worn down. Don’t let the evidence of their guilt disappear. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911 right now.

Catastrophic Injuries and Life Impact

We understand that a truck accident doesn’t just leave you with medical bills; it leaves you with a different life. The injuries sustained in an 18-wheeler crash are often permanent and life-altering.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A brain injury can range from a concussion that leaves you with permanent memory fog to severe trauma requiring 24/7 care. Our firm has recovered settlements as high as $9.8 million for TBI victims because we know how to document the subtle cognitive shifts that insurance adjusters try to ignore. As client Amazon A.T. said, “Ralph Manginello is indeed the best attorney I ever had. He cares greatly about his results.”

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

A crushed vertebra in a rollover can mean a lifetime in a wheelchair. We work with life care planners to calculate the true cost of paralysis—home modifications, specialized vehicles, and decades of physical therapy. These settlements often range from $4.7 million to over $25 million.

Amputations

The crushing weight of a commercial vehicle often results in the loss of limbs. We secured a $3.8 million settlement for a client who suffered an amputation, proving that the compensation must cover not just the surgery, but the lifelong cost of prosthetics and lost earning capacity.

Wrongful Death

If you lost a loved one in a Dallas trucking accident, we offer our deepest condolences. No amount of money can replace a family member, but a wrongful death claim provides the financial security your family needs to move forward. Wrongful death settlements in trucking cases routinely reach the $1.9 million to $9.5 million range.

We also represent victims of severe burns, internal organ damage, and complex orthopedic fractures. Whether your injury is physical or psychological—like PTSD and driving anxiety—we fight for “every dime you deserve,” as our client Glenda Walker put it.

Understanding Insurance and Maximum Recovery

Trucking companies carry much higher insurance limits than the average driver. While a car might have a $30,000 policy, an 18-wheeler in Dallas is required by federal law (49 CFR Part 387) to carry significantly more:

• General Freight: $750,000 minimum
• Oil/Hazmat: $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 minimum

Large corporate fleets like Walmart and Amazon are often “self-insured,” meaning they have millions of dollars readily available to pay claims—but they won’t do it without a fight. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña knows their tactics because he used to defend these companies. We use that inside knowledge to break through their defenses and reach the “excess” and “umbrella” policies that can total $25 million or more.

We pursue Economic Damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care) and Non-Economic Damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium). In cases of egregious negligence—like a company knowing their driver was over his hours—we also pursue Punitive Damages to punish the wrongdoer and prevent it from happening again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dallas Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Dallas?

In Texas, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, waiting that long is a mistake. Evidence in Dallas trucking cases is often lost within the first 30 days. You should contact us immediately.

What if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Texas follows the “51% Bar Rule” for modified comparative negligence. This means you can still recover damages as long as you are not 51% or more responsible for the accident. Your final settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If the truck driver was 80% at fault and you were 20%, you still recover 80% of your total damages.

Can I sue Amazon if their delivery driver hit me?

Yes. Although Amazon tries to hide behind “Independent Service Providers,” we use the “Right-to-Control” test to prove Amazon’s liability. Because Amazon sets the delivery routes and monitors the drivers via cameras and apps, they act as the employer. We have successfully navigated these complex corporate structures.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we advance all costs of the forensic investigation and medical experts. We only get paid if we win your case. If there is no recovery, you owe us nothing.

Why shouldn’t I take the insurance company’s first offer?

Because it is a “lowball” offer designed to make your case go away before you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign a settlement, you can never ask for more. Never sign anything without letting Lupe Peña or Ralph Manginello review it first.

What hospitals handle Dallas truck accident trauma?

Most serious trucking injuries are transported to Level I Trauma Centers like Parkland Memorial Hospital or Baylor University Medical Center. We can help coordinate your ongoing care with specialists who understand how to document injuries for legal claims.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle out of court, but we prepare every single case as if it is going to a jury. When insurance companies know that Ralph Manginello is ready and willing to take them to trial in the Southern District of Texas, they are much more likely to offer a fair settlement.

Powerful Advocacy for the Dallas Community

When you are hit by a commercial vehicle, you aren’t just a case number to us. You are a person whose life has been turned upside down. 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 difficult cases. We take the cases other firms reject because they are too complex.

Our team is dedicated to the people of Dallas. From the I-35 corridor to the industrial zones of North Texas, we are here to ensure that trucking companies and multi-billion dollar corporations are held accountable for the damage they cause. We have the 25+ years of experience, the federal court background, and the former insurance defense insight needed to win.

You have been through enough. Let us take the fight from here.

Call Attorney911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911. We are available 24/7 to provide your free, no-obligation case evaluation. Hablamos Español. Llame ahora para proteger su futuro.

Attorney911 | The Manginello Law Firm
Powerful. Proven. For over two decades, we have been the firm that insurers fear. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.